dirtyboots

Wickenburg is my destination for winter, then thought April might still be cool enough to visit the Tucson area....will totally depend on what shows up on the weather. Thanks for the suggestions - I'll try all of them!

Today (or tomorrow) is my 2 year anniversary into full timing! Whew - it's been a lot of travel, a lot of new friends, a few mistakes (!) and a really interesting time. Sitting out some wind in Nevada, then will resume my trek to Arizona for the winter. Already started a rough draft of my travels for next spring/summer/fall - not as many miles and will try to do longer stays as I go. BUT, got the trips done that I'd been thinking about for years. My brother and I visited northern Alberta - a trip we'd been talking about since 1980! Back then I had NO idea I'd ever travel by RV, let alone live in one - but here I am. Hope everyone has had a great 2018 and is looking forward, as I am, to next year. Places on my list are the Pima Air Museum and the Very Large Array, plus hope to spend a month or two in northern AZ. Enjoy your travels and keep us posted.

Just got back to the USofA on Thursday from a month long trip to Northern Alberta and BC. Whew! Traced my roots in Athabasca, Alberta, met some 4th cousins I didn't know existed, saw beautiful country, went places I'd only read about and had a great time. Ready to sit for a while and regroup! Hope everyone is having a good summer of travels. Let us know where you are.

I exchanged emails with Terri yesterday as she is sending a couple pieces of mail that have been sitting in SD while I was gone for a month. She's trying. No need to growl and spit - as Dutch mentioned, it won't change anything.

Interesting that different people have received different emails (at different times) and some have not received anything. Hadn't even thought about the new Medicare cards - another thing to add insult to injury. Most of what I do is on-line any more and it seems there is a path for the rest...just a pita to have to deal with it. My new address is created with Americas Mailbox. They now have a notice on the front page of their website but they were getting refugees as of last Thursday (?) when I started filling out the forms. Hope things work out for everyone.

I've been able to put together a new account with AmericasMailbox in Box Elder (Rapid City). The phone has been answered, although the recording says 'the next available, blah, blah' then tells you what # in the que for waiting. I've been 3,2 or 1 and got to talk with someone within 2-3 minutes. They are also getting many refugees from MyDakotaAddress. One email I got yesterday was sent after 6pm, so seems they are trying. My issue is that I've been in Canada away from reliable wifi for the month of July - SO GLAD Dutch started this ball rolling with his initial post. I have nothing of do or die importance to get forwarded, but there are 3-4 pieces of mail waiting for me in Madison to give them an address . I'll get my new address this afternoon, but getting the mail forwarded is now looking to be a moot point. I feel for those who have checks, medications, vehicle registrations that are pending.....hang in there! My best to everyone dealing with this and glad to have this forum to get info/experiences from. Thanks docj for the info on changing addresses, etc. Ain't RVing fun?!!

E-mail just received from Terri Lund at MyDakotaAddress - Terri Lund 7:06 PM (6 minutes ago) to info I regret to inform you that we are closed for business as of July 31st. Thank you for your business and friendship. I cannot express how saddened I am to give you this information. Unfortunately, any mail that arrives for this address will be returned to sender as of July 25th. Please let me know your current address so we can get your mail sent to you now. After talking with most of the mail forwarding companies in South Dakota, I would strongly recommend that you use DakotaPost in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to help you with your mail forwarding needs. They seem to be the most like us. They have a very caring staff that will provide you the best in customer service. They will be happy to take care of your mail forwarding and continued South Dakota residency needs. I have negotiated with DakotaPost to waive their sign up fee for my clients and to match my price on the GOLD plan with their Virtual Mail Box Service. By the way, their Virtual Mail Box Service is regarded as one of the best in the industry and the first of its kind in providing digital mail to its clients. DakotaPost will also provide attractive pricing on all its other mail forwarding packages. To ensure folks get this handled in a timely manner DakotaPost will open this Saturday July 28th from 10:00 AM CST – 2:00 PM CST to help you get signed up and answer any questions you might have. You can also sign up online at dakotapost.net by clicking on Travel Solutions – Mail Forwarding - Start The Process Online Now. Their normal business hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST. Do not hesitate to call and DakotaPost will help you out with your needs. Call 1-800-477-2664. About DakotaPost They have been in the mail forwarding industry since 1989. They are a full service company that does vehicle registrations, registered agent services and we offer other solutions to the challenges full Time travelers face. DakotaPost is in a large 8000 sq. ft. facility perfectly located in Sioux Falls SD with a team of 15 caring employees waiting to serve you. https://dakotapost.net/ Phone: 800.477.2664 Dakota Post 3916 N. Potsdam Ave Sioux Falls, SD 57104 I am truly sorry for all the inconvenience this will cause you. Best Regards, My Dakota Address 110 E Center St Madison, SD 57042 605-427-5863

