The funny thing about adventures...

“What is that feeling when you're driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? - it's the too-huge world vaulting us, and it's good-bye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.”
― Jack Kerouac, On the Road

The funny thing about adventures, is sometimes you point yourself in a direction, only to find yourself somewhere completely unexpected. Sometimes you looked at the map wrong, sometimes the road you originally set out on became impassable somewhere along the way, forcing you to seek out a detour, and sometimes, the temptation of a glint of light in the distance is just too hard to resist exploring. Whatever the case may be, adventure is about the experience, and not the destination, nor how you get there.

So as anyone who has followed along in the past knows, we haven't posted much in quite a while. I don't know if I would call it a block in the road, or just a decision to take a detour, but nonetheless, we have landed in a new place, and started a new chapter in our story. See... RV's are expensive, require perfect credit to purchase, and we aren't quite ready to hit the road yet. Tricia still has a few years of school before she can start working, and we didn't want our home-on-wheels to be worn out before we even got to start exploring with it. Much like RV's, California is also expensive, which is how we, as well as Tricia's brother Mikey, and his girlfriend Hannah (who decided to relocate from San Diego) ended up in beautiful, sunny Gilbert, Arizona!

In the East Valley of the Sonoran Desert, we are just half an hour from Phoenix. Having never lived this close to a major city before, this has been an exciting change for all of us. Events, culture, and food abound (and it doesn't hurt that AZ has the most relaxed gun laws in America!). Aedan (for the first time in his life) LOVES his new school, Tricia can work on her degree ENTIRELY online, and I am settling in nicely at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.

None of us ever expected to actually WANT to live in the desert, but so far we are loving every minute. We still haven't found "our home" yet, but in the mean time, we are working on rebuilding our credit, learning the area, and adoring our Airbnb condo. Regardless of where this crazy new adventure takes us, we have no doubt that plenty of excitement lies ahead.

Our Last photo at 413 N. Lupine St. 

ARIZONA!!!

The crew, working hard. 

Pools, pools everywhere!

My new Hospital!

Some birds joined us for lunch!

We don't even know how to golf, but this place is awesome!

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Becoming a "One and a Half Car" Family?

Like most "wonder-bread, white picket fence, suburban Middle-class" American families, we have two cars (usually only occupied by one person at a time), which we use on a daily basis to get back and forth from school/work/shopping/errands/etc. Could we combine efforts, plan ahead, and get by with one vehicle? Probably, but that would just be Un-American!

Making the transition to Full-time RV living complicates things. For the next year or two, while we are still remaining here on the California Central Coast, there is no problem keeping our two vehicles, and going about life as usual. But what about when we are on the road? Since we aren't independently wealthy trust-fund babies, at least one of us will always be working, or at school, even as we make our way around America. No one wants to drive a SECOND vehicle, across the country, so how does one of us maintain the ability to run errands while the other is away for up to 13 hours a day?

Since we are considering a toy-hauler RV, this opens up the realm of a few options. We will have the ability to carry up to 2,500 lbs, in a 12' x 8' garage. Our first thought was "lets just get a really small car!" We considered vehicles by Smart, Fiat, Mini and other similarly sized offerings, but after some searching, determined that these vehicles were a.) too expensive, b.) too close to the weight limit of our trailer (considering we also need to bring along all of our belongings), and c.) Just not convenient to try to squeeze in and out of an RV on a semi-regular basis. Also, lets be honest... We aren't tiny people, and these things are TIGHT!! Next...

The Smart Fortwo cabriolet

NEV's, or Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, are basically Golf-Carts with mirrors, horns, and license plates. Their top speed is around 25 mph, and if your wallet is deep enough, they can be customized with fully enclosed cabins, sound systems, heat/AC, and most of the other amenities you would expect from a small commuter vehicle. GEM and E-Z-Go are the two manufacturers that we researched. This option, however, also seemed very limiting. The low top speed meant we could only drive this vehicle on docile, city/neighborhood streets, so county highways were out, which could pose a problem considering the rural location of many RV parks. We also realized that once we configured one of these vehicles to our liking, the price was nearly that of an actual car. Next...

The GEM e4, by Polaris.

