Thursday, August 21, 2014

I’m a Full-Time RVer !!!

How many years have I waited to type that headline?!!!  My stepsister Carol asked me the other day just when I first started planning this life transition and I couldn’t quite pinpoint it, but certainly at least 5 years ago.  At that point, I didn’t have a firm date in mind—just a desire to transition from a fixed location to a mobile one for the next phase of my life.

I’m still trying to sort out the mental and emotional transition of this life change, but for now, it feels GREAT to see the tunnel behind me rather than continually in front of me!

The whole family here in Illinois helped with a marathon day on Sunday of packing and distributing boxes (mostly from the house into the garage).  Then, on Monday, my sister Holley and I finished up cleaning the floors just 5 minutes before my renters’ moving truck arrived with their furniture!

So, this empty house didn’t last long!

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Yesterday afternoon, Millie and I pulled the Winnie out of the driveway for the last time…

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It was a quick 30-minute journey to the lovely county park campground where we’ll be staying for the next couple of weeks (while I get final eBay and Craigslist items sold, and sell the Sprinter van). 

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As I collapsed into one of the Winnie’s reclining seats to enjoy my new 120 square foot home, Millie wasted no time in admiring her giant new “yard”!  I think we’re going to like this new rolling home!                     

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37 comments:

  1. Nice...good for you! I remember when we sold all of our "stuff" and the house that we kept it all in. Sure feels good, doesn't it?

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com


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    1. Not having to mow the lawn on a hot, humid Summer day....priceless!

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  2. Looks like Millie is in the drivers' seat. The final to do's and the where shall we go next seems like a good transition phase. Hugs and congratulations.

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    1. Thanks my friend! Praying good thoughts for you in these next few weeks too.

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  3. Congratulations!! Enjoy your new adventure! Check out beautiful Vancouver Island and stop in Saratoga Beach for a visit.. Cheers!

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    1. Oh I sure will, Susie! I absolutely loved Vancouver Island when I was there in '08, but that trip was way too short!

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  4. Congratulations to you and Millie! What wonderful adventure lies ahead for both of you. You'll see places you might not have seen just finding great places for Millie to swim! I wish you the best and look forward to traveling (on my computer) with you once you "take off and FLY!"

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    1. yes, poor Millie has not gone swimming at all this Summer, so she's very eager for me to find her some swimming holes!

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  5. Congrats!!! I know you have planned for and waited a long time!! This is your day.... go out and enjoy!

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    1. Thanks. Still a few more weeks of work, but looking forward to the life of leisure here very soon!

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  6. Congratulations! Huge job done! Hubby and I will be hitting the road in about a month....just closing up our coffee shop of 10 years and tying a few things up.....Hope to meet you down the road .... safe travels to you and Millie

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    1. Best of luck to you guys Cindy...it's a huge transition to make, but somehow, some way it happens! Look forward to meeting you guys down the road!

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  7. Well, as they say, welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. A giant leap. Congrats to you and Miss Millie!

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    1. Thanks Kim. I sure have been envious of your travels this Summer, so I can't wait to catch up!

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  8. Congrats on this major milestone in your journey! Cheers to many future adventures (one of which we hope includes meeting up on the road in person!)

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    1. Well, without all your wonderful information, I doubt I ever would have made it this far. THANK YOU, and I do indeed hope our paths cross in-person one of these days real soon!

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  9. Yay! So happy for you and Millie. I hope we can meet up somewhere down the road.

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    1. thanks Judy! You've been a great trailblazer and inspiration for me!

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  11. Congrats! I am sure it will be great:) We enjoyed are nearly six years full timing and likely would still be doing it, if not for the call of small grand-kids:)

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    1. yes, I'm sure cute little grandkids would have kept me "planted" too!

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  12. Congratulations, Lynne! So happy you've made it to this stage! As you say, working through the mental and emotional issues involved in such a transition will be a process--don't try to rush that, just recognize it as part of the journey. Now you can just wake up each day and make it up as you go along--such freedom! And I recognize that wonderful campground you recommended to us when we visited you in Chicago last year. Have fun and enjoy the ride!

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    1. Yes, Millie and I are loving Paul Wolf CG and are looking across at your site and lovely prairie behind it. Great place to get acclimated!

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  13. Jim and I have enjoyed your blog for months.

    I'm attaching a link that includes a VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY next summer on the Oregon Coast :-)

    http://cascaderamblings.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for the heads up Jeanette. I am hoping to make it to the PacNW next Summer, but can't make any firm plans just yet. Sure looks like a great opportunity, though! I'm sure Oregon will be in my future volunteer plans at some point!

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  14. Congratulations on the big step. Hope you have many more miles of adventure and peace. Enjoy!

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    1. Thanks Pleinguy! I sure hope to get some nice stress-free traveling done this Fall!

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  15. WOW the day finally arrived. Congrats and have many great adventures with Millie.

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    1. Thanks Jo! It sure has seemed like an eternity to get to this point!

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  16. Well, my friend...You did it! CONGRATS!! I am only sorry that I am not closer so we could share a toast. But when our paths do cross again, drinks (and CHIKEN, Millie!) are on me! You were an inspiration to me when I was going through this process. I felt so fortunate to have found another solo woman RVer who was such a great resource, and so willing to share your knowledge. So it is fun to see you bring your dream to fruition!

    Way to go, Ethel! Meet you in the Trailer Park, Lucy ;-)

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    1. Well, I never would have made it past these last few brutal months without your cheering me on and giving me solid full-timer advice! So, I think I'm the one who needs to buy you some drinks! (but Millie will indeed take you up on the free chiken offer!)

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  17. So excited for you! Looking forward to reading your continuing adventures with Millie!

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    1. Thanks Jill. I'm excited to go...now if I could just find where I put my keys...!!!

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  18. Congratulations Lynne on your new upcoming lifestyle. Can't wait to travel along with you on your new adventures!! Hopefully, we can meet up with you sometime in the future. Maybe you can put Alberta, Canada on your upcoming travels. Good luck.

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  19. Congratulations! That is a very big step. I look forward to reading about your adventures. The spouse and I will keep our house, but are talking about longer stretches on the road now that we are both retired. I'm not sure we can stand that much togetherness!

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  20. Congrats! Looking forward to reading about your adventures

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