Answers to a couple questions

Had a couple of question about our life and Dexter (the RV). Thank you I love questions as I know people are reading my posts and also that they are interested in learning more about it. So, Please ask away, it gives me direction on what else to post. 

One of the biggest questions we get right now is about transportation. Are we going to tow, How do we get about. For now we have decided not to tow a car for many different a reason. Financial: one more expense, would have to buy a towing device, added insurance, added maintenance costs. Towing a vehicle adds to the length so a larger site would be needed sometimes at added cost. Bridges, tunnels, toll roads all cost more. We also decided to learn the ins and outs of driving this before the added learning curve of towing. 

So that leads to the question, so how will you get around, get to the grocery store, do tourist-type things etc. Fortunately, we live in a time of many opportunities. Groceries, We plan that on travel days, Our plan is not to go more than 200 miles in a given moving day (less as we can). At an average speed of about 50 (more if on interstates, less on other type roads) is about 4 hours of travel, add a hour for meals and other stops makes for a five hour day. Adding an hour or so to that when necessary to do grocery shopping still makes for a leisurely day to move and set up camp. Things we use regularly we will buy several at a time so we always have a backup or two if we don't get to the store. Trying to go big shopping once a month, then only needing to pick up produce, meat, eggs, etc and the things we forgot LOL. Also if we need to we unhook and head to the store in Dexter.we can.

It really isn't that difficult nor time consuming to break down the rig and get it ready to travel. Especially if only going short distance and most tourist attractions have ample accommodations for RV parking. We also will have EBikes (pedal assisted bicycles) which can go 20- 40 miles per charge. More if you pedal more, less if you rely on the motor. Great for finding a convenient parking lot to leave the RV and then scooting around town if that is our plan.

We have already taken a bus to where we want to go and walked to a grocery store (backpacks are great for carrying things) If we happen to be in an area where there are lots of things we want to do and see, we can easily rent a car for a couple days or call a taxi or Uber.

It helps we are not the type that need a lot in the way of entertainment. We love just walking around the campground, taking advantage of the amenities there (pool, miniature golf, etc) State parks are wonderful with hiking trails all around you. 

We will reevaluate this as we go along and who knows, maybe some day decide to tow a car or, heck, you may just see us tooling around on a Trike!! 

We still have one of the cars which we will keep until we head out in October as I am still working full-time and have to get back and forth. But after that.......


Another question someone asked was "What is a split bath"
  RVs usually have one of three types of bath facilities. Small units often have what is called a Wet Bath, found also in boats. This is a small room with sink, toilet and shower. Where it gets it's name becomes obvious if you take a shower, Everything gets wet!  Functional for short term but....
  Many RVs have Dry Baths, the more traditional style found in houses. Toilet, sink and shower in one room but shower has a separate stall with door or curtain to contain the water.
  In ours, we have what is called a Split Bath. As you go down the hall from the gallery(kitchen area) to the bedroom on one side is the door to the toilet and sink area and across the hall from that is a separate shower stall. Makes life real convenient on those rainy days when you don't want to walk to the campground bathhouse and keeps the toilet/sink accessible to others. Ah the simple things in life that make one happy!!


Keep asking those questions!! Love talking about our life!

Things We've Learned Since Starting Our New Life.

It has been just over three months since we started our new life adventure and a lot has happened since then. I can honestly say I am loving every moment including some of the not so good ones. It is definitely a learning experience and a lot of trial and error. Oh so worth it. We are living in the RV fulltime now but haven't taken truly to the road. That will come in October after I retire. September 27 can't come soon enough! Below is a list of things I have learned about me and the RV lifestyle so far”

1. So far, it's as good as I thought it would be.
2. You only need half the clothes you thought you would and probably less than that even.
3. You need to learn to meal plan and what to stock up on and what to do without.
4. You need twice, ah heck, three times the amount of bug spray!
5. I am not as good at keeping up this blog as I'd like to be!
6. I use more paper towels and plastic zip bags then I use to.
7. There are a lot more places to creatively store things then you would think.
8. Too many people with dogs are just as inconsiderate of others in campgrounds as in sticks and bricks areas. No, I really don't want to hear your dog bark and bark and bark. Please teach it to shut up!
9. I love sitting at night and listening to all the night noises (well, except the barking dogs and overly loud people) This I already knew but have now been reminded.
10. People like lights too much! If you are afraid of the dark, Get out of the woods! 
11. It takes less than an hour to break down camp and move. I am better at securing things than I thought I'd be.
12. Trust is such an important thing between a couple. Trusting each other when backing into a sight. Trusting each other enough to open up about what's bugging them. Trusting each other to overlook the not so good things in each of us but also to trust each other to explore the whys of those.
13. I am so very fortunate to have the partner I do and the opportunity to find “Dreams can come true!”

