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Journey from Settled Life to Full-Time RV Adventures 2.0
Journey from Settled Life to Full-Time RV Adventures 2.0
In 2014, my wife and I made a bold decision: we sold our home in Pennsylvania, packed up, and hit the road in a motorhome. For years, we embraced the full-time RV lifestyle, exploring new places and meeting incredible people. Eventually, we settled in Florida, but our wanderlust never faded. We continued to travel, volunteering at state parks and soaking in the freedom of the open road.
In 2023, life took a turn. We parted ways, and I found myself purchasing a mobile home in Ohio. Two years later, I’ve come to a clear realization: this isn’t for me. Old friends aren’t the same, and the pull of new adventures—exciting places and fresh faces—has been impossible to ignore. So, I’m hitting the road again, ready for Full-Time RV 2.0! This blog will chronicle my journey, and I’m thrilled to share it with you.
The preparations have begun. I’ve purchased a Ford F-250 Super Duty full cab with an 8-foot bed—a beast ready for the journey ahead. Today, the fifth wheel hitch gets installed. With 40 years of RVing experience, I’ve towed just about everything, and let me tell you: a fifth wheel is the way to go. No bending down to mess with load-leveling bars, no struggling to align a hitch, and no worrying about sway. It’s low-maintenance, easy to handle, and I love it. The next step? Buying the perfect fifth wheel to call home.
Stay tuned for more updates as I embark on this new chapter of full-time RVing. Adventure awaits, and I can’t wait to share the road with you
Have Hitch Will Travel
Have Hitch Will Travel
Camping World wanted $1200 to install this; My local mom & pop mechanic did this for $213.00! All I need now is a home sale and a 5th wheel
Saturday Nov 15th '25 - Home Sold - Buy a 5th Wheel
Saturday Nov 15th '25 - Home Sold - Buy a 5th Wheel
RCD RV - North Ridgeville, Ohio
Saturday, November 15 9:15 – 11:15am
RV Dealers Make Used Car Salesmen Look Good!
RV Dealers Make Used Car Salesmen Look Good!
RV dealers make used car salesmen look good! That's my expectation after 40 years of RVing and buying various RVs over the years. And today, I can tell you that RCD North Ridgeville met every single one of those low expectations.
Not once, but THREE times.
I had previously communicated with the salesperson, Katrina, regarding a new battery for the rig I was potentially going to purchase. Here's her exact text from the Monday prior to the Saturday I went up to buy it:
> "Hello Dennis, sorry I am just getting back to you. I was away over the weekend. Congrats on your sale! Of course we will still honor a new battery. What time tomorrow works best for you? I would love to get this unit pulled up and plugged in for you."
Upon arriving, Katrina took me back to see the unit—it was in their shop. I think the first words out of her mouth were, "I just checked everything myself. The slide-out works, the jacks work."
Expectations met! ONE!
So the first thing I said was, "Can we unplug it? I want to see it work on the battery."
They unplugged the rig, and everything went dead. Sure enough, the old battery was still in it.
She went to get a jump pack, and they got the tech involved. I stepped out to have a smoke while they tried to figure out the problem. Had I walked out of there and purchased it without doing this, I'd have had all kinds of issues.
But it gets even worse.
More expectations met. TWO
After hooking up and plugging in, we did the lights check. Although the turn signals and brake lights worked, the tail lights and marker lights did not come on with the headlights. I still need to figure out this one
More expectations met. THREE
On the way home, I pulled over at the first service area on Route 80 to do a quick check. Sure enough, the awning was beginning to come out. The latches are both weak and wouldn't stay secured. I didn't bring anything to tie them up or tape them, so I ended up using two USB cables I had as ties to hold the awning in place on the drive home.
Yep. Like I said, RV dealers make used car salesmen look good.
Begin the Bequine
Begin the Bequine
Beguine: A member of the Beguines, lay Christian women in medieval Europe (especially 13th–16th centuries in the Low Countries) who lived in semi-monastic communities.
# Moving Day Blues (and a Steelers Win!)
November 16, 2025
Pick up something, out the door, down the steps, across the carport, up the steps into the 5th wheel, find a place to put it, out the door, down the steps, across the carport, up the steps into the home. Rinse & repeat, 6 AM till noon.
At 71, my bones don’t do this well anymore. My apologies to the park manager, Rocky, for the things I left behind. I simply could not make trip 87.
