Six months ago today, Lee and I closed on our home and started on this adventure. Although we know we still have so much to learn, I wanted to take a moment and share my thoughts from what we have experienced so far. Your mileage may of course vary, but I hope it might speak to some of you. Please feel free to add your thoughts as well. The one thing we have learned absolutely is there is no one way to do this and everyone's experience is very different. This is just our truth and I am sure over time it will change.
We really don't like moving days. And no it isn't as simple as changing the time we move or how far we travel. We like to spread out when we stay in a place and the chaos of moving day still isn't any fun for either of us. We have gotten better at it, but not our favorite day by far.
We like staying in one place and really seeing things. We are fine with staying in a place 2-4 weeks as a matter of fact we prefer it. Because of my work schedule we are limited in the things we can do during the work week so need at least two weekends to really see what an area has to offer.
We like full hookups. I say that knowing full well we haven't gotten out west yet and we are excited about exploring the possibilities of boon docking, but all other things being equal we would take full hookups every time. It enables you to do laundry in the RV, take long showers, and not worry about how much water you use when washing dishes.
The best things to do are free or near free. The most rewarding experiences we have had to date cost very little money and are fulfilling in ways I rarely experienced while on vacation. Speaking of vacation you do have to remind yourself frequently you are not on one. The desire to see and do everything right now is very strong. Slowing down and really experiencing the life is in our opinion far more rewarding.
We do watch television. Yes I know you think you'll be out exploring with all of your free time, but sometimes you just want to sit an veg in your coach and watch some TV. Plus it gives you a sense of normalcy when your in a strange place and bad weather days do happen.
Everything you read in the forums just isn't true. Since we knew nothing about camping, let alone full timing, I tended to take everything I read on the forums as the gospel. Many "facts" are situational, others are opinion presented as fact, and the one only one thing I have found to be absolutely true is there is no one true way.
Being with friends is complicated but well worth it. The country is a big place and if you want to be with people you need to go to some trouble. But, for us, the trouble is well worth the added benefit with being with others who truly get the lifestyle. These friendships have grown deeper and stronger because we are investing in them.
Not everyone will be happy for you. Some people are jealous, others think you don't deserve it. Still others think it's all a scam or a big lie. That's ok. I care less and less what others think as the days go by and that is a wonderful side benefit to the lifestyle.
This life can make or break a relationship. It is not easy and it definitely isn't for everyone. If you have problems in your relationship this lifestyle will initially make them worse not better...but that being said if you can truly be honest with each other and communicate, communicate, communicate your relationship can grow in ways you never imagined.
Barbaraok said
04:02 PM May 14, 2015
Try to do some of the moving day stuff the night before. We always take the covers off the wheels & windows, put chairs away, pull in the big front slide, empty waste tanks & put hose away, etc. In the morning we have less to do, makes getting on the road easier, quicker.
Barb
pkhalin said
09:07 PM May 14, 2015
Hey Trace,
Thanks for your musings, or insights as the case may be. I do like your observations.
We take off in two and a half months and it's nice to get the new perspectives of folks that have recently taken off. Listen and learn. It's been said more than once there is no particularly right way to do this. Have to find what's best for you.
And I'm with Barb on the picking up the night before. Although we've only had the opportunity of doing this while ending vacation, a bummer of an acknowledgement, it'll be interesting to see if there's a change in attitude knowing the vacation (yes I know, it's no longer vacation, it's a life style) isn't coming to an end.
I find your comment on 'not everyone will be happy for you' as interesting. Do folks really get that much push back when they make it known they're going to do this? I guess I'm lucky. All the folks I have told seem to be very receptive, family, friends, and co-workers alike. It would seem they would be envious of such a lifestyle.
And Barb, I've always appreciated reading your viewpoints as a veteran of the road as well. I haven't read much at all that hasn't been useful.
Still looking forward to the adventure with great anticipation.
Offtosmelltheroses said
09:58 PM May 14, 2015
Great Reflections Trace! Wonderful insights.
As I read the first of your thoughts, about the drudgery of "breaking camp" I was reminded of so many past vacations, and the depression that always started to sit in on the last day or two when all I could think about was "Vacations almost over, time to go back to work!" Cripes I hated that feeling! What often made it worse, particularly on fishing trips (a passion) was my fishing companions were mostly already retired!
There was this one trip I particularly remember - I was scheduled for a week of fishing on the coast, followed immediately by a second trip, fishing somewhere else - don't really remember where, but what sticks in my mind is how dramatically different I felt as the first week came to a close, the feeling of freedom knowing I wasn't headed back to the office on Monday, nope! I was off on another adventure!
