Hi Folks. Stuck indoors for a couple of days… with an Arizona “high Wind & dust Storm” weather condition under way. Alice and I thought we’d take a moment and summarize our experiences to date. No pictures this time… even though we have some recent spectacular ones on the computer.

We left Michigan about 3 months ago… and currently have traveled about 3500 miles, stayed in 3 ‘Escapees RV parks’, a single ‘Thousand Trails RV park’, two small independent RV parks, numerous Walmart & Pilot parking lots, and several days BoonDocking on BLM land… Alice & I thought we’d take a moment and share some of our observations, thoughts, and even early lessons.

Motorhomes:

• · We find that a motorhome can be very livable – we love ours. Bedroom is comfortable, shower is better than back at home… great kitchen.
• · When a RV is equipped with a satellite dish, high quality HD TV is available everywhere.
• · Heating, air conditioning, water, electric… all work quite well – but our double-pane windows are not quite as ‘tight’ as our triple pane windows at home.
• · Internet is widely available with a Verizon ‘hotspot’ device… $70/mo will buy 20Gb of monthly up/down loads (that is a lot), and thruput is excellent in the 4G coverage areas.
• · Average model year of motorhomes observed s about 2005… with a surprisingly large number of older RVs being in the 1995 – 2000 model year range.
• · There are no two motorhomes alike. Period.
• · Some estimated stats on types of RVs seen in Parks: About 45% are 5^th Wheels, 45% are Class A or C motorhomes, and the rest (10%) are Travel Trailers or Class B (large Vans).
• · We see very few Class C (U haul truck type) Motorhomes in Parks. See far more on the Highways.
• · Up through the year 2006 models, Diesel Motorhomes slightly outnumber Gas Motorhomes by a 3:2 ratio – but starting in 2007 models or later it is about a 1:1ratio.
• · Driving a motorhome… Fairly easy, but the biggest surprise is the difficulty of dealing with crosswinds – driving in a high wind can be very fatiguing.
• · Pulling a tow vehicle (toad) is surprisingly easy. Just don’t plan on backing up without disconnecting the toad first. (learned that the ‘hard way’.)
• · Filling a gas tank is laborious – most gas pumps turn off at $99, and you have to start filling all over again (75 gallon tank, $4/gal).
• · Not uncommon to see RV rigs in the $200K-400K range parked next to a $20k trailer – and owners be the best of friends and traveling together.   There seems to be an underlying thread that builds strong relationships out here… good people that are retired, and love to travel.

Traveling: (between parks/sites)

• · We find ourselves choosing to travel less often, and stay in one site longer (month). This is due to 1.) We like the site, and 2.) cost of gas.
• · When traveling from point A to point B… we can average about 200 – 250 miles a day comfortably. On multi-day travel trips, we stay at night in Walmart, Pilot/Flying J, ‘other’ parking lots, or boondock… and avoid paying $30/per night. We will travel 3 – 5 days, then find a RV park and stay a couple of nights with Full Hook Ups (rest, refill water, dump Black & Gray tanks). Interestingly, we adopted this set of routines on our own… just to find out that most experienced RV’rs long ago came around to the same set of practices.
• · ‘Boondock’ refers to staying ‘somewhere off the grid’ with permission – typically, government or state land. We have ‘camped’ in a couple wilderness-like areas… that have been the absolute best experience. We intend on doing even more ‘boondocking’.
• · Except for driving in high winds, or heavy city traffic, motorhome traveling is very comfortable. Stopping when desired, prepare meals, bathroom break…
• · Financial needs are well covered by a credit card, a backup debit card, and online banking with plentiful ATM’s. Some parks only take cash… so a few hundred in cash on-hand is a good idea.

RV Parks:

• · Motorhome Parks are generally friendly & pleasant places. Our arms get tired from waving at walkers & passers-by (old movie, “Weekend at Bernie’s” comes to mind).
• · Cost is reasonable; At Arizona Escapees parks, we are paying about $280/mo., plus Electricity (50 AMP, $120/mo.). Other (not quite as good) parks in Southern Arizona charge about $250 + Electricity. Other ‘Resort’ parks charge much more ($750+/mo).
• · LP Gas is very important … and thankfully available in most parks on specified days of the week.
• · Motorhomes wintering in RV Parks often utilize large 100 Gal. LP Gas Tanks, locally delivered & serviced. Many others have an “Extend-a-Stay” device installed, which provides the ability to add a 20-30lb LP tank as needed. Without either of those two options… one must periodically break camp to go get gas refills.
• · Escapees RV Parks, and Thousand Trails RV Parks generally have well maintained facilities… Laundromat, Libraries, pool tables, DVD movies, exercise rooms, club houses, Pools/spas, scheduled activities, hiking trails, Woodworking shop, etc.
• · Many lots in RV Parks are rented/leased by long-term campers… by month, or by season, or semi-permanently. An extra lot building (‘Casita’) is very common for expanded living space.
• · RV parks we’ve experienced to date are extremely quiet in the evening (except for the coyotes…) – makes for a good night sleeping.

Retirement:

• · It takes a while to get used to… it’s not vacation, but better. Frankly, we’re still working on ‘understanding that we are retired’… that it’s OK to read a book at 2:00 PM in the afternoon…
• · Retirement in a Motorhome can be fairly inexpensive if planned ahead. A good kitchen (at-home meals), a good location (free activities), and smart choice of RV Parks make the difference.
• · Medical Insurance (non-Medicare) that is “high deductible” ($5K) runs around $500/month for two… assuming ‘normal age-related medical history. Obamacare (Jan 1, 2014) will change all this.
• · About 60-70% of RV’ers have pets – primarily dogs, all sizes, and sometimes more than one. It’s not uncommon to see a cat curled up in the front window…
• · We need, and use, far fewer clothes.
• · Walmart Pharmacy is nationwide… just change your home pharmacy online and go pick up your prescription.
• · Video telephones, like a computer Skype session, are a step up in staying in contact with family & friends. The video does make a difference.

Arizona:

• · A Beautiful state… with so much to do. Weather extremes in the Winter time, from Skiing in the north (higher elevation, Mogollon rim) to Sun & Warm in the South. Areas around where we are currently at get about 330+ days a year of sunshine…. The best in the country.
• · Even in South Arizona, it can get cold and below freezing. Warms up very quickly in the morning, with the direct sun.
• · There are excellent RV parks sites that are not crowded… and locations that are located in small towns or rural areas.
• · Arizona is an ‘International Dark Sky” state… meaning that light pollution is controlled – makes for a great night sky full of stars.
• · Wind and Dust Storms happen in Arizona. Then they clear… and the sunsets are beautiful.
• · There are a lot of things to see & do in Arizona…good roads, Many Butterfield Stage locations, old Forts, Indian sites, early Spanish explorer settlements & catholic missions sites.

Jim & Alice.

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