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| On The Way..Someplace! |
Time. We are all given a limited amount of it to spend as we wish (well Mostly!). Like most of you, I really enjoy traveling in my RV to interesting places. For some of you that have been
reading these articles from the beginning, the main reason I chose the RV I have was to maximize the use of my time off. It's pretty rare that I can string 3 (or more) days together for a reasonable length RV trip. So far, it has worked out quite nicely. By keeping the
trips around 4-6 hours max distance away I get to spend around 2 full days (minus travel) at each destination. The trouble is, I've been doing it for a few years now and my list of new and interesting destinations is dwindling. Ideally, I'd sure like to go farther away in distance to find more destinations, but my free time has shrunk in the last year. RV trip time has become a precious commodity and I find myself going back to favorite places within a reasonable distance just to be able to relax. How do you fix that?
I know, retire! Thing is, I'm not ready to retire and in reality I just can't. Too many bills to pay and people to keep happy. It's almost a catch-22. I freely admit I work a lot of hours, maybe too many. But with lots of folks counting on me, I do what I can. That includes extra hours where they need to be. I KNOW I am not the only one in the same boat. Lots of folks enjoy working and helping folks where and when they can and still manage to get away for longer times than I can manage. Maybe I just need to organize my work better so I can string together more than 4 days in a row once or twice in a year. Thing is, I'm not usually the one that messes up my carefully planned time off. It's always some external force that I have no control over. And, like Murphy said, "...at the worst possible moment." Any tips?
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| Hidden Boondock Location |
Please understand, I am NOT complaining at all. Well, maybe a little. I really and truly enjoy each and every trip I get to take in my RV. And I do understand, eventually, I'll get to take longer trips. I do wonder whether or not I will enjoy them as much... Right now I am in good health, have lots of energy and enjoy the journey just as much as the destination. I prefer boondocking over camp grounds almost 100%. Will this be true when I can take really extended trips in the years to come? What do you think?
I write these articles each week and am grateful for the many folks that enjoy reading them and perhaps gain some useful knowledge from them. I don't get to meet nearly enough of you to have the opportunity for a serious discussion. Maybe next time I'm out and about at an RV show we could all get together? That would be nice...and fun too!
Be Seeing You...Down The Road,
Rich "
The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com
Rich,
ReplyDeleteWhen we decided to go full time, we figured out the cost to own a house, and live in the big city, Seattle. We figured our costs could be kept to a minimum while RVing full time, and the savings of not owning the house and all of the other house expenses associated quickly helped offset those expenses.
Today, we've been on the road so long, and are totally amazed at how experience has made us richer. Doing plenty of research, having an open ear, and the willingness to do something different by taking a risk to harbor your dreams are the keys to success in being a happy full timer.
Simon,
DeleteThat is/was a very well thought out plan. At the moment, I can't full time as I am tied to a geographic location most of the time. I'd be happy to have more free days to take trips to recharge!
Rich "The Wanderman"
I found myself in the same boat. Here is what I did to solve it: 1) joined two camping groups. They have monthly camping trips that THEY organize. All I have to do it get there. They are 3-4 days and mostly close - 2-5 hours away. 2) I started leaving notes at work and training others to do what I do. I also have an "away email response" that has the contact info for two of my co-workers that I have been training. They also know they can go to two other co-workers at work for help or text me on my cell. 3) My vehicle is a wi-fi hotspot (or campgrounds have internet) so I can log on at work and work email to take a peek at how things are going.
ReplyDeleteAnon,
DeleteThat solves a couple of my problems, but so far..the training other folks section has eluded me. I will try some notes and procedure guides for common tasks.
Thanks for the tips!
Rich "The Wanderman"
Don't know what kind of work you do, but I had to travel on the job. I got a Class B and used it for my daily commute and for business travel/mobile office/portable laboratory.
ReplyDeleteWilliam,
DeleteOnce I "semi-retire" I have lots of stuff to keep me in the green (so to speak) Heck writing these articles began as an attempt to pay for gas during the RV season! The real issue is my current jobs tie me to a geographical location most of the time.
Rich "The Wanderman"
Where is your home base? We are getting pretty good at finding things that are not well known in our area. Our next destination will be a part of Michigan that you can only get to from Ohio.
ReplyDeleteSunny One,
DeleteI'm in Upstate New York, about 90 miles from NYC. I've found lots to do, but not enough time to do them!
Rich "The Wanderman"