Pages

Our Awesome Travels

Our Awesome Travels
Taken In Quartzsite Arizona Dec 7th 2015

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Why Full Time Rv-ing? And a very cold windy day here near the end of April.

Where are we today ?
Plattsville Ontario
clic a pic to enlarge it
     
        Ok, so here is a few things I put together in case anyone is interested.

         Seems like an easy answer right? We live in our RV. Well there is a bit more to it than that. Quite a few people have asked us that and giving it some thought I will attempt to answer some questions for you.
        First of all we researched the possibilities, so much to consider. There is websites, books, blogs and even seminars about full timing ring. It is amazing how many people are out there enjoying this lifestyle.

Q: How much will this lifestyle cost?
A: Keeping track of our expenses over the years and analysing everything, we came up with an amount to maintain the lifestyle that we pretty well have.

Q: Can we afford to quit work at a young enough age to be able to enjoy it?
A: Eliminating all the costs required to go to work, two cars, and a RV, fuel costs, clothes for work all of the expenses related to living in a house, we discovered that we don't need to work. We had already bought and paid for our camping memberships and our motorhome.

Q:What type of RV do we want that will fit our lifestyle?
A: We have camped in a tent, tent trailer, van conversion and a Class"C" motorhome. We don't want a truck and trailer so a class "A" motorhome seemed like the best choice, because we want to travel in the comfort of a coach. And this was for us.

Q: Can we live together in a house of only 290 square feet?
A: No problem, we have enough room for the two of us, and an  easy house to clean. We are very compatible and both of do enjoy this lifestyle immensely.

Q:Do we like to travel?
A:Yes we like moving around to different places and enjoy seeing new sites and different scenery outside out windows. Many friends and acquaintances all over and constantly meet more people all the time.

Q:Where will we travel to?
A: No definite plans but mostly Ontario in the summer months and south somewhere to a warmer climate in the winter.

Q:What type of camping do we like?
A: Now because of the size of our coach, mostly membership rv resorts with full hookups. But other options are out there as well. We also love primitive sights and wide open spaces.

Q:Where will we camp?
A: Other than resorts we do enjoy boondocking (no hookups) , more often as the years go by. Overnights in Walmarts, service centres, visitor centres, with research there is endless places to stay, and the southern Arizona/California desert. We are self contained with solar power, propane and generator.

Q:What will we do everyday when we are not working?
A: We have our hobbies, two computers and two tv's. Satellite dish for tv and our own internet  wifi system 24/7. Satellite radio and we both enjoy reading, walkabouts, sightseeing, some local events, cooking our own meals, blogging, chatting with neighbours occasionally and just puttering about.

Q: Can we still have the so called necessary essentials.
A: We have everything we need to be very comfortable and happy.

Q: Do we miss owning a house?
A: No, I have had 11 of these. Renovated, repaired and maintained them, always something to fix. Grass to cut, gardens to tend to, painting to be done. An RV has repairs and maintenance too, but usually for a lot less money and work than a house.

Q: How long will we do this?
A: As long as we possibly can and are healthy enough to continue with this awesome life. Rv'ers have a tendency to life longer, as we are generally more active and outside more than retired people living in one place.

Q: What will we do if we have to stop living this lifestyle?
A: The possibilities are endless and we have so many choices. Hopefully we don't need to worry about that for many years yet, but have researched many options. Could be a park model trailer, apartment, seniors residence, whatever.

Q: What about expensive fuel for driving this not too fuel efficient vehicle.
A: We drive our coach an average of 9,000 miles a year at 7.5 mpg (US), about the same amount of miles that we put on it when we were working and camping on the weekends. We tow a fuel efficient Saturn for running around every day, it gets about 35mpg (US). So we actually spend less on fuel now than when we were both working. We have only two vehicles to maintain rather than three.

Q: Do we miss seeing our families?
A: Yes we do, but we are able get together now much more than when we were working. The summer months keep us busy with parents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, siblings, children and grandchildren for birthdays, reunions, Easter and Thanksgiving. And with our families spread over Ontario and everybody busy we never got to see much of everybody at Christmas much anyway. We have computer technology, webcams, instant messaging, cell phones and email that really connects everybody together better than ever before.

Q: Do we regret making this decision.
A: No on your life, when we decided it was time I was 56 yrs old and Suzie 49. The only regret we have is that we did not begin it sooner.

