Yes, We Have No Toothbrushes

Do other part-timers have trouble remembering what they have stored in their RV? We do. Are we the only ones? Our last trip upstate was to get the RV ready for winter storage. When packing to go we were unsure what we needed to take and what we already had. Not the big stuff like pots & pans, dishes and cups, towels and sheets. I'm talking about the little things like deodorant, shampoo, paper towels, toilet paper, and most importantly, toothbrushes. We had planned to buy extra toothbrushes and leave them there. But did we?

Since long periods go by between visits we find it hard to remember. Subsequently, we go through the same routine every time and as usual we took some things we didn’t need and forgot some that we did. So, because we won’t be back in the rig until March, as part of packing up I decided to take inventory of everything we have. And being a hyper organized nut I created an excel spreadsheet of said inventory.

I’m not suggesting anyone else do this. Honestly, I known it’s a little OCD. I also know it will be a big help to us. I now know what we have and what we need. The more we can keep in the rig the easier each trip will be. The less we have to pack and transport the more pleasant the adventure. After all, isn’t that part of the charm of owning a second home on wheels. Unlike taking a trip for a week or two to some hotel or resort - where you have to take everything - my ideal is to just throw some clothes in a bag and go.

You might think we would have done this before, but we are still learning all the ins and outs of this Rving thing. Every time we do it something new comes up. This is just another lesson learned and I’m certain there are many more to come. One day, with a little luck and a lot more experience, we will have it all down pat.

As it turns out we didn’t have those extra toothbrushes. Luckily, to be on the safe side, we brought the ones from home with us. I’ve updated my spreadsheet accordingly.

-Diane

The Long Goodbye

We were back in Saugerties, NY this week. My Dad was with us this time. Mom didn’t want to come. It’s not her thing. It was his first time seeing the RV let alone staying in one. He’s wanted to see it since we got it, and we finally had the chance to make that happen. I was so excited to have him with us, to share this with him. Plus, it’s always beautiful in the Catskills in the Fall. 

The trees were still mostly green in Ulster County, so we took a drive north into Greene County in search of the Fall foliage and to show Dad where my two brother-in-laws have their houses. It was a pretty day and we saw some great color. We stopped in Windham and had lunch at the Catskill Country Store then picked up some fresh produce from RSK Farms in Prattsville.

On the way back, we stopped by Wolff’s Maple Breeze - the Catskill resort we used to stay at when I was a kid. You’ve seen the movie “Dirty Dancing,” right? Well Wolff’s is just like Kellerman’s. Every summer during my pre-teen and teen years we spent a few weeks there. The place hasn’t changed a bit and our visit brought back so many fond memories.

We spent the rest of our time preparing the rig for storage. We had several tasks we wanted to complete before we put her down for her winter nap. We made a few minor repairs and cleaned her from top to bottom, inside and out. Just before we left, we put the RV cover on for the first time. More on that later - it's still too soon to talk about it.

Our next big trip will be in March; one week in New Orleans and then a three weeks on the beach in Pensacola, FL. I’m sure the time will fly, as it tends to do, but right now it seems so far away. I think I’m suffering from a mild case of melancholy. I hate this part. I don’t like being away from the RV for long. I miss her. I worry about her. I guess, until we embark on our next adventure, I will just have to sustain myself revisiting the memories of this last year and dreaming about the new ones we will make in the future.

“And Winter slumbering in the open air,
Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring!”

-Samuel Taylor Coleridge

-Diane

The GPS Blues

I wrote recently about my shortcomings as an RV owner in a post titled, “It’s Not the Tools, It’s the Carpenter;” however, sometimes it IS the tool.  And of course, my sir name being Murphy and all, sometimes it’s both.

Which brings me to my RV’s GPS – which must stand for Goshdarn Piece of S...!  My RAM 2500, of which I’ve written glowingly, did not have an available navigation system that was suitable for RV’s, trucks, or other commercial vehicles. I found this a little strange since owners of heavy duty pickup trucks frequently encounter pesky things like height and weight restrictions – not to mention that a 2500 or 3500 registered in New York State requires commercial plates.

