We're having a great time with our group in Fort Bragg. Our little group of five or six rigs and a tent or two has had lots of fun. We've taken some great pics we'll post at Bullwinkle's place as soon as we get a chance. Tomorrow, everybody but us is heading for home. Since our storage place is closed on holidays, we're forced to stay out an extra day. (You won't hear us complaining!) So, what are we gonna do?
We're gonna move.
As much as we've loved being with our friends here, we all agree, this campground is a dump. With our friends on their way home, we have absolutely no desire to stay here. We've checked out a five star campground with all the amenities we need just across the road. We asked today if they have space for us tomorrow night, and they said yes. So, that's the plan.
That's just one of the many benefits of this mobile lifestyle. If you don't like where you're camped, you just move. Love it!
We look forward to checking in tomorrow from across the way. Meanwhile, best wishes for a safe and happy Labor Day to all!
Pre-Labor
We head out tomorrow for a four night Labor Day weekend excursion along the Northern California coast. Sounds delightful, doesn't it? Yes, but.
For the two of us to be out of the office for two extra days has caused us both to double up on what we had to get done before we go. After leaving the office late tonight, we both headed out on separate missions to different locations to get the stuff we need to stock up for the trip. Then, once we got home, there was laundry to do. We just haven't had a chance to do it any earlier. And we haven't even started to pack yet.
So, here we are, the night before a four night trip, tired and exhausted, double checking to make sure we have all we need for our outing. Tomorrow, we'll load it all into the Jeep (Gosh, we hope it fits!), drive to the moose, load it all in and roll. A few days later, we'll do it all once again in reverse, with a lot less food and beverage to worry about.
As we engage in our Pre-Labor Day weekend labor, we wonder how much easier it will be to load this moose once, and have it fully stocked, without the worry of what we might or might not need and what we'll need to unload in the end.
Turns out, being a future fulltimer is a lot of work!
For the two of us to be out of the office for two extra days has caused us both to double up on what we had to get done before we go. After leaving the office late tonight, we both headed out on separate missions to different locations to get the stuff we need to stock up for the trip. Then, once we got home, there was laundry to do. We just haven't had a chance to do it any earlier. And we haven't even started to pack yet.
So, here we are, the night before a four night trip, tired and exhausted, double checking to make sure we have all we need for our outing. Tomorrow, we'll load it all into the Jeep (Gosh, we hope it fits!), drive to the moose, load it all in and roll. A few days later, we'll do it all once again in reverse, with a lot less food and beverage to worry about.
As we engage in our Pre-Labor Day weekend labor, we wonder how much easier it will be to load this moose once, and have it fully stocked, without the worry of what we might or might not need and what we'll need to unload in the end.
Turns out, being a future fulltimer is a lot of work!
Happy Birthday, Boris!
Today's a big day for Boris. It's not one of those BIG birthdays, but a big day nonetheless.
The gifts commemorating the day reflected the future we're heading toward: a battery-operated coleman table lamp; and RV Education 101 dvd about the ins and outs of Class A motorhomes, and a roll-up aluminum table to set the grill on or gather round when we're in need of an outdoor dining table.
The whole shebang weighed in at less than 5 pounds.
That's all good!
Happy Birthday!
The gifts commemorating the day reflected the future we're heading toward: a battery-operated coleman table lamp; and RV Education 101 dvd about the ins and outs of Class A motorhomes, and a roll-up aluminum table to set the grill on or gather round when we're in need of an outdoor dining table.
The whole shebang weighed in at less than 5 pounds.
That's all good!
Happy Birthday!
Craigslist Kismet
We've been thinking about how we're going to get rid of the stuff around here that's bigger than a piece of paper and might be worth a penny or two. Most likely, we'll take the path of least hassle and have an estate sale. But, we'll call it an "escape sale"!
Meanwhile, we're looking around the house for things that might generate more value (and not much more hassle) being sold on their own. For that task we've turned to Craigslist, the definitive authority on what things are really worth. Going straight to that source, we learned that our ancient Nordic Track is worth about $25. Not worth the hassle of posting it and dealing with respondents. So, we asked a co-worker if she wanted it and she said yes. Done. (Gotta limit that giving things away to co-workers, though, as the boss might get suspicious!)
