We RV'd because of the dog

magnusfide wrote:

Snowman9000 wrote:
We started RV-ing a few years ago as a way to be able to travel. Our dog was a poor boarder. So we made several trips with her, including a few long trips southwest in the winters.

This summer she died. We are in no hurry to replace her. We headed out on our current trip to Arizona without her. Missing her but at the same time thinking we would be able to do much more since we weren't going to be tied down with a, let's face it, needy elderly dog.

Instead we are sort of lost. Not because lack of her companionship, but because we organized it all around her needs. We had to stop every couple of hours to let her walk etc. At camp, as at home, she wanted her long walks in the AM and PM.

We were always happier in public CGs, because of the elbow room, trails, dirt and grass. Today we are sitting in the Arizona desert, all the room in the world. Bored silly. It was the same on the travel days too. We made better time, but it was much more boring. We have to come up with a new plan. It won't involve another dog though.

Maybe it's time to tow a dinghy car, stay in one place longer, and take more side trips. Maybe it's time to (gasp) stay in some snowbird parks and meet people.

Or, Maybe it's time to sell the RV, and take advantage of the strong dollar by traveling overseas while we are healthy.

Signed,
Lost in Arizona

Here's the OP. They asking for help in deciding how to do their RVing time differently. Isn't funny how threads derail?

My answer: you can tow or you can rent a car. Senior discounts on rentals are reasonable. I use my AARP discounts for rentals.

We take themed trips to see sites we are interested in. One year it was a light-house themed trip both inland to the Great Lakes and along the coasts. We saw a number of small towns on the way that we really enjoyed too.

Another year it was military museums, another year food festivals (warning: gained a lot of weight that year :o) We also do Dutch Oven Gatherings (great fun, good people) and astronomy star parties for night sky viewings of events.

Or you can take it by state: pick a state and see those places you're interested in seeing. Make a list of your interests and check the websites related to those interests.

There are those who go to quilt shows, gun shows, conservation symposiums, hiking groups, bicycle groups... your interests and hobbies will be your guide. Find a place and an event then hit the road with joy. That's the best part of RVing.

Actually, I'm not so sure the OP was really asking anything. I read it more as a "we're going through a change and not sure how we're going to come out of it" musing. That's why my first response was to not make any quick decision - try some different things and then see how it goes. Then they can make a decision based on their reality.