Full Time RV Living - How Do You Make Friends?

There is an art to making friends, but when you are traveling from place to place, it is sometimes difficult to establish long term friendships. It can be done if you are willing to make the effort, and that is the kicker; are YOU willing to make the effort?

If you are a shy, secretive, introverted soul, with self esteem issues, you may find it very difficult, and very lonely to be out on the road, away from familiar friends and family. You may need to make twice the effort of an outgoing personality, but it can be done.

There is absolutely no need to stay holed up in your RV with no outside contact, unless that is what you choose to do. RV'ers can be the most friendly people you have ever met, if you are willing to put yourself out there.

Let's discuss a few ways to get out and about.

As we have traveled around the country, we find that numerous campgrounds and resorts serve breakfast at a nominal charge. Get yourself over there, it doesn't matter if you are uncomfortable, just go. Surely you can find something that you will like to nibble on, and then, as you are enjoying your meal, ask the folks next to you, "where you guys from?" That is often a great conversation starter, but if not, ask, "are ya just on vacation?"

Don't be obnoxious, people don't want to feel that you are trying to pry their innermost secrets out of them, and Lord knows, in this day and age, with all the crazies on the news every night, it is wise to be careful, but most folks are just as shy as you are, and would enjoy having an interesting conversation.

Join in at pot lucks. I know, I know. I've heard all the horror stories about pot luck dinners. Get over it. Take something you like to eat, and if you are that picky, just eat that. No one is going to ask you why, and if they do, just say, "medical issues, watching my cholesterol, whatever." The point is, to put yourself out there with other RV'ers, and to be friendly.

I am amazed by the stories I hear, or read on RVing forums about how no one wants to visit, all they want to do is sit in their RV, and watch their TV. I have never had a problem finding someone in an RV park to have a conversation with. I'm sure that being a public servant, and meeting different folks everyday, contributes to my outgoing, outspoken personality, but really, get over yourself already.

There are lonely, hurting folks out there, just waiting for you to reach out to them, and perhaps that is what you are meant to do.

Written by: Janice L Evans Do I make friends everywhere I go? Pretty much. Do I stay in contact with them? Not always, but I do always make the effort. Making the effort is all that is required. Beyond that, it is their choice. You can not force anyone to make the time for you, all you can do is be available when they reach out.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4943765

From Blogger Pictures

Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time since 2003, when we sold the house and everything in it, and have traveled fulltime since 2009. Follow our tales by signing up to follow our blog, and check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle.

Connect with us on our FACEBOOK Ready To Go Full Time RVing Page. . .where you’ll meet lots of other RV’ers just like you. . .traveling and enjoying this great adventure.

If you would like to receive our blog updates, just enter your email below.

As a bonus, you will receive a link to our Seasonal Job Listings Page, and a follow up email linking to a sample copy of our personal Seasonal Jobs Resume.

We respect your privacy, and never share your email address

Evans Escapades–We must live a boring life

We have friends who write RV Blogs almost every day about the exciting things they do. . .museum tours, hikes on the beach, wonderful places to eat. . .so I’m trying to come up with something exciting to write about. . .you know. . .just to let everyone know what we’ve been up to.
Sorry to tell you. . .our life is just not exciting.  I mean, we are never bored. . .we love anything and everything, so just going on a hike is an adventure that we thoroughly enjoy. . .but it’s just not spectacular.
Nevertheless, for the sake of friends and family, I will share a few pics, so you will know where we are, and what we are up to. . .here goes. . .

We made lunch for Dad and my brothers on Father’s Day weekend. . .then headed out. . .

Started up the Natchez Trace Parkway at Jackson MS. . .here’s more on those adventures.

not sure why the Duke’s of Hazzard Vehicles were parked on the side of the road in Leiper’s Fork, on the Natchez Trace, but it was interesting, so we took a picture. . .

and ended at the Terminus Bridge in Nashville. . .we didn’t drive every inch of it. . .but we drove enough to get a good feel for the experience.   I certainly would not want to have walked that almost 500 miles through the woods. . .

