Tough Transition from Pacific Northwest to Southwest

Even though I’ve been here just a few days, it has been a tough transition.  First is the heat.  It’s been in the 90s since I got here and it’ll probably be that hot the rest of this week.  The space I’m in at the RV park is awful…

no side to side parking for me.  They won’t let me move into a different space either.  Tucson is looking shabby to me.  Maybe it’s the graffiti that I’m not used to seeing and haven’t seen for awhile but which is prolific here.  Maybe it’s the beige dirt that I haven’t gotten used to yet. 

Practically from the start I’ve been perfecting my version of “shoot myself in the foot” syndrome.   I was out driving looking for rentals when I went to an area that draws me.  There was a house for sale with a terrific view of the Catalina Mountains and an end unit.  For some reason I called a realtor I’ve worked with many times in the past to check it out.  Huh???  For Sale does not mean For Rent/Lease.  Fortunately, it was way too large and an offer had already been made on it. 

This realtor I’ve dealt with is like a Mack truck and I’d forgotten that about her.  Anyway, next thing I know we’re looking at houses for sale.  Whaaaaat???  While she gave me a list of rentals to check out, she works in sales, so we looked at houses for sale.  So much for the best laid plans.  I managed to convince her that I’m not into buying, that I want to be foot loose and fancy free, especially now that my house is leased for a year. 

It’s a good thing I was able to realize that I needed to get some rest prior to making any serious decisions.  However, being as close to the train tracks as this park is, sleep has been optional.  I finally gave up on the couch…it’s just too short, not that I’m that tall, but it’s shorter than I am.  The up above bed is doing ok and I’ve been able to get some sleep between trains. 

I started driving around looking for a new RV park yesterday.  I get really irritated when the weight limit on dogs is 20 lbs.  I think the dogs that weigh the least make the most noise.  Just because my dog weighs almost 80 lbs doesn’t make him a problem dog. 

One place that I decided to check out is a 55+ park…the Voyager RV Resort.  It’s close to I-10 at exit 270 but far enough away that I don’t think traffic noise will be an issue.  I don’t think there’s a train track in sight, either.  It’s also enormous, as in over 1,500 spaces.  A lot of the spaces are Park Models.  There is also a separation from people with dogs and people without.

I think it’s similar to a Del Webb community, only for RVers.  Like I said above, it’s enormous, i.e., mass humanity, and it has lots of activities.  The ones I’m interested in are Beginners Line Dance, exercise classes, Mah Jongg and because glass fusion is an interesting name I think I might check it out. 

They also have a restaurant, bar and grill, health clinic, pet grooming, a day spa, massage, etc., etc.  Since this is similar to what I’ve been looking for when I was checking out Del Webb communities, I’m going to at least give it a month and see what I think. 

I’m thinking it’ll be a good way to meet other RVers because we’ll (me maybe) be around for awhile.  Athena, the lady at the registration desk, and I had a tough time finding me a space that wasn’t reserved for later in the year, should I decide I really like it and want to stay longer, but we managed after I kept driving around and getting space numbers I hoped would work. 

I know, I know, I said I was going to rent a place for a year because of my dog having difficulty getting up and down steps.  Well, we’ve worked out a routine where I’m doing all the work but at least he’s able to get in and out of Olivia. 

Before I decided on the Voyager, I considered renting a house, especially because of all the stuff I’ve shipped down.  Which is a whole other issue to be addressed.  Having stayed at a few RV parks on my way down here I realized how friendly most RV people are.  If I rent a house, I won’t be around people like in an RV park and there probably won’t be activities on site.  Fortunately, on the way to the RV park is a storage facility and they have space available.  I know because I stopped by and checked.  That’ll take care of my stuff on the way down. 

I have a dilemma and I don’t think it has anything to do with my tendency towards shooting myself in the foot.  The longer I’m in Olivia, the smaller she gets.  I have a bunch of stuff in the back of my Volvo that I can’t put anywhere (mostly clothes) because there’s no room.  When I move tomorrow I’m going to drive Olivia to the RV park and then take a taxi back to where I’m at now because I can’t tow my Volvo behind her.  It’s about 15 miles so that will be an expensive ride.  My head whirls with ideas and possibilities.  Do I get a larger RV so I can tow my Volvo?  Do I keep renting a space so that I can take off in Olivia and leave my Volvo behind?  Is there another option that I haven’t thought about?  I truly like driving Olivia and I wonder if I would feel that way about a Class A.  I know there were times on the way down when I would have liked to have had more power.  Diesel costs a whole lot more than regular gas.  I know, I know, Olivia is a lot smaller so there is probably quite a difference overall price wise. 

I'm looking forward to moving to the new RV park tomorrow.  Maybe I'll get a social life for awhile.  I'll either love it there or hate it.  But I'm going to give it a month to see what happens.  

Transitioning,

Jeana