A trip out canoeing we made this past weekend on Town Lake. So lovely we’re going again.
Know your parameters and make decisions on the waves of your life, not the lives of others.
As many of you know, we plan on living in a RV and traveling the country full-time. Our original goal was to try and sublet our apartment and be out by December 2013. Our lease ends June 8, 2014. Living in a college town (Austin), there is a darn good chance we could have subletted it by then. However, we’ve made a decision to finish out our lease.
While this bums us out that we won’t be RV-ing until early June (though 7 months isn’t all that far away), there are too many perks to doing so, to not rushing. With our budget we will save more than half of our income. We’d be starting travels in the summer instead of winter. It would give us time to continue working towards one of our other lofty goals of becoming self-employed but the biggest reason we are doing this is because picking out a RV (our home) is a huge decision.
We have four cats to accommodate. My husband’s work requires a few things that would not feasibly work in some spaces. Our plan is to RV for 3-5 years and then buy a piece of land in Oregon or Washington, build our cob/earthbag house and allow my parents to live in our RV. So it has to be suitable for them as well.
We’ve narrowed down our options to Class A or C RVs but we don’t know which or even the length quite yet. Plus, the more we go out, beyond books, blogs, and articles, and physically go in them do more questions come up that we must answer. We know lots of little things, like how many solar panels we will need, that we’ll be installing a composting toilet and doing away with black water, but the big one, what type and length RV we want, is still undecided.
7 months gives us plenty of time to figure that out, to learn what to look for when purchasing used, what sort of discounts are out there, etc. We’ve been inspired by lots of varying RV stories but are focusing more on the facts of living in a RV because it’s important to remember that’s their story.
Create your own story, appropriate for your life. Challenge yourself beyond what’s comfortable to learn more about what truly makes you happy but don’t ever fall in the cracks of comparison when making decisions about your life, for only one person lives your life. Be vulnerable, try new things, listen to others with experience, but know your parameters and what makes you happy. It’s not about the square footage of space but the level of daily joy.
It’s great you will be able to take your time with such a big purchase and find “the one,” instead of comprising to get one in time. Plus, if you start in summer you’ll get a handle on driving the RV before the bad winter weather kicks in too. I think your new plan sounds really good, even if it’s not what you had in mind originally. And seven months will go by so quick!
Also the canoeing photo is beautiful! Looks like a peaceful time.
That’s great point! And thanks Holly! I really appreciate your words. I think it will fly by just as well.
Canoeing was so much fun. Next time we are going in the opposite direction, away from the bridge, which I expect will be even more peaceful as it will be further from cars.
I’ve been longing to canoe for a while now. I’m not much fan of large bodies of water but I’m dying to see the lake from the boats point of view (since I haven’t even done that since I was a little girl).
Living in an RV sounds wonderful. There’s so much beauty in having the proper time to figure out the small things before jumping into something that still leaves you unsure and possibly unhappy with the outcome. The love and I were thinking about a place in Washington too. Not land since we know nothing about building homes and our savings isn’t up to the task but somewhere that we believe will bring us happiness and be a great place to raise our child. I’m glad you two are fulfilling your dreams even if it is a little later than you expected.
I’m with ya. I think water is beautiful but I get oddly creeped out by what could be in there and so I only swim in completely clear water.
The only thing we’ve learned about building homes is from some books and videos. We’re not carpenters in the least or plumbers but we’ve been inspired by so many in the same spot as us who did it all themselves, knowing only what they learned from others. The more we read the more we’ve learned how easy it is and how many people are doing it and living mortgage free.
Love that last part you wrote “it’s not about the square footage of space but the level of daily joy”
Wise words that deserve to be on my wall!
Thank you so much Faith! It’s funny, we’ve already made some changes (yet again) after posting this – proof that the bit of a wait will be worth while. We’re now set to get a 5th wheel (what we originally wanted) and searching for a used good quality but cheap diesel truck to pull it (then we can use biodiesel – yay!). Plus fifth wheels have so many advantages and they were the ones we’ve viewed the most in person.
Wow, sounds like an amazing adventure. I am sure the months will fly (though hopefully not too fast because I have a whole wedding to plan for in June!).
This is going to be such a sweet adventure! Can’t wait to hear about it.
You’re such an inspiration! I’ve copied down your whole last paragraph into my inspiration journal. Thanks! X Jane http://janeheinrichs.blogspot.com
Love this: “Create your own story, appropriate for your life. It’s not about the square footage of space but the level of daily joy.” Beautiful words of wisdom. It is so, so true. Comparison really is the thief of joy.
I want to put that whole last paragraph on a big photo or something and hang it in my house so I can see it everyday! I am so excited for you to start your RV adventure and I know you will do what works best for your family. I’ve always dreamed of living in Oregon or Washington. Also if you come through Missouri one day I’d love to meet up and drink some tea and talk about life
You just put a big smile on my face. I’ve been pinning all sorts of places we’d like to see and I’m pretty sure there are some in Missouri, so we may just have to meet up.