Friday, November 22, 2019

To RV or not to RV...

Since we married in 2007 we've become "vagabonds."  We've moved from Sioux Falls SD to Millington TN, to Gautier MS, to Ocean Springs MS, back to Gautier MS, to Ironton MO, to Lincoln NE, and finally to Branson MO.  We lived the old Hank Williams tune, "I've Been Everywhere."  Our path up and down the Midwest and South resembles that of a pinball. Really, I should have U Haul on speed dial.  So it doesn't seem to be a stretch to think that we're thinking about chucking it all and embracing the "RV life."
Every place we've lived, we've either had a storage unit full of stuff or a garage that never was big enough to hold our car too.  But since we moved to Branson, we've downsized from two storage units to a few rows of boxes in the garage.  And... taa daa!  The car now fits in there like a glove.
But Barbara has caught the RV fever, and, as usual, I'm a bit behind in catching on, but... the idea is tantalizing.  We are bogged down constantly with this "stuff."  Boxes and boxes of dishes, books, photo albums, mementos and other things we've moved from place to place and haven't seen in months, yet dutifully moved them with us.  A few items have gone to our children, but they too have limited space.  And, besides, who wants more stuff?
A couple days ago we took a baby step.  On a trip to Springfield we stopped by a couple RV dealers.  Like kids in a candy shop, we peaked in a couple of Airstream trailers, then opened doors, and cupboards and sat in the driver's seats of a few motor homes and conversion vans.  Is this a new lifestyle that we could embrace?  Twelve years of driving U Hauls would say, "oh, yes!"
We like living in Branson and have made this our "home."  Barbara has worked her decorating touch and made this a warm and inviting place.  But the thrill of getting out from underneath these boxes is refreshing.  A life without all the responsibilities of home ownership -- no house upkeep, lawn maintenance, property taxes, loud neighbors, etc., etc., etc.!  Granted, RV living has its own challenges -- vehicle repairs and upkeep, flat tires, and doing laundry in strange laundromats.  Aargh!  And driving to places unknown.
But think of the adventures ahead!  We both want to see more of the U.S.  It's still in the "daydream" stage.


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