While our FTRV life has not yet begun, we've got a few more months of the old life yet before then, I can only imagine that has to be the feeling I'll enjoy each time we clean up, load up and head off -- not back to the old "nine to five" but to the next adventure!
Jim and Deb
"Off to Smell the Roses!"
-- Edited by Offtosmelltheroses on Thursday 14th of May 2015 10:00:48 PM
2riker2go said
05:23 AM May 15, 2015
A great six month reflection! :) At almost two and a half years, most of your points also ring true for us. Although we have gotten our moving days down to a pretty smooth system, so we don't find them as stressful as we used to.
One thing that I've found is that a lot of our days have settled down to "just life". We're not always out sightseeing, or planning touristy kinds of things for part of each week. The other day I was having a conversation with someone about wintering in Florida, and they were asking me what we do while we're down there. The question threw me for a minute because I didn't have a huge list of big unusual things we do. We're just living our life. Except our house moves.
BiggarView said
06:01 AM May 15, 2015
Jim and Deb touched on something that had occurred to me, many a time while on vacation... last day.. Uggh. I've though about that a fair bit since we decided to go FT. What if this... what if that. Cindi has expressed some angst on this subject also.
Heres my take... Life is full of little jobs we do everyday or every week, month year. The dread of "last day" can be put into a different light when looking at the "pack up" as just another of life's little jobs. In a S&B I'd mow the grass every weekend, help with gardening, spend an hour on the road 5 days a week commuting... when We go FT, those jobs will be replaced with, packing up and setting up periodically, and other tasks not associated with S&B living. I merely traded some of those little jobs for other ones. Water off a duck's back. Additionally, so called chores, have the added benefit of requiring you to focus on something mundane thus relieving you of the self-torture of worrying about other more pressing issues that may be of concern to you. By changing your focus you may gain a fresh perspective on a problem or defuse a tense situation. Sometimes "drugdery of the mundane" has it's own rewards.
If you don't pack up, you'll miss the next great adventure that will happen with or without you at the next place you stop. Nothing wrong with staying where you are currently and soaking up local things... but when it's time to go, for whatever reason, look at packing up as the first step in that next great adventure.
Your last point was interesting... Relationships can be challenging, but life is full of cathartic moments. Especially with loved ones. We all get comfortable in the status quo and can unintentionally take things for granted and ignore important clues that something is amiss. The alert student of human interaction will quickly recognize this and make the necessary relationship adjustments to restore harmony. Sometimes it's easy, most of the time breaking through the stubborness of the ego results in some measure of confrontation. Catharsis then restoration of balance, moving to a new level of the relationship. Or not, if the willpower to listen and reason and compromise isn't there. I'm no genius on this subject, and my life is proof of that. I'm hoping that each day I'm doing enough to get better at it. Sherry (WestWardHo) recently shared a comment on FB that hit home with me...paraphrasing it from the cobwebs upstairs... In school, you are taught a lesson then given a test.... life gives you a test that teaches you a lesson. So it is in relationships also.
Thanks for sharing your perspectives. Love your blog and Lee's occasional adlibs. I hope we cross paths down the road.
Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Friday 15th of May 2015 07:51:52 AM
Curtis and Rhandi said
08:16 AM May 15, 2015
I LOVE what you say about not everyone being happy for you! I get that. Although the majority of my co-workers are happy for us - there is the other side that is ticked off - I guess because they feel they "can't" do it. I also got a LOT of push back from one of my brothers. The oldest one thinks I'm insane for taking on this life style. After the younger brother explained it to him, he was happier about the decision. Bottom line is, he wishes he could do it, but he's not willing to make the sacrifice (selling home and things) to do it. And breaking camp - always sucks, I agree. When we had our little travel trailer, hated doing that....although we got pretty good at it. I imagine we will handle the fiver the same way come October when we hit the road!
I work full time as well - so we are actually looking at staying several months in one place before moving on. That will also allow my husband to get a job and work as well. Excited for you - October 1 is our go date! Can't wait!
Offtosmelltheroses said
08:27 AM May 15, 2015
Gosh I envy you guys that are "a few months away" from "graduating" to the life. Our time table figures that with any luck, we'll be one of the last members to "graduate" with the class of 2016, (right after Christmas next year).
Jim and Deb
(not yet) Off to Smell the Roses!
BiggarView said
09:22 AM May 15, 2015
Offtosmelltheroses wrote:
Gosh I envy you guys that are "a few months away" from "graduating" to the life. Our time table figures that with any luck, we'll be one of the last members to "graduate" with the class of 2016, (right after Christmas next year).
Jim and Deb
(not yet) Off to Smell the Roses!