Somewhere during the morning I had an invite from my best friend Bob to join him and my other best friends—Sharon, Lori, and Ron—at Sal’s Ristorante and Bar to watch the Steelers game at 1 PM.
I’m loving the fact that the 5th wheel is only 28 ft and I can manage it even into their parking lot. But upon realizing a local airport museum was just 100 yards away, I elected to move it there.
I had forgotten they do Harvest Hosts so I just pulled into one of their RV spots (not another rig around on a Sunday).
Note to self: Renew Harvest Hosts membership!
I spent a wonderful few hours with the gang—albeit I was not my glowing self. I was exhausted, sore all over, and COLD!
I had figured I would just spend the night at the airport museum when Ron offered a 30-amp hookup in the parking lot of his business.
So I spent my first night in my 5th wheel here:
Note to self: Buy toilet paper!!!!!!!
# Salt Fork State Park
# Salt Fork State Park
I've landed at an old stomping ground—Salt Fork State Park—where I've been many times before. My RV is packed with so much stuff that I can't move it without returning to find things scattered all over the floor. I think I'll spend at least another day here as I'm slowly getting things organized. Plus, today is supposed to be a real wintry day, and I have no wish to travel in that kind of weather.
Beach Fork State Park - Avoid at all cost!
Beach Fork State Park - Avoid at all cost!
### Three Reasons to Choose a Campground
When planning a trip, campgrounds often make the perfect base camp. Here are the three main reasons people end up booking a site:
1. It's a destination in its own right
Some campgrounds are so packed with amenities—pools, hiking trails, lakes, playgrounds, evening programs, and more—that you can arrive, park, and never leave the property for the entire week and still have a fantastic time. This is less common, but when it happens, it's pure vacation gold.
2. It's conveniently close to the attractions you actually want to see
This is the most typical scenario. The campground itself might be basic, but it's just a short drive from national parks, beaches, historic sites, theme parks, or whatever drew you to the area in the first place. You get affordable lodging with a bit of nature, plus easy access to the main event.
3. It's simply an overnight stop on a longer journey
When you're road-tripping (like I often do when heading south for the winter), you just need a safe, comfortable place to sleep, shower, and recharge. Campgrounds are frequent, reliable stops along the highways—far better than sketchy motels or exhausted late-night driving.
As I was traveling south on I-64 West, leaving West Virginia and entering Kentucky, I started looking for a place to stay overnight. There was a convenient KOA right off the interstate, but I know those places tend to be pricey, so I kept looking. I found Beech Fork State Park nearby and figured state parks are usually reasonable.
I was wrong—this one was $57 a night. I should have just stayed at the KOA.
After leaving I-64 and heading south toward the park, I endured twenty minutes of the most white-knuckle driving I’ve ever done.
I’m starting to develop a new routine: as soon as I arrive at a campground and get the rig leveled and set up, I unhook the trailer and head out with just the truck to find fuel and groceries. It’s so much easier without dragging 30 feet of trailer behind me.
The downside? I keep waiting until after dinner to do it, which means I’m heading out in the dark. Big mistake.
Leaving Beech Fork State Park after sunset on these narrow, twisting WV back roads gave me yet another dose of white-knuckle driving I really didn’t need. Steep drop-offs, no shoulders, blind curves, and deer eyeing me like they own the place—fun times.
Verdict on Beech Fork State Park: $57 a night + terror roads + zero cell service = never returning. Ever.
Little Patch Of Heaven: Bardstown, KY
Little Patch Of Heaven: Bardstown, KY
My Epic Quest to Find Paradise (Spoiler: It’s Closed)
Left this morning on what Google Maps swore was a “relaxed 3-hour drive.”
Arrived 5½ hours later looking like I’d detoured through three time zones and a Narnia wardrobe.
Reasons for delay:
- My top speed is apparently “grandma with groceries”
- Stopped approximately 47 times for coffee, bathrooms, and existential crises
Finally roll up to “My Old Kentucky Home Campground”
…which is currently “My Old Kentucky Home Construction Zone.”
Gate locked. Sign says “Renovations till Jesus returns or 2026, whichever comes first.”
Cool. Cool cool cool.
Plan B: the whimsically named “Little Patch of Heaven Campground” just down the road.
Have I mentioned the sun has ghosted me since Monday? Zero vitamin D. Sky color palette: 50 shades of “eh.” Today upgraded to full-on monsoon.
Pull into Little Patch of Heaven and, reader, let me tell you what Heaven apparently offers in 2025:
- Constant drizzle (ambiance!)
