The story of the RV

BLUE asked for me details so I thought others may be interested too.

Summer 2007.

During a frustrating bout with idiot drivers, traffic and plain idiots in Hampton Roads, VA on a sunny Saturday in June we make the commitment to get out of VA asap. That Monday LK had freshened his resume and put up FSBO posts in several online spots as well has staked a sign in our yard.

Quickly he got a job offer in Lexington, KY. He is from KY and it was a good distance from my family. Easy to get up there to see the ones I love and far enough that the genetically linked idiots wouldn’t make the effort to drive down for a visit.

We had borrowed the motorhome my aunt and uncle own to stay for a bit. It is a 15 year old 30′ Class A Fleetwood Stormwind, too small for us and the dogs but better than paying for hotels while we look for a place to stay long term. LK at this point is not a fan of the idea of living in an RV full time. I have always wanted to shed the shackles of owning a lot of stuff and just go go go. LK, only having experience with this one RV is against it.

One day a couple come to KY Horse Park with a Heartland 5th Wheel. They offer a tour of their place. LK is smitten – starts researching Heartland immediately.

It is becoming apparent at this point (October) that the house is not going to sell any time soon. So we had to move from the beautiful campground at Kentucky Horse Park to some shanty town trailer park that allowed RVs. There really needs to be more campgrounds in this country.

So back and forth we go on renting an apartment -staying in the RV. The Stormwind is for weekend travel really. It is 30′ long with no slide outs and with one car and LK working I am going stir crazy. We start talking about getting our own place. There are several apartment / condos that I like. None that LK likes. There was a great house with a couple of acres just outside of Lexington that was the same exterior, and layout on the inside as Graceland. No kidding. Minus the out there Elvis decor. It was awesome. I fell in love. LK did not.

We started looking into getting an RV of our own. LK didn’t want a motor home – thinking it would be too small like the one we were in. My Aunt Mollie has a very nice motor home with slides and such but LK doesn’t remember what that one looked like and besides tow-able coaches are in the price range we are willing to pay. (It amazes me that some RVs and land yachts are close to a million $US. WTF!)

Nothing we see locally sparks an interest like the Heartland did. So we find one in Springfield, OH (thaaaaa Simpsooooonssss) and go check it out in person.

LK was beyond smitten – corian countertops, convection/microwave, W/D, 2 flat screen tvs, king bed.

We made the deal in December and got a fantastic price and deal. LK has become more involved with the Heartland community. They really do take care of their people and take great pride in their customer service – if you are looking for an RV – either weekender or fulltiming it — check out Heartland RVs.

Ok, back to the story. LK goes up to sign all of the paperwork and to follow the delivery truck of the coach down to Lexington. Uncle J went with him while Aunt P and I start getting things in her RV packed up and ready to swap over to our new place.

The payment on the RV is far less than even the crack house rental we found in downtown Lexington. We made the choice to get the RV because it would be ours, we wouldn’t have to deal with all that comes with renting a place and we just weren’t sold on Lexington enough to buy a house there.

to be continued