Natasha made an executive decision the other day: We need a memory foam topper. 'Twas a decision that Boris certainly supported -- anything and everything in the name of a good night's sleep.
We love sleeping in Bullwinkle. And, that said, things could be a bit more comfy. When we compare sleeping at home with sleeping in the RV, the RV gets big points for environment and relaxation. But, it the comfort department, our stick house bed wins -- hands down.
We did plenty of research into what we could do to improve our sleeping comfort on the road. The answer became clear: a memory foam topper. And, not just any memory foam. We needed the stuff that does the best to keep you cool as well as comfortable. (Reports are that the regular stuff can get mighty toasty.) It comes in heights between 1-inch and 4, and in various densities (whatever that means). Finally, we landed on the topper for us: a 3-inch "mem-cool" memory foam topper from overstock.com.
Natasha got an email from Overstock announcing a bedding sale and $1 shipping. She went for it. It shipped today. With any luck, we'll be slumbering peacefully in memory foam on our next outing.
Meanwhile, sweet dreams.
A Fix
After being away from home for 10 days, and far from Bullwinkle a couple of weeks longer than that, we found ourselves arriving home today a bit jet lagged and missing our moose.
Plus, a question had been looming in the back of Natasha's mind since the day we washed our Winnie: "Did I turn the water pump off?" It doesn't really matter because we triple checked that we disconnected the coach and chassis batteries before our departure. But, you know how it is when you can't let a question like that go! So, from the airport we headed to the stick house and grabbed a post-flight nap. Then, we jumped in the car and headed for our storage spot.
Yep, we got our fix.
There sat Bullwinkle, safe and sound(and still mighty shiny). When Natasha flipped the switch to re-engage the batteries, she detected the familiar hum of the water pump starting up. She checked the switch. Sure enough, it was on.
With the flip of a switch her mind was again at ease. And, with a turn of a key we were both relieved to hear the engine fire up easily. Bullwinkle was rarin' to go.
So are we!
Plus, a question had been looming in the back of Natasha's mind since the day we washed our Winnie: "Did I turn the water pump off?" It doesn't really matter because we triple checked that we disconnected the coach and chassis batteries before our departure. But, you know how it is when you can't let a question like that go! So, from the airport we headed to the stick house and grabbed a post-flight nap. Then, we jumped in the car and headed for our storage spot.
Yep, we got our fix.
There sat Bullwinkle, safe and sound(and still mighty shiny). When Natasha flipped the switch to re-engage the batteries, she detected the familiar hum of the water pump starting up. She checked the switch. Sure enough, it was on.
With the flip of a switch her mind was again at ease. And, with a turn of a key we were both relieved to hear the engine fire up easily. Bullwinkle was rarin' to go.
So are we!
Longevity Bonus
Here in Atlanta, we've had the pleasure of seeing and listening to Ken Dychtwald. Natasha's been a big fan of him and his body of work. He's chronicled the life and times of us Baby Boomers and our impact on, well, everything. Cool stuff.
One of Dr. Dychtwald's themes is that Boomers (and the generations following us) are planning a "cyclical life". Instead of going to school for 20 years, working for 40 or 45 and retiring for how many years after that you're blessed with, our generation is cycling in and out of education, work and leisure time throughout our lives. Dychtwald calls these periodic periods away from work as "Longevity Bonuses". Fact is, we're all living longer. And, rather than taking advantage of those extra years when we're 85, we're using them earlier. These are times of 1-10 years when we step away from work to learn something new, explore, refresh and recharge. Then, we tackle the next chapter of our work with renewed passion.
This wasn't the first time we'd heard this message. But, being months away from stepping away from full time work to fulltiming for a few years, we found it most inspiring. No longer are we wondering if our great escape is retirement or sabbatical. Now we know it's a longevity bonus!
