Hello from Washington State

[daibraik]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum, introducing myself. I'm retired, my significant other isn't. We used to full-time for a couple of years 2007-2009 (I sold my house and bought a used fifth wheel and truck outright...yeah!). I worked at Glacier National Park in the summers and relaxed on the Gulf Coast in the winters, while he worked construction. The economy tanked, and it became difficult for him to find work (ya know, to pay "his" bills) . My daughter started having babies back here in Washington State, so I came dashing home to be near (a 5 hour drive anyway). Sold the RV, returned to work full time, but I've got itchy feet again (no fungus that I can see), so I bought myself a little class A (which terrified/terrifies me to drive-it gets better every time I take it out though), and I'm heading out somewhere after Christmas, not sure where, but it will be on my own. I still have my house and significant other (who still works), so we'll see how that goes. I hope to spend a month or two at all the places I've been saying I wish I could see!

Right now, Bessie is in the shop getting outfitted for things I can't live without...satellite TV, a tow package for my little car (nope, I've never towed other than the fifth wheel...wish me luck). Staying local through Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then she and I are on the road...somewhere.

It's good to be here!

2014 Thor Ace 29.2
2014 Chevrolet Sonic
Magellan, the GPS

[WickedLady]

Hey, welcome. " Remember, courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway". Just don't try backing up with your car still attached
Marda

[daibraik]

Ah, yes, Marda! I've heard the no backing up story! Thank you for the good words!

Dawn

[MelissaD]

Hoosier Welcome

[rmsealarke]

Hi!
Welcome to you! I am new as well and am currently on the East Coast. Loved Washington State the few times I have lived there. Best to you!
Ruthie

[mitch5252]

..
Welcome, Little Ms. Itchy Feet! (anything else you'd like us to call you? )

And let the adventures begin!

Will you be heading south?

..

[BirdbyBird]

Welcome to the forum. It is wonderful that you are able to act on your dreams. It is sometimes hard to give up the known for the unknown.....any change takes courage. Be sure to keep us posted on your progress. Remember that driving and towing are all learnable skills. Beyond that there are driving schools to increase the learning curve if you want the extra confidence earlier rather than later.

[cnq50b]

Welcome, Dawn.
Sounds like adventures are right around the corner.
I visited WA for the first time this summer - loved it!!! Hope to make future trips out there when I'm footloose & fancy free someday. (I have a few more years before I can cut the fulltime work ties)
You've found a perfect place for friendship & advice.
Stop by if you're ever coming thru the MIdwest.
Catherine

[mitch5252]

..
Welcome, Little Ms. Itchy Feet! (anything else you'd like us to call you? )

And let the adventures begin!

Will you be heading south?

..

Well, Dawn - it has been pointed out to me that your name is Dawn, and not Little Ms Itchy Feet! I replied right after I read your first post and did not see your post with your name. Sorry. But there's nothing wrong with Itchy Feet!! Now, Smelly Feet - that's a different story.

..

[Bethers]

Welcome Dawn with the itchy feet. I'm Beth with itchy feet lol ..

I think you'll find the A with toad will be easier to drive and park than the 5th wheel, but you never know. We all have totally different comfort levels. Glad to have you with us.

How was working at GNP?

[mitch5252]

...I'm Beth with itchy feet lol ..

..
Don't let her fool you - she's Beth with the STINKY feet.
..

[avalen]

Welcome Dawn
I definitely understand the itchy feet, my countdown is on for retirement so I can get on the road fulltime. Glad you have found us, we
are a goofy bunch and always a lot of fun just reading the posts.

[linann]

Welcome Dawn,

Glad you are here. Will be watching for your posts. If FL is on your places to visit give a shout when you head this way.

[daibraik]

Thanks for the gracious welcome, all! Ms. Itchy feet is fine, cuz ya know, sometimes...at night...I get this itching around my ankles? Drives me crazy. Then it's up for the Benadryl cream, etc, etc. But I digress... Everyplace is on my list of places to visit. Definitely Florida, just cuz. I've never spent any appreciable time in Indiana...it's a must do. I did RV right on up to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2009, where I sold the fifth wheel and truck, but haven't spent real time in Kansas. On my list of places to visit! Washington is beautiful, isn't it? I'm not from here either but moved here when I retired from the military (I'd done a small 18 month tour here and thought it very mystical).

Fifth wheel? Oh my gosh, I could not make my brain work the opposite way to park it, but I nailed backing the truck up to the tongue! I was the truck backer upper.

Yes, Mitch, I'm thinking of heading south. It was down to 23 here today, not very coastal Pacific Northwestery. We're supposed to be protected from cold weather on the coast, well, the worst of it, but I'm a bit inland...in the path of Mt. Rainier if it wants to blow. We have lahar siren warnings once a month, first Monday, 12 noon!

I've lived on the East Coast, Ruthie, but not enough, hence the RV. Lived in MD, took my daughter to daycare in VA, and worked in D.C. at the Pentagon for three traffic-filled years. Bought a small truck with a camper shell then. I've always had "the dream."

Beth, Working at Glacier was a dream come true, a bucket list item, a childhood fantasy. I got to wear a Smokey the Bear hat (they like to call it a Park Ranger hat in the National Park Service, dontcha know), and a badge (not law enforcement) and eat lunch on a picnic bench in the woods with the deer and watch moose cross the road and black bears and just...ya know...the National Parks. Aren't they great?

Thanks all so much!

[IrishIroamed]

Hi from Illinois Dawn - welcome to the forum.