Paul's List

1. Even in a small area, there are still many things that need tending to
2. Cooking in a small space is easier than one thought
3. I enjoy cooking outside even more than I thought I would
4. You don't need as much room as you think you do
5. Retired doesn't mean nothing to do
6. It's fun to discover different ways to get around without a car
7. People shouldn't be working on a vehicle in a campground at night.
8. Teri and I can live together in a small space without throwing me to the dogs
9. Ninety Five percent of the people one meets in campgrounds are very friendly and willing to help each other.

Can't wait to discover what else we learn as we go along.

Pictorial Of Our New Home

As we walked into Scott's this is what we saw!!

And here is what we received!

Heading for home!

Perfect place to start out

The drive into the campground

Got her backed in perfectly!!

He is a natural at this!

Our Kitchen

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Our first sticker! Can't wait to see this get filled!

First Dinner in our new home

Dining Room

Living Room

Bedroom with True Queen Size Walk Around bed!

Teri's View

Paul's View

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Bathroom

Split Shower! Nice 

Cab and over head bunk

We all need a mascot and garden!

Haven't actually driven it yet But will

Our New Home! Oh and how we love it!!

I was planning on updating on our new RV and our moving into it but I have decided to put that off a little longer. Last week a very special person in my life past on, I want to take this time to remember him and the others who have played a significant part in my life. Uncle Bill Meyer means so much to me, he, Aunt Kay, my mom, and my dad are the reasons I am and have always wanted to "take to the road in an RV. Uncle Bill was my dad's best friend since I do believe sometime in their teen years and throughout their lives. It is with the Meyer's we went camping every summer, had many Sunday dinners, picnics, BBQs, sleepovers, etc. Uncle Bill and Aunt Kay were not blood relatives, but the relationship between the families was so strong they earned the honorary title. They were Aunt & Uncle, their children are my cousins and dear friends, heck, even we and their cousins call each other cousins. They are and always will be Family.

 As I mentioned, we traveled and camped most of the summer together every year well into my teen years. My folks and Aunt Kay & Uncle Bill continued to camp together many years after that. The love of nature and the great outdoors was a constant in my life because of this. They taught me the plants, animals, fishing, and how to have fun just being outside. I hold each and every trip in my memories. 

  I do chuckle sometimes wondering if Uncle Bill actually knew my name. I was Pumpkin, Cookie, Kid. All precious pet names, not sure if he every called me Teri LOL. But my goodness did we travel. All up and down the East Coast, from Maine to Florida. The memories I have: Bears in Blue Ridge Parkway, the freezing waters of Maine, Kon Tiki Beach Campground in Florida and of course, Delaware. That's were the four settled with the campers when they decided not to do as much travel. Holiday Park, Lewis, De. Many a day and evening at Rehoboth Beach. Campfires, eating crabs, out on the boat. I could go on and on. 

 He was the last of the foursome, he will be missed. Now as I embark on this wonderful new phase of my life I dedicate it to them. Mom, Dad, Aunt Kay, Uncle Bill, I thank you for all you taught me, I thank you for installing the love of adventure and travel, I thank you for all the wonderful experiences and places I was able to have and to see because of you, I thank you for being there for me. I will take you and my memories with me as I travel across this great country knowing your love will always surround me. I know you will hear me when I point out the many wonders and I know you stand proud knowing how much you influenced my life.  I love you always. 