While researching the Craigslist value of our plain-and-simple Clavinova keyboard, Natasha experienced kismet. There it was, a post of a plain-and-simple Clavinova "wanted" by somebody who lives about 10 minutes away. Natasha sent an email and pics and the Clavinova searcher is definitely interested, and is willing to pay a fair price. We'll see!
We don't want to jinx this deal. But, we love the thought of picking out our prized possessions we're willing to part with and logging on to Craigslist at just the right time to find someone who is looking for something the really want...that we just happen to have.
Wouldn't that be cool?
Meanwhile, we're looking around the house for things that might generate more value (and not much more hassle) being sold on their own. For that task we've turned to Craigslist, the definitive authority on what things are really worth. Going straight to that source, we learned that our ancient Nordic Track is worth about $25. Not worth the hassle of posting it and dealing with respondents. So, we asked a co-worker if she wanted it and she said yes. Done. (Gotta limit that giving things away to co-workers, though, as the boss might get suspicious!)
While researching the Craigslist value of our plain-and-simple Clavinova keyboard, Natasha experienced kismet. There it was, a post of a plain-and-simple Clavinova "wanted" by somebody who lives about 10 minutes away. Natasha sent an email and pics and the Clavinova searcher is definitely interested, and is willing to pay a fair price. We'll see!
We don't want to jinx this deal. But, we love the thought of picking out our prized possessions we're willing to part with and logging on to Craigslist at just the right time to find someone who is looking for something the really want...that we just happen to have.
Wouldn't that be cool?
Encouragement
The final "to-do" from the weekend was to make our Thanksgiving week campground reservations. After perusing the many choices available in and around Palm Springs, we chose Shadow Hills RV Resort in Indio. Natasha called this morning and set things up. We're looking forward to taking Bullwinkle on a big holiday outing.
Shadow Hills was recommended to us by faithful readers Gordon and Juanita, who are enjoying the summer of a lifetime in Alaska. When the lovely woman at the RV Resort asked how we found the place, Natasha replied, "Friends told us about you."
That little exchange reminded us both of how we feel about our virtual buddies who are fulltiming now or planning to in the future. Ya'll are our friends! Though we've never met, and might not ever (but we sure hope to) we are so grateful for your help and encouragement. It gets us through those days when it feels like work will never end or we're spending a weekend purging pounds of paper at home.
While it seems we're making new friends just about everywhere we go in Bullwinkle, (That's just the way it is when you're RVing!) we're most grateful to those friends we've yet to meet who are sharing their thoughts, advice and encouragement about this new lifestyle we're stepping into. We appreciate the time you take to write emails, comments and blog posts.
Thank you so much.
Shadow Hills was recommended to us by faithful readers Gordon and Juanita, who are enjoying the summer of a lifetime in Alaska. When the lovely woman at the RV Resort asked how we found the place, Natasha replied, "Friends told us about you."
That little exchange reminded us both of how we feel about our virtual buddies who are fulltiming now or planning to in the future. Ya'll are our friends! Though we've never met, and might not ever (but we sure hope to) we are so grateful for your help and encouragement. It gets us through those days when it feels like work will never end or we're spending a weekend purging pounds of paper at home.
While it seems we're making new friends just about everywhere we go in Bullwinkle, (That's just the way it is when you're RVing!) we're most grateful to those friends we've yet to meet who are sharing their thoughts, advice and encouragement about this new lifestyle we're stepping into. We appreciate the time you take to write emails, comments and blog posts.
Thank you so much.
Shuffling Paper
With a 35 gallon trash can and a 60 gallon recycling bin full to their brims, it's official. We are done shuffling paper.
For now, anyway.
It took two weekend days of sitting in the office (when I'd much rather be outside) to slim two full horizontal file drawers down to one and clean off the clutter that had covered just about every horizontal space in the place. I wish I'd taken before and after pictures.
Let's just say it's our shredder that got a mega workout this weekend.
We have two tall bookcases on one wall that were filled with books I was convinced I could never part with. But, it was time to face the music. I designated one case for "away" and the other for "stay" and went to work. With this preliminary sort complete, I'm pleased to report there are more books in the "away" case! What was most surprising was how many books I have that belong to other people. With those books separated, I'm looking forward to many happy returns!
