New from Michigan

[RV-Kitty]

Have you looked into small used RVs? Small Travel-trailers?&nbsp; You can find small older ones for $3000 and sometimes less. All you need to do is a bit of cleaning, maybe get a new battery.... pack your clothing and food and you're off!&nbsp; Most cars can tow them since they don't weigh that much.&nbsp; We towed our old 15.5' Sunline with an old mini-van.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[k&p Catalano]

Hi Squirbel!<br>This is 'k' (the female half of kp Catalano)'<br>I'm new to this site too and have been researching the topics.<br>I haven't had any living experience on the road yet--this is a goal of the future--but wanted to comment on something I had a first hand experience with.<br>It has to do with an important consideration when selecting your vehicle of choice.<br><br>A few years back I had an opportunity to purchase (really cheap) a park model in an RV resort. Since living a mobile lifestyle has been a long held dream, I thought this would be a good transitional 'test' period...i.e. downsizing, living in a tinier space than what I was accustomed to, etc...<br><br>I let myself get carried away with the whole idea and jumped in without doing any research, I simply went on the recommendation of a friend who had lived in the park for several years and knew the seller.<br><br>I was foolish, I never had the unit checked out by a professional, I didn't pay attention to the old water stains, I did no research on the care and maintenance of what I was buying. I just bought it and moved in...<br><br>fast forward a year later...couldn't understand why I wasn't getting much accomplished in my new home that I loved...I was tired all the time...I didn't know why...when I would go to work I'd be full of plans of what I was going to do when I got home, revved up and raring to go...but as soon as I'd walk in I'd be assailed with bone numbing fatigue and I'd climb into bed. And I would stay there until I had to drag myself out and go to work.&nbsp;<br><br>fast forward a couple of months later...my significant other moved in...and 3 weeks later I suffered a massive coronary at work...<br><br>four months of trying to recover and we began to notice my significant other is exhibiting signs of extreme fatigue and lethargy...<br><br>So we started trying to figure out what was going on as it suddenly became clear it was related to the house...<br><br><br>It was BLACK MOLD...the entire unit was cloaked in it. Behind all the paneling, under the rugs, in the ceiling.<br><br>I'm not saying it caused the heart attack, but I was definitely in a weakened state from the mold and probably more susceptible.<br><br>We moved out and into a rental house within a week. The first few hours in the new home and I was already feeling stronger. When we returned to the park model to retrieve our belongings we did so with full-on respiratory protection. <br><br>I ended up donating the unit to the parks handyman who heard what happened and he ended up &nbsp;gutting and stripping it down to the bare metal and restoring it. <br><br>I didn't have the resources, time, or energy to tackle such a project and was more than happy to chalk it up to a very expensive lesson...one we almost paid for with our lives.<br><br>So the point of the story...before purchase do your research (as you seem to be well on your way to doing) and beware of old water damage that is visible. Thoroughly check it out, look for exterior anomaly's such as loose or missing rivets, dry and cracked sealent, holes, etc...<br><br>I can't comment on much else as I haven't 'been there done it' yet but hopefully this is useful info.<br><br>Welcome again and Best Regards,<br>'k'

 

[jaxtonsgram]

Hi sqirbel I am in sw mi. Not traveling yet but am researching. I haven't gotten much done lately as I've benn sitting on my behind reading everything. Then I click on a link and get sidetracked and read more. My dh is getting pretty aggravated with me lol. Welcome. Nice to see another michigander here. If anyone needs a spot to park in sw michigan you're welcome to park in my yard. Nora.
Katie. Sorry about the empty post above, hit add reply button while trying to scroll.

 

[investigator77]

Hey Dragonfly and Squirbel:&nbsp; Nora (jaxtonsgram) and I are trying to get a Southern Ontario, Michigan, NY, Ohio type group started, where we could meet in a central location, or alternate between spots.&nbsp; We're trying to organize a GTG for this fall in Michigan, probably around Lansing, as there are a couple of other ladies in the area.&nbsp; Would you be interested?

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

I'm still interested but if I can't make it, its because my life is not yet my own.<br><span style="color: #ff00ff;"><strong>Dragonfly</strong></span>

 

[jaxtonsgram]

Dragonfly. Boy do I know how that is (life not being my own). For those who plan on coming or may be coming--what kind of place do we need? Electric hookup? State campgrounds are about 25 a day plus 7 a day per vehicle. I am looking into dispersed camping which is free but so far have only found it in northern lower mi. Nora