One of Dr. Dychtwald's themes is that Boomers (and the generations following us) are planning a "cyclical life". Instead of going to school for 20 years, working for 40 or 45 and retiring for how many years after that you're blessed with, our generation is cycling in and out of education, work and leisure time throughout our lives. Dychtwald calls these periodic periods away from work as "Longevity Bonuses". Fact is, we're all living longer. And, rather than taking advantage of those extra years when we're 85, we're using them earlier. These are times of 1-10 years when we step away from work to learn something new, explore, refresh and recharge. Then, we tackle the next chapter of our work with renewed passion.
This wasn't the first time we'd heard this message. But, being months away from stepping away from full time work to fulltiming for a few years, we found it most inspiring. No longer are we wondering if our great escape is retirement or sabbatical. Now we know it's a longevity bonus!
Farther From Home
Greetings from Atlanta. We're even further away from our stick house and coach...here for a few days to do business at a big conference.
Our trip in and around Kansas City was lots of fun. We made an ongoing joke as we checked out the driveways of relatives. Upon arrival, we declared them level or not, which made our relatives -- especially the ones with the level driveways -- just a wee bit nervous. We're kidding, of course, as we're also checking out local campgrounds. But, it was fun watching everyone squirm.
They're all wondering what we're really up to.
Our trip in and around Kansas City was lots of fun. We made an ongoing joke as we checked out the driveways of relatives. Upon arrival, we declared them level or not, which made our relatives -- especially the ones with the level driveways -- just a wee bit nervous. We're kidding, of course, as we're also checking out local campgrounds. But, it was fun watching everyone squirm.
They're all wondering what we're really up to.
Far Away Road Trip
Greetings from Topeka, Kansas! We're 2000 miles from our stick house and our coach.
We're passing through the town of Boris' birth on I-70 headed toward western Kansas for a family wedding this weekend. We're keeping ourselves occupied with a few rounds of "Whats'at?" and wishing we were in our moose. The windshield of this rental car is really small!
We're also test driving a Verizon air card, which is lots of fun. This one belongs to the boss, but it's going on our fulltiming shopping list. I can see myself surfing the web from the co-pilot's seat. Very handy!
Well, I suppose I ought to log into the office and see what's up.
Happy weekend!
We're passing through the town of Boris' birth on I-70 headed toward western Kansas for a family wedding this weekend. We're keeping ourselves occupied with a few rounds of "Whats'at?" and wishing we were in our moose. The windshield of this rental car is really small!
We're also test driving a Verizon air card, which is lots of fun. This one belongs to the boss, but it's going on our fulltiming shopping list. I can see myself surfing the web from the co-pilot's seat. Very handy!
Well, I suppose I ought to log into the office and see what's up.
Happy weekend!
Congrats to Friends
We received news today that Marie and Roger, the friends we met in Plymouth who joined us at Casini Ranch, just bought a new-to-them rig.
Whoo-hoo!
We're so happy for them. They admired our rig and shopped intensely for one just like it. But, no luck. Turns out, they fell in love with a beautiful rig that was parked at a campground we visited just a couple of weeks earlier. We admired it when we were there. (It's gorgeous!) They saw it and decided they couldn't live without it.
How fun is that?
They're picking it up at the windy campground not far from our storage spot on Sunday night. As much as we'd love to meet them there and give them a proper send off, we can't. We'll be out of town.
Bummer.
They are days away from their Christmas Eve. Gosh, we know how good that feels. We'll send them our best from halfway across the country.
And, just a little piece of us will be a little bit jealous!
Whoo-hoo!
We're so happy for them. They admired our rig and shopped intensely for one just like it. But, no luck. Turns out, they fell in love with a beautiful rig that was parked at a campground we visited just a couple of weeks earlier. We admired it when we were there. (It's gorgeous!) They saw it and decided they couldn't live without it.
How fun is that?
They're picking it up at the windy campground not far from our storage spot on Sunday night. As much as we'd love to meet them there and give them a proper send off, we can't. We'll be out of town.
Bummer.
They are days away from their Christmas Eve. Gosh, we know how good that feels. We'll send them our best from halfway across the country.
And, just a little piece of us will be a little bit jealous!
The Wave
On the way home from our weekend work thing, we enjoyed another round of "Whats'at?" and wished we were behind the wheel of Bullwinkle and heading off to places yet discovered.