Picking up speed

When I first started this blog I spoke about our plans to sell the house, get a winter rental, retire next year, buy an RV and head out next spring. Well, scratch that! We are most certainly still going Fulltiming but our time frame has changed. My how it has changed. To catch you all up:
  Let's see, Paul retired the end of March from his fulltime job. Since then he has been crazy busy getting the house spruced up and working part time. He has done an amazing job, painting, fixing, cleaning, etc. Love that man!
  I have put in my retirement papers and my last day after almost 30 years at the library will be September 27. Now that's a great birthday present to me, LOL. I too have been busy sorting, tossing, planning, going over the finances again and again. With this is mind we have decided to fast forward the timing of heading out. If all goes as planned and the house sells relatively quickly we are looking at sometime in October to be on the move.
  Speaking of the house. We have a realtor and the place is going on the market! Wish us well for quick sale.  Now thinking of the logistics of selling the house and having somewhere else to live was getting a bit nerve racking for us both. Which led us to decide, well just go for it now. We have purchased our new home! A Coachmen Freelander 27QB, Love love love the floorplan of this one. A Class C motorhome, no slides, 30 feet bumper to bumper, a true queen size walk around bed. It has a dinette and a sofa and adorable kitchen space. I fell in love at first site seeing it at one of the many RV Shows we have gone to, it showed up at a our favorite local RV Dealer, Scotts RV Center, in Lakewood, NJ. I like to think they got it especially for me as I have been back and forth with Anthony (salesperson) about what we wanted and low and behold, there it appeared! Thank you Anthony! After going down to look at it on their lot and Paul (who we call Taller Paul for obvious resaons) (other salesperson, Anthony couldn't be there the day we went down) giving us a great tour and overview, pointing our feature after feature, we decided to talk turkey. We had already been online looking at what other dealers were asking for this unit so had a ballpark figure of what we would be willing to pay. When they came in even lower then that right off the bat, well, yes, done deal! I highly recommend this dealership to anyone looking to buy an RV. They are straight shooters and show you what you want not what they want you to buy.

So there we are with a new RV and hmmm, okay, so now what are we doing to do with it? Certainly can't park it in our parking lot. We wanted it close enough so I could travel easily back and forth to work after selling the house. We found a great site at a local campground. The owner was so helpful, explaining the way she runs her place and suggesting several sites for us to look at. Told us to walk around the park and let her know when we settled on one and if down the road we weren't happy with that site we could easily move to any other open site. So that's what we did, we walked around and around and back and forth, eyeballing each site as carefully as we know how. Walking front to back looking for evenness, bumps, roots, ruts etc. I think we found the best site for us. Signed the agreement and will be moving the rig in Tomorrow!!!!
  Phew! yes, tomorrow we go back to Scott's, get an approximately, 4 hour training session to learn all the ins and outs of our new home. Then we get to drive it over to Pine Cone Resort and Campground where we will stay until heading out Fulltime. Oh my my my. As I said our plans have certainly accelerated.   With all this I am hoping to post more here about our experiences learning our RV and our new life adventure.

Of course More and better photos to follow.

Ta for now!

Catching up

It's been a while since I have posted anything so thought I'd catch everyone up on the goings on.  We've been quite busy clearing out and cleaning up. Since Paul retired he has been a whirlwind of activity here. The spare bedroom ceiling and walls are painted and is now our staging area for going through things. He is working on sanding down and repainting the kitchen cabinet doors, 14 down, 4 to go. He has gone through his music collection and now has a plethora of songs on the IPOD. We have gone through each closet and cabinet getting rid of things right and left. Amazing how much one has! Several will need to be gone through again and again. Patio and front garden have been spruced up and planted with pretties. Floors scrubbed, rugs cleaned. Still have a couple of things that need tending and then it is ready to put on the market!  WOW! 

 Yes, things are moving fast, actually faster then we original thought. If all continues to go as planned could be as early as Mid Summer to buy the RV and heading out in October. Oh My. It seems so unreal at times. The mixed emotions one feels is like being on a roller coaster. So very excited to be finally able to live this dream but yet again, it is scary as all get out. The "What Ifs" run strong and sometimes it is real hard to quiet them. What if we don't like it. What if we hit really bad weather, What if we breakdown, What if one of us gets sick, What if, What if, WHAT IF????? Seeing the house get emptier and emptier is exhilarating, but no wait, how can I get rid of that, its my stuff! It's what I know. It's my life. Can we actually be doing this??? WHATAREWECRAZY!!!!

 Phew, calm down, you got this, just need to focus on what's ahead, where we will go, what we will see, the incredible wonders of our great country.

I read a quote attributed to Henry David Thoreau, "We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, then leap in the dark to our success." Yes, that is so how I feel at this stage.

Well enough for now, back to sorting, tossing, sprucing, planning,

Oh and since it was read publicly at last night's council meeting I guess we can call it official. My retirement date is September 27!!  Yep after thirty years I am leaving the library, another mixed emotion. Will so miss the people but am so done with the working!
 Little bragging moment: The business administer of the boro went on the record to say I was Classy and Professional, whoa that is an ego boost! 

