Weekly Update (-) 34

I created the last two weekly updates by putting together a video update first (which have been too long!) and then just tagging it in a blog post (which didn’t provide very much information). I’m trying something different this week by writing the blog first and then creating a video which corresponds to that. Here are some things that we’ve accomplished this week toward our goal of full-time RV living. We:

Confirmed and paid for an RV rental for June. We’re planning to rent a Thor A.C.E 30.1 (32 foot) motorhome from LazyDays RV to drive up to Rocky Mountain National park for 4 days. This will give us a chance to try out a Class A motorhome. Even though this one is a little shorter than what we’re looking at (we’re focusing in the 34 to 36 foot range), it’ll give us a feel for driving and living in one similar. Some of the questions we’re seeking to learn from this trip is
- How is it to drive a gas-powered Class A up mountain roads?
- How quickly will we go through water, battery and propane supplies?
- How is our comfort, temperature-wise?
- How loud and annoying is the generator?
- How will this be as a full-time living situation, rather than just feeling like we’re “camping” all the time?
- How is the noise driving this machine with respect to video and audio recording?
- What will it be like to mix travel with continuing to work on Watchmaker’s Pulse projects?
- Can we stand being “off-grid” for 4 days, not to mention 4 years (not that we’ve committed to any specific time-span?
Recently paid for the rest of our upcoming cruise/land adventure in Alaska in September. This was postponed from a year ago and was originally intended (and still is) in celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary. It’ll be our 31st (and a half) anniversary now, but also a great way to experiment with Watchmaker’s Pulse travel-log ideas. We’ll be traveling with Darlene’s sister (Patty), and brother-in-law (Gary).
Gave our first round of donations to a donation center.
Arranged for disposal of a piano.
Finished removing the first layer of tile in a bathroom (in preparation for a remodel of it). There’s still another layer to go. We also finished removing the old drywall and shower pan from the shower.
Purchased a dashcam and tested it in the accompanying update video. I bought this one based on the review done by Tom Morton, of Mortons on the Move, on the Road Gear Reviews YouTube channel.
Scanned several books to keep electronically in order to donate the physical copies. Most of our library is already in Kindle format, but there are some “keeper” items, including pictures, cards, documents, etc. that I’m scanning so we can retain digital copies.
Darlene and I are working on trying to get healthier, in anticipation of our upcoming lifestyle change. This week we launched new weight loss goals, I had a physical exam, and we’re both trying to take walks more frequently.
Heard the term “digital nomad” for the first time this week while listening to a Keep Your Daydream podcast. That’s an interesting concept to explore in conjunction with this upcoming life change. According to Investopedia.com, digital nomads “are people who are location independent and use technology to perform their job. Digital nomads work remotely (telecommute), which is now economically possible due to cheap internet access, smartphones and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) to keep in contact with clients and employers. Digital nomads are usually young people [OK… so I don’t exactly fit this characteristic] and can be found working in most industries in the knowledge economy: marketing, design, IT, writing, media, tutoring and consulting, among others. They may either be remote employees or knowledge process outsourcing employees.” I’m going to have to think a bit more about adopting this “digital nomad” terminology.