The E-Z-Go 2Five 2+2

Our third, and so-far most popular idea was embrace our Wild Side and take it to two wheels. No... Not a beefy Harley, or sleek Sport Cruiser. We are talking about 1 cylinder of putt-putt'ing Scooter Power! It's not the most glamorous option, but I'm not going to lie... These things are pretty cool! We decided to head to the local Yamaha/Suzuki/Polaris dealer and check one out for ourselves!

The Yamaha SMax

The Suzuki Burgman 200

We had done a bit of research online before we went in, and fortunately this dealer had 3 of our favorite models on the floor. The Owner helped pulled our favorites out and let us sit on them, look them over, and of course press EVERY button (I will let you guess which one of us that was...). He also pointed out the Pros/Cons/Similarities/Differences between the models, and helped steer us in the direction he thought would best suit our needs. 

I think this means they like it...

They also make an undeniably adorable "Biker Gang"

Turns out that the 200cc engine requires a motorcycle license in several states, California included, so we have some studying to do for our permit tests, but I think that we found an solution that will work out well for us. Check one more box in our plan book, and one step closer to hitting the road to live our dream. Stick around!

Aedan wanted us to get this one... I wanted him to get a job... Neither of us got what we wanted. 

"House" hunting adventure!

After 3 days of relaxation (see previous post), we were feeling refreshed and ready for some more excitement. As luck would have it, the RVIA 64th Annual California RV show was taking place roughly 45 minutes from the Long Beach Port. We had breakfast with our friends, debarked the ship early, and set our proverbial sails for the Pomona Fairplex.

As we mentioned a few weeks ago, our plan is to do some serious downsizing, in the form of living full-time in an RV. Our free time has essentially consisted of non-stop research since the idea came about. One of the obvious early steps in this process is deciding WHAT RV you will be living in, and ensuring that the resulting budget is still one where you are saving money over traditional "sticks-and-bricks" living. Since we are in California, nearly ANYTHING is cheaper than buying a home, but it is still important to be mindful of the numbers.

On more than one occasion, we have wandered around local RV dealerships, but due to the horrendous quality of certain models, and the overall limited brands/floorplans on the lots, we were feeling somewhat underwhelmed. Where were all the models that we had seen online? We hoped that this RV show would be the answer to our wishes, and judging by the website, we were fairly certain that it would be.

The aerial photo from their website. This show is BIG!

Being a Sunday, this place was packed. The remaining parking spots were in the middle of nowhere, and it was HOT, but we were determined to find what we were looking for. Judging by the sea of RV's that lay before us, I had a feeling that if "the one" wasn't in there, then it didn't exist.

We paid the (very reasonable) $10 entry fee, filled out a survey for a "swag bag" to carry our newly acquired literature, and started exploring. The VERY first RV that we walked in to was like nothing we had seen thus far. Built by New Horizons - a luxury custom manufacturer from Kansas - this thing was built like a mansion. I was too overwhelmed by the granite counters, plank hardwood flooring, cedar-lined closets, rough-cut cherry cabinetry, and high-end residential appliances to get any interior photos, but take my word for it when I say that this thing was AMAZING! In an ideal world, our search would have ended right there by the gate, but unfortunately the price tag said "better keep looking."

If we ever have the money, THIS will be our Dream Home.

What ensued next, was a 98 degree death-march from manufacturer to manufacturer. Emotions roller-coastered from hopefulness to disappointment, to mediocrity, to wanting to strangle a certain salesman and leave him in the desert. I'm not going to be a brand-basher, but let's just say that a certain salesman tried to con us in to ORDERING a trailer that rhymes with "Finnebago", sight unseen, because he didn't have anything at the show that fit our needs. Good try, buddy, but you lost me when I saw that your cabinets are held shut with velcro! 

Our next "awestruck" moment came at the DRV Suites section. Much like the New Horizons unit, these things were stunning. Solid, luxurious, and obviously built for comfortable full-time use. We talked with the salesman for a while, and he even took the time to price out a unit with all the features that we would want/need. We came in slightly cheaper than the first manufacturer, but still found the price tag to be higher than we could easily afford. Next...!

DRV makes a gorgeous trailer.

