I briefly mentioned at the end of December last year in my post Year in review and looking ahead, that my husband and I were planning to leave our home base and set out in an RV to travel and live a nomadic lifestyle. This is something we have planned for a few years. Prior to that it’s something we had talked about doing when we were “older”. My in-laws have been doing this for 20 years or so and still going strong at almost 80! So we are no stranger to the lifestyle. We have watched them and other full-time RVers over the years and feel like we are now ready to do so.
In 2006, we bought our first RV. It was a Thor T@B, a really adorable teardrop trailer. It was considered 16 feet long, but the living space was only about 12 feet. For six years we traveled the West and enjoyed every moment of it. We sold our little “T@bin’ in the Woods” when we decided to buy something larger. It was sad to say good bye but there was no way to live full-time in it!
To prepare for our lifestyle, we had to pay off debt, save money for our new RV and begin selling all our “stuff”. We started having garage sales a couple of years ago. During the Christmas break I sold some items through a local buy and sell Facebook group. We are now on the final stage of selling the last bit of items we will no longer need when we leave our “sticks and brick” home.
Last fall in October, we found the RV that we thought would be right for us. No RV is perfect and it took us a few years of looking at all kinds of RVs before we decided to get a motorhome. There were trailers, 5th wheels and motorhomes. Though a 5th wheel is more roomy, we decided on a motorhome. At one time we thought our T@B would grow up to be an Airstream trailer, but they just don’t have enough storage for full-time living. I know there are people living in theirs full-time, we’ve seen their blogs, but we looked long and hard at the space and decided against it.
Mike and I sold our home several years ago because we were thinking of moving out of the area at one time. I was working as a freelance web designer until I was hired as a web developer for the local community college. We have been renting ever since. I gave my notice to the college for leaving at the end of June. My husband retired three years ago at the age of 56 with 32+ years in his career.
I plan to keep this photo blog going but in addition to it am developing a new blog specifically for our travels. I’ll make an announcement within the next couple of months when that goes live.
Since photography has been my main passion over the last few years, I’m looking forward to finally having the time to explore and capture our great country and beyond!
Patty,
Can’t wait to follow you on your travels! Sounds like a blast!
Thank you Tracy! I’ll let you know if we travel to your area ;)
Well, sounds like you are ready for traveling the continent. I envy you, doing something like this. I certainly would not be able to talk my husband into anything like that, even if we could afford to do it. He’s too much a “house” husband. HA. I look forward to following your travels.
Thank you Sue!
I’m so excited for you guys! =)
-Jon
Thank you Jon!
Looking forward to following you on your adventure!! My hubby and I will be doing the same soon. We sold our house a couple of years and almost everything in it, bought a 5th wheel and have been living in it ever since. We still have a few things to take care of before we can take off but we are fighting hard to get there. FREEDOM!!!
Kathy, thank you! So awesome to hear that you are doing the same. Freedom is a lovely word, isn’t it ;)
This is an exciting event!!! I’m guessing you will love it… I can’t wait to see the new photos from all around the country!!!
I am thinking we will ;) Thanks Cory!
Congrats Patricia, Hope to see you again on your travels!
Hi Jeff! Thank you. I hope to see you and Lori out there!
Hi Patricia –
Yeah! I am really looking forward to following your travels online and hopefully catching up with you on the road. Your motorhome looks so cute!
Thank you Sarah! I hope we can meet out there!
Can’t wait to hear about your adventures!
Thank you Renee!
I am so excited for you two! You are just going to have a ball! I will be following your every mile. You’re adventure is giving me more courage to take the leap! You’re endeavor gives me great inspiration, Patricia.
Susan, you are so sweet :) Thank you.
Can’t wait to hear of your adventures! !!
Thanks Tracy!
Good look on your new adventure. I look forward to seeing the images and stories.
Thanks Nick!
Neat! You’ll be able to call some great photo spots “home” for as long as you want, even if for a day!
Hah! So true Zach ;)