- Gloomy gray blanket sky (cozy!)
- A 30-amp breaker that trips if you even *think* about running the microwave
- Internet so slow it’s basically two cans and a string
- Cell service? What is this “bars” you speak of?
Truly living the dream. If this is Heaven, somebody send me back to the waiting room with the old magazines. All for the low price of $65.80!
10/10 would not ascend again. 🌧️⛈️😭
"So why don't you stay at Walmart free parking?" I was recently asked.
It's up to each store manager — Many Walmarts still allow it (especially in rural or highway locations), but a growing number (estimates around 50% or more in some reports) prohibit overnight stays due to local ordinaces . The local municipalities don't want you staying for free they want you to stay in a campground so they can get revenue from the taxes. This has been a trend growing for the last 10 years.
# Farm Stay at Cousin Val & Willard's
# Farm Stay at Cousin Val & Willard's
Arrived Friday afternoon at cousin Val and her husband Willard's beautiful farm in KY. Free camping definitely has its perks… and a few not-so-great ones. Let's just say this isn't exactly a five-star resort. I'd have to dock at least one star for the truly pathetic Wi-Fi. 🤦♂️
I shot some really nice video walkthroughs of the place and the cows (the cow views are legitimately spectacular), but getting anything larger than a text message uploaded here is a lost cause. As soon as I escape this internet dead zone, I'll share the videos.
### Current Situation
Stuck in a self-made mud hole since pulling in (thanks, recent rains + my brilliant parking choice). Plan is to leave Monday morning — hopefully with Willard's tractor assistance — and head to another relative's place in Kentucky for a night or two. From there, aiming for Tennessee by Wednesday or Thursday to test out yet another relative's "campground."
Leeching off relatives like this saves me roughly a tank of gas every single day I'm parked, so I'll happily trade a little mud for family time.
### Pro Tip: The Upside App
Speaking of fuel — I've been filling the truck almost daily for the last five days. Right about the time I hit the road, a fellow RVer turned me on to an app called Upside. I was super skeptical at first (“Yeah, right, another scam”), but it actually works great.
How it works in plain English:
Upside partners with gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. When you claim an offer in the app and buy something there, the business pays Upside a small commission for sending them a customer. Upside then splits that commission with you as straight cash-back (usually 5–25¢ per gallon on fuel). It's legit — I've already cashed out a couple times via PayPal.
Bonus: If someone signs up using your referral link, you both get an extra chunk of cash. I'll drop my referral link below if anyone's interested (no pressure). Every little bit helps when you're burning gas like I am!
👉 My Upside referral link: https://upside.app.link/DENNIS75432
### Weather Woes
Finally, I officially feel like Pigpen from Peanuts — a traveling cloud of dirt and bad weather. It was supposed to be sunny today. Instead? Another cold, rainy mess. I swear this front is personally following me across state lines.
That said, I'm having an absolute blast visiting with Val, Willard, and even got to meet their son Zach. Great people, great conversations, and zero campground fees. Can't complain too much.
More updates (and those cow videos) coming just as soon as I find a cell tower that isn't from 1998.
Everyone have a wonderful day — stay dry out there! 🌧️🐮🚐
The Final Mile
The Final Mile
vals_mobile_copy.mp4#Down On The Farm!
#Down On The Farm!
Reconnecting with my cousin Val and Willard has been such a wonderful experience. It’s been so cool to see how they live out here on their beautiful farm. Their house sits up on a hill, and as far as the eye can see in every direction, it’s all theirs. The view is absolutely breathtaking; I only wish I had a front-row seat like that from my RV!
Val has been the most amazing hostess. She’s truly gone above and beyond, taking care of my every need. Yesterday she even gifted me some of her homemade canned peaches, and best of all, my new prized possession: a jar of Grandma’s Jellison's famous ketchup, made by Aunt Bonnie herself. Thank you both so, so much!
Today I plan to pull out and head about an hour south to Murray, Kentucky, to visit another relative on the other side of the family—Joanne Martin. On to new adventures! 🚐💨
My Week So Far: A Comedy of Errors, Tractors, and Surprise River Fording
My Week So Far: A Comedy of Errors, Tractors, and Surprise River Fording
Monday was one of those days that feels like the universe hired a prank writer.
Act I: The Tractor Farewell
I left Val’s farm in style—towed out by an actual tractor, because apparently my rig looked at the muddy driveway and said, “Nah, I’m good.” Val waved goodbye like a proud parent sending their kid off to prom in a John Deere limo.
