What We’ve Learned

It is so hard to believe on Dec 30th, 2021 we will have been on the road for 6 months! Who would have thunk it! Truly, where have these 6 months gone?

We count the start of our adventure from the very first night we slept in the RV.  That was June 30th, 2021.  Even though we left California on June 18th and drove to South Dakota to “domicile” the true adventure started the day we picked up “Madge” and slept at the KOA in Salt Lake City. 

In these 6 months, we have been to Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, and back to California. We count a state when we have actually slept in our RV there. We aren’t looking to hit all lower 49 states anytime soon. We like to stay somewhere for at least 2-4 weeks, or longer. Our biggest expense is the diesel fuel for “Hunky”. So, when we park for a long length of time, we save not only on the RV park, but on diesel. We also love to get to really experience the areas we are in.

What have we learned about this lifestyle and each other?  Here you go:

1. That we generally still like each other! Yep, that’s a big one. We spend almost 24/7 together in a 500 + sq foot home. That’s pretty crazy if you think about it! Most of my friends really thought I was crazy to live this lifestyle. Since both of us worked for our entire marriage we were never together that long any day of the week, other than when we vacationed. It’s definitely a major change for both of use. I actually had to tell Jerry that I need to be able to go on my walks alone every morning. I needed my time to call friends, listen to my books or just have “my alone” time. There are many days I’ll ask him to go into the bedroom so I can watch my shows. Yes, my guilty pleasure is the entire Housewife Franchise! No judging here!!!

2. We actually like travel days! Travel days can be very stressful. You never know where the GPS is taking us. You have to rely on the GPS, which can be a bit challenging at times. Thank goodness we have an RV GPS. Even with an RV GPS, we have been taken into some interesting areas. I pack food, and lots of water for travel days. Jerry needs to eat every two hours or the grumpy Jerry comes out. We try very hard not to travel more than 300 miles or 5 hours. AND, NEVER do we travel at dark, so timing is everything. We enjoy being together in the truck. We listen to music and always have an audible book to listen to. More importantly, we enjoy talking to each other. Travel days to us mean a new adventure is around the corner!

3. This is NOT a vacation… except you feel like it is when you arrive in a new town. You want to see all there is to see. You want to eat at all the restaurants that everyone tells you are fabulous. This can become quite costly, not only financially, but around your waistline! Especially, when you come “home” to see everyone. We have been going out to eat pretty much every single day for 3 weeks. Trying, to get all our friends and family in to see them. Because it is Winter, we really can’t “entertain”. In RV lingo that means sitting outside, bbqing or grilling our meals. Our RV does not have a dining room area. We only have a two-seat bar, so out to eat we go.

4.       Heat, Rain, Cold!  An RV is truly a tin box.  It’s an expensive tin box, but needless to say, still a tin box.  We do have double pane windows.  That helps a smidge in the extreme weather.  Thank goodness we have 3 air conditioners as we experience a major heatwave in EVERY state we went to.  Our bedroom windows are at our heads and trust me when it’s cold, you can feel the air coming through.  The other day, my cell phone got so cold I had to warm it up before my screen became visible.  When it rains, trust me, it is LOUD!!!!  Especially in Texas with their thunder and lightning storms.  WOW is all I can say. 

5. Being retired is pretty cool! It has taken Jerry and I this entire time to get used to not “having” to get up and do something. I’ve discussed this in a previous blog. We are just now getting used to sleeping in, taking our time in the morning. NOT rushing around. Even on travel days, we say, what’s the rush? Trust me, this is a brand new behavior for us!!! We are still a work in progress. We will be volunteering around the country to be able to give back and have a purpose.

6.       WE LOVE RV LIVING!  Yes, we actually do!  Our RV is like a condo on wheels.  It is extremely comfortable and big enough for us.  One of our favorite things is watching people’s faces when they walk in our door.  It’s priceless.  Describing our RV does not do it justice.  You MUST come for a tour!  RV living to us is exciting.  We have met the most amazing people and cannot wait to meet so many more.  The experiences we have had so far are incredible.  We have a very full 2022 lined up.  We cannot wait for our next adventures and to share them with all of you!!

We will be taking off next week with our blog for the holidays. We will be having a YouTube video coming out on Dec 30th and our next blog will be on Jan 1st to start the New Year off right!! Please make sure you subscribe to that so you will not miss either one!

Jerry and I wish all of you a VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY!!!  Thank you all for being a part of our journey!

Just One More…..RV Adventure Together!!!