Natasha was at the wheel of our four-door sedan on a two-lane highway heading out of Half Moon Bay when we spotted two Class A's coming our way. After the requisite chorus of "Whats'at? Whats'at" she exclaimed, "It's a JOURNEY!!!!!!"
What happened next was reflex, plain and simple. She gave a big wave to the first of the two Class A's.
After all, they were Winnie people -- members of our on-the-road clan. They were on the road, enjoying a Sunday afternoon drive toward the beach. We were extremely jealous. And, for that, they got a wave.
Miles down the road, we looked at each other and wondered. What do you think the captain of that big diesel pusher thought when a lady behind a wheel of a BMW gave him a big wave?
We hope he understood!
Natasha was at the wheel of our four-door sedan on a two-lane highway heading out of Half Moon Bay when we spotted two Class A's coming our way. After the requisite chorus of "Whats'at? Whats'at" she exclaimed, "It's a JOURNEY!!!!!!"
What happened next was reflex, plain and simple. She gave a big wave to the first of the two Class A's.
After all, they were Winnie people -- members of our on-the-road clan. They were on the road, enjoying a Sunday afternoon drive toward the beach. We were extremely jealous. And, for that, they got a wave.
Miles down the road, we looked at each other and wondered. What do you think the captain of that big diesel pusher thought when a lady behind a wheel of a BMW gave him a big wave?
We hope he understood!
"Whats'at?"
Short Friday for us today. We're hitting the road midday for a weekend work thing about an hour or so south of here. For a change, we're heading off in the car and will stay in a hotel. (Hmmm. Can we handle being on the road without the RV? We'll see!)
On the way to and from, we'll play one of our favorite new road trip games: "Whats'at?" (It was originally "What's That?" But, we've become very sloppy!) This is the road trip version of "Spot the RV".
As we're driving down the road, one of will spot an RV coming toward us and say, "Whats'at? Whats'at?" That launches the shared task of determining as many details as we can about the approaching RV. It's a "score" when we can name class, make and model. We must admit, we're getting pretty good.
We must also admit we're pretty geeky newbies.
Happy Weekend!
On the way to and from, we'll play one of our favorite new road trip games: "Whats'at?" (It was originally "What's That?" But, we've become very sloppy!) This is the road trip version of "Spot the RV".
As we're driving down the road, one of will spot an RV coming toward us and say, "Whats'at? Whats'at?" That launches the shared task of determining as many details as we can about the approaching RV. It's a "score" when we can name class, make and model. We must admit, we're getting pretty good.
We must also admit we're pretty geeky newbies.
Happy Weekend!
Playlist
We both have an ipod nano. And, we love 'em. They are a reflection of our musical tastes: wide and varied.
These days, Natasha's ipod is also reflecting our emerging lifestyle. It has one particular playlist that's our most played: RV Songs. These songs make us think, smile and look forward to the future.
What's on the list? Take a look:
This Is Us - Mark Knoplfer and Emmy Lou Harris
"You and me and our making history. This is us."
Heads Carolina, Tails Carolina - JoDee Messina
Where? It don't matter 'long as we're goin' somewhere together.
Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go) - Dierks Bentley
"Got the sun shinin' on me like a big spotlight. So I know everything is gonna be alright."
Around the Bend - Randy Travis
"I don't know what waits, but I am not afraid. I'll just make my own sweet way around the bend."
Life Is a Highway - Rascal Flatts
"Through all these cities and all these towns. It's in my blood and it's all around."
What About Now - Lonestar
"We can chase these dreams down the interstate."
Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield
"Reaching for something in the distance. So close you can almost taste it."
My Wish - Rascal Flatts
"Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small. You never need to carry more than you can hold."
Yep. That's what we're listening to these days. And, the list keeps growing.
Do you have a song that inspires you while you're on the road or wanting to be? Please share!
These days, Natasha's ipod is also reflecting our emerging lifestyle. It has one particular playlist that's our most played: RV Songs. These songs make us think, smile and look forward to the future.
