Old fulltimer newly inspired

[MaliasMiles]

Hello ladies,

I've been a solo RVer since 2001 and feel totally blessed to have been able to live this lifestyle and see the incredible things I've seen. The last couple of years have been tough, though, and I've thought of just giving up and hanging up the keys. I would get sick to the stomach when really thinking of what that meant, so I've been updating my website and searching for inspiration. And boy, did I find it today!

I ran across this YouTube that featured RVing Women members and I was just blown away by Shirley Walker. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3MvhrkbWb8&feature=share

What she said she loved: "to be free to travel, explore life, and to live in a different kind of way. I think little old people like me ought to be out and doing things and challenging knowledge and moving ahead, and enjoying themselves. Truly my body isn't what it was when I was young, but it's a very good body and takes me where I want to go... and I won't take this invisibleness! The thing about an RV that's wonderful is you can change your mind at any crossroad!

I don't know if I've ever run across this group before and I'm usually not a "joiner" but I'm looking forward to participating in this forum.

I don't see Shirley's name as a member and I have no idea how old that video is. Anybody know where she is?

Many thanks and happy trails!
Malia
http://www.MaliasMiles.com

[WickedLady]

Welcome to this forum. RVing Women is a totally different group. It is strictly for females, no men or boys allowed. It has a fee to join the organization and a fee to join any of the chapters.
You can Google their website.

[mitch5252]

This group, on the other hand, has no fees, has plenty of GTGs (get togethers), and our men (boyfriends, husbands, brothers) are welcome to come along to the GTGs. Men can't belong or participate on this Forum, though - that's girls only! Whew - that's a lot of information.

I may be prejudiced, but this is, by far, the best Forum. We hope you'll spend some time looking around and telling us about your rig and how you travel, pets, etc. We'll look forward to getting to know you better, and we're glad you found us.

[cnq50b]

Welcome Malia,
I'm glad you found this group... It is indeed unique, inspiring, full of camaraderie, advice & laughter.
I'm a newbie still awaiting my turn to go full-time, but have been welcomed with open arms here. I look forward to hearing about your travels, rig & advice...
I loved the youtube video about Shirley Walker - I'll post it on my fb page on the day I retire so people understand what my 'plans' are.
Stick around & join the fun - this is a great group to wander with.
Catherine

[MaliasMiles]

Oh, absolutely I want to be part of this group! Even though I apparently misunderstood from the YouTube video and the Google Search for "RVing Women" led me here, I consider it a happy accident. Like Shirley said in the video, "I've always traveled alone, but as I get older, I wanted some affiliation." That's kind of where I am now so have been looking at upcoming get togethers I might be able to make, but haven't identified anything yet. I plan an entire summer RVing around the Great Lakes of Michigan and the Upper Peninsula again because I had so much fun there in 2011 and I want to add more to my newest site http://www.MichiganMiles.com. So if anybody else is planning for MI this summer, let me know. Thanks!

[longdog2]

Malia....I used to follow your blog and wondered what happened to you. Good to hear you are being inspired again.

[Acadianmom]

I'm a member of RVing Women and the Texas Ramblin Roses Chapter. I think the membership fee to join the club is $60 and the Texas Chapter dues are $5. Look on their web site for the chapter locations, there are chapters all over the US. I think you can attend 2 chapter rallies before you have to join. I have enjoyed the rallies I have attended and one national convention. If I can find my members directory I'll look up the lady you mentioned.

This forum has members all over the country too. After you have been a member a while you will feel like you can go anywhere and there will be one of us near. Check out the Get Together topic and you will see all the meetups we have.

Martha

[Bethers]

I hope, even tho this isn't the forum you thought you were joining that you stick with us. You can be an inspiration for many others. I, too, have had to pause to consider whether I need to rethink my lifestyle. Mostly in my case it's finances that cause this. But my dream is still alive and this winter I've decided the lifestyle is alive and well for me for at least the next year, and hopefully beyond.

There are a lot of wonderful women here. AS stated, our forum is free, and our gtg's are open to all on our forum, including their family, significant others and friends. We are full of camaraderie, advice (right and wrong) and lots of hugs.

Glad to have you with us.

[retiredhappy]

A big Kerrville, Texas welcome to you. Glad you found this forum. Are you anywhere near Kerrville, TX?

[MaliasMiles]

Nice welcome, everyone, I sure appreciate it!

Colleen: I see you're in San Antonio and I don't plan to leave Austin until late April, so if there are any gettogethers you know of, let me know. Or maybe we can just meet sometime in the middle.

Martha: Thanks for checking to see if you can find Shirley. I'll look into RVing Women, but honestly, I'm not into paying any dues at this point since I need to conserve every penny I have to hit the road soon!

Beth: I definitely intend to participate here, and 'm trying to make my way around the site, figured out how to do signature but having no luck with avatar. Will post on other board about needing help with that.

Karen: I'm in Austin and love the hill country, so if y'all are having any get togethers, let me know.

Thanks again everybody!

[BirdbyBird]

Welcome to our forum. I hope that we can be part of the community of kindred spirits that can be with you as you continue your journeys and adventures. I, too, remember reading some of your blogs in my first years of research and learning.....Good to know that your adventures are still happening.

[Acadianmom]

Malia, Shirley isn't listed in the 2012 or 2013 directory. I think the video says it was uploaded in November, 2011. It looks like it was filmed in Oregon so maybe one of the Oregon members might know her. I think Shirley is representative of many of the women you will meet on the road.

Matha

[avalen]

Welcome

[cpatinjones]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

[Sandersmr]

A great big Houston welcome to you! And while I won't be pulling my trailer this summer, I'm going to be in Michigan for a couple of weeks - top of the mitt. And one of our members, Colliemom, lives in MI.

And I will be at Guadalupe River State Park in April - it's north of San Antonio.