New Member

[SunnyH]

Hi I am Sunny Howard and just started full time RV in November. We have a 34' Bounder and a very nervous cat- LOL.. We have been taking our time, reading everything we can get our hands on about the RV life, and feel that we are finally ready to hit the road. I am looking forward to meeting you all virtually or perhaps on one of the trips,

For now-
The Boll Weevils
Sunny & Bill

[Bethers]

Hi and Welcome, Sunny and your mate, Bill. Glad to have you with us.

[VickieP]

Welcome Sunny! Tell us about your travels so far.

[rvgrammy1953]

Welcome, Sunny....This is a great place to hang out and read all about the RVing life style.....we've been full-timing for 8 yrs. and love it....Feel free to ask questions...and of course, we want to know all about you guys..we're a nosy bunch...and photos, we LOVE photos... Jump in any time, any where....

[SunnyH]

Travels-

We decided to go full time in November 2011- so we found a mobile home park close to our house and set up the motorhome and began the process of getting rid of stuff in the Sticks/Brick house. What a chore- we didn't want to rent a storage space, so it was a process of saying goodbye to our stuff, convincing the kids that we weren't moving into dementia, and that we weren't going to be homeless We also didn't want to commit to this lifestyle until we were sure that this is what we wanted, so after 3 months of living in motorhome in the winter with the rain, snow, cold and wind ( which means the slides are tucked in, and the space gets really small) we still liked each other we decided to go for it. I think I will blog a whole chapter about sizing down- without having to go to Pack Rats Anonymous Meetings, or taking medications for Packing stress Syndrome.

With the economy like it is, we decided to hire a property management firm and rent the house out for a couple of years. Our tenant moved in February 1, with a 2 year lease- so we were blessed. Then we had the extra funds to get our new home cozy.

Since we bought a new to us rig- 2000 Bounder we wanted to make sure everything is in order before we take off. We started a wish list and in March started addressing those issues.

I retire the 31st of March- so we are really just beginning- We moved to a "real" RV park in Albany Oregon the 1st of March, chosen because of A) it has an indoor pool and hot tub and b)its close proximity to the company we chose to take care of some of the maintenance things- lubricating the slide, the jacks and training us to do it. We we got here March 1 and the park manager announced the pool and hot tub were being closed the 1st because she couldn't afford to meet the new ADA requirements. I personally disagree after researching the regulations and will certainly be doing online reviews of THE BLUE OX RV Park that will mention the fact that a park with 160 spaces, 70% occupancy and fees of $400/month should be able to afford a $5,000 upgrade, especially since the regulations have been pending for the past three years- ( OK that was the accountant/controller hat coming out) l This is also the reason that we decided to join a members only camping club. All the facilities are required to have working pools. I have Fibromyalgia and water exercise is my main way of getting exercise and staying flexible.

Just the process of working, getting rid of many years accumulation of stuff, learning the RV systems, sizing into an RV, learning to drive the RV, has taken a lot of time. We did take driving lessons and have decided to retrofit the coach to meet our needs.
Repair/Retrofit Mode- March 2012
- We installed a new faucet with a sprayer in the kitchen- love it!
- Took out shower doors in bathroom and installed Oxygenics shower head- I love it- the pressure is actually better than the pressure in the RV park shower house.
-Install towing and brake system for Toad ( 2010 Ford Escape)
- Remove dinette and hideabed, replace with custom L shape desk and reclining love seats- add more cabinet storage ( this will be completed the 1st week of April)

So we have made it from Salem, Oregon to Albany Oregon- about 18 miles, at this rate it will take a very long time to see the world- LOL
Next stop Junction City Oregon to install new furniture, then off to Silverton Oregon. My hubby is also a musician and is playing in a brass quartet for Easter- while we are in Silverton, it would be an excellent time to see the Oregon gardens and do some sight seeing. I will eventually get a handle on this retirement thing

My hubby is also web site designer and set up a blog site for me- but I haven't really had time to work with it- still transitioning from work. I have that " thanks but I would rather do it myself" attitude, so it will just have to wait for a bit until I have time.

TRAVELING
We have joined the Elks ( they have a lot of campgrounds throughout the US), Passport American, Good Sam, Escapees,Happy Campers and a Membership Camping Club. Although I would like to do some boondocking on the desert, I especially want the safety and social amenities that go with RV parks. We are hoping to keep our operating budget, including fuel and parking to a little less than we were paying for housing, utilities and maintenance on SB ( sticks and bricks).

I am thrilled to be part of the sisterhood of RV'ers-

So thats me- I have lot of future plans, but still fluttering to get airborn
Hugs and tell me about you too!!

[Carolinagal]

What a really nice intro, so glad to have you join us. (hubby too). Hope you will join right in and I would love to meet you one day. Best of luck in your new adventures.

A little something about myself, I've been a widow for over 11 yrs., my little dog Maggie and I, have traveled over 80,000 miles together, sometimes with my SIL Liz, but most of those miles alone. We've seen alot and done alot and hoping to do more and see more Last October, we moved into a new rig, love it, spent the winter in Fl., planning on joining the group headed to Alaska this summer. Have a S&B's in North Carolina, that i'm in the process of trying to shed. Tired of the responsibility and maintence, in other words, getting real lazy and just want to travel and enjoy all I can in this wonderous country we live in, with all of its different landscapes and beauty all of its own. Never tire of that.

So happy to see you here and will be looking forward to meeting one day, until then keep us posted. Happy retirement, getting close.
CArol

[Readytogo]

Welcome Sunny, glad you are junping right in and participating with this great group. I am in Alabama, travel occasionally with the dog, leave kitty cat at home! You will love retirement. Wendy

[mitch5252]

..

Welcome, Sunny! We'll look forward to hearing all about your adventures!
As, yes - you are going to love being retired!!@

..

[Rufflesgurl]

Hi Sunny - Welcome to you and your hubby to the forum. You will love retirement. After I retired, I wondered how I ever had time to work.

Linda

[BirdbyBird]

Welcome to the forum. I love your enthusiasm and sense of spirit. You will find fun along the way or I think you will be able to make you own! I look forward to meeting you along the road. I will make it to the west coasts. Sharon told me so...

[Gentleladybear]

Welcome to the forum. We love pictures, so post all you can. Great friends here, a lot of fun and traveling. Glad you decided to join in with us.

[AlmostThere]

Adding my welcome from SW WA! I like your future traveling plans! Hope we cross paths one day on the road.

[cpatinjones]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

[WickedLady]

Welcome to the RVing life. I live near Hood Canal in WA and for now just do short-time trips in my little travel trailer. Hope to do more in the future. Been traveling with one big dog and now have a second one. Cats get left at home.
A friend and I plan on an Oregon road trip this summer. Maybe we will meet ya somewhere on the road.

[DorisAnn]

"I have Fibromyalgia and water exercise is my main way of getting exercise and staying flexible.'


Welcome Sunny! I too have FM and with being out in the boonies of Texas I am SOOOOO looking forward to a nice massage and some hot tubbin when we get out of here next month. Since we started full timing i have found my FM to be much better. Less stress - less pain!

I've only been a member a couple of weeks, but have already found this to be a great bunch of ladies!