Going Thru "The Change"

[F350guy]

I'm talking about the change from rv'ing to not rv'ing. My wife and I have owned an rv of some sort since the 70's. We've pretty much covered every part of the country thru the years and had some really great adventures. Most of our adventures included a couple of traveling friends, one of whom is no longer with us and the other has some serious health issues so most of our travels the past several years have been just us. Fun but not the same.

We are now on a trip to Minnesota, one of our many here since the wife grew up here. On the drive up we had a deep discussion on how much longer we want to do this. We're both in our 70's, in pretty good shape and while age is not much of a factor in some ways it is. What we talked about mostly was the fact we've kind of lost the excitement factor of looking forward to a trip with our friends. Now it's more of a where would you like to go and usually it's well, we've already done that or let's just go for a few days, stay in a hotel, and come home when we're done. Our big adventure for next year is already booked, a 14 day land/cruise to Alaska, no rv involved.

Right now we are thinking we'll put off making a decision until next spring and see how we feel. I know this is an extremely personal decision so how we think may not apply to anyone but I'm curious if others have gone or are going thru this.

[norty1]

Yes, we spend lots of drive time discussing that. We had had great times with and without friends. Our large camping club of 35 rigs has declined to only 3 rigs, counting us. Many of those have stopped due to health, death or other reasons. We have made new friends on the road but really have no more desire to be in a club experience.
We have talked about downsizing rigs or going to a class C but in the end, we in reality have 3-5 more years to do this before our health and age will make that decision for us. It seems frivolous to sink a chunk of change into something that we won't get to enjoy long term but quitting is what old folk do not want to do.

We will likely keep what we have and just not plan any multi state trips. Keep it closer to home.

Still a point of discussion for us.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by F350guy

I know this is an extremely personal decision so how we think may not apply to anyone but I'm curious if others have gone or are going thru this.

We started in 1973 and stopped in 2017 after having traveled to all of the lower 48 and 9 of the major Canadian Provinces. The vast majority of our travels were with the Starcraft and Jayco clubs or their secondary Caravans. After DW retired we also did extended stays over the winter months in FL, but then we decided to just buy since the fun of traveling did wear off so, I know exactly how you feel.

[Jayhawk 29]

I, well my wife and I have a completely different relationship when it comes to making decisions about traveling and friends. We really like the solitude most of the times and just enjoying each other. She really likes all the effort that goes into " where are we going and where are we going to stay"


We are already where we wish to be when together. So just cruising on the back roads, most of the time and looking out the window when headed to a certain place is 90 percent of our existence.

Right now we are very lucky to have children that will accept us for a visit in their area. Of course its like underwear and fish, both smells after three days. So by then we just moved along, slowly but unsure about where our travels will take us to, other than just a general location.

We rarely book sites much ahead of time, except if its going to be a highly traffic area. So as long as we are physically able to wobble up to the hitch and can hook up and make it down the road somewhere, we are where we want to be and traveling with the only people we really care about in our senior years.

And did I forget to tell you that there is nothing worse than motel rooms and eating out in eateries. We hate the smell of both and the actual cost, no matter if rving costs us twice the price. There is just something about hauling your own portajohn and your own personal smelly sheets day after day behind you.

[Route 66 Traveler]

We both just turned 80, have had many RV’s since we bought our first one in 1996. We still get excited when planning a trip and look forward to many more. For the past 2 years we try to plan one trip a month, usually within 300 miles of home…. Currently in Ely, NV. Hope to continue while we still can, but realistically know our days are numbered. Our current RV will be our last.

[Old and soft]

Recently went to Detroit to see our daughter. The woodward dream cruise was just a bonus bucket list item. We went key card camping since we couldn't find a rv park close to our daughters. National chain with the initials CI.
The first morning there my wifes baked goods on the counter under the tv were covered in ants. 3 times they sprayed some lemon smelling stuff. Room service, including bath towels every 3 days. Rear door lock that gave us problems in january was now nonfunctional. Rear door handle missing. Birds landing on the brick building eating ants. The Canadians were on the rear lot drinking late every evening, quiet and causing no problems. Except for the items(glass bong, 2 packs of weed, and a grinder) they left outside of the rear door that was still there over 24 hours later when we left.
Not ready to give up the rv quite yet.

