Having to move on.

TEO wrote:
My other half (not necessarily better or worse) has decreed that our days of travel via motor home is at an end and pressure is being applied to sell our beloved (by me) Class A. We got into camping in a class A in 1987 and had a grand time. I still believe that there are more great times ahead. There is way to much of North America that I have yet to visit.

What is the next step? What do you go to when your passion has been ripped away? Flower garden? I think not! What are your thoughts for aa life after camping? :(

What does DW want to do? Still travel or stay put?

My wife and I are currently waiting for medical test results that could bring an end to our fulltime RV'ing lifestyle. We would probably still be able to manage some short 5-6 day trips, but things like wintering in Florida, etc., will be out. We're holding off on any decisions regarding keeping our Class A or downsizing to a B or small TT until we know the full extent of her situation and hoping for the best. But we are wondering what we'll be doing to fill the time gaps if it comes to that.

My wife said if I go camping one more time, she's leaving.

I'm gonna miss that woman.

I'll look at this a little differently. In my life before becoming a widower after 40 years of marriage, I did a lot by myself because my interest were different from hers. Now given a second chance with a wonderful woman I'm not about to go it alone. She, right after Jesus Christ, is the most important thing in my life and I don't intend to miss a moment I'm granted with her. If it means selling the rig and sitting on the porch in a swing. In my mind, what's important is whom you're with not where you are.

No spouse should dictate to the other one what he or she can or cannot do. If the wife wants to take ballet lessons, is the husband required to also take the same lessons? I don't think anyone here would say "yes." The same with camping. If the wife wants to stay home for whatever reason, that does not then mean the husband has to stay home as well. He should be free to go if he so chooses with his wife's blessings. If he chooses to stay home with his wife, then that is his decision which he cannot blame his wife for any consequences of that decision.

DownTheAvenue wrote:
No spouse should dictate to the other one what he or she can or cannot do.

True .... but each spouse does have a heavy and serious responsibility to consider the impact on the other for each and every they thing that they may want to do, or not want to do.

Marriage is not about "me", it's about the "other" ... then amazingly the "me" ultimately gets taken care of. ;)

pnichols wrote:

DownTheAvenue wrote:
No spouse should dictate to the other one what he or she can or cannot do.

True .... but each spouse does has a heavy and serious responsibility to consider the impact on the other for each and every they thing that they may want to do, or not want to do.

Marriage is not about "me", it's about the "other" ... then amazingly the "me" ultimately gets taken care of. ;)

Said perfectly!!

It sounds to me like it's time for a sit down with you wife to delve into what she really wants to do with the rest of the time she has on the planet in an effort to try and find something you can both enjoy together. Maybe there are some things you're both willing to try that doesn't require a lot of traveling.

There are many groups out there (my first thought is "MeetUp", where I found my kayaking groups) that you could join and do the occasional camping trip as a solo? Or - as a seasoned RVer, you could offer your services to newbies "We'll meet at the campground, and I'll help you set up your rig". Or maybe you could find another (male) kindred spirit who would love to go with you. You might not travel/camp as often as you would have done in the past, but there ARE ways to continue as a solo and still have people around who would help you in the event of a problem

(In MY case, Ed loves car auctions. He will fly off to a Barrett-Jackson event; I stay home, eat the pasta he dislikes, and watch chick-flicks. We each get some "me time" on our own agendas - and it never hurts to realize you actually miss the other person while they're gone)