RV Home Yet?

Retirement? Make believe?

Robert Laura, contributor to Forbes, has a piece entitled, "Santa Claus And Retirement - It's All Make-Believe." In it he says that just like little children totally believe in Santa, he meets "many people who walk into my office with visions of retirement dancing in their heads." That is a fantasy, just like Santa Claus.

In the article he traces the history of retirement. Did you know that 65 as the retirement age was established over 125 years ago by German Chancellor Otto Von - mainly because hardly anyone lived past 50. At one time companies offered pensions, but that has been disappearing since the 1980s. He states in the article,

Baby boomers are the first group to face this new retirement era and its many challenges, including the burden of saving and investing for up to 70% of their retirement, making those savings last for 20-30 years, and dealing with two of the worst investment bubbles (Internet & Housing) during their most critical years of saving and investing.

Baby boomers who are also RVers may also have been affected by the economy and found their retirement dollars gone or shrunk. However, with the RV lifestyle, they have some advantages over the stix 'n brix dweller. The RV lifestyle is generally less expensive (though that does depend on your choices, of course). You have much more flexibility and control over your expenses. You can trade work for a free RV site or even make money as you travel. You can see the U.S., Canada and even Mexico on what many would spend just to live day-to-day.

Our two books can help you find out more about how to live this lifestyle. Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road and Retire to an RV: Roadmap to Affordable Retirement will get you started.

There may be no Santa Claus, but that doesn't mean your retirement can't be full of jolly good times. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Plank Road- crossing the Imperial Dunes

We take travel in our RVs across all sorts of terrain for granted. There was a time, though, that crossing the desert between San Diego and Yuma was impossible for automobiles, much less a vehicle hauling a trailer. The Little Sahara Desert, called that because of the large and shifting sand dunes, was a barrier to travel for many years. Travelers went days out of their way to get to Yuma.

Early in the 1900s, solutions were proposed and tried for crossing the desert. Finally, Col. Edward Fletcher, the pioneer road builder from San Diego, put up the money for a plank road, proposed by Edwin Boyd of Holt­ville if Imperial County would supply the labor.

The first Plank Road was built in September 1912. Later the design was improved. When the sand covered up a stretch of planks, a team of horses would move the 30-foot sections. The road eventually covered a 12 mile stretch of desert.

On its best day, travel was dangerous. According to an article in the Journal of San Diego History,

Standard equipment for a trip to Yuma in 1920 to 1927 consisted of extra boards, two auto jacks, gunny sacks, a shovel, food and water for at least two days, and lastly—to be totally prepared—a set of boxing gloves.

The boxing gloves were for fights that broke out more and more frequently as traffic increased after 1919. With pullouts for passing only every half mile, the one-lane road would often be the scene of fights over who had the right away. If a group was traveling together, it could take hours for everyone to back up to a pullout - once it was settled who had to back up. 

Today the Imperial Dunes are a popular sand buggy and ATV playground. Only one tiny section of Plank Road remains, fenced off from traffic. These are replicas of the road, which was replaced in 1927 by a two-lane asphalt highway. On the left is the road used from 1912 to 1915. It was replaced by the road on the right.

You can see this stretch of Plank Road by exiting at Grey's Well Road along Interstate 8. Drive on the south side of the Interstate back to the west for close to four miles. Watch for the sign. You'll see the fencing from the road.

There are several places where RVs can boondock or dry camp along the road from Grey's Well. For a more detailed history, read the Journal of San Diego History. This is a fascinating piece of history! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Photos by George Bruzenak

 

Pre-plan for a lemon

Do you know the lemon laws in the state where you are going to buy (or have bought) your RV? It would be nice to think you don't need to know but the reality is that sometimes you do. Conditions and steps to take are clearly spelled out. Be familiar with them - just in case.

Vincent Palumbo, of New Orleans, formed an LLC to purchase an RV in  Florida and has had nothing but problems. After two years with his RV not being fixed, plus missing LSU games, which he had purchased a permit for, he is suing Newmar Corp. and Spartan Chassis Inc. for the purchase price, repair costs and his LSU permit.

Even if he ultimately wins, he is out the time he could have been enjoying his RV. Undoubtedly, the case will drag out and attorney fees will be enormous. Plus all that aggravation.

I hope Palumbo wins. A big judgment would send a message to manufacturers to treat customers right. To read more of the story, see the story in The Louisiana Record.Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Getting kids interested in the outdoors

An article in the Alaska Dispatch, "How do you teach the Wired Generation to love Nature?" weighs the desire to be "wired" or in cell or Internet contact and the desire for wilderness. Internet access has infiltrated many national parks. There are geocaches within parks. According to the article, "Petrified National Forest, for example, has a National Park Service (NPS)-sponsored “EarthCache” program, leading visitors to some of the park’s significant geological resources." Not every park embraces technology. "Based on public feedback in Yellowstone, Wi-Fi was banned from the Old Faithful Inn and the Lake Hotel, according to NPS. The public also complained that cell phone towers were eyesores at Old Faithful and Mt. Washburn." Should they be allowed, in your opinion?

