We're Not in Kansas Anymore

This might be our last Christmas in this home. And then again, it might not 😊 Two years ago we thought we might take advantage of the seller's market. We weeded through excess stuff and donated several trunkloads to local charities. We planned to downsize to a smaller place by the spring. So we documented Christmas 2019 in great detail. As we gathered around Geoff's grandmother's antique table for what we thought would be the "last" Christmas Eve Vigil, we all photographed the feast for posterity. RVing was not a blip on our radar. But then again, neither was a global pandemic. A lot has changed in these past 24 months. Some good and some not-so good. However, all these combined experiences brought us to this point in time. We released our plans to travel around Europe in exchange for an American RV adventure. And we declare God is Good . Totoro Holiday Traditions Our family is steeped in holiday traditions.  We begin Labor Day Weekend when I proclaim Christmas ...

One of the features we most admired the first time we saw Toto (besides the impeccable exterior, neutral decor, and ample space for dogs on travel days) was the amount of interior storage. Shelves lined the cabin on both sides. The kitchen pantry was roomy. The linen closet huge. And we each had a small hanging closet - one on each side of the bed. While it's just the two of us, I'm certain this 40 ft coach could easily accommodate a family of four. You have to be willing to think outside the box and get a little creative with storage options. And you must remain flexible. RV storage solutions are in a perpetual fluid state... what works today might be modified tomorrow. But for now, this is how I organize. Bedroom Both of us have a hanging closet on our side of the bed. While great storage space, it is not as convenient as we first thought. First, the closet is narrow, only about 11 inches wide and 20 inches long. In addition, the depth is a hair too small for normal hangers. ...

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 😐...

  RV traveling requires a different mindset. On the one hand, we are away from home and on vacation. We want to relax, sightsee, and go out to dinner. On the other hand, the RV is our home away from home, and we can't ignore household tasks. If on the road for any length of time (a week or more), we need to address such mundane chores as laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping.  So this past week we spent ten days in a state park close to home. We wanted to try full-time RV living before we snowbird this winter. But we wanted the assurance that we could easily return home if needed.  The result? Geoff and I are still friends, the dogs are still alive, and we have clean clothes. I declare the experiment a success! Today I'm starting a new blog series: Everyday Chores in an RV . While this lifestyle is definitely fun and adventurous, it is not always glamorous. In an effort to report "full disclosure" (the good and bad) I will share our real-life RV experiences. Today ...