Dreamers Class of 2015 - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

RE: Dreamers Class of 2015

Sr Fox · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey we are jumping in too. Part time/Full time as we still have a winter business in Mexico. We plan to leave May 1, 2015 from Tucson with a very general plan to visit our kids in Augusta, GA and family near Madison, WI over the summer then back to where we store the rig in Tucson by the end of Sept, then back to work in Puerto Vallarta by October 1, 2015.
Hope to see you on the road.

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome Foxes! Mexico sounds like the place to be in the Winter - I don't think even the Polar Vortex reaches that far south

You'll be heading out about a month before us - and ahead of the schools-out-for-summer crush in the campgrounds!

I'm a fan of those "very general" plans, but I'm sure getting to visit with family will have you to all those places before you head back. I think we'll head to Tombstone to visit friends then some route north to Spokane to visit other friends and then the Pacific Northwest for the rest of the Summer through October. From there we have no idea

It's so exciting to have it getting closer and closer - we're only weeks away from 2015! Remember to let us know your progress

Jodee

Sr Fox · RV-Dreams Family Member

You are right about the Polar stuff. We had a very cold night here last week. I think it got down to 67 degrees. :)

Only 158 days, 12 hours and 23 minutes but who's counting.

Maybe we will cross paths.

medleytim · RV-Dreams Community Member

Bill and Jodee

We are joining the Dreamers class of 2015. No rig yet but got it narrowed down to 2. We have been purging the house for a month we don't plan to put on the market until March but I am glad we started 20 years we have been at his location a lot to go through. Still trudging along but I got rid of my rental house this month things are starting to line up. I went to the fall rally in Goshen and I feel like I have learned so much about the RV life even though I have never owned one. I have already stated to buy things I will need for the RV so exciting to buy sewer hoses lol
I retire Jan. 2 2015 on the road by May is the goal look forward to meeting up with some fellow class members in the future

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great to have you on board Tim and Mrs Tim! I'm envious that you have already been to a rally - we are sure looking forward to attending the Spring event

We originally planned to put the house on the market in March but all indicators said we'd do better to sell now - and that turned out well for us. I can't imagine purging a place after 20 years!! That will definitely keep you busy for all the time you have - and the time will fly by.

We have a "fun cupboard" with goodies for the RV as well - and an Amazon Wish List that reads like an RV supply shed

Look forward to meeting you out on the road next year - you'll be graduating about a month ahead of us.

Jodee

Gpndavid · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are on plan for a 2015 launch. Bought a 2007 Allegro Bus in Sept, sold my F-150 in Oct, and prepared the Jeep Wrangler to be a Toad in Nov. Our realtor assessed the house and recommends putting it on the market on March. So, we are planning and looking forward to one last Christmas with our college age sons coming home. After that, we will sell/donate the decorations and stage/prep the house for sale. Our friends and family keep asking where are we going to live/settle. I have explained it, but don't think they grasp the concept of living mobile.

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi David!

Sounds like you're moving ahead full steam! How great to already have the rig, I'm jealous

Because we moved up our house sale we're having our last S&B Christmas in an apartment - but five of the six boys will be there so we're sure looking forward to a great time.

I always get "For how long?" and "Where will you live?" Hard for folks to understand that much freedom!

Best of luck as you get the house ready.

Jodee

manycats · RV-Dreams Family Member

Another step closer. Electricity (metered) will be hooked up Dec 1 and our 5er will travel to our site in a week or so. We will be ordering our "mini-house" this next week also. It's going to come in bare bones, just floor, outside walls and roof. My DH wants to do all the inside work himself, from insulation, inside walls, plumbing, electricity, etc., etc. That's his expertise and I know from experience it will be solid as a rock. He plans to live in the RV while he's doing the work and I will stay in the S&B with the cats and do most of the purging. That actually suits me to a T since I can do a lot more when he's out of the house. Our goal is to have it all finished by May, it all depends on how many helpers he can find. He will certainly miss his former crew!

Probably we won't take any trips in 2015, there will still be a lot of things to do getting everything set up, but we expect to be rid of the S&B and be real full-timers this coming year. In the meantime we can always explore North Carolina and Tennessee...

Adam and Karen · RV-Dreams Community Member

It's been awhile since I've posted anything about our preparations, so I'll give a quick update.

Karen and I continue to get rid of stuff in preparation for our departure next year. It's kind of sad knowing this is the last Thanksgiving and Christmas we will spend in the house where we raised our family.

I'm down to the final few items of ham radio equipment needing to be sold...some antennas and one radio. most everything else is gone.

