As Promised ... The New Trailer by auntietk
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Description
For those of you who have been following along ... here are pictures of our new trailer (caravan), along with the rest of the story.
First of all, the pictures above are as follows, top to bottom:
1. Power recliners we purchased to replace the hide-a-bed, windows face south.
2. Dining area, windows face east.
3. Looking down the hall from where the recliners are, facing north.
4. Atmospheric picture of the kitchen area, which faces west.
5. Bedroom, with mirrors at the far front, or north, end of the trailer.
If you want more information, it's a Wildcat Maxx 32TSX by Forest River. Look it up.
When we left Texas in April, we knew it would be our last trip in the motorhome. We drove the motorhome 25,000 miles through 22 states during the past five years, and we're ready to stop driving around! The next phase of our travel life will be flying to cities, renting cars, staying in hotels or B&Bs, visiting friends, touring museums ... all the things we couldn't do when we still had Mandy (our exceedingly geriatric dog, for those who didn't know her).
So on the way from Texas to Washington this spring we talked about what we wanted to do. We had pretty much decided to put a trailer at the same place we'd kept the motorhome during the summers. We spent some time at the beach on our trip last month, and remembered (again) how much we both need to be near salt water. Bill was born and raised on Long Island, and I was born and raised on Puget Sound, and we don't feel fully relaxed unless we're at the beach.
Idea #1: Trailer in place of motorhome.
Idea #2: We should find a little cabin at the beach! Maybe a small house in the nearest beach town to where we leave the trailer. But wait! That town is too far away from where all Tara's friends live, and Tara can't drive there herself, so buying something so far away is limiting and doesn't give Tara enough autonomy.
Idea #3: Well, okay, we can buy a small house down near town, maybe near the water, and put a small trailer on the lot up north. No, that won't work, because we're gone seven months out of the year, and the house would LOOK unoccupied, which would be bad.
Idea #4: Scratch the house idea, how about a condominium? We'd talked about that before, let's revive that idea. But condos are boring, and they're a lot of money, what with the house payment and the association fees and whatnot, and in the end you just have an apartment. Bleh. Bill said "Okay, no condo, but I haven't mentioned to you that no matter what we do, I'd kind of like to get a small runaround boat. Maybe 16 feet."
Idea #5: A boat! Oh my, that would be fabulous! We could buy a boat, live aboard at the marina, and in the fall when we go south, they haul the boat out of the water for you and put it on a shelf, and bring it back out in the spring! That would be so cool. We'd be living ON the water, in the right neighborhood, and they'd put the house away every year. So we started looking at boats, but the idea only lasted half a day. By the time we got to a boat that was big enough to hold comfortable furniture, we were looking at a LOT of money, and really, neither of us has any experience at all with that size boat. People who cruise would say to us, "How long did you have your boat before you decided to live aboard? ... Oh ... never? ... Oh ... ..." *raised eyebrows* ... and they would be right. Living on a boat isn't such a great idea in practice.
Idea #6: Well then, how about an over-55 mobile home park? We could get a small mobile in a gated community like the one we have in Texas, and that would be something we could walk away from for half the year. People do it all the time. Research ensued. Yes, there are lovely parks where we would be quite happy, but all the homes in those parks are WAY too big! We're looking for something small, not a 1500 square foot, three-bedroom house! Smaller mobile homes tend to be older than we wanted, and in parks we didn't like. After looking at ten or twelve parks, Bill said, "You know, I'm not really crazy about the idea of moving back into town. I really like living in the woods."
Harumph.
Idea #7: How about if we get a nice trailer and put it where we had the motorhome, and one week a month we can drive into town, stay in a hotel, visit friends, and then come back? We can get a hotel on the water front!
Sold.
Done deal.
So we traded the motorhome in on a brand-new trailer, had it delivered, changed out some of the furniture, and we're good to go! :)
Comments (22)
FredNunes
Looks amazing. You are living the dream! :)
wysiwig
This is a trailer?? My HOME doesn't look this nice. So where are Rendo's resident nomads going next?
Faemike55
Sweet!!!! I like your way of thinking, Tara & Bill!
great pictures
Krittermom
Love the story of how you got such a neat home. Made me laugh. It looks very nice and I am sure you and Bill will like it. I agree that living in the country is much better than a city!!
Freethinker56
What a wonderful life thanks for sharing ..Yes country for me to
and beach way to go 
npauling
A very beautiful home to start the next stage of your journey in, and that's a great idea to have a few days in town each month and then return to the bush and the beach. I bet your trips to town will get less and less what with internet banking and online buying. Give me the beach and the bush every time. Thank you for sharing and it was an interesting way to end up with the trailer.
Einzie1
I'm very sorry to hear that Mindy is gone. I find the rest of your story very interesting and look forward to seeing how it all turns out and where you end up. Hopefully whatever you decide or allow for more frequent visitation. The trailer looks great by the way!
