Anyone else feel this way?? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

two 4 the road · RV-Dreams Family Member

Anyone else feel this way??

two 4 the road · RV-Dreams Family Member

Awww......that was very moving, Mike! No pun intended, but turned out to be one! wink

-- Edited by two 4 the road on Tuesday 22nd of October 2013 11:16:53 AM

two 4 the road · RV-Dreams Family Member

cherylbrv wrote:
Another dreamer here as well! I was in the same mental shoes as you for the past 3 years. Tunnel vision once we decided to take the plunge, and are still doing everything we can to move closer to being able to do it, which for the most part is fixing up the house to put on the market. Whenever we get close, another obstacle is thrown in the way, so it's only been baby steps we can take. We're actually taking another baby step right now (fixing up another room). Our goal is spring of 2014, but we've been saying that since 2011, so who knows?

But every day I come to this forum and do a little more research, so when the time comes, we'll be ready to rock & roll!

We are literally in the same shoes! We have to finish fixing up our house to sell. We have had so many obstacles, too! We would love to take off spring of 2014, but that depends on a lot of things.

-- Edited by two 4 the road on Tuesday 22nd of October 2013 06:30:47 PM

two 4 the road · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and Jodee wrote:
Yes, yes, yes and yes! We made the "final" decision in April 2013 to head out summer of 2015. Since then we talk, plan and dream everything full-timer related. We make and reach goals - like byseandbyland, we find that having shorter milestones to reach really helps!! We won't purchase MH until house sells (say we today) so most of our goals center around improving health, house for resale, time with family we won't see as often, and getting debt free.

Don't fight it......sink in and soak it up....and before you know it you'll be out there too (and so will we !!).

Jodee
ontheroadabode.blogspot.com

Looks like everyone has a blog already, BEFORE going on the road. Is that the thing to do? I was waiting to start the blog when we went on the road.

-- Edited by two 4 the road on Tuesday 22nd of October 2013 06:31:03 PM

laurly · RV-Dreams Family Member

Oh, we've all been there. I researched for 3 years before we took off. Haven't looked back!

two 4 the road · RV-Dreams Family Member

Soooo...do you feel that you have found your real life out there on the road??

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

HHHHhhhmmmmm.............

When I started out I was looking for greener pastures but when I jumped the fence, I skinned my knees on astro turf!!!

I learned the RV life at the school of "Hard Knocks" I just like you needed to do it.

plus Side

Freedom to follow my mind......answer those dreams
new Friends and a happiness to just walk up to a stranger and help out
found several ways to support my money hungry dream without having the 9 to 5 Blues
I actually found myself and began to understand how much I always tried to be part of the "STUFF" side of life.
My diet changed for the better
The very simplest things I took for granted now are in vivid color....sunrise , sunset, veiws
I became self sufficient...handyman....boondocking...without going without (things actually got better!!)

down side

A blowout on I-4 with poor cell service, a good spare and no jack!!!!!
the day you wonder if you did the right thing
you pass by a dealer that had the unit you really wanted for half the price of the one you bought
you lose internet and you cannot get to RV-Dreams to post for a week and it takes over your mind!!

It's not a pipe dream.........people have walked on the moon. We all have choices and all we have to do is make sound educated decisions within our means.

my life really started when I looked out the windshield of the old 68 Winnebago brave.....and I dont need to go home now because I am!!!!

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

RVing & nomadic travel has been a fantastic lifestyle for us, and we definitely love it. I wouldn't say we found our 'real life' on the road, because our lives before hand were pretty fricken awesome too. It's all real life for us.

But it was definitely the next right evolution in our life of conscious choice. You're already at least somewhat independent in being self employed, you go off the beaten path.. perhaps a life of location independence is also your next right move.

But like others have said, there are downsides as well. It's not all rainbow farting unicorns :D

Here's a post and video chat we did a while ago that is sort of a 'reality check' to help set expectations to a little more realistic:

www.technomadia.com/2013/03/realities-of-living-traveling-in-a-rv-full-time/

- Cherie

The Restless Youngs · RV-Dreams Family Member

Right there with you. We've been madly researching and putting together timelines, etc. for the past five months. I know I can suffer from "tunnel vision" and this is definitely no exception. Since we're about a year away, we keep putting small milestones out there to keep us going (i.e. going to RV show/s, the spring rally, selling stuff, etc.). I also get very envious anytime I pass a RV on the highway.....but my time will come!!

French Bikers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Don't worry you are not the only one, like Laurie & George mentionned in their reply many people went through that stage before hitting the road. In our case we have been dreaming for that moment in our life, we have been feading the drams for the last 15 years. Reading books, browsing the web, attending seminars and RV show, etc...