We are slowly getting rid of other things. My daughter, a senior at UNC-Wilmington, wants all my old history books. That will move about half our book collection, and I'm glad my baby girl can use them.

We discovered some damage to our house we didn't know was there, so we are now in the process of repairing it. It will have to be repaired if our house sells, and we will have to repair it if we end up renting it, so either way, it has to be done.

Finding someone to assist in making minor modifications to the travel trailer has been more difficult than I imagined. Once I get the house repairs completed, I'll get back to focusing on the camper mods.

In the midst of all this, I am trying to get my next novel ready to go to the editor, as if I don't have enough to do already.

We're nearing five months until May 1st. Our goal is to be full-timing by then. It will be here before you know it.

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Having our "last" S&B Thanksgiving dinner today with all the kids minus one in Seattle. It is bittersweet as we are so excited to be on track for our new lives next year, and a bit scary not knowing what future celebrations will look like. With the move just two weeks away, we are hoping they will all take home lots of tools and household items along with some leftovers this evening! We told them all to bring at least one box

Everything else goes in the garage sale on the 6th, and then to Goodwill if it doesn't sell.

Even though the apartment is only two miles away and we are taking about 1/4 of the furniture, I decided to get a mover just to have it done in a couple hours without sore muscles. Bill's company Christmas party is that same night too so we'll be able to enjoy it now

It's wonderful to read everyone's progress - I guess we could easily call this the "purging phase". Keep up the hard work, our dream is just around the corner now!!!!

Jodee

Adam and Karen · RV-Dreams Community Member

Jodee, it is indeed a bittersweet process. Karen and I decorated the tree in our front yard for the last time. About a year after we moved into this house, the pine tree in the yard died. My step-father, who was a forest warden and now gone from us, brought us the tiny little tree to plant in it's place. Karen planted it and now, 20 years later, it is huge. It is going to be sad to leave that tree.

We were hoping to get our immediate family together this Christmas to have all our kids with us in the house they were raised one more time. We know our son won't make it, but we're hoping our daughters will.

So yes, hitting the road is bittersweet, and the holidays tend to amplify the memories we leave behind to start a new, and yes, scary, adventure.

gilljr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well the departure for our first full time journey has been delayed. Went to pack wheel bearongs and found a bad one. None around here, so will call factory tomorrow and try to get some shipped. Nice thing is we don't have deadlines anymore, so will try to be patient and leave when we can.

gilljr · RV-Dreams Family Member

The best laid of mice and men. Well it looks like we will be staying in North Carolina for awhile longer. We have to wait for two axles to be built for our suites, as no one no longer carries wheel bearings for this model, and with good reason. The bearings are way too small for the weight of this unit.

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ouch! Two axles sounds like a big deal

Hope you find what you need and are able to get back on track soon!

We're days from escrow closing and the chimney is leaking now! And I was so happy to see some drought relief

)) I think the house is punishing us for leaving it after only three years. Like the axles, we'll figure it out, but it's such a pain this close to such an important goal.

Jodee

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Oh no, Jodee! Just a few days before closing, we discovered a huge crack in the floor of our garage, and the area all around it was wet - indicating some kind of leak. We sealed up the crack with cement sealant and prayed that it would be dry by the time of the walk through! (it was, mostly. I guess since they did buy the house anyway, either they didn't notice or it was ok).

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We've been out of the house and in the apartment nearly a week already! The "storm of the decade" was forecast for last Friday - our moving day! But it blew through early and although it really poured for a few hours before dawn, it stopped raining by 9:30. The move went smoothly and we slept great in our new space Friday night.

I still can't believe selling the house was a five week process from listing to close of escrow. We feel so blessed! And definitely thrilled to have that big piece out of the way already.

We'll get serious about finding our rig next month and then it will just be a few months to launch - wow! It's really going to happen!!!!!!

Hope everyone is moving forward and having a good time doing so. Next year at this time we'll all be out there living the dream

Jodee

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

It's amazing how time passes by so quickly, too. I can't believe it was a year ago we said we hoped to be spending the holidays and New Year's in our home on wheels. Still can't believe we are actually doing it now.

gilljr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Finally on the road. After waiting 12 days for parts and having them put on, we finally left last Saturday on our first journey as full timers. We arrived in Pahrump, Nevada on Thursday and will stay here until April when we are gand from there who knows.oing to a Suites Rally in Vegas. From there we plan on going to South Dakota for our drivers license.

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

So exciting that you guys are out there living the dream!! It reminds me to be patient looking forward, and to remember how fast it's gone by looking back!

Hope you have a wonderful first holiday in your rolling homes - be safe out there!!

