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Topic: Hanging up our keys .... (Read 1940 times) previous topic - next topic

Hanging up our keys ....

It is time .... and we have made the decision and are not looking back. We have decided that it is time to empty our girl and get it ready for the next owner. Physical challenges have made it clear during our last trip  ( a mere 750 miles) that we just cannot continue to enjoy this lifestyle on the road, and it is time to pursue other interests.

So ... after 5 years in this great coach ( and MANY coach bucks !!!) we will be listing our 2002 U320, single slide, tag, 40' beauty.

Sheesh ..... I was ALMOST done renovating!  All I had left was to re-do the dinette!

We will be posting the official list of particulars and (hopefully) photos as soon as we get done with the immediate need to pack up all the "stuff".    (sniff, gulp, choke)

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #1 –
How sad for all of us! We hope that you will continue to share on the forum because your wry sense of humor and engaging style of writing would be sorely missed otherwise.
Don & Tys

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Carol Savournin –
So ... after 5 years in this great coach ( and MANY coach bucks !!!) we will be listing our 2002 U320, single slide, tag, 40' beauty.

Sheesh ..... I was ALMOST done renovating!  All I had left was to re-do the dinette!

We will be posting the official list of particulars and (hopefully) photos as soon as we get done with the immediate need to pack up all the "stuff".    (sniff, gulp, choke)
Carol,
I know just the feeling.  We had Forrest for almost 14 years.  The prospect of new adventures will make the transition a bit better.  I know for Beth and I it will.

Good luck to you and Jeff in these new pursuits.

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #3 –
Carol & Jeff

We've not met but I have enjoyed the many posts you've offered throughout the forum.  With some 18 months before retirement we've grown more excited to explore the forum, learn the history of the brand and drool over the wonderful job you and others have done restoring/renovating these special coaches.

It seems that just about the time we discovered FT, and the forum, that there have been a number of experienced FT owners who've decided to let their coaches move on to the next owner to enjoy.  Its been encouraging to see that these well cared for coaches do turn over....and frustrating that we've seen a couple of real beauties go quickly to new owners and we're so close....but not quite ready to buy.

Its also taken posts like yours to realize that time is precious...and waiting to retire to have more money....may leave less time to enjoy being retired.  I'd originally planned to work to 70 but have now decided to pull the plug at 66 in 2018.  Your Steve Jobs post says it well.

Good luck to you both.  I now your rig will have a new proud owner soon.

Randy in Sarasota

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #4 –
Wishing you and Jeff the very best. I appreciate all the special help you have given me and hope you will continue to write as everyone gains. My Dad's favorite saying,"getting old is Hell"is a truism. Wouldn't it be nice to retire at 20years old with the money one has when old; and work from 50 to death. I personally know I cannot do what I did at 55 years old so I am in a race to the end everyday.

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #5 –
Carol & Jeff,

Sorry to hear about your decision, but you two certainly know what you are doing, so it must be the right time.

You wrote us our very first PM, right after we introduced ourselves on the Forum, back in February of 2013.  I know the exact date, because I saved it for a souvenir.  Your kind message was a warm welcome to the Forum and to the lifestyle. and a offer to help us in any way you could.  Well, you have helped us many times with your knowledgeable posts, humorous insights, and pithy remarks.  Your wit and wisdom will be missed by all, I am sure.

No reason why you can't check in once in a while, and let us know what's happening.  Hope the next adventure is even better than this one!

Chuck and Jeannie Avery

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Carol Savournin –
  (sniff, gulp, choke)

Now, don't go away, Carol, stay with us!  You have been a bright light on this forum. We, who are "moving up the scale" have thought , many times, "when do we quit, or do we"? Making your own mind up, out front, is the adult decision. I wished I'd saved it: an article I read years ago (Trailer Life?) concerned a fellow who "was not done yet" and resisted suggestions that he'd had his fun.
It was a tear-jerking, poignant story where the son had to take the keys away from Dad. We love this lifestyle, but my niece has orders to "grab the keys". ^.^d

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #7 –
Carol, you and mister wonderful will be dearly missed on this forum. Betty and I wish you the best in your future adventures.

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #8 –
Quote from: John/Pat –
Wishing you and Jeff the very best. I appreciate all the special help you have given me and hope you will continue to write as everyone gains. My Dad's favorite saying,"getting old is Hell"is a truism. Wouldn't it be nice to retire at 20years old with the money one has when old; and work from 50 to death. I personally know I cannot do what I did at 55 years old so I am in a race to the end everyday.


Interesting post to us.

We consciously partially retired at 23/33 to enjoy our youth,  500 days dirt biking, 300 days jet skiing, another 300 days snow skiing.

Worked enough to support our fun.  Not the correct plan for most.

Worked out sort of.  I have a side biz and my DW has had her own biz for 19 years.

