Thursday, June 28, 2018

Hanging Up the Keys

This is the hardest blog I've ever written.  Hanging up the keys, isn't easy but you know when it's time.  Bill turns 82 in about a month, and I'm in my 70's.  We've enjoyed the past 10 years exploring all 49 states in our RV.  We actually have been to Hawaii a couple of times but until they finish the bridge, the coach won't make that. 

We started out the summer the 1st of April with the Schoolcraft's and Morey's heading to Betty's RV Park in Louisiana followed by the Montana Rally in Hot Springs.  Bill had a hospital stay in Georgia and Jacksonville before we went to Jenna and Garrett's wedding in Savannah.

He wasn't allowed to drive so I headed the truck west.  Bill said he felt fine so we attended the Escapade in Sedalia, Missouri.  He was still having trouble with afib so we headed back to see his doctor in Casa Grande, Arizona.  Once the doctor saw him we left again on Father's Day.    

We were having a problem with the living room slide coming out an inch or so.  Our Montana has been trouble free and we've really used it.  Even the trip to Alaska had no problems.  When we were in Raton we had a slow leak in a trailer tire.  I've heard of so many people that have had tire problems but we've been lucky and had none.  The incident at the tire shop where the owner hit a truck while taking it into the garage upset us, but we realize accidents happen.  That morning, I was ready to say that's enough let's go home to Arizona.  We had reservations in Colorado Springs and decided to go up there, and then decide what we are going to do.  The campground was 50 years old and I was so surprised that we had no trouble leveling.  Bill said the trailer felt very heavy going up the steep curvy hill into the site.  

Ron Lichtenberg called Keystone and told them we were having a problem with our slide.  Keystone set up a service ticket for us and gave Ron names and numbers of dealers that could help us out. Now that's a friend that really goes out of the way.  I called the dealers and they were all booked with the upcoming holiday weekend.  I then tried the mobile techs and they were all busy.  One tech said they had a slide bracket that would hold the slide in.  We drove across town and picked it up.  He was surprised that it was a Montana that had the problem, he said it's common in other brands, but not with a Montana.  I had no idea a slide bracket was made for this problem.

We talked with Harry and Carlena and told them we were headed to Arizona in the morning.  They tried to talk us into hanging in there until the Montana Central Plains Rally.  We did find out that Bill must have hit the brake controller when getting into the truck after registering at the campground.  Okay, now we don't have any issues with the slide or the brake.  Do you ever get the feeling someone's trying to tell you something?  

We had the last site at the campground and only had 30 amp service which doesn't allow us to use both AC's.  It was over 100 degrees but livable with the one AC.  Harry and Carlena were so convincing telling us we could enjoy the rally and say our goodbyes to all of our friends that would be there.  As we are about to the point of saying okay we'll go the other 600 miles, the electric goes out.  Okay, we hear you!  I think the man upstairs is telling us something.  It turned out to be low voltage and came back on.

We went for a walk and came back and found the AC not working.  That does it, we're heading south in the morning, even though we paid for another night.

The following morning I pulled the cover off the thermostat and the AC started working.  It didn't matter, Bill and I both knew it was time.  Nick Russell had told me that he and Terrie said they also weren't having any fun anymore when they decided to hang up the keys and they knew when it was over.

We had said we would hang up the keys next year and this would be our last summer on the road, but we both feel now is the time.  

The one thing we will miss is all the friends that we've made with this lifestyle.  We're hoping these friends will be traveling through Casa Grande and stop for a visit.  Bill says the doors always open.  

I told Bill even though there is no doubt in my mind this is the right decision, it is a hard one.  Kind of like when you have a pet that you've had for a long time, and you have to have it put down.  

I never imagined when we started this how much fun we'd have.  We've seen some unusual places that I never in my wildest dreams expected to see.  I wish I had started blogging sooner so I would have records of the earlier years.  The biggest thing we will miss is all the friends.

Today I had a call from Torrie at Keystone asking me if the dealers she recommended were able to help us.  It's a nationwide problem.  At least Keystone follows up with their customers. It's not that dealers are slow, there just aren't any people working at technical jobs.  Try and hire someone to paint your house.  I was told last fall it would be 90 days before they would come by. 

There's a local dealer that will get the slide repaired in  3 weeks.  We need to find someone to do the bottom panel where the tire shop owner dinged it.  After that we will put it up for sale.  Hopefully, it will be bought by someone that enjoys it as much as we have.  

We're up in the air about selling the truck.  Other than the issues with the AC which were finally fixed it's been trouble free.  I'd love to see someone buy the truck and trailer together.  We've added everything possible to the trailer over the years for our enjoyment.  We plan to price it for a quick sale as it's going to be painful enough knowing we are parting company.  The truck has a v-gate, auxiliary fuel tank, air bags, exhaust brake and equipped for pulling.  It's hard to find a diesel truck without 4 wheel drive and it's much easier to get into and out of. 

