I went North across the Wyoming border to Cheyenne a couple of days ago to visit the big RV gathering where the Lazy Daze owners were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the manufacturer. Quite a loyal group, with 38 states represented, and 350 vehicles.


Andy - a very ingenious, sensitive, and pleasant fellow who lives and works on the road in semi-retirement. He bought his older rig several years ago for a small fraction of the cost of a new one. It is full of clever enhancements, including five roof-top solar panels.



It was quite an interesting and rewarding day for me, with a lot to see and learn about owning and living in this class of vehicle. I had discussions with a number of people who live in them full time, having sold their homes and jettisoned the bulk of their posessions. Their cost of living ranges from $1,000 for one single guy to $3,000 a month for two women who live full time in their slightly larger unit.


People stay connected via WiFi at camprounds and truck stops, cell phone modems on the go, and when in really remote loctions these satellite dishes.

I came away fascinated by all I had seen and heard, but still unsure about whether we should consider owning such a vehicle. I definitely got the sense that our Sprinter plans were flawed, and that long-term use trying to travel and live in it for months would not be satisfctory, thus removing the only real justification for owning one. On the other hand, if we owned the bigger RV like the ones at this gathering, it wouldn't be usable as an everyday replacement for one of our vehicles, rendering that idea impractical and hard to justify. This will require a bit of review...


Andy again with Jonna in front of Jonna and Mimi's 26.5 foot RV, which they have driven twice the length of Mexico - note the filled-in states for both US and Mexico on her door. Jonna is a retired San Francisco cop. Their US home base is an RV pad with hookups at a friend's home in Palm Springs, where there is a washer and dryer, bath, and shower in a casita and a little patio with a very nice pond and waterfall that Jonna built.


Two street-dogs - Chica and Hombre - that Jonna and Mimi adopted on the road in Mexico.


An RV belonging to two nice retired Buddhist women from Albuquerque. We had a nice chat.

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