Starting, ending and somewhere in-between

Cullman, AL


When we started living and traveling full-time in an RV it was a new, exciting way of life.  We loved it.  We didn't much discuss how long we would live that lifestyle.   Part of the fun was planning our next destination.  Sometimes it was dictated by family emergencies (Illness, death) , sometimes by commitments (NOMADS) and sometimes just because we wanted to experience a new, different area.

We met so many people along our journey.  Some had been full-timing for years, others just starting and others RVing on a part-time basis.

THOSE IN-BETWEEN

In December after seven plus years on the road, we both decided it was the time to settle, buy a house and RV part time.   As a blogger, I follow many other blogs of people living the same lifestyle as we were.   Some are coming off the road completely, some settling down and will RV part time and some friends are just getting started.


One couple Jessica and Harry ( www.rikerrvdays.blogspot.com ) recently bought a house in Florida.  They started full timing not long after we  did.  They will now part time.  They are happy with their decision.

We spent time with Jessica and Harry a few years back when we were in the Albany, NY area.  RVing has been great for both of them.  You should see Jessica now.  She looks 20 years younger.  They run marathons.  Nice people!

When I started reading RV blogs, I came across one written by a woman known as Froggi.  Since that time, she has married Stu, lived in Ecuador for a few years, written and published novels and traveled the country in their RV.   Of note.... about the same time we bought a house in Alabama, Donna and Stu bought a house in Tennessee.  They will still travel part time in their RV.  They also love to cruise.   ( www.ourprimeyears.blogspot.com )

Then there is Nick and Terry Russell.  ( www.gypsyjournalrv.com )  Most full time RVers know this couple or have heard of them.   After 17 years they just got off the road late last year, also buying a home in Florida.  They are selling their motorhome with the intention of getting something small for part time travel.  Nick and Terry publish the Gypsy Journal and Nick is a prolific writer.... read his books....you will enjoy them.  Years ago we attended one of their rallies in Yuma, AZ.  What a hoot.

That's Nick on the left, Em-ceeing the "Miss Yuma" competition.

Paul and Marsha  (  www.wheresweaver.blogspot.com )

We caught up with this couple in South Dakota.  They were fulltimers at that time.  Since then they bought a house in Ohio and RV part time.  Always spending summer months traveling and back home where Marsha keeps Paul busy with house projects.

ENDING

While we were in South Dakota a reader of my blog notified me that another blog writer was at the same park.  But when I got the notice we had left that campground to stay at another one about 20 miles away.  What's a 20 mile drive to meet a fellow blogger.  Back we drove.  What do  ya know, we had been parked right next to Jim and Dee of ( www.tumbleweed-jimdee.blogspot.com )    I was sure I took a picture of Dee and Jim, at least I thought I did.  If so, can't locate it in my pic files.  Regardless, Jim and Dee bought a house in Florida a couple of years ago and sold their fifthwheel.  We hope they stop to see us when traveling between Florida and Illinois where family live.

Then there is Angela and Kenny.  They are from the Kansas City area.  They recently bought a house in Arizona and came off the road.  That is Kenny and Angela in the very middle to this picture.  It was taken at a Escapees Rally in Missouri a few years back.

I had been, and still, follow the blog of Betty.   ( www.lifeisguid2013.blogspot.com)  She and her Scottish hubby Dave started full timing about the same time we did.

We spent some time with them when they were working security at a closed mill in New Jersey.  They recently decided to go off the road.  They sold their 2010 Montana fiver and moved to Minnesota.  Betty says she so much loves the cooler weather more then that of Texas where she was raised.

A bit different:

And one blogger is Gerri and her hubby.  ( freedom2roll.blogspot.com )  They were fulltimers.  Bought a house in Georgia.  Missed the full time life, sold the house and again are full timers.

So...........   here are a few previous fulltimers who have decided to pack in it.  Also some fulltimers who now have a home and will RV part time.  

STARTING

Around the time we started full timing we went to an RV show in Atlantic City,  Friends Helena and Adam attended with us.  Now about 7 years later they have bought a motorhome with the plan to start the fulltime life.  Meet Helena and Adam

Two years ago we were in a campground in Jonestown, PA.  One never knows who reads the blog.  I got a message from Darlene who read the blog and lived near the campground.  We have since stayed in contact with Darlene and Jim.

