I CAN do this, I CAN do this

[ellenw]

This is an embarrassingly late introduction as I've been lurking for about a month now. I feel like I already know some of you, but when that started feeling a little creepy I knew it was time to OUT myself.

Owning an RV for vacationing was a dream of my husband's and mine for our retirement, but along the way his dreams changed to nothing but watching sports and doing jigsaw puzzles. For that and a lot of other reasons he's now my EX-husband, and I've been grieving the loss of that dream. Then maybe 4 months ago I began to feel more empowered and realized, "Hey wait a darn tooting minute! I can still do this." Retirement is still at least 3 years away, but I think it's time to revive my dream.

Now here's the ultimate disclosure: I read about the Northwest Get Together at the end of September and first said, "Gee, that would be fun. If only..." and then I thought, "Yeah, right, you can't do that." And then, finally, "YES I CAN!!" So I've rented a 23'-25' motor home to pick up in Portland, having NEVER, EVER even driven one, and I reserved space #F41 in the Valley of Rogue campground.

I'm pretty sure this isn't the first time I've launched myself off an emotional cliff and I'm still around. Hopefully it won't be the last either. But how else will I know if I can do it?

So excited to get to know a lot of you and become a part of this group, both virtually and literally.

Ellen

[Bethers]

Yes, YOU CAN do this. And I'll be very excited to meet you on your first trip to the gtg in OR. It'll be a great place to learn lots (if you want) otherwise to just kick back and have fun with some of us. So glad you are taking the plunge.

Great to meet you Ellen. Oh, and make sure to go to the gtg room (if you haven't already) and post your site number there - easier to keep track of.

And thanks for deciding to jump in with us.

[ellenw]

Thanks, Beth. I'll go post on the NW GTG topic right now.

[Bethers]

Aw, Tucker wasn't showing up last time - what an absolute cutey!

[ellenw]

Aw, Tucker wasn't showing up last time - what an absolute cutey!

Yes, uncharacteristically, I added him after I added me. And his parents thank you! (I can't really take much credit. )

[sharon]

Well of course you can do this! What ever in the world would make you think that you couldn't??? Welcome to the forum and even tho I can't make this GTG I'm sure we'll meet up on the road somewhere!

And yes, I agree, Tucker is a cutie and of course he's more than welcome at any and all of the GTG's he can drag you to!

[rvgrammy1953]

Welcome, Ellen...and YES, YOU CAN!!!! and you'll love the GTG...

[Sandersmr]

Yes, you can - I really didn't think I would be able to tow a trailer since backing is not my forte. Guess what, it can be done. You can do it. And by renting, you will get a feel for whether a Class C is what you want or do you want something else. And I'm sure you have already realized we are full of lots of advice - some of it even useful!

Me, I tow a trailer because I already had a truck and didn't want another complete vehicle. Although Mark was with me when I decided and he was taken into consideration, it's my trailer.

[Redwahine]

Welcome from another newbie. Yes, you can do it. I am in a similar situation. I got married 3 yrs ago and my husband convinced me to leave my home of over 30 years in Hawaii to move to Texas. All he does is watch TV, play poker online and whenever there is a group.

[Travelinana]

Welcome Ellen...Ditto on 'you can do it'. I started with a 19' motor home then went to a 24'. I am now getting ready to learn to pull a 27' trailer. One year ago I said 'never would I pull a trailer'..so you see joining this forum will boost your confidence. When you are retired and out there, just knowing you have friends all over the country is so comforting. My daughter is in the NW, maybe we will meet one day.

[retiredhappy]

Welcome Ellen. Of course you can do it. Lots of us had similar reservations but we just jumped in and did it. If this group can't boost your confidence then nothing can. I started with a Class B, traded for a 30' class C then went fulltime for three years by workamping. Last July bought a mobile home, sold my C and just got a Roadtrek for shorter trips.

I think most of us are solo women for various reasons and we feel there's nothing we can't do with enough encouragement. Soooooo glad you're going to the GTG. You will make mistakes cause most of us have and they make great stories to tell around the campfire. I once took my 30' class C and tow vehicle through a bank drive-thru. Am tempted to go do it again and take pictures this time. You should have seen the faces of the bank staff as I drove thru.

[avalen]

Welcome!! So glad you decided to post and join in, I can hardly wait until I can attend a gtg but thats
probably not going to happen until I retire. Soon though, soon.
Tucker is such a cutie, what kind of dog is that? Black dogs are so hard to photograph, I used to have
a solid black cocker spanial and seems like I could NEVER see her face in pictures. Well, maybe in a
few.
Keep that dream alive. Meet you down the road someday

[ladyrenegade]

Welcome Ellen! Yes, there is no doubt you can do this and continue on with your own dreams. Turns in the road as they say, but I'm sure you could handle any rig, any size, that you decide you'd like to

I look forward to seeing you one day on the road.
Cheers,
Janis

[Dawn309]

Hi Ellen. So glad you decided to join in. I am taking a huge leap of faith too and saying "I can do this". The ladies on this forum are great. They will help you in any way they can. As soon as our small farm sells, I am buying a 38' Class A. Going to move my Mom and me into it to start fulltiming. My husband had always been the driver and I had always been the navigator. Now I will be both. Cannot wait to meet you out on the road. I know you will have a great time at the GTG.

[BirdbyBird]

another, Yes you can, Yes you can......coming your way. SO glad that you found us and so glad that you jumped on in with posts. You won't have a problem driving the rental.....just take a deep breath and keep breathing. Doing this Alaska trip several of us have commented on how many rentals are out and about. We meet a couple just the other night trying to figure out if they could back into a small tight site with their 28 foot rental...first day driving RV. After we helped move a picnic table for them and with a little bit of help they made it safely. You will enjoy!