Ohhhh quit rubbing it in!! Us? 2018 probable start, late 2017 if all goes well.
Brian
NWescapee said
09:24 AM May 15, 2015
Trace - thanks for sharing.
We're with you on not liking moving days, at least until we at the part where we're actually moving. We've gotten really good at packing up most of our outside stuff the night ahead of time and if we're somewhere that's not too hot or cold, we'll actually get all the utilities disconnected the night before and run off our batteries for the night to make the morning a little easier. Moving on Saturday or Sunday while we're working is just so much simpler for us, we do everything we can to avoid weekday moves. We've got a couple of those moves coming up due to art shows and I'm already dreading them.
I chuckled at your comment about being with friends is complicated and I'll just add if they are other RV friends, it can be even more complicated. Just watch those plans change as one of the rigs has a flat or a breakdown. Debbie & Steve (DebbieM) were heading our way last Saturday and wanted to see us at an art show in the location where Debbie used to have her store, flat tire, less than 2 hours away resulted in changing those plans to meet for coffee on Sunday morning before the art show started. Being with friends is complicated and sometimes a lot of flexibility is needed, but so worth it when you have an evening like we had last night with a couple that is leaving today, my rib cage still hurts this morning from laughing the evening away with them last night. And our next middle of the week move that is not associated with an art show is just so we can see them for a couple more days in July as we head in opposite directions at that time.
After the first few months on the road we started to settle back down into life and a routine, we realized that while we love spending our weekends exploring we're more likely now to have one weekend day to "play" and then there's a day to sleep in, run errands, grocery shop, clean house, wash the rig, etc, etc. We do have some weekends where both days are spent exploring, especially if we're in the area for a very limited time, but when we're in an area for a longer period of time we've really gotten into a routine of one day for exploring, one day for taking care of home and truck "stuff". For us, we've found that it's a better balance and we've given up trying to see everything with the attitude that if we don't see if this year, we'll see it next. LOL, we're still saying that about some areas of AZ and we've now wintered there twice, we really are going to make it to Organ Pipe next year If it's a move weekend, we try to move on one day and leave the other day for exploring, or if necessary start the move late Friday afternoon and stay one night enroute so we can arrive by Saturday and thus enjoy Sunday off.
One thing we've also learned is that we no longer plan any kind of a move on a 3 day weekend and we were doing really good with that rule for this year until Dale got accepted into an art show that has waitlisted or rejected him for the last 6 years. So now we're moving on Labor Day, but luckily through a fairly sparsely populated portion of Idaho. Gotta be flexible but at least we know far enough in advance that I can do a little planning.
There's so much about this life I love and no, not everything is quite the way we expected, but we still feel like we have more "life" now than when we had a house and we're enjoying the scenery changing as we move about the country.
Ruth
-- Edited by NWescapee on Friday 15th of May 2015 09:28:43 AM
Someday said
11:14 AM May 15, 2015
Trace, you do an absolutely fabulous job with your musings and for sure we value beyond belief your candidness, deep seated sharing of your feelings and openess with your budgets and writings. Kudos to you for the dedication you put in to your camper chronicles as well as sharing on this forum all that you do. This can but benefit others coming behind you as well allay fears of those experiencing similar maybe at the same stage on this road less travelled.
I was thinking as we are all different personalities with different perceptions, after reading your 6 month on the road musings, it would be wonderful if more folks would share their 6 month, 1 year and 3 years FTing musings as well. Just purely to get different perspectives from those that are still working age on the road, versus those not or those that chose to volunteer and why etc etc. As well, as mentioned before everyone has a different personality and what bugs one is of zero consequence to another, but is that because they are at a different place in their lives as FTers by comparison or just different strokes for different folks?
It for sure would be wonderful to read others experiences now 6 months, 1 year, 3 years into FTing and how it changes over time with thought patterns or how they change how they roll after several years.
As for breaking up camp, we are much like Barb in that we tend to secure away a lot of our stuff the night before we retire, especially outside stuff like mats, chairs, table and bench covers, Grill etc. Next day, hubby takes about 5 to 10 mins tops depending if we are dry camping or hooked up outside to check slides in properly, tires OK, jacks retracted fully, and walk around and stow any hoses/cords if applicable, assess any obstacles for leaving the site, and we are ready for the off. Whilst he is doing that I usually check around the slides are clear of obstructions, bring them in, scout around securing shower door, things into sinsk and cabinets and secure all counter top items. If we are on rare occasions in full hook up, then we spend probably a good extra 10 mins filling black tank to capacity for dilution, flushing and black and grey tank cleaning and emptying. Filling the fresh water tank occurs whilst we are doing these other things typically, if not we do it the day before whilst enjoying sitting outside.