What's on the list? Take a look:
This Is Us - Mark Knoplfer and Emmy Lou Harris
"You and me and our making history. This is us."
Heads Carolina, Tails Carolina - JoDee Messina
Where? It don't matter 'long as we're goin' somewhere together.
Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go) - Dierks Bentley
"Got the sun shinin' on me like a big spotlight. So I know everything is gonna be alright."
Around the Bend - Randy Travis
"I don't know what waits, but I am not afraid. I'll just make my own sweet way around the bend."
Life Is a Highway - Rascal Flatts
"Through all these cities and all these towns. It's in my blood and it's all around."
What About Now - Lonestar
"We can chase these dreams down the interstate."
Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield
"Reaching for something in the distance. So close you can almost taste it."
My Wish - Rascal Flatts
"Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small. You never need to carry more than you can hold."
Yep. That's what we're listening to these days. And, the list keeps growing.
Do you have a song that inspires you while you're on the road or wanting to be? Please share!
A Bust
That's how we're thinking about the month of September. As far as making progress toward our goal of fulltiming, or even getting out for a weekend or two, this month gets a big fat goose egg.
We have a business gig close to home this weekend, a trip to a family wedding the next, then a business trip the next. By the time we're home again, it'll be October. All the while, our freshly washed moose will gather dust.
Bummer.
As bummed as we are that we can't be camping for the next several weekends, we're actually more bummed that we can't be purging! (Now how sick is that?)
So, what are we committed to this month? We're committed to enhancing our plans. Wherever we go this month, we'll have our laptops in tow. So, with time here and there to think, and ready access to Excel, we'll work on to-do lists and planning. That'll be some progress.
Meanwhile, we're already looking forward to October!
We have a business gig close to home this weekend, a trip to a family wedding the next, then a business trip the next. By the time we're home again, it'll be October. All the while, our freshly washed moose will gather dust.
Bummer.
As bummed as we are that we can't be camping for the next several weekends, we're actually more bummed that we can't be purging! (Now how sick is that?)
So, what are we committed to this month? We're committed to enhancing our plans. Wherever we go this month, we'll have our laptops in tow. So, with time here and there to think, and ready access to Excel, we'll work on to-do lists and planning. That'll be some progress.
Meanwhile, we're already looking forward to October!
Looking for a Ladder
On Natasha's first full day of psychological unemployment, we headed off to Camping World to make a vital purchase we need for our big "to-do" for tomorrow. Tomorrow, Bullwinkle gets his first bath. And, if you're gonna' bathe a 13-feet tall moose, you need a ladder. So we went to get one.
We'd done our research in the world of ladders for RVers. We own a fairly compact folding stepladder. But, the thing weighs a ton (or close to it), so we looked for something alot lighter and a little more compact.
We landed on a 7-foot double-sided job that folds up to the size of a fishing pole. (That's pretty amazing.) A review of the 6-foot version of the same model claimed "this is the one" and encouraged us "not to hesitate to buy." So, we thought we'd make the drive to CW and check it out.
There were this morning, in the ladder aisle at CW, with our hands on the ladder we'd driven a long way to buy, when we were greeted by a friendly CW shopper.
"Have you tried one of those?" He asked.
We replied that we had not, and he launched into a story about his bad experience having one. He said he climbed up and it crumpled into nothing. And, he blamed it on the ladder. He claimed it could only be used on level surfaces and was only rated for 200 pounds.
We asked what he had and he told us. It was a model akin to the heavy compact one we house in our garage. We made nice conversation and said we'd think about it. We headed off to another department and they went on their way.
Somewhere between patio mats and shower accessories, we conferred and agreed that we'd just wait for them to leave. Then we'd take a chance and buy the ladder we'd come for. We wandered around the store looking at all the things we can't live without. Boris kept an eye on our friendly ladder advisers. Finally, he came around a corner and reported they were at the checkout. We grabbed the goods and made our way to make the purchase.
One of the things we love about RVers is how friendly and helpful they are. And, this was no exception. But, today, there were a couple of other things to consider. The ladder, you see, is actually rated at 225 pounds. Neither of us is within 35 pounds of that limit. And, our helpful camping advisers? Not that we're experts at making such estimates, but he looked like he was closing in on 300 pounds.
