Questions ... answered

Since we haven't been traveling for a bit this winter, I thought I would take this time to answer your questions about our RV, the lifestyle we have decided to live and .. ahem .. poop. Yes, I said it - but you all are thinking it! To get this out of the way so we can go on with more interesting topics, we will lead off with -

Where do we and "it" go? We are fully self-contained and even "flush". We do NOT have a composting toilet. Each site in the park in which we are located has a "hook up" that includes water, electricity and sewer. When necessary, we empty the "black water tank" through a series of hoses that go directly into the sewer system. About 15 minutes later, all gone! A bit of disinfectant down the drain and we are good to go (literally)!! OK, let's move on.....

Isn't the Rv a bit small?? Yes, technically it is the size of a "tiny house", right around 300 square feet. It seems larger due to the open floor plan and we do keep everything tidy. The old adage "a place for everything and everything in it's place" is a good rule to follow. I have a system of baskets and totes to corral the little stuff (like cards and games, office supplies, soaps and lotions) and I have taught Mr. Meier where everything goes. I hope he was listening... I realize that I actually have more storage than I originally thought and can now

get some things from the basement of our children!!

Do we watch TV/how do we get wifi? TV isn't an issue too much. We have a 50" in the living room and a 36" in the bedroom. "Over the air" channels usually give us the network stations we want (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) as well as some that Bill has found interesting - GRIT, METV and GETTV. Otherwise we have DirectTV and can plug our computer into the television to watch on the "big screen". Some of the larger RV parks offer cable tv for free and we plug into that when we can, too. We are heavy into Netflix and there is plenty to watch there. Unfortunately, during football season, we couldn't watch most Packer games in the RV. We generally find a sports bar where we can have a beer and a snack and enjoy the game with like-minded fans! Internet is another story - it is really spotty or slow in most RV parks, but it is "free" and boosting a slow signal hasn't been a viable option. We have the premium cell phone plan so use our phones as

hotspots when necessary. Here at Chantilly Farms, we get a terrific signal and, since there are only three or four rigs here this winter, have a fast connection as well. I am happy, happy!!

What is our legal address/how do we get mail? We don't get mail - all bills are paid online, I've opted for "paperless" on everything I can and, for those items that must be mailed, we have switched our official USPS address to our children in Roanoke. We get very little paper mail. We still have a few months left of forwarded mail from Juneau. Legally, for IRS and banking/credit card purposes, you have to have a physical address that is NOT a P.O. Box. We have yet to determine where that might be - we have not changed our driver's licenses or car registrations but have alerted our bank to our situation so they are aware. For instance, if new debit cards are needed, they know where to send them. Eventually, we will have to choose a spot that has the right financial "fit" for us. For now, we love the fact that people ask us all the time "are you really from Alaska?" when they see our license plates and driver's license. We get to tell them all the great things about living in Juneau and encourage them to visit our adopted home state!

How do you know where to "camp"/how to choose a campground? When we started last October, we didn't know a thing. Really. Camping to us was a tent or pop-up camper, certainly not the 40 foot rig we were pulling. Now, we look for pull-through sites if possible (rather than back-in), full hook-ups (water/50 amp electric/sewer) and flat and/or paved sites. I do a LOT of searching, previewing actual sites online and reading reviews at www.rvparkreviews.com which provides site-by-site real reviews by real people. RV parks are a different animal than campgrounds - they tend to cater to mostly retired folks like us with big, self-contained rigs like ours. We don't need swimming pools or playgrounds but do like space and laundry facilities! It was nice traveling this fall since the places were quiet and allowed us to make our mistakes around the trailer with little-to-no audience!!

Do campsites cost a lot? Depending on where you are in the country, sites large enough and with the hook-ups we need cost between $40-$60 per night. If we stayed in one spot for one week or more, the price was per week or month and a bit cheaper than a "per day" rate. All water and electric (even cable) is included. We use Good Sam,

Passport America and my 65+ discounts when applicable. It cost us per month about what we would pay for rent for a small, austere apartment.

Short answers: No, I have not driven the truck with the RV attached. I have other talents ... We stockpiled quarters for laundry. Otherwise we take advantage of family and friends when needed ... Yes, gas is expensive. Luckily the price has gone down since we've been traveling ... We play Scrabble or Cribbage, read or take a walk. That said, we never get bored. Always something to do or something to see (I love sight-seeing!) ... Work-camping (getting site fees paid for working in campground) or campground hosting are intriguing ideas for additional sources of income ... I love cooking in the RV. I love it even more when Bill grills outside ...

Finally, what is our favorite place that we've been to? Why, the

answer is wherever you are! We love being close to family here in the East and have plans to travel north this summer to spend time in Wisconsin. We can be where YOU are at anytime - just say the word! THAT is the luxury of living in an RV!