Tombstone, Arizona
It's weird.
Actually, many things are weird.
About this whole "winter base" thing.....being in one place for months. Being in a house. Having projects. Building permanence.
It's weird not being on the road and seeing new things. The absence of planning places we'll visit over the next several weeks, of unexpected adventures.
Yet looking back over our years of fulltime RVing, it is the weird places and experiences that stand out. So weird isn't bad, it's just, you know...weird.
Although we only traveled fulltime for less than five years, it became who we are immediately. So although we've pretty much always lived in a permanent structure, being in a house now feels like we're living such a different life.
Do I want to get rid of it and travel fulltime? Nope!
But we are both looking forward to April and hitting the road again :-)
Although it feels like we haven't done much, that we've been lazy slugs since the holidays, once I started gathering photos and looking at my calendar I realized we've been doing a LOT!
Our diligent construction crew finish the kitchen, including the new shelves, moving the dining room light, rewiring the outlets and disposal along the wall with the sink, paint, and installing the sink after the counter tops are installed. We're so happy with how it all turned out!
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Our new kitchen. Love the counter tops and how perfectly they matched the stain on the new shelves! |
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How that corner looked when we moved in. |
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We didn't need the pantry or broom closet that we took out. We're so happy with the new, open layout. |
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From the updated dining area. |
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We don't miss the lamps :-) |
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Feeling spiffy now! |
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With the original microwave we had very little usable counter space. And then there was the kitchen carpet! |
An hour later (not a week or a day, but an hour) after our four travel buddies depart, our high school buddies show up in their fifth wheel to spend the week! Our new two-space RV lot with 50 amp and water was completed the day before - another crew of hard workers who do a great job.
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Getting electrical from the house to the RV spaces. |
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Jesse's a pro at laying down the gravel. |
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Room for two with awesome views. |
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Our first campers! We watched the Super Bowl at Jimmy and Maggie's house the last two years so it's great to have a place we can host them! |
Never a lack of things to eat! |
Explaining we have BBQ and cole slaw for Kansas City and crab dip with sourdough bread and Ghiradelli Chocolate for San Francisco :-)) just noticed the interesting rabbit ears over my head! |
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Turk, Jimmy and Jimmy (Cindy's spouse). Donnie and Anna won three out of four quarters in our pool - cheaters!! |
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Rhonda, Tessa, Maggie and Cindy (Anna's sister) comfy on the couch with Donnie holding down the carpet in front of Anna. |
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Lizzie wasted no chance every time Bill left his chair :-) |
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Me and my beautiful buddy Anna. |
Rhonda (also class of '74, and now with Turk after 45 years since we left Eagle Mountain), Anna and I make another (this time successful) trip to Bisbee while Maggie gets caught up with work. It's a beautiful day and although there's little parking, there aren't a lot of people. We do a little shopping although all of us manage to leave without a single item, and stop for yummy coffee before heading home. It's really nice to have some girl time :-)
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Bisbee is all about layers. |
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And the old west. |
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And lots of pretty colors. |
Dinner at the Landmark - Donnie, Anna, Jimmy, Maggie, Jimmy, Cindy, Jodee, Bill, Rhonda and Turk. |
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A round table was the right choice! |
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Tessa's alter ego as a pillow. |
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While those flaming western skies are stunning, we love our southern views of the Mules and Burros (mountains). |
Before we bought the RV I was active on the RV-Dreams forum and so was Renee. When she noted we were going to the RV show in Pomona, California, in October, 2014, she reached out to meet up. It was our first meeting with anyone from this new life style we were preparing to join. We had a great time getting to know she and her spouse, Ron. Fast forward 5+ years and we've stayed in touch through our blogs, Facebook, and a couple additional meetings. And now we get to share our new place with them (and Rufus) too!! They're only here for two nights, and the weather is cold and wet (including snow their last night!), but we have a lovely visit and tasty burgers in Tombstone.
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Renee, Ron, Bill and Jodee at the Longhorn. |
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We're fixing it now, but unfortunately our RV space is too tight a turn for bumper-pulls to back into. Fortunately we have 30 amp and water in the driveway with easy access! |
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Donnie and Kevin giving Bill a hand taking down the old TV antenna. Nice to have friends in the neighborhood! |
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When everyone in the ER waiting room sounds like they have the plague, I'm grateful to have the "back room" all to myself! |