Enjoyed meeting up with our good friends, the Portman’s who came all the way from Houston to spend the week with us. . .actually they love Franklin TN so much. . .any excuse was a good enough reason to be there. . .

and they were right. . .

it is a beautiful little town!

even the birds were extra beautiful. . .

Spent a day touring Nashville. . .what can I say. . .it’s a big city, and the best way to see a big city is to take a tour. . .which we didn’t do. . .so I’m sure we missed lots.  We’ll come back some day when it’s a lot cooler. . .and spend more time exploring.

and of course, I must have a shot of the Tennessee State Capitol Building for my State Capitol Album

another shot for another album. . .this time my Bucket List Album. . .I would love to visit every National Park. . .all 247, or however many there are!

So what do you do at Mammoth Cave National park?
You hike. . .

and then you rest. ..
One little boy about four years old asked us why we both had sticks. . .I told him it was because we were old!

You enjoy the view. . .

hike some more. . .

Three and a half miles. . .uphill both ways.
Just glad I didn’t KNOW about the rattlesnakes ‘til we got back!

and of course. . .you MUST tour Mammoth Cave. 
There are all sorts of tours to choose from. . .but we chose a photography tour of Frozen Niagara. . .

It was really great. . .

unless. . .

You’re a little claustrophobic. . .
So that’s about it. . .all the excitement we experienced for the past month. . .
and, if you’re not bored to tears. . .
you can see the rest of the pics. . .here

On the Road of Retirement - A Day in Nashville

From Blogger Pictures

Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time since 2003, when we sold the house and everything in it, and have traveled fulltime since 2009. Follow our tales by signing up to follow our blog, and check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle.

Join us on our FACEBOOK Ready To Go Full Time RVing Page. . .where you’ll meet lots of other RV’ers just like you. . .traveling and enjoying this great adventure.

Full Time RV Maintenance - Adding Solar Panels

Solar power and living off the grid have always fascinated me, and I am very interested in adding solar panels to our RV, but have never read an article on it that I understood. . .until now.

Check out this great article: RV Solar Power Installation Guide

Solar Energy : Equip Your RV With Solar Panels | Cheap Way Energy

Are you environmentally conscious? Do you enjoy seeing the world in your RV? Have you wondered if there is another.

Publish Date: 07/07/2011 7:35

http://www.cheapway-energy.com/solar-energy/equip-your-rv-with-solar-panels/

Niche Investment Network Blog » Blog Archive » Solar Power: The ...

Consider trying RV Solar Panel Kits, they can give you the freedom to travel anywhere you want for as long as you want without worry. Your generator will now act as an accessory rather than a necessity and may eliminate ...

Publish Date: 06/29/2011 10:04

http://www.nicheinvestmentnetwork.com/blog/?p=90

From Blogger Pictures

Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time since 2003, when we sold the house and everything in it, and have traveled fulltime since 2009. Follow our tales by signing up to follow our blog, and check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle.

Join us on our FACEBOOK Ready To Go Full Time RVing Page. . .where you’ll meet lots of other RV’ers just like you. . .traveling and enjoying this great adventure.

Anyone who enters their email address to receive our blog updates will receive a link to our Seasonal Job Listings Page, and will also receive a follow up email linking to a sample copy of our personal Seasonal Jobs Resume’. . .these items are offered by me personally as a bonus, just to give you an idea of what may be available, and in no way can they be construed as an offer of employment by any entity listed.

RV Maintenance is a Pain in the - You Fill in the Blank!

If you think you are going to buy a brand new RV, and therefore you are not going to have any RV Maintenance issues, let me assure you, that is not the case. Anytime you are pulling something weighing twenty thousand pounds down the highway, you are going to shake things loose.

After traveling the highways in the great state of Iowa, due to the horrific winter they had causing massive damage to their roads, we had things shake loose that we never dreamed of. The entire front facing of the kitchen slide out was lying across the couch. We have been traveling in this coach for six years, so we thought we had every possible thing fastened down, but this is just the nature of the beast.

