Dreaming of Full-timing One Day

[kspers]

Hello from Raleigh, NC!

It seems as long as I can remember I have dreamed of traveling and living in an RV of some sort. Nearly 12 years ago we got a 31' Class A, and it has been a real pleasure taking trips in it. Most of my trips are weekends at dog shows, and that just makes me want to get out even more.

I am looking forward to learning from everyone here. I am especially interested to learn what it is like for a woman traveling and staying alone in an RV. Most of the traveling I've done up to now has been within six hours of home so not many extended trips.

I'll see you all in the forums!

[Bethers]

Welcome, glad to have you with us.

[rvgrammy1953]

Welcome!!! There's loads of info and experiences here on full-timing....and if you can't find the answer to your question, just ask....I'm sure someone will jump in with the answer... Another thing....check out our get together-GTG-section....they are so fun and it's a great way to meet us while on the road....and of course, we love photos....In other words....glad you are here....jump in any time....

[BirdbyBird]

Welcome aboard. What breed of dogs do you show? Performance events or conformation? ...and just to warm you folks will expect some pictures. They never seem too worried what what we look like but sure want to ooh and ah over our rigs and our animals.

Longer trips shouldn't be much of a step up from that packing for a 4 day show. You adjust food packing according to how close to a grocery store you will be. When traveling almost any day moving down the road puts you in a position to resupply. And who really wants to drive more than 6 to 8 hours a day. Five sounds even better and you are there ready to take some dogs for a walk. You already have discovered the diversity of fellow campers and "show people." You will continue to find kindred spirits as you continue traveling. You already found us... and excellent start....

[Travelinana]

Glad to welcome you. It sounds like a future full timer is among us. Let us know more about you and of course pictures are our delight!

[cpatinjones]

Hi and welcome to the forum! Looking forward to hearing about your RVing adventures.

[WickedLady]

Welcome aboard; glad you found us.

[Birdie]

Welcome to our world. Just remember extended driving is a bunch of close to home driving put end to end It is a marvelous way to live and I guess some of us have to do it....at least for a while. I alway like to be in a campground well before dark. Do NOT like to back in and hook up in the dark.

For many of us traveling solo, it means we get to make the decision if we go down that road or the next one. We also get to decide which RV Park we want to stay at for the night/week/month. Of course it also means we get to do the hook ups and dump and make sure the maintenance gets done. Kind of like living in a sticks and bricks when you are solo .

I have a 30' Class C and tow and Chevy HHR for a get around car. I am looking to down size a couple of feet, but only have found an upsize that I really like. Hope you find that you can travel solo okay without fears. Just try to never put yourself in harm's way. It has to be your definition of what is harm's way. Not mine or anyone else's. If you are comfortable you feel okay. If you are not comfortable you have wheels that go forward and backward and a motor to get you out of where you are.

So jump on in here and let us know when you are going on the road where someone can meet up with you. There is a GTG the 23rd of April down in the other Carolina. Check out the GTG section and maybe you can connect with some of those folks.

[Irmi]

Hello & welcome!

I don't travel solo but I am traveling in a 31' Class C. Up until a couple days ago, our trips were limited to weekends and week vacations, due to working. Hubby & I will be leaving day after tomorrow for an extended trip to Florida for the winter, so I will better be able to tell you how it went in a few months. But we've never had problems before in our rig so I'm not anticipating any problems for this trip. I'm looking forward to hearing about your trips and hope to see some pictures, too!

[Liz]

Welcome to the forum. Hope to meet you at some future gtg. I've been full-timing for about 9 months and loving it.

[Nasoosie]

Welcome to the forum full of amazing women and their entourage! (Sorry about that term!)

Hope to meet you somewhere down the line!

[JoanE]

I was concerned about being alone on the road too but have not found it to be a problem. I started full timing in August. Right now I am parked in FL where my children live through February. In March I'll be joining some old and new friends, met on this forum, in TX. In my first three months on the road, I learned how to ration my driving and to plan my travels. Getting up in the morning to anticipate new vistas is both exciting and relaxing. No hurry, no worry. I found that asking the people in the campground offices what I should see in their area brought unexpected treasures. When I've had enough of being alone in the camper, I put the leash on Maggie and take her for a walk. You meet other dog owners or can just say hello to other campers sitting outside their rigs. I really don't mind being alone for long periods of time. I don't have a problem going out to dinner alone or attending events alone. I'm at a campground right now that has a poolside bar and grill. Occasionally I walk myself down there in the evening, plunk my butt on a bar stool and enjoy a glass of sangria. I've learned Texas Hold Em by doing that, danced with a guy who obviously loves to dance and last night I was abruptly kissed by a stranger when he overheard me complain of having hiccups. Let me tell you, a kissing bandit can cure hiccups!

As was said before, we all have our own feelings as to what is "safe". So listen to your inner voice but hopefully it will not prevent you from having great experiences and meeting new friends.

[kspers]

Thanks everyone! You've given me some good things to think about already, as well as motivation to pursue my dream. I know I am going to enjoy this group.

I'll "see" you around the forums and look forward to learning from you and getting to know you!

[Colliemom]

Welcome to the forum. I'm not a full timer, just a weekend warrior as I am still working, but hope to travel down the road in a couple of years. You came to the right place to learn, seek advice, ask questions etc. Enjoy. A lot of the ladies on this forum have been there, done that and they can tell you the in's and out's of full time RVing and all the neat places to go.