After seriously wondering if we would succumb to heat-stroke and die right there in the middle of RV-ville USA, we chugged some cold water in the shade, and kept trudging onward. I was excited for our next stop, and this manufacturer was one of my biggest reasons for wanting to attend this show. This was the section for Road Warrior, by Heartland. These aren't just 5th wheels, but 5th wheel Toy Haulers. I've seen blogs online about people living in these full time, and in general, they seem to be absolutely thrilled with them. Not only does this allow you to bring "toys" (up to and including small cars - Smart/GEM/Mini/etc.), but the 'garage' space gives you the flexibility to transform from office, to playroom, to workshop, to second bedroom with ease. 

Allow me to introduce you to the Road Warrior RW427. This thing is 44' and 16,698 pounds of awesome!

Rear ramp doubles as an enclosed party-deck.

A second side-patio, protected by one of THREE awnings.

Open floor-plan makes it feel way bigger than it is.

Corner mounted 60" television and electric fireplace, with Sliding patio door to the left,
loft above, and garage door to the right.

Hands down THE NICEST KITCHEN layout I have seen in an RV.

5-seat reclining/massaging super-sofa, and residential side-by-side refrigerator.

Enclosed side-patio with table and 40" television.

The Master bedroom.

Master Bathroom (with REAL tub!)

The garage, with everything stowed out of the way.

Garage with queen bunks/benches lowered. 

Second half-bath in the garage area.

This unit pretty much has EVERYTHING that we have been looking for, and then some. It has a separate space for Aedan, room for all of us to sit down as a family, fresh water and waste tank capacity to support 3 of us on dry-camping trips, a Cummins Onan gasoline generator (included standard), aluminum laminated sidewall construction... I could go on and on, but we both immediately fell in love with this trailer, and the price is much more in line with the budged we have in mind.

Obviously we have been doing tons of research since we got home, but every day it feels like we have more of a plan. There are a lot of steps to take between now and then, but it is nice to feel like maybe we are a step closer to hitting the road!

A much needed vacation.

Life has been busy... Working nights, going to college full-time, juggling whatever it is that you juggle in 4th grade, and trying to maintain a semi-functional home life, starts to take it's toll after a while. Eventually you just need a few days to get away and take an adventure, which coincidentally, is one of the central themes to this blog!

Last week, we finally took those few days of much needed (and well deserved) R&R. Aedan went to spend some quality time with grandma, and Tricia and I - along with some amazing friends - boarded the Carnival Imagination for a 3-day cruise to Ensenada, Mexico.

The Carnival Imagination.

They had a drink ready for us the minute we boarded!

Our Home away from Home.

Goodbye Long Beach!

The boat, and all of it's amenities, were fantastic. Carnival does a wonderful job of making lavish-feeling vacations accessible to people, while keeping them budget-friendly. They provide good food, clean, well-kept accommodations, plenty of activities and entertainment, and a staff that functions like a well-oiled machine. From the moment you step onboard, they do all the "thinking" for you, so you really can't go wrong!

Ensenada was interesting. I am glad to be able to say I have been there, but I don't know if I would rush right back.

The port was interesting. Fishing boats, commercial vessels, and small private boats were in and out all day.

The Port of Ensenada.

Driving through town, it became apparent how heavily the area relies on the cruise industry, economically.

Naturally, the first thing to do in Mexico, is find some authentic Mexican food, right? Well... yes, and no. The tacos were great. Flavorful, cheap, and brimming with the "gritty" authenticity that worldly travelers crave. There are two types of people in the world. Some people think Olive Garden is Italian food, and then there are those of us who want nothing more than to eat like locals. You get the idea!

The evil taco shop... More on that later.

After lunch, it's time to hit up the local 'watering hole.' THIS experience, I'm certain, was much less authentic than the previous. This was the kind of place where your High school graduate goes on Spring break with friends, and winds up on "Girls Gone Wild 13." Loud music, strong drinks, a sea of glossy-eyed, scantily clad twenty-somethings, and all the international debauchery that Mom & Dad's secured line of credit can provide.

Papas & Beer. Your average Spring Break party-bar.

After an afternoon of food, tequila, souvenirs, and nearly being robbed by a crowd of angry children (No joke, if you make the mistake of giving one of them a dollar, you WILL have 5 to 10 Elementary School-aged children grabbing for your wallet!), we were ready to retreat back to the comforts of our floating vacation resort.

Ready to get back on the boat!

