Tools of the Trade

We have learned that you just really need some good tools to make full-timing come together. This list may not be complete, just what came to mind.

CELL PHONES – As critical as you think it is in ordinary life, when hundreds of miles separate you from family, friends, and businesses, cell phones are essential. Russell has internet service on his; very handy when in a new town to look up services, also helps him stay in touch with market quotes. We don’t both need it, but I’m glad one of us has it.

LAP TOP – We both have a lap top because we have different responsibilities. Russell checks the market and conducts business for us and his mother. I research destinations, track banking for my folks, keep photos and journal entries up-to-date and play games, too, of course. We both stay in touch with family and friends. We have recently connected to some of the many social networks that are available –also a great way to stay in touch.

AIR CARD – The air card is a recent acquisition. We usually stay in places with internet, but to say they weren’t all created equal is an understatement. There are disadvantages and costs related to an air card, computer use has been less frustrating since buying it.

GPS – We rely on our Garmin. We felt very extravagant when buying it, but not now. “Samantha”, our particular GPS, is our friend. She not only shows the way, she finds stores, gas and entertainment. She is such a good friend, she feels comfortable arguing with us if we don’t follow directions!

THE NEXT EXIT – This book is very helpful when traveling on interstate freeways. It breaks down each exit, providing available services and highlights those that are RV friendly. It even indicates which direction and if the establishment is more than a mile off the freeway.

MAIL FORWARDING SERVICE - We joined Escapees RV Club for many reasons. It establishes our residence in Texas, which we really like. They forward our mail weekly, provide much needed full-time assistance and information and have a very good magazine. They also have campgrounds with great discounts and offer special clubs and trips within the group. They are an RV club, but offer far more services than most because they specialize in full-timers, and helped get us up and traveling!

RV CLUBS – Clubs offer campground information, catalogs, and discounts, the primary reason to join. However, they also off merchandise discounts, trip planning services, internet support, and often magazines. Many offer insurance for towing, repairs, emergency travel, and all kinds of events. We have joined Good Sam’s and KOA. Both have paid for themselves.

RV DIRECTORIES – We use Woodall’s as our primary resource. I first bought it because it was on sale at “Half Price Books.” Yes, more scientific research and excellent planning. But, I continue to use it because of the reliable information both in the book and on the web. The web site allows you to refine a search in terms of “big rig friendly” and some of the most popular services offered. It usually provides a web link to visit the specific site for a campground. You can even use Woodall’s booking service online. Good Sam’s also has a campground catalog that many people use. I use their online service because it gives the campgrounds that provide their discount. They also have reviews of parks which are very nice, and they provide a trip planning service, noting low bridges or steep grades.

ANNUAL NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CARD – The NPS card is truly a no-brainer. We bought it at Bryce and paid $80 as opposed to the $25 entry fee for the car. It paid for itself at the third park. We have even found NPS exhibits in cities that honored the card. At 62, you can buy a lifetime NPS pass for $10! Russell is bummed because there is a 6-month lapse between the expiration of our current card and his appropriate birthday, a hurdle we will have to cross at that time.

TRUCK TOOLS – Large 5th-wheels = Large Trucks. We know some who pull with a Freightliner semi-cab. We opted for a dually, a one-ton pickup with dual rear axle. I wanted the maxi-cab and Russell indulged in this extravagance. Another extravagance is satellite radio, very nice to have but certainly not a necessity. Essential is the tow package and exhaust brake our truck came with. The need for these in mountain driving cannot be overstated!

PORTABLE SATELLITE DISH - our newest acquisition and a real extravagance is a satellite dish and service. We have researched the concept ever since we started shopping the RV market and always backed away, slowly. Our 3-week stint in a park with no cable service and the onset of NFL/NCAA pushed us to the decision. Many of the “free stuff” you just receive with the service at a home, is available for purchase when your home moves around. When we had a 5th-wheel years ago, we had the metal dish on a tripod that gets moved around in hit-and-miss fashion to locate the signal. This time we elected to go higher tech and got a VuQube, a portable self-contained satellite dish unit with a remote control and semi-permanent ladder mount.

Bikes and Bike Racks

Bikes and Bike Racks

We were a little baffled by our first bike rack. It didn’t seem possible that 2 straps would hold our heavy used bikes. 2 straps, 3 ropes, and 4 bungee cords did not do the trick! We stopped repeatedly across the states of Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi trying to find the right approach only to stow 1 of the bikes in the basement. I’m sure everyone has seen the poor folks pulling a trailer with no idea of what is happening 40 feet behind them, at the end of that trailer. That was us.

A note of explanation: There are usually 2 storage areas under the living area of a 5th wheel. We call the side-access storage the basement, and basement type things find their way here. The front-access storage is what we call the garage, but for no apparent reason.

The rack company sent us a replacement for the first one that broke, somewhere in Mississippi. We still were spending half of our time preparing to hitch-up and go, trying to make 2 heavy bikes adhere to a rack on the ladder at the back of the 5th wheel. We quit locking the bikes, but no one would steal them. It was time for a trip to Goodwill.

