Escapees November-December 2022

camped, she takes the dog out on small adventures to give Nikki some focused time when she’s slammed with work. They plan routes together, looking for places they can both enjoy, like Tomoka State Park, in Florida, which has been one of their favorite destinations. While staying at the park, Nikki took afternoons off and worked at night, so they could enjoy hiking and kayaking together. “We do try to fi nd places that have a dog park close by so Angie can take the dog there,” she adds. To save on expenses, they’ve taken on some work-camping jobs for extra fun money. Along the way, occasional issues crop up when one wants to be a tourist and the other cannot, but they manage to work it out. “Sometimes there is a little resentment, but we are the type of couple that doesn’t much like doing things without the other,” says Nikki. “Communication is key! I know it is cliché but it is true. Talk about what is expected from both parties. Especially when it comes to the chores. Resentment can set in if this isn’t addressed up front.” Everyone Gets There Someday After talking to these partially-retired couples, I’m convinced that any RVer can make this arrangement work and enjoy a stronger relationship because of it. In my situation, my husband and I are a working, full-time RVing couple now only about a decade away from our goal of clocking out for good. We’ve been squirreling money away for many years to do it successfully. And, when our savings shows that we can work for money because we want to, not because we have to, we’ll know we’ve gotten there. But feeling emotionally and fi nancially secure enough to admit we can pull it off is not so black and white. Our comfort levels about money differ and in all likelihood, one of us will throw up our hands and shout “I’m done working!” long before the other is ready to do the same. Connecting with other full-time RVers like these couples is a great way to prepare for that inevitable crossroads. RENE AGREDANO AND JIM NELSON #103274 are enjoying their 15th year as full-time RVers and location-independent entrepreneurs. They enjoy sharing the lifestyle with others at www.LiveWorkDream.com.

(http://tomtanyarvtravel.blogspot.com/), you can see that she does get to enjoy the traveling life,” says Tom. Part travelogue, part writing therapy, Tom enjoys document ing their travels both together and apart. Although he isn’t resentful that Tanya stays home working while he’s out playing, he admits to feeling “a little loss of compan ionship in sharing experiences.” There are times he wishes he could connect with other couples like them. To bring Tanya into the conversation about his adventures, the couple often returns to his favorite locations and experiences so she can enjoy them, too. In a perfect world, they would both be retired and spend their days together. But the Blounts know this is not a perfect world, so they enjoy the ongoing full-timing journey as it is now. “Life is short, enjoy as much as you can, as often as you can,” says Tom. “Not everyone has the same interests or hobbies, so couples can even take separate vacations and that’s okay, too. This arrange ment is not as uncommon as expected.”

“Along the way, occasional issues crop up when one wants to be a tourist and the other cannot, but they manage to work it out.”

Nikki and Angie Masucci-Webb #166874 Retirement takes many forms, sometimes in unexpected and unwanted ways. Many people need to call it quits to protect their health. Angie Masucci-Web (age 47) is one of them. She had to make that decision after years of warehouse work took too much of a toll on her health. Today, Nikki (age 52), continues her work as a freelance graphic designer while the couple travels with their two cats and one dog in their 27-ft. travel trailer. “I have a laptop and work from wherever it strikes my fancy,” says Nikki. Since hitting the road full-time just over a year ago, the couple has discovered a daily routine that works for both of them no matter where they land.

While Nikki is working, Angie cares for the animals, walks the dog and keeps their home clean. Depending on where they are

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ESCAPEES Magazine November/December 2022