Last weekend our friends, Kim and Richard and their awesome daughter Susie, were on a road trip and were kind enough to veer over to Knoxville to meet up with us.
What a great time we had!
Ironically, though Chris and I live a traveling lifestyle, this was the first time either of us had stayed in a hotel since we began RVing. We do have suitcases, but they are full of clothes in storage and since it was just an overnight trip, we managed with a tote bag.
We found a kennel for Dooley and headed for Knoxville (about 3.5 hours through the Smokey Mountains, which were lovely).
We met up at the hotel and then went to dinner. The food was good, but we were having such a good time I suppose they could have served us dog food and we might not have noticed. Well, maybe.
One of the best things about Kim, Richard and Susie is that they are happy people (but not ooey gooey icky sweet) who are also genuinely happy for Chris and me. They excitedly listened to our stories about our adventures on the road and made us feel like we were The Most Interesting Couple In The World (drinking Genesee and not Dos Equis).
The next morning Susie said she wanted to have breakfast at a unique restaurant...and since none of them had been to a Waffle House, we gave it a shot. Loyal readers may remember our last Waffle House experience was not a winner. However, we had better Waffle House Mojo and everyone left happy with their breakfast but sad that it was time to go our separate ways.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
Could You Be A Full Time RVer Part III
This list has been interesting to put together. I hope you're enjoying it too. Maybe something exciting will happen and I'll blog about something else soon.
8. How much does a prestigious job matter to you?
If you have an impressive title or job and that's important to you, there's nothing wrong with that. Plus, you could leave that job and still be a full time RVer. But, if you want to be a workamper or if you need/want to earn money while you are living in an RV, then you probably won't have a very prestigious job. Most likely you'll be taking directions from someone much younger, with less experience, and who doesn't care about your fancy diplomas.
In many ways, I've found this sort of freeing. Should I worry about X or Y? Nope. Not my job. My job is to do the menial task I've been assigned and shut my pie hole. Don't lose any sleep over it. I know that if I volunteer a suggestion, 90% of the time it will be ignored, so I go back to shut my pie hole and do my job.
9. How much do you want/need to be near your family?
Plenty of full timers spend a large amount of time with family, particularly their grandchildren. Some spend their summers at campgrounds near the grandkids and then winter elsewhere. But they still miss out on birthdays, sporting events and other things that happen while they are away. This could be the case with any grandparents who live at a distance from their family.
Good news...if your children move far away (maybe to get away from you) you can follow!
But, if you have elderly parents or a new grandchild or family medical emergencies, being far away can be difficult. Just another thing to keep in mind if you're making the decision to go full time.
10. How much of a social life do you need?
Apparently I don't need much of one. I miss Fun Fridays with the gang in Ada, but otherwise, we're sort of homebodies and we are whether our home has wheels on it or not. There are opportunities to be social at the campground but even then we tend to keep to ourselves.
RVers tend to be a friendly bunch and if you're sitting outside people will tend to at least wave and say hi and, if encouraged, may sit down and visit at length. Some people become fast friends and enjoy evenings sitting around their campfires.
But, if your golf or bowling league is important to you (and good for you if they are) or you like to go out with your friends to try the newest restaurants in town, or you love hosting big parties that involve more then lawn chairs and paper plates, then this might not be a good fit for you.
So, I've given you ten things to consider before deciding to become a full time RVer. What do you think?
8. How much does a prestigious job matter to you?
If you have an impressive title or job and that's important to you, there's nothing wrong with that. Plus, you could leave that job and still be a full time RVer. But, if you want to be a workamper or if you need/want to earn money while you are living in an RV, then you probably won't have a very prestigious job. Most likely you'll be taking directions from someone much younger, with less experience, and who doesn't care about your fancy diplomas.
In many ways, I've found this sort of freeing. Should I worry about X or Y? Nope. Not my job. My job is to do the menial task I've been assigned and shut my pie hole. Don't lose any sleep over it. I know that if I volunteer a suggestion, 90% of the time it will be ignored, so I go back to shut my pie hole and do my job.
9. How much do you want/need to be near your family?
Plenty of full timers spend a large amount of time with family, particularly their grandchildren. Some spend their summers at campgrounds near the grandkids and then winter elsewhere. But they still miss out on birthdays, sporting events and other things that happen while they are away. This could be the case with any grandparents who live at a distance from their family.
Good news...if your children move far away (maybe to get away from you) you can follow!
But, if you have elderly parents or a new grandchild or family medical emergencies, being far away can be difficult. Just another thing to keep in mind if you're making the decision to go full time.
10. How much of a social life do you need?
Apparently I don't need much of one. I miss Fun Fridays with the gang in Ada, but otherwise, we're sort of homebodies and we are whether our home has wheels on it or not. There are opportunities to be social at the campground but even then we tend to keep to ourselves.
RVers tend to be a friendly bunch and if you're sitting outside people will tend to at least wave and say hi and, if encouraged, may sit down and visit at length. Some people become fast friends and enjoy evenings sitting around their campfires.
But, if your golf or bowling league is important to you (and good for you if they are) or you like to go out with your friends to try the newest restaurants in town, or you love hosting big parties that involve more then lawn chairs and paper plates, then this might not be a good fit for you.
So, I've given you ten things to consider before deciding to become a full time RVer. What do you think?
Friday, March 27, 2015
Could You Be a Full Time RVer? Part II
More things to consider before you decide to live in an RV long term.
