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  1. #1
    Setting Up Camp Woods'nWater's Avatar
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    Nomad Retirement

    We don't call it full-timing because we worked 50 years to earn this privilege. We wanted to be Nomadic Retirees. Now that the time has come we are holding off on selling the house. Why? Because the road is full of 1) homeless 2) young van-dwellers 3) digital nomads and 4) boomers like ourselves wanting to travel. Don't know if I'm jealous, sadden, envious or angry that we are being pushed out of our travel experiences we waited a life time to happen. So many family's on the road doing virtual learning because of Covid. So many homeless just parked and staying in their vehicle all day taking up boondocking spots we could be enjoying. So many more RV's on the road, period. The National Parks are seeing record visits. Loud mouths are giving away secluded spots via Free Campsites, iOverland or Campedium. Weekends are impossible to book earlier than ever now and doesn't let up until the snow flies. I'm happy people are enjoying the great outdoors but I feel cheated. How about you?
    Joe and Sandy
    2017 Reflection 303rls
    2018 Silverado 3500HD

  2. #2
    Seasoned Camper
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    We didn't experience any problems finding campsites during our winter trip to Tx or on the return trip. We tried to book a couple days ahead of time. I know this was during winter and early spring but I understand where you are coming from. Hopefully as things get back to normal some of these digital nomads and the younger people will move on to other adventures. I would not let it ruin your retirement plans I don't intend to let it ruin mine. We are retired and not on a schedule.
    2013 Ford Eco Boost CC ( previous)
    2016 Chevy Silverado 2500HD
    2019 Reflection 297 RSTS

  3. #3
    Site Team WhittleBurner's Avatar
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    Having to plan ahead started about 5 years ago and is nothing new. The competition is more now for that spot but I wouldn't let it stop us from doing what we want. At times it does mean altering your plans but not ditching the whole thing.

    Just go and enjoy each day for what it is, you only live once
    Marcy & Gary
    2014 Grand Design - Reflection 303RLS
    2022 GMC 3500 Denali Duramax Longbed SRW
    2015 GMC Denali 3500 - Retired
    2003 F350 - retired
    Michigan
    We're in trouble now, the dog are bloggin'!
    https://3dogsandatrailer.wordpress.com/


  4. #4
    Long Hauler D2Reid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Woods'nWater View Post
    I feel cheated. How about you?
    I am definitely not cheated. But I have been nomadic for over 10 years. March 2020 certainly had me worried, had we had a homestead we would have run and hid. It was a scary time, not knowing if the city council would close the RV parks and make us leave without having anyplace to go... but that passed.

    So while the nomadic life style is more difficult than it was in 2011 it is still doable, you just have to plan ahead more these days. Some coined the phrase "Decision Fatigue", we are experiencing it. We are a little anxious because we have not booked August and September yet. We really need to get around to it.
    Dallas
    2017 Momentum 376TH, 2019 Ford F450, Dual Rear Wheel, 4x4, diesel.
    2015 Harley-Davidson Street, XG750

  5. #5
    Setting Up Camp Woods'nWater's Avatar
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    That's the problem, don't want to plan, that's exhausting to me. We like to travel with the wind and go where the mood takes us. We did that Jan. - March this year, so much fun! Then things started to heat up and boy was it tough finding places to stay. Weekends especially. We are home now and know we won't be doing any camping this summer besides forest boondocking. That's my point, no flying by the seat of your pants right now, it's too crowded out there and I don't see it letting up for a long time.
    Joe and Sandy
    2017 Reflection 303rls
    2018 Silverado 3500HD

  6. #6
    Seasoned Camper
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    I don't feel cheated at all. I am out here experiencing the greatest times in my life. Stay home, enjoy the feeling of not doing what you want to do because of some irrational fear.

  7. #7
    Seasoned Camper Tgunter5's Avatar
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    I can kinda relate..... as a kid I've ALWAYS been fascinated with campers and being able to pack up and go explore the out doors. Now that I'm older and still a relatively new father (kids are 8 and 5) it is even more of a pleasure to take my kids out while still having "home amenities". I'm a blue collar worker and the value of a dollar is high. With covid, I feel EVERYTHING is more complicated and expensive. Purchasing a rig is as high as it has ever been, campsites are ALWAYS booked, when we finally find a site, its 4-6 hours away which is kinda tough since I still have to work 9-5 / mon-fri for that same dollar. Its great people are getting out and exploring the out doors but I feel its everyone's "second choice" since covid which it turn has cause my "first choice" to be taken. I don't want to come off as entitled and I'm probably doing a poor job expressing my thoughts and opinions but these are the times we are dealing with. Happy camping to all!!!
    2020 GMC Sierra 2500 AT4 6.6L Gasser
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  8. #8
    Seasoned Camper
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    Not trying to be condescending but these are all problems everybody has dealt with since my grandparents. They used to worry about getting a spot in Yuma because of the retirees. Trying to find a camping spot on the weekend has always been an issue since I started taking my kids camping 20 years ago. These do not change. Yes homelessness has increased, but not at places I want to go, they are to far out for homeless to attain services, we have met some wonderful families with kids out in the road and we hope to run in to them again, and don't get me started on the boomers, those guys are crazy, always wanting to explore and see things they didn't see in their 9-5 job stuck in the city.

    Camping with a bigger rig has decreased places we can go, but not once in our 4 years full timing (no shot over 2 weeks) have I not found a place to sleep. It is not as easy as with a tent but I like my amenities.

  9. #9
    Setting Up Camp Woods'nWater's Avatar
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    Thank you for the thoughts people! I like to hear different points of view on topics I'm concerned about, that's why I posted. Ktnissen, I ran into problems on the eastern US and it wasn't irrational, it was real. Glad you're having a good time!
    Joe and Sandy
    2017 Reflection 303rls
    2018 Silverado 3500HD

  10. #10
    Seasoned Camper
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    Woods, I am not trying to argue that it isn't difficult to travel during the epidemic. Most of our fears are fears of being inconvenienced. The inconvenience of trying too and failing to find a spot where you want to be, or there are no spots at the location that you have been wanting to see. Camping in a casino or Walmart parking lot is not the idea of what you wanted but it happens. You are not going from beautiful spot to beautiful spot, there are crummy spots along the way. When you do get the beauty spots the crummy ones are easily laughed at over drinks the next night.

    The East Coast is not my favorite side of America but we have traveled it Pre-Covid and Post-Covid. It takes more planning and willingness to find the out of the way places because the tourist attractions are packed. You have to start early if you want reservations at the premier full hook up spots. It can be done, you just have to be inconvenienced to do it. So what if you can't find a spot for a night, get a hotel, a lot of hotels will let you park your RV and then you get a 30 minute shower, room, service and you don't have to make the bed.

    Full time RV is not for every one, the ability to freely travel and go places is daunting to some people. You need to be able to think through problems, go past your comfort zone and trust that you aren't going to die because the kids in the van next to you don't fit your idea of camping.

    We all run in to problems out here, and after all these years I have yet to see some one camping alongside the road stuck where they broke down or couldn't drive any longer when I passed by the next day. Things break, you have to get it fixed, inconvenient but not what I would call a fear. My fear is that I have to use the big credit card to repair major damage, then wait around 2 months for insurance to reimburse.

    I wish you the best travels and hope to see you out here on the road. I did not wrote this post in malice or contempt, just another perspective to help your transitioning to full time. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer about the wonderful life full timing.

    Kip

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