What I'm driving and why? Or The Jeep. (Or Heep, as my father calls it.)

My dearest darlingest SO looked deeply into my eyes and said, "You can buy ANYTHING you want ...

as long as it is a Wrangler Rubicon."

SOAFB!

Excuse my language.

What?!?  When a friend's husband pulled this crap on her 15 years ago, I laughed.  My guy would NEVER be so stupid as to lay down a vehicle law to me.  NEVER!  He would NEVER tell me what vehicle to buy.

SOAFB!

Sorry again.

He did it.  He told me what to buy.  He laid down his law.

And he has suffered.

I wanted a Jeep Wrangler 22 years ago.  They were cool, they were neat.  They were basic.

Nope, Nope, Nope.  They were a roll over danger.  Their engines were crap.  Yada, yada, yada.  I was talked out of a Jeep Wrangler YJ.  And I may have carried a bit of bitterness as a result.  I bought a Ford Explorer instead.

Fast forward to "New Travel Plans" and himself had decided that since we were buying a truck camper, we needed a tow vehicle for exploration.  And he did not want to tow my 10+ year old Subaru Outback ... a perfectly respectable tow vehicle in my estimation.

 Look at how pretty she was!

I sold my Subaru.  And I was teary eyed.

I bought my $*&%ing Jeep.

 Here *it* is. 

And I grumble.

And he pays.

After I grumbled for the 20th time, he offered me ANYTHING I want.  Any vehicle I want.  I could buy it.

But, I don't want a second vehicle.  With traveling, I don't need a second vehicle (honestly, who does?)

So I've grumbled.

And made some modifications.

And grumbled.

And finally figured out the shift ratios.

And grumbled.

And I've decided, I like it.  But don't tell him.  He still needs to pay for the foot he open mouthed and inserted.

Our New Adventure - Truck Camper

We have been watching home and property sales in western Oregon, as that is the state I've (I'd) determined I want to retire for life.  Buuuut, the SO and Oregon itself have changed my mind.

In 36 months of online searches, and 6 weeks of in person searches, I have found 3 (he says 5) properties that "appear" viable.  We put a contract in on one, and oh, it was gorgeous! 

22 acres of mixed forest and field and garden deliciousness
Recently built small home
Lovingly cared for
Higher elevation in the eastern side of the Coastal range
35 minutes from a good grocery store (this is so very important!)

          That could have been my craft hut, complete with RV outdoor shower.  Waaaaaahhhhh!





However, we lost out to someone who could make a full cash offer.  We could not.

Sigh.

And after 3 weeks of rain, the SO was getting irritable (we were visiting in March and April).  If he had trouble with 3 weeks, how was he going to handle 9 months?

Between those two rocks, I came to the conclusion that Oregon does not want me/us in the state permanently. 

After 3 years, I am ready to give up.  Exhausted.  Tired of searching. 

So I did.  I gave up.  I cannot find a place to move to in Oregon, and I refuse to keep up a fruitless search.  I suppose it is time to delete all my saved searches.  The emails just re-depress me.

While we both still highly desire moving out of the south (our canine companions could really care less), with Oregon struck from the list, I'm not left with many options.  Our next viable states list includes Colorado and New Hampshire.  These will require further travel and study, living and experiencing, in our search for the next "place to hang our hats."

But we are tired of camping in a tent, requiring the loading and unloading of the truck at each and every stop.  We want to carry a little home with us while we travel about.  And we want to travel in less tent weather compatible seasons.

We look to ... travel trailers!  And new trucks (our current is an '05 SUV).

 

 Construction quality is scary.

We attended the Annual RV Travel Show in Denver at the Western Complex.  (Great, but hot parking lot, many "Holy cow, what were they thinking" displays ... an outdoor TV?  Really?  And an ample display of what we do NOT like.)  After considering construction quality, travel desires, and functionality, it is the truck campers that appeal to us most. 

 

Once we found the Northern Lite line, we needed to look no further.  They are beautifully built inside and out. 

In a very short period of time, we placed an order for a 10'2" EX CD SE and a Ford F350.  We had played with the numbers: GVWR, camper dry/wet weight, and truck load capacity.  We spoke several times with our salesman and Keith at Northern Lite.  Keith's comment was, "The F350 was made to carry the 10'2"!"

Excitement could describe my own feelings, but the SO is fairly low key.  The truck (forevermore known as "Monstrosity") arrived in early June with a camper certification from the manufacturer. 

Our first uh-oh moment came in reading the certification ... it would only allow us to add 250 additional pounds to the truck once the camper was loaded.  Otherwise, we exceed the manufacturers written capacity of weight load.  Yeah, nope!  Not gonna happen.  We probably had an additional 250 pounds with the extra tire, wheel, and carry rack alone!

We swiftly contacted our salesman, who contacted Keith.  We all agreed that we should downgrade our camper to a 9'6" (all the while being told over and over that "they" put 10'2"s on F350s ALL THE TIME).  Well, OUR F350 wasn't going to be overloaded like that.

I've lost quite a bit of storage by downgrading from the 10'2" to the 9'6" ... it does not "look" like so much. But, in actuality, the 10'2" is 21" longer than the 9'6", being truly closer to 11' in length.  That additional length is lost/found in the bathroom, dinette, and storage cabinets.  Insert 😢 here.

But I'm over it.  Really.  As long as I haven't lost my sewing machine, and fabric, and light, and cutting implements, etc space, I'm okay.  But honestly, I'm looking at himself's collection of "Stuff" for the camper, and I wonder mightily.  I really wonder.  Where is all this SH!T gonna go?  There's like, 5 storage cupboards and drawers in the 9'6" (exaggeration, there is more).

We sit here in late August, dealing with the rainfall from Harvey, making last minute adjustments to Monstrosity, the tow vehicle, and prepping for the call that our Northern Lite 9'6" Queen Classic SE is traveling from Canada to our pickup location.

Our saga begins.

What I'm driving and why?

What is with the white?

Monstrosity, specifications

Travel Wardrobe capsule.

Eating plans.

Dogs and traveling.

Electronics and techy toys.