Sometimes it is easy to sit and type a post – the words just flow. Usually, this is when I’ve had it swimming around in my head before hand. I know what I want to convey, so I sit and do it; then I add pics, let Bill read it, and it’s done! Other times it’s like pulling teeth; I sit down to type and nothing – words will be there but when I reread, I’m like “what?” This post was one of the later. Thankfully, it did eventually “click” and I hope now it is something you guys find helpful, enjoyable and maybe even entertaining.

Here goes:

This year has been different than previous years. Each year has its own uniqueness, but this one has been the start of something new, and while we are only 7 months into the new venture, it’s “so far so good!” The new venture is, of course, joining RV Solar Solutions.

As a quick look back: year one was basically a vacation. Time off, time for Bill to decompress from corporate America; time to “shake off” 13+ hour work days; unwind from emptying the house, leaving behind lawn cutting and gutter cleaning; for me – giving up hours of vacuuming and dusting 3,000 square feet, pulling weeds, washing windows, etc.

Year one was also, sadly, a time of grief, as we said goodbye to our nephew. We didn’t travel far from familiar territory on the east coast, wanting to be near where family was.

During that year, we spent a lot of time with family and friends – in Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. We spent an amazing month in North Carolina with RV Dreams family.

Years two and three, and beginning of year four, we somewhat settled into what I had envisioned when planning this lifestyle. We knew year one lifestyle was not sustainable financially. Vacation mode would deplete our “nest egg” too quickly and put us back to where we didn’t want to be – full-time jobs in one location – with too little time to live.

Fall of 2015, 13 months into our new lifestyle, we signed up for “Peak” at Amazon in Campbellsville, KY. Summer of 2016 we camp-hosted in Seward, AK. Summer of 2017, we camp-hosted down the Jersey Shore. October 2017 we headed back to Campbellsville for another season at Amazon.

So, for the 104 weeks of years two and three and first 18 weeks of year four (October 2015 – December 2017) we worked a total of 62 weeks, or just about half the time. Wow – I hadn’t done the math on that before! Were we earning what we did in our previous lives? Hell no! Were we having more fun and doing more living? Were we seeing more new incredible things? Were we able to spend extended time with our family? You betcha!

We had all but accepted a summer 2018 workamping job, when RV Solar Solutions asked Bill to sign on officially as a installer. Bill had helped Greg on numerous jobs, training for the possibility of being on his own, but the timing just hadn’t been right. As I’ve said before, it took about 10 minutes of discussion to happily and excitedly accept!

After spending 10 weeks at Amazon, then five in FL with my parents, we headed to TX, where RV Solar Solutions spends the winter. Greg had lined up installs and Bill was excited to get started. We left TX about a month later with all the supplies needed for the next three installs.

Each job is different, and that’s part of what Bill likes – figuring out how to best do each install. Most take about 4/5 days, depending on lots of things, including (but not limited to) system size, ease of finding wire pathways, weather, etc. Bill likes clients to spend at least a full day, preferably two, to learn the system, so he is there to answer any questions; there will be questions!

Ideally, we would like to do two full installs per month, or at least average that. So far it seems that is totally doable, which is totally awesome!

In a nutshell – Bill becoming an official RV Solar Solutions installer has been the biggest difference this year!

There has definitely been a learning curve on how to travel, considering we need to plan for installs. We need to have things in mind we didn’t have to before, a couple of examples would be – is the client wiling and able to boondock or do they need hook-ups during the install? Is the town near where we can get supplies delivered? Does the client need to have a strong cell signal?

We’ve had yes and no answers to all the above questions. We do our best to find spots that take client needs into account, in a location where Bill & I want to explore. We’ve been pretty successful at it so far. We’ve had very experienced boondockers, who have realized solar will make their lives simpler and quieter by not needing to run a generator. We’ve had brand-new newbies, who have never boondocked but want to get on the roads less traveled and not worry about how to run their electric stuff. And everyone in between!

