Well folks, exactly two years ago as of the day this is published, we closed on selling the house and went full-time for good.
Since then, after two years, twelve trips (14 total), 27 states (31 total), and nearly 50,000 miles later, this has been quite the ride. Surprisingly we are still in the same trailer, although we've since switched vehicles and spent a good chunk of the time in a mobile home apartment attached to a workamping office. We're a long ways from when we were piling all the rest of what we had into the trailer and rushing to get it into storage so we could have somewhere to sleep, but we've since figured out what we need, what we don't, what works for us, and how we can enjoy our lives to the fullest.
Taking a look back even to the six month post, the one thing we've learned is that we really have to be able to fly by the seat of our pants. Configurations have changed a few times both inside and out as we discover what works for us, but that's the beauty of a house being on wheels: As the landscape outside changes, so do things inside. We've had to make some additional changes electronically, and though it seems for the better now, perhaps it will change in the future. We're finally OK with using the stove, but haven't touched the oven. The patio kitchen has had upgrades, fun for both of us to use.
So what's in store for the future? It'd be tough not to say "more of the same", but as of right now, that's what it will be. Figure out where to go next, plan it all out, and then live life in a different environment. We're not at the point where we want to settle on a couple of different places yet, but we do have some favorites. We've also met some wonderful people, and maybe they'll get a visit from us; who knows. That's the beauty of living on the road: We never know, and can do pretty much whatever, wherever.
So be sure to Follow Your Internal Compass as we continue on our journey through this great country of ours.
Another anniversary is upon us. No, it's not a celebration of 247 days on the road as of the day this is published, although the slightly quixotic nature one can develop in this life may make you think of that, since we do experience this 24/7.
No, it was actually one year ago that we started giving full-time RVing serious consideration. The idea of full-time RVing hasn't been a foreign idea to us. Ever since we first met, we've spent our lives on the road. Sure, we had a couple home bases, but always wanted to be out there exploring the country. Even during our corporate days, preliminary talks of all-remote work gave us a chance to think this lifestyle could be a possibility, though the idea was quickly nixed by the corporate board, so we were stuck. We did our best to make do with what we had, building a life as best we could while curtailing outside pressures. However, with the further suffocating nature of the location to where we were tied at the time, coupled with the accurately perceived closing of corporate chapters in our lives, along with the collapse of depreciating possessions around us, it was definitely time to figure out a new path.
Full-time RVing, as is documented by many in the life including us, isn't exactly something into which you can just jump at the snap of a finger. Have a plan going in, even if it all goes haywire once you're on the road and have to make a few adjustments. Assuming you're not of retirement age, unless you're taking a corporate life with you, which is becoming less likely due to their demands of you being stationary yet citing "service reliability", you're going to be self-employed. Have a "rock" on which to base yourself, and then expand from there. We can still remember driving towards a nature preserve thinking about what the name of our travel brand would be. Miles of word association happened before we finally clamored upon what you see today, "Freedom Rolling". We start with a website and a blog, expand to social media, and who knows what sort of other ventures we'll try.
Looking back at the actual transition, it really hearkens unto us why we chose the name "Freedom Rolling" in the first place. The "Rolling" part is somewhat obvious, since we're living on the road, we'd be "rolling" across the country. However, the "Freedom" part is really the interesting one. Our original plan was to try this out for two months, see if we like it, and then make it a permanent choice. However, when you own a house, especially in a location that has a zoning board enforcing insane ordinances that basically prohibit you from traveling for more than a week in the summer, two months became two one-week spans. Take the time to take stock in your current situation. How "free" do you want to be, and how does that fit with where you are now? For us, if we're not tied to a location, that's our freedom. It does come with its own sacrifices, just as any life does, but you figure it out as you go forward.
Take some time and listen to that internal compass. One year ago, the opportunity arose for us to follow it, and it may soon do the same for you.
Well folks, as of the day this is published, we have officially been living in our RV for six months! It's been quite the journey thus far, even though it's only just begun. So sit back as we reminisce, look back a few of our older posts, see what worked, maybe have a laugh at some of the dumb things, and put it all into perspective.
Heading back to the first post we ever did, comparing the tent and car camping to the RV lifestyle. With the setup and tear down, it's just as complex as the tent camping, when you consider hooking up the truck, getting everything plugged in, maybe even decorating the porch. However, like everything else, it's as difficult or as easy as we want to make it. At the truck stops, just unplug the electrical to not waste the truck battery, and it's very simple. Like everything in life, once you get a system down in practice, it gets easier. Looking back, the one thing we did wish we brought was a tent or tent-topper. We know, it sounds a bit redundant. However, maybe you want to make a somewhat lengthy trip while you're at a place, perhaps 300 miles to the other side of the state to watch a rocket launch. Unlike the SUV, trucks aren't that easy for sleeping, save the tent topper for the bed in the back. Maybe a quick overnight in a tent site at a state park would have been a good idea. So much for that vow, after Delaware and Boston before the RV, of never doing that long of day trips again...
Taking a look at the kitchen stuff, surprisingly enough everything has been used, but we ended up adding a few things. First, a wonderful set of induction cookware that is able to be used on both the hot plate and the propane stove. It has served us incredibly well for anything that comes to our minds on what to eat, and is very easily collapsible for our small storage needs. Although we still use it, the large frying pan is a bit bulky, so we'll have to figure out what to do there. Secondly, a small air fryer. These don't take up much space, and work as great pseudo-"ovens" if we don't want to light up in the camper. The traditional coffee pot did not survive very long, sadly, but a stand-up single-cup maker takes up much less space and does the job, especially with many brews being sold in pod form.
As for the route planning, this was probably the biggest shocker from the moment we started the shakedown. First, line your pocketbooks, because the amount of gas you use is SO much higher when you're carrying that rig. And depending on where you go, it's not cheap, with the national average pushing $3.50 and almost all of California over $5.00 to the gallon! Second, don't expect to be able to go full highway speeds. Even over 60 miles per hour, you're going to start feeling your home behind you, especially if a semi passes you, so hang on and get used to it. You don't want to impede traffic flow, especially with higher speed limits in western states, even on the two-lane roads. Try to find a good balance. Our most common sin with travel, though, is over-compensating on the amount of time needed to get somewhere. Yes, a contingency is nice, but better to call and arrive a day late than to get there early and not know what to do. We arrived near our first planned destination about two days early, and had to sneak another trip in. Even coming to where we are now, when we told the owner and outgoing managers when we'd be there, we overshot by a full day, though we're thankful they worked with us on that.
If there's one thing we've learned in the last six months, it's this: Having a plan to Follow your Internal Compass is good, but always be on your toes, be ready to adapt, and learn from your mistakes. Here's to another six months, hopefully many more beyond that, and we look forward to seeing you on the road.
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