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I’m so glad you found me! I would love to see you again! Please DM me on insta when you get to the park! ❤

I have a Thousand Trails membership that allows me to stay for up to 3 weeks at a time and includes electricity and water. You can learn more about it here. makingmyownlane.com/blogsolofemalervliving/how-does-thousand-trails-really-work If I do a seasonal or annual, I would have to pay electricity. Hope this helps you save money, too!

Who knew pillows could be so useful? And yes, you need to get back down to Florida! I miss you guys. I keep checking my security cameras for a family dancing around my RV 😂

You're welcome. It's amazing how your spending can change when you change your perspective.

Thank you for letting me know it helps. I've even learned to back my tow dolly into a site without having to disconnect it, once I get the Jeep off. Just take it slow and keep on practicing. I hope you enjoy your extended camping trip. It also helps to have friends around for support and companionship ♥️.

Oh, thank you!

@@makingmyownlane ❤️

Thanks! There is a learning curve, but it is such an amazing lifestyle, isn't it? It did warm up a little this week, but I am ready for some real Florida weather!

Happy to help 😂. I love my Class C and keeping it simple. Quitting my job and selling my house made it all possible. I made the jump and haven't looked back. BUT put some $ from the sale of your house in a separate account for future housing, if you can. I don't know what that looks like for me yet. It may be 2 RVs in different parts of the country!

That would have been the best job! All the park rangers I have met are so knowledgeable and friendly. I had lunch with one in Voyageur's National Park. And the archeology is so cool. It's hard to believe the shark fossils found there, but it's real. Such a special place and feeling. I hope to get back there to spend more time in the caves some day.

Thanks! Michigan was so beautiful last summer. I'd love to visit in the winter, but you're right, it's too cold. If it makes you feel better, it's cold and snowy here in Florida, too! I think the caves at Mammoth are about 55 degrees inside all year long!

@@makingmyownlane Just re-read my post, typos e everywhere. Not sure if it's all me, or predictive text. My wife says it's me, and quit making excuses. Thanks for subscribing. S&C

I really enjoyed the peacefulness of the caves and the park. Hopefully I will get to see more Northern Lights in 2025.

Thank you! Yes, I was so over living through hurricane season, but it means I have to stay out of Florida until at least November or take the chance of having to battle traffic and leave again. Good luck with your house sale. To me, it feels so freeing not to have the burden of all the stuff I had, that I carried with from place to place, and regularly added to. 🤣 Make your money from the high-stress job, take the money from the sale of your house and stash it away, and enjoy your youth for a while on the road!

Do you own an RV already, or are you starting out fresh? I'm not sure I ever want the responsibility of owning a sticks and bricks house again, especially having to do it all on my own. With the rising insurance costs, taxes and assessments. But you never know.

@makingmyownlane no ill have to buy one. I think I'll rent one first. See how that goes.

@@anniesshenanigans3815 That's a great idea. You can try a few different types and sizes of RVs and see what you prefer.

Thank you! That's exactly why I made this video. I used to Uber back to the old campground to get my car. 😂 But now I find I prefer to drive the RV with the tow vehicle behind it. You will love the freedom having a toad vehicle gives you.

@@makingmyownlane Yes, it's pretty clear that I'll have to get a toad. I've been so limited in things I can do without one. I admire your determination! Also, I wanted to mention that your video is the first I've seen that shows how to get the vehicle off of the dolly. They all show how to load the vehicle onto the dolly, but not how to get if off. There are some tricks to it that I would not have been aware of, so thanks again!

@@melaniedeare5427 yes! No one really explained these things to me, either. I just allowed myself time and grace. The more you do it, the more comfortable it becomes. I did make a video about getting the Jeep ON the tow dolly, too! And why I chose a tow dolly over a flat tow.

@@makingmyownlane I'll check those out too. Thanks!

I ended up by the Adventure Membership because of the longer booking windows, access to Encore parks, and being able to move from park to park. Being full time, I feel like I've already recouped my money, but I wish I could have gotten 2007 prices 🤣. I think TT works well, if you book campgrounds as soon as you are able to within your package. You must be excited about going full time!

I did think about keeping both, or renting my house out. But I was tired of the house was too big for just me. Maybe someday I'll do the house thing again. I'm always looking for my next place to put down roots, but for now I am just enjoying the journey and this lifestyle. Where is your favorite place that you have gone with your campervan?

@@makingmyownlane North Shore on Lake Superior and Custer State Park in South Dakota. Hopefully we'll get out to the west coast following the Lewis and Clark trail this year. We like to hike and ride our tandem bike. Take Care!

@ Custer is on my must-do list for 2025! I'll look for you on your tandem bike.

@@makingmyownlane my wife and I love doing the Harney/Black Elk Peak hike. You start at Sylvan Lake. It's about a 4 hour hike. Have fun.

@@notanomad9320 thanks for the tip. I’ve added it to my list!

Wow, those are some incredible prices! It's amazing how affordable living can be in certain places. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Thank you! It would have saved me hundreds of dollars if I knew that in advance! It's so hard to figure out how much a completely different lifestyle is going to cost, but this spreadsheet really helped me a lot to have some idea of what to expect each year. And you know those repairs can add up quickly!