Breaking camp for us doesn't phase us personally in the slightest but I'm thinking it possibly feels a lot easier though for the likes of Barb and us because we have an A series versus a 5er which involves hooking up, as well not being 'typical' on the road workers etc. Also we tend to put any bikes or other stuff back where they live the night or day before, so do a little bit here and there. We also tend to be minimalists not to have a lot of stuff outside for the most part even when staying for a couple of weeks in one place. It just might take Barb a few extra minutes to pick up her empty wine bottles than us (LOL)
Once again Trace Kudos to you for the effort you put in to sharing this lifestyle of yours, so very many do appreciate it, many reading and never commenting but benefiting just the same. We for one are so very envious of your new lifestyle.
Safe, Happy and Enjoyable Travels wished to you and Lee always.
SD.
Technomadia said
12:53 PM May 15, 2015
Love reading what folks learn on the road... the only fact out there is that there is no one true way :)
Since it was requested, I actually shared my 8 Years on the Road reflections earlier this week on the blog:
Today marks the 2 year anniversary of moving into the RV, although it would be another 2 months before we left the driveway for the last time, can't believe how fast the time flies and how much more "life" we have now than we even thought possible.
gilljr said
10:43 AM May 16, 2015
GREAT POST !!! Like you we just finished our first six months and are still excited about our lifestyle. We have had our share of bumps, tire problems, refrigerator just pooped, but living in a stick and bricks also has problems, Hope to meet up with you sometime, somewhere.
MarkS said
11:13 AM May 16, 2015
biggaRView wrote:
Offtosmelltheroses wrote:
Gosh I envy you guys that are "a few months away" from "graduating" to the life. Our time table figures that with any luck, we'll be one of the last members to "graduate" with the class of 2016, (right after Christmas next year).
Jim and Deb
(not yet) Off to Smell the Roses!
Ohhhh quit rubbing it in!! Us? 2018 probable start, late 2017 if all goes well.
Brian
Finally, someone else who's not afraid to speak their mind! One certain thing, there is no political correctness or fear of offending others on this forum. You people who are living the full-time lifestyle should be more empathetic with those of us who are bound to the drudgery of a "normal" life. You people should be ashamed of enjoying life so much.
OK, I'm off my soap box. I need to go hug my fifth wheel and pat my tow vehicle. Now when I tell them it won't be long they just respond with, whatever.
Trace, well said. Next time you are dreading packing up... Think of us poor daily dregerators. (Oh yeah, well it's my word and I'll make them up any time I want)
Barbaraok said
12:31 PM May 16, 2015
On behalf of all of us who are retired, let me pass along a big thank you to those of you still working and paying taxes - you're the reason we do this. We are spending money to keep the economy growing and you working until it is your turn to join us.
-- Edited by Barbaraok on Saturday 16th of May 2015 03:26:31 PM
BiggarView said
05:15 PM May 16, 2015
MarkS wrote:
biggaRView wrote:
Offtosmelltheroses wrote:
Gosh I envy you guys that are "a few months away" from "graduating" to the life. Our time table figures that with any luck, we'll be one of the last members to "graduate" with the class of 2016, (right after Christmas next year).
Jim and Deb
(not yet) Off to Smell the Roses!
Ohhhh quit rubbing it in!! Us? 2018 probable start, late 2017 if all goes well.
Brian
Finally, someone else who's not afraid to speak their mind! One certain thing, there is no political correctness or fear of offending others on this forum. You people who are living the full-time lifestyle should be more empathetic with those of us who are bound to the drudgery of a "normal" life. You people should be ashamed of enjoying life so much.
OK, I'm off my soap box. I need to go hug my fifth wheel and pat my tow vehicle. Now when I tell them it won't be long they just respond with, whatever.
Trace, well said. Next time you are dreading packing up... Think of us poor daily dregerators. (Oh yeah, well it's my word and I'll make them up any time I want)
Ohhh quit rubbing it in At least you have a 5er and tow vehicle. Our 2003 Stixenbrix 2240RLK is a like jealous woman. Just mention a 5er and she thows a fit and breaks something, demands we fix it immediately and is ungrateful when we do so.
All I can add to that is at least we don't have any irradiated rodentasaurus like your monster lurking around the rig. Yeah we are looking forward to that problem.
mds1 said
06:23 PM May 16, 2015
Awesome post Trace. We enjoy following your blog as well.
pkhalin said
09:02 PM May 16, 2015
Mark,
When your vehicles start responding, let me know. I'm gonna steer clear. Shades of 'Maximum Overdrive'.
