I survived my first year!!

[Monica M]

Hi all, I know I have been MIA for months now, but I gave up my costly internet service in favor of reading. I missed you all.

Just wanted to let you all know that I had my travel-versary on April 2nd, the day I hit the road full time and for the first time. I went all the way right away...lol.

I have learned so much in this first year, met so many people, seen so many places and had many great adventures.

I was even stalked by a 72 year old solo female pot head there for a minute, THANK GOODNESS my home is on wheels and so I just rolled on out of the situation .

I have experienced the "ultra tight" full timer (uses exactly one square of TP as a napkin and if it isn't too dirty, folds it and saves it for the next meal ), and I experienced the "gotta have every gadget imaginable" guy. Glad to say that I find myself somewhere in the middle.

I have made one lasting friendship, worked my first work camping job, spent my first winter in below freezing temps (with no damage), and visited family I hadn't seen in way too long.

I just wanted to let all of you who helped me so much when I was hunting the perfect egg and just getting started that I am absolutely happy with the full time egg living! I feel healthier, wiser, more free, and completely content.

So...Thank you all! Great to see you again, now I got to go and cruise around the site and see what all I have missed!

[Alf S.]

Hi: Monica M... WoW!!! Great to here from you. Inquiring minds do want to know???
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Sharon G]

I just wanted to let all of you who helped me so much when I was hunting the perfect egg and just getting started that I am absolutely happy with the full time egg living! I feel healthier, wiser, more free, and completely content.

Monica, that is awesome news. I had wondered what happened to you and had hoped that full timing was still working out for you.

[SherryNPaul]

Congratulations, Monica...
I've thought of you often. Glad you had a good first year. Best wishes as you begin your second year in your egg!
Sherry

[Charlene Urso]

That's great news, Monica. It is good to hear how well your first year went. Wishing you many more adventures in the year to come!
Charlene

[Monica M]

Awww, thanks guys (gals included of course), this is the first site I went to when I had the internet for any amount of time.

Oh, I learned about Flying J's too, what a great resource for RV-ers! It has saved me so much money.

So, am I the only first time full timer that wasted a lot of money in my first six or eight months because I was a newbie? I can't be mad at myself for not knowing, but I think I wasted about $5000 in the beginning because of inexperience. For the new first time full timer, I think I am going to start a new topic so we can all tell them what we have learned and maybe save them time and money the first go around...looking forward to your comments on it...I bet I will learn some tricks from it too...Monica

[Donna D.]

So, am I the only first time full timer that wasted a lot of money in my first six or eight months because I was a newbie?

I don't think you're the first to spend more than necessary Monica, and I KNOW first time trailer owners have a tendency to treat Camping World, etc. like a candy store before they've even used the trailer once. I buy most of my camping stuff at garage sales and Goodwill-type stores, so don't feel so bad if something sits unused.

BTW: Glad you're back on the forums!

[Bigfoot Mike]

Welcome HOME Monica. We too became Full Timers this year. So we too are Class of '09.

We are starting out slow. We have a membership in Park Sierra near Bass Lake, CA. It only cost about $3+/day to live here. You need to be a member of Escapees and buy a membership in the Park (which is 100% refundable when you leave).

We take trips for anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. We have sold our house and are living full time in our RV. Every day kinda seems like Saturday even now.

We are still somewhat in vacation mode when we travel, but we are learning to slow down and take our time.

[Monica M]

Welcome HOME Monica. We too became Full Timers this year. So we too are Class of '09.

We are starting out slow. We have a membership in [b]Park Sierra near Bass Lake, CA. It only cost about $3+/day to live here. You need to be a member of Escapees and buy a membership in the Park (which is 100% refundable when you leave).

We take trips for anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. We have sold our house and are living full time in our RV. Every day kinda seems like Saturday even now.

We are still somewhat in vacation mode when we travel, but we are learning to slow down and take our time.

I so lose track of what day it is, and always what the date is...LOL. Hope you two are having as much fun as I am!

[Joyce U.]

Hi, Monica
I've just completed my first 6 months of full timing. Like you I've learned a lot in that short amount of time. I'll share with you some of the things I’ve learned.