We stopped by Bullwinkle on the way home to drop off the newly purchased ladder. Boris unwrapped and unfolded the thing and gave it a test climb. It was steady as a rock.
And, just for the record, we don't intend to use it on any uneven surfaces.
We'd done our research in the world of ladders for RVers. We own a fairly compact folding stepladder. But, the thing weighs a ton (or close to it), so we looked for something alot lighter and a little more compact.
We landed on a 7-foot double-sided job that folds up to the size of a fishing pole. (That's pretty amazing.) A review of the 6-foot version of the same model claimed "this is the one" and encouraged us "not to hesitate to buy." So, we thought we'd make the drive to CW and check it out.
There were this morning, in the ladder aisle at CW, with our hands on the ladder we'd driven a long way to buy, when we were greeted by a friendly CW shopper.
"Have you tried one of those?" He asked.
We replied that we had not, and he launched into a story about his bad experience having one. He said he climbed up and it crumpled into nothing. And, he blamed it on the ladder. He claimed it could only be used on level surfaces and was only rated for 200 pounds.
We asked what he had and he told us. It was a model akin to the heavy compact one we house in our garage. We made nice conversation and said we'd think about it. We headed off to another department and they went on their way.
Somewhere between patio mats and shower accessories, we conferred and agreed that we'd just wait for them to leave. Then we'd take a chance and buy the ladder we'd come for. We wandered around the store looking at all the things we can't live without. Boris kept an eye on our friendly ladder advisers. Finally, he came around a corner and reported they were at the checkout. We grabbed the goods and made our way to make the purchase.
One of the things we love about RVers is how friendly and helpful they are. And, this was no exception. But, today, there were a couple of other things to consider. The ladder, you see, is actually rated at 225 pounds. Neither of us is within 35 pounds of that limit. And, our helpful camping advisers? Not that we're experts at making such estimates, but he looked like he was closing in on 300 pounds.
We stopped by Bullwinkle on the way home to drop off the newly purchased ladder. Boris unwrapped and unfolded the thing and gave it a test climb. It was steady as a rock.
And, just for the record, we don't intend to use it on any uneven surfaces.
I Quit
Natasha here. Just thought you might like to know from whence this dramatic headline came. And, that said, it's really not all that dramatic. However, today was a pivotal day.
Today was the day when, given everything we have planned and what we're up to, I emotionally disconnected from my job. FYI, that's a huge step for me. As a career workaholic, my identity has long been wrapped up in my work. (How messy!)
The details really don't matter. I'm still there physically, and will be there - hopefully - for a few months. But, today I have fresh perspective. This job, you see, is temporary. And, it's not the most important thing I'm up to these days.
I have bigger plans!
Most people would look at me and say I have a great job. They'd wonder what problems I could possibly have with this dreamy job. Well, all I can say is things can look bright and rosy on the outside. Inside, it can be dark and ugly.
Well, I'm done with the dark and ugly. From here on out I'm concentrating on doing the best work I can do from 9-5 every day. Beyond that, folks, I have my eye on the prize.
And, what a wonderful prize it is.
This dream we have is bigger, better, more satisfying and fulfilling than any work I've ever done. (And, I've been up to some big stuff!) This is about exploring, simplifying, stretching, changing. It's all good.
So, it's official. Effective today, that's my focus.
Today was the day when, given everything we have planned and what we're up to, I emotionally disconnected from my job. FYI, that's a huge step for me. As a career workaholic, my identity has long been wrapped up in my work. (How messy!)
The details really don't matter. I'm still there physically, and will be there - hopefully - for a few months. But, today I have fresh perspective. This job, you see, is temporary. And, it's not the most important thing I'm up to these days.
I have bigger plans!
Most people would look at me and say I have a great job. They'd wonder what problems I could possibly have with this dreamy job. Well, all I can say is things can look bright and rosy on the outside. Inside, it can be dark and ugly.