Of course, the lure of bikes struck again several months later after the frighteningly delightful trip on the Hiawatha Trail on rental bikes. We were hooked, but no more rentals, no more used.

Down the road a bit we bought the very best Walmart could sell us at that particular store. The hunt for a rack was on!

A computer ordered ladder rack came in and went back. It was time to bite the bullet, spend the big bucks and get a hitch mounted rack which required the installation of a hitch receiver on the back of the trailer. Some good folks in Vancouver, WA took care of us with a very simple, non-invasive procedure – yes, it was akin to surgery. We’re ready to roll!

But not yet. We had to get rid of the “play” in the hitch and rack. Several weeks later, on a very quiet street, we discovered that more distance was needed between the bikes and the road. The old saying is true; it can all be fixed with money - and with the time and energy of a very determined husband. Russell was able to find and install a riser that solved this problem.

We are now the very proud drivers of a fine pair of bikes and a rock solid rack. More importantly, we have used these to take some spectacular geezer-type rides.

Destin, Florida

December 1, 2008

Florida in the winter! All the rich people go there to escape winter – only we didn’t have enough time to get to Miami from Houston between the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. So we ignored the weather warnings of cold and rainy and headed to the northwest Florida panhandle. We were taking a practice trip.

Top Sail Hill is an RV park next door to a national park of beach, dunes, and long-leaf pines. The once private enterprise, now owned and operated by the state, is a lush, spacious, and beautifully maintained park. We had arrived in a bit of heaven! The weather was too blustery for sunning on the beach, but just fine for long walks and bike riding.

Shunning the rental rates and expensive bike shops, we sought out an older gentleman who sold second-hand bikes like the low tech ones we rode as kids. Thus began our many adventures with bikes and bike racks.

We eagerly rode through the park like everyone else, but not much challenge there. So we headed down a paved path to the bike store to have them checked out and to shop accessories. “7 miles is no big deal on a bike!” says Russell. Well, at least it wasn’t at 14. Russell made it easily. I asked if the shop provided a return ride service, but no such luck. So after a few minor tweeks of the systems, we headed back to the park and into the wind, uphill. We continued riding after my fall, but with a little less attention to the scenery. I made it as far as a convenience store where the gentlemanly Russell left me to go get the truck. Our next rides were the in-the-park variety.

Bikes require racks. We again went the low-tech, not as expensive route with an over-the-ladder type. No assembly required and only two straps needed to secure the bikes – we were in business.

We enjoyed Destin. The waters of the Gulf are so clean and clear, so un-Galveston. Russell fished at a public pier; we picnicked, and had a wonderful day of it. We even bought fish on the way home for a fresh seafood dinner. We rode bikes, walked, and condo shopped. We fell in love with off-season.

As a trial run, this was perfect. We went through all of the steps needed to have a successful trip and then scurried on home!

NEXT TIME: same park, early November would be nicer weather.

We Are Tourists, But Not On Vacation

We are tourists, but, not on vacation.

Several have suggested that I keep a journal of our life on the road. It was first suggested in March, 2008, and often since then. But it was not until that contradictory thought entered my head that I picked up pen and paper.

Living on the road in a 40 ft. 5th-wheel is full of such oppositional concepts. We live in assorted campgrounds, but not at all like the tent campers we used to be. Most campers pack it all up and go back to work-a-day lives after a few days. We pack up and move to the next campground. Our work-a-day happens at each stop along the way. All of the routine of daily life goes with us.

We are indeed roughing it, with a sofa, 2 recliners, a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer, and king-sized bed. Oh yeah, we also have a kitchen island, fireplace (electric) and flat-screen TV (HD of course) and a nifty under-floor laundry hamper. We could have opted for the washer/dryer combo, but elected to have the extra storage instead. 3 slides make the 400 square feet of living space truly livable.

After 37 years of marriage, a son, jobs, life in the ‘burbs and then on a ranch, we have a new rhythm to our lives. After 35 years of acquiring, we have spent 2 furious years of divesting ourselves of those acquisitions, often having to repurchase some items because they really were necessities – who knew we would need several power strips!

Of course none of this happened in a vacuum. It took a lot of help from friends and family to settle all the accounts. My sister, Lynn, is storing many items too precious to give away or sell. Her attic is full and she is enjoying several pieces of our furniture, just as we enjoy visiting it when we go to her house. I have to say that it is looking more and more like her furniture than mine. Our friends in Eastland, TX helped us with the house/ranch sale, providing lodging and support as each was needed. We were able to see our home, furnishings, and cattle go to good homes. Of course our son was extremely supportive of his parents going off the deep end. He has helped with mail, moral support, and provided a home base in Dallas.

As novice non-vacationing tourists, we sing the praises of full-timing to any and all who will listen. Because despite the 24/7 togetherness, inconsistent road and camp conditions, distance from family and friends, we are among the most fortunate of folks who get to travel a marvelous country and meet welcoming people, all in the comfort of home!

The following posts are entered retroactively. Dates show the time of travel, not necessarily the date written since I didn't begin writing at the beginning of our trip and didn't begin blogging until even later. Hopefully, it will all get caught up to real-time eventually!