Jake62 said
05:31 AM May 17, 2015
MarkS wrote:
biggaRView wrote:
Offtosmelltheroses wrote:
Gosh I envy you guys that are "a few months away" from "graduating" to the life. Our time table figures that with any luck, we'll be one of the last members to "graduate" with the class of 2016, (right after Christmas next year).
Jim and Deb
(not yet) Off to Smell the Roses!
Ohhhh quit rubbing it in!! Us? 2018 probable start, late 2017 if all goes well.
Brian
Finally, someone else who's not afraid to speak their mind! One certain thing, there is no political correctness or fear of offending others on this forum. You people who are living the full-time lifestyle should be more empathetic with those of us who are bound to the drudgery of a "normal" life. You people should be ashamed of enjoying life so much.
OK, I'm off my soap box. I need to go hug my fifth wheel and pat my tow vehicle. Now when I tell them it won't be long they just respond with, whatever.
Trace, well said. Next time you are dreading packing up... Think of us poor daily dregerators. (Oh yeah, well it's my word and I'll make them up any time I want)
Mark, Too funny ... but since you're a retired MSG, you're no doubt half way there ... or more.
"Retired" is such a nebulous term, but by definition does mean you "stop employment completely." I prefer to think of my upcoming retirement as a "transition" which takes us down another road in life. By the end of this year, I'll be 57, and there is still much in life to accomplish, so I prefer "not" to think of myself as retired. (O.k., I know by the definition I will be, but when I talk to friends and their idea of retirement is living on a golf course and hanging out with old people talking about their aches and pains, I know that type of retirement is just not for me...)
Good luck heading towards your next transition ...
Roll Me Away said
10:22 AM May 17, 2015
There's just a moment in time when you hear the rustle of wanderlust. Everything has a vanishing point, especially the two-lane byways with their silver stitchery. No matter how obscured that point is, rain, storm, dust, or landscape, the vanishing point is there. Into an Angry Sky I rolled away on a crackling, rainy night in 2009 after I had settled Bill’s estate and sold or gave away everything. I had bought a 27 foot Born Free, the motor coach of my heart’s desire, stuffed my pets, computers, and a few clothes into it and tried to plot, map, and plan the route from the vanishing point of one lifestyle, and the new one, always in the future. One only has to see the road by moonlight, with the silver lines disappearing into the horizon and notice how when one has gotten to where one thought the road would end, it opens up again, new landscape, and each day a new sunrise and each night a new face of the moon. The future begins with some action, but 3 a.m. contemplation only brought questions of how to cut the umbilical cord of memory and find something less painful than walking alone where my best friend and boon companion had walked with me. Work wasn’t a problem as I had enjoyed working on line with court reporters, attorneys, and various other clients as editor and scopist. My favorite professor, director of my master’s degree, lit a fire under my almost pathological desire to work with language, by telling me a story, a legend of a rushing river by which one must leap from stone to stone to cross to the future or stand frozen in however much time one has left in life. “Don’t stand there. Do not turn back. Jump!” I jumped, and my work is quite suited to the lifestyle I had once only imagined. If I asked myself would I do this again, would I turn on the motor and just roll, not caring when or where my final “vanishing point” might be, Self would say, heck yes, in a heartbeat. Roll Me Away
fun2travel said
06:01 PM May 17, 2015
Nice post Trace. It's good to read your candid musings. We've been fulltiming in one spot for the last couple months since selling our home down the street. Hope to be on the road in July. Reading this helps get me prepared for the highs and lows to come. Our goal is to not get too high or too low
Good luck to you both
gypsymaus said
07:33 PM May 17, 2015
Wow you got all that in 6 months! Great post and very candid....can't wait for your 12 month post. <g> You are on the road to success.
Bob and Lindy said
09:09 PM May 19, 2015
Trace, great recap. We will have 1 year in a few days. It still seems like vacation at times. Moving day is tough but no where near what it was a year ago when we sold our 35 year residence. We have found that sitting 4 weeks is long enough, shorter is better (for us). See you soon, travel safe.
Camper Chronicles said
04:50 AM May 21, 2015
Really nice responses...can't tell you how much this group means to me.
Six months ago today, Lee and I closed on our home and started on this adventure. Although we know we still have so much to learn, I wanted to take a moment and share my thoughts from what we have experienced so far. Your mileage may of course vary, but I hope it might speak to some of you. Please feel free to add your thoughts as well. The one thing we have learned absolutely is there is no one way to do this and everyone's experience is very different. This is just our truth and I am sure over time it will change.
Barb
Hey Trace,
Thanks for your musings, or insights as the case may be. I do like your observations.
