|
How we got started!
Both of us have always loved to travel and explore new places. We camped with friends when we lived in California as often as possible, and when no one was available to camp with, we would go on our own. We had very busy schedules back in California so getting more than two days off in a row, more than twice a month was a rare occasion. However, when we did get a bit of free time we would take full advantage of it, go as far as we could and squeeze in as much sightseeing as possible! After lots of research and discussions, we decided that with all of our years of hard work, planning and saving that we would do something different. Something that many people (including us up to this point) only talk about doing or wait until they are retired to do. We decided that while we are young, energetic, physically capable, healthy and crazy enough to do so, we would take the plunge and travel around the country living full time in our motorhome. Yes, we did work a bit to subsidize our adventures and to give us something to do aside from playing tourist, however our jobs rarely felt work. Another perk of working a bit was the fact that not a penny of our retirement savings were touched, only added to, so when retirement age comes and if we do want to settle down somewhere, we will be prepared. When our adventure began we looked into all sorts of different work while traveling. We both agreed that we didn't want to work in an RV Park as hosts for months on end seeing the same place day after day, at least not at this point. We both wanted something that would take us to as many states as possible and keep us busy with new things to do and see and with new people to meet in each location. We started out in 2005 working for MainGate, a company that does retail merchandising for the NHRA Drag Races and other big sporting events such as the various Barrett Jackson Car Auction's around the country, NBA All-stars, the Indianapolis Colts and other sporting teams along with a few National Rodeos. This way we could travel the country from one event to the next and be able to take in the sights along the way, but most importantly, explore different parts of this great country when time allowed. We worked for MainGate most of 2005 and all of 2006. We thoroughly enjoyed it and met lots of people. We towed the Budweiser NHRA souvenir trailer all of 2006 and sold Budweiser merchandise, things like hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts and memorabilia at all 23 NHRA events of that year and got to know the team owners quite well. In 2007 we traded in the 13,000lb merchandise trailer for our Jeep and took on a new career with a little more added freedom. We still worked for the NHRA circuit, but our job changed. We were part of the Kenny Bernstein race team, which consists of a Top Fuel Dragster - sponsored by Copart Inc, previously sponsored by Budweiser for 30 years. We were hosts of the hospitality tent at each of the 23 races and entertained the invited guests of the sponsors, which was great. We pretty much hosted a party every other weekend and made sure fun was had by everyone invited and no party crashers were allowed in. During racing's off season, which went from November to February, we would spend our time with friends and family in California. We have been very blessed, over the last five and a half year, to do what we did while we are still young and so glad we made the decision we made, including the companies that we worked with. Working less than half the year can't be beat. We made a great number of friends in the world of NHRA. Most of them are also full-time RVers so it made traveling even more fun. Sometimes we would caravan together and vacation together, and sometimes we would each go our own way. This way everyone did what they wanted on their days off, but we still had a little community to camp with each time we arrived at a new event. We have met so many other people on the road as well and have increased our circle of friends and extended family literally to each corner of the United States. Fellow RVers are some of the friendliest and nicest people you will find, literally, anywhere. They are so much more relaxed and love to meet all their neighbors, well at least most of them and if you have a cranky neighbor, you can always drive away. We just finished our 6th season of racing and are still having the time of our lives, however we have now decided to embark on a new adventure. We have decided to sit still for awhile in the Santa Barbara, California area and drive a bit less. We plan on taking one nice long slow circle around the country at some point in the near future, but are content for now to spend a long break here in some of the most beautiful countryside there is. And trust us, we've seen it all. Feel free to see all the places we've been and all the things we have done throughout our traveling years by clicking on the Journal link above, we have chronicled everything from day one. Maybe our story will challenge you to take a step towards fulfilling your dream, whatever it may be. This life is short. We are only here for a limited number of years, so make the best of those years. Life passes most people by as they sit around and make grand plans for it! We are living out those grand plans and we plan on living every moment of the rest of our lives the same way.
|
|
