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D_E_Bishop's avatar
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Mar 24, 2023

83 and have hung up the keys

Over the years I have seen posts asking, when is it time to hang up the keys, well for this guy it is 82 years and 9 months. I suppose I could buy a "B" or "B +" and we could still do some traveling but it would only work for a year or two.

Seven months ago I realized that after driving the towed to the storage yard, moving clothes and supplies into the RV and hooking up the towed was taking two to four hours and then after three or four hours on the road I needed a nap. Degenerative spinal discs and inflammatory Poly Arthritis was slowing me down and causing a lot of pain, it even sent me to the ER a few months ago.

So we sat down and talked about travel and decided that driving a four wheeler or flying and driving was the best we could do with our health issues. Five days ago it was clear and warn so we went to the RV to get some of our kitchen supplies to take to our OR home. A guy stopped at the RV and asked if we were interested in selling, I said sure and we got our price less cost of 6 new tires and new front brakes. No need to place a for sale ad or dicker. He and his son met us at the RV, we filled out papers, visited the bank to deposit the cash and in three hours it was gone, we took our eldest out to lunch for helping fill out the papers and counting the cash, told the storage yard we wouldn't be a tenant any longer, cancelled the insurance, transferred the title with DMV and we were having a cold drink in the living room back at home.

I think the old saying about a boat owners two happiest days are buying and selling but in this case, about 02:00 am, I woke and almost cried, the memories came flooding back from our first camping trip with a borrowed tent and Coleman stove with a 4yo and a 5yo, to our last trip up to OR in Sept. in the Winnie.

I'll miss it and miss all of you, at least we did it till we just couldn't do it anymore. No more Pendleton Shirts smelling like a campfire, no more kids and grandkids giving gooey S'more kisses, no more sunrises at "Q"

To quote Bob Hope, "Thanks for the Memories".

David
  • I'll be 82 in a week. Leaving for Myrtle Beach Sunday and so far so good. I even still drive my drag racing car. My Monaco has served me well for 22 years and is still as good as new with 98,000+ miles on it. It is stored at home so we have never had to deal with the storage issue. I am sure thats a hassle. We are really blessed. Many years ago I got rid of a large boat the same way. It got damaged in a hurricane and as I was checking the damage in dry dock someone offered to buy it. Good by boat and hello Monaco. I am sure you have many memories and it will be an adjustment not having the RV. Good luck on your next adventure.
  • We fulltimed for 15 years and my DH died on the road at age 70. I drove back to our newly purchased snowbird home and sold the big rig while keeping the 22' rig we bought to take to Alaska. I have too much arthritis to manage hooking up a toad. Traveled for 3 years in the little one and I just bought a 2021 Coach House, exactly what I wanted. Sold my little one to people who stopped by. I'm 72 and planning my next trip. Got an ebike to do trails, etc.

    Dale
  • Awww, this was very heart-moving. I'm sure it is different for everyone. We have neighbors who are 78. They sold their house last summer, bought a new fifth wheel and truck, and are on the road. They call about every other week on their whereabouts with plans to get with us this fall on a trip if it works out.

    Take care and do what you want and what you know you can and continue to live life to the fullest.
  • At 70, I can't imagine what will become inevitable for me, too. It sounds like losing a pet.
    Good luck in RV retirement.