While not rich we would not trade the memories for the money ever. 

Still ended up with a cute small house near the beach in so cal and a Foretravel u320. 

But still need to work some which was the trade off for the freedom long ago.  Choices

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #9 –
We did something similar, leaving the work world in our early 30's to take off in our sail boat for a couple of years. 

Then retired in our late 40's to address our "bucket list". 

Yes, the budget is much more limited, but we are working our way through the list!

Carol and Jeff-- stay in touch.

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #10 –
A very sad time, hope you hang around on the forums. your posts have always been of interest. We made the same decision last fall and just recently my I lost my DW, navigator and traveling companion so hanging up the keys was timely.
Best wishes for the next adventure in your travels.

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #11 –
Gee .... Thanks, guys!  I certainly intend to hang around here. Firstly, because I am nosy ... and, secondly, because I always seem to have a lot to say.  We need to maintain our friendships with all here, as well!  This Forum has been an ongoing tutorial in many, many things ... not all of them Foretravel!  We gathered many friends here, by first meeting them and getting to know them electronically. It was sometimes months or years before we ever met in person! 

But ... we have learned that you should do things before you HAVE to , so you are not at the mercy of urgent circumstances. 

Jeff is having a hard time with the debilitating effects of A-fib, and trying to manage chronic back pain that has no surgical remedy. I CAN manage all the work of setting up, breaking down, hitching and un-hitching ... but I am never gonna love to drive the coach and I do not think I will ever change my mind. Therefore ... we are looking forward to alternate venues to explore and enjoy the planet. 
On to the next...!!!

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #12 –
Carol and Jeff, sorry as others to see you go, we met o e time at the Q and had some. Good laughs around the fire ring. Good luck in your next adventure
Regards Andy & Eileen Wright  8)

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #13 –
Quote from: floridarandy –
Carol & Jeff

We've not met but I have enjoyed the many posts you've offered throughout the forum.  With some 18 months before retirement we've grown more excited to explore the forum, learn the history of the brand and drool over the wonderful job you and others have done restoring/renovating these special coaches.

It seems that just about the time we discovered FT, and the forum, that there have been a number of experienced FT owners who've decided to let their coaches move on to the next owner to enjoy.  Its been encouraging to see that these well cared for coaches do turn over....and frustrating that we've seen a couple of real beauties go quickly to new owners and we're so close....but not quite ready to buy.

Its also taken posts like yours to realize that time is precious...and waiting to retire to have more money....may leave less time to enjoy being retired.  I'd originally planned to work to 70 but have now decided to pull the plug at 66 in 2018.  Your Steve Jobs post says it well.

Good luck to you both.  I now your rig will have a new proud owner soon.

Randy in Sarasota
You can enjoy a coach before you retire. I will be 72 soon and even though I am still running the crane have enjoyed over 30 years of RVing and when I quit working can travel to places I couldn't

would miss Carol's posts if she stops. So don't

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #14 –
Carol -

I can remember when we first picked up our coach at FOT and you and Jeff were there, surely spending more coach bucks.  You came over, chatted and checked things out.  Having been on the forum for awhile I was privately wondering if that friendliness was representative of other Foretravelers and forum members.  I now know that you and Jeff are a genuine cut above. 

Like I've mentioned via email and wish to share with the forum  - thanks for all your words of traveling wisdom and humor.  Believe it or not your posts and Jeff's (reserved  ;D  input) of life on the road encourage us to keep exploring this country's wonderful byways. 

Please stick around and keep sharing.

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #15 –
we are all time and health limited.  Unfortunately.

Had alot of conversations long ago with prospective  rv'ers and I always tried to hurry them up as the time is now.

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #16 –
Carol,

Back when full-timing, we camp-hosted at various places.  After watching a fellow back his rig (expertly) between a couple of trees, I asked him the next day when would he know that it was time to quit.  He had just told me he was over 80-years old.  "When it is no longer fun."  I have often thought that that is the correct answer.

You may not recall, for it has been several years, that I and Carolyn met you and Jeff in a Taos RV park.  We finished the evening drinking wine in your RV along with another couple traveling in a FT parked next to yours.  Have always enjoyed your wit and whimsy offered on this forum.

Andy1

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #17 –
I feel the pain, and know, at 73, I'll not be far behind. Life, as good as it has been, this getting old ain't for the weak.

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #18 –
Arrrgh!  Carol and Jeff, we are sorry this has come to pass but other good things await. You will be dearly missed, the Turbo Turd saga is a classic.  We will be in Tucson this winter and hope to see you, maybe at the Club House, maybe somewhere else. 
Roger and Susan.

Re: Hanging up our keys ....

Reply #19 –
Sad to see y'all go good luck on your future endeavor's sad to see you go.