        So there is a few questions and answers about why and how we are fulltime rver's.  If you have anymore questions, answers or input don't be afraid to let us know.

         Now about today.

        It is a very cold windy and overcast day. At noon today it was 38f (3c) but with the 20 mph NE  (gusts to 27 mph) with wind feels like 28f (-2C). Not going outside much at all when we don't have to. Just a quick early trip to New Hamburg for a few groceries then home by 9:30 am.
          We were having trouble getting warm inside could only get the coach to 70 but a very cold draught around our slide out. So the solution we have learned in the past. Just pull in the slide. Our coach is still completely functional with it in so that's no problem. The draughts went away and in no time at all we were up to 77 f inside. Can now actually turn out Mr. Heater on low and be very comfy.
          We do have some inside stuff to do, like enjoying our e-readers, sorting and culling my photos, back up computers etc. Make a bite for lunch watch a movie on TV, (which we rarely ever do, we save that for cold rainy Sundays).  And today is one.
          Across  he road behind is us  few people parked their car`s and headed down by the river to do  some fishing. Or maybe a party.
          Eventually we pulled out a DVD we have not seen and really enjoyed it, it was Lost In the Wild with Lindsay Wagner and Jenifer Lopez. A fight for survival in the Jungles of Mexico.
          For supper tonight a stir fry, with a chicken breast, fresh veggies, rice, and fresh bean sprouts.  Don't really want to cook outside with this very cold wind.
people across the road back in the bush
everything prepped for the stir fry
          I prepped the veggies and chicken etc. Now just a matter of throwing it all together in a  one pan meal and so tasty, spiced with fresh garlic, low sodium soya sauce, sesame seed oil, one egg and all comes together very nicely. For a tasty healthy  home cooked meal.
yup sure diid the trick tonight
          We sure had great day even though it was cold. Hope that your day was warmer than ours was.
          Thanks for stopping in!


Saturday, April 29, 2017

Cooler but still not too bad, a couple hockey games to see with the grands. And Ribs on our Weber Q.

Where are we today ?
clic a pic to enlarge it
    Yup it is a bit cooler today, overcast, but hardly any wind.
Did have an interesting sunrise just after 6 am then the clouds took over.
love the sunrises here
        It was 50f most of the morning, but no problem a short walkabout, picked up a few groceries, light lunch and off to watch Grandson number 4 play his fast paced 4 on 4 hockey game at noon in the Ayr arena. They change shifts every 90 seconds and the puck never stops. Only a face off when a goal is scored. They won this game 8-6, he did very well. He scored at least one goal maybe 2 and had one assist. So nice to see our grands enjoy their sports.
4 on 4 hockey is so much fun
he spotted us here and gave us a wave
they all lined up on the boards ready to hit the ice
opposing team as well
      Then home by 2 pm. I prepared some pork back ribs with sauerkraut to set on the grill about 3 pm.  For the recipe clic HERE or my recipe blog top right sidebar. Love to smell them while we can enjoy our readers outside. Weather not too bad, partial sun this afternoon, just nice to be able to sit outside and read for a while.
we did have the sun poke through for a few minutes
      Soon time for supper so whipped up a salad added some fresh bean sprouts for a change and a creamy cucumber salad dressing that Suzie enjoys we had a tasty feast.
our Weber Q doing it's stuff
so tender and glazed on the grill mat
with some tasty sticky BBQ sauce
ribs, kraut and salad was so tasty
         Now supper and dishes done head on out to another hockey game at the Ayr arena for 7 pm. Just cause we can and are here. Grandson number one is on then ce for another quick paced 4 on 4 game. He is in grade 8 and lotsa good players on their team.
that is him right side
everry 90 seconds a shift change
 4 off and 4 on the ice
very fast paced fun
they had a great game 10-5 against the
other team
         What a fun hour we had, and some great fun hockey they had as well. Then time to head back home after more hockey excitement  2 of our grandsons.
         Thank you for checking us out again and hope ya'll had a wonderful day as well. Looks like more of a cold front coming in tomorrow, but none of that white fluffy stuff in the forecast. So no matter what it will be another good day, chilly maybe but guess we need to put more clothes on !
Where have we been this summer ?

Friday, April 28, 2017

Enjoying some more nice weather cooler though and wrapping up a few more loose ends here.

