Update from the Downings

Just some news from us as we finish our first whole month of full-timing. We miss the Shanty Shakers so much!

Best wishes to everyone.

Brian and Barbara Downing

Our first month on the road

 Barbara and I sold the house in San Diego and hit the road in our ’99 Rexhall Rexair 36’ Class A on July 24^th. Our first stop was Yuma where we thought we’d try the SKP’s park, not realizing it closes for the summer. After wandering around a little we stayed at Araby Acres for the night then moved on to Congress and stayed at SKP’s North Ranch for several days while the closing completed on the house.

We were headed for Rapid City SD to get registrations and drivers licenses but wanted to avoid Sturgis Bike Week and the week after, so we slowly drove thru AZ, UT and WY visiting all the National Parks and cashing in on our senior passes!!

We’ve been dreaming of going full time for about 10 years and planning our way to making the dream come true. One of my dreams was to find a nice place to camp, meet some fellow RV’ers and sit one beautiful evening with them swapping places to go, camp grounds to stay at and things to do.

On Wednesday that dream came true too! We camped next to Mike and Suzi on one side. Lee and Marylyn on the other side at the Rapid City Elks Lodge 1187. Next to the Elks golf course with lots of big trees and well away from any traffic this is a nice place to stay. Our rig was nicely in the shade and we all pulled up our chairs and drifted into the “Have you ever been to….” “If you’re in that area go see…” conversation that was just so natural for all of us, it felt like we’d been friends for ever.

After a little paperwork problem we got our vehicles registered in SD and our Drivers Licenses. It was so simple! The drivers licenses were handed over after filling out a 1 page form and taking an eye test. The drivers license office opened at 7.30 am and there was NO LINE. Yes just walk in and you got served.

The office for vehicle registrations’ was across town but again no line. No inspections required, no smog. We had registrations done in 30 minutes and the cost for the RV AND the car? Less than $200 TOTAL for tax, tags and registrations. And NO LINE. What a pleasure after San Diego!!

So next we have decided to see Devils Tower and Yellowstone before heading south to Austin TX for the US Formula 1 Grand Prix October 23^rd where we have a camping spot reserved trackside.

We have reservations for the winter in Casa Grande then maybe in the spring we may show up at a SS meeting in San Diego!

If you are bored and desperate you can follow us on our blog 

http://banbrv.blogspot.com/

Have Fun

Brian and Barbara Downing