How we made our adventure, Part 5

 

St. Joseph, Michigan

Part 5 - Committing to the Michigan lily pad

We had previously spent substantial time exploring the Upper Peninsula and western Michigan.  Southern Michigan was convenient to the condo location and so we decided to include the area in our research.

In September 2014 we revisited an area on the east coast of Lake Michigan. We made a short stay reservation at a campground.  It was a relatively short 1-1/2 hour drive from the condo.  Doable even for a weekend getaway. We  arrived with good weather, the Monarch butterfly annual migration was underway. Warm days and cool nights. The lake (Lake Michigan) was a short hike from the campground.  We discussed the campground with the owner, and decided to make a seasonal commitment for 2015; we knew our work schedule would make extended stays impossible, but the campground was a small and popular one. We reserved one of the two remaining campsites.....Location, location, location!

 

 

 

 Michigan - Summer 2015

The next year we settled into our site in May. We spent the summer there as time permitted; work did intervene. We liked the fact that we could leave the Roadtrek in our spot and come and go via an auto as time permitted. We explored and enjoyed Lake Michigan.  One issue was abundant sunshine at our site.  I needed to handle that. Reflectix was essential, but more was needed, including improved ventilation. We were familiar with this, as during earlier treks we had camped in Texas with daytime temperatures peaking at 103F "in the shade".

 

Watching the kayakers on the lake brought back fond memories.  I decided "I'd like to do that" and I put it on the list.

 

We spent as much time as possible at  the campground.  We hiked, enjoyed nature and BBQ'd.

 

 

 

 Original material http://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

 

 

How we made our adventure - Part 4

 

Springtime, morning on the condominium patio

Part 4 - Discovering the "Lily Pads"

After that initial Florida trek we began looking for our retirement location(s). We had some ideas, and health issues dictated a warm place for the winter. Ultimately we wanted mild summers and mild winters. By mild, I mean daytime temperatures in the range 55F to 90F. 90F is comfortable at low humidity. 

We were well aware of the fact that such moderate conditions made a single locale unrealistic.  We had done a lot of weather research and we had ruled out both coasts. In other words, it was a solid "no" to pleasant San Diego. Of course there were also financial considerations. 

We had a list of criteria.  We weren't interested in becoming boondockers, although short periods off the grid is acceptable. We love the outdoors, but we also enjoy museums and exploring different cuisines.  G and I are good cooks, so we enjoy dining out for the things we seldom make.  Ramen soup, for example, authentic Indian food, Mexican food, Thai,  etc.  

We had no specific schedule to do this, and we initially didn't have much time to devote to non-business travel.  But we were aware of our mortality, the increasing popularity of RVing, and the never ending numbers of baby-boomers who were retiring. We concluded that campsites in some locations might be popular and scarce. So we went about this with some urgency.

With research in hand, we continued where our earlier driving and travel trips left off.  But now we had the Roadtrek and we could expand our research to include resorts and campgrounds. We began our serious exploring in 2014 with the objective to set up our retirement lifestyle. We had done previous travel via auto and airplane, and we had some general ideas.  We began slowly as time and budget allowed. I continued to work for another 5+ years, gradually reducing my work load and hours. G retired before me. So, each year we took some time to go on treks and figure this out. We desired to get the winter location handled first, but the universe intervened.

To make this possible I made the decision to delay retirement.   However, by 2017 I was no longer working full time.  Actual retirement did not occur until 2019-20. Yet, even today I do perform some part-time work.  I've been working and filing tax returns since 1963. LOL. The advantages of delaying retirement and living a phased-into-retirement lifestyle well beyond Social Security Full Retirement Age (FRA) is a  story unto itself.

We began with our "home base" which is ideally suited and situated in the Midwestern U.S. While we began trekking we lived in a condominium within a train ride's distance from Chicago IL.  Our location is in a really wonderful town, but Democrat financial malfeasance and the never ending migration from Chicago has changed the character of the town and made leaving desirable.  This is a big country, and there are places the Democratic locusts have not yet destroyed. Furthermore, there was the winter weather to contend with.   From 2015 to 2019 we trekked with a purpose of establishing and using "lily pads"where we can spend time away from "home base".  In fact, we have lived in the Roadtrek for up to 110 continuous days while we explore. We have established  a summer and a winter location.  We are now for all practical purposes full-time trekkers and RVers.  The original "home base" will soon be only a memory.

In November  2020 we had our first dusting of snow and this was the view from the kitchen window of the condo; soon the stream will be shut down:

Our condo is now no more than a stop along the way.   It will soon end. To make the HOA functional I served on the board for 8 years, until September, 2018. That too made leaving difficult.