I started planning out my trip today, and I am getting so excited! Sunsets, history and food. What was your favorite place to visit?

@@makingmyownlane It is difficult to pin down just one place, there have been several that have been special each in their own way, however they all had great energy and amazing geological aspects and the all to famous “southwest colours” were abound. Being able to reconnect with Mother Nature has been an incredible adventure in itself!

@ Yes! Reconnecting with nature energizes me. Especially the rock formations.

That's what I did, too! Great idea! I hope you'll let me know how it goes. Do you already own an RV or will you try renting first?

@@makingmyownlane I already have a Tab 400 teardrop camper. I’d like to maybe get a class C at some point.

Teardrops are great for being able to go anywhere! I saw a lot of them on the road in Wisconsin and Michigan. I used to have a pop up when my kids were little. A 27-foot Class C isn't too difficult to handle, but I sometimes wish I had the room of a larger Class A.

I get it! It can be hard to put yourself out there. That's why I love this RV community so much. So many people are welcoming, friendly, and non-judgemental, whether you're a full-timer or a some-timer.

Yeah! Thank you. I share a lot about my story and how and why I started. I never thought I would be doing this, and here I am! Please let me know if you have any questions I can help with.

You are so welcome! I love sharing all the things that help me make the transition into RV Life. Still learning 🙃

Thanks and welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the sub!

I'm so sorry for your loss. I set out solo because I am on my own, too. And I was tired of waiting. My RV is the size of one of the larger rental trucks, and a lot quieter! I had to drive them when my daughters brought all their stuff to college. And I love having a real kitchen, bathroom, shower, and bedroom. You can always try to rent one from Cruise America to see how you like it before you make a bigger commitment. I hope you are able to find peace and happiness.

@@TrekkingwithDebandMike me, too! There are so many places I still want to go, and the RV community is soo friendly and supportive.

@makingmyownlane 10 years on the road and not ready to go back.

I agree. Knowing how much this RV life can cost and how you plan on paying for it is SO important. Thank you for bringing that up! That's why next week I'm going to share my budget/spending habits for the past 2 years. Having the money to do the things you want, go where you want, and see what you want without going into debt makes this life so much more enjoyable. I love that working and making money while on the road is much easier now than it was even 10 years ago!

I'm glad you found the questions helpful! It's always good to consider all aspects before making the leap into full-time RV living. Please let me know if you can think of any other questions!

Thanks, Lisa! I don’t think I would qualify as a glamper, but I really do like to be very comfortable!

Thanks, Lisa! I’m so excited for my trip out west. Lots of learning and planning, and fun 😊

It’s not easy! I see empty and it’s more like fill ‘er up! 😂

@ I am the same way!!!! 🤣

There are sooo many groups! I had no idea how big or supportive the RV community is! Something for everyone. I haven't done the planned meetups yet because my life tends to change quickly and I go where I'm needed. I'm really glad it's Florida right now ☀️

I hope so! Now that you RV is packed and ready to go again! It's just a quick left turn and you'll be here!

Yes, I thought the same thing; however, a Jeep Renegade can only be towed on a tow dolly 😟. Even if it's a manual, like mine. A tow dolly is a LOT less expensive that a flat tow set up, and I can move it to another RV for no additional cost if I ever choose to get a new rig. My RV is 26.5 feet long. About 41 feet with the tow dolly and the Jeep attached.

I didn't tow for my first year on the road, and I fought it for a long time. BUT, having a toad (towed vehicle) was life-changing, in a good way. Also, my Jeep gets 26 mpg instead of 9, like my RV. Another benefit of using a tow dolly instead of flat towing (if that were even an option for me), is that my Jeep doesn't rack up travel miles while I'm towing it. I got a tow dolly with hydraulic brakes, to help save on the RV brakewear. It makes a big difference.

I think there was a storage compartment under the dinette that was accessible from the outside. It was sealed off by the last owner, and now it is covered up with the credenza that I replaced the dinette with. I have so much more easily accessible storage space, and I don't have to climb on the dinette seat to reach the upper cabinets. I'm sure yet get that 🤣. I'll be putting up a video later today about making your RV work for you! Don't be afraid to make the changes you want. Hopefully I will see you on the road next year!

It runs on a 15 amp fuse. I don't know if it's hard wired or it plugs in somewhere, but if I ever replace it, I would like it to be a plug I can reach, if possible. Because it's just a 15 amp fuse, it doesn't use a lot of power and I can run it even when I'm only on solar power!

I'm trying to do things myself where I can. Changing these 2 tires on my own saved me $100! Thanks for the love ♥️

It really scared me when I realized it, too. Another "angel" moment that the pump said pay inside. Lesson learned. I thought green diesel pumps where universal, but it depends on the gas station, I guess! 😵

I actually like moving every 2 to 3 weeks right now. It's always fun to see who you already know in the park and meet new friends, too! Maybe you all will come out west next year, too! Book it!

Thanks for watching! I hope this will help you if you're planning a big trip!

I did. Traveled fast and hard. Next year I think I'm going to stay in one place longer and do more day trips!