Sunday, September 4, 2016

We Bought an RV!

Yes, we bought an RV, part of our plan to get out west and see our daughter, her husband, and our grandchildren now that they've moved to B.C..  It's small, old and used, but low mileage and in very good condition - and we could afford it.  So this is Part II of my post a few days ago "Big Changes and New Opportunities".

 It's a Pleasureway camping van, sort of like a Roadtrek, a brand that may be better known.  But we're not simply planning to drive out to Abbotsford, B.C. and home again!  Even before they decided to move west, the next things on our retirement bucket list were plans to revisit a lot of Canadian National Parks and visit some new ones down in the U.S., mostly in the western U.S.  So we'll stop at Abbotsford one way or the other, but expect to be all up and down the west from Arizona to the Yukon.

We've had a camper trailer for a few years now, but honestly, I've just never got used to towing it, especially in cramped spaces.  And we're not the type to camp in a campground for two weeks; we're travellers more than campers.  But I'm hoping this vehicle will be a lot easier to drive and get us where we want to go.  After all, if your goal is to visit National Parks (we have about 30 in mind starting with those in Utah and Arizona) what better way to do it than by camping.

We had never really looked inside an RV this size until this summer (it's labelled a Class B), but when we did we were astonished at the space, and the fact that it actually has a small washroom as well as the kitchen.  We're not about to become full-timers in a vehicle this size, but for a month or six weeks, we think it will do fine.

In the back of the van is a sitting nook, with the removable table.  Feels like a comfortable place to read.  By removing the table you're left with two single beds, or if you use the cushions to fill the gap, a full Queen size bed.  And there is still a tiny bit of storage.

There's a tiny kitchen too, and Mrs. F.G. is already a master at preparing great meals in a tiny space like this.  We eat very simply when we travel.  We are really looking forward to this next chapter in our life, and hoping for the best.  We do have plans to use it in eastern Canada and the U.S. as well as driving out west.

I have to give credit to some of the RV bloggers who I read regularly, and who have inspired me - not to start full-time RVing,  but to get out there and see some of the amazing places North America has to offer.

Here are three of my favourites:

     - Travel with the Bayfield Bunch
     - Interstellar Orchard
     - Wheeling It

There are several others I've found here in Ontario or elsewhere in Canada, like Our Awesome Travels, It's About Time, and Travels with Kevin and Ruth.  I mention some of these because I've found reading about those who go RVing and write about it, very inspiring.  It's not the details of what any particular couple does (they're all quite different, and Interstellar Orchard is written by a young single woman), but the fact that they do it.  I'm hopeful we can work it out in our next decade to actually follow our dreams to see more of our two beautiful countries.  I hope you'll wish us well.







26 comments:

  1. I wish you all the wonderful experiences and joy you are expecting to find.

    It sounds exciting and such fun! I look forward to your posts.

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  2. I had no idea this would be THE NEWS. Fantastic, such a good decision to have one vehicle instead of towing, and it looks roomy and so comfortable. Happy travels, and stop-overs.

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  3. We are wishing you the happiness that the freedom of traveling in an RV brings. You are right that a class B is not meant to Fulltime in but there are many places that you can go that our large fifth wheel can't. We'll be looking forward to hearing about your upcoming travels.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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  4. Hey a big 'congrats' to you folks in your RV decision. Snow Birding is a great way to experience just one of several aspects of RVing. A whole new world of exciting memories and new experiences ahead of you. Those Dodge vans are great and I have put countless miles on the same type of vans you have when I drove for the Stratford Airporter years ago. We here at the Bayfield Bunch wish you guys all the best in your travels and who knows we may even meet up somewhere in the great American Southwest one of these winters. Again, good for you guys in your decision:))

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  5. Congratulations on you new RV. We had a class B for 7 years and loved it, sure did a lot of camping and travelling with that. After 30 years pulling a tent trailer this was much more convenient, lots of great places you can explore with an rv that size.
    I know you will enjoy it.

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  6. Hello Congrats! It looks awesome. I would love to talk my hubby into buying one of these vans. Enjoy and have a great trip! Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

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  7. I am looking forward to photos of your new travel adventures.

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  8. I wish you well indeed, and I think you've just found the next chapter in your adventurous future! I love it! :-)

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  9. That is awesome --and IF we ever bought an RV to use for our travels, we would want a small one like that. BUT--we are still happy to drive our Toyota Prius (55 mpg) ---and stay in motels... Who knows though??? Maybe one day we'll change our minds... I'll be anxious to hear how you all like yours as you use it more.

    IF you haven't been there, don't miss seeing Yellowstone and the Tetons.. That is our favorites of the ones we have seen out west... Of course, we also love Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, etc. etc. etc.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  10. Awesome purchase. Happy trails!

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  11. Very exciting! Something my husband are hoping to do one day, but not before the youngest daughter finishes university and begins working full time. I hope you have a wonderful time. So many adventures for you to look forward to.

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  12. Looks lovely, and I wish you many exciting adventures!

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  13. Exciting and I am eager to read about all the pros and cons and adventures. We sometimes think we could do this, but have never had the courage.

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  14. How exciting. You'll have so much fun. We've done it before and loved it.
    Great looking RV. Best wishes for a save and happy adventure.

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  15. How exciting ...
    I certainly do wish you well.

    All the best Jan

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  16. What a very neat camper van. I would like one also. Hope you have lots of fun with it. Shake down cruise to Abbotsford eh?
    MB

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  17. That looks like an ideal vehicle for travel camping; not too big, not too small, just right. Enjoy, enjoy!

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  18. Looks great ! My in laws haul with their big ram truck a 19 foot trailer that is fully loaded and travel all over the place , these days they are like home on wheels . I hope you both have wonderful adventures with this camper van . Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !

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  19. Congrats on your camper van! I've been eyeing them myself. Can't wait to hear all about your adventures. If you ever wander down to Oregon, be sure and look me up.

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  20. That looks like a good RV for a few weeks on the road.

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  21. Congratulations on your new camper! It looks great, and this is all anyone really needs. What a great investment for all the miles you're going to put on it. Much easier to drive and park than a towed trailer or motor home.

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  22. How exciting! While we never RV'd we have ten camped to several of the national parks in the US. Our Canadian visits were Hotels and bare minimum Mom and Pop cabins. Wishing you the very best in this fun new adventure! And good to carry your own bed after our experience in Owen Sound with no vacancies. Your RV will be a much better sleep than our hybrid Cmax was! Happy Trails to you!

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  23. Oh what fun you'll have - the camper is delightful. If ever we got one - that is the size we'd like - big enough to be comfy - small enough to drive easily. Don't forget us down here in Bellingham when you are out west - we're just a few miles from Abbotsford. Have fun!

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  24. Wow. Hubby won't camp. This won't work, either. I am happy for you two, though!

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  25. Oh I was just saying today that I'd love a small camper van. Lucky you !

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  26. I love the pictures of the RV; it looks really nice inside! I've wanted an RV since I stayed in the one my grandparent's own over the 4th of July weekend this year. It seems like it is really convenient to have one because it serves as both a car and a house as well!

    Liza Pilon @ Prairie City RV

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