Cara Ostara & King Crusader: The Next Chapter 02/06/22

February 06, 2022

Cara Ostara & King Crusader: The Next Chapter 02/06/22

Here us a quick version of our life update.

We didn't end up with land.
Our physical and mental process of buying a new home on wheels.
Week 1 repairs. Yes, already.
Test 1 Boondocking.
Ending up at Skooliepalooza with our tribe.
Traveling to Tombstone.

And that's just been the month of January! We were busy little hamsters! Although hamsters like to nap a lot...and so do we buttttt we didn't have a ton of time for naps! So, more like busy little squirrels, running around before winter, collecting all our nuts!

Let me start from the beginning. We has a rough first week of January. Gregory was not feeling well and ended up tested positive for the Vid. Which changed up our winter plans a bit. At the same time we had scheduled to put our home in the maintenance shop to have the engine worked on...for the 3rd time. Let me clarify. The previous 2 mechanics did not 'work on' the engine. They kept our home for at least 24 hours, couldn't diagnose what was wrong, and told us there was nothing to be done until the problem worsened. So 3rd time is the charm, right? We thought, if we take the rig to a actually Chevrolet shop they will be able to diagnose the exact issue before it worsens and prevent a lot of frustration and money in the long run. We found a shop in Tucson and within an hour found a AirBnb for the week. Thank goodness we found a place to sleep and quarantine while the rig was being looked at again. So, we were trying to be safe, preventative, and positive. Considering we found a place that would let us AND Charlie stay.

The AirBnb was nice but ran about $950 for the week! And essentially was a converted garage. But, we stayed positive and thankful. The shop called towards the end of the week and was unable to diagnose the real issue with the RV engine and suggested we just replace the mass air filter, something or other. Of course they did not test drive the rig. Just plugged a computer into it. That cost bout $150...I may be naive in this area but would you have a better guess at the issue if you drove it? Have you ever had a mechanic look at your refrigerator because it wasn't cooling? And all they do is look at it? Don't plug it in, don't test anything. Just look at it. Now, how is that suppose to solve anything? Anyways, it is what it is so we felt a little defeated because we just knew something was wrong but couldn't pin point what was going on. Yes, we could just start replacing parts and guessing but that gets expensive quick. So, that Thursday we picked our home up and parked it in the street in front of the AirBnb. Back to square one.

Now, the only barrier was we still needed to quarantine for another week after checking out of the AirBnb (garage) on Saturday morning. This lead us to a Tucson fairground which had full hook ups for $180 a week! That's a steal! Mind you the spot is basic, but it's flat, gravel, and a ways from town...BUT! You have to make the best out of it. The fairgrounds were huge which included grass for Charlie to play and lay in, a 1.5 mile track, food trucks, events, laundry, etc. Plus it was affordable and safe.

We quarantined, walked, and rested. After Gregory felt better and was good to be around people we learned about the Tucson RV showcasing to the Fairground! Great! We love looking at all the upgraded rigs and features. So, Wednesday night, the night before the show the company already had rigs parked in the fairgrounds. That night we got a chance to walk around in the dark without any one bothering us and look at the outside of the RV's, fifth wheels, class A's, B's, C's, vans, and all of the above. Then, it hit us...maybe it's time to upgrade? Ha! Noooo. Stop. We've talked about it, but not for another 2-3 years. Just imagine though! A newer RV, stronger Diesel engine, more square footage, newer appliances, less things to fix, etc. Wouldn't that be nice?

I mean we are tired of all the repairs on our aging rig. We are spending more time and money on repairs (which happens as they age, naturally) then actually enjoying our home and exploring. What if we spent a little more and and could have a couple of years without all the maintenance issues? Fun thought! ha But, not always true in our lifestyle...or life in general I guess. Oh and I forgot to mention when we got the RV back from the shop our fridge did not work. :/ Ha, hot, hot, hot! So, for 3 days we bought dry ice to cool it and then said forget it, we ate as much as we could, and cleaned the fridge out. So, not only was the engine giving us issues, we also had no fridge. We quickly learned that they no longer make this fridge or the parts to replace it. Also, to get the fridge out of the house and bring in a new one you are looking at $5,000 and have to take out your front windshield to fit the fridges in and out of the rig. Just run through that scenario and how to fix it...it was just starting to be one thing after the next. Which is life, I get it.Once again...especially in our lifestyle. But, we all have our limits. So, we had a choice.

1. Suck it up, spend every weekend putting time and moneyinto the current aging rig until we pay it off...keep it for another 2 years and then sell it for almost nothing. Maybe a little.

