Hello Everyone!

[Kerri]

My name is Kerri and I live in Alabama. I am in the "Wishin'/Hopin'/Dreamin'" phase of this lifestyle. I am looking for a used Class C that a. I can afford and b. has been "babied" and has low mileage. I don't care what it looks like inside, because I plan to redo the interior to meet our needs. I know it is out there... I just have to find it! In the meantime, I am doing what I can here in the S & B to get ready to become a FTer.

I am 45 and have 2 children - my son is 21 and will travel with us occasionally, my daughter is 9 and can't wait to hit the road! We have homeschooled/unschooled for 14 years, so that part of the transition will be pretty simple. Although I will miss my son terribly, he is an adult now and must lead his own life. My mother is still in good health, and lives a very independent life. In fact, she does not welcome assistance/interference at all! They will be in the same area and will check on each other, which is reassuring. I have a very small extended family, and most of my friends are "long-distance" who I communicate with by email and Facebook, so that won't be much of a change either. Getting rid of all my "stuff" will be one of the most difficult parts for me. I have always loved to decorate and have many things with sentimental value. As I was getting out Christmas decorations a couple of weeks ago, I was thinking... "now what of this do I keep? What do I get rid of?" But I've begun to feel that many of my possessions are just extra "weight", and feel sure that I will feel better once I've "lightened the load"! I will be able to store some things at my mother's, which will serve as a "home base", and will use her address for my permanent one.

My daughter and I are so looking forward to seeing this great country of ours. The first year, we plan to travel to several of the national parks, following the weather as most FTers do. I will have to begin workamping for 4-6 months a year by the 2nd year - if not before - and am very interested in finding out more about that. I will need to work where my dd will be allowed to come along with me, since she will be too young to leave in the rig alone. Do any of you workamp with your child/children? Or know any one who does? I would love to talk with you!

I am so glad that I found this forum, and am very grateful that the owners started it for us to use! Looking forward to hearing from some of you!

[VickieP]

Welcome Kerri! Glad you found us and still decided to join our wacky group! You'll find lots of ideas, support, humor and encouragement here, and did I say humor??

[Bethers]

Welcome, Kerri!

Great ideas you have. One caution about workamping - is that most of it is for very little money - so don't expect it to bring in the big bucks. Especially since you'll need to be somewhere you can bring your daughter. I know of a couple cg's that would probably allow it in some jobs - and others that wouldn't consider it at all. You'll have to work that out with them each individually when you start looking.

Come on in, sit right down, and join us often. We're glad you're here.

[Echo]

Welcome to the family Kerri and jump right in anytime.

what your planning and hoping to do with your daughter is not impossible. I know I've read of others who full time and home school. So it can be done and is being done. For sure it would be something that you can work out with different camp grounds.

When looking for work as a work camper be sure you read the ads well as some of them are a whole lot better than others. My adult daughter and I lucked out as another Sistah here on the forum helped get us jobs this past Spring. It was our jumping out experience. Pretty good place as they paid for all hours worked and provided housing for $50 each a month. We had a older park model to live in and the best was that they accepted pets too. The owners home school their boys.

So keep planning and working towards that dream. It can be done!!!

[Cedar518]

Welcome Kerri!

I'm so glad you found us and joined the gang around the campfire! There is always room in the circle to add more camp chairs. Where in 'bama are you? I wintered in West Mobile in '04/'05, and love the gulf area.

[retiredhappy]

Welcome Kerri. Jump in anyplace and anytime - all questions welcome. If you daughter is 9 and you are workamping in the park where your rig is parked your daughter could very well stay in your rig and you would be able to check on her and be right there for her. If you're working in the office you probably wouldn't be able (or want) to have her just hanging around for the 6 to 8 hr shift BUT there are lots of owners who would have no problem with you going to your rig to check on her PROVIDED there is someone else in the office with you. And if you're housekeeping, you probably wouldn't want her hanging around the bathrooms anyway. My solution would be to pick a smaller park where you can easily keep an eye on your rig and daughter. All of the KOA's I've worked in had nice playgrounds for the kids. You can join both KOA and Workamper News to find out about workamping jobs. I've always just worked for my site and electric and a discount on propane. That way I don't have to work longer hours but there are lots of possibilities out there.

[Kerri]

Wow! Thanks everyone! You seem to be a really great group! Can't wait to get "out there" with you all... I will post over on the workamping section about my hopes and plans for workamping, but you all gave me some great advice. Love hearing from the "been there, done that" folks - that is how we learn, by listening to someone who has the experience!
Thanks for such a great welcome!

[mtngal]

Welcome Kerrie! looking forward to following your adventure becoming a full-timer.

[BirdbyBird]

Welcome aboard....looking forward to learning, sharing and laughing with you as explore your world and future possibilities.....

[Getupngo]

Kerri, it sounds like you have quite an adventure planned with your daughter. Good for you. I can't speak to workkamping with kids ... mine son is balding.

It's a great lifestyle, and since you've already been homeschooling this should be a natural with your daughter. Good luck, share your progress toward your goal with us and we'll cheer you on.

[asirimarco]

Welcome Kerri - glad you found us. This is a great group and lots of good information is available here. Just join in when ever.

[Liz]

Welcome Kerri,

What great experiences you and your daughter will have as full-timers. I love your plans to visit the National Parks. I have no experience work camping with or without children, but sounds like good advice here from the others. Just talk to the potential employers about the possibilities.

Looking forward to hear about your progress toward that dream!

[AlmostThere]

Hi, Kerri,
Just wanted to add my welcome and look forward to tagging along as your dreams come true!

[Nasoosie]

Hi Kerri, and WELCOME to this group of fantastic women!!

I wish I had thought about home schooling my kids and traveling across the country with them! But, at the time, I guess I was also a wife! That wouldn't have worked out!

Hope to see some pics of you when you learn how to post them!

Hope to meet you on the road one day, too!

[bluepinecones]

Welcome Kerri
Where in AL are you located? I'm in northern part of state.