5. How well do you get along with your spouse?
Most of the workamping couples we've met seem to get along pretty well. I think if you didn't, you wouldn't last very long on the road. All those things I listed before---small space, unexpected delays, expenses and changes in plans---can put a strain on your relationship. Plus, most of the time, you're going to arrive in a town and the only person you know will be your spouse. Sure, you get to know people at the campground or job, but it's not like home where you have a circle of friends or co-workers that are separate from your spouse.
In addition, if you're workamping, you and your spouse will likely be working together. Maybe not side by side, but you'll have the same boss, the same coworkers and the same work hours.
If you have a good relationship and you both want to go full time, I think that can make your relationship better. However, I don't think the converse is true---if you have a bad relationship, packing up everything in a MH and taking off down the road probably isn't going to work miracles. Unless you're in a movie about a troubled teen and his dad, because it seems that getting away together always mends those relationships.
6. How much privacy do you need?
There isn't much in our MH, even the bathroom doors (due to the slides) don't reach the floor. Other RVs (particularly 5th wheels) might offer more private space with rooms with doors, but the only real door we have is the one between us and the outside.
If you're having a bad day and just need some time to yourself...you might need to take a walk or drive. Or sit outside in the lawn chairs.
I suppose if we had a big time shouting match with the windows open, quite a few people could hear. Maybe we'll try that our last night here.
Like any other neighborhood, a campground can have its share of nosy people. When the weather was nice a couple weeks ago we left every afternoon to drive to a nearby park. One "friendly" neighbor felt the need to ask us where we kept going.
7. How do you feel about flying without a net?
Back in Ada, I had a wonderful group of friends, reliable mechanic, doctor, veterinarian and dentist I liked and I knew which restaurants to avoid. On the road, you're much more on your own. We only have one car (unless you count the MH) so if that breaks down, who can we call for a ride? Who can we trust to fix it?
If one of us needs to see a doctor---I guess we'll go to one of those walk-in clinics.
Think about all the service providers you have and how long it might have taken you to find them: a hairdresser, church, dog kennel, babysitter (not an issue for us), yoga class.
It's like moving to a new town, but before you get everything figured out, you move again.
Of all the things listed so far, I think this is the one that makes me feel the most unsettled (and explains my overgrown hair).
That's seven factors to consider. How are you doing so far? Do you think you could be a full time RVer?
5. How well do you get along with your spouse?
Most of the workamping couples we've met seem to get along pretty well. I think if you didn't, you wouldn't last very long on the road. All those things I listed before---small space, unexpected delays, expenses and changes in plans---can put a strain on your relationship. Plus, most of the time, you're going to arrive in a town and the only person you know will be your spouse. Sure, you get to know people at the campground or job, but it's not like home where you have a circle of friends or co-workers that are separate from your spouse.
In addition, if you're workamping, you and your spouse will likely be working together. Maybe not side by side, but you'll have the same boss, the same coworkers and the same work hours.
If you have a good relationship and you both want to go full time, I think that can make your relationship better. However, I don't think the converse is true---if you have a bad relationship, packing up everything in a MH and taking off down the road probably isn't going to work miracles. Unless you're in a movie about a troubled teen and his dad, because it seems that getting away together always mends those relationships.
6. How much privacy do you need?
There isn't much in our MH, even the bathroom doors (due to the slides) don't reach the floor. Other RVs (particularly 5th wheels) might offer more private space with rooms with doors, but the only real door we have is the one between us and the outside.
If you're having a bad day and just need some time to yourself...you might need to take a walk or drive. Or sit outside in the lawn chairs.
I suppose if we had a big time shouting match with the windows open, quite a few people could hear. Maybe we'll try that our last night here.
Like any other neighborhood, a campground can have its share of nosy people. When the weather was nice a couple weeks ago we left every afternoon to drive to a nearby park. One "friendly" neighbor felt the need to ask us where we kept going.
7. How do you feel about flying without a net?
Back in Ada, I had a wonderful group of friends, reliable mechanic, doctor, veterinarian and dentist I liked and I knew which restaurants to avoid. On the road, you're much more on your own. We only have one car (unless you count the MH) so if that breaks down, who can we call for a ride? Who can we trust to fix it?
If one of us needs to see a doctor---I guess we'll go to one of those walk-in clinics.
Think about all the service providers you have and how long it might have taken you to find them: a hairdresser, church, dog kennel, babysitter (not an issue for us), yoga class.
It's like moving to a new town, but before you get everything figured out, you move again.
Of all the things listed so far, I think this is the one that makes me feel the most unsettled (and explains my overgrown hair).
That's seven factors to consider. How are you doing so far? Do you think you could be a full time RVer?
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Could You Be A Full Time RVer?
Here are some points to consider if you are thinking about becoming a full time (or even short term) RVer.
1. Do you need a lot of space?
The house where we lived in Ada was probably about 800 sq feet and other than storage space, we really only used about 3/4 of the space or less. I'm not sure I could go as far as the tiny house people, but I've realized I can make do in cozy confines.
If you're thinking about going full time, maybe try just living in one or two rooms of your house/apartment for a few weeks and see how you feel about it.
Some people park their RV at a campground near their homes and live there for a few months (sometimes keeping their jobs too) to see how they really feel about living in close quarters.
2. Do you need a lot of stuff?
This goes along with number one. However, I will say that there is more storage space than I would have expected and we aren't even using what we have very creatively or efficiently. If you are someone who likes to display photos and knick knacks, then RV living might be a challenge since there isn't much counter space or empty wall space. I suppose you could go with the old stand by of hanging things on the fridge w/magnets.