Even though we won't be traveling with the fiver, we'll still be traveling.  Yesterday we booked a land tour to England, Scotland and Wales which leaves in two months.  We've visited 51 foreign countries and are looking forward to adding two more.  Wish we would be seeing some of our RV friends friends on the trip.

Turtle Safely...........



27 comments:

  1. I totally understand. After awhile you just don't want to deal with it any more. I'm almost there too. Enjoy your trip overseas. Sounds like fun!!!

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  2. It is a hard decision that we'll all have to make some day. You will be missed on in the Local Circles but you can still Blog about your other travels and Comment on those you follow.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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  3. It is never easy to end one chapter and begin another!! You have so many wonderful memories of full-timing and all that you have seen and done....those memories go with you!! Yes, keep blogging...we want to hear all about your new travels!!
    Oh by the way, you guys don’t look your age!! I would never guessed it!! Best wishes on this new chapter!!

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  4. Know this must be hard, but you are wise to listen to your instincts. We’ll try to stop and visit when we can - I think RVers stay friends forever!! Big hugs🤗🤗

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    1. We'd love to see you. Of course, since the Escapade will so close to us, we'll have to go to it.

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  5. I was wondering about you at that old campground, Jan, and was sorry we had no one to recommend for repair work. I knew things were getting overwhelming for you. I do believe sometimes God helps us in making the decisions we need to make by circumstances that come up and get our attention. The important thing is that you and Bill are in agreement about what you need and want to do. You may be stopping RVing, but you are not stopping living by any means. Enjoy your travels and we will keep enjoying traveling along with you! Blessings!

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  6. From our recent conversations, I think you are making the right decision at the right time. Like you, we loved our 17+ years of fulltiming, but we also love our new life here on the central Florida coast. Best wishes to you both.

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  7. I will miss reading your blog. Mike Woodward

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  8. It is a tough decision, but it seems you feel it is the right one. Hope we see you some time in the future. Gives us a call if you are back in West Virginia. See ya down the road.

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  9. You've had an amazing run..........:)!!

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  10. Bill and Jan you are an inspiration to all of us! One thing that I have found about RV friends we are friends for life❤️. Love you both and we will see you in AZ

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  11. A very hard d decision to make, but the time will come for us all someday. I know you will enjoy your future travels and hope you continue to blog about them.

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  12. We're getting close to making the same de
    cision. We have really shortened our travels, now they will just be to see family and friends and for 2 or 3 weeks instead of most of the year. I'm at the point that it's the destination, not the trip. I do not enjoy the drive anymore, plus stuff seems to break more often. Keep in touch... Jan

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    1. Thanks Greg. If you and Jan ever get this way, please look us up.

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  13. When it's time, it's time. We are near there ourselves. We bought a second 5er and leave the New Horizons in Benson and the Sundance in Thayne and just pull the RZR between the two. We're going to miss your blog. Stay in touch and visit us in Benson when you can. We are there October through April. Enjoy your travels to Europe.

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  14. We've really found out on this trip that all the hitching and driving are just not as much fun. I don't have the desire to go check things out like I used to. This will definitely be our last trip East. But you have to keep blogging. You take the most amazing journeys and we want to follow along. Love you guys and we will definitely see you in Arizona.

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  15. Tough decisions but RVers understand. We aren't totally hanging up the keys but we just sold our "rolling condo" and have a new 24' that I will be driving more than Luke. As others have said, keep loving and living and keep the blog updates coming. If we get back to Casa Grande we do know how to find you and will definitely do so. (((HUGS)))

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  16. John O Karen KnollJune 29, 2018 at 10:45 AM

    you can't get away from us that easily, we know where you live and we're in Arizona all winter.
    Time to start the next chapter of your life. Enjoy.
    Karen and John

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  17. I've loved your blog...and you two also. We'll see you on our way to Yuma someday. Big hugs to both of you!

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  18. Completely understand...we are now snowbirds after ten years of full-timing and I suspect we will do that for only another 4-5 years. It creeps up on us for sure...

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  19. Sad to hear this, but you know when it's time. I have enjoyed reading of your adventures, and while we are not yet full time, we have visited places on your recommendation (Reagan Library for one). Wish you well, please update from time to time. Godspeed

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    1. Thank you. Hope you enjoyed the Reagan Library as much as we did. We did all the presidential libraries except for the one in Atlanta.

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  20. Cheri Blackledge PeineJune 29, 2018 at 6:54 PM

    I was surprised to read this blog post, but certainly understand why you feel now is the time. When we'r get to Casa Grande we will definitely give you a call. We plan to be at next year's Escapade so hope to see you then. Best wishes. I hope you occasionally write on your blog!!

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  21. Yes we all know this time will come for each of us on the road... congrats to your next chapter in life.

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  22. That time isn't far away for us either. I'm not ready but traveling with David's health problems has been increasingly difficult. I'm glad you both feel this is the right thing. Hope the sale is quick and painless. Great idea to book a trip to look forward to. I'll miss your blog comments for however long I keep it up.

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    1. I know it is the right decision. I might not like it, but you do the best you can.

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