Exploring Arizona, January 2015

We wanted to determine the winter location first, so in January 2015 we drove to Arizona.  We had researched potential locations. We avoided Phoenix are as we had concluded it was too dense. We wanted to investigate a RV resort as a possible winter location. In January 2015 we had been delayed by my work duties.  Here's the view from the condo at dusk on January 11, 2015 while we waited for a winter weather break. 

 When an opportunity arose, we departed on January 21.

We headed southwest but a nasty winter storm was in the Rockies and was moving southeast.  It would be difficult to avoid it. G was navigator most of the way. I had added a full-time backup camera to the Roadtrek, which is in the photo. 

G as Navigator

Sunset, leaving frozen Texas, approaching New Mexico.

January 23, dawn in Roswell NM, about 5F - BRRRR!

On the road, headed to warmer weather

Approaching Tularosa, NM:

Arriving in Tucson at sunset January 24.

D-M military base

We spent a  week plus at the resort and explored the area. We visited museums, and all sorts of activities. We would have stayed longer, but no site was available. We looked at RV sites and Park models at the resort to determine what might be suitable as a "lily pad".  We even experienced a shower and rainbows on  February 1.

We like the resort and were ready to make it a place for next winter. But, we knew getting a reservation with my somewhat uncertain work schedule would be a problem.  So we looked for a covered site before leaving which we could rent for a longer period in the winter 2016-2017, but none were available.  We wanted an annual lease so we could come and go at any time during the year. Flexibility was essential with my work schedule and other commitments.

We departed Arizona and returned to our condominium and our "working" lives. 

As usual, we made a list of what worked, what didn't and what we would improve. Some involved the Roadtrek. Simple things like buying an electric blanket, and other, more complex things like modifying the macerator hose.  

Original material http://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

 

How we made our adventure - Part 3

 

En-route to Florida, First Trek

Part 3 - Our shakedown trek

After the purchase we had  barely arrived at our condo and I was watching the weather reports. A nasty week-long winter storm was descending  upon us.  I decided "We don't have to be here for that!" and sprang into action. I had a work break and vacation time to use. G also had time available. I declared "We are heading to Florida".

I think G thought I was out of my mind, but I ran to the local Ace Hardware, purchased some basic, necessary stuff to outfit the RV while G packed canned and dry goods and basics for the 5 cu. ft. refrigerator. We quickly packed clothes, I retrieved the Roadtrek and we left that very afternoon, December 6, 2013. We headed to Florida. We got to southern Indiana before the rapidly approaching storm overtook us.  We spent the night at a rest stop, I started the Onan generator and the propane furnace.  It was ugly outside, but we were fine.  The next morning after clearing the windows I snapped this photo as we prepared to continue on our way.

Dawn after spending the night in a Rest Area

It wasn't all that long and we arrived in Florida.

One of the smallest rigs, plenty of room at our site

We settled in and visited relatives in Sarasota

That was our first adventure and our "shakedown" trek. Several weeks after leaving the north we were back at the condo. Success!  We returned to our day jobs and began thinking about the when and how of the next step. We had a plan and the Roadtrek was our passport.  

The value of a "long term" perspective

After the children left for college, and in view of my frequent business travel, it became apparent that a traditional sticks and bricks home was not ideal.  We had been living in an apartment and saving money. We wanted something more permanent for the next 20 years while we worked toward retirement. A small condominium would be ideal. It would require minimal care, I could conduct my business travel and G would not have to deal with exterior maintenance. In other words, we could focus on work and retirement planning.

When the time came for "retirement" having a condo would allow extensive travel and we would not be concerned by a vacant abode.  

More than a decade after purchasing the condo we rented a RV as we prepared for the next chapter in our lives. It is the plan to eventually rent or sell the condo. That day will come soon.

When we began pursuing our RV goal in earnest, we did so with a 10 year perspective. In other words, all purchases would be for using or living or whatever for at least 10 years. This was to have the potential for a 30 year adventure.

One question we would ask ourselves when considering a location or the Roadtrek purchase was "Can we see ourselves here or doing this 10 years from now?" Another was "Can our budget afford this for 10 years, or more?"

The flip side is, if we made a purchase then we considered amortizing it and the opportunity cost.  In other words if a used  Travel Trailer was purchased for $10,000 we would view that as a $1,000 annual budget cost each year for a period of 10 years.

Each step was evaluated for pros and cons. We approached everything this way.  So, when we considered leases for our RV  "Lily Pads" that too was to be a long term venture.

