So many people are concerned about the flooding situation here in Missouri. We live in our camper right on the banks of the Missouri River and keep a close watch on the river levels. We live one day at a time . . . not stressing about the what ifs, just keeping in contact with the experts who map the river. And the best thing - our home is on wheels! In a matter of a few minutes, we can pull out and head to higher ground. No house to worry about - no furniture to move out - just start the truck and go! It's a great life!
How about you - what's your #1 reason having a home on wheels is best?
Bill Adams said
09:32 AM Jun 25, 2011
Easy to get away from the in-laws. No property taxes, garbage collection, water bills, etc. No lawn to mow, garden to maintain. New neighbors when I tire of the old. New scenery at will. River today, mountains tomorrow, the beach the next followed by the desert. Very little "stuff". What's important and what's not becomes very clear very quickly. FLEXIBILITY!
-- Edited by Bill Adams on Saturday 25th of June 2011 09:32:59 AM
-- Edited by Bill Adams on Saturday 25th of June 2011 09:33:29 AM
Terry and Jo said
01:07 PM Jun 25, 2011
What Bill said.
Plus, I can easier stay one jump ahead of those trying to find me. (Not that anyone is looking.....)
Seriously, how best to get out into nature that can change with every move and bless us with ALL the beauty of this country.
Terry
bjoyce said
01:40 PM Jun 25, 2011
...we can meet up with our friends who also have a home on wheels.
Seriously if you read blogs and journals of new full-timers they start with what they have learned, often in the school of hard knocks, and where they have been. After a while there are entries with mentions of other RVers they have met. After a longer while these mentions of the RVing friends they have met up with get quite numerous. The people you meet and befriend becomes one of the highlights of the lifestyle.
Right now we are camped with friends.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Saturday 25th of June 2011 01:41:12 PM
GENECOP said
01:57 PM Jun 25, 2011
Everyday is an adventure and the world is your playground....
BruceandTrisha said
02:31 PM Jun 25, 2011
You get to be a kid every day - go out an play, watch the clouds, throw some rocks i the river . . . just enjoying the fun of being outside!
You have friends in every port (kind of like a sailor and his girls )
Nothing weighs you down unless you need it . . . no more STUFF!
Great answers! Keep 'em coming!
Luvglass said
02:52 PM Jun 25, 2011
Constantly get to see new places and things.
Always trying new restaurants.
Avoid extreme weather for prolonged periods.
Meet new people and make new friends.
Permanently get away from a life of acquisition.
Really get to know your partner.
Lead a life with minimum responsibilities.
Bill Adams said
03:12 PM Jun 25, 2011
In the 10 years that we owned our last home we had neighbors beside us who also built a home at the same time. It was just the 2 of us at the end of a street. Pretty quiet but not isolated. I met my neighbor to my left a couple of times but we never even so much as shook hands. The neighbor who built his house when we did spoke many times and we even exchanged house keys "just in case". In 10 years he had dinner in our house one time as his wife was out of town, there was a big snow storm and we were concerned he would starve! In those same 10 years we were never once invited to their house for a meal. At the time, this all seemed perfectly normal to Janet and me as we had very busy lives. Today, after traveling for so many years, I find what happened back then to simply be abominable. Shame on us! There is so much more "community" out here with the folks we have meet than anything we ever experienced in a S&B. We constantly run into friends we have met along our travels. Even many of our business customers are now good friends and we will watch each others travels to see where we might cross paths again. This is a great life and unlike anything we have ever experienced in "the real world".
53 Merc said
03:13 PM Jun 25, 2011
Luvglass wrote:
Constantly get to see new places and things.
Always trying new restaurants.
Avoid extreme weather for prolonged periods.
Meet new people and make new friends.
Permanently get away from a life of acquisition.
Really get to know your partner.
Lead a life with minimum responsibilities.
Item 1, what is wrong with the place where you are now? What things are you looking for?
Item 2, Yeah but what if you get a bad restaurant?
Item 3, What is the matter with your old friends, me for instance?
Item 4, But you will have to get rid of all your stuff.