So, being the conscientious RVers that we are, we purchased a GPS that was specifically designed for RVing.  You actually enter the height, weight, length, and width of your vehicles into the GPS and it’s supposed to keep you off roads where you don’t belong – theoretically.  When I tell you that I’ve screamed at this device at the top of my lungs to do something that is anatomically impossible – I’m not exaggerating. When I tell you that I’ve gently cajoled the machine in an effort to get some clear guidance – I’m not exaggerating. When I tell you that my wife took the machine’s side in an argument – I’m not exaggerating. When I tell you that this thing took us down a snowmobile trail – I’m not exaggerating.

The first time I towed the rig (other than training) was when we picked it up in Pennsylvania and took it to it’s storage location in the Catskills.  For some unexplainable reason the GPS took us off Route 17 (major highway and truck route), put me onto a road with low vertical clearance – where I was forced to make my first u-turn, and took me up and down an ice-covered mountain.  When I say mountain – I mean mountain.  It was over a mile up and over a mile down.  At times the pitch was 45 degrees. And it was covered with ice.  The truck screamed while climbing.  I screamed while descending. Even in low gear, the brakes were about on fire by the time I got to the bottom of the mountain.

On a stop-over in Maryland we were buried in snow.  It was around 8 P.M. when the snow finally stopped and we had to leave very early the next morning.  Cleaning off the roof was pretty simple but we had the slides out and I had no way of getting up there to clean them off.  I needed a ladder.  We looked up the address of the nearest Home Depot and I plugged it into the GPS.  Me and snow plows were the only things on the roads.  The GPS got me to the neighborhood of the Home Depot but then the fun started.  “Drive 500 feet and make a U-turn.”  OK.  “Drive 500 feet and make a U-turn.”  “Drive…”  You get the picture.

Anyway, I give up on the GPS, find a poor local digging his car out, and he gives me directions to the Home Depot.  Turns out that the GPS had me driving in a circle past the street I needed to turn down to find the store.  I don’t know why – unless she was ticked off about me cursing her out.  So I pull up in front of the Home Depot.  Just to be clear, I’m looking at the giant sign and I’m about 20 feet from the door.  As I put the truck in park I hear, “Drive 500 feet and make a U-turn.” My reply cannot be printed here.

-Bill

Seven Years...And Now Always Itching To Go

Today is our first anniversary! One year ago today we bought the RV. Oh, and it's our 7th wedding anniversary, too. That's right. For our anniversary last year, we went RV shopping. We had been waiting for Bill to retire which he'd done earlier that month. After tons of research we had narrowed down our choices. We were set on a fifth wheel, a floor plan, the length, weight, price and brand. Just to make sure we really wanted to do this, we had rented a 25' class C and taken a short trip to D.C. and Gettysburg. That trip sealed the deal. We were  finally ready to take the plunge and couldn't think of a better way to spend our special the day.

The show was in Suffern, NY, a pleasant two hour drive from home. We had been there before, but back then we were just browsing. This time we were ready to buy. We didn't count on finding what we were looking for, but we were hopeful. The fact that we could buy if we found something we liked was very exciting. As it turned out, and lucky for us, the model we had in mind was not on display that day. When does anything ever go as expected? It didn't matter, though. We never tired of checking out those that were. We learned something new from each one. 

Then we walked into "The One." We spotted it from a distance. It had a new feature we'd heard about but had never seen before. It was a 2015 Cougar High Country 338PAT. What a beauty! We loved the decor, wood floors and cabinets, leather furniture, center island, stainless steel sink, extra large fridge, fireplace, washer-dryer hook up, full-sized shower. It was everything we wanted and more. But, the most amazing part...the rear of the rig was a modified toy hauler that converted to a patio with an outside kitchen.