It is nice to be able to look up a plant or bird that you see. Apps on Smart Phones have guides like the Audubon bird guides that can be accessed wherever there is a cell signal. 

I would love to see the QR barcodes by plants so I could scan them and look them up that way. That would be easy and also motivating. Kids - of all ages - would love that easy access and be able to satisfy their curiosity.

But where do you draw the line in national parks? Being wired is here to stay. Perhaps wilderness areas should be left alone, but other areas could benefit from having tours and other information readily available.The more we can get people to interact with nature, the better, as far as I am concerned.

Richard Louv's book, Last Child in the Woods, got people thinking about "nature-deficit disorder."  Kids are growing up watching TV, playing video games and living where access to parks and woods is limited. Parents are afraid to let their children play by themselves like we older adults did as children. But, we have to get kids out in nature if they are to understand, appreciate it and value it. RVers have an excellent opportunity when it comes to taking grandkids (or children) to national parks and other natural area. If kids spend time there, they will want to preserve out wilderness and natural areas. If not, these areas may disappear.

Where would you draw the line? Is there a place for cell phones and Internet in national parks? Or should these areas be kept free of this technology? Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

 

South of Sedona

Usually when we leave Sedona to go back to I-17, we go south on 89A to Cottonwood, then east to the interstate. Between Sedona and Cottonwood- a bit to the east - is Cornville. Ever since I read that John McCain has a house there, I've wanted to drive through and see what the area looks like. We finally did.

A local shop owner suggested we go south on 89A but turn east on Page Springs Road. That would take us through some pretty countryside and get us to Cornville where we could take Cornville Road to I-17. At first there was little traffic, but as we neared Page Springs, we got behind two RVs plus saw others coming our way. There are some RV parks out there along Oak Creek.

To avoid following the RVs, we turned into an area that was a hatchery and birding area. A nice trail takes you back through the mesquite and cottonwood trees. It's a habitat that would attract a lot of birds. Ducks and a Great Blue Heron were near the hatchery ponds, but we didn't see too many other birds. Perhaps most were in warmer areas already. There was quite a list of resident and migratory birds that frequent the area.

George took more photos!

We did hear the heron making a terrible racket as we walked up the trail - we must have disturbed him. We later saw him at the ponds. The cottonwoods along wetter areas were quite pretty.

Page Springs looked like it had one store. We also passed another entrance to the hatchery- perhaps a more formal setting? We saw no fish in these ponds. We also drove by several wineries. Some had tasting rooms. I've never tried these local wines. Might make a fun afternoon one day.

Cornville had a few more plus a place to eat and a post office. The woman I spoke to said you had to go back on the side roads to see many houses. We didn't take the time to do that, though we could see the Verde River, which divides Cornville and Cottonwood. So we never found John McCain's house. I have no doubt it's right on the river.

We eventually came out to McGuireville on I-17. This is Exit 293, if you want to go the other way. Go west on FR 119/Cornville Road. Cornville itself is a little south of Page Springs Road, which goes to the wineries. Check it out, then drive back to Page Springs Road and out that way. Check out the RV parks in the area. This is a nice place to stay. You are out in the countryside but not that far from shopping in Cottonwood and the tourist places in Sedona. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

80 the new retirement age? Ack!

Bloomberg Business Week reports on a survey done by Wells Fargo that says 80 may be the new retirement age. According to the article,

About 74 percent expect to work in retirement, according to the survey, with about 39 percent working because they’ll need to and 35 percent because they want to. And 25 percent of those surveyed said they expect they’ll need to work until at least age 80 because they don’t have sufficient savings.

So many people would like to retire by at least 55 and yet the with current economic situation, the reality may be much different for most folks. It makes the full-time RV retirement lifestyle even more appealing. You can often live for much less, depending on your choices, and you can work or volunteer for your site to reduce expenses as well as work for wages to bring in more income. There are parks where you can settle down permanently when it is time to get off the road. The Escapees RV Club has a number of them, plus you can find them in many locations, particularly where snowbirds flock in the winter.

