Still Planning and Dreaming

[PatsyG]

Hi all,
I currently live in an apartment in Sun City, AZ.  I have always wanted to travel more than I thought I could (didn't want to do it totally alone, without support and didn't think I could afford it), and I have always liked nature and simplicity.
I happened on your site after I saw an article about "sisters on the fly' and started researching. I am overjoyed that I may still be able to do some traveling, meet people like me ( I find Sun City boring),
and not only afford it but be able to save money.  I am seriously considering putting my apartment up for sale in the Spring.  I am worried that I may lose money on the sale, because I don't have much equity, but then I think that the money I would save by living on blm land and in forests would more than make up for it.  I am also afraid I may be too old to be just starting out;  I am a 71 year old female.  But then I think that if I travel around for 2 or 3 years, I may find the place I want to spend the rest of my life.  Then I could buy a bus and redo it.
I welcome thoughts and opinions from you all and I am happy to be here.

 

[highdesertranger]

welcome Patsy. I say come to the RTR you are close. get a feel of the life, get to know people who are doing it. my theory is you are never to young or to old to follow your dreams. highdesertranger

 

[PatsyG]

Thank you, yes, I want to come to the RTR. I also plan to go to the RV show.

 

[akrvbob]

Hi Patsy, I'm so glad you are here! You can live a very good life on BLM or National Forest land and I know numerous women your age who are thriving here. It isn't for everybody but from what you say it might very well be for you.

There are quite a few of us here in Quartzsite and Ehrenberg so the best thing you can do is join us and meet people of your age and see how they live and talk to them. We'll be here through January so you can meet us anytime this winter.
Bob

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!!

 

[PatsyG]

Thanks for the encouragement and the invite. This is my favorite site with so much information, help, and friendliness. Do you have posted exactly where you are? There are so many questions I have. I would love to meet up with you and your group.

 

[PatsyG]

Hi and thank you!!!

 

[SoulRaven]

Welcome. I'm 61 and I decided that whatever time I have left, and we never know, I'm going to spend it wisely. I hoping to make it "out" next spring. On some days, I feel overwhelmed by trying to put it all together. I had planned to do it alone but my son with Down syndrome will be coming with me and probably both dogs if my husband (on his way out) doesn't take one. The other day I was feeling sort of lost in how would I put it together and inspiration came in a program, lame one, my son was watching. And, not pushing any belief system here but it had an angel giving a man a box and in the box was the "gift of courage". I thought, "Wait, I have that if you look at my past so I just need to revive it." It really did help.

I worked at a RV manufacturer that did direct sales. We had a gentleman buy a small 5th wheel and his plan was to travel and work with a program as a carpenter that had something to do with churches where they provided site/hookups in exchange for help. His kids called and asked the owner not to sell him the 5th wheel. The owner talked him through everything but the man wanted it so he got it. We heard from him and he was doing it the way he planned. He was 81 years old. So, I don't there is a age limit to pursuing your dreams.

So, exciting for you. Looking forward to following yours posts.

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard Patsy
You know , I don't think I"ve ever seen a post from anyone that regrets going to an RTR !

 

[PatsyG]

Thank you so much for your story.  I always thought traveling in RV's was way more expensive than driving and staying in motels.  I kind of accidently stumbled onto some rv'ing websites and now am almost obsessed with them.   I have two middle aged boys that I hardly ever get to see, even tho one lives less than 20 miles from me.  They are both workaholics, working at least 60 hours per week and other obligations and friends to spend time with when they are not at work.  I have grieved about not seeing them, but now I see that it leaves me free to do this thing I have always wanted to do.

I too, have had my courageous moments in the past, usually because I thought it was the only viable option. I know I can be creative, and saving money has been a life-long mindset.  If I am going to do this, I thing that courage, once again, will be the only viable option.  Having a support system will make all the difference.

Thrilled!

 

[PatsyG]

Welcome aboard Patsy
You know , I don't think I"ve ever seen a post from anyone that regrets going to an RTR !

Thanks for the welcome! You know, Popeye was one of my favorite characters when I was a kid.  One of my Dad's favorites, too.  We read the comic books together.

 

[Almost There]

Hi Patsy, welcome to the forum.

I'm not too many years behind you in age but I've always figured that I was only as old as my mind says I am, with limited consideration for how old my body says it is and that varies by the day....

I have the advantage of having done this before, I spent 14 years travelling around the eastern seaboard in everything from a van conversion to a 35' Class A. This time I know without a doubt that the DIY conversion I did will suit me just fine. Class A's, even little ones, use too much gas and have more space than I really, really need but each of us has different wants and needs.

