About 6 weeks ago I became the roommate of a German Shepherd adopted from the Humane Society. Now we're planning on embarking on a multi-year RVing life traveling around North America.
I admit that it's a bit scary as I contemplate this - packing up a house that I've lived in for <mumble> years so I can rent it out, downsizing to a 30' RV. I do have some experience at this, of course, having done a lot of sailing, but still, this is different. Although getting help is a lot easier on the road than on the ocean.
I was at the dealer looking at RVs and, as sales people do, they started to ask what I was planning on doing. I mentioned traveling around North America and they opined that it can be a little sketchy doing it yourself. I think they thoughtfully left off "especially for an old guy". So I told them to wait a second, I'd be right back. I went out to the car and walked back in with my 95lb (41kg) german shepherd on my leash, her had and ears up, almost prancing. "Oh." said the sales person. That was the last I heard about it being sketchy alone in an RV!
The first plan is simply to do some work on it - DIY installing a solar system for power. Being a digital junkie, I need power for computers. Sure, there's a generator, but that uses fuel and an RV is already a fuel hog when moving. If you're not moving, then it can be anywhere from free ("boondocking" out in the wilds, or "Dry camping" somewhere) to over $100.00 per night for a nice place with electrical, water, and sewage hookups. Then comes the problem of figuring where to winter over. I have to be careful how many days I'm gone from BC or I lose my BC health care. Plus I umpire Curling here in BC, so I need to be here during the winter. Plus there's all sorts of other things to consider. Where and how do I get my mail (yes, I still get paper mail for some things). What about licensing for my dog? What about my own address if/when I have to renew my driver's license or passport or file taxes or vote?
There's still a lot of planning going into this and I'm really aware that although I'm reading everything I can, there's going to be stuff I don't know and, worse, stuff I don't know that I don't know. But, hey, that's what makes it an adventure instead of a commute, right?
So what am I going to do? Well this summer I'm going to visit relatives on the west coast, and some friends. Then it will be back up home to deal with whatever I learned during the trip, then some short trips before settling down to winter over and umpire over the winter. Then, come the spring, it's off on the grand adventure. The other thing that will be nice about wintering near home is that I'll be available for dealing with renting out the place.
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