If you can accept this aspect of RV'ing, you will be way ahead of the game, otherwise, you will stay frustrated all the time, wondering when the next disaster will strike.

Learning to read the date codes on tires, and having them changed at regularly scheduled intervals will help prevent blowouts. However, longtime RVing friends, who did everything right, still managed to have a faulty tire installed, which caused a blowout, and about $3000 worth of damage to their rig, so you can do all the right things, and still have a mishap.

The other tire issue we learned first hand is that, rims will crack. The tire shop owner said he sees cracked rims on RV's on a regular basis for several reasons. Rigs being overweight add additional stress to axles, tires, rims, etc. In addition, as stated before, rough roads, and then, think about the fact that when you are backing into an RV space, you are cranking the tires around, which is putting additional stress on your rims. It may be worth an extra trip around your rig to check out the condition of the rims. A $250 investment now, may save you from being stranded out on the highway later.

Another simple and inexpensive maintenance prevention is to purchase dirt dauber screens, and install them in your furnace and hot water heater openings. If only someone would have shared this little tidbit with us we could have prevented a $700 repair bill to our propane furnace. A $7 screen was all that would have been required to keep the little beasties out.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4872714

 

From Blogger Pictures

Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time since 2003, when we sold the house and everything in it, and have traveled fulltime since 2009. Follow our tales by signing up to follow our blog, and check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle.

Join us on our FACEBOOK Ready To Go Full Time RVing Page. . .where you’ll meet lots of other RV’ers just like you. . .traveling and enjoying this great adventure.

Anyone who enters their email address to receive our blog updates will receive a link to our Seasonal Job Listings Page, and will also receive a follow up email linking to a sample copy of our personal Seasonal Jobs Resume’. . .these items are offered by me personally as a bonus, just to give you an idea of what may be available, and in no way can they be construed as an offer of employment by any entity listed.

THOUSAND TRAILS PARKS - NORTHEAST

THOUSAND TRAILS PARKS - NORTHEAST

THOUSAND TRAILS PARKS - NORTHEAST


View THOUSAND TRAILS PARKS - NORTHEAST in a larger map

Full Time RV Living - What will you do when it's time to hang up the keys?

If you are a full time RV’er, you know there will come a day when it’s time to hang up the keys. 

Your decision could be for any number of reasons, you’re tired of traveling, you miss having a house, you need to be close to doctors due to illness, any myriad of causes that will require the decision of no longer traveling full time.

When that time comes, do you have any plans, or ideas as to what you will need to do?

In a recent article Smart Money Magazine listed the Escapee’s C.A.R.E Program as a viable option .  The premise of the article was to discuss various retirement communities that are available, where you would be surrounded by others who have the same interests, such as artists, intellectuals, etc., in other words. . .niche communities.

Because I am a planner, always thinking ahead to the next project, (drives my hubby crazy) we have already researched the C.A.R.E. facility. . .but long before you are ready for that much assistance, you can join the Escapees Group.  

Talk about a niche. . .they are definitely focused on RV’ers, and RV’ing. 

We joined Escapees long before we ever started traveling, or needed their mail services.

It’s a great way to gain an RV’ing education!

Chuck and Elva's Travels: Work Camping at Escapee's CARE Facility ...

Everyone has been asking us what is Escapees and why are you work camping there? Since our retirement in 2008 we have attended a few Escapees rallies. During these rallies we always hear about the Escapees CARE facility ...

Publish Date: 02/27/2011 15:42

http://chuckandelva.blogspot.com/2011/02/work-camping-at-escapees-care-facility.html

Moonlight Madness: Working in the Kitchen at Escapees CARE in ...

Work camping at Escapees CARE in Livingston, Texas has not only been a privilege, but it has allowed Chuck and I to learn more about how much volunteer services are needed. The residents who were former RVers, ...

