Full Timing Ladies? Options

[Robin G]

Ron, I actually don't full time at this point, but have rv'ed all my life. And had the pleasure of owning a big rig park where we had many single ladies full timing on their own. Due to my husbands illness I basically am on my own even when he's with me. But having a man along does keep the impression of protection, though in his case he wouldn't be able to protect anymore. So I kind of have the theory of Raya, confuse them, or in other words baffle them first hoping the bad guy will run for the hills......................... At the very least think I am a crazy old women and figure they don't want to tangle with me.


I think all and all, just being alert to your surroundings goes a long way to safety. But having a skillet handy to pop the bad guy over the head or the marine/sports horn ready for action just make me feel better and not like a sitting duck.

[Anne Badgley]

I gather a lot of couples do this, and single men. But it takes moxy for single women to go 'round full timing, right? Just curious.

I had to look up moxie, as I thought it had a slightly derogatory meaning. But the definition sounds exactly like the qualities I work to develop:
1. The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.2. Aggressive energy; initiative3. Skill; know-how.
I am not yet full-timing, but have spent years doing things alone that more sheltered women seem to find daunting (like moving around the country, traveling long distances, buying and rebuilding houses). The questions about doing things alone generally come from people who have someone to partner with them (that is what I mean by sheltered) and apparently would not consider traveling, etc. by themselves. I would have missed out on all the richness of my life if I stayed in my "safe" rented apartment because I didn't have a partner to accompany me.

I think of courage, not as being fearless, but as doing what needs to be done even when I am afraid. So courage, and "the ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage", is not inborn but is learned through experience. So, in order to learn to face the "difficulties" of full-timing, it is critical to plan long trips with my egg to gain that experience. I am packing to leave on Monday for Arizona and I am nervous since I count my experience in hauling in terms of minutes, not days! But, I am taking precautions to reduce my anxiety (purchased roadside assistance from Good Sam, plotting route for maximum cell phone coverage, taking two well-trained dogs) and just make myself DO it! Having survived the abuse of childhood and a 15 yr marriage, I feel that if I can learn to have moxie, so can most other women. And now, the adventure continues!

[H. David & L...]

Hi Anne! Wishing you safe travels as you head west. Bring yourself, the dogs and that MOXIE out to Quartzsite, AZ and say hello! Give a holler if you're in the neighborhood - we'd love to visit. You go, Woman! L 'n D

[Sandra L]

I had to look up moxie, as I thought it had a slightly derogatory meaning. But the definition sounds exactly like the qualities I work to develop:
1. The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.2. Aggressive energy; initiative3. Skill; know-how.
I am not yet full-timing, but have spent years doing things alone that more sheltered women seem to find daunting (like moving around the country, traveling long distances, buying and rebuilding houses). The questions about doing things alone generally come from people who have someone to partner with them (that is what I mean by sheltered) and apparently would not consider traveling, etc. by themselves. I would have missed out on all the richness of my life if I stayed in my "safe" rented apartment because I didn't have a partner to accompany me.

I think of courage, not as being fearless, but as doing what needs to be done even when I am afraid. So courage, and "the ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage", is not inborn but is learned through experience. So, in order to learn to face the "difficulties" of full-timing, it is critical to plan long trips with my egg to gain that experience. I am packing to leave on Monday for Arizona and I am nervous since I count my experience in hauling in terms of minutes, not days! But, I am taking precautions to reduce my anxiety (purchased roadside assistance from Good Sam, plotting route for maximum cell phone coverage, taking two well-trained dogs) and just make myself DO it! Having survived the abuse of childhood and a 15 yr marriage, I feel that if I can learn to have moxie, so can most other women. And now, the adventure continues!

Good for you!! You will find there's a lot of well wishers on your side. Please keep us posted.

[Anne Badgley]

Hi Anne! Wishing you safe travels as you head west. Bring yourself, the dogs and that MOXIE out to Quartzsite, AZ and say hello! Give a holler if you're in the neighborhood - we'd love to visit. You go, Woman! L 'n D

Awesome! I was reading about Quartzsite yesterday and I decided I'd like to visit sometime on my way to San Diego. I wondered if any FG people were spending the winter there. I've read so many of your posts and I'm excited at the chance to meet you! I will let you know when I'm in the area.

[H. David & L...]

Great ... we'll leave the (moon)light on for ya! Happy trails - L 'n D

[Gina D.]

Anne, I am here in Q for the winter working. There is also a Fiberglass rally in February out on BLM land

Check it out

You will find there are various types of "Fulltiming" I am a Workamper.. meaning I travel around from job to job with the seasons, and I actually park and LIVE in my rig rather than travel around for the purpose of camping. Its a very different dynamic.

No, I am not a homeless little waif wandering aimlessly, I have jobs lined up through 2012 and am actually turning down offers. The money isn't great, but the living is inexpensive and I am getting to do things I never thought I would do, and seeing spots I probably would not have set as destinations to go to on my own time, but am pleasantly surprised to be in and make a living at.

My first gig was this summer in the white mnts of Arizona and boy, was I ever put in my place when I saw it. The perception that Arizona is all dust and desert was what I went over with and I found lush forests and MANY camping, hiking and other green and mountain type activities that I happily indulged in on my time off.

My preference for work is managing campgrounds, however, in the winter, that is not always possible, so this gig here is cleaning and decorating RVs (Big stickies) for sale (Lots of work in Q starting about now if you want!) and taking care of the offices. I never envisioned myself as a cleaning woman, I came from an engineering career, but the work is easy and casual, and it pays the bills. Decorating RVs is not exactly horrible work either. :-P

I live on private property with full hook ups at a minimal rent, and altho I am constantly adjusting the set up, I have a workable set up for me, the dogs and it can be easily duplicated for all weather conditions when I move on to my next gig in Wisconsin. My "home" dynamic will not change much, just the location. This is important, especially with K9s.. as you know, they like routine and constancy.

Anyway, where was I going with all that?

1. Its not hard, it's just different.
2. I personally believe that "Vagabonding" without structure can be tiring and stressful. Keep your set up as consistent as possible, this allows you to be aware much easier. Aware of your sorroundings and of your rigs systems.
3. There is a compromise sometimes when doing it this way. I will *visit* the Quartzsite gathering, but not be bringing my trailer. It would be a major endeavor to pull out for just a couple days.

I am fairly new to this, only since March of this year, and everyday I still have to squelch back the mindset of going back to the big job, the house and routine. "Oh yeah, I don't do that anymore". For now, it's sort of like being on permanent vacation.. I call it my being able to retire early.

[Karalyn]

Gina, this is a little off the subject, but when are you planning to be in Wisconsin? Some of us in this area might want a little get together to meet you as we kinda feel we know ya from being on this fiberglass board. Please keep it in mind to let us know when you are up this way.
Now back to the origional topic :-)

[Gina D.]

Karalyn, my start date is May 1 but I will no doubt be there a couple weeks early.

One of the beauties of the fulltiming lifestyle AND working is that you get a couple vacations a year... traveling to the next job. I have never been farther east than Colorado Springs, Co, and I want to take the opportunity to see that part of the country a bit before I settle in.

[Duane Fowler]

Gina nice to get an update on what you have been up to
and that things are going good for you with your fulltiming
life style. But you do seem to be getting further away from
nice rainy Oregon.
Duane in rainy Dunes City