HOW IT ALL CAME ABOUT - THE BEGINNING

Two years ago today I started my journey as a RV Full-timer/Nomad. I’ve been asked many times why I decided to live this lifestyle.  Well here is the 'short 'story of how it came about.

I enjoyed watching Youtube videos about RVing and Sailing for several years. I enjoyed seeing the places people were visiting and how they managed living on the road or on the water.  I also enjoyed learning about the systems/mechanical/technical side of that lifestyle.

I thought maybe someday I would like to do that…but I was still working and living in the DC metro area. The time wasn’t right.  When would it be the right time…maybe someday.

Well a series of events took place that helped me make my decision to become a nomad.

I had a serious injury at work that ended up requiring two neck surgeries (my neck is now fused top to bottom) and shoulder surgery (torn rotator cuff and torn tendon). While I was recovering from the surgeries my company decided to eliminate my position for financial reasons…I was making too much money in their opinion.  My team was breaking all kinds of sales records for the region and company. Apparently they didn’t’ like that I was ‘costing them too much money in commission overrides and therefore costing them too much money. I offered to renegotiate my compensation plan but they were set on forgoing having a regional sales manager and managing the team from the headquarters in Illinois.  I was really upset as I loved what I was doing and really enjoyed the people I was working with.  But it was what it was. I figured I’d be ok and find something else. (I understand their plan failed and revenues went down significantly but that was not my problem).  

While I was trying to decide what to do next, my best buddy called me from Jacksonville Florida and let me know that his doctors informed him he had cancer.  He was like a brother to me.  We talked several times a week since we met in 2015. We shared a lot of laughs together and shared tears too.  We never ended our calls without telling each other ‘I love you pal’.

Bill passed away August 21, 2022. 

The combination of these two events pushed me to make some changes in my life. 

The day I made the decision to live full-time on the road, I found the perfect rig that checked all the boxes and it was only 10 miles away from where I was living.  It was way over my budget and after some prayer and budgeting I knew it was the right thing!

I sold and/or donated most everything I owned and left Virginia on October 10, 2022 and haven’t once regretted my decision.

It has been an amazing journey! I’ve met some incredible people on my travels and have seen some amazing sights!  If you believe the news, we have a horrible country with horrible people.  That is absolutely ‘fake news’. We have an amazing country with awesome people.

Everyday has been a blessing and a real joy. I have met some great new friends and have definitely grown in my faith. 

I miss Bill and think about him daily.  When I was in the Tampa Florida area last year I got the chance to meet his sisters Nancy and Karen. We had dinner together and talked for hours.  It was awesome.  I never had any sisters growing up but now I have two amazing ‘sisters’ in my life!  

One particular day of my journey really stands out to me.  I was in Nova Scotia in the summer of 2023 and was having a ‘bad’ day.  The weather was crappy and I was feeling depressed and sorry for myself.  I called Gail and told her how I was feeling and probably hoping to get some sympathy.  Gail wasn’t having any of that!  She responded…’you’ve been on the road for about a year and how many times have you called saying you were having a tough/bad day?  ZERO.  

So suck it up buttercup!’  Not the response I expected but the response I needed.  I haven’t had a ‘bad’ day since.  I’ve had some challenges..medical, mechanical, etc. but I just suck it up buttercup and am grateful for the life I have!

I love life!  I appreciate the beauty of our country (and Canada). I have learned so much about myself as I travel around and have grown so much.  I appreciate my new friends and my old friends. 

I am grateful and appreciate every day!