Well, I'm done with the dark and ugly. From here on out I'm concentrating on doing the best work I can do from 9-5 every day. Beyond that, folks, I have my eye on the prize.
And, what a wonderful prize it is.
This dream we have is bigger, better, more satisfying and fulfilling than any work I've ever done. (And, I've been up to some big stuff!) This is about exploring, simplifying, stretching, changing. It's all good.
So, it's official. Effective today, that's my focus.
A Site to See
Today was as long as yesterday was hard.
Our workday extended well into the night, with a "thing" we had to attend in the North Bay, an hour or so away. The Bay Area traffic gods were with us on the way up, so we found ourselves in Petaluma an hour or so early. We made use of the time well, doing a bit of scouting work.
We stopped by a Winnebago dealer we've never met -- no, not to shop -- to check out the service department. Since the dealership where we bought the moose is closing, we need a new dealership to call home. This one looks like it'll work. Now that we know where it is, we'll give it a shot.
We also cruised by a KOA in the area. This is another one we've read about and thought it might serve as a nearby getaway. Now, we wondered if it would work as a spot to hang out before or after getting service. Unlike the KOA in Cloverdale, this campground is just off the highway. So, it was worth a quick look.
So, in the late afternoon, we pulled the car into the drive by the little teepee and parked at the office. We walked inside and were greeted by a friendly KOA-er. We explained that we'd never been there before and were interested in checking the place out for a future visit in our RV. She encouraged us to take a stroll around the place. So, we did.
As we began to wander around the pull-throughs with full hookups and checking out this site and that, we offered friendly hellos to several campers. The hellos they offered in return were accompanied by a somewhat puzzled look. Suddenly, we realized what they were seeing. The two of us were strolling through a campground in formal business attire!
With Boris in a tie and Natasha in heels, turns out we were the site (er, sight) to see.
Our workday extended well into the night, with a "thing" we had to attend in the North Bay, an hour or so away. The Bay Area traffic gods were with us on the way up, so we found ourselves in Petaluma an hour or so early. We made use of the time well, doing a bit of scouting work.
We stopped by a Winnebago dealer we've never met -- no, not to shop -- to check out the service department. Since the dealership where we bought the moose is closing, we need a new dealership to call home. This one looks like it'll work. Now that we know where it is, we'll give it a shot.
We also cruised by a KOA in the area. This is another one we've read about and thought it might serve as a nearby getaway. Now, we wondered if it would work as a spot to hang out before or after getting service. Unlike the KOA in Cloverdale, this campground is just off the highway. So, it was worth a quick look.
So, in the late afternoon, we pulled the car into the drive by the little teepee and parked at the office. We walked inside and were greeted by a friendly KOA-er. We explained that we'd never been there before and were interested in checking the place out for a future visit in our RV. She encouraged us to take a stroll around the place. So, we did.
As we began to wander around the pull-throughs with full hookups and checking out this site and that, we offered friendly hellos to several campers. The hellos they offered in return were accompanied by a somewhat puzzled look. Suddenly, we realized what they were seeing. The two of us were strolling through a campground in formal business attire!
With Boris in a tie and Natasha in heels, turns out we were the site (er, sight) to see.
A Monday on Wednesday
Today was HARD!
Back at the office, our coworkers commented on how tan and relaxed we looked. Yep, four days on the Northern California coast in our home away from home can be very therapeutic. (In fact, we recommend it!)
Although it was Wednesday, it felt like Monday with a capital M. Thinking about new RVing friends touring wineries in Mendocino County certainly didn't help. While both of us were sitting at our desks, we were the first to admit that was the last place we each wanted to be.
We yearned with our hearts, souls, minds and bodies to be on the road today. It is indescribable! Boy, did we want to be out there!
We met for lunch (so nice that we can do that) and came to a shared reality. As much as we'd love to be on the road right now, the truth is: We are not ready. We have SOOOOOO much to do. There's stuff to sort through, storage and moving to arrange, a rough itinerary to plan and jobs to wrap up. Oh yeah, and a house to sell.
As much as we want right now to be the time to go, it isn't.