I'm not sure how I would have done as an RVer before the advent of Kindle ereaders. I do have a few books along, but I had already thinned my library before we moved. With my Kindle, I happily have access to tons of books without taking up much space at all.
We usually like to have a well stocked pantry and freezer so that's a bit of a challenge, though extra freezers can be purchased and kept in the bays. However, often we kept a full larder because we didn't want to run out in bad weather. So, I'd rather just avoid the bad weather and shop more often.
3. Are you status conscious?
If you like living in a neighborhood where all the houses are as nice (or nicer) than yours, then RV living might not work too well for you. Our neighbors change on a regular basis, so that's good, but there are also a lot of people who are living in campgrounds in some less than glamorous accommodations. Neighbors can also be pretty close. Our site here is probably average size and space from our neighbors (and fortunately we only have neighbors on one side) but if we have the windows open and our neighbor is sitting outside chatting on his phone, we can hear most of it.
There are some very nice RV resorts out there and we would like to get a job at one of them sometime, but most KOAs seem to have a variety of residents.
4. How do you handle unexpected events/changes in plans?
Life is full of surprises no matter where you live or how well you plan, but it seems things can be a little less predictable on the road.
As you know, we had plans to go to a KOA in South Carolina in mid-April but we decided to change plans and stay here. About ten days ago, we heard about an opportunity to work and camp at an amusement park nearby (more on that when/if we get that nailed down) so we might be going there in a few weeks.
Sometimes there are breakdowns while traveling that cause a change in plans (and unexpected expenses). If we had been traveling when our jacks quit working, we would have had quite a problem. Instead of loading up and heading out for a day of travel, we'd have had to find a repairman, stayed put for however long it would have taken him to make our repairs (not to mention order parts) and deal with whatever changes we had to make to our schedule due to the delay.
Our friends. Tom and Joni, have been traveling for two or three weeks and even though they had a plan for their trip, it seems like they had a few surprises too. They had planned to travel in our direction for a short visit en route to their next job, but because of bad weather they decided to take a more southerly route. One afternoon they arrived at the KOA where they had a reservation, spent an hour or more trying to get their RV to fit on the site and finally gave up and had to find another place to stay that night.
This is numbers 1-4. Come back next time to read 5-7 (or more. I haven't written the post yet.)
1. Do you need a lot of space?
The house where we lived in Ada was probably about 800 sq feet and other than storage space, we really only used about 3/4 of the space or less. I'm not sure I could go as far as the tiny house people, but I've realized I can make do in cozy confines.
If you're thinking about going full time, maybe try just living in one or two rooms of your house/apartment for a few weeks and see how you feel about it.
Some people park their RV at a campground near their homes and live there for a few months (sometimes keeping their jobs too) to see how they really feel about living in close quarters.
2. Do you need a lot of stuff?
This goes along with number one. However, I will say that there is more storage space than I would have expected and we aren't even using what we have very creatively or efficiently. If you are someone who likes to display photos and knick knacks, then RV living might be a challenge since there isn't much counter space or empty wall space. I suppose you could go with the old stand by of hanging things on the fridge w/magnets.
I'm not sure how I would have done as an RVer before the advent of Kindle ereaders. I do have a few books along, but I had already thinned my library before we moved. With my Kindle, I happily have access to tons of books without taking up much space at all.
We usually like to have a well stocked pantry and freezer so that's a bit of a challenge, though extra freezers can be purchased and kept in the bays. However, often we kept a full larder because we didn't want to run out in bad weather. So, I'd rather just avoid the bad weather and shop more often.
3. Are you status conscious?
If you like living in a neighborhood where all the houses are as nice (or nicer) than yours, then RV living might not work too well for you. Our neighbors change on a regular basis, so that's good, but there are also a lot of people who are living in campgrounds in some less than glamorous accommodations. Neighbors can also be pretty close. Our site here is probably average size and space from our neighbors (and fortunately we only have neighbors on one side) but if we have the windows open and our neighbor is sitting outside chatting on his phone, we can hear most of it.
There are some very nice RV resorts out there and we would like to get a job at one of them sometime, but most KOAs seem to have a variety of residents.
4. How do you handle unexpected events/changes in plans?
Life is full of surprises no matter where you live or how well you plan, but it seems things can be a little less predictable on the road.
As you know, we had plans to go to a KOA in South Carolina in mid-April but we decided to change plans and stay here. About ten days ago, we heard about an opportunity to work and camp at an amusement park nearby (more on that when/if we get that nailed down) so we might be going there in a few weeks.
Sometimes there are breakdowns while traveling that cause a change in plans (and unexpected expenses). If we had been traveling when our jacks quit working, we would have had quite a problem. Instead of loading up and heading out for a day of travel, we'd have had to find a repairman, stayed put for however long it would have taken him to make our repairs (not to mention order parts) and deal with whatever changes we had to make to our schedule due to the delay.
Our friends. Tom and Joni, have been traveling for two or three weeks and even though they had a plan for their trip, it seems like they had a few surprises too. They had planned to travel in our direction for a short visit en route to their next job, but because of bad weather they decided to take a more southerly route. One afternoon they arrived at the KOA where they had a reservation, spent an hour or more trying to get their RV to fit on the site and finally gave up and had to find another place to stay that night.
This is numbers 1-4. Come back next time to read 5-7 (or more. I haven't written the post yet.)
Monday, March 23, 2015
Lessons From Statesville
We aren't sure how much longer we'll be at this location. Probably at least another month, maybe longer. Last week we applied for jobs at Carowinds Amusement park which is about an hour south of here and they have a workamper program so if we are hired we'd move down there. We ought to know more about that (I hope) in the next week or two.