Many things can interfere with keeping a "real" job in the stix 'n brix lifestyle. Working on the road could be the answer. Part-time work is easier to find and some jobs aren't that demanding if health issue keep you from full-time work. Check out Support Your RV Lifestyle! for how-to's and many ideas for making money as you travel. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Book review: Cruisin' on Land

Cruisin’ on Land: A Sailor Discovers the RV World
George and Gail Buchler

Cruisin’ on Land is quite an interesting read. Authors George and Gail are sailors so are used to traveling in a small space. Making the transition to RVing was fairly easy. In this book, they share their earned knowledge and experience. For someone considering this lifestyle, this down-to-earth account will be helpful in choosing a rig and seeing what day-to-day travel is like. They cover topics like:

    •    Choosing a rig
    •    Preparing for the cruise: the mechanical side
    •    Provisioning and outfitting for the cruise
    •    Driving an RV
    •    A day on the road
    •    Traveling with pets

Of interest to anyone thinking of traveling to Mexico are two chapters detailing their two-month trip to Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), Mexico.

I recommend Cruisin’ on Land as an addition to your reading if you are exploring the RV lifestyle. This non-technical read is aimed at those who want to enjoy RV travel but not ne cessarily become full-time RVers. You’ll find a lot of practical considerations and enjoy their folksy style of writing. You can read sample chapters and purchase at cruisingonland.com. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

They give RVers a bad name

Ugh- I read this morning that the likely culprit of raw sewage running down a street in Wallingford, WA near Seattle, is an RV. Several people complained about the smell and finally the Seattle Public Utilities and Fire Department responded. The agencies were hoping rain would wash it off but that didn't happen.

This is likely someone living in their RV who doesn't want to find a dump or pay the cost so they dumped their black water on the street. Not the typical RVer but it is the few RVers like this that cause municipalities to ban RV parking on their streets. It is the few like this who are often responsbile for city ordinances prohibiting overnight parking at Walmarts.

There's not much we conscientious RVers can do about these individuals. They don't hang out where we do. Though, in the case of the Walmart abusers, Escapees RV Club has a nice letter you can leave if you observe someone settling in for the duration at at WM parking lot.

To offset this behavior, we can let businesses know that we are RVers traveling through when we shop at their stores. Show them there is an economic benefit to attracting RV travelers.

Read the article in the Wallingford PI. Any comments? Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Sedona- George's point of view

While I was off hiking the West Fork of Oak Creek north of Sedona, George was on a field trip in his Nikon photography class. He headed away from the snow. They went to two locations: one up Schnebly Hill Road, the other at Red Rock Crossing. Here are a few of his favorite shots. The first was taken from Rollies Camera Store, before starting out. He photoshopped all the houses out1

George said he had to chase this sparrow all over before finally getting a shot.

He also got a shot of this Western Bluebird.

At the state park, Oak Creek drops in a small falls, with formations in the background.

Reflections are fun. These puddles were left from the rain and melting snow. Cathedral Rock is reflected in the water.

 A closer look-

The logs behind an old building near the entrance were intriguing.

 An old barn with a water wheel set in the trees makes a delightful scene.

They waited in vain for the setting sun to hit Cathedral Rock. Though a far cry from the West Fork of Oak Creek, this too is Sedona. Red Rock Crossing is in the Coconino National Forest. This is a special fee area run by a concessionaire - $9/day. There is no camping for RVs or tents, but there is room to park a small RV while you hike or explore. The roads are narrow so a longer RV isn't advised. Park then drive your tow/toad into the area. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

PS If you'd like to see these in full size, you can view them at Flickr. You need to have a sign in or register. Then search for Rollies Camera Nikon Photo event 2011. Click on the group tab. George's photos are gfredb2011. Others on the outing have posted some too.

 

Andy Rooney - was he right about retirement?

"Andy Rooney was the oldest man on TV. He had no use for retirement. The prospect horrified him. He vowed he would work until he died, and so he did." So starts an essay in the Globe and Mail by Margaret Wente. She goes on to say that "the retirement fantasies we've been peddled are a crock."

Ms Wente makes a good case for keeping involved in work like Rooney did. Just as interesting are the more than 100 comments. Some agree but others point out that some people have menial jobs they hate. For them continuing to work is not meaningful. Health can be a limiting factor too; some aren't capable of continuing to work. Still others point out that you can get involved in volunteering or other meaningful activity without having a job or work.

Many RVers have found that working and volunteering on the road is a way to lead a purposeful life and add to income. And, others choose not to but may be involved with clubs, hobbies like beading or family. RVers are also split between the two camps!

So how about you? What is your vision for your RV retirement? Are you (or did you) waiting for the day you could retire as a huge relief? Is relaxing, golf, TV and other recreation your idea of the perfect way to spend the next 20 to 30 years? Traveling the country? Or do you have a plan for staying involved, whether that be work, volunteering or other pursuits? I'd be interested in hearing from you! Me? I'll be one of the actively involved, writing or some other meaningful and income-producing pursuit! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak