The beginning: an RV synopsis

I'd say I don't know why I didn't do this sooner, but I truly know, I reckon: too lazy...or a lack of gumption. So it goes. What is the "this" that I refer to? Writing a blog about life in the RV. Moved into the thing in November of 2008 due to my current working situation, and I've been living in it fulltime ever since. It wouldn've been great and quite useful for me to've kept a log of my trials, tribulations, and joys, but I haven't. Hopefully in the first few posts I can re-hash the various goings-on of the previous year as they relate to life in the RV. A very brief synopsis will have to do for the first entry in this blog.
When I got the job in September of 2008, I knew that it would involve a lot of local travel. I'd be settling into any given location within the confines of Kansas and Missouri for a period of two to four weeks (give or take) and then moving on. I'd likely be back at Lawrence (my duty station) for a brief stint (up to a couple weeks) between each jaunt out into the world, but other than that would rarely be back in town. As I began house-searching near my duty station, it occurred to me that I would almost interminably be looking for a dog sitter, and would be leaving all of my hobbies at home for weeks at a time, veritably putting life on hold. This was a rather unappealing thought. As I was brainstorming ways that I could keep the dog with me, it occurred to me that I could create a dwelling for her in the back of my car. And then...voila! It occurred to me that there were already portable vehicles built to be dwellingplaces, and they were called RVs.

I've never really done any RVing to speak of. The only time I ever recall being in one was a 3-day trip up into the mountains of Japan to go snowboarding many years back. We rented a Class "C" (not that I knew what that was at the time" RV...probably a 23-footer or so, by recollection...and enjoyed the next few days building up a tolerance to bumps and bruises. So when I began considering moving into one fulltime for my new job, I realized that I had a lot to learn. I only considered it a possibility due to the RVs that we disc golfed around that were obviously permanent fixtures out at the state park. With that in mind, though, I forged ahead. I found the RV forums and used RV listings and perused and hemmed and hawed over size and type. Eventually, I settled on a 1998 32' Coachmen Royal 5th wheel that came as a package deal with a 1988 Chevrolet 3500. This way, I new that the truck would be capable of pulling the RV. The unit came at the right price and was in good condition, so I was set.

This research took place while I was several states away for training for the new job through the month of October. I returned, arranged a visit to the RV, made the financial arrangements, and picked it up shortly before Thanksgiving of 2008. That first drive deserves its own entry, so I'll leave it for another time. Suffice it to say: I've driven trailers before, but never a trailer that large or heavy. The only moves simpler than when I moved from my house into my RV have been the moves since (just pulling the RV to a new site). I've gotta' say: when you can park your new house right next to your old house and just carry over the stuff you need, things are quite simple. Once I was settled in, I headed out.

My first destination after a brief stint at the state park at Clinton Lake (nearest RV hook-ups to my duty station) was the far southeast corner of Kansas...so far south and east that towns in the neighboring states were closer than towns within Kansas. As a matter of fact, the closest RV park that I could find that would be open through the winter was just outside of Joplin, MO, so that's where I went. Figuring out the plumbing and refrigerator were both early and important lessons. Then came the installation of accessories: a roof rack to haul the kayak. And then a move down to way southwestern Missouri (fortunately for me, one of the canoe outfitters near my destination remained open year-'round). The stay down there in Pineville, MO, was definitely cheap living, especially considering that it was all reimbursable since I was that far from home and/or duty station. After wintering down there, my next several tasks had me in and around Kansas City, which is where I've been since. That is to say: in and around Kansas City between stints back in Lawrence.

So I've been in the RV for over a year now and it's worked out pretty well. The issues that arise are much the same as issues you might have living in a fixed abode, but often have a slightly different flavor. Keeping the plumbing warm in the winter is more of a concern (a concept I'm still wrasslin' with), and when my refrigerator quit a few weeks back I got to learn all about dual-source refrigerators. There's certainly more "making due" than I dealt with prior to life in the RV, but it's worth it for the fresh and new vista just outside the front door every couple of weeks. I've learned about myself and about the freedom of having less "stuff." And hopefully I'll remember enough of it to share something valuable through this blog.