4 in a 5

4 in a 5: There are four of us, and we now live in a fiver (a fifth wheel). Truth be told, there are six of us (if you count the geriatric Lab/Bulldog mix and the new-addition-to-the-party English Cream Doxie). Honestly, they should be counted, as they take up space, but if we’re talking humans, there are 4 in a 5.

(Us on the doorsteps of our last home)

The kids: Two of the four are only five. Am I getting too crazy with numbers yet? Our twin girls are five years old (very soon, less than a month away soon, to be six). We thought this would be the perfect time in our lives to show them what this great country is all about. They just finished Kindergarten, are more than ready for First Grade homeschooling, already have a love of travel, are great road-trippers, and still think their parents are pretty cool.

(The girls on the steps of our new home)

Us: The other two of the four are ready to roll. Ray will be retiring from the US Marine Corps in a month (he will go back to work in the civilian world – maybe even as a farmer – after the RV trek, but this year-long road trip is a dream we’re going to see through). I (Amy) work part-time from home. If I have wifi, I can work from anywhere. So, we bumped up the data plan, and we’re good to go.

The plan: Take this RV and see America!

Where we are now: We moved out of the house we were renting for the last two years in Stafford, VA, while Ray was stationed at Quantico Marine Base, a couple of weeks ago. Since then, we’ve set up house in our 2008 Crossroads Cruiser. We are currently at the RV park in town, Aquia Pines Camp Resort http://www.aquiapines.com, which is also home to Wild Run Brewing Company http://www.wildrunbrewing.com/. So, they make beer on site. They also have a decent playground and a sort of woodsy, rustic thing going on that makes it seem more like camping than glamping. We are still close to everything, able to meet up with the friends we’ve made here over the last couple of years, and living the same lives we have. But, that will all change in about a month, once we set out. For now, we are just getting acclimated to the camper living. So far, so good.

Where we will be: We plan to see as many of the 48 continental US states as possible over the next 12 to 18 (yikes!) months. We have an itinerary (that will likely change). I’m a planner, but Ray’s motto is “If you plan early, you plan twice.” And we want to be flexible with our stops. We will be homeschooling the girls come September. Don’t worry – we bought a whole curriculum, so we should be able to do this!

I’m guessing there will be lots of bumps along this thousands of miles road, but I know there will be plenty of adventure and some great memories made. So, I’m going to focus on that. You only live once, so following a dream that takes you on what I hope to be the ride of a lifetime seems to make perfect sense. Wish us luck!