Hi from Robi...another "next year this timer"

[Robi]

I am SO glad I found you guys. HOnestly, I thought I would be the only sole woman out there, but I didn't care. I have to do this...son will be going off to college, I can't afford this high rent up here in Silicon Valley (well, I can, but there is not much left over for living...and snorrrrre, I'm gonna be bored by myself here, so I thought why not be by yourself will a destination! every month!)

I will be traveling with my TWO dogs (rescues-they are brother's) and one small cat (not sure how that will work, they all get along, but she is gonna have to get used to being an "indoor" cat...she's getting older, so hey, maybe I can control her on a harness and leash now.
Yes, I will put up pics, once I figure out how to do that.

I have no rig yet, thinking about a class C deisel type...I thought about a truck camper, but I think that would feel a little too cramped, and by the time I get a truck and a camper it is the same or more than a class c. Also thought about a trailer for a little more luxury, but not crazy about the idea of towing and again, I would have to get a truck too. Sigh, decisions are so tough, no matter what, I will probably feel like I gave something up (with a C I won't have a car, maby tow a small three wheel bike? With a special cart for the boys? hehe I'm brainstorming here).

For me right now the hardest part and most overwhelming is looking around at all the stuff I will want to get rid of. Where does one start? Do I really need a sample of every grade of my son's work? All those books I thought about reading and didn't, do I bring them? Or just get a Kindle. Paper Life! SO much paper...that is "so important". ECK. So I'm thinking about sitting down and start scanning files, little by little, at least then I will "have it" and can throw the hard copy away...and if it gets lost, 'OH well".

I'm also not in to the post it on Craigs list and see who shows up (we have a lot of no-shows here, flaky Californians...everyone is so busy trying to make ends meet),,,so I am thinking about first circulating some item pics to friends, then see if I can find someone who wants to pick it up and give me a share of what they sell it for.

The separation from my son is gonna be killer. I'm not sure he thinks I am serious about this or just another one of mom's crazy ideas (I will tell you a little secret...I'm sorry if this shocks anyone but it is part of me...my brother committed suicide last year and I have not been the same. Thus I see this change of lifestyle as something to save my life as I need to find joy, I need to be around other people who are grabbing life outside the box. I need nature big time. But I have those ol aches and pains that revent my spirit from wanting to go camping in a tent...hehe...been there done that, now I want some comfort. I also lost all my Real Estate in the bust, so there is an urge to have my "own little home". (PS, I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason, so I'm glad I don't have the responsability of rental properties anymore otherwise I could not consider this.

So my decision to go full time provides solutions to so many questions and I think this group of ladies will understand better than any group of stick dwellers I know.

Namaste
Robi

[Bethers]

Hi Robi,
Glad to have you with us. As to what to get - do what feels right for you. I travelled fulltime in a Class C from June 2005 to Sept 2010 without a car. Loved it. Last Sept I got a toad (which is always an option for you, also). There are times (like workamping where I am now for 7 months) that I love having the car (and towing it really isn't difficult) then there are times when traveling when I hate having it. But I can always find a place to store it for some trips (like my return trip to Alaska and my return trip down Baja).

Anyway - you'll find what will work for you.

And there are those on the forum traveling with both dogs and cats - so you can get info from them also. Liz has a really neat tent just for her cat - which might help you with yours wanting to go outside.

Join in anywhere and everywhere -

[retiredhappy]

Welcome Robi. I traveled until recently with three dogs in a 30' class C. Somewhere down the road you will probably need a toad to go to the grocery store, etc. Finding a place to park a 30' rig isn't easy. If your class C is smaller, you might be able to drive it to the store BUT remember you will have to unhook electric, water and sewer and make sure everything inside is secure just to go buy a loaf of bread. There are so many options that you will find the one that is just right for you.

[mitch5252]

..

Hi, Robi!

Welcome to a great Forum. We'll look forward to following along on your adventures.

..

[carold]

Hi Robi, welcome to the Forum-guess you perused and decided how loveable we all were We usually suggest going to an rv show or dealership and looking, standing, sitting and cooking around so you'll know if what you want is right for you. Everyone is different and nothing is in stone. Looking forward to sharing your newbie experience and shopping for an rv with you. carold

[Forestgal]

Greetings from So. California! Glad you've joined us. You'll find that we're waaay too eager to offer opinions, but the support is right there, too. Don't be shy about asking questions and we certainly won't be shy about telling you what we think.

Keep us posted on your journey. We love to back-seat drive!

Laura -- and Jed

[Robi]

I love you all -already. So nice to have support. I was in tears today feeling overwhelmed about how I am going to put this all together (selling, reducing, deciding on a rig, and just plain want to be on the road already).

So I don't mind backseat drivers at this point :^)

Just have to take a deep breath and stay focused...I think the worse part is going through years of "important" files...I guess I'm gonna try to scan that into files (did I already post that somewhere? sorry, eck, just don't want to do it...but I do want to get on the road...so better get crackin.

now where is a pic of that "cat tent" ?

