RVer Malia Lane shares her favorite RV holiday memory

Full time solo RVer Malia Lane who is spending this holiday season in her homebase of Austin, Texas, sent in this story about a favorite holiday memory in her recreational vehicle:

"The first Christmas I celebrated in my new rolling home was in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2001.

"I was traveling with my best friend who had introduced me to RVing - the best Christmas present ever. I cooked a full-on Christmas feast in my tiny kitchen and it turned out to be one of the best meals and times ever, complete with a wreath, fragrant candles and wine from plastic glasses.

"We decorated a rather sad looking little tree outside the RVs and laughed about it looking like a real Charlie Brown Christmas tree. We took a trip to the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC, and were excited as little kids with how they had each room elaborately decorated with huge trees and different themes celebrating the holiday.

"Several times I've been asked if I was sad about being away from 'home' during the holidays. From the very beginning, my little 350 sq. ft. space has felt like home and no matter where it's parked, I celebrate being home for the holidays.

"Sometimes I've celebrated with family and other times I've embraced new friends who feel like family by the time the new year has arrived. Either way, I am thankful for the freedom and gifts this lifestyle brings. Merry Christmas to all and to all happy trails!" 

Read Malia's "Inspiration's Journey"

Photo: Malia Lane sitting at her first Christmas dinner on the road. Courtesy of Malia Lane.

To read more by Julianne Crane, click on RVWheelLife.com

Fran Reisner -- photographer, author, RVer

Professional photographer and author Fran Reisner began traveling the highways fulltime in mid-September 2011, just a few weeks after selling her home in Frisco, Texas (about 30 miles north of Dallas).

She bought her motorhome "only days before having to hand over the keys to my home," says the solo RVer who travels with her two rescue dogs, Jazzy and Sadie.

Recreation Vehicle: "I got a SWEET deal on a very slightly used 2010 Winnebago Adventurer, affectionately referred to as The Beast" -- 35.5’ long, 12.5’ high, and 8.5’ wide. "In high winds this baby can rock and roll," says Fran.

"With the three slides out it is very spacious, which was important to me since I'm traveling with two dogs. I've never owned an RV and went cold turkey into full time RVing."

"The visibility is great, especially with the back-up camera and side cameras. Without the back-up camera I would not be able to see the car unless in a tight turn."

Toad: “Zippy,” Honda CRV EXL, weighs in at about 3,200 pounds. "I went with the Blue Ox system and I’m very happy with my choice." The toad added 17-feet behind her motorhome, equalling "a whopping 52-feet. "The benefit of adding the tow car is that I am now able to travel down many 'roads less traveled' without the worry about getting stuck," says Fran.

"You cannot be in a hurry in a big RV, which is just as well because I don’t want to be in a hurry any more. You also can’t be worrying too much about the guy behind you when there’s nowhere to turn off and ya just can’t go any faster. I’ll use the turn outs when they’re available, but otherwise … I’m just going to be another one of those old farts toodling down the road like I’ve got all the time in the world."

Customizing RV for traveling companions:

"I built a portable platform (doubles as a table) that fits over the passenger seat with space enough for both Sadie and Jazzy to ride eye to eye with the 'big boys' out there.  They love it," says Fran.

"After leaving a two-acre fenced property where they could run freely, I though it might be a big adjustment for them. Not so. They're happy to be with me and jump in willingly when I ask them if they're ready to go for a ride."

URLs: Follow Fran's travel adventures by clicking on:  Journey in Focus
Check out her professional photography at: Fran Reisner Photography

Books:
'The Dogs of Central Park' (Hardcover, $19.95) 2011. (Order direct from Fran Reisner at Fran@FranReisner.com and a percentage of the purchase price goes to support animal rescue organizations.)
'The Mountain Dogs of Colorado' (In process).

Photographs: Courtesy of Fran Reisner.

Read more by Julianne Crane at RVWheelLife.com

Fulltime solo RVer Meg Brubacher travels from Canada to Sunbelt for winters

Solo RVer Meg Brubacher began her RVing adventures about a year ago when she purchased her 2002 24-foot Four Winds Chateau Sport class C motor home.

"I wanted something roomy enough for us but not too big for me to handle as a single new RVer," says Meg, who travels with three (Sister, LouLou and Annie -- pictured above) of her four rescued dogs. "The old guy, Scout, who is 16, stays behind with my niece."

Last year Meg's 'test ride' covered more than 4,000 miles--from Ontario, Canada, to the Coastal Bend of Texas and onto New Orleans. After touring the South for three months, Meg pointed her RV home to Canada.

In November 2011, she returned to the warmer temperatures of the USA Sunbelt. On this circle trip, there will be stops in North Carolina, Florida and Arkansas.

"We've been busy and enjoying every minute," writes Meg in a recent e-mail. "Annie and I do agility training and trials, which has been great." (Dog agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy.)

Meg now considers herself a fulltime RVer and advises other single women who might want to try RVing to "Just do it."

"After some study on the subject," she says, "buy a rig and get out there and experience the lifestyle. You learn as you go--about yourself, your rig, what works and what doesn't.

"I believe a lot of people change their minds after their first rig and get something different that suits their needs better. You cannot know it all until you are actually doing it. Also the people one meets in the campgrounds and highways are some of the best, most fun-loving, helpful people you'll ever meet."

Read more of Julianne Crane's writings on RVWheelLife.com.  

Photo: Fulltime RVer Meg Brubacher travels with three of her four pet companions: Sister, Annie and LouLou. (Julianne Crane)