How We Got Here!

Many of our friends have remarked that they couldn't do this journey, the one of giving up the conveniences of daily life, putting what we needed into a 200 square foot trailer, and packing us and the dog off, to go on this adventure.

At one time...neither could we.

Necessarily, choosing this lifestyle involves many changes and compromises, and we talked endlessly of how we would/could make this transition: you quickly learn how attached you get to things!

We began this idea nearly 9 years ago, with the goalthat we'd at least like to take longer trips when we'd retired, and that was what led to Harvey the First. Followers of the blog have read some of those stories, but they aren't as complete, or as contemporaneous as the story stands, now.

All my life, I've had a love of camping, and did lots of serious backpack trips, around Colorado. After years of that, I tired of sleeping on the ground, so graduated to car/truck camping. When Renee and I first met, we wanted to go do some of that style, but time and life's responsibilities kept pushing that off into the future. We were in agreement that we didn't want to tent camp, and we wanted a more comfortable way of traveling, which led us to our first, "practice RV." We weren't sure of the full-timing bit, so felt a 'toe dip,' in a smaller rig, was warranted.

When we got Harvey the First, ca. 2018, we were thrilled with it, and he became the catalyst of where we are today, After a few trips in H1, we began asking ourselves if we could live in a smaller Class C, with no slideouts, and a very-difficult-to-get-into rear corner bed (the hilarity of clambering out and over the top of your spouse, quickly lost its humor), and so began The Discussion.

Fast forward a bit: in 2021, my father-in-law, Ed, who was always very family-oriented, wanted to take a long journey through the Southwest, with his three daughters, their husbands and perhaps his 2 grandkids.: he had gone blind, and we had 'sprung' him from his elder care digs, where he'd been in forced quarantine for nearly a year, to take him on the journey. Me, being the only member who could drive a big vehicle, was nominated the official pilot! 

Talk about a busman's holiday....!

We rented a 35' Class A (a 'motor coach,' in industry parlance) to do the deed, and embarked upon what we ended up calling, "The Ed-apalooza!" We visited Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. We travelled to Bryce, to the Grand Canyon, to Mexican Hat, to Santa Fe, all over our American Outback. We drove through Panguich, we stayed at some cool RV parks (full hookups were kind of a must), and had a ball...and I determined I *never* wanted a Class A!

Despite that realization, it was Ed's last big trip, and it was a joyous, raucous time! We saw so may places, helped provide Ed with the joy of being out in the world, with his beloved family, and I loved being a part of it.

An example of a Class A rig

Why not a Class A?

First, they are big: many parks now restrict access to rigs over 40 feet, plus, I can't even change a tire on them. Each wheel/tire assembly is well over 350 pounds, and the days of me hefting such brutes are well in my rearview mirrors. The mechanicals are reminiscent of the warning on old TVs, from then 50s and 60s: 
"This device contains non-user serviceable parts."

For example, if a transmission needs replacing, you're looking at a repair bill of over $20,000 dollars: let's not even talk about engines. Tires are $1000 a pop. Did I mention they are BIG?

We also thought that, in the eventuality of its needing major repair (a 'when,' not 'if), it'd have to be towed--spelled with MANY $$$$--to a facility...where you are now out of a home. Kind of a problem.

Class Cs, most of which are based upon vans like Fords and Chevys, can be had in larger sizes (up to 32 feet) and with slideouts, to maximize their living space, but my objection is they are are powered by gasoline engines, which just aren't as durable and efficient as diesels. Mercedes Sprinters are diesel, but they are massively expensive, and REALLY expensive to repair.

An example of a Class C rig

Again, with them...they break, you're out of a home.

So, Class A/Class B/Cs were out: that leaves trailers.

There are two types, and though they both get towed behind, there're 'tow behinds,' and 5th wheels.

A tow-behind rig

A 5th wheel rig, similar to ours

Tow-behinds are towed on a ball hitch (bumper hitch), and 5th wheels are towed in the same manner as over-the-road semi trucks. I have many tens of thousands of miles towing both, and I much prefer 5th wheels. They tow better, are easier to hook up, and are far easier and more maneuverable when backing.

You can get good deal, in a square foot comparison, in tow-behinds, but they still have the attendant issues I spoke of above. Our 5th wheel was a good bargain, due to a few extenuating circumstances, and that's how we got in Harvey the Second. It isn't too large--35 feet--and was in really good shape. it needed a few bits and bobs, and extensive testing during the fall/winter of 2023, and spring/summer of 2024, got us comfortable that all its mechanical and electrical systems were in good order.

Mostly...more on this, later!

Trailers are much simpler vehicles to service and repair, most of which I am capable of doing: if The Beast needs to get repaired, we're not out of a home.

So, here we are!

Not a current photo of us, but quite correct in the view!