All of us have had those exact same questions and more thrown at us as we decided to full-time, or most-of-the-time. Still doesn't make us change our minds though, does it? I am just glad Fred wrote them down so I could have some fun with it. Relatives and friends make every attempt to put up barriers. We just have to smie and continue with what works FOR US.
Mallo said
05:50 PM Jun 25, 2011
I'll second the sense of community. We had at best an indifferent relationship with our neighbors that from time to time went pretty negitive (I'm told I can be hard to get along with, I felt it was them.) Now where ever we go we meet people who at the least we have one thing in common with.
Mallo
The Bear II said
09:37 AM Jun 28, 2011
We had a custom license plate made up for the back of our 5th wheel that says it all:
"Small House - Big Yard"
-- Edited by The Bear II on Tuesday 28th of June 2011 09:38:39 AM
heyduke said
06:20 PM Jun 30, 2011
just because... and what Bill said...
janieD said
08:02 PM Jul 12, 2011
I like Bear IIs plate. I agree and we don't have to mow the lawn. For me life is just simpler, lived on our own terms
The Bear II said
05:46 PM Jul 13, 2011
One of the things we keep in the back of our minds regarding the RV and the fact that we live in rocking and rolling Southern California, in case of an earthquake the RV can be used as a shelter.
A friend's house split in half during a severe earthquake in the 80's and he ended up sleeping in a tent on his front lawn for two months. His neighbors stayed in their RV.
Bill Adams said
06:23 PM Jul 13, 2011
I think after a few days or a week or two I might have bought an RV or moved into a hotel or something. Some tenters just love tenting. Maybe he liked it!
Jim01 said
06:01 AM Jul 14, 2011
Freedom!!!!
Jim
BruceandTrisha said
07:40 AM Jul 14, 2011
Jim, that one word sums it up perfectly!! FREEDOM!
Mike and Gloria said
01:32 PM Jul 18, 2011
We have been full-timing since April 1 and are loving it! We have been amazed at how little we need to be comfortable and happy and the freedom this lifestyle gives us is tremendous!
We spent 3 months in New England visiting family and friends. The last 3 weeks were spent in Mike's sister's house taking care of his elderly mother while his sister and family were in South Africa. She has a lovely, large home but we couldn't wait to get back into our rolling condo.
The last couple of weeks have been spent meandering across the continent. We're on our way to British Columbia to visit our second son. Mike has finally gotten 'laid back' on this trip and realizes we don't have to rush, rush, rush to get everywhere. He's really enjoying stopping whenever we feel like it to see something. Right now we're in Guernsey, WY at a lovely little park with a river in front of us and the town golf course right behind us. There's also a riding academy with in view so we get to see horses frequently. We're on the Oregon Trail and have seen several landmarks.
We couldn't do all this if we were in a regular home. We've always loved to travel but couldn't afford to do it much. This has been great!
gypsymaus said
07:34 AM Jul 19, 2011
When I was a child my Mom took me to Disneyland once a year. I couldn't sleep the night before because of the excitment. I feel the same way when we are off to a new destination in the RV. One week we might be in the mountains of Colorado and feel like we can touch the stars and the next week be on the Bayou in Texas watching the Peliquin dive for food.
Laura and Bunk said
05:54 PM Jul 24, 2011
My Dad told me (a long long time ago) that I was born with wheels instead of legs. When I was a pre teen I would get on my bike and think nothing of riding 20/30 miles. (Scared my Mom half to death) Always wanted to see what was "over there". My walls were always covered with maps so I could plan/dream the next trip.
I have never out grown that feeling of what is "over there" My husband says if I had been born in an earlier century I would have been a female Daniel Boone or Columbus.
With an RV I don't have to pedal!
The Hensons said
06:01 PM Jul 24, 2011
Laura and Bunk wrote:
My Dad told me (a long long time ago) that I was born with wheels instead of legs. When I was a pre teen I would get on my bike and think nothing of riding 20/30 miles. (Scared my Mom half to death) Always wanted to see what was "over there". My walls were always covered with maps so I could plan/dream the next trip.
