When we made the decision to full-time we had 27 months before we would be free to go. It is now 20 months and feels like time is going backwards. It's like the time between birthdays when you're 7. I want it to be like the time between birthdays when you're 56!
Patience is not my strong suit. Bill is much more so and keeps me sane most of the time. But we are both anxious and excited to get on the road full-time!
Bill and I were sweethearts in high school, lost contact with each other for 20 years, spent another ten years staying in touch a couple times a year, and then in 2008 a mutual friend from high school invited us to a party after telling us we were supposed to be together. Smart friend. We've been together ever since, getting married last December. We have a combined family of six boys (men really) with one still at home until high school graduation in 2015. We live in Southern California in a beautiful neighborhood.
I retired on January 1 and Bill will retire when we sell the house. We are both 57.
We haven't bought yet but are decided on motorhome over 5'er and diesel over gas. We have stopped buying stuff that won't fit in the RV unless it is to improve the value of the house we will sell in 2015. We are continuously down sizing our combined stuff. We are in agreement on our must-haves in the coach and on the kind of places we want to stay. We have a steady post-retirement income so we don't have to find work if we don't want to (we are very blessed). We will have to finance the RV for a short period but will be otherwise debt-free. We love to travel, especially together. We love being out in nature, especially where there's water. We will bring Tessa with us. She is a 2-year old Wheaton Terrier fluffy dog.
So that's us. After spending the last six weeks reading the Journal from beginning through last Sunday I figured it was time to jump in!
Jodee
ontheroadabode.blogspot.com
DebbieM said
06:33 AM Oct 15, 2013
Hi Jodee,
I sure enjoyed reading your blog. We are a year ahead of you and just as anxious! We decided in January of this year we'd sell the business, the ranch, the "stuff" and head out FT. The last of the 4 kids will be out of college next May, and we hope to head out in June! I was thinking of starting a blog but just haven't yet. Now that I've read yours and all of your accomplishments, I wish I had. How exciting to look back on it all! Is there a way to join or subscribe to your blog?
Welcome and I'm sure we'll run across you some time in the future when we're both be FTing!
Bill and Jodee said
05:16 PM Oct 15, 2013
Hi Debbie!
I'm envious of your timeline but imagine there are times when it seems far away for you as well! I had a small ranch in Acampo, CA for years and know what a big effort it is to move out and move on from that wonderful life. Funny, I don't miss all the early morning chores so much! Congrats on getting four through college - that's no small feat these days.
Thank you for the feedback on my blog. I have been really lazy keeping it up this summer but it is fun to look back and see how far we've come - and makes me a little less impatient - just a little. I started it so family and friends could travel along with us (and we wouldn't need to report the same story multiple times) and as a record for us as we tackle this big adventure. It's never too late and I encourage you to start one too.
I have a lot to learn on how to make the blog "work" so I'm not sure on subscribing (how exciting to have someone even ask ). At the bottom of the page there is a small "Subscribe to: Posts" but I'm unclear on whether it sends you an email notice or does something else . Your question has prompted me to figure it out now rather than later. Thanks!
Best of luck to you and I look forward to meeting you down the road!!
Jodee
Dog Folks said
08:27 AM Oct 16, 2013
Keep busy researching and reading about the lifestyle. Time will move a little faster.
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Wednesday 16th of October 2013 08:28:08 AM
Bill and Jodee said
05:12 PM Oct 16, 2013
Will do! There seems to be more good information and fun blogs all the time!
French Bikers said
01:37 PM Oct 17, 2013
I understand you at a 100%, in our case we have been dreaming for this moment many many years ago and the timeline was 2018. Finally our plan changed and now we are looking at sept 2015. We took this decision during the last RV show in Hershey. Since that day I look in front of me and it seems that it is still a long way to go. On the other hand I'm telling myself that I'm 3 years before the first timeline date.
Therefore I decided not to focus on the departure date but to keep my mind busy. We are all different but we have the fulltime lifestyle in common, if I can give you a suggestion is to keep planning, browsing the web, read book, etc.. and not to think about the date.
Our timeline is pretty much the same and you will see it will go fast, beside the purchase of the motorhome there is a lot to do. Basically keep your dream alive but don't focus on it, you have less time to wait compare to 5, 10 or 15 years ago.