Where are we today ?
clic a pic to enlarge it

       Just another day in Paradise. Looks like our heat wave is on its way out for a while. Only got to 60 F today, 55f tomorrow and 43F on Sunday and not much better for the next week. Did get a few nice walkabouts today around town and in the bush across the road behind us so peaceful and relaxing.
love the interesting look of fallen trees
       Then about 10 am we whipped into Waterloo to meet with our financial advisor Jeff who has been taking care of us now for 25 years, and he wanted to take us for lunch, hmm no problem there. So at noon across the road to Wild Craft Grill and Bar his new favourite restaurant right across the street from his office. It is a trendy restaurant with some very interesting menu choices. Checking his recommendations and the friendly waiter we made our choices. We shared some excellent Calamari done to perfection fried and spiced just right so tender. I had a a wonderful chicken schnitzel on and bun with fries, Suzie an excellent BLT on a homemade bun with an interesting tomato/raspberry jam and fries and our Jeff his favourite W burger and a caesar salad. What a nice leisurely lunch we had just catching up with our lives.
A Very nice upscale restaurant for us
excellent food
this calameri was excellent
Suzie enjoyed her BLT with a twist
Chicken schnitzel very good
And Jeff loves his burger
            Then to Service Canada in downtown Kitchener for some quick and easy paperwork.
Nice Tulips in Planters
on King St. Kitchener
        Next stop at Suzie's Dad's in New Hamburg. She is fine tuning his map for the 51st New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale the last Saturday in May, which we plan on being there again this year. If you click the link to the sale top right corner is a picture of our Nephew Greg as one of the auctioneers.
      Back to Plattsville about 3 pm, still  sunny out and so a good day to wrap up some more lawn mowing here, couple hours later its all looking good. Probably the last time for a while until we return later this summer. Now we can relax outside for a bit and get some quality reading time done. Finished another page turner by Harlan Coben Just one look. Perfect way to finish up reading outside at 7:30 pm, fingers were getting chilly.
nicely mowed and so green
      Now inside to post today's blog, (no supper tonight after that wonderful lunch), not even a snack was needed.
      Getting a few more things taken care of while we are here in the area.
      Wanted to mention yesterday when I stopped at the hardware store in town to purchase a garbage bag tag, I ran into a lovely woman Trish who had worked with me in my restaurant for the last few years, right up until the day I closed the doors and that was in 1999, seems like yesterday. So nice to see her smiling face again. and she lives just outside of town still. We chatted for quite a while just catching up.
      Thanks for stopping by and am sure that y'all had a great day as well.

Where have we been this summer ?

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Thursday enjoying this weather and having too much fun. Clean some windows for SIL too.

Where are we today ?
Clic a pic to enlarge it
     This morning the day starts off with a very  nice sunrise and the temps getting warm very quickly.
     Nice walkabout town at 7 am for an hour get in a couple miles and chat with a few people at Pettigrew's Garage that I have not seen for a while.

nice sunrise out our dinning room window
John has some nice tulips in his garden

      Back home to putter around for a bit and an early lunch, Decided to go over to help SIL Sandy clean some windows in there sunroom just cause it was such a wonderful day and we had no plans. Don't mind doing that at all with the right equipment , which we had picked up for her.
     Got quite a few windows done and all looks good. After a couple hours had enough soon headed  home.  Passed by a sugar bush and noticed the pipeline of the sap for maple syrup.
pipe lines are a blur in the sugar bush
spotted the sugar shack were they boil down the sap
some sap lines through the bush
      Back home just after 2 pm still very warm and sunny here 82f (27c) so we enjoyed some reading time outside, still shorts and sandal weather, here. We are out of the wind where we are parked so was wonderful. Until 4:10 pm, skies clouded over the rains began thunder and lightning., yup time to head inside.
we enjoyed a couple of hours of wonderful  sunny weather outside
        Guess I be cooking supper inside tonight, no problem.
storm coming from the west behind us
            Pan fried tuna steak for me and a catfish fillet of Suzie. We can do that inside as well.
this was feast we both enjoyed
       A comment on yesterday's posting  wanted a picture of my hiking shoes I bought at the thrift store yesterday I thought they were a pretty good deal for 10  bucks but a special made them only 5 Bucks.A decent pair off  Saucony shoes for a  very good price, I don't  do a lot of hiking  so these will work when I need them. actually a very comfortable pair of shoes, great deal.

