Gypsy Reflection #2

We're home!  That statement brings with it the sure knowledge that we are no where near full time RVing!  Boy howdy was it good to get home.  Over the miles and hours on the road we talked about our take aways from the rally.
Me: Did I tell you I fell in love with our "next" rig, honey?
Him: Me too. But I sure liked the toy haulers.
Me: We don't have any toys, hun.
Him: But the storage is a plus.
Me: The living space shrinks in a toy hauler.
Him: But we have stuff to haul.
            And so it goes.
Me: I love traveling the country to see different places.
Him: Me too.
Me: My back and butt is numb (after 6 hours on the road)
Him: What butt?
           Owweee
Him: What did you think of the SOWERS information?
Me: Servants On Wheels Ever Ready?
Him: I could see us doing that in retirement.
Me: Agreed, traveling to a destination for a month of serving through a Christian non-profit would be fulfilling and help out other service organizations.
           Meaningful
Him: But what about that toy hauler?
Me: (face palm)

I love my man...have for 48 years.  We travel companionably together and laugh often at stupid things.  That's the joy of a long marriage.

On a different note... A man asked an interesting question at one of our rally dinners.  "Why did most of the RV manufacturers come to northern Indiana to establish their businesses?"  I think the percentage of units shipped across the country from Indiana is high, like 80-85%.  The answer is the Amish and Mennonite communities that have settled in this area.  I was reading in Genesis 18: 17-19 God retelling Abraham this, "...all the nations of the world are going to find themselves blessed through him (Abraham)."  When a God-honoring people are present with their integrity, honesty and exemplary work ethic, they influence the area.  Their craftsmanship is evident as you walk in their furniture stores or bite into a fry or moon pie.
They are an example to all Christians that faith is a walk, not just talk, a culture changer.  As tourists we were warned that businesses closed on Sunday in the area; not only Amish businesses but the whole area shut down.  That speaks louder than words to any culture that seeks to influence.

I digress and need to move my day along with "walk, not talk/write".  BTW - the title is a play on words because we own a Grand Design Reflection 303RLS.

Let me know what you think of my rambling.
Nancy

Arriving in IN - so hot!

Jade Corgi laying in the 90 degree sun (not for long!)

Goofing off in St Joseph, MI

An unexpected hitchhiker - Tomato Horned-worm

What I do on the road - crochet

Gypsy Reflection #1

TRAVELING in our Grand Design RV for longer than a weekend feels like what I would imagine the gypsy life to be.  A four day RV rally for Grand Design owners in northern Indiana is over.  We experienced and learned more about the RV life through the informational seminars, over delicious meals for 800 people (yes, 375 RV units attended this national rally) and getting to know strangers from across the country.  From Alaska to California, including our Canadian RVers, they came.  And the cool thing about RVers is you don't feel like strangers for long.

John and I are working on our 3-5 year plan until he retires.  That plan might include full-time RVing.  The two questions I asked full-timers are, 'What do you like about full-timing?'  'What don't you like?' is the second question.  Common answers among the women were, "I miss my family."  But they arranged their travel to visit family across the country.  Some liked the adventure of not knowing where they would be in 2 weeks and some planned every detail of their travels.  They also recounted their rig breakdowns, repairs in distant places and the call home for unexpected tragedy.  Several talked about the tax benefit, although full-timing is not cheap!  And the initial investment in a rig to comfortably travel the country can be steep.  Best advise we gave born out of our experience is to buy your truck size thinking ahead to future heavier rigs.  We already have our next RV picked out for full-time RVing, and our 1 ton dually diesel will accommodate the new one.

Several couples bought camping and RV club memberships that provide free camping at member parks and other amenities on the road.  There are several different clubs to choose from; Passport and Coast-to-Coast are a couple we heard about.  KOAs were the route many took and were very happy with the facilities across the country.

Between a factory tour, where we were greeted with a literal red carpet and the employees cheering us as we stepped off the bus, and a bus trip to St Joseph, MI we kept busy the entire 4 days.  There was plenty of acreage to walk our fur buddy, Jade.  Time to get her out for a poop walk then maybe a bike ride.  Thanks for reading.  And happy, safe travels this Labor Day weekend.

Free swag from Grand Design

Parked in Elkhardt County 4H Fairgrounds, Goshen, IN with an approaching storm