Many years ago we have set 2018 for the departure date but not too long ago something happend probably just like you mentionned in your post. I think we have things in common because has I was reading Howard and Linda's story I saw myself in Howard. Therefore I've sent an e-mail to Howard asking him some questions and advises. It didn't took long to take another step to see where we were standing and went to the RV show in Hershey. This eight hours drive and the three days spent gave us the answer meaning that even if we had decided that it would be in 2018 our hearth was telling us it was time.

We came back home and started what I would call the final approach to make the RV Dream a reality. We told our family and friends about our decision to hit the road in sept 2015 or before. We don't live the same way in your case you are alreday self employed so you have a good grasp of entreprenership if you can keep working anywhere it is a plus for you.

I would say that everyone has a time line in their life maybe it is now your time. From everything I've read so far, seldom were the people that have regret about their decision. On the other hand nothing is perfect therefore problems will happen on the road if you are reday to face it, I will do just like Howard did with me wich is encourage you to make your dream happen. If you are able to do it go for it the RV community is among one of the best on hearth you will never be alone. For example you wrote a post and look how many people that you don't know have already replied to it.

GO FOR IT and GOOD LUCK

Dog Folks · RV-Dreams Family Member

You are just having the "Am I crazy?" question that all travelers go through. You are just asking it sooner than most.

You are NOT crazy to want to rid yourself of "stuff" and see what is around the next corner.

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

We also spent about three years planning, dreaming and researching. We got rid of everything we couldn't bring with us, sold our house and hit the road a little less than a year ago. We have NO regrets....love our life on the road. We are currently working for Amazon for the next couple months, and then we will move on and get back to seeing the sights. :)

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Another dreamer here as well! I was in the same mental shoes as you for the past 3 years. Tunnel vision once we decided to take the plunge, and are still doing everything we can to move closer to being able to do it, which for the most part is fixing up the house to put on the market. Whenever we get close, another obstacle is thrown in the way, so it's only been baby steps we can take. We're actually taking another baby step right now (fixing up another room). Our goal is spring of 2014, but we've been saying that since 2011, so who knows?

But every day I come to this forum and do a little more research, so when the time comes, we'll be ready to rock & roll!

two 4 the road · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think that it may be the right time for us now. I was soooo attached to "stuff" in the past. I could not even throw out any of my magazines! However, in the recent year, I have wanted to start getting rid of stuff.

But, when I caught hold of this dream, I see everything from a different perspective. "Do I REALLY need this with me forever? What do I absolutely have to have and cannot do without?"

However, I am really having a tough time letting go of my new kitchen appliances!! I LOVE to cook...cook daily, and had finally found the right new appliances to install in our kitchen remodel. They have been a dream! So, to let go of something that I have found to love for the first time in my life, is a bit tough, but I have to consider....do I want to live with my appliances or live with the wonders of the road?

My DH suggested that we take our Electrolux oven in the basement of the 5er. He was joking, but is that possible? : )

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes, yes, yes and yes! We made the "final" decision in April 2013 to head out summer of 2015. Since then we talk, plan and dream everything full-timer related. We make and reach goals - like byseandbyland, we find that having shorter milestones to reach really helps!! We won't purchase MH until house sells (say we today) so most of our goals center around improving health, house for resale, time with family we won't see as often, and getting debt free.

Don't fight it......sink in and soak it up....and before you know it you'll be out there too (and so will we !!).

Jodee
ontheroadabode.blogspot.com

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

fun part of fulltiming is you get to put off writing a blog..........procrastination becomes a virtue !!!!!!!

one of these days I'll start my blog......14 years out here....whats a blog

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

T4tR,

First of all, please remember to make your fonts larger so your posts are easier to read.

Secondly, keep in mind that any RV is going to limit you as to the amount of weight you are going to be able to carry in any RV you have. When doing the research, look for what is called CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity) and if that isn't listed, look for empty weights for the RV and subtract that from the GVWR for the RV. GVWR is Gross Vehicular Weight Rating is a weight that one shouldn't get too much over when putting in all of the "stuff" you want to keep. With many fifth wheels, specifically the longer ones, the CCC may likely be 3000 lbs or less.

In addition, if you do go with a fifth wheel, also keep in mind the weight capacities of the truck that will be your tow vehicle. When looking, keep in mind that what the dealer calls "towing weights" as those can be a false figure to go with. You will want to know the GVWR of your trailer, the gross vehicular weight of the truck and then add those together to make sure that you don't exceed the truck's GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicular Weight.)