After returning to our room, we pored over our collection of "Mexican treasures" and relaxed for a while before dinner. This is when it all went wrong... Remember that taco stand earlier? They didn't exactly have the latest-and-greatest in the way of modern commercial refrigeration. Turns out Pico de gallo doesn't fare so well when it has been sitting in the sun all day. When my stomach first started rolling, I assumed it was just dehydration and too much tequila. Turns out I was wrong... Night #2 was spent in our room. It wasn't pretty, and I'm sure you get the idea, so I will spare you the details!

By the next morning, I was able to once again be "among the living", and we started off on our beautiful day at sea. 

Gorgeous weather, and water in all directions.

Most of the day was just spent relaxing. Soaking up the sun, enjoying drinks, talking with our friends, talking with strangers, and just enjoying this last day with zero responsibilities.

The pool/Lido deck.

Dinner was fantastic, as usual. Filet and lobster tail was the many choices, though everyone else's dinner looked equally phenomenal.

Surf & Turf

Towel Frog

Pre-dinner entertainment.

Oh... and THIS happened! On our last night, as we were walking around before dinner, all dressed up, we decided to take some photos with the photographers that were set up around various parts of the ship. At our last photo stop, I FINALLY asked the question that everyone has been waiting for, and made it official. She claims that she had no idea that it was coming, which is good, considering I had the ring for nearly 2 months prior!

There are SOOO many parts of our trip that I had to leave out, primarily for lack of space, but all-in-all it was truly an amazing get-away! I lost my girlfriend (and my lunch), but gained a fiancé and another adventure filled with memories that will last a lifetime!

Another big trip?

This blog began as a place to document the events leading up to, and including a 2,762 mile trip across the United States to start a new life together. We shared the planning, decisions, and emotions that went along with throwing caution to the wind, and starting new, to find the happiness that both of us had been missing all along.

In this spirit, it only seems fitting to carry on with our story, as we look at moving ahead to the next chapter, but first, let's start with an overview of what has happened since our last post. Over the last year and a half, life has been good for us here in Lompoc, CA. I settled nicely into a job as night-shift Charge RN at Lompoc Valley Medical Center. I work with a phenomenal staff at our small community hospital, and have been warmly welcomed from the first time I walked through the door. Tricia is more than a year in to her Associates degree in Psychology at Allan Hancock College. She is doing an amazing job, and has maintained a GPA that many would be jealous of, as she works toward a career as a Special Education Teacher. Aedan just started his school year as a 4th grader, and is reading at a 7th or 8th grade level. Supplying him with a steady supply of books has been a job in itself, and his teachers have had nothing but wonderful things to say. We live in a beautiful mission-style home, that we were extremely lucky to find, and it has been ideal as we have all settled in to our new version of "normal". All-in-all, I guess you could say that life has been pretty perfect, but with all these big changes and moves that have taken place, Newton knows best when he said that an object in motion remains in motion.

While our rented house has been great for our needs so far, we decided that that we wanted to start looking at getting a place that was OURS. We have worked hard to rebuild our credit over the past year and a half, and though we absolutely adore our landlord, we don't necessarily want to rent for the rest of our lives. We wanted something that was actually ours! Since Hancock College will only carry Tricia through an Associates degree, we found ourselves limited to looking at houses in areas that also had Universities. Were these towns places that we could see ourselves living FOREVER, though?! Let's break it down... 1.) We want OUR home... 2.) We need it to be close to a school so Tricia can finish her degree... 3.) It needs to be in an area that offers affordable housing... 4.) We want scenery and things to do that we all enjoy... 5.) We need a good school/neighborhood for Aedan... And 6.) we still want to be able to take our trips. We are adventurous people, and pouring 100% of our income into a "sticks-and bricks" house (usually with a $500,000+ price tag, for any of the places we found in California) for the next 30 years just didn't sound feasible to us. Enter "Plan C"...

FULL-TIME life in an RV!  Yes, I realize that it sounds absolutely CRAZY to some of you, but I assure you that we are doing EVERY bit of possible research possible. Over the past several weeks, research is pretty much ALL we have done, and we have already learned a whole lot more than I ever thought possible. How can you possibly have ocean-front, mountain view, desert, lakeside, property with two bedrooms, two baths, a garage, and a basement, that is affordable and still matches your adventurous lifestyle? Easy... Live in a house on wheels!

We still have a lot of research to do, and we will do our best to "take you along for the ride" over the next few months, but stay tuned, because the Gambakeramps JUST might be coming to a town near you in the near future!