We are in the end stretch of new beginnings.
And we've gone through a change of mind concerning our new home: we have ditched the traveling diesel Coach idea … and are settled on a travel trailer.
The coach idea was a good one, but after doing walk-throughs on various RV Lots & intensive research on coach engines we decided against it (1) they cost waaaay too much for so little - they are luxurious rides, but they are also cramped rides; even the ones with slide-outs (2) they are way to heavy - the lovely wood features add bulk and weight, and the driving pit eats precious living space; we were having a very difficult time trying to balance what we need in livable space in our new home + the TOAD load of a secondary vehicle (we want to visit every one of the lower 48 States; and every state had differing {Laws about weight and length). The sacrifices of necessities pitted against weight & length concern calculations never worked out to our satisfaction (3) Plus, If the Coach breaks down (for any reason - and the main reason is engine work), NO MECHANIC wants to work on them: I remember that my former in-laws had a diesel coach and it was always needing work … and they couldn't get anyone to work on it, forcing them into lengthy motel stays while they waited for their coach to be returned to them in working order. A mechanic will only deem it worth his time if he desperately needs the $$$; that is a huge downside of traveling in a coach motorhome.
We thought about a 5th Wheel trailer, too, but that idea quickly went the way of the Coach idea; for the same reasons … too bulky, too heavy, and too large (in height).
Coaches and 5th Wheel trailers are basically freeway travelers: we plan to do rural scenic routes, and boondocking, 95% of the time. A travel trailer works better for what we envision.
Holland's truck sold earlier this week, and we are buying a newer 4x pickup to haul the travel trailer.
The Plan as it stands today, is to get the sale of this house finalized (please God, let this be completed soon) … buy the new 4x, sell the Highlander the same day (returning back home in 1 vehicle) … and have a new home within a month's time.
Meanwhile, while we wait for all the legal-beagles to get up off their thumbs and get to work, we are scoping out things that we will need for our gypsy life.
A washing machine-dryer combo is a must:
Best Mini Washer For RV Living | Mini Portable Washer Review:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVvLhUySERY)
Holland found this video online, and it looks doable - even for me; it's not too heavy to lift, and I can easily get it in place for use :-)
And for my part … I've been doing research on best set-up locations throughout the country ;-)
Most of what I've researched is good; practical, and logical.
Some of it is nonsense and that hysterical nonsense will ruin backcountry camping for the foreseeable future as campgrounds were packed with eco-freaks and libtards that carried their political agendas with them from the urban jungles to the scenic backcountry hideaways. But, things are what they are following the government covid nonsense.
States want to recoup the $$$$$ they lost. Gas prices, National Park entrance fees, and nonsensical road-use-taxes are what state governors are enforcing.
I remember when there was tolling on the I-5 Bridge crossing from WA to OR … as well as the Astoria-Megler Bridge; we always drove to Portland or Astoria from Longview, crossing over the Lewis and Clark Bridge to avoid the fee stations - it was a longer drive, but I never have issue with longer drives ;-)
However, Holland - like Bob, prefers the freeway when push comes to shove in a time crunch situation; so, we may eventually have to pay the fees when we pass this way every six months :-(
The covid nonsense changed a LOT in America - during the covid shutdown era:
(https://drivinvibin.com/2023/04/07/legal-to-dump-rv-grey-water/)
The Boondocker's Bible 2019 Info: https://www.boondockersbible.com/knowledgebase/can-i-dump-my-gray-water-on-the-ground/
Boondocking: A Comprehensive How-To Guide for A Great Trip: https://www.rvtravel.com/boondocking-how-to-guide-2094/
The Nomadic Life Coming to an End:
(https://www.rvtravel.com/campground-crowding-1099b/)
Tolling Fees Coming, to cross the Columbia River:
(https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/apr/06/washington-senate-authorizes-tolling-on-i-5-bridge/)
With all of this being put into effect, Holland & I are still embarking on our dream for freedom and independence.
We are going to enjoy our life, and this great Country, while we have this opportunity of living and breathing.
We worked for it.
We have earned the right.
We are in the end stretch of our goal.
A travel trailer is not as luxurious as a motorhome coach, but a travel trailer is roomier and lighter - weight-wise, and that's important. And a travel trailer today is actually quite nice: the décor has been stepped up, and they are much more functionable than what people imagine them to be ;-)
It is true that they do not increase in value as a stick house does … but stick houses aren't really worth that much either in the long run, truth be told. While I am getting double what Bob and I paid for it in 2017; I am not getting full value based on what we also invested in it as far as upgrades go. And Holland has also put a bulk of his funds into this house since we married 92 days ago: none of that will be recouped.
So, arguments on either end fall short when it comes to the reality of {value}. MPO is that "value" relates to quality of life - the quality of life concerning this house ended 18 months after Bob and I bought it: it was a place to sleep, but the life planned for it ended when Bob's life here on Earth, ended. The only value this house holds now is what I can get out of it money-wise to kickstart my new life with my new husband.
A present - and a future - with Holland is my new "quality of life". We have a dream. We have a goal. We are actively engaged in what needs to be done to progress forward with the goal to obtain our dream :-)
Holland has no children; and my children have cut me loose and sunk the dinghy - I can't even beg a picture from them of my 8-1/2 yo grandson, who I haven't seen in 3 years. There are no familial ties for either of us in WA State: I am spending the inheritance no one wanted (I tried for 4 years to get them up here to claim it; they adamantly refused it) … and Holland and I can live comfortably on our combined income: we can do this because we both were raised poverty level and know how to manage on very slim pickings.
Our commitment is to each other and the life we are building together.
We are behaving responsibly concerning our soon-to-be nomad lifestyle, even if others think we've lost our marbles: we are double-checking our {Preparedness List}, and checking boxes as we move along. I am still chuckling over what one of Holland's friends told him the other day: "Just remember that you are one of the working class … not one of the crazy class." That remark was said with loving concern, and I appreciate this friend's brotherly love towards my husband; that loving concern has endeared this friend (a man I've never yet met) to me, for life.
W.e.a.r.e.d.o.i.n.g.i.t; and governing demigods be damned for their demandable money-grabbing agendas.
