LJ and DJ's Big Adventure... Retired and Loving it!: #18 Arizona Bound

10/15/17: Off we go. Left Richfield and headed for Arizona. Our plans are to spend a few months in Goodyear (outside Phoenix), but to make the trip easy for LJ, we decided to make it a two day trip and spend the first night in Kingman. My last trip to Kingman wasn't good, so I wasn't overly excited. Might I suggest avoiding Jack in the Box, but I digress. The drive was nice. Pretty country. It's funny how red the dirt is in Utah and how yellow it is in Arizona. But the scenery is spectacular. Varying landscapes made for a pleasant drive...well most of the way.

We took 15 South through Utah to Nevada. I realllllly don't like Las Vegas. Traffic is a nightmare even in the middle of the day. Was happy when we were past it. GPS took us around construction, but through a sketchy neighborhood. Glad we were armed, but again happy to get the heck out of that area. It's like driving through LA, but with a big ol trailer. No fun.

Finally got to 93 and headed toward Kingman. After leaving Las Vegas, the scenery got pretty again.

Got to the Kingman KOA, which is in the middle of a neighborhood.

Actually not too bad, but the sites are all dirt, no grass/gravel. Not sure how it would be if it rained.

There are bushes separating the sites for "privacy". The park has a western theme, with a playground, dog run (small and pea gravel) and mini golf course. There are some cute cabins as well. Cracker Barrel was just down the road, so I managed to survive lol. We didn't use the laundry so no comment on that. We just used water and electric since it was for only one night. I don't know that I would recommend this place for long term, mainly because of all the dirt, but certainly fine for a few nights.

It was fun, though, watching the golf cart guy try to put a big ol motorhome in the wrong slot. And the motorhome guy apparently hasn't been driving long or doesn't understand the swing wide theory. The only thing more fun than watching people park RVs is watching a boat launch. He finally had to unhook the jeep to make the corner.

Next morning off to Goodyear. Again, pleasant drive and pretty scenery most of the way. Took 93 to the Loop 303, then south to Interstate 10. Goodyear is west of Phoenix, pretty much where the 303 and 10 meet.

The RV park is not too far from the interstate, but far enough not to really hear it. It's kind of plopped down in the middle of farm land. I like it here. After a couple of weeks, I feel like it's easy to get anywhere. Within a 10 mile radius is everything you need, including restaurants, malls, familiar stores. As for the Destiny RV Park in Goodyear, AZ? Yep...highly recommend it if ya wanna be a snowbird like us! It's a really nice area.

The park itself is well kept with trees, dog run, pool and fitness center. The one thing it doesn't have, oddly enough, is cable tv. No idea why. The sites are fairly large so you don't feel like the guy next to you is parked in your lap. The site we have has a lime tree...can you say margaritas? There are other fruit trees throughout. The park says, eat the fruit, but only take what you need so others may have some. That's kinda cool. There was plenty of room for us to put the atv trailer so we didn't have to store it.

You see the maintenance people rolling around in their golf carts. They are quite accommodating,
but strict with the rules. They insist your sewer hose be off the ground. No problem for us, but one guy got a notice and had to go buy the support. They have lots of activities for the guests, should you want to participate. I have no problem at all calling this place home for the next three months. Might just do it every year.

It also helps that we have friends, Bruce and Katherine, just 3 miles away. They had recommended this park since they stayed here while looking at houses. A few weeks ago they purchased an absolutely gorgeous home with a stunning back yard (pool, spa, covered bbq/tv area) and huge RV parking in a gated community....for less than $500K!!. Couldn't touch this place for less that $800-900k anywhere else. We've gone to dinner and visited each other. LJ and I enjoy spending time together, but it's also nice having someone you know nearby. Plus, Bruce and Kath are a lot of fun to be around! The four of us also had the chance to meet up with another friend who happened to be visiting family in Phoenix. Small world!

Recently talked to friends back home (Reno) and it's getting cold there. I just sit around in my tank top and shorts lol. Scooter seems to like it. He sits out in his pen and watches the world go by...and barks as it does lol. He seems to have adjusted well. All I see LJ do is relax...and relax...and relax. I don't think in 38 years I've ever seen him so laid back.

I realllllllly like it down here, but realistically it gets hot hot hot. Summers can get up to 115-120. Just too dang hot. It is the ideal winter place, though. I still prefer the Reno area, but wouldn't have a problem living there in the spring and fall, coming here in the winter and traveling in the summer. What an ideal life that would be! As each day goes by, I see the advantages to living in the RV. It allows you to do just that. Live here, there and everywhere. No strings.

It's been over three months already and I still enjoy living in the RV. I have to admit, when I saw Bruce and Kath's house I wanted it, hahaha. They have my dream back yard and a beautiful home I would love to decorate. I wistfully dreamed about it. Then I decided to clean the RV. Took 10 minutes to get it done and suddenly I was over owning a house for now. I've always loved having a pool and have missed it while living in Reno. There's a pool here, though, that I don't have to maintain or clean lol. But no tan lines is out of the question in a public pool, hahaha. I will admit I did look to see what houses are for sale around here, but only for research purposes. There are some real bargains. But, LJ and I committed to two years. I've learned that living this lifestyle...Well, it's all in your mindset. I will enjoy our friends' homes. They can pay the upkeep hahahaha.

I have figured out how to cook in the RV effectively without getting grease everywhere... do it outside lol. LJ has set up his BBQ and outdoor kitchen, so we are having more meals at home. With just the two of us though, and relatively few expenses, eating out is always an option.😂

It's nice having money in the bank and it growing every month. Every time I start thinking about living in a house, all the costs and responsibilities that go with it pop into my head. Plus, talking to our friend Patty in Reno, bless her, she's having plumbing problems in their house. The cement foundation has been dug up and their house is just a mess. I really feel for her but appreciate our lack of home ownership even more. I'm sure after a couple years I'll be ready, but not now. Too much to gain by being vagabonds.

I have all the comforts of home. Our RV is perfectly fine. We are getting satellite tv installed in a couple weeks to broaden our tv viewing. We have managed to not concern ourselves with it though. It's just nice to have options and the ability to record something while we are out and about. I have mastered the combo washer/dryer. It doesn't take nearly as long to do a load like the reviews said. I just do one or two every few days. I love the convenience of not having to drag the laundry someplace. The key is follow the manufacturer's advice! Powdered soap (very little), liquid fab softener (very little) and don't over stuff or over dry! I add a little oxy-clean to keep the white's white and take the hanging stuff out while still a teeny bit damp. Have had no issues and it's funny, but I don't mind doing laundry at all! I hated it when we had a house lol.

Neither of us really gets bored it seems. We talk to people in the park, read, watch a little tv, play on the iPad, visit friends and explore. It's really not any different than when we lived in the house...just less responsibilities. So, so far, so good. No intention of giving up the life any time soon!