I really can’t believe it’s been a year since we left our driveway for the last time, it’s gone so fast, but then again, part of me thinks, has it really only been a year?  So much has happened in this very short year.  We’ve been in 14 states over the year, mountains and coastal areas in the summer, desert in the winter, haven’t quite achieved our goal of following the sunshine all  the time, but have had more consistent good weather vs. bad weather for our first year. 

We were reminiscing about the year, we’ve had a few challenges including a problematic RV fridge, evacuation due to flooding, changing plans and doing a very fast 1000 mile journey to be with Dale’s mom during her last week on earth, surviving our first ice storm in an RV, watching the news at a relative’s house showing 5 bands of tornadoes passing about 10 miles north of where our RV was parked, a few mechanical issues that always seem to happen at the worst possible time, etc. 

We’ve also had a year filled with blessings, being able to spend the time needed with family when we lost Dale’s mom and since we had our home on wheels with us, we were able to stay around far longer than if we still had a S&B home, making new friends, deepening other friendships, having more ability to contribute to charity when the need arises because our expenses on the road are so much less than a S&B home, exploring new areas, etc.  We had more time to hike, bike and kayak in this year than we had in the 3 years prior to this combined so we’re finding time for a little more fun time as we continue to work while on the road.  We’ve been to more museums, botanical gardens and other tourist destinations in one year than we usually visit in 5 years.

It’s been a year of figuring out what kind of travel schedule works best for us with our work schedules, realizing that logistical planning is much more complex and time consuming in this lifestyle than our old one, but at the same time we’ve reveled in the flexibility we’ve had and the ability we’ve had to make plans and change them quickly when needed.  Dale’s wondering where his “Type A” wife went to, well, she’s still here, just a little more relaxed than she used to beJ  We’ve learned that we really like stays of 10 days – 3 weeks, moving frequently when we’re both working adds a complexity we try to avoid.  We like to stay in an general area for a couple of months at a time with a few changes in campgrounds as needed, giving us a few weekend days free to explore and evenings for bike rides, kayaking opportunities or walks.  Moves of 400 miles or less are, for us, best accomplished in one driving day, leaving the other weekend day free to well, have a weekend day without travel.   Our second year on the road might only include 9-10 states, most that we’ve been in before, but will also include our first fly away vacation for a cruise next February.  Our plans are to travel slower, less miles and enjoy life a little more along the way. 

Since we’re returned back to the area we used to live, we’ve been asked several times, what do we miss?  Having  a hard time coming up with a very long list, we miss a few of our closest friends and have enjoyed catching up with them, other than that we’re really having trouble  thinking of things we miss, the list of things we don’t miss is far longer!!!  We’re in better shape for the second year on the road than we were for the first, now both of us are driving the rig so long travel days can be a shared responsibility, we’ve continued to purge and aren’t missing any of that “stuff”, we now have solar for more boon docking this winter and we are so looking forward to see what adventures lie ahead.  Originally we said we would do this for 3 years and re-evaluate, we’re 1/3^rd of way into that time frame and unless a health issue occurs, I don’t see us stopping any time soon.

Life on the road is GOOD!!!!!

Congrats on completing the first year…we finished our second last month as well and the time sure does fly. Been having fun and seeing places…but are seriously considering selling our inflatable SeaEagle Kayak and getting us one of those Hobie Mirages with the bicycle pedal propulsion system. The SeaEagle just doesn't track as well as it should…we've tried more air, less air, straightening the skegs and a couple of other things but nothing has really worked so far. Add in that one doesn't really want to store the thing away wet as it will quickly mildew…and this means that you generally have to be done kayaking 2 or maybe 3 days (depending on weather) before you leave and we haven't gotten paddling as much as we would like. We have gotten in plenty of hikes, lots or bike rides, and our recently completed 3 week trip to Ireland while the rig was getting worked on though…and are looking forward to the rest of our summer and early fall in the upper midwest as we've never really seen much of that part of the country.

Congrats Ruth & Dale!  While you're ending your first year, we are beginning ours.  Glad to have met you both and hopefully we'll meet again!

Now that you have been in the lifestyle a year, we can let in on the full timers"secret."

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It only gets better and better from here!

Dog Folks - love it, it only gets better

Dave & Diane - hope to see you guys down the road somewhere, maybe AZ this winter??

Ann - Sherry is the one who inspired me to get my act together and learn to drive this rig. Now, that being said, congrats to Sherry, she posted on Facebook that she has now managed to successfully back the rig into a campsite. I've yet to even try that, so far my driving has all been highway driving and not much in cities. RV Driving school really helped and was a good marriage saver. Dale had to keep his mouth shut and sit in the back seat  However, now feels comfortable enough to read his Kindle while I'm driving so I must not be doing too bad.

Congrats Dale and Ruth on reaching year one! We just reached year 4 last month and can't believe how fast that went. Hope to meet up with you again when we head south this winter.

Safe travels!

Ann - we're headed to Sequim tonight, it's Lavender Festival time. We'll say Hi to Port Angeles for you

Ruth,

Currently Southern California. Leaving soon for the Pacific Northwest for 4 to 5 weeks. Then moving to Spokane for a week or two. After that we'll move into Idaho, Montana, Wyoming before heading south middle of October. No exact dates yet. I'll PM you guys as we get closer to see if we can get together.