Well, we do what we've got to do....and choose another service for whatever reason we personally have. I feel fairly fortunate that we found out a few days in advance so we can start the process. Could have been worse.

Thank you Dutch, so much for bringing this to our attention. I've been away from the online world while in Canada and just pulled into an RV park with good wifi and was catching up on email and websites. I won't be back in the states until after the 31st but should be able to get things done tomorrow on-line and or phone if necessary. Very glad to have heard about this now and not after I got back. Thanks again.

My, how time flies by when you're having fun!! Good job. I'll celebrate 2 years on Oct. 6th...or was it the 7th...I sure don't remember

One trailer that I looked at and really liked...till I found out it only had 4k axles. Then when I kept looking and found the Work and Play, it was, in my opinion, more sturdy. I like being comfortable, but I'm not into all the bells and whistles. The toy haulers are made stronger because of the weight of the 'toys' they usually carry, so their appliances & furnishings are not as frilly (?). I have a small slide and will be taking the folding couch out and replacing it with something else (chair?) after my summer travels. BTW - taking the advise I'd read on this forum, I did consider the 'used' route for a small amount of time. Toy haulers by nature are used and abused and I wasn't comfortable becoming the owner of a trailer that had screw holes in the walls where cabinets/tools used to be. I decided to buy new and don't regret it even a little bit. On the other side of that, I know folks who bought a used motorhome that was rarely used and is absolutely beautiful....but way out of my budget. Also, I didn't purchase a toy hauler with the bed that goes up to the ceiling in the garage. This trailer only had 2 sets of cabinets and 2 couches that screw into the floor. I took one out to give me more room and the other one serves as a couch/bed when a friend comes to stay. I don't need sleeping for 8 Everyone one has their needs and wants. Mine are pretty simple.

I am in my 2nd year of full timing in a bumper pull toy hauler. Several reasons for choosing what I did....I liked that it was not as tall overall and at 11'6" don't have many places to worry about. I already owned the truck, have 40 years experience pulling a bumper pull (stock, horse, pipe, etc.) so feel fairly confident on the road, liked the placement of appliances in this particular trailer compared to others I looked at, have enjoyed the higher carrying capacity - I don't own any toys and use the garage area as a living room (bookcases, computer desk, couch, cat trees (!) and the 'stuff' I'm not ready to part with). I also wanted a built in generator that comes with most toy haulers. The ramp door adds a dimension of ease to move things in and out and some day I may get a screen room for that....maybe. As Linda mentioned, I also am very glad to not have stairs as in a 5th wheel, and I about get a nose bleed when climbing into some friends motorhomes! I've spent the last 2 winters in AZ (Wickenburg) where it tends to get a little colder at night. Some folks had water freeze up issues, I did not. Of course, that could have just been the location of my space within the park. I've been happy with my trailer, took it back to the dealer in Montana last summer to have a couple small issues taken care of and also added vent covers, plus had them check other systems. They only had it over night because of a part so didn't have the nightmare I've read of people being without their trailer for weeks or months. The couple times I did have a Mobile RV repair come to visit they mentioned how stout my trailer is built. That's a FWIW statement, but they seemed nice Pilot error has cause a couple problems, but the trailer has performed as it should. I spent a few years looking, going to RV lots, snooping in several each time. It was easy to cull the ones I didn't like for one reason or another. Some I could just look in and not like them! It's such a personal decision. You'll always end up reading a post or two that says NEVER will I ever buy this that or the other thing. Who cares - really, we're all different. I have friends in Wickenburg who haul their horses down for the winter, then pull the horse trailer up to the RV spots and live in it for 6 months - and believe me, this is not a fancy trailer. Best of luck finding the perfect one for you!