Our job here at the Statesville KOA is pretty low stress, which is part of what appealed to us in the first place. However, if we do a guardhouse job in the future, we'll look for one that is not every single day. It's a drag to have the alarm go off every morning at 5:20 plus it makes it difficult to plan even an overnight trip anywhere. I expect we can trade with someone to cover the time and that's not a big deal, but in future I think we'll look for something that gives us a couple days off each week.
Another thing---this area is pretty boring. Granted the weather hasn't been very nice and it's now improving so we may feel differently, but other than grocery shopping and the usual restaurants, there's not a lot to do nearby. I'm sure there's interesting things in Charlotte or Winston-Salem, both about an hour away, but not much to explore close by.
Although the weather is much better than winter in Ohio, it doesn't really look or feel much different. Not quite as flat, but otherwise, about the same. New Mexico and even Tennessee seemed distinctly not-Ohio so that made them more interesting.
Good things about working here. It's pretty low key. One of us sits in the guardhouse and we're done and back home by 8:40 am, about the time most people are starting their workday. The weather has been decent and looks to be improving and the other workampers here are a nice bunch.
Our job here at the Statesville KOA is pretty low stress, which is part of what appealed to us in the first place. However, if we do a guardhouse job in the future, we'll look for one that is not every single day. It's a drag to have the alarm go off every morning at 5:20 plus it makes it difficult to plan even an overnight trip anywhere. I expect we can trade with someone to cover the time and that's not a big deal, but in future I think we'll look for something that gives us a couple days off each week.
Another thing---this area is pretty boring. Granted the weather hasn't been very nice and it's now improving so we may feel differently, but other than grocery shopping and the usual restaurants, there's not a lot to do nearby. I'm sure there's interesting things in Charlotte or Winston-Salem, both about an hour away, but not much to explore close by.
Although the weather is much better than winter in Ohio, it doesn't really look or feel much different. Not quite as flat, but otherwise, about the same. New Mexico and even Tennessee seemed distinctly not-Ohio so that made them more interesting.
Good things about working here. It's pretty low key. One of us sits in the guardhouse and we're done and back home by 8:40 am, about the time most people are starting their workday. The weather has been decent and looks to be improving and the other workampers here are a nice bunch.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Things That Have Surprised Me
As part of my reflections on our first 9 months on the road, I thought I'd share some of the things that have surprised me.
1. This really is enough space for us. We have about 400 sq. ft. of living space, possibly less. Knowing myself, if we had more space, I'd just spread my clutter further. It's not enough space to entertain or have house guests, but we can entertain people outside, which is much more pleasant anyway. We actually wear the same few items of clothing repeatedly and don't even use all the pots and pans we have.
2. The variety of people who live in campgrounds. Some are full timers like us moving from job to job as workcampers. Some don't really travel at all, they are living in the RV and going to work every day like everyone else. Others travel some, but for work, these are people who are in the military or might do construction work and they are traveling from assignment to assignment. There are families with children and older, singles, though most are couples. Some are living in what appear to be pretty dire circumstances while others have quarter million dollar motor homes towing a high end luxury car.
3. The number and variety of jobs available for workampers is astounding. I've mentioned this before but I think it is the most surprising thing to me. There are jobs available at campgrounds around the country doing everything from answering the phones and taking reservations to making fudge and renting out paddle boats. When we had our resume viewable on the KOA site, we were getting 2-4 calls and emails per week asking if we were interested in different jobs. In addition to campground work, there are seasonal jobs like Amazon, amusement parks, the sugar beet harvest, Christmas tree lots and national parks. It appears that demand for workers is high as pay seems to be going up and many places are offering bonuses for staying for your entire commitment.
4. Sometimes getting the jobs is a big hassle. I've had jobs where I had the authority to issue arrest warrants and to send people to jail. I got those on the basis of a resume and a couple interviews. In order to get a menial job at an amusement park making slurpees, the application process takes a good 30 mins online, then a personal interview where we waited around for two hours (they don't take appointments) and if we get hired there will be drug screens and background checks and probably at least one or two more personal interviews plus orientation. More on that later, if we get hired.
5. Some people probably shouldn't be driving RV's. At the KOA in New Mexico two older gentlemen came into the store to buy supplies. I had to help them pick the change out of their hands because they had trouble discerning nickels from quarters. Later they both got into some big-ass motor homes and headed down the road. One man we know has a torn retina and no peripheral vision on his left side and he's tooling along America's highways hauling a fifth wheel. I applaud older folks who aren't sitting at home watching TV all day long, but maybe they should get someone else to do their driving.
6. How much I really enjoy living this way. I've never been into big houses or lots of stuff, so living this way suits me well. No yard work (unless that's our job), no hassles with the utility companies when we move, and if we don't like our location, we can pick up and leave. We aren't completely off the grid, but we are rather anonymous and there's something a bit freeing about that.
7. And last but not least, I am surprised (and pleased) by the number of people who seem to actually enjoy this blog and following our adventures. Thank you all.
1. This really is enough space for us. We have about 400 sq. ft. of living space, possibly less. Knowing myself, if we had more space, I'd just spread my clutter further. It's not enough space to entertain or have house guests, but we can entertain people outside, which is much more pleasant anyway. We actually wear the same few items of clothing repeatedly and don't even use all the pots and pans we have.
2. The variety of people who live in campgrounds. Some are full timers like us moving from job to job as workcampers. Some don't really travel at all, they are living in the RV and going to work every day like everyone else. Others travel some, but for work, these are people who are in the military or might do construction work and they are traveling from assignment to assignment. There are families with children and older, singles, though most are couples. Some are living in what appear to be pretty dire circumstances while others have quarter million dollar motor homes towing a high end luxury car.