That's just how it is.
With the truth out in the open, it was easier to take on the afternoon and keep breathing.
We'll be out there soon enough. But, right now, we have work to do. And, as often as we can we'll make time on weekends and holidays to get a healthy taste of what we're moving toward.
We'll get there...eventually.
Back at the office, our coworkers commented on how tan and relaxed we looked. Yep, four days on the Northern California coast in our home away from home can be very therapeutic. (In fact, we recommend it!)
Although it was Wednesday, it felt like Monday with a capital M. Thinking about new RVing friends touring wineries in Mendocino County certainly didn't help. While both of us were sitting at our desks, we were the first to admit that was the last place we each wanted to be.
We yearned with our hearts, souls, minds and bodies to be on the road today. It is indescribable! Boy, did we want to be out there!
We met for lunch (so nice that we can do that) and came to a shared reality. As much as we'd love to be on the road right now, the truth is: We are not ready. We have SOOOOOO much to do. There's stuff to sort through, storage and moving to arrange, a rough itinerary to plan and jobs to wrap up. Oh yeah, and a house to sell.
As much as we want right now to be the time to go, it isn't.
That's just how it is.
With the truth out in the open, it was easier to take on the afternoon and keep breathing.
We'll be out there soon enough. But, right now, we have work to do. And, as often as we can we'll make time on weekends and holidays to get a healthy taste of what we're moving toward.
We'll get there...eventually.
Just a Taste
Details of our holiday weekend trip are now available on Bullwinkle's Travels. However, this space is reserved for more important matters.
Today we had just a taste of what life might be like as fulltimers.
We woke up early at our delightful site at Pomo RV Park and Campground. As the sunshine started to peek through the pine trees, we enjoyed our coffee and breakfast and visited a few of our favorite blogs. (Oh, what would it be like to make this a daily routine?)
We spotted a theme in today's entries: Fulltimers were traveling today. Gordon and Juanita were heading out of Valdez. Darrell and Judy were leaving the Adirondacks. Ed and Marilyn were heading out of the Rocky Mountains toward our native state. Just about everybody was on the road. Today, we would be in good company.
With coffee, breakfast and blogs complete, we set about our pre-trip routine of cleaning the moose. We've noticed we've become rather fastidious about this. On our last morning we take great care in taking care of Bullwinkle. We dust, vacuum and clean. It keeps our minds and bodies occupied so we don't get bummed that we have to go home. And, it makes sure that the next trip out will start with a clean rig. It's a ritual, indeed.
Once the moose was clean, it was time to pack things up and get ready to roll. As much as we did not want to leave this lovely spot, we were somehow inspired knowing we were traveling in the company of fulltimers today.
Several other Tuesday departures left the campground about the same time we did. We imagined all of them as fulltimers. (It's our fantasy. We can do what we want!) We waved a friendly wave to all, wishing them safe travels and great fun along the way. Heading out of town we saw several other imaginary fulltimers, pulling travel trailers and fivers and piloting Class As.
As our stomachs signaled it was time for lunch, we decided to stop by the KOA in Cloverdale. It's a spot we've seen online and wondered if it could be a quick getaway to wine country for us. So, we thought we'd check it out and have lunch in a site. Turns out the Cloverdale KOA is many winding miles from the highway. It was hardly worth the effort. We pulled in to find an empty registration office and three or four eager campers ready to get set up. We backed into an empty site and spread out on the picnic table for a quick lunch. Then, we noticed the time and realized we were headed for post-Labor Day Bay Area rush hour traffic, so we downed our meal and got ready to roll.
As we headed out, we made the acquaintance of two couples setting up camp. One couple had been on the road since June, enjoying an extensive tour of the American West. The other had escaped life in the Bay Area years ago to make their home in Oregon. They were accompanying their friends on this leg of their westernmost journey.
They were all calm, relaxed and well. They were preparing to spend a few days here and enjoying tasting wine of vinters across the region: That's our kind of fulltiming!
With this great connection with virtual and actual fulltimers traveling today, we find ourselves with mixed emotions. We so look forward to being a part of this lifestyle. Four nights away on this trip just isn't enough. We do want more!