My sense of accomplishment is mixed. Though this purge was significant, I know there's still lots more ahead of us. I'll make another pass through the file drawer and the "stay" case to slim things down even more. But, first, I have to tackle the remaining unpurged office territory: The closet.
Ugh!
For now, anyway.
It took two weekend days of sitting in the office (when I'd much rather be outside) to slim two full horizontal file drawers down to one and clean off the clutter that had covered just about every horizontal space in the place. I wish I'd taken before and after pictures.
Let's just say it's our shredder that got a mega workout this weekend.
We have two tall bookcases on one wall that were filled with books I was convinced I could never part with. But, it was time to face the music. I designated one case for "away" and the other for "stay" and went to work. With this preliminary sort complete, I'm pleased to report there are more books in the "away" case! What was most surprising was how many books I have that belong to other people. With those books separated, I'm looking forward to many happy returns!
My sense of accomplishment is mixed. Though this purge was significant, I know there's still lots more ahead of us. I'll make another pass through the file drawer and the "stay" case to slim things down even more. But, first, I have to tackle the remaining unpurged office territory: The closet.
Ugh!
Perspective
Taking a break from office purging. (Let me tell you it's not really all that much fun.)
Tonight we were hanging around the kitchen preparing dinner. The cats were nearby in the Dining Room. Natasha sized up the situation and made an observation.
"Here we are all are, in a space that's just about equal to Bullwinkle."
True. The dining room and kitchen in our stick house are pretty darn close to the dimensions of Bullwinkle...with the slides out.
"This is it," Natasha proclaimed. "We're scaling everything we're living in now to just this."
Boris came to the rescue.
"True," he said. "This is equal to the space where we will eat and sleep."
Then, he really came to the rescue.
"But our living space," he said, "is North America."
Love it!
Tonight we were hanging around the kitchen preparing dinner. The cats were nearby in the Dining Room. Natasha sized up the situation and made an observation.
"Here we are all are, in a space that's just about equal to Bullwinkle."
True. The dining room and kitchen in our stick house are pretty darn close to the dimensions of Bullwinkle...with the slides out.
"This is it," Natasha proclaimed. "We're scaling everything we're living in now to just this."
Boris came to the rescue.
"True," he said. "This is equal to the space where we will eat and sleep."
Then, he really came to the rescue.
"But our living space," he said, "is North America."
Love it!
Weekend Agenda
No "camping" this weekend. So, we're loading up our agenda with fulltiming prep chores. It's been awhile since we've concentrated our efforts there. (Too busy camping!) So, we're looking forward to accomplishing lots.
On the agenda:Purging our home office. (Yikes!) Reviewing our preliminary fulltiming budget. (It's looking really good so far!) Making Thanksgiving reservations. (OK. That really has nothing to do with fulltiming, but we need something fun to look forward to this weekend!)
While Natasha is purging in the office, Boris says he'll be "thinning" here and there. That's how we work. Natasha "whooshes" and tackles one big project at once. Boris, on the other hand, prefers to "whittle" -- doing a little here and a little there until it all gets done. It's just one more thing that makes us a great team!
Happy weekend!
On the agenda:
While Natasha is purging in the office, Boris says he'll be "thinning" here and there. That's how we work. Natasha "whooshes" and tackles one big project at once. Boris, on the other hand, prefers to "whittle" -- doing a little here and a little there until it all gets done. It's just one more thing that makes us a great team!
Happy weekend!
Two Faces of the Campground
Arriving at a county campground on a Friday night and staying until Monday afternoon revealed something very interesting: Two faces of the same campground.
When we arrived Friday night at Sandy Beach, the place was in full swing: Families of all shapes and sizes were munching on burgers and dogs after a fun afternoon at the beach along the river. Campsites varied from a simple tent or two with a couple of couples to a complex of three neighboring sites filled with fivers and travel trailers and shared by what appeared to be members of the same family (or very good friends). Kids were everywhere, enjoying the last blast of Summer before school begins.