In fact, we were just at their house in PA a little over two weeks ago.  They had just that afternoon listed their house for sale.  It sold 5 days later.  They are preparing for their full time lifestyle.

Life ebb and flows.  We wish all who have settled into a more stationary life many happy memories of their time on the road.  We wish all who have moved into a stix and brix  but plan to continue some travel time, peace in their homes and safe and happy travels when on the road.  And we wish those just starting this most rewarding lifestyle happy trails, good times and great memories.

Until next time.

My Favorite Place

Cullman,  AL

After seven weeks of traveling with and hosting our 8 and 11 year old granddaughters, it sure is quiet around here.  (And the house stays a lot neater).  But I sure do miss them.  

We left Cullman on Friday the 11th and drove a little over 400 miles to our nephew and niece-in-laws house (Jason and Kelly)  who live in Rural Retreat, VA.   They are gracious to host us when we travel I-81.   After another 400 miles, we got the girls home to MD mid day on Saturday.  Daughter Amy and SIL Scott were awaiting their arrival with open arms and hugs and kisses.

Then we visited daughter Terri and SIL Steve who live in Cleona PA.  Grandson Justin and girlfriend Karlie came to the weekend.  We stayed there until Tuesday morning and did our trip in reverse, staying at Jason and Kelly's Tuesday night and arriving home Wednesday.

What a welcome sight!  Home!  And grass to be cut!  But that's okay.  It's home!

On Thursday as I set our table for dinner, it hit me.  Only Two Plates.  Only Two Place Settings.  Only Two People to Feed.  Tears fell.  So quiet around here now.    Time to relax, to think, to dream.

My spot favorite is our porch.  The front porch.  My views.

I love this house and every part of it.  But no place compares to this porch.  The back porch has a porch swing.  It's okay.  As we were looking  outside a bit ago, we saw a fawn and its mama walk into the woods in the back. That's nice.  But even with that, I prefer the front porch.

It's my spot for morning coffee.  It's my serene place for a cold glass of unsweet tea.  It's my spot to read or even play a game on the Smart Phone or catch up on Facebook.   It's a relaxing oasis in the evening to watch the lightening bugs until the mosquitoes find me.  It's a spot to just sit still, be calm and listen to the birds sing and watch the hummingbirds drink from the feeder.   It's my place of contentment.

Do you have such a place?

Winding down

Cullman,  AL

Our summer with the girls is coming to a close.  Next Friday we take them back to their parents in Maryland after 2 months of travel, play, sight seeing and exhaustion.  Since we came back to Alabama in mid July we've visited:

 in Birmingham where Abby layed on a bed of nails

and Charlotte led a group of kids in "catching jewels"

If you are ever in the Birmingham area and have a child with you, this is a must see.

We've also spent time at

We love the NWR system and so do the granddaughters.

We did not see a great variety of wildlife outside, but the inside displays were  informational.  Perhaps we just hit a time when most of the birds, duck, geese, etc were on vacation too.

Our fifth wheel is going back to the manufacturer in Indiana in November.  It must be emptied of all personal items.  In this Alabama heat and humidity it took us several days.  After emptying everything  I came up with the idea to take the girls to one of our favorite Thousand Trails parks ... Hidden Cove for 5 days.  This campground is about 22 miles from the house.  SOOOO....... let's see. What do we need to put back in the trailer.  Lots.  We are now at Hidden Cove until Friday.  Oh yea, we are doing without some things that I forgot.  But that's okay.

The girls are enjoying the pool here and improving their swimming skills.

And even tried some fishing.  No luck.

Some will remember that not long after we moved here, our good neighbor bush hogged the area that was once a pond and we plan to return it to that state.  He also used his bob cat to remove trees in the back and both sides of the property.   Thick growth had returned in the future pond and the areas behind and on the sides had also grown too thick to mow even with our John Deere Zero Turn.  This is due to us being gone 6 weeks and heavy rains most days.

Today we drove over to check on the house.   We will Celebrate.  Our neighbor had bush hogged the pond area along with the new growth behind and on each side of the house.   Gotta love someone who would take his time to surprise us like this.

Until next time....