Good luck
snerf said
04:18 PM Oct 17, 2013
Two words: Lazy Daze. Since you live in SoCal, and have plenty of time to plan & review, you should do yourself a favor and visit their factory in Montclair/Pomona.
They make 24', 27' and 31' Class C coaches based on the Ford E-450 chassis, but before you discount that factor, you might consider this kind of RV as a possible option. Since LDs are all made to custom order, there is presently something like an 8 month waiting list - perfect for your time frame. I read your blog regarding the Pomona RV show, and frankly, based on your reactions to what I'd refer to as a 'typical RV buying experience', you'd be in heaven at the LD factory.
For one, it's direct order only - no middlemen or dealers. Two, they only make 200 coaches per year, and have plenty of backlog, so while they will treat you with respect, they will definitely not bother you if you choose to browse around (not just the showroom, the entire manufacturing facility). Lastly, I think they are the oldest RV company still in business - they've been family owned owned & operated for something like 60 years. If you do have questions or want an escort, many times it's the current president of the company handling visitors.
But be forewarned about a couple of things: no slide-outs (the company is very, very conservative and believes they introduce more problems than warranted), no customization, and no haggling, discounting, and/or dickering around. On the plus side, the coach is a wood frame construction, which is why it can support the justly prized over-sized wrap around windows.
We have an older, used LD, but even so, it's a very desirable coach - we always have people asking questions about it, etc. In my opinion, because of the build quality & resell demand, it's the only RV worth spending any money on to maintain past a certain age.
Bill and Jodee said
04:43 AM Oct 18, 2013
Very cool snerf - thanks! Montclair is not far away and is certainly worth a "look-see". I appreciate all the good information!!!!
Jodee
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
05:34 PM Oct 19, 2013
Just follow your plan, and if you see a spot that will shorten it, TAKE IT!
We already live in our 5'er fulltime but don't become nomads until Nov 4. Wife retired in June and I have 2 weeks of work left, 80 hours, 8-10 hr days, or 4800 minutes that I have to be a productive body for my employer!
Time really does fly by though and you'll be on the road in no time.
Bill and Jodee said
05:22 AM Oct 21, 2013
Jim,
We're keeping an eye on the real estate movement and if opportunity sticks its nose up we are ready to pounce! Reading about many of the challenges others have faced to get out there we really can't complain.
So happy for you - you're nearly there! I remember my last two weeks on the job and counting the hours.....but the 10 months since then have flown by!!
Jodee
Regit99 said
06:33 PM Oct 24, 2013
I love getting a new blog to read, especially one having to do with my favorite topic!!thanks for the link!
When we made the decision to full-time we had 27 months before we would be free to go. It is now 20 months and feels like time is going backwards. It's like the time between birthdays when you're 7. I want it to be like the time between birthdays when you're 56!
Patience is not my strong suit. Bill is much more so and keeps me sane most of the time. But we are both anxious and excited to get on the road full-time!
Bill and I were sweethearts in high school, lost contact with each other for 20 years, spent another ten years staying in touch a couple times a year, and then in 2008 a mutual friend from high school invited us to a party after telling us we were supposed to be together. Smart friend. We've been together ever since, getting married last December. We have a combined family of six boys (men really) with one still at home until high school graduation in 2015. We live in Southern California in a beautiful neighborhood.
I retired on January 1 and Bill will retire when we sell the house. We are both 57.
We haven't bought yet but are decided on motorhome over 5'er and diesel over gas. We have stopped buying stuff that won't fit in the RV unless it is to improve the value of the house we will sell in 2015. We are continuously down sizing our combined stuff. We are in agreement on our must-haves in the coach and on the kind of places we want to stay. We have a steady post-retirement income so we don't have to find work if we don't want to (we are very blessed). We will have to finance the RV for a short period but will be otherwise debt-free. We love to travel, especially together. We love being out in nature, especially where there's water. We will bring Tessa with us. She is a 2-year old Wheaton Terrier fluffy dog.
So that's us. After spending the last six weeks reading the Journal from beginning through last Sunday I figured it was time to jump in!
