by ProvidenceRV | Sep 1, 2019
Glacier Bay, Alaska
“You are going to take a Vacation from Providence RV Park? FROM it?” Yes, time to think of all the great places I want to visit, spend a little time there, sight see, you know…Vacation.
My wife and I are taking a vacation, our first in a while I might add, from work, and from Providence R V Park in East Texas, you know, the one by Lake Fork, the best bass fishing lake there is!
The thought comes to mind, “Why do you need to ‘GO’ on vacation?” I understand. Being at the “Park” is almost like being on vacation. It’s off the beaten path; it’s shady most of the time; it is quiet and clean. It is relaxing! I mean, you ARE supposed to relax and slow your pace, have fun….did I say RELAX?
Yes, vacation means different things to different folks. To my wife, it means Alaska!
So, guess what, WE’RE GOING TO ALASKA!
To me, what it means is I am leaving Providence RV Park in Quitman, Texas, and going On vacation so I can come back and “go on vacation”.
Makes sense to me!
James
by ProvidenceRV | Aug 22, 2019
Long deck, cover, shed, bike, hammock. Nice.
What is the best RV for full time living?
Think through your current lifestyle. Where do you spend your time? In the bedroom? Office? Kitchen? Do you live everywhere in your house or do you find yourself in one chair, one spot?
I MUST have my chair for my Bible time, thinking time, get away from everyone/thing time. It must be comfy with a light and preferably a spot for my coffee cup. Now in an RV, that probably won’t happen in the bedroom, my preferred location. But a kitchen chair is NOT comfy. So instead of a couch that would be shared with others, I’ll opt for 2 chairs and a small table between. I can hang a light or open the blinds.
Now my husband’s #1 need (other than a comfy bed) is an office space. I think in reality it’s his man cave. Since there’s just the 2 of us, that means that we need an RV with the bunk room, but minus the bunks. Grandkids may come occasionally, but he’ll use the office daily. Many RV parks have bunk rooms anyway for the grands and their parents.
Now there’s a 2nd benefit to giving him his office. I get my chair in the main room without him always there. We’ve been married 28 years and a good dose of private space will keep us going for the long haul. So, by carefully choosing my RV, I’m investing in my marriage. (Try that line on your spouse when you want the toy hauler.)
Now what about the kitchen? The hub of the house. Or is it? For me, cook is a 4-letter word. My sister, however, is a master chef and takes great pleasure in cooking for everyone. She definitely got my share of the cooking gene. Her RV needs the best in the kitchen and definitely a bar. I think the actual counter space in the kitchen would determine which RV she would buy. For me, let’s just say I’m a minimalist. And forget the kitchen table with 2 benches. WASTE OF SPACE. Maybe an IKEA drop down table.
Now a lot of people actually use their table to hold stuff, and a table can hold a lot of stuff. Personally, I don’t like clutter so getting rid of the stuff holder is a good idea. A drop down can still hold stuff in a pinch but not forever. Stuff will have to find its place. For me a shelf in a cabinet can be a great stuff holder. This is another good reason to convert the bunk room into an office. There’s a whole room to hold stuff and out of sight.
However, I would consider one bunk and half an office which would then only hold 1 guest so I’m not sure there is much value in it. But an office with 2 desks and chairs – well now, I get a desk area too. Actually, in our last 2 houses we had that set up.
I’m the administrative one and handle a lot of our affairs. My husband does do a lot of work from home as well as searching the internet, listening to talk shows, but his desk is just too messy for my organized mind to function at.
So, our RV design has a living area with a couch (for lazy times), 2 chairs with a small coffee table, a SMALL kitchen table, refrigerator and whatever else goes in a kitchen, an office with 2 desks and chairs, and we’re happy as clams.
And we need a deck or fake grass because I like to be outside every day. ALL my blinds are open so I need good thermal windows that neighbors can’t peak in.
How about you? Do you need the toy hauler because life is just no life without some of those things? Be sure and get it then. Do you love to grill? Be sure yours has the outdoor unit. That will be the best RV for full time living for you.
Do you have kids? Well, wouldn’t they just love a bunk room cave. Or are you well up in years where you think the 2nd bathroom might become quite important? Plan it in. Don’t like stairs? Well, you won’t suddenly start liking them so don’t go that route. Is your girth great and you need extra shower room? Well, come on now, as often as you use that, you’d better get the larger one. Do you like to entertain? That won’t change so make sure you have a larger unit with extra seating. And I think every person should consider an RV with slide outs, especially if you plan on living in it. It can take you from cramped to airy with the push of a button.
So, what is the best RV for full time living? It’s the one with the best design where your lifestyle just transitions to a new space. So, is size important? It can be, but think layout and lifestyle.
