Thinking about our 2011 trip



Camping at Onawa, Iowa, July, 2011

Why did we do this?

Roger asked me five or six years ago what I thought we should do in retirement. Then he put forward two possibilities: a) drag the recliner out on the front porch and sit there with occasional outings to Costco and Macy's or b) travel and experience life all over the United States  . . . hmmm, this was a difficult decision--along with Michael's, Costco and Macy's are some of my favorite spots. Still, I had been an advocate for lifelong learning for about one hundred years and here was the opportunity of my lifetime.

After three or four years of grueling research by Roger and much discussion, we resolved that the part-time RV lifestyle could fit the bill for our retirement. That was the beginning of our biggest project: making it happen. And then we stepped back to think and research and do the math again, making certain it was worth it for us. We purchased our motorhome in 2010 and traveled about 4,400 miles during that summer.

Roger has always been my line leader. After driving 8,002 miles in 64 days this summer, he continues to be positive and brave and only once wondered if sitting on the front porch might have been not such a bad idea. I thank you, Roger. We didn't take a vacation; we experienced a new lifestyle. Already, we've begun outlining our itinerary for 2012.