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11-04-2006, 02:32 AM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Fort Frances
Posts: 23
M.O.C. #5127
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Fulltiming next year - Where to go???
Hi to all and hope everyone had a nice summer. UPDATE We had a few problems with our Mountaineer but have fixed most of them now. Only outstanding one is the bolts under the carpet and the carpet bulging up in a couple of tight bend areas.
We will be going on the road next winter..November 2007. I know it is along time off but would like to get some information from others where to go. Fl..Az..Texas??? Campgounds???
We are going to sell our stick house in Fort Frances Ontario this coming summer and then spend our summers in Sioux Narrows Ontario.
We have a nice spot at Paradise Point on Lake of the Woods. Our Mountaineer is currently there now but is put away for the winter.
We would appreciate any information on where to keep warm for the winter. This is a great place, here on the forum and we try to check in on a daily basis. GOOD STUFF.
Thanks in advance....Al and Judy
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11-04-2006, 03:09 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Just start out by following your instincts. Then ask a lot of questions of those you meet. You will get a lot of help from most fulltimers. The first winter out for us, we went to Rockport, TX. Since then we've spent winters in southern California, New Mexico, and Arizona. Have no desire to go to the Valley or Florida, yet.
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11-05-2006, 12:54 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Naples
Posts: 658
M.O.C. #4049
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Like Orv said, "follow your instincts". For the first year, make your reservations where ever you would like to go that is nice and warm over the winter and see how everything works out for you. You will have the chance then to talk to other "snowbirds", "winter Texans" etc, and find out what they do. Choose what is right for you.
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11-05-2006, 04:03 AM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 322
M.O.C. #2106
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Yank, good question! Hubby is retiring 1 Feb 07 and I retire 31 May 07. We're hoping to have the stick house sold and the Monty packed by mid-May so that we can hit the road. Like you, we've started the research process and have several "family" events planned for the first 3 months, then we're "footloose and fancy-free" until Christmas. Then we'll be back in southern VA so we can visit with our kids. Haven't finalized our winter plans yet, but have garnered a wealth of information from all the wonderful folks here on the MOC. I like what Orv and GKButler said about following our instincts, and think GKButler hit the nail on the head about planning the first winter and the rest will take care of itself. Good luck - you know how fast the next year will go!
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11-06-2006, 04:44 AM
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#5
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Fort Frances
Posts: 23
M.O.C. #5127
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Hi to all that answered our request. We look forward to meeting you all someday. Thanks again for your suggestions...Yank
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11-06-2006, 06:20 AM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Livingston
Posts: 474
M.O.C. #2056
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Think seriously about going to Mexico in the winter. It is generally warmer although there are some cold spots. The food is great, the folks are friendly and it costs about a third less. We don't speak very much Spanish, but try which pleases the locals. Get the book by Mike and terri Church called the "Travelers' Guide to Mexican Camping" which lists nearly every campground in Mexico and what you need for border crossing, etc. www.rollinghomes.com
Go SLOWLY. When we first started, we figured that it would take us three years to zigzag across the US--took seven years! We aim for weather with 75 daytime and in the 50s at night. Follow the sun. Just remember that fulltiming is a lifestyle, not a long vacation. Every once in a while take a vacation from fulltiming. Go on a cruise (we are next week) or just pull into a CG and do nothing.
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11-06-2006, 07:24 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: sioux falls
Posts: 1,835
M.O.C. #2121
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All really good advice. You might want to start your first winter in a place with other MOCers. It will make the transition lots of fun and you'll get lots of new information about the fulltiming lifestyle. And, like mobilrvn said, go slowly. There's lots to see and do along the way. Don't hurry.
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11-07-2006, 06:46 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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Hi Al,
OK. I see you just fine with your APRS system up and running. Pretty neat stuff. If you have a week or two off this coming January or February join us in Quartzsite. It will be a lot of fun.
73, de Dennis, KA6TZP
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11-07-2006, 03:11 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Fairbanks
Posts: 301
M.O.C. #1217
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I think you cannot go wrong by listening to the folks on the forum. We took suggestions from folks on the forum for staying in the Rio Grande Valley at Bentsen Palm Village and could not be happier. We have also seen suggestions on Arizona and Florida, so just ask and get information from all these wonderful sources!
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11-08-2006, 05:27 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Full Timer
Posts: 918
M.O.C. #331
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Back to what "mobilrvn" said...double ditto..
Remember, there is NO hurry (except, maybe, to get out of freezing/snowey weather) We try for about 250 miles a day, and stay at least two nights at every enroute location. Our first "year", (July-Dec) we stayed at 53 locations in 5 1/2 months!! Semi-insane!! The following year was much more reasonable, and so on...
We have enjoyed the Tucsoln area in Jan-Feb. Haven't made to to the RGV yet. I'm a bit leery of venturing into Mexico with the rig, just my basic conservatism. I go there as part of a time-share deal most every year, and enjoy it. Just conderned about "on the road" safety, legal issues and parts and repairs if something really does go wrong.
Re traveling, it takes a month or so to get the "lay of the land" at almost anyplace, and another month to learn to enjoy it. Big, beautiful Country out there!!
Safe travels!!
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11-08-2006, 06:28 AM
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#11
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Fort Frances
Posts: 23
M.O.C. #5127
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by HamRad
Hi Al,
OK. I see you just fine with your APRS system up and running. Pretty neat stuff. If you have a week or two off this coming January or February join us in Quartzsite. It will be a lot of fun.
73, de Dennis, KA6TZP
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Thanks again Dennis and I even have it working better now...73...Al
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