Bill was sold immediately. I wasn't. The problem - it was 6' longer, 3,000 lbs heavier, and more expensive than we had planned. We were first timers. Did we really want to take on that much vehicle right out of the gate? The dealer was Chuck Neer of C. Neer RV. He took us through the rig showing us all its features. It was clear he knew his stuff. I trusted him and the more he talked the more enamored I became. However, I was still concerned about the size, weight and price. Chuck answered all our questions and addressed all our concerns with great patience. I finally came around. You know how it ends. After some discussion and a brief negotiation, we bought her.

Best. Anniversary. Ever!

- Diane 

P.S. I took these pictures immediately after the purchase. I don't know who these people are (expect for that guy in the kitchen), but I remember thinking at the time, "Stop walking through my baby! You're gonna mess her up!" Apparently, in those very early moments, my alternate RV persona had already begun to manifest itself.

P.S.S. And the RV even sent me an anniversary card. It's true love indeed.

So Many RVs...So Little Time

When we started looking at RVs one of our first stops was a local RV show. Until that day we had no idea how many different types there were and this new found knowledge left us feeling overwhelmed. There are so many options that deciding on type, tow option, floor plan, length, weight, make and model can make your head spin. Fortunately, because we did not plan to buy until Bill retired, we had time. On and off, over a five year period, we shopped around and educated ourselves before finally making our purchase.

Wherever you land when traveling in your RV, most of you will need a get-around vehicle. So, you either need to tow said vehicle behind your rig or tow your rig with that vehicle. Deciding which you prefer will determine the type of RV you buy. If you choose to tow the RV, the length and weight will determine whether or not you can tow it with a car, SUV or a pick-up truck and the size and type of pick-up. In order to choose you need to understand the different types.

Class A Motorhome:
Commonly referred to as the conventional motorhome, the Class A is entirely constructed on a bare, specially designed, motor vehicle medium duty truck chassis, or in many cases, on a custom undercarriage. They are spacious and available with every conceivable luxury. The engine may be gas or diesel. Sizes ranges from 21 to 38 feet* and can sleep up to 10 people. They may or may not have slide-outs (which allow a portion of the RV's exterior wall to slide outward as much as 4 feet to enlarge the living area). No special license is required for operating a Class A.  

Class A Motorhome

Class B Motorhome:
Commonly referred to as the van camper or van conversion, Class B motorhomes are fully self-contained, with a refrigerator, sink, hot water, air conditioning, heater, and sleeping facilities. The engine may be gas or diesel. Sizes range from 16 to 22 feet* and can sleep up to 4 people. They are the most economical, versatile and maneuverable of the motorized RVs. Many have showers and toilet facilities including holding tanks for fresh and waste water. They make a good towing vehicle for small camping trailers, boats or other small towable toys.

Class B Motorhome

Class C Motorhome:
Commonly referred to as a mini motorhome or just mini, Class C motorhomes are built on a custom automotive manufactured van frame including an attached cab section. They provide all the conveniences of a larger motorhome in a smaller version and at a lower price point. Sizes range from 20 to 39 feet* and can sleep up to 10 people. They usually have a sleeping quarter over the cab in addition to a bedroom in the rear and sometimes allow more sleeping space then a Class A. They are normally equipped with kitchen, dining and bathroom facilities. They may or may not have slide-outs.

Class C Motorhome

Travel Trailer:
Designed to be towed by a pick-up truck, SUV or a car (for ultra lite weight trailers) by means of a bumper or frame hitch, Travel Trailers are available with all the modern conveniences of home for sleeping, showering, cooking, and dining. Sizes range from 12 to 39 feet* and can sleep up to 10 people. As with all towables, the unit can be detached at any time allowing you to use the tow vehicle for other things.. They offer many different floor plans and options. They may or may not have slide-outs.

