I know I missed posting yesterday. There was too much work to do, unloading the RV and cleaning everything top to bottom. By the time we sat down, the draw of my martini was much stronger than the desire to write. I suppose the best way to start is with the biggest development.
After a lot of discussion and soul searching, we have decided it is time to close the chapter on Livvy. There wasn’t one big thing that happened that brought us to this decision, no particular headache or frustration was the cause. We have simply done the travel we really wanted to by RV and it is a natural point, for us, to move forward.
Which made yesterday even more exhausting. We always unpack and clean after a trip, but this time there were added chores. There had always been certain items we do not unpack, leaving them in the RV for the next trip. Now that all had to come out. And we did an extra-deep cleaning inside knowing it will be our last.
We never realized just how MUCH stuff stayed in there every time! We carried a full set of tools for repairs on the fly. Our coffee pot and grinder never left Livvy. Dishes, utensils, dishware, and cups always stayed. So did the induction cooktop and our fan (airflow in an RV kind of sucks). Pillows and bedsheets were washed after a trip but went right back on. Now that all had to come in the house.
I had removed two of the three TVs, which had to be reinstalled, including removing the drop table I had built where the outdoor TV went. Karen removed all of the additional insulation she had meticulously installed in the drawer and cabinet backs, fearing people might think it was covering up a potential issue. And we had to cover every nook and cranny to ensure our personal items were out.
Not being ones to sit around after we make a decision, we have already been in contact with several RV dealers. We have no desire to list Livvy on our own and deal with potential buyers. We are hopeful one of the dealers will want the unit for their inventory.
I can say with perfect confidence that we have no second thoughts about this decision. It is what’s right for us. We have seen some truly unbelievable sights, not all of which were at the National Parks. There is something wonderful about driving, getting a real view of this magnificent country. It’s an experience we don’t get while flying. There is a beauty to the open road stretched out in the distance, calling us forward. We are both SO glad we did this how we wanted, when we wanted, and on our own terms.
We have zero regrets.
And now is where I need to give a special, heart-felt thank you to Karen. When we first met, I told her I wanted to someday get in an RV and see the country. She told me in no uncertain terms that was not going to happen with her. LOL! We split everything, from driving to set up to tear down. I could never, ever have lived the road life without her. And I would never want to without being beside her along the way.
And so this chapter closes, but another opens. Of course we’re going to travel! But we are both excited to spend more time in our home that we love. We will spend more time with mom in Pittsburgh because we have been away too much from her. My daughter is now in D.C. for her doctorate work so I am sure we’ll be spending time there. Plus my son is now full time, post-resident status right here in Cleveland so we want to enjoy time with him. But most of all, we are going to take it a bit easier for a while, spending less time on the road we’ve enjoyed.
We haven’t quite decided what will happen with this blog. There will certainly not be daily posts. But our Livin’ Part of Life continues, so my guess is you’ll be getting emails from time to time letting you know what we’re up to. Thank you for sticking by us over the last year and a half. Bill and Sarah – we owe you thanks for suggesting we keep this running commentary. It will be fun to go back and relive our travels.
Good night for now.
PS – if you’re interested, here’s some facts about our travels:
Total miles driven: 34,330
Total diesel used: 2,728 gallons
Overall gas mileage: 12.58 mpg
National Parks visited: 36
Days spent in Livvy: ~220
Campgrounds: ~100
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