Saturday, June 3, 2017

Two Years on the Road - Random Thoughts

May 31, 2017
Florence, Oregon

We have now been fulltimers for as long as we spent preparing to become fulltimers :-)))) Without a doubt the second two were more fun, and went by much faster!

When we were in Fresno last month, Kurt asked us what we would do differently - rig? routes? anything? We both had to think about it, and came up with the same answer - nothing. We wouldn't change a thing. 

Our Thor Tuscany 35' DP is the perfect size and floor plan for how we live. We use everything it came with (the outdoor and bedroom TVs not so much, but a couple times), and can't think of anything else we would add. The 12 mpg average is better than we expected. 

After a few issues we had to get repaired in our first months (as we were told would happen), everything works great. We're happy with Progressive insurance; with our extended warranty, Repair Care; and haven't had to use our roadside assistance plan.

Finding a decent dog groomer, and navigating healthcare outside our home state, have been challenging, but we've figured it out as we go. 

I really enjoy planning our routes - finding our way to people and places we want to see. Of course those we didn't know we wanted to see are often the very best of all!

We've seen 70 former classmates, 15 old friends, 23 met-on-the-road friends, and a dozen relatives in our travels. The high level of socializing continues to be the greatest surprise of this life style.

People naturally ask us about our favorites. We agree there's no all-the-time answer. We love Arizona and Oregon and Vermont - but parts of other states are favorites of their own. Our favorite city is Nashville - but Chicago's skyline along the shore is the most beautiful. We loved seeing our teams' stadiums in Pittsburgh and Dallas - but our favorite NFL stadium is definitely Lambeau in Green Bay. Mississippi was the biggest surprise - the Natchez Trace and gulf shores being some of the most beautiful places. New Mexico and Louisiana have extraordinary food - although the big reds and oysters in Mississippi were memorable.

Louisiana has the roughest roads, and Kentucky the most narrow. Vermont has the worst cell coverage. We liked Waco, and all the friends we saw there, but we don't have to go back to Texas. Football season on the east coast means having to stay up much later than we want. 

We prefer our summers cool and foggy over warm and humid, and our winters in low and dry locales.

There is definitely no desire to return to a sticks-and-bricks home, nor do we miss any of all that stuff we got rid of. Don't miss yard work or neighbors we can't move away from. 

We do miss our kids and grandsons. Miss them A Lot!

People often ask us when we're going to stop traveling. Based on the last two years, we see no end in sight!







23 comments:

  1. Couldn't have said better!! Exactly how we feel and we are finishing year seven mid June! We don't see an end in sight!

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    1. It's every bit as wonderful as you guys made it look while we were planning. Thanks for being a big part of how great it truly is!

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  2. Really well put and interesting. You were so wise to get on the road as youngsters. Amazing that it's been two years. I think I've been following you since the beginning. That is great gas mileage for a 35 foot towing. Of course we agree 35' is the perfect size to full time AND STAY inside National Parks. May you have many more safe and wonderful years on the road.

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    1. Having just turned 61 I love being referred to as a youngster :-)))) Having you with us for the whole journey (thus far) has made it even better. Not getting to meet you and David last year is definitely a bummer that we must remedy!!

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  3. Great blog--yep, much prefer those cool/foggy summers to hot and muggy. Wish it didn't get so warm in Montana in summer but I guess we can be thankful we have only a few of those hot days.

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    1. Thanks Janna. Your summer home world is so beautiful, I'd take a couple hotter days. Just not the mowing!!! So glad you've been with us.

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  4. Very nicely said. I love the life on the road but the kids don't really understand why we don't hang around them.

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    1. Thanks Geri. Our kids are so glad we have our own busy lives, but we do all miss each other bunches.

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  5. Two down, many more to come! So glad you are enjoying your travels!

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    1. There's still so much to see - and more than once for much of it!!

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  6. Beautifully said. It's so good to reflect back and to know that you've made the right decision. We're counting ourselves among your 23-met-on-the-road friends. :-)) Here's wishing you many more years of wonderful adventures! See you on the north coast! Yay!!!

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    1. Thanks Laurel. Oh yes, you and Eric are definitely friends!! We feel pretty good about that lack of regret in our choices :-)

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  7. Wow, these past two years sure sped on by! And for you guys to be able to see so much is amazing!! I sometimes feel sad for people who aren't able to enjoy life on the road. Having no roots is definitely a great lifestyle :-))

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    1. We feel truly blessed to see so much of this country. Yep, we love being root-less!

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  8. ❤️❤️ Can't believe it's been two years. Hugs & love.

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    1. Me either!! Right back atcha :-))) Planning to be in your area the end of September.

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  9. The first years of planning and prepping were certainly more work than the last two of fun. I've enjoyed following your journey and am so glad we got to meet in AZ. After 27 years on wheels I really don't see how else I could live. I kind of get lost in houses. I look forward to many more years of your adventures.

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    1. So fun to have you along, and getting to meet was a kick!!

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  10. Bravo and Congrats on 2 years!!

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    1. Thanks Debbie. Great to have you along from the very start.

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  11. Amazing! You would change nothing? How very cool!

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    1. Just now saw this :-( Nope, not a thing. It is cool - and weird too!

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