I have never out grown that feeling of what is "over there" My husband says if I had been born in an earlier century I would have been a female Daniel Boone or Columbus.
With an RV I don't have to pedal!
I can relate to this.
Queen said
05:01 PM Jul 26, 2011
I grew up on the move in a military family and just can't stay still. Having a home on wheels will be a dream come true.
Walking Plow said
11:10 PM Jul 26, 2011
I live on a dead end dirt road. Mostly because I don't like neighbors I can see or here.
Years ago the only way to see my neighbors was to stand on top of my house. That was acceptable, I rarely went up there other than to clean out the chimney( we heat with wood)
now people been moving around me like fire ants. I can see two of them from my side porch. Then here recently one of them added a light on a pole. It stays on all night. City folk...
Now I can't sit on the porch at night and look at the stars without seeing his light in my face.
PD CFK said
05:32 AM Jul 27, 2011
@ Walking Plow... Welcome to the Forum :) We grew up in the country also and understand your thoughts. So nice to have your own space. We have found that even though in a RV park you are necessarily side by side with neighbors, it still seems that you have your own space for the most part. The nice thing is that you are surrounded by mostly likeminded people to strike up a conversation with, if you choose to. Otherwise you can just give a friendly nod or wave and be on your way. Pat/Charlie
Walking Plow said
06:10 AM Jul 28, 2011
PD CFK wrote:
We have found that even though in a RV park you are necessarily side by side with neighbors, it still seems that you have your own space for the most part. The nice thing is that you are surrounded by mostly likeminded people to strike up a conversation with, if you choose to. Otherwise you can just give a friendly nod or wave and be on your way. Pat/Charlie
Yes, this I understand completely.
I spent time in RV parks as a kid growing up. My folks had a 21 foot concord travel trailer. They made friends everywhere they went. Which meant us kids met new friends every were our parents went. I think I miss that lifestyle.
So many people are concerned about the flooding situation here in Missouri. We live in our camper right on the banks of the Missouri River and keep a close watch on the river levels. We live one day at a time . . . not stressing about the what ifs, just keeping in contact with the experts who map the river. And the best thing - our home is on wheels! In a matter of a few minutes, we can pull out and head to higher ground. No house to worry about - no furniture to move out - just start the truck and go! It's a great life!
How about you - what's your #1 reason having a home on wheels is best?
Easy to get away from the in-laws.
No property taxes, garbage collection, water bills, etc.
No lawn to mow, garden to maintain.
New neighbors when I tire of the old.
New scenery at will. River today, mountains tomorrow, the beach the next followed by the desert.
Very little "stuff". What's important and what's not becomes very clear very quickly.
FLEXIBILITY!
-- Edited by Bill Adams on Saturday 25th of June 2011 09:32:59 AM
-- Edited by Bill Adams on Saturday 25th of June 2011 09:33:29 AM
What Bill said.
Plus, I can easier stay one jump ahead of those trying to find me. (Not that anyone is looking.....)
Seriously, how best to get out into nature that can change with every move and bless us with ALL the beauty of this country.
Terry
...we can meet up with our friends who also have a home on wheels.
Seriously if you read blogs and journals of new full-timers they start with what they have learned, often in the school of hard knocks, and where they have been. After a while there are entries with mentions of other RVers they have met. After a longer while these mentions of the RVing friends they have met up with get quite numerous. The people you meet and befriend becomes one of the highlights of the lifestyle.
Right now we are camped with friends.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Saturday 25th of June 2011 01:41:12 PM
You get to be a kid every day - go out an play, watch the clouds, throw some rocks i the river . . . just enjoying the fun of being outside!
You have friends in every port (kind of like a sailor and his girls
)
Nothing weighs you down unless you need it . . . no more STUFF!
Great answers! Keep 'em coming!
Constantly get to see new places and things.
Always trying new restaurants.
Avoid extreme weather for prolonged periods.
Meet new people and make new friends.
Permanently get away from a life of acquisition.
Really get to know your partner.
Lead a life with minimum responsibilities.