Okay til next time! Ta

A Productive, A Fun, An Informative, An ODD, A Wow and A Finally!

Well, the past several days have been busy ones, and as the title alludes to, we have had events that were: A Productive, A Fun, An Informative, An ODD, A Wow and A Finally!

Saturday was quite the productive day, We sorted and boxed up everything we will be selling at the CVA Flea Market next Saturday. We have six or seven bins of goods as well as several bigger items hopefully finding new homes. With all the twisting, lugging, bending, stretching, lifting I did, my body got quite the workout! Two things accomplished at the same time, Now That's Productive!  If anyone is interested the Flea Market is Saturday, April 13 from 9 - 3, at the CVA Clubhouse, 33 Galewood Drive, Cheesequake Village.  Stop by and say hi.

  Sunday found us at the Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers Market.. Wound up there to meet Phil as he picked up some plants from ToadShade Wildflower Farm. The farm is located in Frenchtown and all their plants are native to the area. What a great service. There were several other vendors including Pickle Licious of Teaneck. They had lots of samples of their wares and were they good! Next time we go we will remember to bring a cooler!  There was bread, cheeses, meats, fresh produce, honey and much more. We could have had a lunch feast right there!
    There is a walking trail behind the farm, so of course, that's what we had to do. Fun trail through woodlands, swamplands, meadow and marsh. Lots of bird life, fish in the brook, and early spring flowers. Several families with young children were playing in the shallows trying to catch a frog or two. Love to see that. Always feels good to get out and hike.
    The Land Trust is located on the Historic Dvoor Farm, 111 Mine Street, Flemington. This 40 acre site is listed on State and National Registers of Historic Places. Having barns from the 19th century and a 1798 stone farmhouse makes it a interesting place to stop to see, with the Farmer's Market it becomes a destination.
   Following the market was a lunch at Cracker Barrel, then helping Phil plant his plants. Any day spent with him is a special day for me and with the weather what it was, just perfect.

One has to cross a bridge when you see one! 

And then came Monday!

First was a trip to Trenton to gather information about applying for retirement and pension benefits. Lots of good information, even if I do dislike going into Trenton. Paul drove in with me which made it a lot easier, one of the perks of him being retired! Looks like I am all set to pick a date, submit my application and letter of retirement. Rather exciting.

Right outside Trenton is an area called Duck Island. I have seen the sign for it since, gee, who knows and have wanted to check it out. The day was lovely and we had no set plans so decided what the heck, let's go. I knew there was suppose to be a walking trail somewhere, so off we went. Well certainly didn't turn out to be the experience we were expecting. The road (yes, only one) wound around several factories, warehouses and the like, not the sort of area we thought it would be. Several No Outlet signs had us second guessing whether or not to continue but onward we went.till we got to the end of the road which dumps one into a parking lot. And when I say dumps I rather mean it. Quite obviously this is an area that doesn't see much, umm, tending to.  We saw a trail sign toward the end of the lot and hesitantly got out and headed over to it. The trail itself looked at first inviting as it followed along the waterway with wooded area to the other side. BUT, as we got closer Oh MY. There on the ground was the carcass of a canine looking animal. Couldn't tell much from the neck down as all that was left was bone,but the head, well, could have been a hybrid. Without getting to close, it looked like across between Shepard, wolf and coyote. Man did that give us pause. Talked about Odd feelings. Okay so this is starting to feel right out of the movie Deliverance. Any moment the Banjos were going to start.  Needless to say we decided no, not going down that trail.  So anyway, I can now say I have been to Duck Island and tain't going back!

We then headed to DMV. We recently paid off both cars and were going to see about getting clean titles. WOW, what a nice surprise when the woman there told us she would take the lien holders out of the computer but we didn't need a new physical title. That just saved us $60 a piece! NICE! 

Was such a beautiful day and having done what we wanted to accomplish, we decided to head over to Sandy Hook Lighthouse. I have found it quite ironic that having seen and climbed so many lighthouses both here in New Jersey as well as many other places, the one I had never been up was the one in my own backyard. Every time I have been there, the lighthouse was closed, private tour being held, closed for renovations, etc. Well, today was the day, Finally I got to go up. Loved it!
 For those who don't know, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse house is located, well, at Sandy Hook, Gateway National Recreation Area. I shall write a bit about it another time, I'm rather done for today.

Ta
                                                                 

A wonderful abundance of what looks like small Yellow Water Lillies!