Looks like you folks are having way too much fun! I'm hanging around Eastern Washington until middle of June, then starting the trek to Northern Alberta. Safe travels to everyone.

Good to hear what you folks are up to! Since April 1st I've been fighting wind/storms up thru AZ and NV. Hopefully a break will show itself the first of this week and will be able to get across the mountains in sunshine! Planning a meet with my brother in Sonoma County, CA for a week to revisit our old haunts of childhood (1950's/60's). July will take me to Northern Alberta for a week or two - after that, zero for sure plans....lots of maybe's. Safe travels to all.

Hello out there - anybody around? Been 2 months since the last post so thought I'd bump this up and see what you are all up to. I've been in AZ since Nov. 1 and will leave April 1 (no foolin') Very pleasant winter, now looking forward to hitting the road north back into the green of the Pacific Northwest via Nevada and Northern California. Hope everyone is safe and happy.

WOW - talk about a full year! Glad you are on the mend - enjoy your cruise. Aren't balloon rides fun?!!

Let's see if I can manage - here in Wickenburg, AZ it was 70-72 today, will drop down into the 50's tonight. We did have some cooler nights for a while, but it's been pleasant lately. Tomorrow is bringing us a t-storm with winds, then after a couple days back to the low 70's. Tough job, but someone has to do it! Hope everyone is fairing well, enjoying where ever you are and making plans for 2018 travels.

Welcome Retired fire - you certainly have been on the move and seen a lot since going full time. What part of South Dakota did you stop in for the DL. Rav was on the east side - I was on the west side of the state at almost the same time. Glad you are enjoying Mesa. I've heard wonderful things about Cascade, Idaho! Not been to that part of the state but have enjoyed the very Northern Panhandle and some of 84 across the southern portion. Safe travels and keep in touch.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgiving Day. Warm here in Wickenburg and the park hosts a dinner out on the lawn....poor me! Another chance to sit around and yak with a bunch of fun people! I'll try not to take any of the 'Bad Idea' roads when I start moving again next Spring! A nice person I met last year has been schooling me in the fine art of boondocking so I'll be able to spend time in more remote places AND be prepared if anything should go wrong, go wrong, go wrong... It's winter (almost)....where are you?

Welcome Timothy - this isn't the most active graduation year, but we do have something so say on occasion. Your volunteer job at the Lighthouse sounds like a grand time. As you head to Florida, I'm just a couple days away from Wickenburg, AZ. Looking forward to seeing folks I met last year and taking a break from the road. Chime in anytime, glad to have you aboard.

Hey Linda - I've been on the road for one year now, but never was able to travel with any of my horses. Too many years and too much of life got in the way. My old cat died earlier this year, so I'm really solo now! Staying in Wickenburg rekindles memories and we all like to swap stories Thanks for the note.

Spending a week in Pahrump at the Escapees Pair A Dice park. Used to go to Scottsdale in Feb. for the horse show....back when you could drive down Bell Road thru fields and a few horse ranches. My how things have changed. Wickenburg has changed too, but they've done a pretty good job of retaining the old town flavor and I spend the winter with a bunch of ranch/horse/mule people who talk my language. Fun place. Enjoy your winter!

We might have been neighbors! I was at North Ranch the month of February but spent the rest of the time in Wickenburg. Have a friend in Apache Jct tell me it was 97 today, so glad I'm not there now.

Staying in Wickenburg for 5 (count 'em) 5 months. No snow, no plowing, no shoveling and no icy roads. Last winter I actually apologized to the folks who bought my house in NE Washington since it was such a hard winter

Hey Rav - you are being ignored on this thread I'm no where near you, but thought I'd chime in just for fun. Heading in the morning towards Reno, NV, then down to AZ for the winter. Ready for a break in the travel. Hope you are having a great time.