We take off in two and a half months and it's nice to get the new perspectives of folks that have recently taken off. Listen and learn. It's been said more than once there is no particularly right way to do this. Have to find what's best for you.
And I'm with Barb on the picking up the night before. Although we've only had the opportunity of doing this while ending vacation, a bummer of an acknowledgement, it'll be interesting to see if there's a change in attitude knowing the vacation (yes I know, it's no longer vacation, it's a life style) isn't coming to an end.
I find your comment on 'not everyone will be happy for you' as interesting. Do folks really get that much push back when they make it known they're going to do this? I guess I'm lucky. All the folks I have told seem to be very receptive, family, friends, and co-workers alike. It would seem they would be envious of such a lifestyle.
And Barb, I've always appreciated reading your viewpoints as a veteran of the road as well. I haven't read much at all that hasn't been useful.
Still looking forward to the adventure with great anticipation.
Great Reflections Trace! Wonderful insights.
As I read the first of your thoughts, about the drudgery of "breaking camp" I was reminded of so many past vacations, and the depression that always started to sit in on the last day or two when all I could think about was "Vacations almost over, time to go back to work!"
Cripes I hated that feeling! What often made it worse, particularly on fishing trips (a passion) was my fishing companions were mostly already retired!
There was this one trip I particularly remember - I was scheduled for a week of fishing on the coast, followed immediately by a second trip, fishing somewhere else - don't really remember where, but what sticks in my mind is how dramatically different I felt as the first week came to a close, the feeling of freedom knowing I wasn't headed back to the office on Monday, nope! I was off on another adventure!
While our FTRV life has not yet begun, we've got a few more months of the old life yet before then, I can only imagine that has to be the feeling I'll enjoy each time we clean up, load up and head off -- not back to the old "nine to five" but to the next adventure!
Jim and Deb
"Off to Smell the Roses!"
-- Edited by Offtosmelltheroses on Thursday 14th of May 2015 10:00:48 PM
One thing that I've found is that a lot of our days have settled down to "just life". We're not always out sightseeing, or planning touristy kinds of things for part of each week. The other day I was having a conversation with someone about wintering in Florida, and they were asking me what we do while we're down there. The question threw me for a minute because I didn't have a huge list of big unusual things we do. We're just living our life. Except our house moves.
Jim and Deb touched on something that had occurred to me, many a time while on vacation... last day.. Uggh. I've though about that a fair bit since we decided to go FT. What if this... what if that. Cindi has expressed some angst on this subject also.
Heres my take... Life is full of little jobs we do everyday or every week, month year. The dread of "last day" can be put into a different light when looking at the "pack up" as just another of life's little jobs. In a S&B I'd mow the grass every weekend, help with gardening, spend an hour on the road 5 days a week commuting... when We go FT, those jobs will be replaced with, packing up and setting up periodically, and other tasks not associated with S&B living. I merely traded some of those little jobs for other ones. Water off a duck's back. Additionally, so called chores, have the added benefit of requiring you to focus on something mundane thus relieving you of the self-torture of worrying about other more pressing issues that may be of concern to you. By changing your focus you may gain a fresh perspective on a problem or defuse a tense situation. Sometimes "drugdery of the mundane" has it's own rewards.
If you don't pack up, you'll miss the next great adventure that will happen with or without you at the next place you stop. Nothing wrong with staying where you are currently and soaking up local things... but when it's time to go, for whatever reason, look at packing up as the first step in that next great adventure.
Your last point was interesting... Relationships can be challenging, but life is full of cathartic moments. Especially with loved ones. We all get comfortable in the status quo and can unintentionally take things for granted and ignore important clues that something is amiss. The alert student of human interaction will quickly recognize this and make the necessary relationship adjustments to restore harmony. Sometimes it's easy, most of the time breaking through the stubborness of the ego results in some measure of confrontation. Catharsis then restoration of balance, moving to a new level of the relationship. Or not, if the willpower to listen and reason and compromise isn't there. I'm no genius on this subject, and my life is proof of that. I'm hoping that each day I'm doing enough to get better at it. Sherry (WestWardHo) recently shared a comment on FB that hit home with me...paraphrasing it from the cobwebs upstairs... In school, you are taught a lesson then given a test.... life gives you a test that teaches you a lesson. So it is in relationships also.
Thanks for sharing your perspectives. Love your blog and Lee's occasional adlibs. I hope we cross paths down the road.
Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Friday 15th of May 2015 07:51:52 AM
I work full time as well - so we are actually looking at staying several months in one place before moving on. That will also allow my husband to get a job and work as well. Excited for you - October 1 is our go date! Can't wait!
Gosh I envy you guys that are "a few months away" from "graduating" to the life. Our time table figures that with any luck, we'll be one of the last members to "graduate" with the class of 2016, (right after Christmas next year).