And make the most of that lifestyle.
by ProvidenceRV | Aug 19, 2019
Mad Dog Moore Memorial Bass Tournament
is coming to town, just down the street from Providence RV Park. The tournament honors the memory of Garland police officer Michael David Moore who lost his life in the line of duty Feb. 15, 1977. Michael “was killed in the line of duty when apprehending a bank robbery suspect at the Bank One on W. Centerville Rd.” He loved to fish so what better way to honor him than an annual tournament? The proceeds will go to support the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Another bonus to this event are the incredible raffle items. Buy a ticket, or buy a couple dozen. Wouldn’t you like a Massimo T-Boss 410 Camo from Massimo Motors, a Kearney Custom Flatbed Trailer, or a Sun Dolphin with BPS Prowler Trolling motor from Bass Pro Shops. For a complete list of items see the tournament website.
The bass fishing tournament is Saturday, September 7, at Oak Ridge Marina. Bag time 2 PM.
Providence RV Park has a 2-day minimum stay so reserve for the weekend. We have room for your boat and the dock is ½ mile down the street.
Honor the fallen blue, support the children, enjoy the weekend fishing, stay in peace and quiet; it’s a winning combination.
Call us at 903.226.3016.
by ProvidenceRV | Aug 15, 2019
Is full time R V living worth it? The better question is, “Is it better or worth it to YOU?
Here at Providence R V Parks at Lake Fork in North Texas, more than 90% of our members are what we call “Full Timers” and I think they would all say, YES, R V living is worth it to them.
To keep this blog from becoming a small book, I’d just like to ask a few questions, and this is not an exhaustive list.
Home Sweet Home
Are you just beginning your career or are you beginning to think about retiring? We had a couple of full-timers in our park, age – early 30s. He was a recruiter for a large IT firm, she a physical therapist. They bought a large, mamba-jamba R V with slide outs galore and just about every other amenity you could think of. Their plan: For the next few years, live up to a year at a time in one place gaining experience and seeing the country while they were at it.
Another couple, age 40, stay when they are working, but then take off in the summers to travel.
Others, from every age group, just like the simplicity of full timing as well as the economy of it. As a general rule, R V full time living is 40 – 60% less costly and time consuming as home owning.
Of course, there is a lot more to it and full timing needs a lot of planning and research.
Then there is the park. Our Providence R V Park has been designed and built with full timers in mind. Sort of building a community, not just a park. One thing you’ll need for sure if you are going to be a full timer is to decide if you want a “party” park, or a “come and go,” “in and out” style, or more quiet and neighbor-like park to live in full time. But RV living is worth it for a lot of people.
At least you know that last kind is what we are at Providence.
James
by ProvidenceRV | Aug 8, 2019
Sue visiting other FT RV living resident
Prepare for RV Living Interview, Sue F. 6/15/19, full time resident 2 years
Q: How did you prepare for RV living? Why did you decide to live in an RV?
Preparing
A: I got tired of cleaning the large, 3 bedroom, 2 bath house. For about 20 years we lived in a 1500 sf double wide with a large kitchen, living and dining room, plus a porch. We had sheds, a garage, a pontoon boat and a big yard. I came home from work tired, then had to clean the house. Since I was near seventy, it just became too much; my husband, who is in his eighties, was tired of all the yard work on our property.
Q: Were you prepared for RV living?
A: I love to cook, so the thing I missed most was my very large French-door refrigerator with a freezer at the bottom. And, second I miss having a second bathroom.
Q: Are you glad you bought the RV you did?
A: Yes!!
Q: Why?
A: The slide-outs make the Park Model big; it has better quality and insulation.
Q: How long did it take you to get used to living in the RV?
A: Not long because there was so much less to clean.
Challenges
Q: What was your biggest challenge moving into the RV?
A: Figuring out what you do/do not need; for example, 2 sets of sheets and 4 towels are enough.
Q: How did you solve the challenge?
A: You need someone to (ruthlessly) ask you questions such as “when did you last use this?” to help you pare down your possessions.
Q: Do most people need a storage shed?
A: Well, it’s better to have it than not, although we have stuff we no longer need. My husband had lots of tools, equipment, stuff that wasn’t used anymore.
Tips
Q: What do you wish someone told you about living in an RV full-time?
A: Get used to everything ‘close’.
Q: Do you have any downsizing tips?
A: If you haven’t used something in 1 – 2 years, don’t move it to the RV. Transitioning takes time to decide what’s important to you. TIP: take a picture of the object you think you can’t be without, or commit to storing it 1 year, and if it wasn’t used, sell it or give it away.
Q: How much do you think you’re saving by living in an RV vs. a house?
A: My husband could give you the specifics. We have no property taxes, no house insurance, no yard upkeep; the electric bill is much lower, there is no trash pick-up fee; there’s very little maintenance with an RV compared to maintaining a house.
Q: How does the location of your RV affect your life?
A: Quitman is handy; there’s a grocery store there; the Wal-Mart is not far away.
I hope this interview gives you some insight in how to prepare for RV living. I especially like the tip on having a ruthless friend help you downsize. There’s nothing like a good friend to give you perspective.
Providence RV Park, 1762 FM 288, Quitman, TX 75783
