Are We Living' the Dream or Are We Homeless?

For many years we have chased the impossible dream of wandering aimlessly around the country in an RV, stopping here and there for as long as we want, just enjoying the beauty and the wonder of this great land. But who can afford that, right?

Dreaming to wander... This taken at Orlando Thousand Trails RV Resort.

We began living full time in an RV nine years ago and recently bought 38 feet of mobile joy in the body of a 2017 Thor Challenger thus taking care of part "the Dream." 

Volunteering at Olustee, FL in our 30 foot Hurricane.

Also, we traveled the country volunteering in the National Parks and Forests in exchange for a full hook ups pad. And there are many workamper  opportunities, as well. But neither scenario fulfills our fancy free Happy Camper hopes. 

Volunteering at Boise Creek Campground in northern California.

Let's be real, RV campgrounds and resorts are pricey and boondocking (dry camping) has lost its adventuresome appeal at our age, since I am crowding 80 and some of my parts are already done in.

With my therapist two weeks after back surgery in 2013... Yes, they were remodeling the rehab center.

One of the reasons we came off the road was to pay off some debts, and now we have more debt than we came with, so paying pad rent is out unless we land somewhere with a monthly discount... Not what we were dreaming of, actually, but not the end of the world for I did love volunteering.

I truly loved volunteering but now, I'm just not up to it.

We continued to pray for a way. Prayer works and we were convinced that something would come along... or we'd go back to volunteering.

Our faith is a big part of our lives and  we believe in the power of Prayer. This little chapel in Las Vegas is where we renewed our vows on our 30th anniversary. The picture above was taken years later.

Well, when we bought our motorhome from LaMesa RV Sales, they gave us a one year Thousand Trails campground membership. You can stay 14 days free in the area of the country you pick, then be out of their system 7 days, then 14 days in any of their parks (in your chosen area of the country) over and over all year long. A great plan, but you're still stuck paying for your 7 day stays in between your freebie 14 days.

Free is great, but do we really want to relocate every two to three weeks?

But they offer an upgrade which gives you the whole country in all their 81 resorts, 21 day stays (now 28, I think) back to back at another park. Rent free all year! 

Are we privileged resort hoppers or are we homeless? It's all in the attitude. We feel pretty privileged.

We checked it out, found there was a healthy market for used memberships (upgraded ones) which are transferable. We discovered a number of Disney drivers live in RVs and bounce from park to park in this area, living rent free with electricity and internet free as well plus great amenities and activities at each resort.

Parking, canoes, observation dock (you can see Disney's fireworks from here while seated in a porch swing) and a dog park (back in the trees to the right) add to the charm of this small lake at Orlando TT park.

We dealt with a reputable resale agent Kimberly Hoel, phone 800-272-0401. She's amazing and we saved over half and got benefits no longer available on new upgrades. We could not be happier.

Our shaded site at Orlando TT RV Resort

So, on June 1, we moved from Kissimmee South to Orlando Thousand Trails RV Resort in Clermont where we stayed 21 beautiful days in a secluded and shady spot before moving to Tropical Palms RV Resort where we will be until July 6 when we have reservations to move back to Orlando TT RV Resort again for another 21 days... 

Looking out our windshield as the park fills up for Independence Day. There is a wildlife preserve just behind us and deer wander all over here, but they'll soon hide. We chose the more remote, less developed section of the park.

Deer wander through this section of Tropical Palms Park. Ducks are seen all over, short, fat and colorful. We've also seen turtles, a harmless snake, hawks and other birds... and cats, several. Our cat is happy to come and go with the others.

After that, we are not sure. We planned to head north at the end of the month, but I have a medical procedure coming up and Richard may get a bonus at Disney if he's still there in early August. Life is good but not always predictable.

Bingo says he's not homeless. There's his pillow up near the window so he can watch the world and save us from invaders.

Our daughter, Athena. Yes, fun runs in the family.

So, are we homeless? Sort of, but in another way, we live in luxury... a beautiful home on wheels, free spirits moving from one resort to another. I feel very blessed.

A note to other free thinkers. We've met so many people who full time it in trailers, motorhomes or other mobile accommodations, some boondock it, others workamp while yet others live off of pensions of some sort. Now, we are meeting folks who live free as they work full time, or are fully retired or something in between... some home schoolers. 

Richard with his thinking cap on.

A campground membership lets us live rent free, and we found only one that actually provides FREE living including electricity and usually wifi, and that is the Thousand Trails used membership since you can save about half off a new one. We bought the membership for a one time $3350, then you pay $550 - $600 annual dues. You can get a whole raft of other campgrounds by just paying their annual dues of $199. And beyond that you can accept a free membership in RPI parks for annual dues of around $100, so you can live rent free all over the country for under a grand! But if you just want to hang in one area, you may not need the extra membership.

Iona knows how to eat dinner. Desert first.

No, I am not a sales agent, just a happy customer. If you do buy a membership from Kimberly at Campground Membership Outlet, she will ask how you learned about her. Tell her Iona Hoeppner sent you and she'll buy us dinner. I will, of course, eat dessert first, then the traditional main course, and take home left overs. This is peanut butter chocolate cake at the Prime Time 50's Cafe at Walt Disney World.

Are you ready for Independence Day? Have a safe and fun one!