RT40 Roadtreking Podcast: Hitting the Road After the Kids are Gone

Empty nesters have two choices once the last kid leaves home for good: sit around pining for the good ol' days or make some great new days. The RV lifestyle offers a way to make some great new days - to get out to see amazing places and meet awesome people and not just exist, but live. David and Veronica James, aka The Gypsy Nesters, are among the best examples of how it can work. In fact, they take it to the extreme because eight years ago they sold their sticks-and-bricks home and hit the road in a 1983 model Chevy RV. They haven't looked back since and make it practice to always look ahead. It's just one of the things they talk about in their new book, "Going Gypsy: One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest At All." The Gypsy Nesters also are the featured guest on this episode of the Roadtreking RV podcast, where they join Mike to talk about, among other things: What went into the decision to trade their home for a life on the road What their family thought of the decision How to keep in touch with family while RVing full-time Suggestions for getting along as a couple while on the road How RVing can bring couples together Should you sell your house before becoming a full-time RVer? The challenges of being a full-time RVer Some unnerving situations they've been in The best things about being full-timers Their favorite RV destinations Also in this episode, Mike is joined by Jennifer, who is on the mend from pneumonia after being hospitalized during their latest trip. They answer a reader question about moving to a retirement community for over 55 RVers in the Arizona desert with some common sense advice. Plus, Mike has RV news of the week and a great bucket list destination - the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #40, June 17, 2015, of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: First Things First: From South Dakota, Jennifer's On the Mend The show begins with Jennifer joining Mike after an illness forced her to spend some time in a Montana hospital during what they call "the trip from hell," which included an RV burglary, food poisoning, a twisted ankle, and culminated with Jennifer being diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia and spending several days in a hospital. And yet, it's still been a great trip! [spp-timestamp time="2:07"] Listener Question: Can You Help Me Find a 55+ Community Fitting for the RV Lifestyle? Listener Julie wants to find a 55+ community that is RV-friendly and meets her health and financial needs. Mike and Jennifer have some suggestions, which include exploring the possibility of park model communities in and around Apache Junction, Arizona. [spp-timestamp time="7:16"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, Mo. Van City RV only sells Class B. RVs. Owner Ray Dwyer has been in the RV business for 44 years and is considered the dean of Class B RVs. Nobody knows more about small motorhomes that Ray and his crew. They have new and used Class B motorhomes in stock from the major manufacturers. When you fly in to buy your RV from Van City, they'll arrange to have you picked up from the airport and will reimburse you $500 toward your airfare. Then, your RV will be fully prepared for travel, complete with full tanks of fuel and propane. After a complete orientation with their staff on your new RV, you can take delivery and set out for home. Dan the Van Man gives the week's specials on the podcast. [spp-player] RV News of the Week: RV Industry Growth, Pet Problems, Vintage Trailer Theft Millennials, Boomers Driving RV Growth : The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association reports RV shipments (the gauge for the RV industry's health) will increase 6.5 percent in 2015 to about 380,000 units. Even bigger numbers are projected for 2016. Who's driving the boom? Millennials and baby boomers. (Read more) [spp-timestamp time="15:10"] Rhode Island Lawmakers Tackling Pet Discrimination: Rhode Island law allows only four-legged pets like cats and dogs at campsites but a new bill working its way through the system could change that, which is good news for one man who was kicked out of two campgrounds for taking his pet cockatoo along . (Read more) [spp-timestamp time="17:38"] Restored 1962 Airstream Overlander Stolen: A Prairie Village, Kan. family is pleading for the return of what it calls an heirloom in form of a 1962 Airstream Overlander. It was in the final stages of being restored when it was stolen. (Read more)[spp-timestamp time=" 18:59"] This portion of the podcast is brought to you by Alde, the only name in heat that you need to know for your RV. The Alde hydronic system brings many features and benefits not found with any other product. Silent Radiant Heat - providing a warm even natural heated interior. Great for pets. (And Humans) Increased Interior Space by combining two systems in one. Efficiency. The whole system draws less than 1 amp on 12V DC and will extend the life of your propane roughly 40%