BIG CAR, LITTLE HOUSE

We complicated our simple lives last winter after ten years of having everything we needed in one small space (our Fifth-Wheel trailer).  We accomplished that by falling in love with Upriver RV Resort  in Ft. Myers Florida and buying a park model there.  Click on the blue to see the post about our park model "canal cottage."  

We decided to leave the 5th-wheel in Oregon; it will be our West Coast home.  So then we had to think about how to get from Oregon to Florida and back again next time -- and how to do some traveling and exploring in between the two.  (We aren't ready to quit RV traveling yet.)

It doesn't make sense to drive the Freightliner when we're not pulling a trailer  -- and the small car we've kept in Oregon (for me to drive when we're here) would force us to stay in motels all the time we traveled.  Don't want to do that.  So we bought this.  It's called a Class B Camper. 

We will travel and camp in this van, but it will also be our daily driving vehicle.  The plusses include:  good gas mileage, not having to worry about whether we will be able to find a long-enough site, and (BEST OF ALL):  I can drive this baby!   It's not much bigger than the van I learned to drive in.   (I've never even wanted to learn to drive the big white truck, so most of the time that we've traveled I haven't driven at all.) 

The negatives (you may be ahead of me on this one):  It is very small.  I've joked about how we have no choice but to get along with each other in the small space we've lived in for the last ten years.  But compared to this van, our fifth-wheel condo-on-wheels is a mansion.  We really won't have a choice but to put up with each other now!  We stayed in the Van on our trip to the Oregon coast last month.  We still liked each other after three days.  Next, we'll try three weeks!

So we're getting ready for our Fall roadtrip in a much smaller space.  We have to decide what to leave, what to take, what to ship to Florida, what to give to Goodwill.  We have collected way too much stuff.  How does that happen? 

And, related to the previous post about home remodeling, Bill has already done some upgrading on the brand-new Van.  I'm not complaining though, because what he's doing is adding a space for our laptop and peripherals.   First things first.  We can't live without our Internet, no matter how small our traveling home.

Below are a few more thumbnails of the interior.  The rear bed makes up into a seating area, but since we won't have extra people with us while we travel, we'll probably just leave it as a bed until we get to Florida.

(Click any picture to enlarge.)

 

Comments

[Quasi Serendipita]

Just been catching up on your posts for the last week - it looks like you're having a great time. I have the same problem with collecting "stuff" - no matter what I do, it just accumulates! Have a safe journey.

[Stella]

What a great alternative way to travel. It sounds like something we should look into. Hope your trip is wonderful and look forward to post about your Floriday residence.

[Happily Retired]

Fascinating way to have TWO homes of the (relatively) inexpensive kind. Pretty clever actually. It's fun learning more about your 'traveling' lifestyle.
Hugs and blessings,

[Joe Todd]

Roadtrek what a great unit. If I every get a "camper" will probably be a Class B. Once you get to Fort Myers you will be living on the Caloosahatchee just like Edison and Ford once did.. Have a safe trip...

[Sallie (FullTime-Life)]

Thank you for all the great comments (and sympathy and understanding from fellow-RVers ;>)). We *are* looking on it all as another adventure and we'll try to report honestly from the road, beginning next week. (Probably to be completely honest, I should ask Bill to post his thoughts too. But on second thought.....

(It really is a mutual effort, especially on roadtrip posts, since I'm geographically challenged, so he'll have lots of input.)

[Jay Peck]

I really enjoyed your post and the thought process that you went thru to get to a smaller unit. We have a Ford 350 King Ranch and we pull a 35 foot Hitchhiker and we have been on the road since 2005 fulltime. We also have children spread out across the country. Northern California, Portland, OR and New Albany, IN we have found that getting back and forth between the west coast and Indiana is sometimes stressful. Margot from joyfullyretired showed me your site and the things you are doing are of great interest to us. Thanks for your post.

[Margot at Joyfully Retired]

I REALLY enjoyed this post. You proved there are always new adventures ahead. I'm intrigued with the van. (I haven't clicked on the Florida link yet.) This looks like the perfect vehicle for short trips and for people who still love to camp. I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip in the van and how everything goes, including the health of your relationship.

[pat]

This should be an interesting change versus the 5th wheel! LOL! And sometimes I feel crowded in IT! I will NEVER complain again! Okay, maybe for a few days!

Actually, this van looks like it has everything you need, and you're not full-timing in it - just taking short trips. It should be fun!

Your Florida place looks real nice, especially on the canal.It's funny; either your a Florida person or an Arizona person.

[Chatty Crone]

It looks pretty nice to me - but then I don't know much. It will be interesting to 'hear' about your close trip. I'm not sure if I could do it or not (lol).

[Christina, Sweden]

Campers are great!! Had one a couple of years ago and I loved it. will certainly get one again sometime. just to be able to go anywhere and always have somewhere to cook and sleep - it's just great.
Thanks for commenting on my blog!

[Krystal]

That is really something! I can't wait to hear how the three week trip goes for you!

[Carletta]

Such great adventure!
Fort Myers - I had an uncle who lived there for over 30 years. He loved it but moved North when he retired.
I'm sure we'll be looking in at your 'new mode of travel'.
Thanks for taking us along for the ride. :)