[F350guy]

Our working days had a lot of travel for both of us. We both disliked the hotel life and still do. It's one of the things that have kept us hanging on. I also don't like flying. It's a hassle and my 2 metal knees make it even worse. Last time I had a full pat down even though I made it clear my knees were setting off the alarm.

I understand the aging process will leave us with fewer choices. I used to feel sorry for the old folks filing off a tour bus with their name tags and following someone with a sign held up. It's hard to think I may have to join them.

It's interesting that our thoughts are similar to others.

[cherv]

we have a jaycco class c and also go out 1 week a month April to October. I am 83 and wife 72. both in good health. no plans to stop Rv'ing. wife can and does drive as a relief driver and handles the coach like a pro..do not stop, so it takes a little longer, so what. enjoy the time and travel.

[Jayhawk 29]

Originally Posted by Old and soft

Recently went to Detroit to see our daughter. The woodward dream cruise was just a bonus bucket list item. We went key card camping since we couldn't find a rv park close to our daughters. National chain with the initials CI.
The first morning there my wifes baked goods on the counter under the tv were covered in ants. 3 times they sprayed some lemon smelling stuff. Room service, including bath towels every 3 days. Rear door lock that gave us problems in january was now nonfunctional. Rear door handle missing. Birds landing on the brick building eating ants. The Canadians were on the rear lot drinking late every evening, quiet and causing no problems. Except for the items(glass bong, 2 packs of weed, and a grinder) they left outside of the rear door that was still there over 24 hours later when we left.
Not ready to give up the rv quite yet.

Oh do I have a similar story for you. We were forced to overnight in the key card community lately, for five days for a retirement event, [HIE] and we experienced a horror show of keys .

Not only did we have the non-working keys, many times over, there were others in the same boat. Everyone was going to the front desk and complaining that they could not get into their rooms upon check in and during their stay. First they told us that we were not sliding the card correctly against one side. the next time they said it was dust creating the problem. Next time they sent the senior manager up with WD 40 to smooth the slot. LOL

We dealt with this frustrating event over and over, up until the fourth day. This is how the staff finally got us in our room to get all our belongings out. Crow bar entry key worked for the hotel maintanance staff.

[TaftCoach]

We're facing a different decision on the same topic. DW is retired, I'm a couple years away, and if they keep sending me great kids to coach, it may be a couple more after that.

We love our TT floorplan, simple, uncomplication, and just big enough for the two of us for a couple months. No slide to fail, propane for off grid, a couple hundred watts of solar to keep the lights on. But it is eight years old and they don't offer the floorplan with the upgrades we enjoy.

We will likely out camp our current model and will need to replace it. Now? Later? We're thinking the next one will be the last one.

[Old and soft]

Here is the staff not working.

[JFlightRisk]

snip...

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

We love our TT floorplan, simple, uncomplication, and just big enough for the two of us for a couple months. No slide to fail, propane for off grid....

We have the predecessor to yours with a corner bed and a couple feet shorter. We have loved it for 12 years. Been perfect for us and our Corgis, although they love to get underfoot sometimes when we're stuck inside.

I'm retired, and the DW will be the end of this December. She'd like to sell everything, buy a Class A and tour the country. I'm more of the "prefer to have a home base" to come back to. We'll see how this plays out down the road. Going to keep our 19RD for the foreseeable future.

[gypsmjim]

We started "camping" when the kids were out of diapers. Continued as a family until they got old enough and went out on their own. Funny thing was that they always camped with us - same place and time.

Along the way we bought a beautiful piece of property for a measly $3k and dropped the camper there. The beauty of that is that we don't have to pack up and haul a camper any more. Our "home away from home" is there ready for us any time we want.

The other beauty is that I built a pond and rifle range. How many campgrounds let you shoot guns.......LOL.

We still go on extensive far away vacations, but at this time in our lives (mid 70's) we only stay at hotels that are 4 star or above. Regardless, our Jayco is still ready for us on weekends. My taxes and monthly electric bills are pocket change.

My position is that we have the best of both worlds.

