Author: Carrie Hawkins
After summering in New England, Zach and I have purposely landed in North Carolina this fall. We spent a week at Falls Lake State Park and despite my obsession with Durham, we continued on to a popular little RV park in Maggie Valley; what a wonderful time of year to be here. This desert girl has never experienced the season quite like this. We’ve driven the Blue Ridge Parkway during peak fall colors, explored the Great Smoky Mountains, discovered quaint Asheville neighborhoods, visited Harrah’s Cherokee (a hotel-casino Zach and I both supported during our various roles at the Caesars HQ in Vegas) and soon we’ll be taking contra dance lessons. But possibly most notably, today we tracked down a pumpkin patch/hay ride/corn maze to continue our yearly tradition of attending events typically geared toward families with children. #digitalnomad #fulltimeRV
Another reason I love towing my home: lunch breaks and bathroom breaks at the most beautiful scenic outlooks.
#fulltimeRV #roadtrip #newhampshire #travelday #digitalnomad #airstream
This member of our family loves the beach more than any of us. Happy #nationaldogday, Dakota! #wavechaser #beachdays #rvdog #digitalnomad #maine
why we full-time / the timing of full-timing
Today would have been nan’s 90th birthday and next Tuesday will be my 34th.
I’d love to pick up the phone and call her; I’d sing a bad rendition of happy birthday, ask her about her day and tell her, “talk to you in a week!” One week later she’d call me and sing to me. Just like we’ve done every other year for as many years as I’ve been living away from her.
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Zach and I moved to Las Vegas, NV in 2007. We weren’t far from my family in AZ but felt worlds away from the rest of our family. And when we moved to Austin, TX in 2013 we felt worlds away from AZ. We would talk about moving closer to family but could never settle on a location as we couldn’t decide between siblings or parents who were spread from AZ to RI. (We love you all equally.)
And then I read this post that visually lays out the human lifespan after my sister shared it on Facebook. And then I found this project that explains why time flies.
And we ultimately decided that we wanted to live everywhere and see everyone; we didn’t have to choose between one or the other. I’ve always felt a little transient by nature anyway and talks about living in an RV surfaced regularly in previous conversations with Zach. At one point, we had a 5-year plan with Google calendar check-in reminders along the way; I think our launch date at the time was tentatively scheduled for 2017. We hit the road in April 2016.
We started in Arizona where I was able to spend the entire month of May with my parents, sister, niece, nephew, brother-in-law, aunts, uncle and nan. Oh, nan.
Nan passed away in July and I can’t help but feel so thankful for the timing of our full-timing. With a goal to spend more time with family, how lucky was I to build such timely and lasting memories with nan on our first stop?
So yes, nan would be 90 today and I feel beyond appreciative for 33 years I was able to spend with her. I’ll miss her phone call next week (and forever). But I know she was pleased with this mobile life we’re living. I am too.
Right now Kyla and the #airstream are tied for compliments. (Including the random thumbs up on the highway and the lady that pulled over while I was on a walk just to tell me how adorable my dog is.) Yes! Thanks you guys. You should meet my husband.
#luckygirl #rvdog #fulltimeRV #digitalnomad
Please, don’t let me make any decisions about where I might settle permanently while eating a maple creemee in Vermont. #digitalnomad #fulltimeRV #vermont #maplecreemee #sogood
What happens when Zach and I attempt a family portrait. The #airstream in the background was not planned although it is a very important piece of our family these days. #digitalnomad #fulltimeRV
Haha, adorable. We’re on the road in OH headed east! #digitalnomad #onthemove #roadtrip
Office by day, dining room by night. ? #digitalnomad #flyingcloud #airstream #homeoffice #homeonwheels
We’re on the road again! May flew by, as I expect all months will while we’re on this adventure. I had the best time in Mesa, AZ with my mom & dad, sister & brother-in-law, niece & nephew, aunt & uncle, nan and friends. #fulltimers #fulltimerving #digitalnomad #newmexicobound #dogswhotravel #rvdogs