Sunday, July 13, 2014

Hanging Up The Keys

It has been over two months since I last wrote in this blog.  The truth is that I don’t feel I have anything exciting, interesting or meaningful to write about.  Our great RV Adventure has become a routine of staying in the same places for one month to 5 months at a time.  We haven’t been anywhere “new” in the last 12 months.

So we sat down in early June and talked over our situation.  Frankly, I have lost my enthusiasm for full time RV living.  The original plan was to go to different places exploring the western US, particularly the beautiful Pacific Northwest.  Unfortunately, we don’t have the resources to do that.  It costs about $100 a day to pull the camper about 300 miles.  If we travel 10 days a month, that is $1,000.  Even at a low average of $25 a night in campgrounds, 30 nights is $750 a month.  That is $1,750 a month before insurance (our big expense), food, etc.  So we have ended up staying long term in campgrounds to get a monthly rate, plus camp hosting for a free site for several months.  We can continue to do this, but what is the point if you don’t get to go to new places.

So we have decided to give it one more year on the road, then return to Idaho Falls in July of 2015 and look for a low cost rental to live in.  Once we find a home, we will sell the truck and camper to pick up some cash.

I want to thank all of you who have followed this blog and let you know I have appreciated all your comments.  We have met some wonderful, interesting folks during this journey and we don’t regret making the choice to go full time.  Reality just never caught up with the vision.

This will probably be my last blog.  We are returning to Tollbridge Park in August for three months, then 5 months in So. Calif. for the winter.  We will try to return to Tollbridge in the Spring of 2015 for 3 months.

Thanks for stopping by and for all your support in the past.

6 comments:

Barb said...

I find I'm doing the same thing - traveling as little as possible, and staying as long as possible in state parks for the summer, and the desert in the winter. It is expensive to travel, but I'm usually happy staying in the same area if I can. I'd rather be poor than workcamp, at least for now, as my needs are so little. I think your plan sounds good. I might do the same thing in a year or two, but I think I'll want to keep The Palms so I can still be a part-time RVer. It's good to have an exit plan - good luck to you both! :)

owensontheroad said...

So sorry you have to come off the road. It's a tough decision, but we both understand the financial end of it. We're workamping way more than we're traveling, but for now that's ok with us. Good luck with your future pland!

Merikay said...

Please post from time o time. You don't have to be on the road to be part of the community. We have enjoyed reading your blog.

The BooneDocks said...

God speed with where ever life takes you!

Rick and Kathy Rousseau said...

Everyone needs an exit plan for different reasons. The one thing that we are certain never to see again is lower fuel prices and Insurance costs. You have found practical ways of cutting costs by workcamping and shorter trips. Getting totally away from travelling will be harder than just slowing down. It's the Gypsy in all our blood.
You will be missed and like Merikay said you can still post because you are part of our community and RVing is not always a vacation it is everyday life.
Be Safe and Enjoy!

It's about time.

Jim and Judy said...

Everyone who participates in this lifestyle must make the decision to leave at some point. Sounds like y'all have reached that point. Good Luck.