Yes, Escapees is a great organization. Escapees have an End of the Day directory for free camping places that can range from overnight to several days the cost is $5 a year. Escapees also have mail forwarding service. I also joined Wandering Individuals Network (WIN). There are an active group of singles that’s into free or very low cost camping. Casinos and BLM land and the like. Some Elks and Moose lodges also American Legion and VFW posts have camping sites if you’re a traveling member. The norm is $10 a night or by donation. Yesterday I learned that some winery’s, farm, and orchards offer free overnight camping. It’s a $20 a year membership for that directory. www.harvesthosts.com/

I’m using them all as I’m heading for Maine to visit my son. Then it’s back to Oregon for the Bullard Beach event in July. Life is GOOD.

Happy Trails To You!

[Penney H. & Mike E.]

Congratulations to all of you who took the dive - or the drive - into full timing! I salute you with both envy and awe! Sounds like it has been an over all good experience. Whether full-timing in a FGRV or setting out on some other new life journey there are always blips along the way, your attitude about 'money wasted' Monica is good, no point in having regrets, you did what you thought you needed to do. Maybe you can all write a guide! Many of us have dreams of at least part-time full-timing and could benefit from your experiences and sage advice!

[KarenH]

Hi Joyce - thanks for the info about the various clubs and camp spots. FYI, both escapees and WIN require that the rig be entirely self-contained. That let's me out, with my 13' Boler. Darn; they sounded like good possibilities.
Hope your trip to Maine has gone / is going well.
KarenH

Hi, Monica
I've just completed my first 6 months of full timing. Like you I've learned a lot in that short amount of time. I'll share with you some of the things I’ve learned.

Yes, Escapees is a great organization. Escapees have an End of the Day directory for free camping places that can range from overnight to several days the cost is $5 a year. Escapees also have mail forwarding service. I also joined Wandering Individuals Network (WIN). There are an active group of singles that’s into free or very low cost camping. Casinos and BLM land and the like. Some Elks and Moose lodges also American Legion and VFW posts have camping sites if you’re a traveling member. The norm is $10 a night or by donation. Yesterday I learned that some winery’s, farm, and orchards offer free overnight camping. It’s a $20 a year membership for that directory. www.harvesthosts.com/

I’m using them all as I’m heading for Maine to visit my son. Then it’s back to Oregon for the Bullard Beach event in July. Life is GOOD.

Happy Trails To You!

[elaineb]

Hi gals: I just bought my motorhome; had planned on a fiberglass, but went the other direction instead. I see that there are a few of you single ladies-did you check out RVwomen? I plan to make my first outing with that group and you get a directory with a calendar where you can join any group that's having an outing. Well, anyway; I was interested in cheap camp spots and looks like you found some! Elaine

Awww, thanks guys (gals included of course), this is the first site I went to when I had the internet for any amount of time.

Oh, I learned about Flying J's too, what a great resource for RV-ers! It has saved me so much money.

So, am I the only first time full timer that wasted a lot of money in my first six or eight months because I was a newbie? I can't be mad at myself for not knowing, but I think I wasted about $5000 in the beginning because of inexperience. For the new first time full timer, I think I am going to start a new topic so we can all tell them what we have learned and maybe save them time and money the first go around...looking forward to your comments on it...I bet I will learn some tricks from it too...Monica

[KarenH]

Hi - I joined "RVwomen" last week, after spending a great week-end with their "Northeast Network" (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, PEI, Maine, Mass, Conn, NH, Vt) - I was the only Canadian, but that's OK - I had a great time, even if they all had a funny accent
Good luck with your outing - which 'chapter' would you be in?
Karen H

Hi gals: I just bought my motorhome; had planned on a fiberglass, but went the other direction instead. I see that there are a few of you single ladies-did you check out RVwomen? I plan to make my first outing with that group and you get a directory with a calendar where you can join any group that's having an outing. Well, anyway; I was interested in cheap camp spots and looks like you found some! Elaine

[Raya]

FYI, both escapees and WIN require that the rig be entirely self-contained. That let's me out, with my 13' Boler.

