Community Forums

alaskans · 07-30-2009, 09:17 PM

My husband and I recently purchased our '07 Excel Limited 33RSO from a dealer that went out of business in Florida. Haven't seen it yet, but we are looking forward to it. We live in Alaska and are really looking forward to retiring and wintering in Florida and summering in Alaska. Hopefully we will be able to make a lot of new friends and see the country. We are longtime Alaskans, Verne 37 years, me 29 years. We love our state and enjoy sharing it with family and friends that come up here to visit us. Get in touch if you are heading our way and we will try and meet up with you.
Stephany & Verne

MonacoMama · 07-31-2009, 01:42 AM

alaskans..WELCOME to the Forums... I first saw your post in the "Off-Topic Thread" in Excel and knew I had to welcome you..but this makes it easier!

We look forward to your tales and adventures...and of course the family camaraderie that comes with owning an Excel!!

We hope you visit the forums and post often!

RV Wizard · 07-31-2009, 02:40 AM

Stephany & Verne, welcome to iRV2.com. We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. Congratulations on your new Excel! I am sure you will enjoy it as much as you will this website. Take care and keep us posted.

**Petro** · 07-31-2009, 07:16 AM

Stephany & Verne;

Welcome to iRV2; We are glad you joined us. Visiting your great state has been a goal of mine for many years. Post often and share your travel experiences with us.

Don

alaskans · 07-31-2009, 06:50 PM

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. I think that we will be making some lifelong friends out of many of you and I am looking forward to it.

I will let you know how Verne did on his halibut fishing trip when he returns tomorrow. (Sure am wanting some halibut.....it's been awhile since we had some.)

Does anyone know if they make a road atlas for RVers that lists campgrounds?

We are new to this and have been in Alaska so long that we are kind of dumb about these things. (Don't need an atlas in Alaska, we only have 4 highways.)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jim Stewart · 07-31-2009, 07:05 PM

Welcome, try this one!

http://www.woodalls.com/

We will be spending 3 months in Alaska next year, live in Melbourne Beach, Florida!

We may cross paths.

Jim

alaskans · 07-31-2009, 07:22 PM

Hey.......you will have to look us up.

Haven't ever been to Melbourne Beach (grew up in FL and moved to Alaska when I was 18...so I have a lot of exploring to do down there).

Would love to show you our state.

Thanks for the tip on the road atlas. I will look it up.

alaskans · 07-31-2009, 08:14 PM

You should definitely plan on visiting Alaska. It is a great state. It does take awhile to see. You should plan on at least a month to see everything.

It is beautiful!!!!! Everywhere you look is a postcard.

Safe travels,
Stephany

Chickadee · 08-01-2009, 06:21 AM

Stephany & Verne: A BIG...WELCOME!!!... to iRV2. Gotta tell ya that we LOVE your wonderful state of Alaska. Wife and I sold house and stuff in ol Duluth, Minnesota back in 05 and have been full timing ever since...and lovin every minute of it. We spent the summer of 07 in your wonderful state and often winter in Florida. If it wasn't for the hassels of living in the rig in cold weather, we'd likely STAY in Alaska yr. round some years.

Where in Alaska do you live? When do you pick up your rig in Florida and where ya planning on staying down there? I'm sure there are alot of folks on this forum who'd be more than glad to share info w. you re: where to settle in Florida for the winter months.

Re: your question about an atlas that shows campgrounds, while I think there are some that do so, a more comprehensive resource would be a Woodalls and/or Trailer Life camp ground directory. Many if not most RV'rs carry both. As you're heading down the road during a days travel, and ya kinda figure out where you'll likely be that evening, ya can check these directories for cities and areas you'll be at by evening, check details about various listed campgrounds, call em ahead of time, tell em you'll be in around about some time, and have your spot waiting. Some folks get permission from managers at truck stops, or places like Walmart to simply park overnight, some look strictly for Natl. or State Park spots, some try to "boondock" here and there, but whatever, you'll get used to it all once ya hit the road back to Alaska from Florida. OH...and ya also can get ALOT of camping suggestions right here on iRV2.....just ask!!

Hope to meet ya sometime down the road, and, again, WELCOME.

Steve & Lynette

alaskans · 08-01-2009, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickadee

Stephany & Verne: A BIG...WELCOME!!!... to iRV2. Gotta tell ya that we LOVE your wonderful state of Alaska. Wife and I sold house and stuff in ol Duluth, Minnesota back in 05 and have been full timing ever since...and lovin every minute of it. We spent the summer of 07 in your wonderful state and often winter in Florida. If it wasn't for the hassels of living in the rig in cold weather, we'd likely STAY in Alaska yr. round some years.

Where in Alaska do you live? When do you pick up your rig in Florida and where ya planning on staying down there? I'm sure there are alot of folks on this forum who'd be more than glad to share info w. you re: where to settle in Florida for the winter months.

Re: your question about an atlas that shows campgrounds, while I think there are some that do so, a more comprehensive resource would be a Woodalls and/or Trailer Life camp ground directory. Many if not most RV'rs carry both. As you're heading down the road during a days travel, and ya kinda figure out where you'll likely be that evening, ya can check these directories for cities and areas you'll be at by evening, check details about various listed campgrounds, call em ahead of time, tell em you'll be in around about some time, and have your spot waiting. Some folks get permission from managers at truck stops, or places like Walmart to simply park overnight, some look strictly for Natl. or State Park spots, some try to "boondock" here and there, but whatever, you'll get used to it all once ya hit the road back to Alaska from Florida. OH...and ya also can get ALOT of camping suggestions right here on iRV2.....just ask!!

Hope to meet ya sometime down the road, and, again, WELCOME.

Steve & Lynette

Hi,

Glad to hear from you. Thanks for the advice.

We live in Wasilla, Alaska and own a house in Wewahitchka, Florida, near Panama City (We bought my Mom's house when my stepdad died) it sits on 2 acres on the Dead Lakes.

We can retire as soon as we sell the Alaska house so we just need to get busy painting and fixing the little things that get ignored.

I have a feeling that for the first couple years we will boondock quite a bit. We are used to having our own space and lots of elbow room. Course, maybe we will enjoy campground life. Who knows?

Anyway, we want to explore Florida and visit some state parks and some friends.

Keep in touch and let us know where you are. Maybe we can catch up with each other.

Stephany