Once we decided to go for it. We set our plan into motion. How we got from there to where we are now. Requires some catching up. It all started two years ago. Kathie and I were hard core bike riders. Jumping on the Street Glide and riding to who knows where, was our every weekend event. We rode in 30 degree tempts and in the rain, hot days and everyday. We loved the open road and that sense of freedom. We rode an average of 38,000 miles as a couple during the last two years. For me it was over 100,000 miles during the last five years.
We enjoyed all those travels and we saw a lot of the country from that motorcycle seat. We loved riding the mountains and could often be found on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We rode it from one end to the other and them onto the Skyline Drive, ending up ion Front Royal Va. Our last ride together was the Trail of Tears. We then decided to open a new chapter in our lives, selling the bike in 2012.
The new adventure was to be living full time as an RV'er. We set our goals and started off in that direction. We had a home to sell before we could make our final decision to hit the open road. In the mean time we would set small goals and check them off as we accomplished them. First decision was to decide our new way of life. With so many choices open to us, which way would serve our needs best. Our choice was between two. Class A motor Home or a Fifth Wheel Trailer. We weighed all the pro's and con's of cost. I had had lots of experience with owning both and for me the Fifth Wheel Trailer was what I preferred. I liked the idea of not having two vehicles with engines, auto insurance and the over all up keep. The fifth wheel trailer would be less on insurance and the tow vehicle would double as our source of transport once we set up our unit. Bottom line is it's just a personal choice and in no way am I claiming it's the best for everyone. It just works best for me. It was also a cost issue as well. Every Class A I liked cost almost 300,000K and that I just didn't have in my retirement account.
Our first goal was our Tow Vehicle. We decided to acquire our needs before selling our home. Again it was just a personal choice and not what may be right for everyone. Having had done this before the choice of vehicle for me was the Dodge Dully Diesel 3500. It was months of shopping and price comparison before the final decision was made. We found what we wanted in August of 2012. It was a great buy and we saved over 10K off the sticker price as well as getting a great trade in value. Our course being a repeat customer of that Dealership didn't hurt as well.
Once we had our tow vehicle set up it was time to move to goal # 2. We had decided on a 42' Fiver with four slide outs and lots of space, that would suit our needs for full time living. In September of 2012 we secured that part of our plan. For the next year we would get use to our choices and set up for the final step of our plan. With our house on the sale market, we await the sale that will come at some point. Until them we are patient and continue to wait and make ready for that final day of home ownership.
Kathie and I are looking forward to the day we hit the road and travel at will. We haven't made any plans of directions as of yet. We feel that is best left for our interest once it happens. Until then, Kathie continues to work and I continue to ready our plans. We bought new tires for the Fiver, Vaca House as we refer to it. Now I'm having the rubber roof recoated. We are ready to go and the waiting days of not knowing when that day will be is our only hard part of our plan. So until then, we pray daily and put it all in Gods hands as to when he wants us to start that new adventure.
Yep! I'm feeling lucky :)
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