So who's in the class of 2013/14?

[John_Joey]

I always enjoy seeing who is just starting out, and those that are keeping it going. Hopefully it will be a large class this year and not a dying lifestyle (FWIW, it's a good lifestyle if you're thinking about it.)

For us it will be our 6'th year. Big change is we sold the Class A and picked up a 5'ver which we now store down south. Will drive the SUV down like so many other snowbirds taking just a few days and then staying in one spot for the winter (that we've come to enjoy.) It sure does help make the bank roll thicker I'll say that much.

I can truthfully say that DW and I are already getting hitch itch, and we haven't even packed (plus, we no longer have a hitch to itch:(.) I'm betting that before next snowbird season we'll be mobile RV'ers once again. Just can't seem to shake the need to see what's around the next corner :). As long as we're young in body, mind, and physically capable, why not!

How about you?

[Trap]

Well the class of 2013/14 will be including us (first time), we're planning on crossing the border on the 20th, and head down to Alabama, then slowly work our way over to California. Have to be back in Canada by April 18th

[gscudder]

I'm retiring next month and Heading to Tucson the 1st of Dec. I grew up snowbirding and can't wait to share it with the Wife and Pets...
Just finishing up with the Stick and Bricks now and we will begin our fulltiming Adventure.

I will say that it has been a challenge to find places to except us because of our ages, 43 and 35, We are both disabled Veterans and the old Blue hair community doesn't seem to want us around even though we don't have kids and are fulltimers.....

[empty_nest]

I don't know why I torture myself, reading and envying all these posts. 🙂 We have a couple more winters of snow and ice to get through before we hit the road south.

God bless and have a safe trip and enjoy every moment!

[John_Joey]

thecampingman wrote:
...snip... We discuss every year doing it like you do, with storing the fiver and driving down. But my big touring kayaks won't fit on the Honda Civic.

FWIW,

For us half the fun of snowbirding was the trip down and back (we would take 4-8 weeks each way.) We're already missing the freedom that comes with owning a mobile RV. On the plus side, it really does help with the budget when you're getting 24mpg and a monthly lot rate for most of the winter. I'm guessing it should save 2-3K, we'll soon see if it's money that was well spent in prior years.

[thecampingman]

NanciL wrote:
12th year now in the Florida Keys. It never gets old.
We are hard core kayakers, and have been to almost every off shore Key that is down there. There are a few more that we need to explore.
We keep looking for that treasure chest half buried in the sand and one of these days we'll find it.
We do have some neat artifacts though from some of those Keys eight miles out in the Gulf

Jack L

I'm a kayak explorer too! Do you paddle to those keys? I'm pretty timid when it comes to paddling the open ocean.
I snowbird on the "Left" coast around Ft. Myers. Paddle around Pine Island Sound, the Calousahatchee River, Lover's Key etc.

I'm considering Paddling the 100 miles thru the Everglades. There are campsites ever 20 miles or so. Have you ever considered doing something like that? Sometimes our kayak club stays overnight on Picnic Island. Do you camp overnight?


To answer the OP's question: This will be our 10th year. We discuss every year doing it like you do, with storing the fiver and driving down. But my big touring kayaks won't fit on the Honda Civic.

[s_N_s]

This will be our 4th season and we'll heading down to FL the week after Thanksgiving. Just starting to do the cleanup work (yard work) around here and start getting our ducks in a row to be ready to head out. Ahhh, 5 months of relaxation. :B Hope everyone has a Great season.

[Macktee]

Next Friday I will turn 62, and on Saturday we will leave from southern Alberta, and head for AZ. My DW retired the end of Mar. and so we are going to move the rig down. However, I still work, and love what I do. So when they call with a project to go to, I will fly back, pick up my truck and head out to work. We are full timers, as we sold the S and B and moved into the coach. So far so good. Macktee

[Parrothead_Mike]

This will be our second year to head down to Florida. Last year was more or less an exploratory trip/vacation for 6 weeks. Just making the trip there and back and in between was so much fun we can't wait to go again. I made very few reservations last year as we wanted to hop scotch around to see different areas, some for future consideration and some just for sightseeing. The planning process is a good portion of the fun as I love maps and research (no GPS for me).

We've reserved at Rock Crusher for the last month of our trip, but have also reserved time at Riverside down by Arcadia because it's warmer and have reservations near Sebring too before working our way back toward Crystal River. I already anticipate a longer stay in 2015 if DW agrees.

[Lakelady48]

DH only works summers at the local golf course, but I have continued to work fulltime. The last few years, my boss let me take all of my vacation at once which allowed us to go to Florida for a month. Of course we all know that is not nearly long enough, and we always had to come back to several more weeks of winter. I plan to give my notice in late November and work thru December, then hit the road in early January. It will be so nice to take our time getting there, and coming home when the snow is mostly gone.

[Falcon35]

We have been doing this thing for a number of years. I can not get DW to go until after Christmas. This year we are planning on going back to the RGV last year we went to AZ. I always said when I didn't have to go to work anymore I wanted to go where it didn't snow. Because I didn't know where the perfect place was I wanted to go with wheels under me. We are still having to much fun moving around to come to the same place every year. This year we are going with out reservations.

[JW_of_Opechee_S]

Last year was our rookie year. This year the DW will quit her job in Dec. and we will spend 3 months in the same park as last year. I am semi retired because i can't sit still and have a nice situation where I can work 3 days a week and have any time off i want. We will stay till April 1st, but if I check the home security cameras and see any snow, I will sit tight. Enjoy your first year and many more.

[captainjohn2008]

We would love to join the class. But somehow we seem to take 1 step towards that goal and then we have to take 2 steps back. I bought the T.V. now we need the 5er. Just taking it 1 step at a time making sure we are comfortable with our decisions. Need to sell our expensive home and buy something cheaper. Need to decide about retirement and feel comfortable about that also. I know we have been blessed and lots of people would envy our position but this change is not as easy as I would have thought. I do know that it has to feel right and don't want to make any mistakes. Enjoy yourselves I envy you. Cheers John.

[NanciL]

12th year now in the Florida Keys. It never gets old.
We are hard core kayakers, and have been to almost every off shore Key that is down there. There are a few more that we need to explore.
We keep looking for that treasure chest half buried in the sand and one of these days we'll find it.
We do have some neat artifacts though from some of those Keys eight miles out in the Gulf

Jack L

[pawatt]

10th season here near Mission Texas & 2 miles north of Mexico.

[rockhillmanor]

This will be my first year of being a Snowbird of a different color.

I took advantage of the rescission and great foreclosure prices down here and bought me a piece it! Got REAL tired of being parked in like sardines and the $$$$game for electric charges. Seems every year they keep changing how they bill for electric. BTW ask LOTS of questions about the electric fees before signing up and keep an eye on them how they bill you.

Sooo I am right now enjoying a beautiful 2 ac lot in the woods. Close to everything and everywhere I want to go!

And surprisingly absolutely positively NO mosquitoes. Just the sounds of the whippoorwill and Great Horned Owl at night.

Ahhhh, Snowbirding this year is going to be the best year ever! :C