I have been thinking about this post for quite awhile -- mostly trying to figure out how the first year went on the road, pros, cons, dos and don'ts --- I think the biggest revelation is that I am so fortunate to have taken the full time RV plunge and go totally out of character (maybe? or maybe not?) -- I am sure some of you wondered, what the heck are they thinking? And to tell you the truth, I have had a few of those moments ... but instead of trying for perfection, I am trying for progress and shifting my mindset to living the moment.
So the next few paragraphs (because I cannot find a table feature and don't want to HTML code to insert a table) will address the "learning" from this experience --- the Good, the Bad and the Ugly (preferably called, Pros, Cons and Other).
PROS:
- I don't own as much stuff and acquire even less stuff -- now, Darrel? well, we are still working on that 😊
- I follow the sun - meaning trying to find milder temps to live in (see Cons for weather issues)
- New hobbies, like UTVing in the desert in the winter and now, Colorado mountain trails in the summer, gold panning and metal detecting, rock collecting and ravine exploration, etc. PLUS Pickleball playing
- Making new friends (see Cons for missing family and old friends)
- Seeing new sites (and there is so much more to explore, it could take years, yes, years to see what I want to see)
- Getting outside every day, relaxing more and taking care of less
- Communicating better with family and friends (which is funny that I am 100's miles away but probably text, email, blog post, call to talk more than being 5 miles away)
- I probably eat better (for the most part) -- less access to fast food or restaurant food when you have to drive to get there.
- I get to live near/in the mountains! After being a flatlander for 58+years, that is a big difference...even the desert mountains are beautiful...
- Adapting to small living quarters early in my life so when the nursing home calls, I will be comfortable with a room 😭
- Taking our toys with us (UTV and motorcycles) -- I know that a Toyhauler is not for everyone, but I kind of like having the garage space (don't have to clean it as much) and the patio is a wonderful option in great weather!
- Having a bathroom and 1/2 bath is a great thing! His and Hers (for the most part, I only have to share the shower with Darrel).
- Verizon Jet pack for Internet has been a great option so that we don't have to worry about secure Internet connections. (See Cons for Internet access)
- Existing with one mobile phone -- yes, some said it couldn't be done, but we have done it very well with only a few times that 2 phones would have been helpful..... if Darrel could text, we would have no worries.
- Attending different area Weight Watchers (WW) meetings. It has been interesting to hear new coaches and meet new members.
- Reading books through online venues -- I have a library card to Congress AZ library and can access their digital collection (carrying around printed material is not weight worthy : )
- Exploring new towns and cities and hills and mountains, and trails and hiking paths, finding that small stream or raging river!
- Activities that are local, farmer's markets and flea markets, festivals and celebrations -- you just never know what will pop up around the corner.
Now for the cons....
CONS:
- I miss not seeing family and friends -- I do appreciate all the communication to keep in touch but not spending time in activities and visits is still an adjustment.
- I am not fond of driving for groceries and taking coolers in the heat or over long distances, it is a good thing I am a planner, as we keep a constant grocery list on the refrigerator and when you go to town, you have a list of what you need from eggs to nuts & bolts and your errands are a day process.
- Uncooperative weather ... Mother Nature is a force of her own, and I am the one adapting to HER needs! If you would have told me that I would have snow in the Arizona desert, I would have laughed! This first year has definitely been one for the weather charts, because we have had unusual weather where we have traveled -- hence, the nickname Weather Gypsies.
- Storage options are primo, you find that you can get by with a lot less clothes (and that has been a challenge with the weather extremes) -- I finally have my tubs numbered and a list of what is inside so we can get it out when needed.
- Finding a consistent, decent hair cut, which I know sounds a little prideful, but I have such wacky hair that one bad hair cut is like 12 months of growing it back out....and I still don't care for "bad hair" days! Darrel lets me cut his with a Flowbee he bought last year, he says I do a great job, no way is he cutting my hair!
- Only having the truck for enclosed transportation, and with Bo's wide hips, he just doesn't fit well into lots of places ie, any kind of drive thru (from food, to Post Office, to ATM or sometimes, small parking lots and side streets).
- Finding and paying for fix it services, that takes some planning to locate what you need, when you need it and reputable people too.... and for Darrel paying for something that he can do will always be frustrating for him.
- Finding fuel for Bo when hauling Zoe (RV) -- that is always one of our 1st travel stresses because she just doesn't fit well into small spaces either... next comes RV sites that she will fit into as well.
- RV mattress, need I say more? We had a Temperpedic mattress and even with the upgraded mattress in our Toyhauler, we are looking at options to replace so that we have better sleep. We bought a foam topper and I finally convinced Darrel to put it "under" the mattress as we felt like we sunk down it it -- it is actually a better option so far since we tried it a couple of weeks ago. Darrel even admitted, I was RIGHT??!!!??? what???
- Missing Weight Watcher (WW) meetings -- I use to attend weekly meetings and that has been a challenge on the road to travel sometimes 2.5 hrs. to find a meeting. But I do the best I can to get there when I can.
- Reading "print" books and having limited access to libraries. We do have a library at North Ranch clubhouse and there is a small library at Ute Bluff so I will need to checkout the collection to read.
MOST RECENT CON: Poor cell reception and network availabilty -- for all the traveling we did last summer the only place we had issues was Pelican Point in Jamestown ND and we knew about that going in.
This year at Ute Bluff Lodge in South Fork, the month of July has been horrible with dropped calls, or the network unavailable or time out responses. We now know this will happen in this area when the heaviest of vacation time appears -- many reasons for this we are finding out but mostly just not enough bandwidth for all the people that visit the area.
Thanks to everyone that has kept up with us through texts and emails and we appreciate your understanding -- it would almost be funny, except when you get frustrated 😒trying to make sense when talking, pay bills or even just check online orders!!
So I think that about covers the highlights, I am sure I have more floating around in my head to pluck out when the moment is right.... am I sorry we took this journey? Absolutely not, and I try hard not to plan when we might come off the road, or find a edifice to settle into .... we took a big leap to purchase a RV lot in Congress AZ, North Ranch so that wintering isn't a travel issue and we don't have to rely on someone's lot for lot sitting each year.
I really don't have a Dos and Don'ts -- I think everyone needs to figure it out for themselves. We did so much research to try to make it as least problematic as we could but even with the Pendergast planning, we had lots of obstacles to hurdle and even though they have gotten easier, we still have things that don't work (UTV), things to fix (like refrigerator doors not closing correctly) but that is just part of living and really, what other options do you have?
So thanks for all the supportive people in my life, from our family members, friends that are there to catch up on the news, RVer friends and new friends that have tips and how tos, and complete strangers that loan you a ball hitch so you can haul your UTV to the service shop!
We love you all and miss you more than you know,
Susan & Darrel
No comments:
Post a Comment