Travel Trailer

Fifth Wheel:
Designed to be towed by a pick-up truck with a special hitch in the truck bed, Fifth Wheels are split level and can provide the most living space of all towable RVs making them extremely popular with full-timers. Sizes range from 20 to 45 feet* and can sleep up to 10 people. They can be unhitched at any time freeing up the tow vehicle for other uses. With the main bedroom and the bathroom located over the truck bed, there is more room in the living section of the trailer. Most models offer at least one slide-out. Due to the special hitch, all fifth wheels require a properly equipped full-size pick-up truck or a custom tow vehicle. They offer a wide range of features and appliances from the basics to the high end including fireplaces, dishwashers, washers and dryers, etc. Firth Wheel toy haulers provide rear storage space for large "toys" such as dirt bikes, motorcycles, and ATVs. In some states, if the combined weight of the fifth wheel and tow vehicle exceed a certain weight limit, a CDL license may be required. 

Fifth Wheel

Folding Camping Trailer (Pop-Up):
A lightweight RV with sides that collapse for towing and storage, Folding Tent Trailers offer a kitchen area, dining and sleeping facilities and may contain amenities such as stoves, refrigerators and showers. Sizes range from 8 to 13 feet* when closed and 15 to 25 feet* when open and can sleep up to 8 people. The low price and easy storage appeals to many new RVers. The relative low weight allows for towing by most vehicles (check with your dealer). These units generally have very limited storage space. 

Pop-Up

Truck Camper:
A camping unit mounted on the bed of a pick-up truck, Truck Campers offer a full range of amenities such as refrigerator, stove, air conditioning, and full bathroom facilities and are especially popular as rental units. Sizes range from 18 to 21 feet* and can sleep up to 6 people. The camper is removable to allow full pick-up truck usage. You can take this type of RV just about anywhere your truck will go, so they are a good alternative to motorhomes and travel trailers, especially for those new to RVing. 

Truck Camper

While I hope this brief over view helps, I realize that it may only serve to render you as overwhelmed as we once felt. Don't get discouraged. The more you shop around the more you'll learn about each type, what they offer and what works best for you. I did a lot of perusing online at sites like eBay (http://www.ebay.com) and RV Trader (www.rvtrader.com). That combined with our RV show visits helped us sort if all out. We are careful people. Research is a must for us. It allows us to be comfortable with our decisions. We may over do it at times, but I am convinced purchasing an RV is not one of those times. I can not stress strongly enough how important it is to take your time and learn all you can before making a choice. The end result will be worth all the effort.

-Diane

* The lengths and sleeping capacities provided are an approximation as RV lengths and accommodations vary by type and manufacturer and are ever changing. Custom units, especially, may exceed these specifications.

Dare To Dream

Driving along a familiar road, the kind you take for granted because you travel it so often, we passed a local RV campground. Located off a busy main street, its part of a local state park and from the road it doesn’t look like much more than a parking lot with beach access. It’s not the most luxurious or secluded, but it once helped fuel our dreams of becoming RV owners. We would drive by and longingly gaze upon the RVs parked there and say to ourselves, “One day.”

This time, as we drove by, it brought me back to the days when we were still just dreamers. As we often did in the past, we admired the rigs wondering where they came from, where they were going, remembering when we once envied them so. It’s almost a year since we bought our RV and I still have to pinch myself.

As the anniversary nears, I find my self feeling nostalgic. I recall the first time we discussed the idea. How the seed of that idea grew. How we researched and educated ourselves. How we saved and planned. How we attended every RV show within driving distance. How we talked about it with anyone who would listen. All the while, deep down, trying to ignore a nagging doubt that it would ever really happen.

But it did happen, and now when I pass that park I see it differently. I am no longer the kid with her nose pressed against the glass of the candy store window wishing for that sweet treat. I’m now the candy store owner.

Dreams really do come true.

- Diane

Home Ain't Bad Either

Maybe we can't RV full time just yet, but that's OK, because where we live is pretty awesome, too.

We spent the first day of September living like the Summer would never end...

The Seafood Shack (Tobay Beach, NY)

Sunset on the Great South Bay

Fire Island Lighthouse

Fire Island Lighthouse