Just Turned Full-Time

[Adeakins]

My wife and I decided that being in one place was not as interesting as we would want life to be, so - long story made short - we sold our mountain home l, bought a 2018 Keystone Montana 3791RL and a 2020 F350 with the new 7.3 gas engine. We are thinking of using Western NC as our “home base” but not necessarily the place in WNC. From there, we want to visit western states then north central and the northeast largely in search of interesting people, good food and scenery. Want to travel Canada some once they let us back in. This is our 3rd RV and 2nd 5th Wheel. It is - at 41’ and 5 slides - the largest RV we have owned. I’m still very much on a learning curve with regard to parking this beast and navigating narrow passages. Otherwise, life is good and hopefully improved shills will come with practice. Finding RV parks that take large rigs and offer full ‘hooks’ is sometimes a challenge. Our plan as it it stands now is to find pick an area of the country we want to explore, go there and park around in two ~ four week increments. Return to WNC for the summer months, and ready ourselves for the next adventure. We are “domiciled” in NC, so we have to get the truck inspected every year in order to renew our tag. NC has us on a leash in that regard. So, all that said, any advice, suggestions and / or wisdom anyone can share that would help us stay rubber-side down and pointed in the right direction in our pursuit of 70-degree temperatures and memorable vistas will be greatly appreciated.

 

["EZ"]

Welcome from Georgia!

 

[Neal]

Welcome to RVForums @Adeakins. Great to have you join the group.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Welcome to RVF, @Adeakins; glad to have you here with us. We have some other North Carolina folks on the forum and, I'm sure, they'll be along to offer some thoughts.

My only exposure your fair state goes back a ways when I went through the Army Special Warfare Center in Fort Bragg. And, yes, it was after the Army started using Jeeps instead of horses; but just barely. NC is truly a beautiful state from what I remember.

TJ

 

[NWIP]

Welcome @Adeakins, sounds like an exciting time in your life. Not sure if there are other reasons like family to keep you returning NC but there are options for vehicle registration without the requirement to return for inspections.

 

[Jim]

Welcome @Adeakins, I am in Franklin, NC. Glad to have you on board with us!

 

[Adeakins]

Welcome @Adeakins, sounds like an exciting time in your life. Not sure if there are other reasons like family to keep you returning NC but there are options for vehicle registration without the requirement to return for inspections.

I was not aware. We plan to retain WNC as our home. I just didn’t like having to come back on a specific date just to get my new tag. So, how does one avoid having to do that?

 

[Adeakins]

Welcome @Adeakins, I am in Franklin, NC. Glad to have you on board with us!

We are in Franklin as well.

 

[Jim]

We are in Franklin as well.

lol, small world isn't it? I'm out by Standing Indian Campground. I own the 50 acres next door to Tom England. I reference Tom as he was the game warden in Macon County for a good many years before he retired. It seems like everyone knows him, so I generally tell them I'm next door to Tom and they know exactly where I'm at.

 

[Adeakins]

I know who Tom is. I lived in Otto until we decided to take up RV life. We are currently parked at Cullasaja RV park on Highlands Road. I looked at staying at the Pines park near you but my rig would be difficult to park there.

 

[Adeakins]

Welcome from Georgia!

Where in Georgia?

 

[Jim]

I know who Tom is. I lived in Otto until we decided to take up RV life. We are currently parked at Cullasaja RV park on Highlands Road. I looked at staying at the Pines park near you but my rig would be difficult to park there.

Awesome! I'm at Bluewater Key Resort in Key West right now but I'll be back in Franklin in a few weeks. Would love to get together, maybe at Fat Buddies for lunch? Also, I'm building a small RV Park that I'd like to tell you about.

 

["EZ"]

Where in Georgia?

Ringgold, GA. Just outside Chattanooga, TN on I-75.

 

["EZ"]

Awesome! I'm at Bluewater Key Resort in Key West right now but I'll be back in Franklin in a few weeks. Would love to get together, maybe at Fat Buddies for lunch? Also, I'm building a small RV Park that I'd like to tell you about.

I can't wait until you get your RV park done. We plan to come visit!

 

[Jim]

I can't wait until you get your RV park done. We plan to come visit!

I'll have a special spot, just for you!

 

["EZ"]

I'll have a special spot, just for you!

 

[Jim]

Lol, you can trust me . . . Really, you can. Heh, heh.

 

[NWIP]

I was not aware. We plan to retain WNC as our home. I just didn’t like having to come back on a specific date just to get my new tag. So, how does one avoid having to do that?

We currently are full time after selling our house in NY 3 years ago. Registered RV & toad in Florida, declared as our domicile and vote there. We can renew registration online, no inspection required and inexpensive ($61.50 per year for motorhome). We have a mail service located there and they were very helpful with the process.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Remember it is not just price. Spend some time researching location costs and amenities and go visit those that fit. After that you can choose a new location to call home.

You have jumped with both feet I see. It is good to understand that smaller can sometimes be an aggravation. give each other space when needed, and give it a year should you decide the life is not for you. Things change. The most important advice I can give you is this "A happy wife makes a happy life"

 

[Adeakins]

Awesome! I'm at Bluewater Key Resort in Key West right now but I'll be back in Franklin in a few weeks. Would love to get together, maybe at Fat Buddies for lunch? Also, I'm building a small RV Park that I'd like to tell you about.

Lucky you. I will be transitioning to Elijay, GA Dec 1st. In January, I will be parked in St Augustine, FL for 2 months. From there, I’m headed to Phoenix returning to Franklin in mid-May. Those are the current plans anyway. Since we are looking to make Western NC “home base” for the foreseeable future, I would live to hear about the park you have in mind to build. We probably should move this conversation to my personal email: [email protected].

Look forward to hearing from you.