3. The number and variety of jobs available for workampers is astounding. I've mentioned this before but I think it is the most surprising thing to me. There are jobs available at campgrounds around the country doing everything from answering the phones and taking reservations to making fudge and renting out paddle boats. When we had our resume viewable on the KOA site, we were getting 2-4 calls and emails per week asking if we were interested in different jobs. In addition to campground work, there are seasonal jobs like Amazon, amusement parks, the sugar beet harvest, Christmas tree lots and national parks. It appears that demand for workers is high as pay seems to be going up and many places are offering bonuses for staying for your entire commitment.
4. Sometimes getting the jobs is a big hassle. I've had jobs where I had the authority to issue arrest warrants and to send people to jail. I got those on the basis of a resume and a couple interviews. In order to get a menial job at an amusement park making slurpees, the application process takes a good 30 mins online, then a personal interview where we waited around for two hours (they don't take appointments) and if we get hired there will be drug screens and background checks and probably at least one or two more personal interviews plus orientation. More on that later, if we get hired.
5. Some people probably shouldn't be driving RV's. At the KOA in New Mexico two older gentlemen came into the store to buy supplies. I had to help them pick the change out of their hands because they had trouble discerning nickels from quarters. Later they both got into some big-ass motor homes and headed down the road. One man we know has a torn retina and no peripheral vision on his left side and he's tooling along America's highways hauling a fifth wheel. I applaud older folks who aren't sitting at home watching TV all day long, but maybe they should get someone else to do their driving.
6. How much I really enjoy living this way. I've never been into big houses or lots of stuff, so living this way suits me well. No yard work (unless that's our job), no hassles with the utility companies when we move, and if we don't like our location, we can pick up and leave. We aren't completely off the grid, but we are rather anonymous and there's something a bit freeing about that.
7. And last but not least, I am surprised (and pleased) by the number of people who seem to actually enjoy this blog and following our adventures. Thank you all.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Talking To Myself
We arrived in New Mexico at our first workamping assignment last July, so I thought I'd do a little recap of some of my thoughts on our first nine months on the road.
What do I wish we'd done differently?
We left a few things at my parents' house that were of sentimental value, but also breakable. I wish we'd packed them up and brought them with us.
We had a nice mattress on our bed in Ohio and we ought to have switched it for the sleep number mattress that came with the MH. Sleep number beds seem to be popular in RVs because they are very light. Less weight = less gas usage. However, uncomfortable mattress= not sleeping well= cranky campers.
We had two cars, a Dodge Magnum and a Chevy Aveo, we assumed we would get a tow bar and tow the car, so we sold the Magnum and kept the Aveo. When we left, we were in a time crunch and money crunch. A tow bar, even used, was over $1,000. The Aveo gets 35 mpg so with lower gas prices and the fact that we were going to be driving a few hundred miles and then parking, spending money for a tow bar didn't make sense. The downside is that when we travel I am in the car while Chris drives the MH but it's not like we are vacationing and I have to spend our two week trip to Yellowstone looking out the window of the Aveo. Anyway, if we'd realized that we were unlikely to get a tow bar, we would have kept the Magnum instead. The gas mileage isn't as good, but it's more comfortable.
When we applied for this job in North Carolina, we were very tired. We'd been working long, hot days in New Mexico, then working at Amazon, so this job which only required one of us to wake up, put on a KOA sweatshirt and sit in a room for 2.5 hours seemed like a good idea. For the first month, it probably was because we did a lot of sleeping and catching up on things and with people that we'd missed out on while we were in the Amazon work cave. But, in retrospect, we probably ought to have picked a job that gave us more to do and also included earning money beyond getting our site for free. Frankly, we're a little bored and this area isn't particularly interesting either so we'll keep that in mind in the future.
Also, having the alarm go off at 5:15 am every day is a bit of a drag even if you're the one who gets to roll over and go back to sleep.
Next time...things that have surprised me.
What do I wish we'd done differently?
We left a few things at my parents' house that were of sentimental value, but also breakable. I wish we'd packed them up and brought them with us.
We had a nice mattress on our bed in Ohio and we ought to have switched it for the sleep number mattress that came with the MH. Sleep number beds seem to be popular in RVs because they are very light. Less weight = less gas usage. However, uncomfortable mattress= not sleeping well= cranky campers.
We had two cars, a Dodge Magnum and a Chevy Aveo, we assumed we would get a tow bar and tow the car, so we sold the Magnum and kept the Aveo. When we left, we were in a time crunch and money crunch. A tow bar, even used, was over $1,000. The Aveo gets 35 mpg so with lower gas prices and the fact that we were going to be driving a few hundred miles and then parking, spending money for a tow bar didn't make sense. The downside is that when we travel I am in the car while Chris drives the MH but it's not like we are vacationing and I have to spend our two week trip to Yellowstone looking out the window of the Aveo. Anyway, if we'd realized that we were unlikely to get a tow bar, we would have kept the Magnum instead. The gas mileage isn't as good, but it's more comfortable.
When we applied for this job in North Carolina, we were very tired. We'd been working long, hot days in New Mexico, then working at Amazon, so this job which only required one of us to wake up, put on a KOA sweatshirt and sit in a room for 2.5 hours seemed like a good idea. For the first month, it probably was because we did a lot of sleeping and catching up on things and with people that we'd missed out on while we were in the Amazon work cave. But, in retrospect, we probably ought to have picked a job that gave us more to do and also included earning money beyond getting our site for free. Frankly, we're a little bored and this area isn't particularly interesting either so we'll keep that in mind in the future.