I now have a limited income but expect that with my prudent spending habits and lower cost of living, I can actually live on less than what my income will be...how great is that!! I prefer the wide open spaces to an RV park but to each their own. RV parks can be had for way less than what an apartment with all the services cost even if you live in an area with modest home prices.

IIWM, I'd start by exploring the various types of vehicles that will provide you with the comfort you need, get the best cost for what you want to do and will get you where you want to go.

I figure that in a few years or decades I will may actually have to slow down. At that point I'll be looking at a pair of places where I can spend a half year each. When I can no longer drive the distance between them, I'll either fly or find someone to drive me back and forth. Only when I can no longer live independently will I ever look for one permanent home.

You're fortunate in that you're already in AZ so you can realistically move less than a few hundred miles at a time just by going up and down in elevation.

 

[PatsyG]

Thanks Almost There!

I appreciate your ideas and sharing. You have given me new things to think about.

You seem to know exactly what you want and I know you'll be wildly successful!

 

[Marie]

Patsy, I'm 70 and planning on going to the RTR this year. I'll be driving my 1995 Dodge van. I'll be driving from Montana. This, by the way, is the first time I've put my winter plans in writing. Soooo, that means I'm committed, right? No changing my mind or chickening out, right? I'll have my two little dogs with me, and my cat. (Tried to get a kitty sitter, but no one seems eager to do that, so she comes with me). We are hoping for the best in the cat department! I hope to meet all the people I've gotten to know on this forum. It almost seems like I'm going to Arizona to meet up with my friends...

 

[B and C]

Patsy, I'm 70 and planning on going to the RTR this year. I'll be driving my 1995 Dodge van. I'll be driving from Montana. This, by the way, is the first time I've put my winter plans in writing. Soooo, that means I'm committed, right? No changing my mind or chickening out, right?  I'll have my two little dogs with me, and my cat. (Tried to get a kitty sitter, but no one seems eager to do that, so she comes with me). We are hoping for the best in the cat department!  I hope to meet all the people I've gotten to know on this forum. It almost seems like I'm going to Arizona to meet up with my friends...

What makes you think you aren't meeting up with old friends?   Just because you haven't seen them in the flesh?

And yes, you are committed.....  You are not going to start lying now are you?

 

[Marie]

We'll, Brian, let me think: ummmm, gas is too expensive, there's too much snow on the passes, my vans too old, I'm too old, cats don't like to travel.... How am I doing so far??? Any of those excuses going to work???

 

[Almost There]

We'll, Brian, let me think:  ummmm, gas is too expensive, there's too much snow on the passes, my vans too old, I'm too old, cats don't like to travel....  How am I doing so far??? Any of those excuses going to work???

Not one of them is valid....

Gas is a whole lot cheaper than it used to be; get going before the snow gets too deep or go straight south as fast as possible before hanging a left or a right; I dunno about the van being to old but you're never too old; the cat may never forgive you but that's okay, you've probably sinned in his/her eyes before and will do so again.

Start now with a harness on the cat and/or getting it used to going in a travel tote willingly (or screaming and fighting... ). The last thing you need going on down that snowy highway is a cat staring at you from the dash....

See you at the RTR!

 

[Marie]

Yes ma'am! I'm rethinking my lame excuses, and taking them all back!!! I laughed so hard at the vision of Kitty Kitty glaring at me from the dash, that I nearly wet my pants!!! That vision will stay with me forever! Thanks for the support! See you soon!

 

[PatsyG]

Patsy, I'm 70 and planning on going to the RTR this year. I'll be driving my 1995 Dodge van. I'll be driving from Montana. This, by the way, is the first time I've put my winter plans in writing. Soooo, that means I'm committed, right? No changing my mind or chickening out, right?  I'll have my two little dogs with me, and my cat. (Tried to get a kitty sitter, but no one seems eager to do that, so she comes with me). We are hoping for the best in the cat department!  I hope to meet all the people I've gotten to know on this forum. It almost seems like I'm going to Arizona to meet up with my friends...

Hi Marie,  I am so glad there will be some folks near my age at the RTR and look forward to meeting them.  A lot of people have told me throughout my adult life that I don't act my age, and I consider that a compliment.  I have a feeling I will meet some people like that at the RTR.  I have a cat too, but I don't have a van yet - just my car.  I can sleep in my car, but don't think I will be able to contain my cat in it for very long.  We did drive from central Texas to Arizona together and she was fine after I gave up and let her out of her cage, so she may get along better than I think.  It may help to bring lots of toys and treats.

 

[B and C]

vision of Kitty Kitty glaring at me from the dash, that I nearly wet my pants!!! That vision will stay with me forever! 

ROFLMAO  Dang, I needed a good laugh and this was it!

Where is the stars and thumbs up smileys?