The fun and festivities continued to build through the sunny Saturday. While we prepared dinner on Saturday night, we watched kids of all ages frolic in the lawn. It was quite a fun scene.
Sunday morning had a bit of a solemn aire, as just about everybody squeezed out the last bit of Summer fun and then started to pack up and move. By Sunday evening, we just about had the place to ourselves.
A couple of others pulled out before we had our Monday morning coffee. As we strolled around the campground with coffees in hand, we paid a visit to the river. This place that had been so busy over the weekend that we really couldn't even approach was now quiet, calm, peaceful and inviting. We lapped up every bit of the peace and quiet we could before we checked out Monday afternoon and headed back to reality.
As we pulled out of the peaceful campground, we passed a Class A and a fiver with happy campers inside. Maybe they were fulltimers, perhaps they were retirees enjoying an extended holiday. Whatever the case, they were savoring the best this campground had to offer: a weekday.
As we're back to another work week, we find ourselves yearning for weekdays spent in a lovely campground instead of an office. Meanwhile, we'll enjoy this most recent peaceful memory.
When we arrived Friday night at Sandy Beach, the place was in full swing: Families of all shapes and sizes were munching on burgers and dogs after a fun afternoon at the beach along the river. Campsites varied from a simple tent or two with a couple of couples to a complex of three neighboring sites filled with fivers and travel trailers and shared by what appeared to be members of the same family (or very good friends). Kids were everywhere, enjoying the last blast of Summer before school begins.
The fun and festivities continued to build through the sunny Saturday. While we prepared dinner on Saturday night, we watched kids of all ages frolic in the lawn. It was quite a fun scene.
Sunday morning had a bit of a solemn aire, as just about everybody squeezed out the last bit of Summer fun and then started to pack up and move. By Sunday evening, we just about had the place to ourselves.
A couple of others pulled out before we had our Monday morning coffee. As we strolled around the campground with coffees in hand, we paid a visit to the river. This place that had been so busy over the weekend that we really couldn't even approach was now quiet, calm, peaceful and inviting. We lapped up every bit of the peace and quiet we could before we checked out Monday afternoon and headed back to reality.
As we pulled out of the peaceful campground, we passed a Class A and a fiver with happy campers inside. Maybe they were fulltimers, perhaps they were retirees enjoying an extended holiday. Whatever the case, they were savoring the best this campground had to offer: a weekday.
As we're back to another work week, we find ourselves yearning for weekdays spent in a lovely campground instead of an office. Meanwhile, we'll enjoy this most recent peaceful memory.
Winded
We're rested, refreshed and well-winded after our long weekend near the Sacramento River delta.
Check Bullwinkle's Travels for the details.
And, yes, we're still looking for our home campground.
Check Bullwinkle's Travels for the details.
And, yes, we're still looking for our home campground.
Go Do It
One of us, who shall remain nameless (but does most of the writing on this blog), has developed quite an obsession about this fulltiming thing. I spend just about any spare moment doing something related to fulltiming. Seems I'm either adding to our list of things to do before we go, taking inventory of all of our stuff and figuring out where it will go, reading a blog of a current or future fulltimer, checking out the fulltiming topics on an RV forum, researching campground reviews across the country or adding to our list of places we'd love to explore on the road.
Yes, it's serious. The other of us is totally on board and passionate about this idea, of course. We're both growing a bit concerned about my obsession.
Until today.
On my way home from work I spotted a quote in a store window:
Yes, it's serious. The other of us is totally on board and passionate about this idea, of course. We're both growing a bit concerned about my obsession.
Until today.
On my way home from work I spotted a quote in a store window:
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
The words belong to Howard Thurman, an American theologian and civil rights leader.
Today this quotable quote inspires me to keep moving toward our fulltiming dream. It's not a crazy, worthless obsession as I've lately worried. I've wondered if we should be pursuing something more noble and less self-serving.
What I know is pursuing this idea of really seeing our country for a year or three makes us both come alive. I can't imagine how alive we'll be when we're actually doing it.
And, I love the thought that it might do the world a bit of good.
Today this quotable quote inspires me to keep moving toward our fulltiming dream. It's not a crazy, worthless obsession as I've lately worried. I've wondered if we should be pursuing something more noble and less self-serving.
