The past two months – being “home” – have been awesome and the original plan was to stay southeast but … the plans may change… I personally hate making decisions. I always have. Especially when it comes to decisions that have family in them.
The only reason we came back east, two months ago, was because of my dad falling and breaking his hip. At any age, that’s a big deal, but especially at 77. There were no qualms about coming back east. And we came back to TN from AZ in just a few days.
I feel our commitment was meet and our “family time” cup is full! We spent 3 weeks with my mom & dad, 4 weeks with our son and daughter, another week with good friends in our old home area, and another week with cousins in Ohio.
We were able to take care of the logistics of changing “rigs” and situated a lot of things. Whew! That was a lot of logistical crap! Seriously!
We made plans to move on over to Chesapeake Bay, VA and drop down to Newport, NC, and possibly winter down in FL However; over the past 2 months we’ve both realized, neither of us want to be in this area (this time of year).
And why is that you ask? Let me explain…. it’s all dollars and cents and a little more “sense”.
Pro’s of staying toward the southeast for 5 more months:
- Lots of family scattered throughout SC, NC, TN, OH
- If there’s another emergency we can be back within a day vs. 4-5 days.
Con’s of staying toward the southeast for 5 more months:
- It’s very costly. There are a lot of campgrounds (private, state, national forest) but they can range between $20 – $50+/night.
- We can’t really do without the AC here. So, if we’re not hooked-up we’re spending roughly 1/2 gallon per hour in diesel just to keep the AC on via the generator. We did the math.
- We don’t like RV Parks. When we started out, from-the-gate, we were boondocking and much prefer it that lifestyle.
- Finding vacancies at RV Parks is ridiculous on the east, in my opinion. Especially last minute in the summer.
- And bottom line for us… do we really want to drive almost 1,000 miles, in a big half circle, put wear and tear on both vehicles, to be somewhere we just don’t need to be right now. Our answer was clear tonight – while I was thinking out loud and I came up with the answer No – we need to head west. And, yes, Trapper let me make the decision.
The funny part is – my husband has been a southerner for about 20 years and I’ve been one my whole life – but 6 months out of the humidity has spoiled me. I like the “dry heat,” I like the West. I love visiting the eastern coast and I will be back (of course) but not during the summer months or hurricane season, if I can help it. Or maybe it’s just because I grew up in the Southeast, moved around most of my life and want to experience something different before I die. I don’t know the reason, but I can’t justify the funds to run in a 1,000 mile half-circle, in a place, we don’t want to be right now (this time of year). Hopefully that makes sense.
Even Ohio is hot and humid… what the heck? I’m in the north and still burning up!! I never expected that – so since we have the ability to just up and move – we’re going to do that!
Stay tuned… I have lots more to say about this topic and the dilemma I’ve fought for the last three weeks.
We’ve spent all day trip planning and I’m going to throw all that out the window. I’m going to enjoy more family time for a couple days and then move on back west. It only makes sense and financial cents for us right now.