“The more you know, the less you need.”

Lucy and I have spent a large portion of our lives living in small spaces. Perhaps one of the most bizarre was the time we both worked full-time, had four daughters in school and lived with no electricity, in a forty foot, fifth-wheel. We had purchased sixteen acres of raw land in central Georgia and planned to live in the fiver until we had dried in our new house. The land was so remote that we had no access to power-lines. As it turned out, we sold the land, bought a business and moved on. We did enjoy full-timing in the RV and the girls handled it just fine. They still speak of that brief time with fondness…

“One if by land, two if by sea”

southern cross

“Southern Cross” fifty -seven foot Chris Craft Constellation, docked Fort Myers Yacht Basin

During several other rather adventurous periods in our lives, we have lived aboard one of three different motor-yachts. In fact, for the first three years of our time in Fort Myers, we lived on our fifty-seven foot Chris Craft Constellation, “Southern Cross”. (pictured above) It was a luxurious vessel with enough space to make it feel palatial. Our youngest daughter Aimee was living with us and she really enjoyed her private cabin and head.

“We live on the water. Drop in some time.”

Aft deck

The enclosed aft-deck was a wonderful Florida room. Roomy and comfortable with a wrap-around view of the river and marina…

Aimee quickly made friends with some of the other live-aboard kids and attended a nearby high-school. Living “right down town” in the Fort Myers Yacht Basin, put her smack in the middle of all the outdoor festivals and special events. We celebrated the Millennium aboard the Cross and I will never forget the holiday spirit, crowds of very happy people and the unbelievable fireworks display that was launched right over our anchorage. It was truly amazing…

Aimee kayak

Daughter Aimee and her good friend Lizzy heading out for some time on one of the easily accessible islands. They both loved the live-aboard lifestyle…

“Mister Bluebird’s on my shoulder”

Bluebird

Our very comfortable rolling home. All of the creature comforts, with no wasted space…

When we grew tired of life in the marina, we sold the Chris Craft and bought a Bluebird, “Wanderlodge”, motor-coach. We leased a site in a very nice RV resort and enjoyed the RV life, as well as all of the resort amenities. We never felt cramped for space, or lacked any of the traditional features normally found in a conventional home. As always, we spent a lot of time enjoying the outdoors.

“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood”

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

One of the benefits of returning to a conventional home and land, a fantastic vegetable garden and a bunch of beautiful hens…

Finding ourselves back in a “board & block” seemed strange at first, but we quickly came to enjoy the additional space and wide surrounding porches. Our interests swung back to our earlier “farm roots” and we soon had a yard full of brightly colored chickens and gardens overflowing with ripening vegetables, berries and nuts…

Our rolling "Chicken Tractor" was their temporary home befor I built their luxury coop called "Starclucks"...

Our rolling “Chicken Tractor” was their temporary home befor I built their luxury coop called “Starclucks”…

“No time like the present”

"O.O.C. Luxury RV Resort and Outdoor Center" also known as home sweet home...

“O.O.C. Luxury RV Resort and Outdoor Center” also known as home sweet home…

Lucy and I have often considered “selling-out” everything and moving into our Airstream. Now we enjoy the best of both worlds. Our daughter and her two sweet daughters decided to “come home” from Alabama. She wanted time to “sort things out” before moving on into the next chapter of her life. Perfect. we get to spend time with our awesome granddaughters and their mommy, we get to live in our comfy, cozy Silver Bullet, keep all of the benefits of a piece of land in the country and still travel freely in Voyageur. Fantastic!

Perfect layout for a adventuresome, loving couple celebrating their second honeymoon

Perfect layout for a adventuresome, loving couple celebrating their second honeymoon

We have everything we need and nothing we don’t. Easy to keep it clean and orderly and just a few steps for our granddaughters to come over and visit. We do spend lots of time together in the “Big House”, but when we want a little alone time, we just close the curtains, lock the door and veg out…

Fully equipped “Home Office”

There is nothing missing in our technology arsenal.

There is nothing missing in our technology arsenal.

Our new wall-mounted, bedroom, VIZIO, LED, “Smart TV”, is a wonderful outlet for watching thousands of online movies, or just keeping up with local news and weather. My dining room office is MAC equipped, roomy and comfortable. It is a great spot for updating http://www.fivespokewheel.com

In my next blog I will photograph and explain all the wonderful details of living comfortably and happily in only one hundred seventy-five feet. Please post and specific questions and Lucy and I will do our best to answer…

Namaste – Spokesman Dave