What I know is pursuing this idea of really seeing our country for a year or three makes us both come alive. I can't imagine how alive we'll be when we're actually doing it.
And, I love the thought that it might do the world a bit of good.
New Grill
Our new grill is here!
I had it shipped to my office...because our UPS driver at home has been known to throw things at our front door. Plus, who needs a shiny new BBQ grill all boxed up sitting on your front porch just waiting for someone to carry it away? I laughed as one of my colleagues pushed the 45-pound box toward my office door.
We got it home and Boris went to work doing the "some assembly" that was required. Moments later he had the propane tank connected and the burner firing.
Something tells me we're going to grill many meals this weekend!
I had it shipped to my office...because our UPS driver at home has been known to throw things at our front door. Plus, who needs a shiny new BBQ grill all boxed up sitting on your front porch just waiting for someone to carry it away? I laughed as one of my colleagues pushed the 45-pound box toward my office door.
We got it home and Boris went to work doing the "some assembly" that was required. Moments later he had the propane tank connected and the burner firing.
Something tells me we're going to grill many meals this weekend!
100 Days
It's the beginning of a new week, and we're the first to admit we are a bit overwhelmed. The reality is starting to sink in: If we accelerate our plans, everything - from packing to leaving our jobs - starts coming at us faster and faster.
Yowza!
But then, we think back. It was just 100 days or so ago that we completed our trip in the rented Tioga that got us hooked on this lifestyle in the first place. In 100 days we've researched, shopped for, found and purchased a motorhome that we can play in now and fulltime in later. In those 100 days we have gone out on four outings and spent 10 nights in our new home away from home. While we still have tons to learn, we are beginning to get the hang of it all. In those same 100 days we've given birth to an idea to make a major lifestyle change and embark on a great RV escape. We've taken very early steps to begin the big purge. We've started to inventory our house and all our possessions. Heck, somewhere in those 100 days we even launched a blog or two. We are on our way.
So, when overwhelm hits, and we can't believe how much is in front of us, we just look back at how much we've accomplished in just 100 days.
With some one, two or three hundred days ahead of us -- give or take a hundred or two -- to do what we need to do, we're reminding ourselves of how much we have done and how much we are capable of doing.
Yowza!
But then, we think back. It was just 100 days or so ago that we completed our trip in the rented Tioga that got us hooked on this lifestyle in the first place. In 100 days we've researched, shopped for, found and purchased a motorhome that we can play in now and fulltime in later. In those 100 days we have gone out on four outings and spent 10 nights in our new home away from home. While we still have tons to learn, we are beginning to get the hang of it all. In those same 100 days we've given birth to an idea to make a major lifestyle change and embark on a great RV escape. We've taken very early steps to begin the big purge. We've started to inventory our house and all our possessions. Heck, somewhere in those 100 days we even launched a blog or two. We are on our way.
So, when overwhelm hits, and we can't believe how much is in front of us, we just look back at how much we've accomplished in just 100 days.
With some one, two or three hundred days ahead of us -- give or take a hundred or two -- to do what we need to do, we're reminding ourselves of how much we have done and how much we are capable of doing.
Shredding
Sundays at home have become "bin filling" days. With Monday being trash day, we do our best to fill our garbage and recycling bins to the brim with stuff that we won't need as fulltimers. (Actually, we don't need any of it now!)
Today we gave our shredder a workout, freeing ourselves of papers that, once upon a time, seemed important enough to keep. But, not anymore. Along with the shredding, Boris parted with a pile of old class materials. We've started to take in the magnitude of this purging project. There's so much to get rid of!!!
We'll just keep moving one bin at a time.
Today we gave our shredder a workout, freeing ourselves of papers that, once upon a time, seemed important enough to keep. But, not anymore. Along with the shredding, Boris parted with a pile of old class materials. We've started to take in the magnitude of this purging project. There's so much to get rid of!!!
We'll just keep moving one bin at a time.
New Q
We love to grill.
(A bit of a detour here. In Boris' world there is a distinct distinction between grillin' and barbeque. Barbeque involves a tomato-y sauce. Grillin' is cookin' over open flame with charcoal or gas.)
