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| Accepting the keys to our new Roadtrek 210P, December 2013 |
Our RVing journey began in October 2013 when we rented a Class B in Las Vegas and used it to tour Utah's National Parks. This led to treks of about 6,000 miles each year and the establishment of two "lily pads" for longer stays; one at the eastern shore of Lake Michigan and the other in Tucson, Arizona. I've approached each trek, short or long, as possibly the only time in my life I will do it and the one opportunity I have to visit each location. As a consequence, I make the most of each.
One of the things about life is finding things that fulfill us, make us stretch, find companions, have a purpose and make a difference. I like new experiences, too. RVing did that and more for me. I'm one of those people who likes to leave things in better condition than when I found them. Think of it as applying "no trace camping" to one's entire life. I also like to tinker and take on projects. RVing is a perfect fit.
RVing took care of all of the above and more. After purchasing the Roadtrek, which has been our primary exploration vehicle, we purchased a 30 ft. travel trailer for a Michigan location and a 41 ft. 5th wheel for the Arizona location. The Roadtrek allowed us to find the campground and resort with a lot of additional exploration. I took apart much of the systems of the Roadtrek and have become very proficient. The Roadtrek gave me multiple purposes and what I've learned I applied to our RVs in Michigan and Arizona.
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| Summer in Michigan |
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| Our "lily pad" in Michigan, ready for winter |
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| Assembling the deck in Michigan |
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| Our Arizona "lily pad" |
We had reached a kind of equilibrium and were comfortable with our Michigan and Arizona "lily pads". One was in a mega-resort with all kinds of activities. Tucson has a lot to offer, too. After covid fear receded we decided to resume our travel plans of about 6,000 miles each year. Each year from 2013 to 2019 I reduced my working hours. By 2022 I was remote working for about one month a year.
However, things came to a halt in 2022 when I became gravely ill. I was diagnosed with an unusual, rare tumor. It was an inoperable, deadly cancer with at best a 15% survival rate. In the fall of 2022 we began planning how to deal with this, became permanent residents of Arizona and I sought medical treatment. It didn't look good.
When I was diagnosed with a serious illness, it became a new
hobby (just kidding). My life's work and dealing with adversity had prepared me for this fight. I was mentally ready to take it on, had the financial
resources to relocate permanently and we knew where it was that we would domicile. That location would provide better
medical care with less stress on my spouse. Overall, I was in poor shape. In early 2023 my
urologist suggested that “It might be best if Norm goes into hospice”. But I
didn’t and decided to work my way back to a more “normal” life. At one point my
radiologist marveled “You are made of stern stuff”. It took more than two years and with the grace of God,
here I am. Stable. That’s better than the alternative.
While undergoing treatment I did my best to live a normal life. It was difficult. My weight had fallen from 170 lbs. to 135. At first, I needed a walker to get around. But I continued to do RV maintenance. As time went on, I progressed to a cane and finally was able to get around without such support. I frequented the gym at the resort to use the stationary bicycle, beginning with 5 mile trips. As time went on, I increased the exertion level.
While treatment continued G and I discussed future travel plans. However, there needed to be some changes. On change was our 5th wheel. I could not maneuver inside, and we spent a month in an ADA compliant room at the resort hotel. The resort has RV areas and park models, affectionately called "candominiums". It also has a section with manufactured homes and a section of condominiums. Friends had been assisting us in finding a "home" on the property. It isn't unusual for manufactured homes to be sold before the listing goes up. Location, condition and floor plan plays a part in this. G look at several but was dissatisfied. Friends gave her a heads up about another. She went to the real estate office and toured that home the day it was to be listed. Excited, she and I talked about this, I hobbled over on my walker and viewed the place. We talked for a couple of hours; it would be a financial stretch, but we tendered an offer, it was accepted and voila' we were soon to be homeowners. We put the site of the 5th wheel up for sale and did the same for the RV.
We were now down to two RV's!
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| Arizona site ready for sale! |
As I progressed from radiation therapy through chemotherapy, I began scheming about how to get back into the Roadtrek. This wasn't possible in 2023. However, by the time I was in immunotherapy and my stamina improved, this began to look like a real possibility. However, I did have two nephrostomy tubes and a compromised immune system to contend with. I continued to take on more difficult chores, assembling furniture for the new house, taking on certain repairs and so on. It was a slow, difficult process. There were setbacks, far too many to list here. Certain physical issues made it imperative that I be within a short distance of a bathroom!
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| Radiation Therapy Graduation Board - I had made it! |
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| Chemo access prior to the installation of the port |
In March 2024 we attended the FMCA RV expo at the Pima County Fairgrounds near Tucson. We were with the AZ Roadtrek Chapter. This was local and we decided to do a short RV trek. It was a trial; it was a success and got us out of the cobwebs.
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| March 20, 2024 - Pima County Fairgrounds |
After months of immunotherapy and several nephrostomy tube exchanges I discussed travel with my oncologist. I told him I wanted to live as near a normal life as possible. Let's call it "a new normal". He agreed that I could skip a session. That opened the window for a 3+ weeklong trek. At the appointed time we were off in the Roadtrek! It was a press because time constraints wouldn't allow a leisurely trip. I did most of the driving, too. We had been away from Michigan for nearly two years. On arrival I nervously opened the trailer, half expecting to interrupt a menagerie of critters that had moved in during our absence. But our trailer was pristine! We did see a small problem with the roof and I contracted to have that fixed.
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| 2,000 miles one-way, August 2024 |
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| Final 2024 Michigan campfire September 16 |
(C) 2025 N. Retzke