Next - Part 4 Discovering the "Lily Pads"

Original material http://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

How we made our adventure - Part 2

 

Handing over the keys to our new Roadtrek

 

 Part two: How we purchased a Roadtrek 210P

We spent some time doing research. Years, actually.  We eventually rented a Class B.  For a blog post on that, go to this link:

Class B Rental

Shortly after our rental experience, as luck would have it, in late November 2013 I saw an internet ad for a new Roadtrek 210P at a good price in Ohio.  I emailed the sales manager and said, among other things "What is your 'drive it off the lot' price?"  He responded and so I called him. After the conversation  G and I discussed and I called him back and made a verbal commitment.  We were planning a short trip to the east coast for Thanksgiving, so  we decided to combine this with that family visit. We packed a fresh turkey in ice and drove via automobile to Ohio en- route to family for the  holiday. Upon arrival at the dealer we looked the vehicle over, drove it a little, discussed the financial details and gave a sizable deposit.  We then continued east in our car for Turkey dinner. 

We actually drove with the ingredients for a Thanksgiving dinner about 1,000 miles to the east coast. We carried a fresh Ho-Ka turkey from Waterman,  IL, acorn squash, freshly made cranberry sauce, etc. On the morning of November 28, on schedule, we arrived in CT, but there was no one home to meet us. LOL. I carried all of it up to the door and stacked it as we waited for the family to arrive and let us in.

An hour later I was preparing the turkey, giblets and so on for the dressing, etc. 

After a pleasant stay we departed NY and CT on December 2 and returned to the dealer in Ohio.  We completed the purchase and G remarked "This will transform our lives".  I asked G to snap a photo as the keys were turned over to me. 

G drove the car and I drove the Roadtrek back home to a nearby storage facility and then we began planning our first adventure.  

Next: Part 3 - Our Shakedown Trek

Original material http://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

Travel to the winter base, 2020-2021

 

 

 

 

A trekking update. I’m happy to say that our trek to the southwest was uneventful and pleasant. This was in part due to our preparation, and mild weather. 

We plan several routes in advance. At this time of the year, we monitor 10-day weather forecasts along each route. We then pick the most favorable route and a window of opportunity for our departure, bearing in mind that as we approach December the weather will degrade. 

We have trekked in fall with temperatures as low as about 5F and camped overnight under those winter conditions. In addition to the heat-pump and propane furnace we carry a small supplemental electric heater and an electric blanket. If electricity is unavailable I have used the gasoline generator. 

This trek was not one of those winter experiences. In fact, weather wise, this was one of our best fall trips.

 Covid-19 remains an issue and a reason for caution while traveling. Because of this we weren’t on a sight-seeing trek. In past, pre-covid treks if the weather allowed we’ve taken our time at a leisurely pace. We could spend a few days in a location and explore before moving on. No fall festivals this year. This year, we took a very direct route, avoided some major urban centers and did the distance in less than 3-1/2 days. Each day was 500-600 miles. The road conditions were excellent, low or no headwinds and the posted speeds up to 80 MPH; I traveled with prevailing traffic via interstates. We were up before dawn, then 10 hours or so of travel with frequent, brief stops to stretch and walk, etc. There was not a lot of time for the internet beyond essentials such as weather and route planning. However, G read the headlines to me as we traveled. Each night we looked at the next day’s route, decided if reservations were necessary, etc. Some RV locations are popular, even today. 

The weather was wonderful, 50-70F and sunny during the daytime until New Mexico. We did experience a mild freeze overnight in Amarillo, TX and again in Lordsburg, NM. We were prepared for this. In October I had winterized our Roadtrek 210P. This is a straightforward procedure, which drains the fresh water system and fills the lines, P-traps and so on with about 2 gallons of a special, potable anti-freeze. The purpose is to avoid potential freeze damage to the fresh water system during winter storage. We carried additional water in containers within the heated coach compartment. In fact, our 210P has a second, internal fresh water tank and it is rated for brief periods as low as about 15F if the hot water heater is “on” and the coach heated. But I’ve found it convenient to winterize the entire system if below freezing weather is expected while traveling. Doing so avoids a stop for "emergency" winterizing if the weather changes for the worse.

 We did use the showers at the campgrounds and some have individual, locked showers. We carry sanitizing wipes, isopropyl alcohol 70% and hand sanitizer, etc. Protocols vary in different states, but we do use masks, etc.