At the time, this all seemed perfectly normal to Janet and me as we had very busy lives. Today, after traveling for so many years, I find what happened back then to simply be abominable. Shame on us! There is so much more "community" out here with the folks we have meet than anything we ever experienced in a S&B. We constantly run into friends we have met along our travels. Even many of our business customers are now good friends and we will watch each others travels to see where we might cross paths again. This is a great life and unlike anything we have ever experienced in "the real world".
Item 1, what is wrong with the place where you are now? What things are you looking for?
Item 2, Yeah but what if you get a bad restaurant?
Item 3, What is the matter with your old friends, me for instance?
Item 4, But you will have to get rid of all your stuff.
All of us have had those exact same questions and more thrown at us as we decided to full-time, or most-of-the-time. Still doesn't make us change our minds though, does it? I am just glad Fred wrote them down so I could have some fun with it. Relatives and friends make every attempt to put up barriers. We just have to smie and continue with what works FOR US.
Mallo
We had a custom license plate made up for the back of our 5th wheel that says it all:
"Small House - Big Yard"
-- Edited by The Bear II on Tuesday 28th of June 2011 09:38:39 AM
A friend's house split in half during a severe earthquake in the 80's and he ended up sleeping in a tent on his front lawn for two months. His neighbors stayed in their RV.
Freedom!!!!
Jim
Jim, that one word sums it up perfectly!! FREEDOM!
We have been full-timing since April 1 and are loving it! We have been amazed at how little we need to be comfortable and happy and the freedom this lifestyle gives us is tremendous!
We spent 3 months in New England visiting family and friends. The last 3 weeks were spent in Mike's sister's house taking care of his elderly mother while his sister and family were in South Africa. She has a lovely, large home but we couldn't wait to get back into our rolling condo.
The last couple of weeks have been spent meandering across the continent. We're on our way to British Columbia to visit our second son. Mike has finally gotten 'laid back' on this trip and realizes we don't have to rush, rush, rush to get everywhere. He's really enjoying stopping whenever we feel like it to see something. Right now we're in Guernsey, WY at a lovely little park with a river in front of us and the town golf course right behind us. There's also a riding academy with in view so we get to see horses frequently. We're on the Oregon Trail and have seen several landmarks.
We couldn't do all this if we were in a regular home. We've always loved to travel but couldn't afford to do it much. This has been great!
When I was a child my Mom took me to Disneyland once a year. I couldn't sleep the night before because of the excitment. I feel the same way when we are off to a new destination in the RV. One week we might be in the mountains of Colorado and feel like we can touch the stars and the next week be on the Bayou in Texas watching the Peliquin dive for food.
My Dad told me (a long long time ago) that I was born with wheels instead of legs. When I was a pre teen I would get on my bike and think nothing of riding 20/30 miles. (Scared my Mom half to death) Always wanted to see what was "over there". My walls were always covered with maps so I could plan/dream the next trip.
I have never out grown that feeling of what is "over there" My husband says if I had been born in an earlier century I would have been a female Daniel Boone or Columbus.
With an RV I don't have to pedal!
Years ago the only way to see my neighbors was to stand on top of my house. That was acceptable, I rarely went up there other than to clean out the chimney( we heat with wood)
now people been moving around me like fire ants. I can see two of them from my side porch. Then here recently one of them added a light on a pole. It stays on all night. City folk...
Now I can't sit on the porch at night and look at the stars without seeing his light in my face.
Welcome to the Forum :) We grew up in the country also and understand your thoughts. So nice to have your own space. We have found that even though in a RV park you are necessarily side by side with neighbors, it still seems that you have your own space for the most part. The nice thing is that you are surrounded by mostly likeminded people to strike up a conversation with, if you choose to. Otherwise you can just give a friendly nod or wave and be on your way. Pat/Charlie
Yes, this I understand completely.
I spent time in RV parks as a kid growing up. My folks had a 21 foot concord travel trailer. They made friends everywhere they went. Which meant us kids met new friends every were our parents went.
I think I miss that lifestyle.