The last few weeks have been very busy and a lot has been accomplished. We bought a truck and completed the purchase of the RV. We got insurance for both. We sent off a check to pay for our summer campsite in NH. I finished the planning for the trip west. New carpets in two bedrooms and the enclosed porch. I even finished (finally) the painting of the old office and turned it into our new master bedroom.
Now it feels like there isn’t much to do. That is a mirage, of course. I am still WAY behind on the renovation tasks needed to get the house ready for rental (renovation of the old master bedroom is next). And though we have had a couple of nibbles on our Craigslist ad, no one has yet been serious enough to come see the place. We have time – we really would prefer to lease it starting in September, though August would work – but I will feel a lot better when we get someone to sign a lease. Not finding suitable tenants is really the only true obstacle to retiring at the end of August and hitting the road in September.
Speaking of hitting the road, I am enjoying my new status as a member of the Escapees “Class of 2012” – those who are planning to enter the full-time RV lifestyle this year. We have our own forum on the Escapees web site and I am struck by just how much work is involved in leaving it all behind. One couple was planning on hitting the road March 9 but now have delayed it until at least the 14th because they just have too many tasks remaining. Cleaning out a house is a LOT of work. Jett has spent much of the last month going through the attic and has done a great job clearing out that space. The basement is next. She has also stacked up a few boxes and drawers for me to go through. There was a time when I thought that we were premature in starting preparations nine months before our escape date, but I no longer feel that way. Now I think we should have started sooner.
Anyway, I will come up for air today, take a few breaths, then dive into those boxes and drawers.