Jodee

gilljr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Jodee, so glad things are moving along for you and Bill, hope we can cross paths out here.

manycats · RV-Dreams Family Member

A Great New Year ahead for all the '15 Dreamers. Best wishes to all!

Our 5r took the long trip yesterday and is now on our lot in Cherokee, NC, spending New Year's Eve by itself... The shed from our S&B will probably go next week. Once electricity, phone and internet are hooked up it will be my office, craft room, cat refuge, etc., etc. The mini-house will be next and we'll be ready to start our next life. After such a long time, the rollercoaster is picking up speed!

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Next month turned into last weekend - we bought our dream rig!! We are SO excited to have this big piece completed

We got a 2014 Thor Tuscany XTE-34ST with everything we wanted - it's a beauty. Now we'll have the time to take a few short runs before our family reunion trip to NM the end of March - and THEN June 5 we launch the dream

)))))

Happy New Year everyone - it's our year!!

Jodee

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congrats on the new rig. Very nice.

And happy New Year to you Class of 2015ers from the class of 2019 wanna/gonna be's. smile

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and Jodee: Congrats.

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congrats Bill and Jodee!!! Awesome rig! Many safe and happy travels.

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congrats to you both! It's gorgeous! Can't wait to see you on the road.

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congrats Bill and Jodee!

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks everybody!! It's still sinking in that it's ours

)))))

Jodee

gilljr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congrats Bill & Jodee, really hope to catch up with you on the road

rocknb · RV-Dreams Family Member

Howdy howdy 2015'ers

I have been lurking and following your prepping for FT'ng. We are part of the 2014 class and have been FT'ng since this past Thanksgiving. But, you folks have such an interesting Class. We are almost as excited for you folks as we were for our own group.

Don't I remember an entry sometime way back about "Bill" retiring the 2nd of January ? If I'm correct... I hope your Retirement feeling of Freedom and FT'ng Freedom won't become an over dose of FREEDOM !

Hoping ya'll enjoy your big leap to Freedom this year. "Where only the seasons become your schedule" (stolen from another Dreamer).

-- Edited by rocknb on Saturday 3rd of January 2015 04:55:58 PM

birder526 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and Jodee,

Congratulations and wishing you the start of many great adventures this year and beyond!

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Diane and Michael! What a year ahead for you as well - woohoo!

Larry and Brenda - Bill sure wishes he was the one with that retirement date

His last day on the job is March 27 (11 more Mondays!) and he cannot wait.

Thanks for stopping by to cheer us on - so many of the Class of 2014 have been major influences in my own journey to get this far. It's funny that you have that quote - ".......with only the seasons as our schedule....." is part of the header on my blog

Jodee

rocknb · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well I'm sorry about getting "Bills" hopes up, but really... 11 more Mondays is still pretty close and I will mark-it on the calendar.

And as far as the quote... "Seasons & Schedules" and your blog, that may very well be where I read it. I know I went to your blog to see if you had pic's of the new coach, which is a beauty by the way. I read the Seasons & Schedules to my DW and we both chuckled about it because that is sort of what we tell people when they can't understand why we would just up and leave everything we had worked for most of our life.

It's hard for people to grasp the idea of real freedom. Sometimes it is a little scary and if you don't have that adventurous type of spirit, which most people don't. Then it is scary, what if this or what if that. At times I just say "That's how the west was won" or That's why the Alamo was rebuilt and still stands today. Truly adventurous people seeking freedom.

And the count down continues...

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes, it is so funny when our friends just can't wrap their heads around the concept of "not coming back". Most love the idea of long-term travel and are envious of our hitting the road. It's the freedom of no longer having a home with a foundation, stuck in one spot, full of stuff, that eludes them. Which is good for me, because who needs all those people filling up campgrounds in the middle of the week!!!

You two stay safe out there - and enjoy all those adventures

)))

Jodee

RonandBee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hello everyone, and just joined RVillage and planning to be a full-timer late summer to early autumn. Gotta wait for the 2 year mark for the Capital Gains tax, which is July, hopefully selling the house quick, then getting our RV and on the road shortly afterwards. But at this point we're still in the research stage, and loving every moment of it!

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome to the class Ron and Bee!

You'll be right behind us heading out in July - that's so close

Hope the house sale goes quickly. We were so blessed with a quick sale and sending that good mojo out to all in our class who have that hurdle still ahead.

Keep us posted on how you're doing. This is our year and soon we'll be finding each other out on the road.