Oh, Let The Rain Come Down!

 March 6, 2025: Day 31: Oh, Let The Rain Come Down!

We are just a bit past the halfway point, of our stay in the Arizona desert. Day by day, we come more to the wonderful realization that we made the right choice, to become full-time nomads.

So far....:)

We are also pragmatic enough to know that every day is a gift, and we've no guarantees that tomorrow will be as blessed as today. We also have come to realize that the things--literally, things--we thought important, are not. We have plenty of room. We have plenty of food. we have...enough. 

One Youtuber we follow has a saying: Experience Over Things. We are taking that to heart and experiencing as much as we can. Know how, when on a road trip, you'll pass historical markers, or roadside attractions, but pass them by, because you're 'on the road'?

We stop, now. We're not in any hurry, because there's more to life than increasing its speed. We smell the roses, we read the signs, we sit out Harvey...and sit.

Today...and last night, we were told this was the first measurable rainfall in Quartzsite in a year! It began late last evening as a soft sprinkle, ramping up into a good rain. It wasn't enough to fill up the myriad washes that surround us, but plenty to puddle the flat areas. It was welcome, after the big, dusty windstorm of yesterday. 

Sadly, there are no ocotillo cacti anywhere near us, to watch their dry, dead-looking sticks turn green, laden with leaves: it's one of the miracles of the desert, and it happens within 36 hours!

So, this is just a snapshot, and bear with me, 'cuz I'm still trying to figure out this blogger: stay tuned, for I may transition to something easier.

 Day 18: Quartzsite Musings...

It's been a long, dry stretch, so I'll do my best to catch up! We are having the exact ball we thought and hoped retirement would be.  However, like jumping out of an airplane for the first time, till you do it, no amount of research and investigation will fully convey the experience.

First: Took me a few times, driving past the sign...

...to get that the geologist's term, 'quartzite,' is different to the town name, "QuartzSite!"

Second: A major realization, as a result of a trip back to frigid, chilly Colorado..

I went back to finish cleaning out the garage: prospective renters were put off by not having all the shelves cleaned off. There was room to park two cars in it, but...

It was COLD, there: below zero F, both days, and snowy on the ground. I came from PHX, in the morning, which was 58F, to arrive at DEN, to a brisk high of 16F.

Yep. This full-time snow birding was a good choice! 

Having been born and raised in Colorado, I remain a proud citizen of the state,, BUT...a lifetime of dealing with winter was one of the main reasons Renee and I chose to follow the RV life. Being there in cold Colorado reinforced that notion, but, more significantly, led to a realization, one that really fully dawned on me upon my return.

When I was back in the empty house...

...Renee called to talk about this-n-that, and she asked, "Being in the house, do you miss it?" The question caught me by surprise, and I had to think about it. 

After a few silent seconds, I replied, "No. Not really. Yea, the space is nice, and the freedom to move over 5 acres of land might be cool, but it's not home. it's just a rental."

The full realization didn't take place fully till I returned to our home...which is now Harvey II! It was then the entire picture became clear: Where we live is now home. 

Keenesburg is no longer our home...it's just a house.  That was an entirely unexpected conclusion, and it filled me with great joy, and some relief.

Our 200 square foot home, with little storage space, not much room to hang pictures, or to display tschotskis..is just enough.

It's enough to be comfortable. It's enough to share this journey with a wonderful partner. It's...enough.

We can plan and dream and till we commit, we never know if the leap was a good one or how we'll land. The research may increase the chances of a good landing, but the old shibboleth comes to mind: Behold the turtle...he makes no progress until he sticks his neck out.

A number of our friends have said to us, in slightly different ways, that they couldn't do what we have done, and frankly, we weren't, and couldn't be sure...till we jumped. It is an INCREDIBLE feeling, floating on a parachute of dreams, that by the grace of the Universe, is holding us up and allowing us to float along in our dream.

Come join us!

 Day 2, Quartzsite: It's different!

Our first stop, after leaving Phoenix, was in Yuma, AZ., for the Yuma BLM offices. There, you exchange your reservation for the actual passes you put on your camper and tow vehicle. The folks there were extremely patient with our questions, and handed up a sheaf of maps and tips. Then, we began the 90 miles trip from Yuma, to La Posa South, which is the largest of the quartet of sites available in Quartzsite.

We arrived here in the dusty La Posa South camping area...which is 11,000+ acres of (mainly) primitive camping. Since the RTR was over, the spaces were many and varied, and we picked one of the better ones, not far from the fresh water, the dump station, and the pit toilets.

Mainly, because there are no hookups; one can get potable water to put in your rig, and one must take your 'Blue Boy" (a generic name for the towable poop tanks folks use to...well, empty their poop tanks!) to a central dump station. There can be a sizable line of folks waiting to get access, and it's not the rosiest-smelling place....but, it's just part of  the experience of being a nomad!

