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!!

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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Community Chat -> One Year RVersary
Post Info TOPIC: One Year RVersary
cherylbrv


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 1248
Date:
One Year RVersary
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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


__________________

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)

My blog is http://mitcheryl-rv-journey.blogspot.com/

My business: www.AZAdminSolutions.com
marianne57


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 165
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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!   



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GRACIE’S GOLDEN GETAWAY
Barry and Marianne traveling with Golden Retriever Maggie
2014 Ford F-450 DRW Super Heavy Duty Lariat
2015 Solitude 305RE for full-time in 2016
Current:  Carlisle, PA
pkhalin


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Date:
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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!



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Paul & Kim

99 Ford F350 Crew Cab

2013 Montana 3582RL

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Curtis and Rhandi


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Date:
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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!


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Curtis & Rhandi

20150516_101348_resized.jpg

BooBoo & Pippa too

2015 Heritage Glen 377BAR - AKA "The Tibbie Shack"

2014 Dodge Dually 3500

 

 
Camper Chronicles


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Date:
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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!!

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 Trace 

Ford F350 Super Duty 4x2.  Open Range 386FLR

Follow our journey at www.camperchronicles.com

 
jrzygrl64


RV-Dreams Family Member

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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!

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Bill & Kelly - with Callie along the ride.  

2011 Ford F350 Diesel Dually 4x4 

2014 Heartland Landmark, Grand Canyon 

"All those who wander are not lost" Tolkien

 BLOG:  http://bkamericanodyssey.com/
dianneandsteve


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Date:
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Congrats guys...glad you stuck it out! Many more good times are ahead for you.
Safe travels!

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Steve & Dianne Colibaba

Check out our blog: http://steveanddiannesmostexcellentadventure.blogspot.com/

  • 2008 GMC T7500 Medium Duty Custom RV/Toy Hauler
  • 2009 37' Montana 3665RE
  • 2 - 2010 Yamaha Grizzly 550 ATV's

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gilljr


RV-Dreams Family Member

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congrats., we are coming up on a year in Nov.

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2009 select suites 2013 3500 Silverado dually diesel
DebbieM


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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.



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Debbie & Steve McCormack...and Hurley too!

Our Blog: Down the Road

2013 Montana 3582RL

2013 Dodge 3500HD Laramie Longhorn Dually

Fulltime since June 2014
VanMar


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 253
Date:
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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



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Vance and Marla

2010 Mobile Suites 36 TK3

2013 Silverado 3500 Duramax Dually 4X4 

Full Timing launch date 8-25-2014
mds1


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 144
Date:
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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

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Mark from Missouri

www.ourfutureinanrv.wordpress.com 

2019 Ram 3500 Laramie Dually LB 6.7L HO Diesel Aisin Transmission 4x4 3.73 Gears 

2019 Vanleigh Vilano 320GK 35’ fifth wheel 16,000-pound GVWR
Fergizmo


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Congrats you you....and Debbie too. Way to go.

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Allen & Donna Ferguson

Fulltime July 2013 to Dec 2017, now part-time

 2022 Crossroads Sunset Trail SS285CK, 2015 Silverado 3500 HD DRW

 http://www.thefergs.com   Is Our Web Site & Blog

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