And, unfortunately for us, while our newest friends will be touring Mendocino County wineries tomorrow, we'll both be at work.
Ugh!
Today we had just a taste of what life might be like as fulltimers.
We woke up early at our delightful site at Pomo RV Park and Campground. As the sunshine started to peek through the pine trees, we enjoyed our coffee and breakfast and visited a few of our favorite blogs. (Oh, what would it be like to make this a daily routine?)
We spotted a theme in today's entries: Fulltimers were traveling today. Gordon and Juanita were heading out of Valdez. Darrell and Judy were leaving the Adirondacks. Ed and Marilyn were heading out of the Rocky Mountains toward our native state. Just about everybody was on the road. Today, we would be in good company.
With coffee, breakfast and blogs complete, we set about our pre-trip routine of cleaning the moose. We've noticed we've become rather fastidious about this. On our last morning we take great care in taking care of Bullwinkle. We dust, vacuum and clean. It keeps our minds and bodies occupied so we don't get bummed that we have to go home. And, it makes sure that the next trip out will start with a clean rig. It's a ritual, indeed.
Once the moose was clean, it was time to pack things up and get ready to roll. As much as we did not want to leave this lovely spot, we were somehow inspired knowing we were traveling in the company of fulltimers today.
Several other Tuesday departures left the campground about the same time we did. We imagined all of them as fulltimers. (It's our fantasy. We can do what we want!) We waved a friendly wave to all, wishing them safe travels and great fun along the way. Heading out of town we saw several other imaginary fulltimers, pulling travel trailers and fivers and piloting Class As.
As our stomachs signaled it was time for lunch, we decided to stop by the KOA in Cloverdale. It's a spot we've seen online and wondered if it could be a quick getaway to wine country for us. So, we thought we'd check it out and have lunch in a site. Turns out the Cloverdale KOA is many winding miles from the highway. It was hardly worth the effort. We pulled in to find an empty registration office and three or four eager campers ready to get set up. We backed into an empty site and spread out on the picnic table for a quick lunch. Then, we noticed the time and realized we were headed for post-Labor Day Bay Area rush hour traffic, so we downed our meal and got ready to roll.
As we headed out, we made the acquaintance of two couples setting up camp. One couple had been on the road since June, enjoying an extensive tour of the American West. The other had escaped life in the Bay Area years ago to make their home in Oregon. They were accompanying their friends on this leg of their westernmost journey.
They were all calm, relaxed and well. They were preparing to spend a few days here and enjoying tasting wine of vinters across the region: That's our kind of fulltiming!
With this great connection with virtual and actual fulltimers traveling today, we find ourselves with mixed emotions. We so look forward to being a part of this lifestyle. Four nights away on this trip just isn't enough. We do want more!
And, unfortunately for us, while our newest friends will be touring Mendocino County wineries tomorrow, we'll both be at work.
Ugh!
Much Mo' Betta'!
We said so long to our friends this morning, then said so long to the dumpy campground. The drive to our next spot took about two minutes, maybe less.
The Pomo RV Park and Campground welcomed us with a smile and allowed us to check in early to Site #5. It's level, wide, surrounded by green landscaping and tall pine trees. (They block our satellite, but that's OK as we have cable!) Our view out the front window is a lovely grassy lawn. Best of all, we have full hookups.
In just about double the time it took to drive here, we were leveled, had the slides extended and every hookup hooked. After a quick lunch we took a leisurely stroll around the place and picked out a favorite spot or two for next time.
We'll definitely be back!
The Pomo RV Park and Campground welcomed us with a smile and allowed us to check in early to Site #5. It's level, wide, surrounded by green landscaping and tall pine trees. (They block our satellite, but that's OK as we have cable!) Our view out the front window is a lovely grassy lawn. Best of all, we have full hookups.
In just about double the time it took to drive here, we were leveled, had the slides extended and every hookup hooked. After a quick lunch we took a leisurely stroll around the place and picked out a favorite spot or two for next time.
We'll definitely be back!
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