New RV Motor Homeowners from California :)

paws4parker · 01-11-2012, 03:52 PM

Hello! Scott & I are new to the RV experience but are having a blast despite the several issues we've come across & difficult situations we've had

Scott has been a Music/Marching Band Teacher for 15 years here in California & since he wasn't re-hired by the last school district he'd been teaching at for the past 2 years...We decided after much thought & prayer that a "Life style change" was in order as he was now among the many unemployed in this country! He took out his Retirement early & then we started looking around at what there was & we amazed at all of the possibilities

Our ideas took us from pulling a trailer with his truck, to a C Class, to a 5th Wheel when we decided that we needed at least a 36 foot Class A Motor Home with at least 1 slide & a table with chairs rather than the dinette set in order to feel comfortable. We were just "out looking" when we came across the one we fell in love with & bought it outright for less than $27K! We bought our 2001 37' Fleet Wood Pace Arrow...with only 30,000 Original miles on it in mid November last year...having everything we wanted except the table & chairs...which can be changed later!
Then, sold mostly everything in yardsales & to friends & finally moved into our new home on December 6th...Just He & I...4 of our dogs & 6 cats ;D
I say 4 of our dogs because we left 1 with some close friends of ours because she hadn't gotten along with the other 4 at all. And then after stopping & surprising his sister with our new home she decided she wanted our big boy. It was real heartbreaking but we really had found that 4 big dogs...suddenly being in cramped quarters...don't do all that well 24/7. Ours Bigger dogs are Newfoundland/Lab & Black Mouth Cur mixes & then we have a Welsh Corgie/Chihuahua mix.
We also had dropped off our kids 2 cats back to them along the way...and then right before Christmas our oldest Siamese cat Sashi passed away at 20 years old.
So now...it's our 3 dogs & 3 cats & us...

We've gotten MORE Exercise in the past 37 days than we did in the whole 2 years we were living in our home!!!
It's great!!!
I haven't read anyone elses intro...so I'm thinking mine is possibly a wee bit long. But I'm happy I found this forum because Scott & I could always use some good ideas on how to do things better

Right now we're down in Seeley, California at Sunbeam Lake until the 28th and then we're thinking on heading out towards the Yuma, Arizona area.

Any suggestions for BIG DOG & people friendly & not too restrictive RV Parks out there...would be greatly appreciated

Looking forward to meeting others here...Peace...Karen

**RickO** · 01-11-2012, 04:02 PM

Hi Karen and welcome to the forum!

Sounds like you've got a lot of changes underway. You've come to the right place so jump in and get your feet wet.

Rick

SarahW · 01-11-2012, 04:31 PM

Howdy Karen and Scott! Welcome to the forum!

sdennislee · 01-11-2012, 05:09 PM

Hi Karen and Scott welcome to the forum.

Can't recommend any CGs.

We travel with our dogs. We use an app on the iPhone called Dog Parks while it doesn't address campgrounds it does tell us based on location all the local dog parks and dog friendly places.

smack2020 · 01-11-2012, 05:22 PM

What a great intro, god willing I will be full timing in less than 3 years.
Bakersfield ca here, maybe we will see you on the road.

Welcome to the site.

MSHappyCampers · 01-11-2012, 05:31 PM

Hi Karen & Scott! Welcome to IRV2! We're really glad you joined us! Congrats on the new MH and your new lifestyle! Hope everything goes great for you guys ( and the dogs & cats). Have fun, keep it between the ditches, and may God bless & keep you!

P.S. Don't be a stranger!