[longdog2]

Others have already provided some good "looking" ideas for you. There are also some really good blogs out there from some of our members as well as others that go through their prep to go fulltime. Take a look at "Me and My Dog" http://dewelldesigns.blogspot.com/ and "Where's Liz" http://wheresliz-2011.blogspot.com/ . Liz is the one with the cat tent by the way.

[cpatinjones]

Hi Robi,

Welcome to the forum. I, as well as the others, look forward to chatting and discussing RVing with you.

[WickedLady]

Hi, Robi, and welcome from another "next year" person.

[Liz]

Welcome Robi! Sounds like you have some great adventures planned, the first ones being downsizing and finding an rv! The downsizing gets easier. The more you realize this is what you want to do the more you realize you don't need all that stuff. Start sorting...sell, give away, pitch.

As others mentioned, I travel with my dog and cat. I have traveled every summer since 2004, but just sold my house and started full-timing in my 22' Roadtrek. Loving every minute of it. My cat has traveled with me since he was a kitten. I used to tie him outside on a leash, but found that sometimes he would get tangled or frightened and back out of the harness and escape.

So when I found this screen room online, I thought it would be a safer option for his outside time. He feels very secure in it. It folds up the size of a folding camp chair.

Here's a link: http://www.safepetproducts.com/happy-habitat-for-cats-by-abo-gear.html

Hope you will keep us informed of your progress towards the rving lifestyle. Feel free to ask questions. You have found a great group of friends here who share your dream.

[flick4411]

Hi Robi

Welcome to the greatest thing I've found aside from my RV!!!! I am another "next year" gal; after 32 years of Federal service all over the world, I'm ready to get on the road too. I have a 30ft Class C. I have gone back and forth so many times on the toad issue. I'm going "home" to WA state where my parents reside. I've not really had any roots in too very long. At least for a while I'll remain in WA as a home base. For now, I plan on not towing anything to the West Coast, but maybe later on, I'll look for something. My current RAV4 is not a good candidate for a toad vehicle.

Going to the RV shows is a terrific idea. I researched for over a year before I decided what I wanted. Initially, it was going to be a Class C, with a diesel engine, less than 28 feet, and would have a walk-around bed. I got the Class C and a walk around bed. If you would like to know the details, let me know and I'll share. But the gals here can give you so much more, varied information. I'm happy with my purchase.

Another option might be to rent a Class C and spend a couple of days and nights in it...with the fur babies. I will be traveling with 3 cats. Already did a practice run with my Kuwaiti kitty who is a runner by nature. She did fine; the others are pretty mellow and should do fine. Eventually, I'd like to get a dog, but the two "older girls" would simply leave...they have not gotten over my bringing the Kuwaiti kitty home with me a year or so ago.

There's no good way to handle the paper from family things...just gotta figure out how to decide which to keep and which to pitch. But when it comes to the official files, remember that most of your banking records are available on line today, so you can dump/shred/burn those documents. I have a small fire box into which goes basic things like wills, checkbooks, mortgage papers, car docs, and such. And because it's small, I have to be very judicious on what goes in or it won't close. Keeps me thinking on what's really valuable and cant be lost. That box will come with me in the RV when I take off next year.

Lastly, go with the Kindle...I waited a long time and finally bought myself one...and I ADORE IT!!!!

Again, Robi, welcome to this fabulous forum and the crazy, wonderful ladies you'll find here. It's the best place for us loners!!! Look forward to hearing about your progress towards "next year..."

[Rufflesgurl]

Welcome Robi from another Californian (central coast). Lived in San Jose for years. I do not full time but do have a very nice RV that I don't use often enough! Good luck with your weeding out and organizing. Guess we just accumulate way too much stuff?? Enjoy your journey.

Linda

[Carolinagal]

Welcome Robi, from N.C. So glad you've joined us, its always so much fun to enjoy the adventure of a newbie, shopping for the right r.v, downsizing, its a wonderful trip and so nice when so many of us, get to enjoy it all along with you. We're so glad you found us too, you will not find another group of such great friends, ladies sharing the same desires, so therefore good listeners and also advisers as you will find here. Sometimes, maybe to much advise, BUT the more thoughts and info for you to sort through until you find what YOU want.

Don't let the downsizing throw you, it doesn't happen overnight as we might wish, so just keep going and in the meantime everything will fall into place and you will be on the road and hopefully taking us all along with you.

Please join in on any of the thoughts you might have on the topics,even start your own, this helps us all to get better acquainted. Even though, you don't have your r.v. yet, you are welcome to any of the GTG's that you will find in that thread that might be within an area you could go to.

Welcome and the Best of Luck in your new journey,
CArol

[Irmi]

Welcome Robi!

This is a great group of women with a ton of information about any subject under the sun. I'll be meeting some of them at a GTG next month in PA which I'm looking forward to. I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures.