So it's been a month and I saw my in-laws who asked how it was going so far. Thought I would share my comments...feel free to add you own to the list.
I expected more of a "honeymoon" period. But right out of the gate we saw some challenges. Nothing insurmountable but it's definitely NOT like being on vacation
It's pretty great but different than I thought...it's weird but good weird
It's a lot of change all at the same time and you really need to give yourself a break
410 square feet is too small of an area to be super agitated in :)
It rains more than we expected
No matter how much research you did...it is still different than you think. My closest analogy is having a baby. You read the books, take the classes, and then go into labor and it all goes out the window.
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
09:32 AM Dec 12, 2014
LOL, yup, your going fulltime!
The Junkman said
09:45 AM Dec 12, 2014
In our 4th month.. totally green..in FL..
I thought the rv would be bigger..
Where are all the attractions and activities?..
What are we going to do today?
Walmart , restaurants and shopping ... oh boy..
Beaches, beaches, beaches.. not for me..lol
jrzygrl64 said
10:34 AM Dec 12, 2014
We are in month 4 living in our home on wheels but our "launch" (after Bill's job was done and we left our "home" area) was Oct 6 - so only 6 short weeks ago. We had spent time close to "home" to settle in, get solar installed and also a side trip for rig repairs.
We have spent a month out in an RV before, so I had some idea of what it might be like, but that trip was a lot of moving, we did 5000+ miles in 4 weeks - we've been taking it slower now.
I like the moving slower part. I think it is helping to immediately feel more like "living" vs vacation. We are also still working out some organizing kinks and also some changes to to rig to make it more livable for us. We have had some time to ourselves but also a lot of time with family, which we wouldn't have been able to do before.
Even though I had an idea of what to expect - it is still different - I guess b/c going home is no where on the radar, ya know? There is no sense of "we gotta see THAT before going home". There is no rushing to do anything. Seems like we have slowed down - like when Bill was working in Jamaica - "soon come" - if it doesn't get done today - we will do it tomorrow. The urgency of life is slipping away. I am finding we actually have to make a plan or nothing might be what gets done, which is mostly ok.
I think it's going to take more time to figure out what this life of ours is truly going to look like. I am happy, content and looking forward to finding out!
Bill, on the other hand, who is coming off working 65 to 70 hour weeks for YEARS has a different perspective. He is finding it hard to slow down and relax. He is struggling with not feeling productive. His days at work were filled with constant issues. If someone wasn't knocking at his door, the phone was ringing and if he didn't check emails very hour they would pile up to an unmanageable amount. His phone was ringing at home at all hours. He was used to a very frenetic pace, so this is completely different for him. His adjustment period will likely be longer than mine, but that's ok.
I love your analogy Tracy - you learn all you can - but neither books nor forums nor your new friends can tell you what YOUR life on the road will be - gotta find that out all for yourself!
cherylbrv said
11:04 AM Dec 12, 2014
You guys really pegged my life as well:
Walmart , restaurants and shopping ... oh boy.. (definitely a day in the life for us!)
Pretty much everything Trace said!
I'd add - having to learn how everything works and how to fix stuff.
BiggarView said
11:27 AM Dec 12, 2014
We aren't even on the road yet so I'm no authority here, but I occurs to me that the saying "idle hands are the devil's playground" seems somehow apropos. Unrealistic expectations will certainly take the edge off a good time. If one was busy before then finding things and activities to stay busy will do wonders for your mental and physical health. The challenge will be pushing off into unknown ways of engaging. The old ways and routines may no longer apply so one will have to make an adjustment to their comfort zone. Change is good.... keep telling yourself that. Status quo, bad... Undiscovered country, good!!!
FWIW, Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Friday 12th of December 2014 11:27:34 AM
manycats said
05:03 PM Dec 12, 2014
Two days off: grocery shopping, laundry, restaurant, one long drive and come right back. That's life in the S&B. The RV gives you the chance to do the same thing in a different location. However, that new location can be breathtaking.
mds1 said
11:31 PM Dec 13, 2014
Lee and Trace wrote:
So it's been a month and I saw my in-laws who asked how it was going so far. Thought I would share my comments...feel free to add you own to the lis
Seems like every time we moved into a new home it took six months before it felt "normal".
Found your blog last month and noticed all the planning ya did. Was so impressed with your planning I posted a link on our blog in a topic.
