The old adage: Time flies when you’re having fun, certainly applies to us. All the struggles of getting a house ready to sell and then selling it and hitting the road full time in December2011 has been worth it.
A year ago tomorrow I retired from the U.S. Coast Guard and started my full time work updating and painting our house to sell. It’s hard to believe that I’m no longer a rookie retiree, I have survived my first year, sold the house, hit the road with my bonnie bride and survived to tell about it. If I never hold another paintbrush…
Many wonderful people have come into our lives over the years, and many new ones since we started full timing. Last night we got a chance to see some unusual friends, unusual in the way that not only are they friends of ours, but of our son Ryan’s and daughter Heather’s.
Matt and Kristen lived in Charleston, SC when we first met them. Matt and Ryan were stationed together in the Coast Guard and had deployed to Gitmo, Cuba after 9-11 to work in the port security unit there.
Ryan later was transferred to a cutter in Charleston and introduced them to Heather and SIL Brian, who was also stationed in Charleston, with the Navy. We got to know Matt and Kristen more as time went on and visited with them at times when we were visiting Ryan and Heather, who lived just blocks from each other on the Navy base (that was really convenient).
Matt and Kristen visited us in Virginia, too. Last night we got a chance to visit with them once again in their new home near Charleston on a beautiful eight acre piece of property. You know where this is going, don’t you? Yep, an open invitation to park our Journey at their home whenever we visit the Charleston area. I won’t call it “Moochdocking” any longer, so I’ll now call it “GAFH”,(Gladly Accepting Friend’s Hospitality).
Sometimes the beautiful places we travel makes our fulltime life great, sometimes being with family makes our fulltime life great and sometimes the wonderful friends, both old and new make our fulltime life great. So much to be thankful for.
Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.
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Hello!
ReplyDeleteI noticed you are using an Element as a toad, and I was wondering what year it was and how you like it. I have a 2006 AWD auto trans Element that I am about to set up as a toad, and I am guessing that as long as I follow the shifting procedure it should not be a problem. Can you let me know your thoughts?
Thanks!
Dave
Dave,
DeleteOurs is a 2003. Honda officially ended their blessing for towing the Element 4 down with the 2005 model year, but according to the Remco site, it still was towable in all years.
I'd do it, but ensure that I changed the auto trans fluid every 20K miles. My owners manual requires change the trans fluid every 30K miles, but I do it at 20K just to be sure. Trans fluid is cheap insurance.
Good luck!
Thanks so much for your reply! I had just found some other fellow 06'ers online with the same advice. I really appreciate it!
DeleteMy wife and I love your blog entries and I did just see you mention the 2003 back in a 2010 - it took me a little while to get back to that post :-). We are new RVers as of February down here in central FL and are hooked!
Be well,
Dave
I like GAFH much better, because that is what it really is. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!! Family and friends are what make life better and so much fun. The good thing with full time RVing is that there are new ones to meet at just about every bend in the road!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful first year!! Family, Friends, Memories....it just doesn't get much better!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on surviving the first year on the road. Many more to follow I hope.
ReplyDeleteYou truly have the best of all worlds. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHappy Retirement Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteWow...the year has gone by quickly ... for both of us!
ReplyDeleteIt was about one week before you retired that we saw you last! The year has really slipped by. I can't wait to see you again in Oct. What a wonderful time you're had so far.
ReplyDeleteWe just left Grand Haven, MI and we thought of you as we toured the Coast Guard memorial and read the history.
ReplyDeleteHappy Retirement Anniversary! I agree that the getting ready (sorting, selling the house, buying and packing the RV) went by in a haze, but I feel my first 8 months on the road stretched time. I did so much in that time and my lifestyle changed so drastically, that I fully enjoyed and appreciated every day. Unfortunately, that didn't last and time is back to flying by.
ReplyDeleteTerrific picture of the 4 of you. Retirement is definitely the life we all wish we could have been living our whole lives. What freedom!
ReplyDeleteNice picture of all of you. The opportunities to spend time with old and new friends alike are one of the best things about this lifestyle. And speaking of friends, can't wait to see you guys in October!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the first year of retirement! We can't believe that a whole year has passed either. The house officially went on the market today. (FINALLY). Hope to be able to share in the fulltimer's lifestyle in the not too far distant future.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about not seeing a paint brush again.
Safe travels to you both.
wow its been a year already??? We had a year in June 10-and I didn't realize till I ready your post...guess we've been busy enjoying retirement...wow....
ReplyDeleteNice to have a GAFH spot near Charleston. Enjoy!
ReplyDelete