We have been vintage trailering about 5 years now and in that time, I have learned a great deal about the subject. After two trailer renovations, we are now on the other side. So much so, that when I see a trashed out vintage trailer for sale, it actually makes me cringe because I only know too well what it takes and who you have to deal with to get it done right. My husband and I have had great adventures, a few misadventures, and met some fun and interesting people. Some of you have been along for the ride, which I really appreciate. Especially, the elderly lady who wrote me a note saying how she enjoyed traveling "with" us since she was not able to go on her own anymore.
Ours was never the intention to RV full time. I love home and garden too much.
But.
We are moving. A long distance move that I am not looking forward to. At all. I am looking forward to it being finished!
Fortunately, having adulted properly, we found our home to retire in 7 years back and rented it until a year ago. Renovation began in earnest and continues as I write this.
Right now, we are on the precipice of a major life change and it's somewhat daunting. But we will jump in with both feet, as is our nature.
When we refurbished the Boles, the main reason was to have a bed that was always a bed and a place to sit that was always a place to sit. No breaking down or shifting. We had enough of that with Sprocket, our tiny Shasta. I realize now, that part of my dismay was due to needing a hip replacement as it hurt to do all of that. As you know, if you have followed this blog, we have taken some pretty long extensive trips in our Boles and have enjoyed it so very much, it feels like a second home....
....and it will be!
Here's the plan,
We have, for years now, worked long hours in our business. The saying goes, "Owning your own business is the best part time job in the world, you only work half a day.... which 12 hours are you going to choose?" And it has been true for us. We come home, get something out of the freezer, zap it, and get in bed, eat, watch tv, sleep. Wake. Repeat.
What do we need a 13 room house for when we live in three?
As I type this, we are living in a sea of boxes at our home. Everything is packed up, whew! We are selling the house next spring and will be "full timing" in our trailer for the next few years. Yes..... we will see but for now as the renovation of the Oregon house nears it's end after a year long renovation, it has prompted a discussion between me and Mr. Wonderful, my husband Dave.
For some time now, we have been watching Tiny House shows on tv. We personally find them ridiculous and laughable. I'm sorry, who spends all that time, effort, and money to poop in a bucket? To me, the whole idea of luxury is to poop in a toilet like God intended! No fuss, no muss. For the intelligent few on these programs that have a flushing toilet (or an incinerating one - although I can't imagine setting fire to one's do-do is going to smell nice in such a small space) they always end up in some rv park anyway! It sure makes for fun yelling at the television, "You mean to tell me, getting up in the middle of the night and climbing down A LADDER to go pee in a bucket is a good thing!" You never see an older person on these shows. Why? Because they know better!
Now the Tiny House umbrella has opened to include vintage trailers. I must admit, I found the idea intriguing and some executed the notion better than others. The biggest sticking point to me, other than the toilet situation, is closet space. Oh! and the other biggy was the washer/dryer ..... have a composting toilet..... and a washer /dryer, where's all that water supposed to go if you are not on a sewer system. And if you're on a sewer system, why have a damn composting toilet?!
We had to stop watching them.
Dear Dave got tired of me yelling at people on television.
But.
We are going to do the Tiny House thing, at least for a while!
FOR SHAME!
The idea came out of the notion of staying in the camper in the driveway after the moving truck comes and all the furniture and appliances are gone until the house sells. We thought either that or, "We'll just get an apartment."
Having been out of the rental market for roughly thirty years, we were shocked at what you got, or didn't get for the money. Further conjecture revealed the awful notion of deposits, neighbors, and the like. Pet constraints were also a hot topic.
Then, as if a ray of light came from the clouds, the idea presented itself, "Why don't we stay in a campground?"
There really was a very long pause.....
"Where would we park it?", Dave asked. "I guess I'll find out", I replied. So, I found out.
Did you know you can retire to the KOA?!
Our local KOA has a section for long term rentals. So, I made a list of priorities:
1. Shade!
2. Clean!
3. Quiet!
4. Safe!
5. Pretty?
Off we went to check it out. After staying in dozens of campgrounds over the past several years, we felt we could use that experience to our advantage. It was dead winter last year on our first trip to check out the new Hood. Not bad. Things always look worse in winter. We went back in the Spring, much better. The search for the perfect site began and I started to laugh and then became hysterical! Dave turned to me with a look of wonderment asking,"What is so funny?" My snorted reply was, "You remember that episode of Mama's Family when Vint and Naomi were finally moving out of the house and into a Winnebago? They told Mama, "We found a primo spot at the Wagon Towed Trailer Park out on Route 5. It's right between the laundromat and the dog run!"
By then we were both chortling!
And we found two primo spots! One occupied and one not. We went back a few weeks ago and the occupied one was now empty and it was the first one we liked. We had never gotten out or rolled the window down prior to it being empty until that day. There was a big surprise waiting for us......... The campground backs up to the freeway! THE NOISE! OMG! And, if that wasn't bad enough just hearing the traffic whizzing by, it was when a semi blew it's horn and it's tires hit the texture warning strip at freeway speed that persuaded me to turn on my heel and get back in the truck! WHUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRR!!!!
Our hopes were dashed.
Immediately, we drove to the opposite end of the campground. On the other side was a small cul-de-sac off the main loop and was the only other option for long term rentals. Both of us threw the doors open and got out. What was once a deal breaker became the whisper of a babbling wooded stream in the distance. Ahhhhhhh. Relieved was the word. However, without the leaf canopy, it will be louder in the winter but our windows will be closed anyway.
There will be a major adjustment, I know. Clothing storage will be one but we have a four door truck with a bed cover and that will definitely help. There is on site laundry, a convenience store, A POOL, an ice cream shop, free cable, free wifi, free water, free garbage collection, and there will be NO MAINTENANCE! For $425 / month plus metered electricity. The cheapest apartment we found was $500 and it was about as small as the camper! .....and not nearly as nice, I might add.
I have to say, this notion just tickles me to no end! When we do fully retire, we will give notice at the office, hitch up and go! No fuss, no muss, no packing. The Oregon house will already be set up, furnished and waiting. Of course, we will be vacationing there many times over the coming years if all goes to plan. Moving now while we are young enough is a good idea. Not having two houses to maintain is also a good idea. Having all the expenses of a house disappear is a reeeeeeally good idea. Real estate taxes, utilities, and yard maintenance right off the top will go. Plus the alarm monitoring, cable, water/ sewer/garbage all go bye-bye.
I have been teary eyed leaving a campsite in the past because I wanted to stay longer, we have also been on extended trips in our tin palace, now we will have a much greater extended experience.
And we will have all day shade!
Now we wait until January.....