Act II: The World’s Worst Timed Family Reunion
Thanks to a group chat that apparently exists in a parallel dimension where words mean whatever they feel like, I rolled up to Aunt Jo’s place in Murray, Kentucky, exactly in time to watch Cousin Robin, her husband Terry, and the entire household finish packing the car. I basically became the “guy who shows up as the credits roll.” Robin, bless her, still managed to whip out the phone and take some absolutely fire photos of me looking confused in their driveway. 10/10 documentation of my timing fail.
Act III: Google Maps Tries to Kill Me
With my original plan now a smoking crater, I pointed the truck toward Cousin Patty & Terry’s place. If getting into Val’s was “mildly sketchy,” getting to Patty & Terry’s was “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Nope.”
The GPS cheerfully directed me down a curvy back road that got narrower and more “banjo soundtrack” by the mile. Then I saw it on the map: a big looping bend with a creek smack in the middle of the road. A sensible person would expect a bridge. I, apparently, am not sensible, because I spent the next five minutes whispering, “There has to be a bridge… there has to be a bridge…”
Reader, there was no bridge.
There was just… water. A legit creek. Right where the road was supposed to be.
So there I was, sitting in the truck, fifth wheel dangling behind me like a 35-foot anchor, staring at a ford like I’m reenacting the Oregon Trail (dysentery sold separately). I did what any rational adult does: flipped the truck into locked the differentials, said a quick prayer to the patron saint of terrible decisions, and sent it.
*Splash.*
Miraculously, the creek was only about ankle-deep on a tall duck. The truck plowed through like it fords rivers for funsies. I emerged on the other side looking like I’d just won the redneck Dakar Rally.
Act IV: Paradise Found
And then… I pulled up to one of the most gorgeous homes I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m talking magazine-cover, better-than-a-postcard, “Pin this to your vision board” beautiful. Patty and Terry both have impeccable taste (and apparently magic powers, because HOW).
I parked beside the road, dropped the landing gear, leveled the rig with zero drama, and—*angels singing*—the WIFI signal is flawless. We’re talking “could stream 4K while uploading my entire photo library” fast.
Conclusion
So yeah. I may have been towed by a tractor, missed my family by literal minutes, and forded a creek because bridges are apparently optional in Tennessee… but I’m currently parked in Shangri-La with blazing internet and plans to stay at least through Thanksgiving.
If this is what “roughing it” looks like now, sign me up forever.
Map of Travels to Date begining from Aliquippa, PA.
Day One with Mara Cousins
Day One with Mara Cousins
Day One at Mara Cousins.mp4### Origins and Inspiration
### Origins and Inspiration
Recently, I’ve received comments praising my humerus writing skills.
It AIN’T me!
It’s all GROK!
Grok, the AI chatbot developed by xAI, draws its name from the verb "grok," coined by science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein in his 1961 novel *Stranger in a Strange Land*. The term means to understand something so deeply that it becomes part of oneself, reflecting xAI's mission to create AI that pursues maximum truth and deep comprehension of the universe. The project originated from Elon Musk's vision for an AI that would be "maximally truth-seeking" and less biased than competitors like OpenAI's ChatGPT, which Musk co-founded but later criticized. Initially conceptualized as "TruthGPT," it was rebranded to Grok to emphasize intuitive understanding over rote computation.
I am sure there are those who use it better than me, but here is an example of how I use it.
Install the app on phone / tablet / computer or all three. Write what you wish to email, message, chat, share, pin, tag, tweet, post, etc. Now at the top of the message write a sentance with the last word variable as...
Format the following XXX:
XXX = Professional:
XXX = Funny:
XXX = Sarcastic:
XXX = (choose any emotion)
Example:
Harvest Hosts:
Harvest Hosts:
I just rejoined Harvest Hosts! I was a member before but let it lapse, and now I’m signed up again. There are now over 9,000 host locations across the country where I can stay for free, and in my current area there are about 60—several of them right nearby.
Great timing too: I just got the shipping notification that my Starlink Roam kit is out for delivery today! With any luck, I’ll have internet set up and can hit the road as early as tomorrow.
I really do love it here, but it’s still too cold to get any work done on the rig. I’ve got a few repairs that need attention:
- Crawl underneath and fix a small water leak
- Troubleshoot and repair the trailer tail lights (none are working right now)
- Mount the 7-pin RV plug on the back of the truck
I can’t do any of that until it warms up. As soon as I head south it should finally get warm enough to knock these projects out.
