I know some people are wondering what happened to me or what I am doing. As the title reads Life Goes On. And it does. I miss and think about Rick everyday. That will never change. I found if I sat in the 5th wheel all day I could find myself getting very depressed. So I forced myself to get out and join in some of the activities in the RV Park. Everyone says don’t make any decisions for a year as to where I will live and what I will do. But I have done some research and thinking about what I will do and where I will live.
Here are some of my ideas. I have always liked the idea of a Dell Webb type of community. That is a 55+ gated community with a large clubhouse with all kinds of activities. You have to buy a house there. The problem with these type of communities they are not located near where I want to live. I have looked at several in Texas. I wish they had one closer to my sons and families in Dallas. The ones in Dallas are about an hour or so away and through lots of traffic.
I could pull my 5th wheel up to Dallas and live in it. The problem with that is the winters in Dallas and there are not any nice RV Parks near the family. Or I could leave the 5th wheel here in South Texas. Last summer was very hot here though and I do not want to stay here during the summer. Very few people stay here in the summer as they all leave and go back up north.
I might go somewhere that is cool in the summer. A couple of summers ago Rick and I spent a month in Ruidoso, NM. It is up in the mountains and the high is about 85 degrees. Now there is a problem with me pulling the 5th wheel everywhere. I have never pulled it and it is very big. I have had several people offer to drive it where I want to go or offer to teach me how to drive it. I will take them up on the offer to teach me to drive and pull it this spring. I know I could drive it. The problem with that is I have always felt sorry for just one person traveling and pulling a big 5th wheel. It is much easier with another person in the truck with them helping navigate and being another set of eyes for the driver.
I have another idea about pulling a trailer. I could leave my 5th wheel here in South Texas and buy a small trailer (about 24 ft.) and pull it to different places during the summer. For instance I do not think it would be a problem to drive it up to NM. I would still take driving lessons for the small trailer. Then I could drive it to Dallas this summer, stay a few weeks and then drive to NM.
I could just buy a house in a regular neighborhood around Dallas and live near the family. But I do not want to live in a regular neighborhood. There are a lot more activities in places like I have described.
I have a few trips planned but I will leave that for another blog.
If you are reading this I thank you for still being around. If you have any wonderful ideas about decisions I should consider leave a comment.
The small trailer idea sounds good. Then also besides the ideas you have mentioned, you can meet the grandkids at various places like during Spring Break. If it were small enough, you could even have power and place it in Lance’s backyard! And I could come travel with you around the state and to NM, for example!!!!
Yes, you could come travel with me. That is a great idea!!!!! Where would you like to go? Your sister, Tinka
Dear Tinka.
I don’t know you. You don’t know me. I found your blog link on another blog I recently started reading, and the first entry I happened to read here was the one telling of your husband’s passing. I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincerest condolences, even though they are from a complete stranger. My husband and I are planning to start fulltiming next year. He is 67, smoked for years, has COPD and rheumatoid arthritis, and I worry a lot that we won’t realize our dream. We have even discussed it at times…”what would you do if…?” He always encourages me to continue with our plans, even if he is no longer here. But I would change things up a bit, which is why I’m writing to you. Here’s an idea:
Trade your truck and fifth wheel in on a Class C motor home. You could drive and maneuver it easily, tow a small car for your get-around, and travel south in the winter, north in the summer, park in your kids driveway for a while :), go or do whatever you want. Maybe you’ll find that solo RVing isn’t as lonely as it sounds right now, and maybe your sister will travel with you! 🙂
Take care and God bless you, Tinka.
Thanks for your beautiful letter. I encourage you do go fulltiming and realize your dreams even if it is only for a short time. Just have some answers about what will happen if…..
My latest idea is to buy a small travel trailer to see how I like hauling that. I can still drive the truck. Then if I really get good I can start pulling the 5th wheel or like you said “sell it all and buy a Motor Home.
Thanks again.
Tinka