We've toted our vintage Weber Smoky Joe for years. It has gone above and beyond the call of duty. After many miles of faithful service, it's on its last leg. It's loaded in Bullwinkle's basement, but we've been shopping for a replacement.
Click, click, click and a replacement was found today.
We're Weber fans from way back. So, we were particularly interested in their line of portable gas grills...the Qs. There's a Baby Q and a full-size Q. And, they seem to be in the middle of a brand transformation, because there's also a Q100 and Q200 and Q300. We did our research and decided the Q220 was for us. It's big enough for tri-tips, pork roasts and turkey breasts, which are among our favorites.
We had a few gift certificates built up at amazon.com. We went there and found the Q220 at a nice price that was even nicer after we applied the gift certificates. So, we bought a cover, too. It'll be here Tuesday.
We can't wait to put our new Q to use.
(A bit of a detour here. In Boris' world there is a distinct distinction between grillin' and barbeque. Barbeque involves a tomato-y sauce. Grillin' is cookin' over open flame with charcoal or gas.)
We've toted our vintage Weber Smoky Joe for years. It has gone above and beyond the call of duty. After many miles of faithful service, it's on its last leg. It's loaded in Bullwinkle's basement, but we've been shopping for a replacement.
Click, click, click and a replacement was found today.
We're Weber fans from way back. So, we were particularly interested in their line of portable gas grills...the Qs. There's a Baby Q and a full-size Q. And, they seem to be in the middle of a brand transformation, because there's also a Q100 and Q200 and Q300. We did our research and decided the Q220 was for us. It's big enough for tri-tips, pork roasts and turkey breasts, which are among our favorites.
We had a few gift certificates built up at amazon.com. We went there and found the Q220 at a nice price that was even nicer after we applied the gift certificates. So, we bought a cover, too. It'll be here Tuesday.
We can't wait to put our new Q to use.
Accelerating?
On this most auspicious day (08-08-08) we're reflecting on yesterday, when it seemed just about everyone was encouraging us to accelerate our plans to become fulltimers.
Boris had lunch planned with a friend. With pictures of Bullwinkle and our latest adventures in hand, he shared the news of the latest addition to our family and our plans for the future.
I spent time with my hairstylist yesterday. And, as every woman knows, the best hairstylists also provide a listening ear and sage advice.
Back home, Boris and I shared stories of our outings. We were surprised to hear that the friend and the hairstylist had exactly the same thing to say:
"What's keeping you here?"
We both answered that we didn't know for sure. So, being the dutiful friend and stylist, they asked a few more questions and listened attentively to the answers. Then, we reported to each other, they came to the same answer of the big question they had asked:
"Nothing!"
We talked about it together, and agreed that our therapists du jour were absolutely correct. Really, truly, there is nothing keeping us here. (Heck, one of my sticking points was indeed my hairstylist. I told her I wasn't sure what to do about my hair on the road. She had an answer for that, too! So, now it's really nothing!)
Today we are seriously thinking about accelerating our plans. We're not ready to declare a new departure date just yet. But, we might soon. So, stay tuned!
Boris had lunch planned with a friend. With pictures of Bullwinkle and our latest adventures in hand, he shared the news of the latest addition to our family and our plans for the future.
I spent time with my hairstylist yesterday. And, as every woman knows, the best hairstylists also provide a listening ear and sage advice.
Back home, Boris and I shared stories of our outings. We were surprised to hear that the friend and the hairstylist had exactly the same thing to say:
"What's keeping you here?"
We both answered that we didn't know for sure. So, being the dutiful friend and stylist, they asked a few more questions and listened attentively to the answers. Then, we reported to each other, they came to the same answer of the big question they had asked:
"Nothing!"
We talked about it together, and agreed that our therapists du jour were absolutely correct. Really, truly, there is nothing keeping us here. (Heck, one of my sticking points was indeed my hairstylist. I told her I wasn't sure what to do about my hair on the road. She had an answer for that, too! So, now it's really nothing!)
Today we are seriously thinking about accelerating our plans. We're not ready to declare a new departure date just yet. But, we might soon. So, stay tuned!
Card Carrying
We feel so official. Our new cards are here.