Also, having the alarm go off at 5:15 am every day is a bit of a drag even if you're the one who gets to roll over and go back to sleep.
Next time...things that have surprised me.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
A Trip To Best Buy
My computer died. I'm not sure if it's totally dead or not, but it was dead enough that we made a trip to Best Buy and I am now happily typing away on a new Chromebook. So sleek, so light. Ahhh.
I had been considering a Chromebook for a few months and before the Big Crash of '15, I did a bit of research on Chromebook vs. Laptop in the same size and price range.
But I still had a few questions so when we went to Best Buy and an employee offered to help, I said yes. He was very nice and not pushy and answered my questions without being annoying.
But then another guy came along and I felt like I'd been transported to this video.
He talked really fast (even faster than me) and jumped in to answer questions before I'd finished asking. Sometimes he anticipated correctly. Sometimes not.
Frankly, he was exactly the stereotype of annoying geeky guy.
After the decision was made, we sought out the original not annoying guy and thanked him and he completed the transaction, so if they work on commission (I have a feeling they don't) he'll get credit.
I anticipate many happy hours with my new Chromebook.
I had been considering a Chromebook for a few months and before the Big Crash of '15, I did a bit of research on Chromebook vs. Laptop in the same size and price range.
But I still had a few questions so when we went to Best Buy and an employee offered to help, I said yes. He was very nice and not pushy and answered my questions without being annoying.
He talked really fast (even faster than me) and jumped in to answer questions before I'd finished asking. Sometimes he anticipated correctly. Sometimes not.
Frankly, he was exactly the stereotype of annoying geeky guy.
After the decision was made, we sought out the original not annoying guy and thanked him and he completed the transaction, so if they work on commission (I have a feeling they don't) he'll get credit.
I anticipate many happy hours with my new Chromebook.
Friday, March 13, 2015
More Ways We Entertain Ourselves
Our current KOA is on I 77, a pipeline from cold winter weather to warm Florida temperatures. When new campers come in, we sort of check them out and then try to decide if they are heading north or south.
Some factors to consider
Another thing we do is make up stories based on our observations.
One couple who has been here for a couple weeks showed up with some young kids one day. We assume that they've come to the area to be near their grandchildren, possibly because a new baby has arrived. In reality, they might be kidnappers.
A mother and daughter are here as workampers. The daughter is a teenager and is apparently being home schooled. We assume she was bullied in school and that's why they are workamping. In reality, they could be on the run after committing a crime spree.
A family got a new trailer. We assume it's because theirs was damaged by smoke in the fire that happened a few weeks ago (they were next door) and we assume insurance paid for it. But maybe they just got a new trailer.
This reminds me of something similar from 20+ years ago. I worked at a court where one of the bailiffs was a retired state highway patrol trooper who had a prosthetic leg. I assumed this was because he'd been injured in a high speed chase as a trooper. I operated under that belief for quite some time and even mentioned "Jack's accident" to one of the other bailiffs. He looked at me and said "Accident? He's diabetic."
Next up...we'll be deciding who amongst our neighbors might be in the witness protection program.
Some factors to consider
- If the RV or truck is covered with salt and road scmutz, they are on their way south.
- If they are suntanned, chances are they are heading north.
- If they are tired and bickering....could go either way.
Another thing we do is make up stories based on our observations.
One couple who has been here for a couple weeks showed up with some young kids one day. We assume that they've come to the area to be near their grandchildren, possibly because a new baby has arrived. In reality, they might be kidnappers.
A mother and daughter are here as workampers. The daughter is a teenager and is apparently being home schooled. We assume she was bullied in school and that's why they are workamping. In reality, they could be on the run after committing a crime spree.
A family got a new trailer. We assume it's because theirs was damaged by smoke in the fire that happened a few weeks ago (they were next door) and we assume insurance paid for it. But maybe they just got a new trailer.
This reminds me of something similar from 20+ years ago. I worked at a court where one of the bailiffs was a retired state highway patrol trooper who had a prosthetic leg. I assumed this was because he'd been injured in a high speed chase as a trooper. I operated under that belief for quite some time and even mentioned "Jack's accident" to one of the other bailiffs. He looked at me and said "Accident? He's diabetic."
Next up...we'll be deciding who amongst our neighbors might be in the witness protection program.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Red Flags
Those of you who have followed my dating/marriage travails (until I met Chris, of course) are aware of my ability to ignore red flags. I might chalk this up to my upbeat personality. Others might call it naivete or downright foolishness.
I am trying to be better about heeding those red flags and gut feelings, but the issue with the job in SC reminded me that we had ignored some warning signs when we made the agreement to go.
I'm not trying to make excuses to justify our not going there, just pointing out some of the things we should have heeded earlier.
However, we've had some even more distressing dealings with KOA owners/managers.
One owner seemed very nice, but when I read the reviews for her KOA many people mentioned her by name as being a liar and unfriendly. Another red flad was when she called the KOA in NM for a reference and was rude to the workamper who answered the phone. I continued communicating with her and asked a couple questions which I thought were more than fair.
First question: It was a guardhouse job which required 15 hours per week in exchage for our site but other jobs she advertised only required 5 hours per week in exchange for the site. Why the difference?
Her reply---bascially she said she didn't think the guardhouse job was "real work" so didn't think we ought to be compensated as much as the other workers. Nice. Did we really want to go to work for someone who had decided we were lazy?