Look forward to hearing about your travels and such.
-- Edited by mds1 on Saturday 13th of December 2014 11:32:42 PM
-- Edited by mds1 on Saturday 13th of December 2014 11:35:27 PM
Camper Chronicles said
06:14 AM Dec 14, 2014
Thanks Mark...that's really sweet. I am a super planner and I love to manage risk. It's my job so over the years it's bled into my real life. So you'd think with all the planning no surprises...but nope 😀 The surprises are a good though because by and large they also bring the moments of real joy. I will say also that I am trying not to over analyze. If it feels good it is good!!
LibertyLinda said
03:35 PM Dec 14, 2014
Trace,
Completely relate to the first month feeling - now that we are just about 6 months out of the gate, its hard to believe that already!
The first month I think was just such a whirlwind of house closing, good-byes and travel to get things done, that I hardly remember it!
The real adjustment was standing still, far, far away from any single person you know. Working isn't the rat race work, its enjoyable. It's just -different- and as you said, you can't prepare for it, because its an adventure that unfolds in its own way for you to adjust to it- despite what the books say or what planning is done ;)
Rock on RVers.
Merry Christmas!
PIEERE said
07:27 PM Dec 14, 2014
May as well put my 2 cents in this; for what it's worth! I had on and off the road Rving and workcamping since the summer of 1998. Being solo out here is also very strange. Lived in an RV since the Spring of 1994 with a brother; then in 1999 set out on my own! Exciting; challenging; some frightening moments (like the time in Maryland when the Two John's were running around loose randomly shooting people from DC to Richmond VA. I was parked across the drive way from the place I worked in a wooded area with my Cl-C.
I traveled from Miss. to Altoona Iowa to Michigan to Kentucky to the gulf shores of Alabama back to Kentucky; Iowa and Kentucky. Then in the Spring of 2012 had my health taken down and by summer had to leave the work world. Missing it very much.
Starting to get adjusted; and now I find myself wondering where I found all the time to do the things I done then. The time flies when your having fun; who said that??? Have a newer older 5er now; and had my share of problems; repaired a 12V electrical problem; replaced a leaking water heater; have to do a roof A/C before May; OH! I forgot the converter now needs replaced. Financially it will be close to about what I can sell my old Cl/C for.
But you know; I am alive; the roof don't leak; I have heat for the winter and food on the table and a few good friends left! Life is good!
Good Day and a great week to all!
PIEERE
George Fin said
07:55 PM Dec 14, 2014
LOL Trace. We are 8 months on the road and your summary sounds about right. So far we have avoided the rain, but have already spent over 16 days camped out behind repair shops waiting for parts and repair work. We have found a lot of time to relax and enjoy our travels, but I am still trying to learn to get over the stress everytime something breaks. Overall we feel that this full-time thing is right for us.
Aurora Borealis said
10:20 PM Dec 14, 2014
"It's weird, but good weird"
I like that!
Transition, change, the having a baby is a good analogy.
I will look at your blog re:planning, (Trace) I didn't do enough of that! I felt I just needed to jump in to get started. Sort of like jumping in a cold river :)
I have tossed around ideas for a 'focus' to my travels besides seeing family and old friends. I really like birding :) You should try it, Junkman! Or maybe a different hobby to focus your travels might suit you ;)
I have spent awhile today studying what 'hotspots' are near me, finding and marking them on a map and coming up with a plan to see them.
And Cheryl, I can relate to 'learning how things work' looking things up in my books. This electric stuff and boondocking is still Greek to me no matter how many times I read it.
I liked the comment, too, about being easy with ourself in this transition.
Pierre, you have sure seen a lot of things over the years!
Take care, all.
mds1 said
06:55 PM Dec 17, 2014
I'm hoping this is on-topic.
When you went fulltime to an RV, how long had you been retired or had left a "routine" job? I'm wondering what it will be like to retire and quickly move to an RV? That's a lot of change at one time.
Thanks for posting the topic Trace.
Jim and Barb said
10:40 PM Dec 17, 2014
Both Barb and I were retired for less than a week before we hit the road. No regrets at all! There was a period where we felt as though we were just on vacation and would eventually have to go back but we got over that fairly quickly.
