We've been making lots of lists, looking at RVs and trucks and just putting a general timeline together. Steve is quite a collector and while I can throw what I need in a backpack, this downsizing is going to be much more challenging for him. He's making progress though, he's thrown out 3/4s of his baseball hats. That's serious stuff!
We've talked to family and friends and everyone is excited and not that surprised about our plans. We've always been adventurous and living here in Placerville, CA for 15 years is the longest we've been in one place other than the 7 years we lived in Brockport, NY. We are ready to travel.
Being further away from our kids and my family will of course be the most difficult. But we will stay in touch and be home for the holidays each year. Hopefully they'll join us along the way some times.
But we will not be all alone. Our oldest sons dog, Hurley, will be joining us for the first few months while our son finishes school. And Hurley seems happy to become a "trailer dog". He's my hiking buddy and also loves to go out in the kayak, so he's going to have just as much fun as we are.