Juliette.Gribnau
all photo's are crisp and clear; the bottom one also shows a powerful mood, and that is i.m.h.o. the favorite of these series
photosynthesis
Tara - you're so organized, rational, & decisive - very admirable qualities! Glad you were able to find living arrangements & get settled in so quickly. Looks cozy, comfortable & well-equipped.
By the way, we unfortunately had to cancel our trip to Washington at the end of this month, because our friend who was coming from Florida has a very sick boyfriend in the hospital & needs to stick around to help take care of him. We may reschedule later this summer, so maybe we will be able to meet up with you at that time (if our schedule is less hectic)...
durleybeachbum
Gosh, it's almost unbelievable that that is a caravan! Your narrative is exciting, it was almost like reading a novel, and had me gripped. It's very stylish and attractive, and looks comfy and cosy. Great decision!
helanker
Yes, I agree in all, that Andrea said. It was really interesting reading about all your ideas. HA! I almost thought it was "just" a new Motorhome LOL! When we were younger we were moving around in our own country and slept in a 3 person tent. How HUMBLE was that,. LOL !
T.Rex
My, I feel like I've just read a Ph.D. on motor homes! Seems like you're still going to get around a lot, but without the driving. I wonder, how big is this home (outside dimensions)? Also, is that a polar bear at the end of the corridor? Looks like it. :) Keep up the good work. I expect to see a lot more photos from you both, even if you're flying instead of driving. Considering the number of photos you've taken over the years, you have no lack of things to post!
Meisiekind
Oh Hun - this sounds fabulous. This is such a lovely home. You did so well. I wish you all the best... Don't forget the visit to South Africa!!!!
anahata.c
I just got the ebot for this---ebots come late all the time, so forgive my not getting to this 'till now. Anyway, the interior looks beautiful, tara, it's like a beautiful small home. I love the tones, and the way the light washes in but still leaves deep shadow. I love the look of the place, the floors, that kitchen shot with that special (nighttime) light, and 2 very comfortable looking chairs. Plus, they're very sweet shots: I like the photography, even though great shots may not have been your goal. I like the light and quality of the shots, and the angles. Lovely. I honestly don't know all the differences between a trailer and a motorhome, except I assume the former isn't mobile (unless attached to a car? is that correct?) But you don't intend to move it? And you're staying where you are? So you won't be living near water. (You could dig a hole, pour in water, shake in some salt, and say, "hun? the Pacific Ocean!" As for going into town, you can stay on the water, you say: Well it all sounds wonderful; and I wish you all the best with it. Many blessings on your new home! I know it took a lot of work to decide all this, and then set it up, and I hope the rest of your summer is terrific. (You guys may actually be hotter than we are, from what I hear of weather predictions. That'll be a surprise!) Wonderful upload, and great news (and I really like the photos!) Enjoy!
RodS
Well, where do I start?? LOL Those recliners look SOOO cozy, and your new home looks really inviting, and a wonderful pace to just relax and enjoy life! Sweet place, indeed!
And then your story..... OMG.... I was in tears by the time I got to Idea # 7! What a riot. But I'm glad that you and Bill got everything in order - and you really have a lovely home base! Two thumbs up!
Wolfenshire
Wow, I'm going on the road with you guys. That looks so much fun.
kgb224
Superb captures and collage Tara. May all work out well for both you and Bill. God bless.
jocko500
sound like a winner. happy you did not go for the living on a boat as it will rock and roll in a storm lol
nikolais
it's a most wonderful interior ever! congratulations, my dear friends!
anaber
What a wonderful HOME:)))So cozy!! CONGRATULATIONS to you both, Tara!! 7 ideas and decision is done:)! 7 is a fabulous number isn't?? he-he!! You did a great choice in my view. I feel even a bit 'envy' lol, in a good way, of course!!! you are settled and not ... and nothing is immovable, unless you want it to be! Freedom always around! Cheers and GOOD LUCK in all!! and thanks for sharing it all.
junge1
Wow Tara, decisions, decision, decisions! Your new home looks luxurious and really nice. When you mentioned a caravan I visualized a caravan like they have in England, sort of like the ones one sees on 'Top Gear', the ones being towed by small SUV's and holding up traffic. Yours is obviously bigger, I looked it up, but it could still be towed by something big, like a Dodge, Ford, or GMC Dooley.
So you spelled out all your options, what I didn't see is a plan to cruise the Aegean Sea on a relatively small ship seeing all the classic Greek Islands, or maybe cruise along the Norwegian Coast.
Any plans on that?
blondeblurr
WOW, the choices were endless, it's simply amazing what you both came up with - WAY TO GO TARA ! - I agree, that was something serious to think about... but finally a decision and it is all about comfort and mobility. ENJOY it now ! (You can always change your mind again in a few years, if needed, nothing is ever written in concrete) LOL