Second question---Would there be an end of season bonus for staying for our entire commitment? This is not mandatory but more and more employers are including a bonus in their compensation to keep people from leaving early, so I asked.
Her reply---if it's possible to screech in an email, she did. Basically it was "how could anyone ask about a bonus? A bonus is a surprise that is given not something mandatory" and she "had never heard of such a thing".
A bet she's not much of a tipper.
We discontinued our communications at that point.
Last fall we saw an ad for a KOA in Massachusetts (near many of our loyal readers) which I was very excited about. We arranged for a phone interview and got up an hour early (this was when we were at Amazon) for the call.
The phone never rang.
When Chris emailed to ask if there'd been a miscommunication about the time, she replied that she was sick. We replied that we were sorry she wasn't feeling well and to please get in touch when she was feeling better.
I guess she's still sick. Or worse.
However, I will say that it seems like it goes both ways. The woman from SC sent us a very curt and somewhat condemning email after we said we weren't coming, but the next day she sent another thanking us for letting her know because "some people just don't even show up".
We've heard about workampers who packed up and left during the night without even telling their employer.
My favorite: When we were in NM the owner had hired a couple to clean the restrooms. They were taking forever to arrive and then we found out that they had run out of gas money (Or so they said) so they'd pull into a gas station and call the owner and he'd give the gas station his credit card number. When his daughter (the office manager) found out about that, I think she put an end to it because they never showed up.
I am trying to be better about heeding those red flags and gut feelings, but the issue with the job in SC reminded me that we had ignored some warning signs when we made the agreement to go.
- The manager was pretty aggressive in trying to lock down a deal with us. She contacted us, which was flattering, but it felt like she was in a big rush. We should have slowed down.
- Although she was willing to work with what was already on Chris' schedule, she was very clear that there would be no other flexibility in the schedule. Made me wonder how she'd react if we had an emergency or just happened to get sick.
- Our report date for that job was April 20. We asked if we could arrive about 10 days early and just leave our MH there while we drove to Ohio for a few days to take care of some things. She was adamant that she would not have a place for us until April 20. Really? We didn't need a site, just a place to park the MH while we were gone. Again, not too accomodating.
I'm not trying to make excuses to justify our not going there, just pointing out some of the things we should have heeded earlier.
However, we've had some even more distressing dealings with KOA owners/managers.
One owner seemed very nice, but when I read the reviews for her KOA many people mentioned her by name as being a liar and unfriendly. Another red flad was when she called the KOA in NM for a reference and was rude to the workamper who answered the phone. I continued communicating with her and asked a couple questions which I thought were more than fair.
First question: It was a guardhouse job which required 15 hours per week in exchage for our site but other jobs she advertised only required 5 hours per week in exchange for the site. Why the difference?
Her reply---bascially she said she didn't think the guardhouse job was "real work" so didn't think we ought to be compensated as much as the other workers. Nice. Did we really want to go to work for someone who had decided we were lazy?
Second question---Would there be an end of season bonus for staying for our entire commitment? This is not mandatory but more and more employers are including a bonus in their compensation to keep people from leaving early, so I asked.
Her reply---if it's possible to screech in an email, she did. Basically it was "how could anyone ask about a bonus? A bonus is a surprise that is given not something mandatory" and she "had never heard of such a thing".
A bet she's not much of a tipper.
We discontinued our communications at that point.
Last fall we saw an ad for a KOA in Massachusetts (near many of our loyal readers) which I was very excited about. We arranged for a phone interview and got up an hour early (this was when we were at Amazon) for the call.
The phone never rang.
When Chris emailed to ask if there'd been a miscommunication about the time, she replied that she was sick. We replied that we were sorry she wasn't feeling well and to please get in touch when she was feeling better.
I guess she's still sick. Or worse.
However, I will say that it seems like it goes both ways. The woman from SC sent us a very curt and somewhat condemning email after we said we weren't coming, but the next day she sent another thanking us for letting her know because "some people just don't even show up".
We've heard about workampers who packed up and left during the night without even telling their employer.
My favorite: When we were in NM the owner had hired a couple to clean the restrooms. They were taking forever to arrive and then we found out that they had run out of gas money (Or so they said) so they'd pull into a gas station and call the owner and he'd give the gas station his credit card number. When his daughter (the office manager) found out about that, I think she put an end to it because they never showed up.
Monday, March 9, 2015
New Plan
I had previously reported on our plan to leave here in April and go on to another KOA near the coast in South Carolina.
We've changed our plans. We're going to stay here until approximately mid-June. Between now and then we'll look for a job somewhere between here and Haslett, TX (our Amazon location) to fill in until we report to Amazon, probably sometime in September.
Why the change of plans? A few reasons. First, Chris works as a tour manager in Washington, DC in the spring. His schedule changes constantly during April, May and June. The KOA in SC was willing to work around the trips that were already scheduled but had been very clear that there was no flexibility beyond that. At the time, we assumed he wouldn't get any more trips. Then he found out the schedules were not yet completed and it was likely he'd get more work.
From a simple dollars and cents perspective, Chris makes as much on one 3-4 day trip as the two of us would make in a month working about 18 hours each per week at the KOA. If one of the trips got changed by even a day and it suddenly conflicted with the KOA schedule, would he have to give up the trip?
Again we are not retirees or vacationers, so we need to keep a close eye on the bottom line.
By staying here, I can guard the KOA (vigorously) while Chris travels. Plus, the Charlotte airport is less than an hour away with plenty of direct flights to the DC area.
