I can't believe how time has flown and it is now 1 year since Mitch and I officially started this new chapter in our lives of becoming full-time RVers. Seems like just a few weeks ago. I also posted my reflections below on my blog:
There are a number of things we love and things we don't love about the lifestyle. The bottom line is that, so far, it seems like a perfect fit for us and we plan to continue. Yes, I would say we're loving it, despite some of the setbacks we've had.
Things we like about the lifestyle:
A smaller space to clean, no mowing or shoveling snow
No mortgage, property taxes or utility bills
The flexibility and freedom to be wherever we want, with a new change of scenery (I like being able to sit outside near a lake or other scenic area with my laptop to work)
Meeting new friends wherever we go
Evening campfires and beautiful sunsets
Not being tied down to location or climates
Experiencing different cultures, hearing different accents, learning about local history
Seeing different trees and birds local to each region
Things we don't like:
Packing up, driving, parking, unpacking
Repairs and maintenance
Campgrounds with tight spaces
Harder for Mitch to find IT gigs
Not always easy to find a synagogue to go to
Bugs
What have we learned?
I have learned to become a lot more flexible, discovering that most plans are made in bubbles. I no longer get totally freaked out when things don't go according to plan.
There's a lot of stuff we don't know we don't know, so we have to learn as we go.
We not alone in making "newbie" mistakes. Everyone has been in our shoes at one time or another, although we try to read as much as we can so we don't make the same mistakes.
This lifestyle is not a full time vacation but it's very important to take some time off to get out to explore the area, even if only for 1/2 a day once a week. There are so many great things to do and see, and it defeats the lifestyle if we just sit at our desks and work full time.
Highlights of this past year
Cheryl's list:
The good stuff:
St. Augustine
Myrtle Beach
Visiting family & friends who live in FL and NC
Fishing
I love living in this castle on wheels; it's a great floor plan for us.
The bad stuff:
Accident when we got stuck in a tight space, requiring fixing the roof and side
Stuck in Arcadia for almost 2 months while waiting for parts & repair of king pin
Staying in hotels & daughter's house for almost 2 months waiting for slide repair
Mitch's list:
The good stuff:
Myrtle Beach
Pecans
Guy from FAA and his flying machines
Being in tight quarters with me
The bad stuff:
Getting the mail late
All the repairs
Missing the family
marianne57 said
05:22 PM Jun 25, 2015
Cheryl, some of us have just quietly followed you for the past year, and I'm glad you stuck it out even with some of your issues. It looks like you really found a lot more to like then not, and that's what we wanted to see because basically we're similar on our plans to go next year. I'm expecting issues, but knowing that you have ways to work them out is good to see. Thanks for the summary, it really is great for some of us needing the advice, and glad you're sticking with it! Good luck and many more happy times on the road! Hope to see you out there sometime!
pkhalin said
05:23 PM Jun 25, 2015
Cheryl,
Nice reflections. Although, I'm thinkin' you should list Repairs and Maintenance twice. But it's good you still have such a positive outlook. Hope things get much, much better.
Happy trails!
Curtis and Rhandi said
06:46 AM Jun 26, 2015
Congrats on your anniversary! You've had some rough times - but LOVE the positive spin you put on everything. It's all about perspective isn't it? Congrats!
Camper Chronicles said
09:45 PM Jun 26, 2015
Congratulations Cheryl and I am glad you wrote it all down and shared it ...good and bad. The folks who have been doing this awhile say year one can be the toughest.. hopefully that's true and smooth sailing from here on out!!
jrzygrl64 said
07:24 AM Jun 27, 2015
Congrats! I know you guys have had more than your fair share of issues but you keep at it! Good for you that you perservere! I am sure year 2 will be better for you!
Bill and I are coming up on our 1 year at the end of the summer - and I have started my summary as well! I'm sure some of our items will be similar!
dianneandsteve said
09:45 AM Jun 27, 2015
Congrats guys...glad you stuck it out! Many more good times are ahead for you.
Safe travels!
gilljr said
11:24 AM Jun 27, 2015
congrats., we are coming up on a year in Nov.
DebbieM said
12:06 AM Jun 30, 2015
Congrats! We just had our 1st on 6/28. Glad you're still on the road and that we were able to meet in NC.
VanMar said
07:00 AM Jul 2, 2015
Cheryl and Mitch,
Congratulations on your anniversary. It was great meeting you and having dinner with you in Sevierville. Glad we could be a part of your first year.
Vance and Marla
mds1 said
12:07 PM Jul 2, 2015
Cheryl,
Congrats on your one year anniversary. My wife and I are in our planning stages. I met a few fulltimers and received recommendations as to where to look for advise. It's amusing that as I look back on blogs I'm finding posts where you guys had been doing the same thing. Good job making it out of your rookie year - it is inspiring.
Seems like if I stay on the same path you and Debbie and Trace took, we should be okay.
-- Edited by mds1 on Thursday 2nd of July 2015 12:09:08 PM
-- Edited by mds1 on Thursday 2nd of July 2015 12:09:56 PM
I can't believe how time has flown and it is now 1 year since Mitch and I officially started this new chapter in our lives of becoming full-time RVers. Seems like just a few weeks ago. I also posted my reflections below on my blog:
There are a number of things we love and things we don't love about the lifestyle. The bottom line is that, so far, it seems like a perfect fit for us and we plan to continue. Yes, I would say we're loving it, despite some of the setbacks we've had.
Things we like about the lifestyle:
Things we don't like:
What have we learned?
Highlights of this past year
Cheryl's list:
The good stuff:
The bad stuff:
Mitch's list:
The good stuff:
The bad stuff:
Cheryl, some of us have just quietly followed you for the past year, and I'm glad you stuck it out even with some of your issues. It looks like you really found a lot more to like then not, and that's what we wanted to see because basically we're similar on our plans to go next year. I'm expecting issues, but knowing that you have ways to work them out is good to see. Thanks for the summary, it really is great for some of us needing the advice, and glad you're sticking with it! Good luck and many more happy times on the road! Hope to see you out there sometime!
Cheryl,
Nice reflections. Although, I'm thinkin' you should list Repairs and Maintenance twice. But it's good you still have such a positive outlook. Hope things get much, much better.
Happy trails!
Bill and I are coming up on our 1 year at the end of the summer - and I have started my summary as well! I'm sure some of our items will be similar!
Safe travels!
Congrats! We just had our 1st on 6/28. Glad you're still on the road and that we were able to meet in NC.
Cheryl and Mitch,
Congratulations on your anniversary. It was great meeting you and having dinner with you in Sevierville. Glad we could be a part of your first year.
Vance and Marla
Cheryl,
Congrats on your one year anniversary. My wife and I are in our planning stages. I met a few fulltimers and received recommendations as to where to look for advise. It's amusing that as I look back on blogs I'm finding posts where you guys had been doing the same thing. Good job making it out of your rookie year - it is inspiring.
Seems like if I stay on the same path you and Debbie and Trace took, we should be okay.
-- Edited by mds1 on Thursday 2nd of July 2015 12:09:08 PM
-- Edited by mds1 on Thursday 2nd of July 2015 12:09:56 PM