Jim and Deb
(not yet) Off to Smell the Roses!
Ohhhh quit rubbing it in!!
Us? 2018 probable start, late 2017 if all goes well. 
Brian
Trace - thanks for sharing.
If it's a move weekend, we try to move on one day and leave the other day for exploring, or if necessary start the move late Friday afternoon and stay one night enroute so we can arrive by Saturday and thus enjoy Sunday off.
We're with you on not liking moving days, at least until we at the part where we're actually moving. We've gotten really good at packing up most of our outside stuff the night ahead of time and if we're somewhere that's not too hot or cold, we'll actually get all the utilities disconnected the night before and run off our batteries for the night to make the morning a little easier. Moving on Saturday or Sunday while we're working is just so much simpler for us, we do everything we can to avoid weekday moves. We've got a couple of those moves coming up due to art shows and I'm already dreading them.
I chuckled at your comment about being with friends is complicated and I'll just add if they are other RV friends, it can be even more complicated. Just watch those plans change as one of the rigs has a flat or a breakdown. Debbie & Steve (DebbieM) were heading our way last Saturday and wanted to see us at an art show in the location where Debbie used to have her store, flat tire, less than 2 hours away resulted in changing those plans to meet for coffee on Sunday morning before the art show started. Being with friends is complicated and sometimes a lot of flexibility is needed, but so worth it when you have an evening like we had last night with a couple that is leaving today, my rib cage still hurts this morning from laughing the evening away with them last night. And our next middle of the week move that is not associated with an art show is just so we can see them for a couple more days in July as we head in opposite directions at that time.
After the first few months on the road we started to settle back down into life and a routine, we realized that while we love spending our weekends exploring we're more likely now to have one weekend day to "play" and then there's a day to sleep in, run errands, grocery shop, clean house, wash the rig, etc, etc. We do have some weekends where both days are spent exploring, especially if we're in the area for a very limited time, but when we're in an area for a longer period of time we've really gotten into a routine of one day for exploring, one day for taking care of home and truck "stuff". For us, we've found that it's a better balance and we've given up trying to see everything with the attitude that if we don't see if this year, we'll see it next. LOL, we're still saying that about some areas of AZ and we've now wintered there twice, we really are going to make it to Organ Pipe next year
One thing we've also learned is that we no longer plan any kind of a move on a 3 day weekend and we were doing really good with that rule for this year until Dale got accepted into an art show that has waitlisted or rejected him for the last 6 years. So now we're moving on Labor Day, but luckily through a fairly sparsely populated portion of Idaho. Gotta be flexible but at least we know far enough in advance that I can do a little planning.
There's so much about this life I love and no, not everything is quite the way we expected, but we still feel like we have more "life" now than when we had a house and we're enjoying the scenery changing as we move about the country.
Ruth
-- Edited by NWescapee on Friday 15th of May 2015 09:28:43 AM
I was thinking as we are all different personalities with different perceptions, after reading your 6 month on the road musings, it would be wonderful if more folks would share their 6 month, 1 year and 3 years FTing musings as well. Just purely to get different perspectives from those that are still working age on the road, versus those not or those that chose to volunteer and why etc etc. As well, as mentioned before everyone has a different personality and what bugs one is of zero consequence to another, but is that because they are at a different place in their lives as FTers by comparison or just different strokes for different folks?
It for sure would be wonderful to read others experiences now 6 months, 1 year, 3 years into FTing and how it changes over time with thought patterns or how they change how they roll after several years.
As for breaking up camp, we are much like Barb in that we tend to secure away a lot of our stuff the night before we retire, especially outside stuff like mats, chairs, table and bench covers, Grill etc. Next day, hubby takes about 5 to 10 mins tops depending if we are dry camping or hooked up outside to check slides in properly, tires OK, jacks retracted fully, and walk around and stow any hoses/cords if applicable, assess any obstacles for leaving the site, and we are ready for the off. Whilst he is doing that I usually check around the slides are clear of obstructions, bring them in, scout around securing shower door, things into sinsk and cabinets and secure all counter top items. If we are on rare occasions in full hook up, then we spend probably a good extra 10 mins filling black tank to capacity for dilution, flushing and black and grey tank cleaning and emptying. Filling the fresh water tank occurs whilst we are doing these other things typically, if not we do it the day before whilst enjoying sitting outside.