WestWardHo said
08:13 AM Dec 18, 2014
Trace, loved your comments. We seemed to have everything go wrong the first month and that was challenging but Jesse being the calmer of us two, just smoothly figured it out.
Bill & Kelly, the lack of purpose and feeling out of sorts when you first retire are normal after years of stressful jobs. It took me about 6 months to get over the productivity guilt and the change in identity. Who was I if not my job!?
But the places we saw, the closer we grew, the food and wineries we discovered, the Rallys we attended, the friends we met and re-met, the family visits, the quiet reading in the rain......it was all worth it.
I agree with those who said we liked taking it slower.
Sherry
NWescapee said
12:08 PM Dec 18, 2014
It's funny, I can look back on our first month and feel like it was "normal", we had previously spent several summers traveling up to a month at a time in our previous TT due to Dale's arts shows, we left our driveway for the last time right in the middle of summer art show season so the first month seemed like the previous few summers, just in a little larger home on wheels as we had graduated to the 5th wheel. The first month we didn't go anywhere new, just the same art show circuit we've done for several years, so the feeling that this is truly different didn't hit us until we reached a part of the country we had never spent time in was when we really experienced the difference, but a good difference.
I think when it really hit home that this was different with lots of change and not what we expected was in the second month when we changed our domicile, spent time in SD, needed a fridge repair, then a truck upgrade, with none of it happening as quickly or smoothly as we hoped so all plans that had previously been made were quickly changing. Oh yeah, then we were told to evacuate our campground due to flooding, no that wasn't in the plans and it certainly was different.
Despite years of traveling in our TT on a part time basis, the switch to full time took a little time to get used to. All I can say is allow yourself all the time you need to adjust. The 5th wheel truly is home now, but I think we were 3-4 months into our travels before it all truly sunk in and it started really feeling like home. And, once we slowed our travels down a bit, life on the road was much less stressful and we truly started enjoying this change.
So it's been a month and I saw my in-laws who asked how it was going so far. Thought I would share my comments...feel free to add you own to the list.
I thought the rv would be bigger..
Where are all the attractions and activities?..
What are we going to do today?
Walmart , restaurants and shopping ... oh boy..
Beaches, beaches, beaches.. not for me..lol
We have spent a month out in an RV before, so I had some idea of what it might be like, but that trip was a lot of moving, we did 5000+ miles in 4 weeks - we've been taking it slower now.
I like the moving slower part. I think it is helping to immediately feel more like "living" vs vacation. We are also still working out some organizing kinks and also some changes to to rig to make it more livable for us. We have had some time to ourselves but also a lot of time with family, which we wouldn't have been able to do before.
Even though I had an idea of what to expect - it is still different - I guess b/c going home is no where on the radar, ya know? There is no sense of "we gotta see THAT before going home". There is no rushing to do anything. Seems like we have slowed down - like when Bill was working in Jamaica - "soon come" - if it doesn't get done today - we will do it tomorrow. The urgency of life is slipping away. I am finding we actually have to make a plan or nothing might be what gets done, which is mostly ok.
I think it's going to take more time to figure out what this life of ours is truly going to look like. I am happy, content and looking forward to finding out!
Bill, on the other hand, who is coming off working 65 to 70 hour weeks for YEARS has a different perspective. He is finding it hard to slow down and relax. He is struggling with not feeling productive. His days at work were filled with constant issues. If someone wasn't knocking at his door, the phone was ringing and if he didn't check emails very hour they would pile up to an unmanageable amount. His phone was ringing at home at all hours. He was used to a very frenetic pace, so this is completely different for him. His adjustment period will likely be longer than mine, but that's ok.
I love your analogy Tracy - you learn all you can - but neither books nor forums nor your new friends can tell you what YOUR life on the road will be - gotta find that out all for yourself!
You guys really pegged my life as well:
Walmart , restaurants and shopping ... oh boy.. (definitely a day in the life for us!)
Pretty much everything Trace said!
I'd add - having to learn how everything works and how to fix stuff.
We aren't even on the road yet so I'm no authority here, but I occurs to me that the saying "idle hands are the devil's playground" seems somehow apropos. Unrealistic expectations will certainly take the edge off a good time. If one was busy before then finding things and activities to stay busy will do wonders for your mental and physical health. The challenge will be pushing off into unknown ways of engaging. The old ways and routines may no longer apply so one will have to make an adjustment to their comfort zone. Change is good.... keep telling yourself that. Status quo, bad... Undiscovered country, good!!!
