haveTCwillboondockUS wrote: this post could also be for fulltime or TC. but i think it belongs here.
i have never camped for more than a couple of days. and i've never slept w/o a roof over my head, besides maybe a nap at the beach. this is important for you to know to get an idea about how tight i'm wound.
to get to the point of this thread, what do you do after camp is made? do you relax with a cold one? run off to do some hiking? grab your fishing pole? read a book?
i picture, in my minds eye, when the DW and i find that perfect boondocking spot,(
what do you do tomorrow? can you share?
i am really really ready for this. been going 90mph forever. i know i will need to work at slowing down, so comments of "are you sure you're ready for this" are welcome, just not needed. i really dont need a plan either. as a matter of fact the plan is, not to plan. lol.
so what do you really look forward to doing after camp is made?
we will be fulltimers. empty nest. TC with no toad. we like to hike. i've never cleaned a fish(cant believe i admitted it) but the DW has. if the national GPS system is still up (budget cutting threatens this) we think cacheing will be fun? could be. we've always liked powersports, atvs and dirtbikes, but i think they will be counterproductive to the TC lifestyle.
when you camp, and it kinda sounds like this^ what are your days full of?
I have only read your post and really don't feel I need to read all the other replies but ....
1. You need to get out and camp at one place for like a week and decide what you are comfortable doing since this is unique to each couple.
2. I get the feeling that you really haven't camped that much since you are asking such basic question as what to do after setting up ... most people that have camped a lot already have answered that question for themselves and others input is sort of meaningless.
3. On full timing while we have never done it we often take off on 45 to 60 days trips and your should do a couple of those before selling everything and actually doing the full timing thing. Living in a sub standard "MOBILE HOME" space wise is not for every body and you need to see if both of you like that life style.
4. Also budget is a consideration and it sounds like your don't have unlimited funds so all the extra activities will cost and your need to consider those.
Best thing I can recommend based on what you have posted is to pack up and get to the nearest CG for a month and only go to the home to get mail, etc. and live in the CG and see how you like it.
Do whatever you would do if you weren't at work or doing maintenance on your home, cars, lawn, etc. You are taking a huge step IMHO because you have so little experience with RVing that you don't even know if you like it on short trips, much less living it 24/7/365.
When the wind blows, the RV moves. When you walk around, the RV moves. You have roughly 300 sq. ft. of interior space in which to eat, sleep, entertain, cook, shower and potty. You will have to let go of a lot of 'stuff' and edit your things to a bare minimum. Can you do it or will you have to store some things elsewhere?
Are you computer savvy? Set up for online banking and bill paying? WiFi? You will need an address for mail. Do you take prescription meds? You will need to set up something with a national pharmacy so you can get re-fills on the road.
I suggest, as so many have, that you try it before you buy it.
DH and I fantasize about full-timing when we are on the road in our fabulous MH. But, when we return from a few months on the road, our great big beautiful house feels so good to be in again that we change our minds. We are keeping both.
We like to read and play Scrabble and then there is the dog to walk. When we had the Class A, we took bikes along. We have downsized to a B so we tend to take less along now. Have you ever heard of Volksmarches? We do those and yesterday we bought a couple of books on Geocaching which we hope to try. DH likes to snooze in the shade. We also stop along the way at historical places etc. Lots of things to do--just put on your thinking cap.
I forgot to mention friends of ours who travel in their RV and spend several weeks working on charitable projects in various parts of the country through a religious organization. Another retired couple travels and works on Habitat for Humanity projects. There are Work-Camping opportunities. You don't have to just go out in the wilderness and stay there twiddling your thumbs.
After working 60 hours a week and having to worry about the 21 people who work under me and their sometimes petty problems with each other and upper management of my organization, I try to get away from it all.
When we back into a site, we have a system, get the trailer level and the DW goes inside ad starts getting it situated. I stay outside and get the hookups, if we have them, hooked up, awning out, chairs set up, etc.
By the time I am done the DW has the inside just about done. I then walk into the trailer, mix up a perfect Jack n' coke and go out and sit in my chair. When I am done with the beverage, the DW and I usually walk the CG and look at other rigs, wave at people etc.
I don't think we are ready for full timing yet as after a week or so we are ready to get back home and get into our routine... but as the years pass, the FT lifestyle seems better and better and we seem to be able to camp longer and longer.
we were supposed to go to Boston this weekend, but instead we went to Camping World in chichester, nh. after we shopped, we stopped at the rest area in Epson on rt 4 and i slept
thats what i did. i napped. it was awesome sleep. i think i'll do some more of that.
then we watched fireworks in Freeport, ME. couldve been a big mistake! but we had the RV so we watched traffic for 2hrs then went to Beans, shopping for camp stuff.
we hated the ride home! we wanted to keep goin. this is goin to be so fun! i am officially fulltimer in training.
The Ironworker and His Conscience
2008 MegaCab Hemi
2001 Sun-Lite SkyHawk PU TC
2008 Dodge 2500 CTD - The Time Machine
If you look at my previous posts, I have asked the EXACT same question. Got lots of answers; but still had some trouble. I've tried many hobbies: wood carving, beading, cross stitching, and have enjoyed them all. I binge on these, then lose interest. AFter 6 months, the interest comes back.
This is not meant to be a DIScouraging post; just empathetic. I feel your question!!
Don't do what I did - TWICE. I said, "well, I'm young. I can work a few more years and save a bit more money." That was a terrible decision (s). One thing for sure; I hate working more than being bored.
Being an Air Traffic Controller for 25 years, I was into the go-go-go all the time. It's been an adjustment. I'm still very young - 53 - and feel very good. I never gave myself permission to relax. I would watch a little TV during the day and feel guilty. I figured I'd have plenty of time for that when I'm 80.
I'm not 100% on track yet, but it's coming. Stick with it. This life IS a vacation to me - contrary to what others have told me ("not a vacation, a different lifestyle). I go when I want, stay when I want, do anything I want - so long as it's in the budget.
Don't worry. It always works out. Just have fun with the life you have. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
bob
2008 Dodge 6.7L diesel, 4X4 auto 1 ton dually.
2005 Keystone Montana 3500RL.
Retired September, 2005.
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