One of the inspirations sparked from our initial mini-escapes resulted in creating our own "calling cards." Already we've met so many wonderful people. We've exchanged email addresses with a few, and wished we had been able to do that with others. The morning we left our July 4th campsite in Plymouth, we were so pleased that one of our new friends left her business card on our picnic table. She had scribbled personal contact info on the back. With that, we could keep touch. Without it, we never would have connected with them again for a fun weekend in Duncans Mills.
Not wanting to distribute our business cards for a bunch of reasons, we opted to create our own very non-business cards. All it took was a few clicks at Vista Print, a couple of bucks and a relatively short wait for the US Mail. The card includes our names, email address and the web address for Bullwinkle's Travels. We also included Bullwinkle's name, make and model, of course. They look good. We're pleased with the result.
We look forward to using these classy little cards to stay connected with the friends we make on the road.
Guess that makes us "card carrying" RVers. Now, we are official!
One of the inspirations sparked from our initial mini-escapes resulted in creating our own "calling cards." Already we've met so many wonderful people. We've exchanged email addresses with a few, and wished we had been able to do that with others. The morning we left our July 4th campsite in Plymouth, we were so pleased that one of our new friends left her business card on our picnic table. She had scribbled personal contact info on the back. With that, we could keep touch. Without it, we never would have connected with them again for a fun weekend in Duncans Mills.
Not wanting to distribute our business cards for a bunch of reasons, we opted to create our own very non-business cards. All it took was a few clicks at Vista Print, a couple of bucks and a relatively short wait for the US Mail. The card includes our names, email address and the web address for Bullwinkle's Travels. We also included Bullwinkle's name, make and model, of course. They look good. We're pleased with the result.
We look forward to using these classy little cards to stay connected with the friends we make on the road.
Guess that makes us "card carrying" RVers. Now, we are official!
Joining
Now that we've been out with two RV groups, we're facing this question: What to join?
We are joiners, no doubt about it. Like I said, we're both extraverts and love meeting people. As it turns out, it seems just about most people enjoy meeting us, too. So, it's easy for us to join any and every group that comes our way. And, once we join our old friend overwhelm is not far behind. We find ourselves overcommitted, busy and tired...even if what we're up to is "fun". So, we're taking this business of joining an RV club (or two) seriously.
Since we're planning to be fulltiming in a bit, we're concentrating first on which national clubs to join. Then, we'll pick our "local" chapters of those groups. Our current choices are the Winnebago-Itasca Travelers Club and the Family Motor Coach Association. With the WIT group, there are resident experts on our brand of motorhome. Plus, it's great fun hanging out with people who love Winnebagos. Every FMCA'er we've met on the road has been friendly and helpful. It feels like a real community. And, the chapter we hung out with last weekend was loads of fun. Another local FMCA chapter is hosting a rally over Thanksgiving. We're thinking about checking them out then.
We're also considering the Escapees. Their name most closely represents what we're up to! Plus, they have "classes" of fulltimers who are comparing notes about getting ready to hit the road. I just read through the Class of 2009 thread. Even though we're probably more realistically the Class of 2010, it's inspiring and comforting to read what these future fulltimers are up to.
Of course, we've already joined other RV-related "clubs" that are less about joining and more about saving. We plunked down our bucks to join the KOA campers club on our first night out on the Grand Canyon trip. Then we joined Good Sam. And, of course, we joined Camping World on our first trip there. That membership paid for itself in one quick scan of a barcode!
We sure to join something. Meanwhile, we'll enjoy shopping around.
We are joiners, no doubt about it. Like I said, we're both extraverts and love meeting people. As it turns out, it seems just about most people enjoy meeting us, too. So, it's easy for us to join any and every group that comes our way. And, once we join our old friend overwhelm is not far behind. We find ourselves overcommitted, busy and tired...even if what we're up to is "fun". So, we're taking this business of joining an RV club (or two) seriously.
Since we're planning to be fulltiming in a bit, we're concentrating first on which national clubs to join. Then, we'll pick our "local" chapters of those groups. Our current choices are the Winnebago-Itasca Travelers Club and the Family Motor Coach Association. With the WIT group, there are resident experts on our brand of motorhome. Plus, it's great fun hanging out with people who love Winnebagos. Every FMCA'er we've met on the road has been friendly and helpful. It feels like a real community. And, the chapter we hung out with last weekend was loads of fun. Another local FMCA chapter is hosting a rally over Thanksgiving. We're thinking about checking them out then.