Publish Date: 03/12/2011 20:35

http://moonlightmadnessvirtualassistant.blogspot.com/2011/03/working-in-kitchen-at-escapees-care-in.html

Semi-True Tales of Our Life on the Road: MAIL FORWARDING: HOW DO ...

One of the questions most frequently asked about full-timing is: "How do you get your mail?" Most full-timers use a mail forwarding service; of these, the two most well-known are the Escapees Mail Service in Livingston, TX (part of the ...

Publish Date: 04/04/2009 12:07

http://laurieandodel.blogspot.com/2009/04/mail-forwarding-how-do-fulltimers-get.html

Exit Strategy: Hanging up the Keys - Your RV Lifestyle

Question: Do you have an exit strategy for going back to a permanent home when you get too old or ill to be on the road full time? Answer: This is a.

Publish Date: 04/03/2011 15:26

http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/exit-strategy-hanging-up-the-keys.html

From Blogger Pictures

Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time since 2003, when we sold the house and everything in it, and have traveled fulltime since 2009. Follow our tales by signing up to follow our blog, and check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle.

Join us on our FACEBOOK Ready To Go Full Time RVing Page. . .where you’ll meet lots of other RV’ers just like you. . .traveling and enjoying this great adventure.

Anyone who enters their email address to receive our blog updates will receive a link to our Seasonal Job Listings Page, and will also receive a follow up email linking to a sample copy of our personal Seasonal Jobs Resume’. . .these items are offered by me personally as a bonus, just to give you an idea of what may be available, and in no way can they be construed as an offer of employment by any entity listed.

Full Time RV Maintenance–Keeping the Door Locks in Working Order

Keeping things in working order, and repaired is a significant part of this lifestyle.  It’s all being jolted and bounced as we travel down the road from one fabulous place to the other, not to mention that all the outside components are being subjected to sun, wind, rain, dust, etc., etc.

When I read this article about RV Compartment Locks: Repair and Replacement I knew I should share it with you.  Russ DeMaris explains the entire procedure perfectly of how to take care of these little often overlooked, but necessary items on the outside of the RV.

We often find that the screws on our compartment locks are loose, and the door is not closing as tightly as it should.  After reading Russ’ article, I think doing a little maintenance on all the outside doors and locks will be a good project for the day, as we get the rig ready to roll to our next destination.

See you down the road,

Janice and Dave

Warning: Most RV Storage Compartments Use The Same Key! - The Fun ...

Most RVs use the same key for all outside storage compartments. The entrance door lock isn't much better when it comes to RV security. Keep this in mind, especially when storing your RV for the off-season. Never leave valuables inside.

Publish Date: 11/25/2009 9:00

http://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/11/rv_locks-2.php

10 RV Accessories for you to Buy Today! | Camping the Hill Country

You are able to have your side storage compartment converted to an outside entertainment center. Many various things may be mounted inside the side compartment of an RV, including TVs and stereos. ...

Publish Date: 06/27/2011 4:04

http://campingthehillcountry.com/10-rv-accessories-for-you-to-buy-today

Great RV Gear: Go 'keyless' to make your RV storage compartment's ...

You know that key you use to unlock your RV's outside storage compartments? Well, the bad news is that about every other RVer's key to its compartments will also work on yours. Not so good if you want to be sure your ...

Publish Date: 09/01/2007 0:47

http://www.greatrvstuff.com/2007/08/go-keyless-to-make-your-rv-storage.html

From Blogger Pictures

Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time since 2003, when we sold the house and everything in it, and have traveled fulltime since 2009. Follow our tales by signing up to follow our blog, and check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle.

Join us on our FACEBOOK Ready To Go Full Time RVing Page. . .where you’ll meet lots of other RV’ers just like you. . .traveling and enjoying this great adventure.

Anyone who enters their email address to receive our blog updates will receive a link to our Seasonal Job Listings Page, and will also receive a follow up email linking to a sample copy of our personal Seasonal Jobs Resume’. . .these items are offered by me personally as a bonus, just to give you an idea of what may be available, and in no way can they be construed as an offer of employment by any entity listed.