 We dined on food we carried, but in the morning we did stop at McDonalds for coffee, etc. G likes the oatmeal. In one state only the drive through was open and we walked up to the drive-through to avoid hitting the overhang. At another carryout was available. Some counties allow restaurant dine-in. It is a constantly changing situation.

 At Lordsburg, we were very comfortable overnight. We had a mild freeze and a nearby rig experienced an overnight fresh water system stoppage because they had not prepared for low temperatures. This can result in inconvenience as water can’t flow through frozen pipes. Under extremes it can result in damage.

At dawn I disconnected the electrical and we continued west. About 3 hours later we were at our winter destination.

If circumstances allow, we'll be taking some short treks in the winter months. Otherwise we'll be taking frequent hikes at the Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon and so on.

 

 

Original material Roadtrek210,blogspot.com

 

 

Ready for our 1,800 mile trek

 The Roadtrek service has been completed, we have new tires and it is time to head off.

 

Original material http://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

Dealing with Google issues - How we made our adventure - Part One

 

Google has "lost" my last long post; I reconstructed it twice. They lost if both times.  Perhaps it is time to move to a new platform.

 

Winter Lily Pad

Inside the Winter Lily Pad

This is a multi-part story of how we got where we have arrived, as of December 2020.

We've been  preparing for full-time RVing for several years. Once we got into "action" we accomplished our goal over a span of about 5 years and 40,000 miles in our Roadtrek 210P. The major pieces took about 3-1/2 years, and for the next 3 years we "tweaked" and made improvements. 

This post is part one of a series on journey, literally and figuratively into the world of RVing. It is written as we prepare for a 1,800 mile trek in our 210P to our winter location. In this series I'll look into the finances.

We have traveled 40,000+ miles in our Roadtrek 210P.  We have lived in it for short treks and long ones. The longest was for nearly 110 continuous days. We use it to hop from lily-pad to lily-pad. Using our treks and explorations we have established two "bases", one in the southwest and another in the Midwest. We live in RVs about 11 months of the year. This is a story about that. We will be full timers,

We began RVing in October 2013. We rented a class B from Campervan North America out of Las Vegas. We used a 19 ft. Sprinter based camper to visit National Parks in Utah. We camped with nighttime lows of about 25F to 40F. It was an all-electric experience, complete with solar panels and 30A maximum shore power. We wanted that experience to determine the comfort limits in a small RV. 

That was a very positive experience. After that first trek we made a specific list of what we wanted in a Class B. That is to say, what worked, what didn't, what we would change and what we would really require in a RV if we purchased. This blog has an extensive post about that.

We began by discussing our future and decided that we would not live for the remainder of our lives in a condominium.  We would become full timers for a few years, health permitting. We also decided that the State of Illinois was so poorly managed that we could not live here "forever". So we began to plan our gradual escape to better locations.   Let me be clear about this.  Like many we can live just about anywhere we choose as long as we are willing to pay the taxes, deal with the weather, stomach the politics and so on.  However, this is a big country.  There are lots of fine communities.  We decided to visit a few.  We also knew that we preferred moderate temperatures, but a true Spring and Fall season is quite enjoyable.  Neither of us enjoy 90% humidity and we prefer to keep away from pesky mosquitoes. etc. I don't like the density of the East Coast, nor the issues of the West Coast. However, an occasional, short visit to these places is acceptable.  That is, it was prior to covid-19.

By the time 2013 came around I'd been doing a lot of research for several years and G  and I had many many discussions. We had also taken short duration driving trips all over the U.S.  It wasn't too difficult to prepare a list of possible RVs. We had visited a number of dealers and shows. We had  looked at a variety of Class B and C RVs. We had considered the pros and cons of a truck-camper. We were pretty clear about what we wanted if we were to purchase. I've posted about that earlier, but here were the primary goals and "wants":

1. Something well made and that would retain value, have reasonable operating costs, be reasonable to maintain and could provide good service for at least 10 years. (15 MPG gasoline, domestic engine & transmission; serviceable at 1,000s of locations and non-proprietary coach technology).
2. Something that met our budget (about $90k new, lower if used).
3. Something we could enjoy living in during 3-season trekking (short periods down to 5F). 
4. Something comfortable we could take just about anywhere the roads are paved.
5. Something we could use to find our retirement lily-pads and travel in National Parks, etc. (About 21 ft length).
6. Something we could live in for weeks if we desired, or if necessary. (A wider coach, but not as wide as a Class C and slightly longer than 20 ft. It should have complete accessories including a gasoline generator, dual propane-electric coach, etc.). 

 Next: Part two: Purchasing  the Roadtrek and setting up the lily pads.