Terry

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

I did this in RV Living thing since 1994 with a brother who had health problems. I then went on my own in 1998 when he found the second love of his life! I am glad I did because I had my health-life changing event the end of march 2012! I still live in my RV but it is stationary hoping that the Cardio Doctor will soon give me the go ahead to travel again.
I am 62 now and would not have changed a thing about my decision to go on the road in 2000 with my own motorhome. I worked and camped and had to quit in July 2012. I am now drawing a small disability pension along with a smaller SSD income and live in a quaint RV Park where most are very friendly and full-time residents.
I have great memories of more good times than bad while traversing and working in some very diverse places! PIEERE

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

two 4 the road wrote:
Looks like everyone has a blog already, BEFORE going on the road. Is that the thing to do? I was waiting to start the blog when we went on the road.

-- Edited by two 4 the road on Tuesday 22nd of October 2013 06:31:03 PM

I thought the same thing at first but then decided to document our preparations for hitting the road. I am glad that I did now because it is amazing how quickly it all becomes a distant memory once you get out on the journey. I like being able to look back, especially when we are trying to remember some detail, and Harry will say, why don't you check the blog. :)

two 4 the road · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes! It was an excellent chat! Thanks for that, Technomadia!

It really put things into perspective and I learned so much! Being prepared for reality is the best way to avoid disillusionment!

Actually, our intent is to stay on the road until we fall in love with a particular place that we just cannot resist settling into....IF that ever happens! This is such a huge country with sooooo many places to see that we may not finish before we exit this earth.

-- Edited by two 4 the road on Wednesday 23rd of October 2013 09:19:42 AM

-- Edited by two 4 the road on Thursday 24th of October 2013 02:34:09 PM

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

From I see, you aren't just going to jump into the lifestyle for "greener grass". You are questioning whether or not it will work in your other posts so that is a good thing. Those that look at only the positive aspects of a lifestyle usually never make it. Being prepared for the downside is a necessity for success. Everything has a price.

MerryPaws · RV-Dreams Community Member

T4Tr,

Reading your original post made me think I was reading my own mind. :)
I also feel the way you do since I decided I want to full time. I have moved 11 times in 15 years (in the stationary world!) and I love the change. I too currently feel stuck in my life, waiting for it to begin when I get on the road. My FT goal is October 2014, but that seems like forever!

Let's keep dreaming and make it happen! I dont think its a pipe dream if it what you truly want!

Good luck!

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We just watched "technomadia"s referenced chat and thought it was excellent. A dream needs balance and I know it isn't fun to look at the realities since sometimes, it makes the dream not as dazzling but to make a dream a reality, it often takes some tweaking. We saw a lot of people that were running it like an endless vacation versus though that had chosen it as a lifestyle. When you are running, you often run out of enough breath to finish the journey. The high cost of an endless vacation and just being exhausted came into play fairly quickly.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Every time I felt it was time to go back to a S&B I always made sure it had a driveway large enough to keep my coach in.......I always found that when I had made the wrong decision an escape pod was always available!!!

I think sometimes the biggest fear is losing our stuff and having enough money to see infinity and beyond...

in all honesty , I have put myself in a position once that I literally had only 5 bucks and less than a 1/4 tank of fuel and had to figure out an honest way out of it. it rained for 3 or 4 days and things looked really glum.

I worked my way out of it and still use it as a lesson..(and now as a profitable income) as to what can happen on the road....and do not take for granted that it is a perfect life out here. one thing you must take to heart is that home is now on the road and your friends are now distant and your in unfamiliar territory....planning for the bad and know it will happen will be your life saver

we are not all rich. some have come out here with nothing but a dream and spent there last dollar to make it work and done it and are still going......others have made the journey and spent better than 200k and lost it because they didnt plan and all the sudden lived beyond there means only to return home with nothing but a memory and no Home!!

two 4 the road · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lucky Mike wrote:
..others have made the journey and spent better than 200k and lost it because they didnt plan and all the sudden lived beyond there means only to return home with nothing but a memory and no Home!!

That would be horrible!! We are very conservative people, so we do not make decisions quickly.

WendysPhotos · RV-Dreams Family Member

You are Not crazy. I too have been consumed with it. It will be about a year or so before we go, but I want to go out almost everyday and look. I am researching new trucks right now. Ever since hubby chose rving over beach condo(I gave him two choices) I have been consumed.

Now I am trying to rearange his vacation schedule to go to the spring rally!!!

two 4 the road · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks, everyone! Very comforting to hear from others..... like a support group!

Is there a support group for "wanna-be full-timers?" Or is this it? : )

laurly · RV-Dreams Family Member

two 4 the road wrote:
Thanks, everyone! Very comforting to hear from others..... like a support group!

