RV lifestyle offers thrills on open road—at a low cost

Time was, when a Happy Wanderer went awandering, he had a knapsack on his back.

Today, most wanderers' possessions are stashed in a house on wheels -- often a recreational vehicle featuring a queen-size bed, bath, fully equipped kitchen, satellite dish, computer and a little car hooked on the back.

Increasingly, the dwellers in these rolling palaces are into year-round RVing.

"Fifty-two percent of our members are full-time RVers, generally retirees who took to the road in their early 60s," said Joe Peterson, founder, with wife Kay, of the Escapees, a national RV association boasting a membership of 60,000.

The Petersons, both 72, began full-time RVing 30 years ago, calling a motor coach their home for almost three decades. Today, they divide time between visiting Escapees' parks and running the organization from a house without wheels in Livingston, Texas, where Kay runs Continuing Assistance to Retired Escapees.

A registered nurse, Kay has established 42 RV spaces for members in need of health care and assisted living.

CARE was intended for people retired from the road, said Kay, author of "Home is Where You Park It," and four other books extolling the virtues of RVing.

Instead, "what we're finding is most hook up for short periods," she said. "They need some temporary help -- maybe they're having surgery or have broken an ankle."

As soon as they're on the mend, they hit the highway.

"It's not uncommon for members to continue the lifestyle into their 80s," Joe said.

Just what prompts this wanderlust at an age when many are ready to do some serious settling down?

"There are as many answers to why people RV as there are people," Joe said. A lot of them have camped throughout life, some got interested after going to an RV show.

Some just love to travel, even solo -- 17 percent of Escapees go it alone. And all appreciate a cost of living that is about half what it is in a traditional house.

One downside: family separations are difficult.

"But it's great when you go home to visit, and when you send postcards and T-shirts and the grandchildren become involved," Kay said. "A lot of us will take grandchildren for the summer, and the kids love it.

"But, for some, the separation is so hard they just can't go full time."

Those who do, including Victor and Rosemary Bright, can't say enough about the lifestyle. Interviewed in an RV park in Borrego Springs, in the Southern California desert, the Brights have been full-time RVers for nearly two years.

Victor, 59, a retired aeronautical engineer from Alameda, lists "freedom" and "the people" as the best things about fulltime RVing. "Everyone you meet is out to have a good time. We're probably seeing the better side of people."

"It's sort of like a honeymoon, too," said Rosemary, 66, mother of five grown children and grandmother of three infants. "We're together and we don't have the distractions.

What they do have are days filled with doing what they like to do. Victor is an accomplished woodcarver and Rosemary does needlework. At each new location, they spend hours exploring the local environs in the Jeep they tow behind their 36-foot rig.

Both also enjoy the camaraderie in the parks -- happy hours, ice cream socials and Sunday brunches abound.

The Brights have been in 14 Western states since they sold their four-bedroom home and took off.

"Right now, we're playing around with the Atlas and trying to find out where we're going next," said Victor.

The Petersons have a slogan, "See the USA without leaving home," but they also warn it's important to educate yourself.

Go to RV parks, go to RV shows and take some trial runs, they advise.

For older couples set in their ways, RV living will be an adjustment. Kay gives seniors who are contemplating the move a talk she calls, "How to Live In a Sardine Can Without Killing Each Other."

But the long and winding road can be addictive. The Petersons tell the story of an elderly woman who called from California requesting a spot in CARE.

"Her eyes were getting bad and she could no longer drive at night," said Joe.

They told her to come along. She never arrived, but a note did. It seems she stopped at an Escapees' park in Casa Grande, Ariz., "met a fellow and ran off into the sunset," said Joe.

The note said the two of them were on the road again, "and best of all, he can drive at night!"

The Petersons can be reached toll-free at (888) SKP-CLUB.