FWIW, Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Friday 12th of December 2014 11:27:34 AM
Seems like every time we moved into a new home it took six months before it felt "normal".
Found your blog last month and noticed all the planning ya did. Was so impressed with your planning I posted a link on our blog in a topic.
Look forward to hearing about your travels and such.
-- Edited by mds1 on Saturday 13th of December 2014 11:32:42 PM
-- Edited by mds1 on Saturday 13th of December 2014 11:35:27 PM
Completely relate to the first month feeling - now that we are just about 6 months out of the gate, its hard to believe that already!
The first month I think was just such a whirlwind of house closing, good-byes and travel to get things done, that I hardly remember it!
The real adjustment was standing still, far, far away from any single person you know. Working isn't the rat race work, its enjoyable. It's just -different- and as you said, you can't prepare for it, because its an adventure that unfolds in its own way for you to adjust to it- despite what the books say or what planning is done ;)
Rock on RVers.
Merry Christmas!
I traveled from Miss. to Altoona Iowa to Michigan to Kentucky to the gulf shores of Alabama back to Kentucky; Iowa and Kentucky. Then in the Spring of 2012 had my health taken down and by summer had to leave the work world. Missing it very much.
Starting to get adjusted; and now I find myself wondering where I found all the time to do the things I done then. The time flies when your having fun; who said that??? Have a newer older 5er now; and had my share of problems; repaired a 12V electrical problem; replaced a leaking water heater; have to do a roof A/C before May; OH! I forgot the converter now needs replaced. Financially it will be close to about what I can sell my old Cl/C for.
But you know; I am alive; the roof don't leak; I have heat for the winter and food on the table and a few good friends left! Life is good!
Good Day and a great week to all!
PIEERE
LOL Trace. We are 8 months on the road and your summary sounds about right. So far we have avoided the rain, but have already spent over 16 days camped out behind repair shops waiting for parts and repair work. We have found a lot of time to relax and enjoy our travels, but I am still trying to learn to get over the stress everytime something breaks. Overall we feel that this full-time thing is right for us.
I like that!
Transition, change, the having a baby is a good analogy.
I will look at your blog re:planning, (Trace) I didn't do enough of that! I felt I just needed to jump in to get started. Sort of like jumping in a cold river :)
I have tossed around ideas for a 'focus' to my travels besides seeing family and old friends. I really like birding :) You should try it, Junkman! Or maybe a different hobby to focus your travels might suit you ;)
I have spent awhile today studying what 'hotspots' are near me, finding and marking them on a map and coming up with a plan to see them.
And Cheryl, I can relate to 'learning how things work' looking things up in my books. This electric stuff and boondocking is still Greek to me no matter how many times I read it.
I liked the comment, too, about being easy with ourself in this transition.
Pierre, you have sure seen a lot of things over the years!
Take care, all.
When you went fulltime to an RV, how long had you been retired or had left a "routine" job? I'm wondering what it will be like to retire and quickly move to an RV? That's a lot of change at one time.
Thanks for posting the topic Trace.
Bill & Kelly, the lack of purpose and feeling out of sorts when you first retire are normal after years of stressful jobs. It took me about 6 months to get over the productivity guilt and the change in identity. Who was I if not my job!?
But the places we saw, the closer we grew, the food and wineries we discovered, the Rallys we attended, the friends we met and re-met, the family visits, the quiet reading in the rain......it was all worth it.
I agree with those who said we liked taking it slower.
Sherry
I think when it really hit home that this was different with lots of change and not what we expected was in the second month when we changed our domicile, spent time in SD, needed a fridge repair, then a truck upgrade, with none of it happening as quickly or smoothly as we hoped so all plans that had previously been made were quickly changing. Oh yeah, then we were told to evacuate our campground due to flooding, no that wasn't in the plans and it certainly was different.
Despite years of traveling in our TT on a part time basis, the switch to full time took a little time to get used to. All I can say is allow yourself all the time you need to adjust. The 5th wheel truly is home now, but I think we were 3-4 months into our travels before it all truly sunk in and it started really feeling like home. And, once we slowed our travels down a bit, life on the road was much less stressful and we truly started enjoying this change.