Yeah, I'm Gonna Miss 'em

I guess those of us who make the transition from living in a sticks and bricks built home all have to give up things to get all those benefits of the RV lifestyle.  What we give up will depend on the type of rig we choose... the bigger and more luxurious the rig the fewer compromises one makes.  But, in the end, everything is a compromise isn't it?  There is no getting around it though, there are things I will miss.  Here are the top ten things on my list that are recorded here in no particular order.

THE TOP TEN THINGS I WILL MISS 

#1 - Luxurious showers that can last as long as I want them too with no concern about filling up a holding tank or running out of hot water.  All that space in a home shower will be missed too.












#2 - High pressure toilets that require no special attention, require no special toilet tissue that will foul the tank sensors and will not exceed a holding tank capacity.













#3 - Washers and dryers that work, do not require you to drive to them and then feed them coins.













#4 - High speed, dependable internet service where you can use all the bandwidth you want watching movies or uploading to a blog.

#5 - Home package and mail delivery 24/7.  Amazon and eBay deliveries... no problemo, just leave it at the front door if not at home!
















#6 - A garage and shop for all the things I like to build and/or repair.  A dry place for the car is not bad either.

#7 - A large refrigerator and freezer combo that holds all the food, drinks, ice and fresh cold water that I could want for.

#8 - A pantry that I can fill with all those food and household items that I find at those big box stores.
(Half of which that just waste away and become dated.)  OK, maybe I won't miss it so much.

#9 - Privacy!  I like lots of it!  It will be sorely missed.  

#10 - ... and of course, family and friends.  I'll miss the ones I have left behind but I will look forward to spending time with others while on the road.

Wanderin' Star

I guess man has always had the urge to wander and explore.  History is filled with those that did.  They travelled at great risk but I think there was also great reward.  Not necessarily monetary.  Can you imagine that first European that gazed out at the Grand Canyon?

We that love travel share some of those urges to travel in our RVs... and we share in some of those same rewards.  Maybe we don't even understand why we feel the way we do but, nevertheless, we do.  Lee Marvin sang a song about these feelings in the movie, "Paint Your Wagon".   In the song it attributes the necessity of travel to being born under a wanderin' star.

Does Size Matter

There are a lot of different types of RVs out there and it can get confusing as to what is right for you.  Go RVing has a really nice way of stepping you through the selection process.  Of course after you decide what type you want then you will have to go through the process of deciding if you want new or used.  Relax, take your time and everything should work out just fine.

Click HERE to compare the different Recreational RV types.

Hierarchy of Camping

Like the food chain, everyone who experience the outdoors has a place on the spectrum of roughing it.
Those that go “Camping", the purists near the top, are the people who take fewer comfort items with them, and further down are all those weenies who apparently can’t make it camping a single night without their down booties, extra-thick camping pad, butane-powered curling iron and their stuffed animal collection.
Still further down are those that  go "RVing" and find the need for vehicles and  more creature comforts.
Then there are those that go "Glamping" and are literally at home with all the creature comforts like auto-temp air conditioning, microwaves, ice makers, flat screen TVs  and surround sound systems.

So You Like RV Blogs

... well we do too!  There are a couple of great sites on the internet that have an extensive list of RV Blogs that they want you to know about. Check them out. You may want your blog listed there too.



Click HERE to visit their Blogger Directory


Click HERE to visit their list of RV Bloggers.




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Your Mileage May Vary

As the old man was standing at the pump filling up his RV a young man who was filling up his Honda Civic watched as the number of gallons pumped into the RV kept climbing - 40, 50, then 60.

The young man looked over at the old man and said, "I bet that thing doesn't get very good gas mileage does it?"   "Oh, not so good for a vehicle" the old man said, "but for a rolling condominium... not too bad."

Sometimes we have to keep things in the right perspective.  I here RV owners all the time that don't drive their RVs at all because of the price of fuel.  Others worry about the potential for increasing prices of fuel.  Well, nobody looks forward to the price of anything going up and most of us have to keep an eye on the budget.  But, at the same time, maybe we are blowing this issue out of perspective.

The current (April 2014) price per a gallon of unleaded regular gas is $3.63 per gallon.  If you travel 6000 miles a year (that is like driving from San Francisco to Miami and back) in your RV and you average 7 MPG then you will use 857 gallon of fuel a year / 71 gallons per month. Your annual fuel costs at the current price would total $3111 or $260 per month.

Now for the perspective.  If the price of fuel were to go up to $4.63 per gallon then your annual fuel costs based on that 857 gallons would then be $3968 or $330 per month, an increase of $857 per year or $71 per month.

You also have some degree of control over fuel costs.  You don't have to travel as many miles to enjoy good weather, good company and adventure.  You can adjust other expenses to lower your overall expenses too.  Maybe boondocking instead of staying at RV parks is an option.  Staying in Federal Parks with the senior discount saves a lot.  I also find that family members and friends offer parking where they live.  Another thing to remember is that many have an option of driving a fuel efficient tow vehicle.  Mine averages about 30 mpg.  The point is that RVing offers several different ways to adjust your budget if the need arises.  Ways that are generally not available to those living in a stick built home.

Wanna Play Hide and Seek

It is a big playground and there are tons of things to find.  You can do a little hiding yourself even.   Click Here if you want to learn more on how to play.

Traffic Info - No problem

Did you know that there is a ton of traffic and roads information that is as close as your phone and at no charge. There sure is.  Just dial 511on your phone.

Putting Them Together

Part automobile and part house.  How are these things made?

Well then why not take a factory tour?

Here is a guide to many of them provided for us by The Fun Times Guide to RVing.

RV Factory Tours  <<<< Click Here

Byways

Ever wonder where all the scenic highways are in the good old USA?
Well wonder no more.  Here is a site that will point them all out for you.

America's Scenic Byways Map  <<<< Click Here