Jodee
ontheroadabode.blogspot.com
I sure enjoyed reading your blog. We are a year ahead of you and just as anxious! We decided in January of this year we'd sell the business, the ranch, the "stuff" and head out FT. The last of the 4 kids will be out of college next May, and we hope to head out in June! I was thinking of starting a blog but just haven't yet. Now that I've read yours and all of your accomplishments, I wish I had. How exciting to look back on it all! Is there a way to join or subscribe to your blog?
Welcome and I'm sure we'll run across you some time in the future when we're both be FTing!
Hi Debbie!
I'm envious of your timeline but imagine there are times when it seems far away for you as well! I had a small ranch in Acampo, CA for years and know what a big effort it is to move out and move on from that wonderful life. Funny, I don't miss all the early morning chores so much! Congrats on getting four through college - that's no small feat these days.
Thank you for the feedback on my blog. I have been really lazy keeping it up this summer but it is fun to look back and see how far we've come - and makes me a little less impatient - just a little. I started it so family and friends could travel along with us (and we wouldn't need to report the same story multiple times) and as a record for us as we tackle this big adventure. It's never too late and I encourage you to start one too.
I have a lot to learn on how to make the blog "work" so I'm not sure on subscribing (how exciting to have someone even ask
). At the bottom of the page there is a small "Subscribe to: Posts" but I'm unclear on whether it sends you an email notice or does something else 
. Your question has prompted me to figure it out now rather than later. Thanks!
Best of luck to you and I look forward to meeting you down the road!!
Jodee
Keep busy researching and reading about the lifestyle. Time will move a little faster.
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Wednesday 16th of October 2013 08:28:08 AM
Will do! There seems to be more good information and fun blogs all the time!
Therefore I decided not to focus on the departure date but to keep my mind busy. We are all different but we have the fulltime lifestyle in common, if I can give you a suggestion is to keep planning, browsing the web, read book, etc.. and not to think about the date.
Our timeline is pretty much the same and you will see it will go fast, beside the purchase of the motorhome there is a lot to do. Basically keep your dream alive but don't focus on it, you have less time to wait compare to 5, 10 or 15 years ago.
Good luck
Two words: Lazy Daze. Since you live in SoCal, and have plenty of time to plan & review, you should do yourself a favor and visit their factory in Montclair/Pomona.
They make 24', 27' and 31' Class C coaches based on the Ford E-450 chassis, but before you discount that factor, you might consider this kind of RV as a possible option. Since LDs are all made to custom order, there is presently something like an 8 month waiting list - perfect for your time frame. I read your blog regarding the Pomona RV show, and frankly, based on your reactions to what I'd refer to as a 'typical RV buying experience', you'd be in heaven at the LD factory.
For one, it's direct order only - no middlemen or dealers. Two, they only make 200 coaches per year, and have plenty of backlog, so while they will treat you with respect, they will definitely not bother you if you choose to browse around (not just the showroom, the entire manufacturing facility). Lastly, I think they are the oldest RV company still in business - they've been family owned owned & operated for something like 60 years. If you do have questions or want an escort, many times it's the current president of the company handling visitors.
But be forewarned about a couple of things: no slide-outs (the company is very, very conservative and believes they introduce more problems than warranted), no customization, and no haggling, discounting, and/or dickering around. On the plus side, the coach is a wood frame construction, which is why it can support the justly prized over-sized wrap around windows.
We have an older, used LD, but even so, it's a very desirable coach - we always have people asking questions about it, etc. In my opinion, because of the build quality & resell demand, it's the only RV worth spending any money on to maintain past a certain age.
Very cool snerf - thanks! Montclair is not far away and is certainly worth a "look-see". I appreciate all the good information!!!!
Jodee
We already live in our 5'er fulltime but don't become nomads until Nov 4. Wife retired in June and I have 2 weeks of work left, 80 hours, 8-10 hr days, or 4800 minutes that I have to be a productive body for my employer!
Time really does fly by though and you'll be on the road in no time.
Jim,
We're keeping an eye on the real estate movement and if opportunity sticks its nose up we are ready to pounce! Reading about many of the challenges others have faced to get out there we really can't complain.
So happy for you - you're nearly there! I remember my last two weeks on the job and counting the hours.....but the 10 months since then have flown by!!
Jodee
I love getting a new blog to read, especially one having to do with my favorite topic!!thanks for the link!
Thais