2. Trade it in, be okay with getting nothing for it, basically. Upgrade to a 4 year old rig, stay in debt (house debt), but save money on repairs for a few years (as it's newer, things should be in better shape) and continue traveling and living on the road...but in style!

Inside the original King Crusader

Sooooo, we created a financial plan on Wednesday night to ensure if we did upgrade our home we could afford it and continue our 'way of living.' I don't know if you would label this as a skill or a nuisance but I love saving money and I love getting out of debt or not being in it at all. I have been very lucky and privileged in my life to start with the foundation that I had (financially) and the ability to save and learn about money like I did. I know this. I know this can be hard for a lot of us. I just value the freedom of being debt free...and money doesn't buy you happiness but it does keep me calm and secure. And I like that feeling. Knowing that everything I buy, use, store, etc is mine...and no one else owns it or can take it from me. So, looking at the numbers we came up with made me a little nervous. Of course, we can afford a newer or bigger rig and we can get a huge loan...But, I'm all about living within your means. My personal belief is if you can't make the payments and still live a comfortable life or if this debt forces you to live paycheck to paycheck and it causes you stress then it's not worth it. But, I'm also the girl that likes to buy everything on the menu at dinner, buy velvet bellbottoms at full price, or shit for Charlie. Once again, just my life choices (not right or wrong) and I choose to buy appetizers and a entree, or go on any outdoor adventure that we want. Over being in debt.And everyone lives differently.

At the end of the night it all made sense financially and when you weigh the repair cost on the current rig and know it's only getting older and older...you know you're going to have to upgrade at some point. We've been fantasizing about a upgraded rig for a while but we've been unable to find a floorpan that we liked and a rig that had all our must haves. So, on Wednesday night when we walked in the dark amongst the giant rigs and stars...Gregory spotted one. He couldn't wait to look inside! Of course, the show didn't start until Thursday morning so that night we laid in bed and talked about how crazy it would be to actually find a rig and fall in love with it! I'll be honest, I didn't think it would happen. But, it was fun to talk about.

Inside the original King Crusader

Thursday morning we are both a little excited as we try t make it through our work. Finally 10:00 AM rolls around and we can go look at RV's! Yay! To be honest again, Gregory was a lot more excited and confident during this 'adventure' than I was. I communicated that I was nervous and really it was all about money. I mean going from a $35,000 rig to a $150,000 rig. Thats a BIG financial commitment. Sometimes when I think of money (Even if I can afford something) it's hard for me to look past the $$ signs and really enjoy the moment or activity.

The first one we enter is the RV Gregory sprouted the night before and honestly I saw him fall in love immediately! The floor plan, the space, the engine....she was beautiful. I think he made up his mind as soon as he walked in it! I liked the rig...of course I did! But, I came into the day with more caution and fear I think (of the money) We looked at a few other rigs, as in we ran in them and ran out! About an hour later Gregory looked at me and said,

'So...what do you think?'

'About what?'

'That 2017 Fleetwood Pacearrow'

Of course I loved it but quickly realized that he LOVED it and wanted to move forward! It took me a minute to realize...damn we are going to put an offer in on this rig...together! How exciting and 'scary'? not scary...anxiety inducing? I had so many 'what if's' in my head but the reality is...we had communicated about this for a long time, we made a financial plan, and this was within the plan...AND the rig hit alllll the 'must haves'.

Inside the 2017 Fleetwood PaceArrow

I'll spare you some details since I've already kept you here for too long! Fast forward to January 21st and we picked up our new to us home on wheels! I was a very emotional and chaotic day. Especially leaving the old rig. My home for 2 years, Gregorys for 4. In the 2 years we lived together we completely removed the RV, lost Chibi in the RV, cried, loved, partied, celebrated holidays, made mistakes, held each other, sang, danced...In the last few moments in the old RV I cried and cried and. Couldn't stop. We both stood there and hugged in our original home together. Just thinking about all the amazing places we've been in it. I just hope our old home goes to a adventurous, loving, and creative family. That is good at fixing shit! haha! And yes, we did disclose all information to the RV shop we traded into. About the fridge and all other things.

As I sit here on our new couch, the fire place is keeping us warm while Charlie snores in bed. I am so happy! Later on I will show share more features and specs about our new home! We have spent 1 full week boon docking with amazing friends in a amazing location. And for the most part everything went really well. We have had some small frustrating things happen with the new home. Like the shower door which we had to fix on night 2, 3 kitchen drawers that need reinforced, and on day 9 we had to fix the 'Start' button on the washer. Sigh. There are always growing pains, right? So, in now way has this part of our journey been perfect but what part about life is? We've learned a lot in this adventure, together and we will keep learning, growing, and loving each other!

Here's to our next chapter!

Currently parked in Tombstone, AZ, more to come!