Breaking camp for us doesn't phase us personally in the slightest but I'm thinking it possibly feels a lot easier though for the likes of Barb and us because we have an A series versus a 5er which involves hooking up, as well not being 'typical' on the road workers etc. Also we tend to put any bikes or other stuff back where they live the night or day before, so do a little bit here and there. We also tend to be minimalists not to have a lot of stuff outside for the most part even when staying for a couple of weeks in one place. It just might take Barb a few extra minutes to pick up her empty wine bottles than us (LOL)
Once again Trace Kudos to you for the effort you put in to sharing this lifestyle of yours, so very many do appreciate it, many reading and never commenting but benefiting just the same. We for one are so very envious of your new lifestyle.
Safe, Happy and Enjoyable Travels wished to you and Lee always.
SD.
Since it was requested, I actually shared my 8 Years on the Road reflections earlier this week on the blog:
www.technomadia.com/2015/05/eight-years-on-the-road-a-letter-back-to-myself-then/
It's hard to believe how quickly 8 years goes by :)
- Cherie
Great read Cherie!
rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t58066690/a-very-fast-first-year-on-the-road/
Today marks the 2 year anniversary of moving into the RV, although it would be another 2 months before we left the driveway for the last time, can't believe how fast the time flies and how much more "life" we have now than we even thought possible.
Finally, someone else who's not afraid to speak their mind! One certain thing, there is no political correctness or fear of offending others on this forum. You people who are living the full-time lifestyle should be more empathetic with those of us who are bound to the drudgery of a "normal" life. You people should be ashamed of enjoying life so much.
OK, I'm off my soap box. I need to go hug my fifth wheel and pat my tow vehicle. Now when I tell them it won't be long they just respond with, whatever.
Trace, well said. Next time you are dreading packing up... Think of us poor daily dregerators. (Oh yeah, well it's my word and I'll make them up any time I want)
On behalf of all of us who are retired, let me pass along a big thank you to those of you still working and paying taxes - you're the reason we do this.
We are spending money to keep the economy growing and you working until it is your turn to join us.
-- Edited by Barbaraok on Saturday 16th of May 2015 03:26:31 PM
Ohhh quit rubbing it in
At least you have a 5er and tow vehicle. Our 2003 Stixenbrix 2240RLK is a like jealous woman. Just mention a 5er and she thows a fit and breaks something, demands we fix it immediately and is ungrateful when we do so.
All I can add to that is at least we don't have any irradiated rodentasaurus like your monster lurking around the rig.
Yeah we are looking forward to that problem.
Mark,
When your vehicles start responding, let me know. I'm gonna steer clear. Shades of 'Maximum Overdrive'.
Mark, Too funny ... but since you're a retired MSG, you're no doubt half way there ... or more.
"Retired" is such a nebulous term, but by definition does mean you "stop employment completely." I prefer to think of my upcoming retirement as a "transition" which takes us down another road in life. By the end of this year, I'll be 57, and there is still much in life to accomplish, so I prefer "not" to think of myself as retired. (O.k., I know by the definition I will be, but when I talk to friends and their idea of retirement is living on a golf course and hanging out with old people talking about their aches and pains, I know that type of retirement is just not for me...)
Good luck heading towards your next transition ...
Everything has a vanishing point, especially the two-lane byways with their silver stitchery. No matter how obscured that point is, rain, storm, dust, or landscape, the vanishing point is there.
Into an Angry Sky
I rolled away on a crackling, rainy night in 2009 after I had settled Bill’s estate and sold or gave away everything. I had bought a 27 foot Born Free, the motor coach of my heart’s desire, stuffed my pets, computers, and a few clothes into it and tried to plot, map, and plan the route from the vanishing point of one lifestyle, and the new one, always in the future. One only has to see the road by moonlight, with the silver lines disappearing into the horizon and notice how when one has gotten to where one thought the road would end, it opens up again, new landscape, and each day a new sunrise and each night a new face of the moon.
The future begins with some action, but 3 a.m. contemplation only brought questions of how to cut the umbilical cord of memory and find something less painful than walking alone where my best friend and boon companion had walked with me. Work wasn’t a problem as I had enjoyed working on line with court reporters, attorneys, and various other clients as editor and scopist. My favorite professor, director of my master’s degree, lit a fire under my almost pathological desire to work with language, by telling me a story, a legend of a rushing river by which one must leap from stone to stone to cross to the future or stand frozen in however much time one has left in life. “Don’t stand there. Do not turn back. Jump!” I jumped, and my work is quite suited to the lifestyle I had once only imagined.
If I asked myself would I do this again, would I turn on the motor and just roll, not caring when or where my final “vanishing point” might be, Self would say, heck yes, in a heartbeat.
Roll Me Away
Good luck to you both
Wow you got all that in 6 months! Great post and very candid....can't wait for your 12 month post. <g> You are on the road to success.