Route 66 - In Style

Route 66 – In Style

Like most people, my ideas can be very pragmatic (like - I’ll sweep the cellar floor with the broom) and sometimes I dream (I’ll sweep the cellar floor with the leaf blower).

Right now, all of me is reminding me that at 62 years, I am more than half expired, and that in 20 or 40 more, I will be a certified organic worm farmer. One half of me is saying “You’d better enjoy it now.” The other half shouts, “Continue to save for tomorrow, be frugal.”

This whole internal debate got started because I recently watched a rerun of an early 60’s television series, Route 66.

When I was in my early teens, this show would get me dreaming of driving around the country in a Corvette with my best friend. Now, fifty years later, it has me dreaming again.

The dream has had some alterations, however. The vehicle of choice has been replaced. The sleek and fast, but spartanly appointed Corvette has been replaced with a huge and not-fast, bus-like but luxurious motor coach, and the best friend has been replaced by my beautiful wife, Karen, and the faithful dog, Bear (or is it vice-versa?).

On Fantasy Island

Every time I drive by an RV place, I find myself making a U-turn and heading back. I find some pretense to go in (may I use your rest room?). How cool would it be to just sell the house and cash in the 401k and IRA, just jump into a mini house on wheels and take off?

Tonight I’ll tell Karen, “We could be just like Tod Stiles and Buz Murdoch (heroes of Route 66), just you and I, hon. And we could borrow the kid’s dog for a couple of months, she won’t mind. Aw, come-on, let’s do it!”

I pulled into Marty’s USRV in Berkley (17 Myricks Street). A number of RV folks had spoken kindly of Marty. This is a “word of mouth” business, word travels fast in the camping community.

I spoke with Marty and his daughter Danielle. Marty’s been selling these rigs for 40 years. They sell the big stuff there – busses converted into rolling homes, land yachts – yeah, that’s what I’m dreaming about.

RV’s are about lifestyle: freedom to roam and explore this beautiful continent in comfort and style. They are about camaraderie with fellow RVers. There are groups like “Good Sam” where folks plan to meet at a destination so they can then plan to meet at another destination. What a life.

In the past, Marty’s sold new high-end rigs, now they focus on late model, low mileage, pre-owned rigs. Marty tells me, “The biggest problem with RV’s is the initial devaluation. You can pay over $400k for a new unit, but as soon as you leave the lot, its value is below $300K. There are some great values out there on pre-owned.”

I drove on; I had to use another restroom, this time at Bradford RV Center in Raynham (778 New State Highway, Raynham, MA). 

I spoke with Bob Moore, the president of the dealership. Bob is a very young 88 year old who has been in the business for 60 years. This guy is 88, rides his motorcycle to work, and he was jacking up a motor home and pulling a wheel as I was talking to him.

He patiently answered a lot of dumb questions.

Q. What do you do if you break down on the road?

A. You have 24 hour roadside assistance or you fix it yourself. What do you think you do?

Q. What do you do if you can’t find a campsite to park at for the night?

A. Wal-Mart.

Q. Do they let you use their electricity?

A. No. That’s dry-camping, you need to be self-contained.

He also told me that roughly 50% of campers were permanent campers – they park in one place for the season and leave their rigs there – as summer homes. 

My dreamer side (protagonist) seems to be prevailing over my pragmatic side (antagonist). I have all the answers: roadside assistance and Wal-Mart.

Now to get Karen on board – her pragmatic side is much stronger than her dreamer side, and her dreams don’t always coincide with mine. Minor point … I can get past that.

Now what about the organic worm farming, there ain’t no getting past that.

Done, just do it!

EPILOG:

Dear readers, Karen said no. Oh well, I’ll just get a broom and sweep the cellar floor.