I wonder what "entirely self-contained" means, and if that would let your Boler 13 out?

Is it that you have to be able to go to the bathroom inside? One can do that with a Porta-Pottie or WAG bags.

Maybe you have to be able to shower inside? I don't know that it would be my first choice, but people have set up showers in 13-ers (say, with a tub, curtain, and garden sprayer).

Need to be able to store greywater? One can put in a tank or use a Jerry jug under the sink.

I know I probably sound a bit flip, but really, how are larger RV's "self-contained"? Do they not need to get water from a source outside the trailer? Do they not have to dump greywater? Do they not buy food and supplies from Wal-mart? What about fuel? Is plugging into electricity "self-contained"?

To me a 13-er that is set up for two weeks of boondocking, or a cruising sailboat with 200 gallons of water, food for 3 months, and no need for fuel are both a lot closer to "self-contained" --- but I betcha they don't define it that way.



Okay, I know, a private club can set up the membership to exclude green trailers, or cats, or people towing with Fords - it just gets my goat sometimes the way things like "self-contained" seem to be code for "really big and expensive and... what WE have."

:grumble, grumble: :and maybe I'm way off base anyway:

[KarenH]

Hi Raya - the 'rules' said entirely self-contained for 5 days. I don't have a toilet, much less black/gray water tanks; and I'm not going to use my Coleman stove inside the Boler. Don't think I'd fit.

As I think about it, the emphasis on 'rules' suggests something that's not my cup of tea.

I like groups that I fit into without effort - too much 'measuring up' / keeping up with the Jones' is just not where I'm at. So while the two groups mentioned sound great, and I'm sure they are for some, they're not for me.

I wonder what "entirely self-contained" means, and if that would let your Boler 13 out?

Is it that you have to be able to go to the bathroom inside? One can do that with a Porta-Pottie or WAG bags.

Maybe you have to be able to shower inside? I don't know that it would be my first choice, but people have set up showers in 13-ers (say, with a tub, curtain, and garden sprayer).

Need to be able to store greywater? One can put in a tank or use a Jerry jug under the sink.

I know I probably sound a bit flip, but really, how are larger RV's "self-contained"? Do they not need to get water from a source outside the trailer? Do they not have to dump greywater? Do they not buy food and supplies from Wal-mart? What about fuel? Is plugging into electricity "self-contained"?

To me a 13-er that is set up for two weeks of boondocking, or a cruising sailboat with 200 gallons of water, food for 3 months, and no need for fuel are both a lot closer to "self-contained" --- but I betcha they don't define it that way.



Okay, I know, a private club can set up the membership to exclude green trailers, or cats, or people towing with Fords - it just gets my goat sometimes the way things like "self-contained" seem to be code for "really big and expensive and... what WE have."

:grumble, grumble: :and maybe I'm way off base anyway:

[Vivian]

The "self-contained" requirement also reminds me of some of the private RV parks that will accept only RVs of a certain size and age. They have the right to discriminate, but we do not have to play their silly game!

[Donna D.]

As the world becomes more environmentally conscious about the bad things we are doing to our world, the more restrictive we're going to see when it comes to everything from campfires (and wood) to the need to be "self-contained." It would be nice to think everyone is a clean camper and doesn't dump gray/blackwater on the ground, but that's not true. Some of the more primitive areas in Oregon are becoming literally trashed and the ground under feet fouled. To me, it's not a matter of fitting in, it's a matter of being a good steward of our planet. YMMV.

[Greg A]

Well said Donna.

Our motto is that we don't leave a campsite as we found it, we try and leave it better than we found it.

[Joy A]

The thing that bugs me is that I can't dump my gray water from my holding tank but hey, what do they think the tenters are doing with their gray water!!! My trailer gray water isn't any different than tenters gray water.

I have always loved Oregon State parks and in particular the gray water dumps they have dispersed throughout their campgrounds. On a long stay I periodically drain some of my gray water into a bucket and take it to the gray water dumps near by only using the RV dump site upon leaving the campground.