We're Not in Kansas Anymore

We recently completed the process of declaring Tennessee our domicile state. No, this does not mean we gave up the RV dream and bought a house. But it does mean we established roots in the community. Even the most spontaneous nomads have to declare domicile for tax and voting purposes. Domicile Requirements Many full-time RVers declare domicile in either Florida, Texas, or South Dakota primarily because these locations do not have a state income tax - a desirable benefit for retirees on a fixed income.  But there are other factors to consider when declaring domicile. First, how often do you plan to visit the area? States like Texas require you to register car tags in person. If you don't plan to visit at least once a year, this would not be a viable option. Mail is another consideration. While mail delivery services exist - they collect your mail and then send to an address you specify at your request - an address is essential to prove domicile.  Drivers' Licenses and car regi...

It's hard to believe we have "lived" at Sargent Beach RV Park for five weeks! While one of us is ready for the next adventure, the other could stay here indefinitely and enjoy the serenity of a sleepy, coastal town. However, we will say goodbye next week and embark on a 900-mile trek across Highway 10 to Florida. We are currently planning our itinerary using our revised travel guideline. In a previous post , I explained the 2-2-2 rule, which we now modified to suit our traveling personalities. We call this one the 2-2-3-4 rule . Take a break every 2 hours  Travel no more than 2 consecutive days in a row and ensure the next stop is a 2-day layover Travel no more than 300 miles a day Arrive no later than 4:00 pm My pelican friends -- Lucy and Ethel The first rule is more for Hero than it is for us. He needs to get out of the rig and walk around, otherwise, his anxiety takes over. And we are more than willing to accommodate his special needs. While we are learning to enjoy...

Chasing 70 Degrees is a popular expression full-time RVers use to describe this transient lifestyle.  They plan their itinerary with this weather consideration in mind. There are several reasons why Chasing 70 Degrees is a good travel guide: Retirees, such as ourselves, are more susceptible to the cold. We chill faster and thaw slower. Seventy degrees is near perfect: not too hot and not too cold. The chance of encountering severe weather is reduced when the temperatures remain moderate. Snow is not an issue, of course. But severe thunderstorms threaten safe driving conditions on travel days. A temperate climate reduces the need for a heater or air conditioner. Comfortable temperatures are maintained simply by opening or closing the windows. This is particularly helpful if boondocking (that is, dry camping without any hookups to electric, water, or sewer... an affordable way to travel). This past week, after experiencing winter weather conditions on the Texas Gulf, we better u...

Travel days can be stressful.  There's a lot to remember before leaving the campground. We've heard horror stories of people ripping the electric hook-up out of the ground because they forgot to unplug 😳 Once on the road, the driver must monitor traffic, weather, and road conditions. And if you're the passenger, you must tend to anxious dogs who don't enjoy the bumpy ride 😆  For these reasons and more, the 2-2-2 rule is good to follow:  Travel no more than 200 miles a day Travel no more than 2 hours without a break Stay a minimum of 2 days at each campsite Divide and Conquer As with most of our household chores, Geoff takes care of outside duties on travel days while I focus on the inside. I don't know ALL that Geoff does to prepare us for travel (perhaps I can convince him to write an article someday...) but I do know he has a rather extensive checklist. Disconnect all hook-ups (electric - water - sewer) Roll up the awnings and tightly secure them Bring the slide...

Even though the camper is in storage for the next several weeks that does not mean we take a break from Rving. Geoff visits Toto about twice a week. He has a running list of projects to tend to, and he likes to start the rig periodically to make sure all is running smoothly (and batteries remain fully charged). I, on the other hand, am responsible for planning the next trip. It's a thankless job but someone's got to do it 😊 Seriously, I do enjoy the anticipation that comes from planning ... but it is a long, involved process. Today I thought I'd share the step-by-step considerations I ponder in creating a travel itinerary. 2-2-2 Rule While the first step is to select the route, there's a bit more to RV traveling than knowing the general direction you want to travel.  High-profile vehicles are far more dependent on weather conditions than the typical family car. High wind speeds make steering difficult. And can cause major damage to awnings (don't ask how we know 😐...