We're also considering the Escapees. Their name most closely represents what we're up to! Plus, they have "classes" of fulltimers who are comparing notes about getting ready to hit the road. I just read through the Class of 2009 thread. Even though we're probably more realistically the Class of 2010, it's inspiring and comforting to read what these future fulltimers are up to.
Of course, we've already joined other RV-related "clubs" that are less about joining and more about saving. We plunked down our bucks to join the KOA campers club on our first night out on the Grand Canyon trip. Then we joined Good Sam. And, of course, we joined Camping World on our first trip there. That membership paid for itself in one quick scan of a barcode!
We sure to join something. Meanwhile, we'll enjoy shopping around.
Oh Give Us A Home
A Home Campground, that is.
This weekend's mini-escape just 30-miles or so away has us in serious search mode for a place we can make an easy escape to anytime we want. We're thinking of it as our home campground.
The place we visited last weekend was fine, but gale force winds and lots of highway noise were the norm. Not exactly what we're looking for.
We made reservations yesterday at another spot in the area that was recommended to us by a couple we met in Plymouth. It's their home campground. We're hopeful that it might just become ours, too.
We'll see.
This weekend's mini-escape just 30-miles or so away has us in serious search mode for a place we can make an easy escape to anytime we want. We're thinking of it as our home campground.
The place we visited last weekend was fine, but gale force winds and lots of highway noise were the norm. Not exactly what we're looking for.
We made reservations yesterday at another spot in the area that was recommended to us by a couple we met in Plymouth. It's their home campground. We're hopeful that it might just become ours, too.
We'll see.
In A Group vs. On Our Own
We're home again, and already looking forward to our next mini-escape. Such is the life of a future fulltimer.
With this trip behind us, we've now spent 10 nights in Bullwinkle. That's exactly equal to the number of nights we spent in our rented trusty Tioga when we went to the big ditch and back in April. (True, the nights in the Tioga were spread over 11 days...in Bullwinkle we've done it in just about a month.) We're looking forward to our next trip when Bullwinkle will represent the majority of our nights on the road.
Of our 10 nights in the new moose, we've noticed that we've spent a mere four enjoying a quiet dinner alone. That's one of the things we love the most about this lifestyle. Already, our extravert tendencies have taken the lead: six nights have been spent happily enjoying dinner in the company of others -- Winnebago groups we've met in the campground, friends we've met along the way, and an FMCA group that invited us to join them for a rally.
That leads us to an important question: How much do we do with groups vs. going out on our own?
With groups, we love meeting new people, the camaraderie, the conversation, the food, fun and good times. With ourselves we love, well, being by ourselves.
Right now, we're missing enjoying time alone with our moose. So 40/60 isn't balanced enough for us. Maybe we'll shoot for something closer to 50/50 or 60/40.
Next outing, we're definitely on our own.
With this trip behind us, we've now spent 10 nights in Bullwinkle. That's exactly equal to the number of nights we spent in our rented trusty Tioga when we went to the big ditch and back in April. (True, the nights in the Tioga were spread over 11 days...in Bullwinkle we've done it in just about a month.) We're looking forward to our next trip when Bullwinkle will represent the majority of our nights on the road.
Of our 10 nights in the new moose, we've noticed that we've spent a mere four enjoying a quiet dinner alone. That's one of the things we love the most about this lifestyle. Already, our extravert tendencies have taken the lead: six nights have been spent happily enjoying dinner in the company of others -- Winnebago groups we've met in the campground, friends we've met along the way, and an FMCA group that invited us to join them for a rally.
That leads us to an important question: How much do we do with groups vs. going out on our own?
With groups, we love meeting new people, the camaraderie, the conversation, the food, fun and good times. With ourselves we love, well, being by ourselves.
Right now, we're missing enjoying time alone with our moose. So 40/60 isn't balanced enough for us. Maybe we'll shoot for something closer to 50/50 or 60/40.
Next outing, we're definitely on our own.
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