Is there a support group for "wanna-be full-timers?" Or is this it? : )

Lol - yup, this is it! No matter how you are feeling about this whole process, there are lots of people that went through the same thing

two 4 the road · RV-Dreams Family Member

Technomadia wrote:
RVing & nomadic travel has been a fantastic lifestyle for us, and we definitely love it. I wouldn't say we found our 'real life' on the road, because our lives before hand were pretty fricken awesome too. It's all real life for us.

But it was definitely the next right evolution in our life of conscious choice. You're already at least somewhat independent in being self employed, you go off the beaten path.. perhaps a life of location independence is also your next right move.

But like others have said, there are downsides as well. It's not all rainbow farting unicorns :D

Here's a post and video chat we did a while ago that is sort of a 'reality check' to help set expectations to a little more realistic:

www.technomadia.com/2013/03/realities-of-living-traveling-in-a-rv-full-time/

- Cherie

Cherie, I had only watched part of your video when I wrote my earlier post, but after watching the whole thing, I am now singing a different tune! Thanks so much for doing the video!! What a rude awakening!! I must say that it was quite sobering....and the RV dreams have lost some of its luster! Better to be more aware on this side of the fence...to go into it with eyes wide open, than to be completely disillusioned on the other side!

OBTW...thanks for all the videos! I am enjoying listening while I work! Help me to stay on track with work while still researching RVs! : )

-- Edited by two 4 the road on Friday 25th of October 2013 03:04:41 PM

-- Edited by two 4 the road on Friday 25th of October 2013 04:27:10 PM

kksmith · RV-Dreams Community Member

I am the same way! I tend to consume myself. So even though I have always dreamed of having an RV, only recently had it become more of..living the life full time. So the last few months I have been doing what you are doing. Reading and researching my bottom off! I have a binder I keep everything in, take notes, and write anything and everything I can down. I have even purchased a domain name for a blog! I might even start it ahead of time and chronicle my steps to getting on the road full time. I know it's not all roses, what is, but I know my heart has not been where I live now for many years. There are so many places I want to visit and family all over the country! I already work remotely for a business and have been a customer of a wellness company for 10 years and will start a part time business with them. It's all so exciting. I'm ready to get out the door....but it takes time. I pray that all will go well with your planning so you are not delayed one minute longer than your take off date! Be blessed!

jrzygrl64 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hello and welcome!

I feel exactly the same way all the time! To the exclusion of other things I should be doing a lot of the time! There are days hubby calls to say he is on his way home from work - and I am like "oh crap! What's for dinner?" thankfully, he isn't fussy and doesn't need a big meal everyday! There are days I don't get dressed until lunchtime! I sit and read and research and make lists and plot out possible routes to the places I want to go (I want to go EVERYWHERE!) I have started the physical purge process - mostly in my closet so far! The house still needs some minor things done that we can do before we list in the early spring, the big thing is the roof but they are coming next week!

We have started telling people, some think we are crazy - some are jealous, some are just "REALLY? - WOW!" The only opinions I really care about (other than our own) is my kids and parents and they are both like "it's about time!", knowing this is something we have always dreamed of doing! It is great to have the support from them.

Hubby is a bit more reserved in his thinking. He wants to do this - 100% - just needs to see how exactly we can make this work financially. He can "work" our investments, we can workamp, I have no idea how to do a blog - but I do know how to type and that is something I want to look into. I am not worried about it, but he is, so I research the workamping, etc. to help put his mind at ease!

See - you are definitely NOT alone!

Keep us updated on your plans!

Kelly

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kelly,

Your post made me laugh out loud and think - OMG, that's so me (us)! I have a Pinterest board (the first step is admitting you have a problem.....) called "Let's Go There". It has pictures of all the places we want to see/visit/hike/paddle and I add to it all the time. What really made me laugh was your "I want to go EVERYWHERE".......we'll be going there too!

I think Bill (I have one too) is finally comfortable with our financial situation and since I retired in January he is REALLY ready to retire and get down the road. We can't take off until the youngest graduates and that 20 months is about right to get things done - but ooooh how I want to go now!

All the resource information on the Forum is great - but for me, right now, knowing there are many others in the same "itchy feet, ready to go, have to be patient, ready to go...." mode as I am really helps keep me sane (and laughing) for now.

Hang in there - soon we will look back and think it passed by so quickly (say I to myself every d*%# day).

Jodee
ontheroadabode.blogspot.com

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Kelly,

It's a big club! We're in it too! Things changed and just fell into place and we started to plan January this year to head out June next year (after our last graduates college). The good part of being obsessive is that at least you'll be as sure as you can you're making the right decision at the right time and be as prepared as you can. I've camped all my life, but full-timing while hubby is still working is different. I've learned a lot from this forum, friends, books and blogs. SO many notes! But it keeps me on track and I know when the time comes it's going to be a lot more stress free.