Negative comments

[MelissaD]

While I've only had my RV a couple of years, I lived for years out of a 64 sqft cab of a semi. Seldom knowing when I got up in the morning, which state I'd lay my head down in that night. Some of the best years of my life. To me, traveling around the country was as normal as some ride around town. I could rattle off Interstates and US routes from coast to coast like someone rattling off directions to get across town. There is a freedom and simplicity of being on the road. I had no house, no car and a room in my parents home if I wanted it. Preferred the bed in my truck over a nasty hotel and when I took a stop at Mom and Dads, I was ready to roll again in a couple of day. My Mom use to comment when the itch struck me. As I sit now in my house, I look at all the stuff I've collected and except for Phoenix and the GB, I'm no better off. Worst off actually in some ways but Mom is happy to know where I am. Some of use just have to wander. So until I can wonder again, I listen to the stories of others. In may ways my RV is my relief valve.

Those that don't understand, probably never will. Like trucking, life in a RV is a lifestyle. Either its in you or it's not. Don't allow others to trap you in their "security blanket" of their stuff or what is "normal" and expected. Go chase the white line and see what's over the next hill.

[bluepinecones]

If they thought they could get away with it, believe my family would have tried to have me committed when I told them I bought an RV for my 70th birthday (with NO experience RVing or even camping).
I say go for it. Friends and family might get over it with time; not worth letting them upset your plans.

[retiredhappy]

As everyone says, GO FOR IT!!! My daughter was really supportive but then she's a little bit of a rebel. She thought me driving around doing stuff was great and beat the pants off sitting around the house waiting for someone to come visit. I fulltimed for three years and never, ever felt unsafe. And as for being lonely on the road, nonsense!! Just take a walk around a campground and say "hi" to people and/or travel with a dog (I have three). I have more friends now than I ever did sitting in my house and they're all over the country so I have places to go to visit and people to meet. Especially true since I'm not one to hang around senior centers. As for motels/hotels - YUCK. Talk to them about poor safety, bedbugs, bad service, dirty bathrooms and lugging your stuff in and out, I travel comfortably with my own bed, kitchen, bathroom and living room. Goes wherever I go.

[judi]

Some of the questions family and friends asked me when I first purchased my little RV:

Are you depressed?
Do you have a bad disease and don't want to tell us?
Are you following a man around?
Are you wanted by law enforcement for some reason?
Has something happened that you didn't tell us about?
Has someone broken your heart?
Are you doing this to save money?
Are you fu#!#!* crazy?

Answer to all of the above - NO - well, except maybe the last one. Listen to the voice in your head, and not the voices of others.

"Not all those who wander are lost." JRR Tolkien

[MandysMom]

Hey Judy, I think I have Yes answers to all questions.
Are you depressed? Yes. I get depressed looking at the same local scenery day after day, I want adventure.
Do you have a bad disease, and don't want to tell us? Yep, it's called travelititis and I want to go scratch that itch.
Are you following a man around? I hope so, I just don't know who he is yet.
Are you wanted by law enforcement for some reason? I hope so, see previous question. I love a man in a uniform.
Has something happened that you did not tell us about? Yep, I got smart and figured out life is too short to sit around here.
Has someone broken your heart? Yep, you have by not being supportive.
Are you doing this to save money? This one can go either way, depending on mood and questioner. Yes I am, I can live on much less and spend more on fun stuff. Or. Nope I'm spending your inheritance because I can.
Are you ********* crazy. Yep, I am and include cackling and a big grin as you walk away. Possibly include, thanks for the compliment with this answer.

Velda, who is preparing for someday.....

[JudyJB]

Good answers, Velda.

I think the WORST thing to go in your old age is find a comfortable chair, put it in front of the TV, and sit there for the rest of your life, waiting to die!! Too many people do that.

Much better to take a few chances and live! And how lonely and bored is sitting in that chair waiting to die?

Oh, and for those concerned about all the expensive gas we are burning in our travels: we may drive gas-guzzlers, but we use MUCH, MUCH less water, electricity and fuel to heat our homes than almost anyone else.

[WickedLady]

Some of it might be that down deep they are afraid you will drift apart and they will lose you as a friend.

[Bethers]

Has someone broken your heart? Yep, you have by not being supportive.

Velda, who is preparing for someday.....

Velda, I loved all your responses, but this one the most - and sometimes they need to be told!

[judi]

Velda - I love your answers!

[gypsyrose1126]

What great responses, thanks to everyone. Like the rest of you, I will continue doing what I want and what I feel is the best for me now and for the future. I hope to meet you all at some point.

[HorizonSeeker]

Loved all the great answers here. Follow your heart. Ignore the bad and embrace the good. I still have family and friends who "feel sorry for me and invite me to sleep in a "real house" on a "real bed". I just laugh and tell them I don't want to get spoiled. Come on out and play with us!!

[linann]

My favorite negative comments are from people who tell me they only camp at Hilton and Marriott hotels. My most upset friend was horrified I would take a trip alone. I decided these comments are a reflection of their limitations, not mine.

Last Monday at work, we were catching up on what everyone did during the holiday. One co-worker said she thinks I live an interesting life because I am always going different places to do fun things while she is sitting in the recliner in front of the TV. I was surprised by what she said, but realized that not everyone thinks RVing is crazy.

Do what you want. It will be much easier than you might expect because you are used to taking care of yourself. A few GTGs or camp outs close to home will get you used to you rig. Reading posts here is a big help . . . often someone writes something I never would have thought to ask.

[BarbaraRose]

This will never be an issue with me since my family already thinks I am crazy!

It won't surprise my friends since they are used to me just up and moving across the country by myself, and actually envy me having the guts and freedom to do so! They already call me a gyspy!

[Sherryi66]

I love all the comments on this subject. I have mentioned to my friends and family my intention to puchase an rv and travel. Some think it is exciting. I am not sure what most really think about it. Most likely that I am crazy. It is not everyones cup of tea. I can't wait!

[rvgrammy1953]

Oh, and I love this one...."Where are you going on your "Vacation" this year?? Vacation?? We're here to visit you...now...We're on the road living our life....Vacation is when I visit so you can "spoil" me... That's my answer to all relatives....