I'm new...even though I'm pretty old

[kdmac]

Hi, I am new; this is my first posting. I will fill in the blanks right away. I grew up outside of Seattle Washington (now living on Camano Island WA) and have camped, hunted, hiked, boated, boondocked for my entire life. Until I married my husband eight years ago (I was 50 when we married). He is the most wonderful gentle man but I did make a mistake because he is not an explorer or road-trip junkie like I am. I just couldn't pry him away from the tv. We've lived on Camano Island for eight years and I only got him down to the beach once. So, we are amiably divorcing and our final date is November 30. Very soon I will be purchasing a Cougar 268rls travel trailer...I have a half-ton truck. I will have my Boeing pension to live on.

Initially my first concern is getting through the TT purchase unscathed with my dignity and most of my wallet content still intact. The timing for this purchase is mid winter so I will not drive the Siskious in winter to head to Arizona, although certainly could do the coast but figured I would love to spend my first months of new life on the Oregon coast and walk the beaches and chum with the sea lions. Then in Spring I will do a "very leisurely" southern Utah sweep and see all the national parks and monuments and mosey over to Four Corners to see the cliff dwellings...and hope to boondock the majority of the time. Then by September make my way down to Quartzsite and stay several miles further than the large crowds and see how I manage with the scorpions, coyotes and occasional snakes. How do people protect their dogs when down in the desert, it just seems the dogs would snif out something they shouldn't be sniffing even though it's dormant winter, there must be the hearty scorpion to run into; I often wonder about that. I know I should have a dog to share life with and I may do that...haven't decided yet. If so I will go to a shelter to get one.. Well, my goodness I have rambled like a mad woman. I must say this forum is just the best. I have done so much research on many topics before heading out and have read several forums....hands down! this one is my favorite. I am open to any and all advice.

Be Well, and Be Safe.

[Bethers]

Hi KD, nice to meet you (and hope that's a good nickname for you?). I split off your post into a new topic so everyone can find it.

What a great introduction and you'll be making lots of the west coasters happy - they keep saying everyone joins from the east or midwest . I'm sorry about your marriage, but totally understand! I'm glad you're able to split amiably and that you know what you want to do.

I've spent a lot of time in the desert with my dogs, and have always worried about that - but so far haven't had a problem. My current dog sniffs into holes, etc and scare the @#$% out of me, but again, so far, no problem. I don't want to take the fun out of the hikes for her, but will be a mess if something gets her - so I keep my eyes out, too. If something does get her, I want to know what it was. Figure I have a better chance getting her an antidote, etc then.

You're planning a wonderful trip. And we have several who spend winters near Q - some boondocking, some in parks. I've boondocked when I've been in that area. I love boondocking

Hope to see you join in often - anywhere you please. Glad to have you with us.

[Bethers]

Ha, just merged the two - and deleted one so that it doesn't look like you stuttered! You and I were thinking alike in making a new post for yourself. Again, glad you're here - and I'll quit playing with your posts! (I don't change them - just organize things sometimes).

[VickieP]

Welcome to the forum, I agree this is the best one around! Sorry your marriage didn't work out, but glad that it didn't damper your love for exploring! I can't wait to follow your new rv purchase and travels. Post often!

[AlmostThere]

Hi, kdmac!
Sorry about your marriage, but sounds like you're hitting the ground running, and also sounds like you might already be a seasoned RVer. Your plans sound wonderful! I don't blame you for not wanting to drive over the Siskiyou Pass in the dead of winter and once you make it to the coast you should be virtually snow free heading south. I live in SW WA. Right now I'm more of a camper than a traveler. Perhaps next summer I'll close up my home, pay the bills ahead and take off for a month or so.
Please keep us posted on your RV purchase etc. I look forward to hearing about your adventures. Welcome!
Lenora

[mitch5252]

..
Welcome, KD! You picked a good place to hang your hat...these women can help you with most anything at any time.
We'll look forward to getting to know you better and hearing about your new life.

..

[retiredhappy]

Welcome KD. You've found a great place and a great bunch of women who will support you in your endeavors and listen any time you want to rant. I grew up in Burien near Seattle and have been divorced since the 70's. We're planning a GTG the first week of April in POrt Lavaca Texas where we will boondock on the beach. Maybe you could work this into your plans and meet some of the ladies in person. Keep us posted on your RV search.

[Getupngo]

Oh, KD you are sooooo old. (Same as me).

You sound quite confident and have your plans nicely thought out. I look forward to you sharing your adventures (AND PICTURES!) with us. I travel solo in a 35-foot Class A motor home with my snotty little dog. I like the company & she loves to navigate from the dashboard.

I'm from Utah and will be spending the spring volunteering for the National Park Service in the San Juans. We'll have to wave as we pass one another by on I-5! OR ... I'll be traveling around the first of March, so if you're still around we could do a mini-GTG in Anacortes.

[BirdbyBird]

Welcome aboard. It sounds as if you have enough "reading" under your belt that we can't snow you with flash and dazzle... Your sense of adventure and spirit to go forth is delightful.....can't wait to meet you down the road and around the campfire/s real and imagined.....

[rvgrammy1953]

Welcome, welcome, KD....yep, this is the best place for ya'.... Lots of different aspects on the RV life...but am sure you'll find answers and of course, lots of laughter, venting, and our "Famous" GTGs...Jump in anywhere...anytime....

[kdmac]

Thank you all so much for your kind welcomes. I kinda boo-booed on my first post and didn't get it in the right spot...thank you Bethers for helping me; I am delighted to have any help I can get. Hopefully, I will eventually do this right. Hey, "Retiredhappy" I also grew up in Burien, chances are we may know some of the same people.

Tomorrow I'm buying my wifi from Verizon, I like the "unlimited" minutes, hope it's the right thing.

I look forward to chatting with you all.

[retiredhappy]

Its a small, small world, isn't it? I doubt we know the same people as I'll be 70 in March so you're just a "kid". I left Washington in 1966 and moved to San Diego California - for the weather - what else!! Haven't been back since so I really need a trip to the west coast.

[Bethers]

Hopefully, I will eventually do this right.

One thing you'll learn here - there is rarely a right or wrong. Just different ways to do things Well, I think there is a right way to dump the tanks - and many of us have shared experiences of the wrong ways

[OutandAbout]

Hi KD, welcome. Sounds like you have a master plan for the near future. Don't be afraid of the TT purchase, just prepare yourself to walk away if you don't like the way it's going. Sounds like you have camped enough to know what you want and not let the salesperson talk you into anything. Glad you found us. Linda

[Liz]

Welcome, KD to the best forum ever...I agree. I can't wait for your posts about your RVing adventures. Sounds like the kind of camping I love.