Another major consideration was the timing of the commitment in SC. We agreed (foolishly) to stay there until November 1. That would mean getting to Amazon about three weeks later than we did in 2014, which would mean a significant difference in our net earnings there.
Admittedly, neither of us loved the idea of not following through on our commitment, but doing so would have put us in a bad spot financially. We made a decision in a hurry, regretted it and have done our best to mitigate the damage.
Live and learn.
We've changed our plans. We're going to stay here until approximately mid-June. Between now and then we'll look for a job somewhere between here and Haslett, TX (our Amazon location) to fill in until we report to Amazon, probably sometime in September.
Why the change of plans? A few reasons. First, Chris works as a tour manager in Washington, DC in the spring. His schedule changes constantly during April, May and June. The KOA in SC was willing to work around the trips that were already scheduled but had been very clear that there was no flexibility beyond that. At the time, we assumed he wouldn't get any more trips. Then he found out the schedules were not yet completed and it was likely he'd get more work.
From a simple dollars and cents perspective, Chris makes as much on one 3-4 day trip as the two of us would make in a month working about 18 hours each per week at the KOA. If one of the trips got changed by even a day and it suddenly conflicted with the KOA schedule, would he have to give up the trip?
Again we are not retirees or vacationers, so we need to keep a close eye on the bottom line.
By staying here, I can guard the KOA (vigorously) while Chris travels. Plus, the Charlotte airport is less than an hour away with plenty of direct flights to the DC area.
Another major consideration was the timing of the commitment in SC. We agreed (foolishly) to stay there until November 1. That would mean getting to Amazon about three weeks later than we did in 2014, which would mean a significant difference in our net earnings there.
Admittedly, neither of us loved the idea of not following through on our commitment, but doing so would have put us in a bad spot financially. We made a decision in a hurry, regretted it and have done our best to mitigate the damage.
Live and learn.
Friday, March 6, 2015
TGIF!
You might remember this post where I talked about how we decided not to get a collapsible collander because we really didn't need it. I felt rather superior conscientious about our decision.
I should have looked at the Amazon order more closely because when the box arrived it contained something which someone thought was a necessity.
Yes, two giant ice cube trays made of silicone.
I should have looked at the Amazon order more closely because when the box arrived it contained something which someone thought was a necessity.
Yes, two giant ice cube trays made of silicone.
We do use a lot of ice. I thought an ice maker in the RV was a luxury since we didn't have that in Ada. But now that I have seen the light about the importance of giant ice cubes, who am I to argue?
Just look: can you believe I was satisfied with puny ice cubes?
But, sometimes bigger isn't always better.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Gearing Up For Another Season At Amazon
I know it's early, but Amazon has started accepting applications for Camperforce 2015 and they have announced the four locations that are available: Indiana, Kentucky, Tennesse and Texas.
Texas and Indiana are both new locations this year and we are giving serious consideration to going to Texas.
Instead of applying to Camperforce in general and then being assigned or picking a locaiton, you apply for one location. We aren't interested in KY or IN because they are too far north. We would consider going back to TN but since we want to be futher south next winter (doesn't everyone, after this winter?) Texas seems like a good choice. The town is Haslet, which is near Dallas/Ft. Worth.
We will probably go as soon as we can, which would mean being there 3-4 weeks longer than we were in 2014. That's a little challenging, but I think the major change we'll make is that we will work days instead of nights. We just could not get decent sleep during the day and that really affected us badly so we are optimistic that making that change, as well as knowing what to expect, will enable us to make it through an entire peak season at Amazon.
I suppose we ought to actually fill out the applications now that we've decided.
Texas and Indiana are both new locations this year and we are giving serious consideration to going to Texas.
Instead of applying to Camperforce in general and then being assigned or picking a locaiton, you apply for one location. We aren't interested in KY or IN because they are too far north. We would consider going back to TN but since we want to be futher south next winter (doesn't everyone, after this winter?) Texas seems like a good choice. The town is Haslet, which is near Dallas/Ft. Worth.
We will probably go as soon as we can, which would mean being there 3-4 weeks longer than we were in 2014. That's a little challenging, but I think the major change we'll make is that we will work days instead of nights. We just could not get decent sleep during the day and that really affected us badly so we are optimistic that making that change, as well as knowing what to expect, will enable us to make it through an entire peak season at Amazon.
I suppose we ought to actually fill out the applications now that we've decided.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Adventures in Hydroponics
So, you're probably wondering how two people entertain themselves all winter long in a motor home with less than 400 square feet of living space.
Sometimes we do science experiments.
We recently bought some bibb lettuce that came with the roots still attached. With the help of The Google, we found out how to grow lettuce in water.
The windshield area of the MH is an excellent potential greenhouse since it's surrounded with glass.
It's a dreary day and you can see raindrops on the windshield. My blogging ideas and the weather don't always coincide. Here's our little lettuce plant. The piece of string is to keep it from tipping over, though it seems to be sittig pretty well now.
Sometimes we do science experiments.
We recently bought some bibb lettuce that came with the roots still attached. With the help of The Google, we found out how to grow lettuce in water.
The windshield area of the MH is an excellent potential greenhouse since it's surrounded with glass.
It's a dreary day and you can see raindrops on the windshield. My blogging ideas and the weather don't always coincide. Here's our little lettuce plant. The piece of string is to keep it from tipping over, though it seems to be sittig pretty well now.
Here's a close up. The water is sort of icky but we'll change that in a few days. This has been growing for about three weeks...and we have some 1" long leaves. At this rate, we'll be ready to make a salad sometime around Labor Day.
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