Jodee

fun2travel · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for starting this group. Our original date was for early 2017, but it keeps moving up :)

DH is going to be able to keep working from the road (insurance!!). I'm an RN, so I could possibly do
travel assignments if need be, but I'd prefer to do some workkamping and leave the nursing behind.
We purchased our fifth wheel and truck
in October 2014, so it was inevitable that our date would get closer. Starting to sell off personal belongings, already
sold out TT, boat, extra automobiles. We see our realtor Febuary 6th, and considering an estate sale.

DH is 60, I'm 59. We were thinking we'd wait until one of us was collecting SS, but the pull is too strong!

Good luck to everyone!

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Leslie, and welcome to the class!!

How exciting to be "ahead of schedule". We were able to move our launch up by a few months and sold the house four months sooner than we had planned to list it - but shaving off a few years has to feel incredible!!

If we didn't have the immovable timeline of our youngest's high school graduation we would definitely be prepared to get out sooner

Those who did estate sales sound like they really liked the process - especially those who had been in their home for decades - so I hope that option works well for you.

Please keep us in the loop as your graduation date becomes more definite. Sooner is always better!!!

Jodee

fun2travel · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the welcome. We listed our home today. Maybe I should call it our house ; )
Our home is down the street. So excited. Celebrated with a pizza and a glass of wine.

manycats · RV-Dreams Family Member

RV, Mini-house and shed all in NC already. Now the real work starts - flooring for the mini, insulation for mini and shed, electricity and plumbing for both, furniture and "stuff" to move. Since we'll be "stationary full-timers" like Terry because I have to work full time for a while, we have to get the basic work done before moving. The weather has not been nice, it's been cold and wet, so our timetable has been changed. Did anyone mention Jello?

With all the delays and my skin getting green with envy, I may use "The Wicked Witch of the West" as my profile pic.

Congratulations to all who have made it. We hope to join you soon.

birder526 · RV-Dreams Family Member

It really is great to read about everyone's planning processes and launches into this very exciting, life-changing life-style! I will work my last day on February 28...then officially retired! Our lease is up March 31 and we have advised our landlord we are not renewing. We head out between March 15 and 20. First we'll stop in NJ for a week or so to visit family and friends and then off we go to Wisconsin to pick up our tiny teardrop camper from Camp-Inn.! Can't believe we're about a month away! Wishing everyone great luck as you get closer to your departure dates!

fun2travel · RV-Dreams Family Member

birder526

Congrats, you are sooooo close!

birder526 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you so much Fun2travel!! smile

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

I can definitely feel the excitement (and impatience!) building here as more of us are getting closer to launch

))))

We picked up the rig on Friday, had an absolutely insane first day (see blog post for the gruesome details), and are spending the weekend in the SoCal desert. Two nights in the rig and we so don't want to return to the apartment for the next couplefew months!! We never had a doubt that we would love this lifestyle and are even more exited now that we've had a taste

I hope to meet many of you at the Spring Rally in April. We won't have the rig and have reserved one of the cabins on site. Lots to learn, and great folks to meet!

Jodee

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm really happy for you Jodee!!!

birder526 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I love your blog entry about your new rig and the hurtles you had to overcome that day. I could feel your emotions through your words! So glad you finally got out onto the road! Best wishes for many memorable adventures...all great ones!

pkhalin · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and Jodee,

Excellent blog post. And you seriously thought you'd get out unscathed? I know you HAVE to laugh, right. It's about the only thing you can do and now a story to start with right off the bat. Yay, RVing! You just hope there are more good stories than bad, but still look back at the bad ones and hopefully laugh at those as well.

That said, many happy trails.

172 days and counting. Can taste it.

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

There's something to be said about reading the forum for over a year before heading out - it has made the bumps seem so much smaller. We knew we'd survive that crazy day because others have survived much crazier and are still loving the life!

When we moved the rig to the storage spot this afternoon we had no power to most of it although we hadn't 'done' anything since we picked it up from Camping World (had tire pressure monitors installed).........I kept remember reading that it's usually the most simple thing. How simple can it be when nothing works???? Oh yeah..house battery switch by the door. Doesn't get much simpler than that

We are even more excited to live the life fulltime - the first taste was delicious!!!

Jodee

gilljr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well we have been full-timers for three months now and can't believe how great this lifestyle is. LEFT N.C. 12/12 and arrived in Pahrump, NV. on 12/17. Leaving here in April to go to a Suites Rally in Vegas, from there to South Dakota for drivers license and then back to N.C. where we hope to see many of you at the Reunion. Our spot in N.C. is only two miles from where the rally is. We sure have learned a lot from this site and really hope to meet many of you on the wonderful open road.