When I was in college, and many times since, I've daydreamed about living "full time" in a motorhome. I dreamed about living in a different neighborhood each night and travelling to the beach or mountains on weekends. I even checked with the L.A. City Attorney's office about parking on city streets - they told me it was illegal to park more than a few days but, like laws against spiting, was rarely enforced. I bought books written by full timers and would go to RV shows and visit the tons of possibilities. But I always have been one to do the "sensible" thing and so bought a house and paid down the mortgage rather than buy an RV. I always did the "sensible" thing and yet went against unwritten laws of society and transitioned M2F "full time." I still daydream, though, of life on the open road. I've seen the friendliness of RV' people and know that there are risks. Transitioning had its risks, too. So, maybe, soon?
A parallel dream has been living on a boat. I even picked one out: a 35 foot Carver with rear bedroom. I could open a back window and door and look out at the sea from my bed. With this dream, too, I went to boat shows and explored living "full time" at a marina. I'm hopefully soon going to be moving to Washington state and so this dream has more possibilites than here in southern California. There are lots of islands to cruise around. I haven't explored how winter would be on a boat up there and don't know how weatherized boats are for full time living. Are boats available with double glazed windows to preserve heat? I've delighted seeing movies wherein the main character lives on a boat or houseboat: Tom Hanks in "Lost In Seattle," and Chevy Chase in "Foul Play."
I'm nearing retirement so maybe I'll do this second brave unsensible thing. After all, in a few decades I'll be dust. Why not do the dream?
Teri Anne
