In just a few days, I will have been in Tucson for six months. That is the longest I have stayed any place in the past 12 years. The longest before this was three months last winter -- also in Tucson. Prior to that, the longest I had parked/camped any place was two months in San Diego.
My life -- everyone's life -- consists of loosely definable stages or phases or chapters of an autobiography. Seems I have been trying to get into that next phase for some months. Even years. Need change in my life every five years. Considering this is year twelve, I am overdue for a change.
The most recent post imagining the next phase was six months ago in the post Could I Do That. There I questioned living in sticks and bricks with an only vehicle being a Super B type RV vehicle -- such as a Road Trek or PleasureWay.
Considering sticks and bricks would be located in Colorado, there would be times that temperatures would not be conducive to short pants and Hawaiian shirts. That's the reason for the Super B which would provide the opportunity to escape to more comfortable temperatures. Or perhaps just a week in the mountains. The major concern about that imagined world was living in that small RV space for several months. Sure. I could have done it. If I had to.
The big negative to sticks and bricks would require the acquisition of a different vehicle. Shopping for vehicles is not a favorite pastime. I dread the thought of having to go through that experience.
After six months of Tucson living and more future imaginings, I've concluded that I'm not ready for sticks and bricks. Nor am I willing to live in 90 square feet for several months with a vehicle that has to be unhitched from the RV park to go exploring.
These past six months in Tucson have been great. It's been a very enjoyable stay. Lots of hiking choices -- close by or an hours drive away. Hiking with others from the RV park or hiking alone, there are options. In previous visits to Tucson, I've considered joining the Southern Arizona Hiking Club for more hiking options and hiking companions. One of these winters, I may actually join the group.
In addition to hiking, there are always places and activities to explore. Sometimes a repeat visit is required. Museums are always changing exhibits. There is also new exploring to be done. After many visits to Tucson in the past twelve years, I have never been to the Kitt Peak Observatory.
Big city shopping abounds. Food shopping includes Trader Joes, Costco and grass fed beef at the farmer's markets. Couple of Starbucks are a short drive away. Several thrift stores to check for Hawaiian shirts. What more could I want. Actually, I don't need another Hawaiian shirt. But I have to check for an unusual shirt. Might provide an opportunity to replace a less favored shirt of the 30 day rotation.
The RV park is comfortable with lots of social activities. Could also use the park diverse facilities to work at a hobby. The pool and hot tub are there for relaxing after hiking. Or just relaxing from my very taxing life style. As more people leave the park and head to their homes in the north, the park is becoming very quiet. The pool is vacant most times.
For me, RV living in an RV park resort is preferable to sticks and bricks where I have to share walls with my neighbors. In any living situation I can be a hermit or be alone. If I want to see my neighbors, there are many options for social interaction. It is a choice. And as a single guy, I make all the decisions.
The conclusion of the recent imagining is that the next phase in my life is to become a "dual citizen" -- six to eight months in Tucson and Arizona. The rest of the year would be in Colorado or traveling/exploring on the way to or from Arizona.
The positive is that Wandrin Wagon continues to be my home. No dollars for a different vehicle need be spent to pursue that imagined phase.
Stay tuned. When I arrive in Colorado in May, there may be a new imagined plan. :-)) Perhaps there is another option to the imagined wandering snowbird.
Previous posts about this indecision of what to do with the next phase of living:
Sunday, April 28, 2013
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The four corner states have everything you need...except an ocean. You can get that in one days drive from Tucson. I think we will end up doing something similar, Colorado to Utah to Arizona and back...with a bolt up the west coast every few years to Canada.
ReplyDeleteI like it! Just tweak the dream...no sense in reinventing the "wheel."
Box Canyon Mark
Hi Lloyd, it was interesting reading your views on the next stage if your life. Glad to hear you will be spending more time in Tucson, we will get to see you at least once a year when we come to the gem show.
ReplyDeletewe are now in Yap after spending several days in Hawaii, Guam, and Palau. At one AM we leave either for Chuuk or Pohnpei. Not sure which, yet. I have done 2 dives in Palau and 2 here in Yap. The water yesterday was 87F and we saw giant Manta rays.
Life is good and we are not yet planning for the next phase.
Stay well. Mike
Hi Lloyd, it was interesting reading your views on the next stage if your life. Glad to hear you will be spending more time in Tucson, we will get to see you at least once a year when we come to the gem show.
ReplyDeletewe are now in Yap after spending several days in Hawaii, Guam, and Palau. At one AM we leave either for Chuuk or Pohnpei. Not sure which, yet. I have done 2 dives in Palau and 2 here in Yap. The water yesterday was 87F and we saw giant Manta rays.
Life is good and we are not yet planning for the next phase.
Stay well. Mike
At this point, I've settled on Arizona (Quartzsite) to California (Imperial Dam to Hot Springs to San Diego to visit kids), then back to Hot Springs for the colder months. Then on to New Mexico to visit their state parks during the warmer weather, moving north as the temps rise. No RV parks, but the NM Annual Pass and the LTVA for AZ/CA dry camping. I haven't yet thought about settling anywhere, but I'm just ending my second year full-timing, so it's still all pretty new to me. I like to read about people's plans - it all goes into my "maybe future" file. :)
ReplyDeleteYour plan sounds good.