[craigav]

Perhaps we are not changing and instead it is the world around us that is changing. ~CA

[norty1]

Camping with 2 married people is not for everyone. We have several friends who were infected by our camping lifestyle. To make a long story short, they could not spend one night together in the rig they bought.

[gypsmjim]

Originally Posted by craigav

Perhaps we are not changing and instead it is the world around us that is changing. ~CA

Hahaha. I'd like to think that.

My very first camping trip was with my Grandpa when I was 11. It was heaven.

Later on, the wife and I alone, and even later with 2 infant boys.

Now, some 63 years later I know for sure that I certainly have changed.......LOL.

[gypsmjim]

Originally Posted by norty1

Camping with 2 married people is not for everyone. We have several friends who were infected by our camping lifestyle. To make a long story short, they could not spend one night together in the rig they bought.

Here's a funny story.....

At one point in my career I was a Technical Service Rep for a major manufacturer. One time I was in town on a complaint and was invited out to dinner with the District Manager, along with the previous Manager who had just retired. The old guy's wife also attended.

The discussion centered on retirement activities. The wife proclaimed what a terrible time it has been since her husband bought an RV. She said you would not imagine the terrible places that RV camps were. "People actually hang their wet laundry on lines between the campers".

She then turned to me and asked me what I do for a hobby? "I camp in an RV".

No kidding, her response was "Well I never". I almost upchucked my beer.......LOL.

[TaftCoach]

Lol. Camping off grid far away from people is the last thing anyone expects me to be into. In other lives I was a VP of sales, stand up comedian, really outgoing. When I tell people I'm a shy introvert they laugh.

Getting away from people is how I recharge the batteries to be able to do the extroverted stuff.

[TaftCoach]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

snip...

We have the predecessor to yours with a corner bed and a couple feet shorter. We have loved it for 12 years. Been perfect for us and our Corgis, although they love to get underfoot sometimes when we're stuck inside.

I'm retired, and the DW will be the end of this December. She'd like to sell everything, buy a Class A and tour the country. I'm more of the "prefer to have a home base" to come back to. We'll see how this plays out down the road. Going to keep our 19RD for the foreseeable future.

Our Pop Up was totaled and we went shopping. We had a couch, dinette, stove, small fridge, and two king beds. We basically said we wanted to swap the second king for a bathroom and keep it easy towing. We just about gave up when we found the 21QB.

Next summer will be a bit of a 15 year throw back and we are tent camping on Isle Royale for a few nights before staying in the lodge. I set up my old backpacking tent and hope these old bones can make it.

[jimmoore13]

I'm 75. My wife is younger, but she is not physically able to make much of it "happen."

Two stories:
We loved our high-wall pop-up. Very large inside, with a u-shaped dinetted slide, king up front and queen in the back. Hardwall bathroom inside. Stove with oven, micro, and so on. But, it became more than I wanted to handle. Compared to a hard-side, lots more work to setup and tear down, and if it's raining or hailing during tear-down, it would get to be a real chore...not to mention dangerous.
I believe our hard-side is our last camper. We are nowhere near hanging up our spurs, and our gig is doing it on our own. We've camped with friends, and prefer not to. Suddenly their agenda becomes our agenda. So for now, we are good to go until I start experiencing significant physical problems.

Second story: I rode motorcycles all my life...since I was a kid. I sold my last bike a couple years ago. The Yamaha V-Star 1100 is a fairly large, heavy cruiser. Windshield, saddlebags, and so on. About 650 pounds. I'm 6'6" and about 240#. I'm still very fit, but my hips are beginning to fail me, and handling 650 pounds in sketchy situations -- backing up out of or into a parking spot, parking at our mountain log cabin, wrestling it between parked cars, and so on -- started to tax my hip joints, and I was no longer confident that I could manage the bike in these kinds of parking lot maneuvers. Underway? No problem, but 2-up at a hilly intersection where I need to stop, advance, stop, advance, and, and, and, left me wondering if I'd dump the bike and injure my wife. I sold it and made some guy extraordinarily happy to get a bike in perfect condition for a bargain price. He was tall, too, so he left with my leathers, helmets, and more thrown in for good measure.

To everything there is a time and a season. And sometimes it's time to let go.