So, when leaving TX, loaded with supplies, we had a general idea of places we wanted to go. We did have commitments for a few rallies, but aside from that, we were mostly winging it – for the first time. We knew we would be in AZ, SoCal, NV, possibly UT, CO, then Yellowstone/Grand Teton area. As installs got scheduled, I added the exact locations.

In between, we’ve spent a lot of time with friends. Bill had help on a couple installs from our friend, David, which was very nice. David wanted to learn more, especially considering he and Sharon have a full system on their 5th Wheel.

As a comparison to the above statement about us working about half our time between September 2015 and December 2017, as of today it’s been 7 months since Bill started with RV Solar Solutions, or about 277 days, and he’s worked about 80 days, or about 28% of the time. That is significant reduction in working time verses the traditional workamping we’ve done. Plus, we have a lot more flexibility to be where we want to be, not being in one place for a 5 to 6 month commitment.

Currently, there is one install in KS scheduled, before heading back to TX by early November.

It has sometimes been more stressful traveling this way, but the rewards have been great! We’ve been able to spend time in many more different places – what’s not to love about that?

We look forward to the future with anticipation – anxious to see what it brings! Our current plan to to be back east – so anyone planning to be in PA or NJ – reach out – whether you want solar or just hang out – we’d love to see you!

So, what’s the same? Should be obvious, but in case it isn’t, it is seeing more of this country we love! It’s spending time with those we love, meeting new people, having new experiences! Hope you like this photo montage of highlights!

Bills final Country Oaks hayride Dinner with Country Oaks friends Choosing the best pumpkins with our son Can’t beat Lancaster farm stands! Hiking in Ohiopyle PA near our daughter Celebrating our daughter’s birthday Our daughter’s wonderful wedding! Bourbon trail Dinner with friends at our place while at Amazon Chihuly Glass at Makers Mark Dipping our own bottles at Makers Mark Celebrating birthdays with Grandma Murray’s carrot cake Dinner with the Degnan’s Louisville KY Dinner with friends in Campbellsville KY Touring Jim Beam with Tracy & Lee Amazon! Christmas Decor at Jim Beam RV Dreams picnic in Tarpon Springs Watching the pelicans while bike riding in St Petersburg FL Lego serpent Downtown Disney FL Awesome family day in Pandora, Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World FL Annual trek to Arcadia FL with my parents

Marble Canyon, Colorado River AZ

Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park

I know that was a lot of pictures! It just confirms my point above about being able to see and do more things this year, while installing solar, verses previous years when working more traditional workamping jobs.

Our upcoming year will bring more change – as we will be welcoming our first Grandchild in March. We are beyond happy and excited! Contrary to this past year, we will be spending mostly all of next spring and summer in PA, although I’m sure we will be taking side trips to NJ, and probably a rally in June in IN. We want plenty of time to spend with the baby, so those trips won’t be far or long.

In closing, I want to once again let you all know how much Bill and I both appreciate you reading and following our blog! It means a lot to us!

Last but FAR from least: I have to give credit for my featured picture (top of the page) to our friend, fellow RVer and photographer extraordinaire, Steven Dempsey. You should seriously consider checking out his page  Steven Dempsey Photography

Previous posts: Cody WY:  Year 4 Numbers Summary,

Look forward to: West Yellowstone

Thank you to each and everyone who reads our blog! Couldn’t do this without you! We’d love to have you sign up (on the right) and receive an email with each post, that way you don’t miss any posts!

In case you haven’t yet, you can also like and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. It’s fun!

Do you buy things from Amazon.com?  Who doesn’t, right? We are set up as Amazon Affiliates, which means when you click our link (to the right) and make your purchases, we get a small kick-back. You can still use your Amazon Prime membership! It doesn’t cost you anything additional! It helps us continue to bring you this blog!

We LOVE to hear from our followers!  Please let us know you are out there by commenting below!