I was on the irv2 forum for several years.  I have gotten in trouble with their rules a few valid times.  But there seems to be a broad and selective brush for the "off topic" ruling.  Twice I was chastened for violating this rule and I know was was not out of bounds.  I now have the reputation of having a "history" and on the third, this time valid, violation was was charged a permanent "point" with threat of dismissal.  That forum is too akin to Hitler's Germany.  I am moving on.

So, here I am checking in for the first time.  

I have been on the road for almost 12 years.  I am a fulltime volunteer with the SOWER Ministry (Servants On Wheels Ever Ready).  We have Christian based affiliate hosts from coast to coast and boarder to boarded.  We serve camps, nursing homes, conference centers, schools, missionary training centers, etc.  We are always looking for new volunteers.  I often say: This is the best job I have ever paid to do.  And I mean it.  

It all began a couple of years after my early retirement from the Verizon after 32 years, starting with AT&T in Boston.  I was not adjusting to retired life well.  I did not like the me life style.  I needed a purpose.  A friend at church had camped next to a SOWER and he carried what he had learned to me.  I was single at the time and didn't know if I could join.  You know how single men are often treated when trying to get involved in some ministries.  Well, I applied and was accepted.  There was only one pending problem.  The office wanted to know what I had for a RV.  My reply to them was "When I know I'll tell you".  I was without one.  Hummm.

Withing a few weeks I found a 2000 Fleetwood Discovery.  38' if I recall.  That was the first diesel pusher I had ever been in, let alone drive!  After a short road trip, the salesman guided me to a survey shop about 20 miles away.  The roads near Cape Code are all widened cow paths.  I was a bit challenged behind the wheel but I did well for a new-bee.  I bought it.

Now the office was satisfied.  I WAS a RVer in a RV ministry.  Now I needed a job.  They suggested that I work at a project in Virginia.  This was good.  The first thing I learned about this state is how the statement "rolling hills of Virginia" came to be.  If you found a flat spot, God didn't put it there.   This all started in September of '05.

I am in my third DP.  Constant breakdowns caused me to move on to another rig.  We have had this one for about 3 years now and it is treating us fairly well.  No home on wheels is without problems over a period of time and many miles.

In my early years on the road I found I was lonely.  I was privileged to see how Christian couples functioned and I desired this in my life.  I started with the online dating thing.  What a bust.  I was so disappointed with the field of potential relationship partners.  But then I found a lady that seemed to be "real".  

I was about 4 years on the road at this time and I was helping build a new camp for handicap children.  I met a lady, Melissa, on one of these dating sites who caught my attention.  She lived near the camp, relatively speaking, and drove out to see me and what I was doing.  She she came back and stayed in one of the new cabins for a few nights, with the owners permission, and helped on the project.  We hit it off well and in a few months were married.  We are going onto 8 years on the road together now.  I inherited many plants, a big dog, Dawson the Belgian Malinois, lots of family and many adventures. 

Hope to lend a hand here with my ideas and I look forward to getting your advise when I need it.

Happy trails to all,

Rick Y