Diana: I’ve been a full-time RVer for almost 12 years. Before that I traveled part-time for 3 ½ years. I was a self-employed CPA, primarily doing taxes, so I was able to travel a lot when it wasn't "tax season."
L: Is there a place that you call home?
D: No. I consider myself to be a kind of "at large" resident of the U.S. If only they had that category.... I picked South Dakota as my state of legal residence, but I have never really lived there.
L: Why South Dakota?
D: South Dakota seems to understand RVers, has no state income tax, and only 3% sales tax on new vehicles.
L: What kind of rig do you have?
D: It’s pretty basic - I have an Arctic Fox 23-foot travel trailer that I pull with a GMC Yukon. I like my setup because I can go anywhere in it and it’s easy to maintain.
L: Why are you full-time Rving?
D: It’s an inexpensive and fun way to see all the beautiful things across the country.
L: Do you have plans to travel outside of the US?
D: I have RVed in Canada, but not too much. There is so much to see here in the U.S. I may travel outside the U.S. at sometime in the future, but not RVing.
L: What do your family and friends think about your choice to do this?
D: Some are jealous and some think I’m crazy!
L: How long do you intend to be on the road?
D: Until I get bored with it, which won’t be anytime soon. I don’t have a set time table.
L: I think I read that you mostly boon dock. What is boon docking and how do you find these places? What percentage of your time is boon docking?
D: Boon docking is parking without hookups, a lot of the time on public land. I rarely have hookups, even if I'm in a public campground. In the East, where there is little public land, I spend a lot of my time at Elk’s or Moose lodges, where I am a member. Sometimes there are hookups and sometimes not. I have solar panels and don't really need hookups unless it's really hot and I want to run the a/c.
L: Do you travel alone mostly?
D: I often travel with others, each in our own rig. I meet up with the Wandering Individuals Network (WIN). It’s a group of mostly single RVers. It’s different from other single RVer groups in that we are younger and more active. Most of the gatherings are in the West, and there is something going on almost all the time, if you choose to join in.
L: What is a typical non-travel day like for you? How about a typical travel day?
D: A typical non-travel day is a lot like it would be if I were in a house, except that there may be some sightseeing and exploring. A travel day would also involve some driving (not too far) and finding a new place to stay.
L: How do you financially support yourself on the road?
D: I’m living off savings and proceeds from the sale of my house. I’ll also get Social Security in the not-too-distant future.
L: What prepared you for being a fulltimer?
D: I joined WIN when I was just part-time, and got to meet a lot of full-timers. I learned a lot from them.
L: Where do you plan to go and what fun things do you plan to do over the next 3-6 months?
D: This winter, I plan to stay in one of the warmest areas of the country - SW Arizona - Yuma, Mesa, Quartzsite. Winter involves less traveling and more socializing and dancing. I also plan to visit my grandchildren in Southern California again.
L: What do you do for medical coverage?
D: I have an individual BC/BS policy that costs a lot!
L: What is the biggest lesson you have learned as a female fulltime RVer?
D: That there are friends everywhere!
L: Is there anything else you would like people to know about you and your RV lifestyle?
D: It’s a fairly inexpensive way to travel and live. I keep track of my expenses and share them through a link on my blog - www.lifeontheopenroad.blogspot.com
L: How can people get in touch with you?
D: Email me at dianatolerico@yahoo.com - I love to answer questions!
6 comments:
Levonne, you got the answers to a lot of questions I've had about single women traveling on their own...great interview! Thank you for leaving comments on my blog; I'll work at getting some followers to give you a break!!! Hope your still enjoying camp hosting with Gingee...
Thanks for doing the interview. I wish I had thought of that with some of my carnival friends. Hmmm....maybe next year.
Great questions. Have a great evening.
Just found your blog...great idea on the interview!
great interview! thanks! when i read this kind of stuff...it just makes me want to RETIRE early...sell everything...and hit the road!!
(i'd do it in a sec...if my husband would agree....)
Your pictures are great.
I give her credit for traveling alone, even though it sounds like most of the time she's in a group.
I'd have a hard time maneuvering the trailer; although I suppose you'd get used to it!
Thanks for the interview - you asked a lot of questions that I wanted answers to!
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