Intro

[papa_jim]

Wow, lots of newbies here. Nice. I just bought a "new" Freedom pop-up yesterday. Set it up this morning and hard to imagine I spent the whole day getting to know it. Even though it is a few years old, it is in like-new condition. Nice to see people who take care of their things.

I've had two traditional camping trailers in my distant past, Wilderness 19 and 24'. Very nice with young children and have many fond memories of our adventures. Due to a sad ending to my marriage, (things happen)," I had to divest myself of my toys. Had to revert back to tent camping, which was not wonderful. It's hard to go backwards...but sometimes we must do what we must.

I'm now retired and decided to get back into trailering, on a different scale. Have not been on my maiden trip yet. Planning that in two weeks to the California coast (Bodega Bay). Images of "birds" appearing to anyone?

I'm a serious amateur photographer, motorcycle enthusiast and woodworker. Getting adjusted to retired life has not been a stroll in the park. Camping will only improve things.

Have answered all of my own questions so far, but I'm sure I'll have a few before the dust settles.

I'm testing out the refrigerator as I type this. Now, in the name of education, I must open the brewski that I've used as my sample subject.

Cheers to all,
Jim

[TURBS]

Welcome to the forum !
You better get into the September photo contest !

[papa_jim]

Thank you. Still learning to navigate the forum. Have seen a photos section, but nothing about a contest. Of course, I haven't been on my maiden camping trip yet, so have nothing camping related to share. But give me a couple of weeks!

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by papa_jim

Thank you. Still learning to navigate the forum. Have seen a photos section, but nothing about a contest. Of course, I haven't been on my maiden camping trip yet, so have nothing camping related to share. But give me a couple of weeks!

Look in on the road travel chat section

[Terier]

to the forums! Ditto about checking out the September photo contest.

[Night Stone]

Hey there

to the forums

[Road-King]

Welcome to the forum...
Retirement can be a ruff transition. All that sleeping as late as you want, drinking coffee on the deck during rush hour, going shopping at Lowe's when everyone else is at work and planning on your next camping trip. It is the cross we must bare, but somebody's got to do it.

[papa_jim]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Look in on the road travel chat section

OK, found it, thanks. Guess I had better plan my parking spot on my next (first) trip.

Jim

[papa_jim]

Thanks, I found the pics. Got one trip planned for the end of the month.

[papa_jim]

Thanks, Russ. You make a very valid point there. I have been planning my retirement for many years...to take place about 5 years from now. I think retirement is much better if you do it on your own terms. I'm adjusting. I've got three camping trips planned (I'm one of those "planner" types). I live 50 miles from the Calif. coast, so year-round camping is possible. I've done a lot of work around my house the past two years, so I haven't exactly "wasted" my time, but I haven't done anything fun (retirement-like) yet. I'm about to change that.

Jim

[Road-King]

We do need to keep this retirement stuff between us. Somebody's got to work for a living...lol

[bikendan]

Welcome to FRF, papa jim, from a fellow NorCal'r!

great time of the year for Bodega Bay, all the crowds should be gone.
we've been trying to get a trip together for Gualala. haven't been there since i was a kid.
hope you enjoy our forum, i think it's the friendliest and most helpful RV forum, on the Net.

i'm about a year out from retirement, but we'll be leaving California for Washington.
just can't stand what my birth state has turned into.

[papa_jim]

Dan, have not camped at Gualala. Have camped at Salt Point just a little south of there a couple of times. Rarely saw the sun either time. Vowed not to give it a third try. Bodega can get windy. Hoping not to get blown away in my popup on my first trip. Thanks for the welcome.

Jim

[papa_jim]

Yes, indeed, Russ!