Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
I really can’t believe it’s been a year since we left our driveway for the last time, it’s gone so fast, but then again, part of me thinks, has it really only been a year?So much has happened in this very short year.We’ve been in 14 states over the year, mountains and coastal areas in the summer, desert in the winter, haven’t quite achieved our goal of following the sunshine allthe time, but have had more consistent good weather vs. bad weather for our first year.
We were reminiscing about the year, we’ve had a few challenges including a problematic RV fridge, evacuation due to flooding, changing plans and doing a very fast 1000 mile journey to be with Dale’s mom during her last week on earth, surviving our first ice storm in an RV, watching the news at a relative’s house showing 5 bands of tornadoes passing about 10 miles north of where our RV was parked, a few mechanical issues that always seem to happen at the worst possible time, etc.
We’ve also had a year filled with blessings, being able to spend the time needed with family when we lost Dale’s mom and since we had our home on wheels with us, we were able to stay around far longer than if we still had a S&B home, making new friends, deepening other friendships, having more ability to contribute to charity when the need arises because our expenses on the road are so much less than a S&B home, exploring new areas, etc.We had more time to hike, bike and kayak in this year than we had in the 3 years prior to this combined so we’re finding time for a little more fun time as we continue to work while on the road.We’ve been to more museums, botanical gardens and other tourist destinations in one year than we usually visit in 5 years.
It’s been a year of figuring out what kind of travel schedule works best for us with our work schedules, realizing that logistical planning is much more complex and time consuming in this lifestyle than our old one, but at the same time we’ve reveled in the flexibility we’ve had and the ability we’ve had to make plans and change them quickly when needed.Dale’s wondering where his “Type A” wife went to, well, she’s still here, just a little more relaxed than she used to beJWe’ve learned that we really like stays of 10 days – 3 weeks, moving frequently when we’re both working adds a complexity we try to avoid.We like to stay in an general area for a couple of months at a time with a few changes in campgrounds as needed, giving us a few weekend days free to explore and evenings for bike rides, kayaking opportunities or walks.Moves of 400 miles or less are, for us, best accomplished in one driving day, leaving the other weekend day free to well, have a weekend day without travel.Our second year on the road might only include 9-10 states, most that we’ve been in before, but will also include our first fly away vacation for a cruise next February.Our plans are to travel slower, less miles and enjoy life a little more along the way.
Since we’re returned back to the area we used to live, we’ve been asked several times, what do we miss?Havinga hard time coming up with a very long list, we miss a few of our closest friends and have enjoyed catching up with them, other than that we’re really having troublethinking of things we miss, the list of things we don’t miss is far longer!!!We’re in better shape for the second year on the road than we were for the first, now both of us are driving the rig so long travel days can be a shared responsibility, we’ve continued to purge and aren’t missing any of that “stuff”, we now have solar for more boon docking this winter and we are so looking forward to see what adventures lie ahead.Originally we said we would do this for 3 years and re-evaluate, we’re 1/3rd of way into that time frame and unless a health issue occurs, I don’t see us stopping any time soon.
I can't wait to meet you guys some day! You continue to be such a great inspiration. I don't think I could get through as much as I have without folks -- FAMILY -- like you and others here.
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
Congrats on completing the first year…we finished our second last month as well and the time sure does fly. Been having fun and seeing places…but are seriously considering selling our inflatable SeaEagle Kayak and getting us one of those Hobie Mirages with the bicycle pedal propulsion system. The SeaEagle just doesn't track as well as it should…we've tried more air, less air, straightening the skegs and a couple of other things but nothing has really worked so far. Add in that one doesn't really want to store the thing away wet as it will quickly mildew…and this means that you generally have to be done kayaking 2 or maybe 3 days (depending on weather) before you leave and we haven't gotten paddling as much as we would like. We have gotten in plenty of hikes, lots or bike rides, and our recently completed 3 week trip to Ireland while the rig was getting worked on though…and are looking forward to the rest of our summer and early fall in the upper midwest as we've never really seen much of that part of the country.
Happy anniversary Ruth and Dale. I've been paying close attention to your travels since I joined the forum and appreciate so much your honesty and commitment to the lifestyle. There are a few couples I talked about all he time and you are one of them as I love how you are making working on the road work. That's quite a list of challenges the first year but as always your positive attitude comes through. Mainly Ruth it gives me hope that us Type A's can be truly happy in this life. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Congratulations on your huge first year! I agree that you two are an inspiration to many besides being exceptional communicators and downright nice people - the best part of this lifestyle.
Sherry
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I don't know where I'm going but I'm on my way. - Carl Segan
Our "Rolling Rest Home" 2013 Trilogy 3650RL dragged by a 2005 GMC Sierra 4x4 Diesel Dually -SOLD
Congrats to you both. Glad we were able to meet up again on the road last summer.
Now you and Sherry are making me feel ashamed. I'm scared to death to drive this thing on the highway. I did drive and try to park at Rivers Bend Resort while in Harrisburg OR waiting to get our solar installed. There were not very many people in the park at the time, so felt OK. Guess I'll just have to pull up my big girl panties and dive in.
Dave & Diane - hope to see you guys down the road somewhere, maybe AZ this winter??
Ann - Sherry is the one who inspired me to get my act together and learn to drive this rig. Now, that being said, congrats to Sherry, she posted on Facebook that she has now managed to successfully back the rig into a campsite. I've yet to even try that, so far my driving has all been highway driving and not much in cities. RV Driving school really helped and was a good marriage saver. Dale had to keep his mouth shut and sit in the back seat However, now feels comfortable enough to read his Kindle while I'm driving so I must not be doing too bad.
Congrats Dale and Ruth on reaching year one! We just reached year 4 last month and can't believe how fast that went. Hope to meet up with you again when we head south this winter.
Thanks Ruth, I started to take Driving School class last summer, but didn't feel comfortable enough with the truck, so backed out. Now I feel very much at ease in the truck. There is a guy that teaches the class up in Sequim, may have to make a trip up and take the class and see old friends.
Congrats on the first year! Ours was 32 states and 15,000 miles. Enjoyed every minute of it. We have slowed a bit, will spend the next 4 months in the Pacific Northwest.
Ken and Roxanne - where are you guys now and where will you be over the next few months? Spokane?? We are headed to Coeur d'Alene next weekend. Would love to see you guys again.
Currently Southern California. Leaving soon for the Pacific Northwest for 4 to 5 weeks. Then moving to Spokane for a week or two. After that we'll move into Idaho, Montana, Wyoming before heading south middle of October. No exact dates yet. I'll PM you guys as we get closer to see if we can get together.
If anyone is close to us, would love to meet, or see again. We are at LePage Park, the confluence of the John Day River and the Columbia River about 100 miles from Portland and Pendleton . Nice park and LOTS of dispersed camping only 4-5 miles away.