Once set up--we're here till mid-April--we got to the tasks of knowing our way around the area, and drove into town to scope things out. A sizable contingent of the vendors are still set up in town: rocks, gems and minerals, RV supplies, and a gazillion food trucks are scattered around town. As you might expect, prices here are not very cheap, but the closest Walmart is in Parker, a 35-mile drive. at a nominal 12 mpg in The Beast, one carefully considers what's worth the drive!

Sorry for the short, boring report: I'm STILL trying to figure out how to attach photos...stay tuned!

The trials and tribulations of modern-day nomads!

 

Renee and I hit the road, right on time, 28 December, after an epic 2-week-long push to get the house cleared out and ready for rental. We had been working diligently all summer, since I’d retired in May. My job(s) was to attend to the major work of sorting and selling tools, excess house goods, and transporting furniture out of the house and into to the ConEx. The grounds, all five acres, were a monumental challenge, given I’d been collecting cars, various hunks of steel and aluminum, and odd-sized bits of wood, because…you’ll NEVER know when yer gunna need it!

Since Renee was the sole breadwinner, her time was limited and it fell to me to get the property issues attended to, which was perfect for me, being the retired old fart..:) She worked right up to the week before Xmas, and as such, she had a lot of pressure on her, which I tried, not always successfully, to lessen.

The time of reckoning had come, and part of the journey was what we called ‘the Maria Kondo-ing” of all our possessions, few of which could be taken on the road, in a 300-square-foot RV.

The what??

Maria Kondo was big a few years back, about her decluttering movement, and frankly, though it became kind of a joke, she had a point: Does this __________ (fill in the blank) give you joy? Does it serve an immediate purpose in your life? If not, take it in your hands, thank it for the gifts it gave you, and bid it farewell.

Boy, did we say a lot of farewells!!

We took over 20 pickup loads of donations to ARC! We really got up close and personal with what was important, materially, and let us say…it was eye-opening how much stuff we had accumulated in a relatively short amount of time.

We all, to a greater or lesser degree, get attached to things, some for sentimental reasons, and some for…well, no reason at all, except, “It’s a cool/useful/precious thing!” This process, if for no other reason, really made us look at our attachment to things and the relative worth of keeping them. We got up close to our ideas of what was ‘needed,’ and what was ‘wanted.’

I got a bit hindered in one major job, and that was erecting the windmill that came from Renee’s family farm, in western Oklahoma. More on that, later.

Alas, it wasn’t completely successful…. but not a failure!

In our blind rush to get out of the house and on the road, we had so many major challenges, but our hard leave date kept us focused.

Did we get everything done? No. We got as much done as we could, and off we went.

 

Next…first days on the road.

 It's D Day!

Well...almost: we hit the road tomorrow morning, bound for our first long-term destination of Tucson, Arizona.  We'll be traveling in this here train...

28,000 pounds of pure fun!

This will be sweet and short, because Renee and I have been bustin' our tails, all day, to finish up details....many of which are NOT finished, but at least the house ius ready for rental. 

Onwards!

The Sun, She Be Transitin' Back North!

The patterns of nature are more easily seen, when you live out in the sticks. There's more nature, even if it's a much-modified version of nature, put there by farming. You see the seasons in the winter wheat: planted in the first frosty air of October, then small, hopeful green sprouts, if lucky, by mid-November. Those wee green sprouts bring hope to the long nights and short days we get at 40 degrees north.

Much of Colorado becomes its normal shade(s) of brown: brown fields, brown trees, brown dead leaves, brown stalks of corn stubble....you get the picture. To see some green, peeking out, be it ever so small, and ever so delicate, is to remind us Children of the Snow, that promise lies in those green tufts of life, that this drab sea of brown dirt and white drifts of snow will soon yield the promise of another completed trip around the sun, the Sun that warms both the fields and the hearts of those who depend on its trip back up to the Northern Star.

Then, the snows of winter cover those tiny, green signals, of a spring and summer to come. You watch as the furrows ebb and flow, with the falling and melting snows.

Come March, as the days lengthen, the green sprouts grow ever more towards the sun, but they know Colorado, and they know not to trust the sometimes-brilliant sunshine and ofttimes warm temperatures, for they remember what a capricious mother, Nature is.

April, then May, and finally, the rains of late spring arrive (or, more often than not, the center-pivot sprinklers begin their endless 'round the Rosie of farm fields) and the wheat begins to reach for the heavens.

Come July, right around the 4th--when the corn becomes knee high!--the wheat has pushed up its green gown of spring growth, then turns golden brown in the high altitude sun.

What's this got to do with Harvey?

Well, in those warming days of April and May, "*The Harv*" will be taken out of its winter slumber, and preparations will begin to get back on the road, again!

Stay tuned!