As a few of you know, we gave up the easy 55+ community life and bought a fixer-upper on five acres of land in southern Arizona. All excitement and trepidation aside, there was one thing we hadn’t considered (enough). The turn into the narrow driveway from a narrow, primitive road with our 40-foot RV. Yes, the road is ‘primitive’.
Here, I was concerned about the width of the cattle gate, when I should have been concerned about the narrow, rocky, steep entrance!
As I surveyed the RV easily bumping over the cattle gate and sliding handily past the barbed wire fence, I was totally unprepared for the sight that awaited me upon opening the RV door.
Inside the RV
My driver husband was more subdued than normal, and I soon learned why. As he had half climbed the landscaped rock hill to make the too-tight turn, every single cabinet had opened up and dumped most of the contents on the floor.
That included the once securely held narrow sliding can and bottle cabinet. Oh, and the refrigerator, too. Once pristine bottles of salad dressing splatted their contents not just on the kitchen floor, but managed to ooze their way into the bathroom, too.
Cans rolled, milk spilled, dish drawers opened, and cups (plastic, thank goodness) decorated the RV as far up as the driver’s seat. Even the metal refrigerator bars didn’t contain the bottles of water.
As I closely examined the damage, I noticed our shiny porcelain tile seemed a bit shinier. Olive oil will do that. I leapt over the spill and proceeded to the back. Every hanger was off the closet rod despite being secured with a bungee cord. Pocket doors sagged, and dresser drawers hung open.
In polite terms, it was a royal mess.
Over the week, we hauled rocks, dug out the hill, and cut back oleanders. Alas, although the way out did leave the cabinets closed, it did not alter the rear dually tires dropping three feet off the remaining rocks. Once we opened the RV door to assess the damage, the steps came out and wouldn’t go back until we dug them out. Next step: Rent a Kubota and really dig the hill out!
Oh, well. RVing is an adventure, right? At least the sunsets and sunrises are amazing. The mountain view from the RV isn’t too shabby, either.
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• Fix one thing and another breaks. Our RV feels like it is falling apart!
RVT1231
What a beautiful view! By the way, we have the same Phaeton floorplan that you have.
That view is amazing. Keep focusing on that and all the manual labor you do to make the road better for your RV will be worth it.
Beautiful area, needs a road grader and a few loads of gravel.
My sympathies.
It will be interesting to see how long you last being away from the 55 up community.
EVERYONE I know that has made that change to a home in a neighborhood or boonies says within 1-3 years it was the BIGGEST MISTAKE they ever made!
The loss of community, the social interaction, the fun, the activities and amount of maintenance a stand alone property requires made them ALL realize the BIG MISTAKE they made in moving.
Just like your realization NOW that a Hotel is cheaper and easier than a RV and campground.
Ask yourself how many of these decisions you have made are more age related than lifestyle related or vice versa?
Your one year update on these moves will be interesting!
We certainly will see in a year! At least location, location, location means we won’t lose money! We have joked that at least we can move back to the retirement village. There are always lots of places available- kinda happens in a retirement community…
Nanci: I can’t believe you wouldn’t have driven this (road ?) in a car, jeep or 4-wheeler before that large motorhome! I can’t even imagine the mess you so aptly described! How are you ever going to get the MH out of there? Good luck with your new life venture and the fun which lies ahead. Thanks for the update!
I would have thought that the “dip-in-the-parking-lot” incident a while back would have provided a lesson as to just how finicky the big, low riding class A’s can be about just what they are driven on.
We’ve had two 40 footers and a 43 foot. One cannot be careful enough in where you take these rigs. Even dips between streets and fuel station entrances, large overly high speed bumps in some campgrounds, etc. must be negotiated with caution.
Yes- we had driven the road up multiple times along with the construction trucks and trailers coming in to do work- just not with the RV. Won’t make that mistake again!
You might be better off paying a bulldozer operator to grade and make the road wider. Sometimes hiring an expert is best and quicker. You’ll enjoy the peace and quiet between rv trips.
Nanci, no matter what others say, just keep living the adventure. Rocks on the road, rocks in your head, rocks in your socks, rocks in your bed, no matter what others have said; just keep on rockin’ along.
That’s great, Kelly! Did you make that up? I love it! 🤗 –Diane
Now where in the world would I go to plagiarize THAT? (Well, maybe I heard Mom say “rocks in your head” a couple of times. lol)
I figured you made it up, since you’re very witty and creative like that. I wish my brain worked as well as yours does, Kelly!🤔 Have a good night.🤗 –Diane
Many mull as to what is under my skull, but most dread to see what is in my head. Diane, of what you wish for, be wary, it very well could be scary.
(Sorry for the late reply. Just got back from my walk at the track.) I think I’m gonna start calling you Edgar, as in Poe. You should write a book, Kelly. You certainly have the imagination and capability to do it. (I want a signed copy when you get it published.) Take care.🤗 –Diane
Just call me Poe Kelly. Good night – signing off.
Love it! Thanks