Next planned stop: the Birmingham, Alabama area. We’ll see how the weather and timing line up!
#Starlink Arrived! $50/Month
#Starlink Arrived! $50/Month
Opening the box took longer than setting it up. There are literally only three pieces:
The dish itself (it’s rectangular/square) with a built-in kickstand that flips out on the back to set the perfect angle. You can just place it on a table or flat surface and it’s already tilted correctly.
A power cable that connects to the dish.
A power adapter that plugs into the wall.
That’s it. I plugged it in, and it started working immediately.
After it downloaded some updates, I used the Starlink app on my phone to fine-tune the alignment. It couldn’t have been easier — I just rotated the dish slightly on the table, and the app guided me until it showed a perfect connection (zero obstructions). The instructions mentioned giving it up to 24 hours to fully “settle in” and optimize.
My first speed test showed only about 8 Mbps. Ten minutes later, it was already hitting 120+ Mbps. I’m really curious to see what it does after the full 24-hour optimization period.
For Michael: When I arrived at my cousin’s house, I was piggyacking on their AT&T Internet Air connection. Even though it was showing decent speeds (around 60 Mbps), my Jellyfin media server (which I use for streaming TV shows and movies) was buffering like crazy and having all sorts of issues. At the same time, YouTube and other services worked perfectly fine, which made no sense.
As soon as I switched everything over to the new Starlink connection, the Jellyfin problems basically disappeared — easily 99% better. Super impressed so far!
#Florida Destination
#Florida Destination
The main reason for this trip to Florida is to officially change my address to Crestview, Florida – home of myrvmail.com’s physical location. I’ve done this before, but the process requires me to show up in person with both my truck and RV so they can inspect the vehicles and get everything properly registered in Florida. While I’m there, I’ll also swap over my driver’s license.
Once that’s wrapped up, my final stop on the map is to visit old friends Robin and Kenny Pyles. I’m not planning to winter there, but since I’ll be passing that close, I can’t not stop by. They’ve been incredibly close friends and were there for me during some really tough times.
Their place is always a good time – goats, chickens, plenty of projects, and I’ve somehow turned into the unofficial handyman whenever I visit. There’s always something to fix or help with, and I enjoy pitching in.
I haven’t even told them I’m coming yet… but I’m pretty sure they won’t mind. 😄
... to Granma Terri's House we Go!
... to Granma Terri's House we Go!
Merry Little Xmas.mp4Ready to Roll – The Adventure Continues!
Ready to Roll – The Adventure Continues!
The gas tank is filled, air pressure topped off in all eight tires, oil checked and topped off, fresh water loaded in the RV…
Everything is set. We’re ready to move forward this Friday!
Next Stop:
Siluria Brewing Company (harvest host)
Alabaster, AL
*1 Night · December 12th – 13th, 2025*
Time to hit the road again. More updates (and probably a beer review) coming soon! 🍻🚐
### KOA, Watch Out—Harvest Hosts Has You Beat!
### KOA, Watch Out—Harvest Hosts Has You Beat!
With literally decades of RVing experience behind me, I've learned a thing or two about finding great campsites on the road.
KOA used to be my go-to because of their really great app. Instead of wasting time on Google Maps searching for a campground, then calling to check availability and prices, the KOA app handled it all seamlessly.
Mid-afternoon while traveling, I'd simply open the app. It showed a map of all their locations, I'd pick one, book it, and pay upon arrival (though it often cost a pretty penny).
Harvest Hosts does pretty much the same thing—except you don't have to pay for the stay itself.
(Well, you should support the host. They recommend spending about $30 at the site, which is only about half of what KOA charges these days.) But... your money is getting you something more than just place to stay!
I'm starting to love the Harvest Hosts app!
Siluri Bewing Company (Harvest Host)
Siluri Bewing Company (Harvest Host)
Well, my very first Harvest Hosts stay, and I’m parked in the parking lot! 😊 It’s really not too shabby at all. The host told me to just set up right where I was since no one else was expected (though two more rigs showed up a bit later!). It’s Friday night, and around 8 PM the place started hopping. I’m thinking I should head inside and add my two cents to the fun crowd! 🎉 ummm...
Ask any ol' barstool in this town
Ask my new found party crowd
Sure I take more Jack in my Coke now
A little more high in my smoke now...
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