       These shoes are doing the trick for when I need them in tough terrain.
       Any who we had a wonderful very warm  almost summer day with amazing temperatures, we are  ready for a cold front coming in for the next few days. So we enjoy every minute of sunshine that we can get.
        Thanks for stopping on by .

Where have we been this summer ?

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Blood work done, more lawn mowed and another wonderful warm sunny afternoon.

Where are we today ?
clic a pic to enlarge it
       Now just another great day we gonna have. Starting off with overcast skies, but that is ok here. After an nice walkabout town for an hour this morning getting in a couple miles. We both headed into New Hamburg clinic about 9 am to see the vampires suck our Blood.  Send it to the lab just to make sure we are still healthy enough to continue this lifestyle, sure hope so,  think all will be good, Just wait for the reports in a few days.
       Then stopped by the Thrift store to drop off a few items and go check for some deals that might be had. I found a very nice pair of almost new hiking shoes for 5 bucks and Suzie a couple of eye glass cases she has been looking for 50 cents each. More success.
      Back home for a light lunch and the sun came out, now this is wonderful. After a bite I hopped on the mower and proceeded to mow some more of the 5 acres here that are growing faster than others. Just over an hour and all looks good for a few more days.
the daffodils are doing well soon the tulips 
         Then about 2 pm we can enjoy some reading in the sun, another shorts and t-shirt kinda day for a few hours.
Read a bit and putter around a bit that's what I enjoy
loving the blue skies as leaves begin to come out
in the trees
          Eventually time to preheat our Weber Q.  Then whip a salad and grill a couple of Turkey Garlic sausage that we love for supper.
love these sausage and so healthy
that was a filling supper added a few Rice crackers and
garlic humus, was perfect
         Now back out side after supper to enjoy another mild evening, post this blog and get some more reading time in as well, We will enjoy as much of this weather as we can outside. Got to 72 f (22c) today not too shabby at all ! Finally time to head inside at 7:30 pm cooling down a bit more.
          Thanks for taking a peek today and hope your weather was wonderful as well.


Where have we been this summer ?

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

A chicken soup kinda day.

Where are we today ?
clic a pic to enlarge it

       Rain overnight and most of the morning here with overcast skies and a cool NE breeze. Just after 8 am George from M&G Portables pulled in to pump out our sewage as he was in town today. We were due very soon anyway it has been 13 days and we can usually do 14 when we conserve.Of course it was still raining, and he got wet and so did we, but we will dry out. So nice that he can come around and do this for us when we are here.
       A good morning to make a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. I had bones in the freezer from 2 chickens we have cooked recently so boil them down for a good hearty broth. Added my spices , fresh garlic, celery , carrots, mushrooms, and broccoli.Then some extra fine egg noodles for a change. Maybe a few too many noodles it was a very hearty almost a stoup (stew /soup) but very tasty and perfect for a cool rainy day's lunch. And of course a few more lunches as well.
love our chicken soup
     Tasty lunch, soup. banana, orange and apple sure did the trick here.
yummy? yup it was
grass is growing as we watch it in the rain
       After lunch the rain let up and got a nice refreshing walk about town chatted with a couple I have not seen for a long time and just enjoyed the fresh air and exercise. Did spot a nice garden of Daffodils and a couple of tulips, always nice to see. With this rain looks like I will be mowing the lawn again pretty soon again.
one tulip
lotsa daffofils
          Back home to read a bit (inside) still not sitting outside weather about 58F (14C). Would have been ok if the sun was shinning though. One thing we did get done was sort through a huge pile of magazines that come with our memberships, read them and get ready to share at another place and with other people we know.
          But at 3:30 pm the sun started to peak out from behind the clouds. Quickly we grabbed our chairs and found a sunny spot behind our coach, out of the wind and in the sun, Was wonderful for about an hour and a half. Reading outside is what we enjoy.
sunny, warm and outta the wind
     Then just before 5 pm I preheated our  Weber Q whip up a salad, and applied  a nice rub to a couple of boneless pork chops . In no time time chops are done and we enjoyed a very tasty supper.
not too long and done done to perfection
was good. moist, tender and so tasty
        Not going back out side tonight so this posting while be done shortly. Really not too bad of a day after all. and we did get some stuff done that was needed.
       Hope your day was a good one as well and thank y;all for stopping on by.
Where have we been this summer ?