Hi all,
When we moved back to Nebraska last July everything happened quite
suddenly so I didn't spend a *lot* of time looking for a suitable
storage space for my Lance 1475 (roughly 10x20x10+). It ended up
in a Public Storage indoor bay that was $150/month with second
month free. I like that the trailer is indoors, plus it's great
having electricity. On the other hand, they've raised the rent
now to just under $200/mo (as threatened).
I've found another indoor storage option, an older fellow who
rents out space in several pole barns on his mostly rural site.
The buildings are very clean and he only wants $50/mo, but the
insides are just crammed full of boats and trailers. He says he
can get me in soon (when boats start going out) and that access
isn't a problem. Still, I'm just a little leary that I'd have to
rely on his (or a helper's) availability and that it might be a
tad tricky if stored items have to be juggled around. On top of
that, he's in his early 80s, so I'm also slightly concerned about
what might happen if he ages out.
Any thoughts for me?
On 3/14/2026 10:20 AM, Ted Heise wrote:
When we moved back to Nebraska last July everything happened
quite suddenly so I didn't spend a *lot* of time looking for a
suitable storage space for my Lance 1475 (roughly 10x20x10+).
It ended up in a Public Storage indoor bay that was $150/month
with second month free. I like that the trailer is indoors,
plus it's great having electricity. On the other hand,
they've raised the rent now to just under $200/mo (as
threatened).
That is high, probably too high for me.
I've found another indoor storage option, an older fellow who
rents out space in several pole barns on his mostly rural
site. The buildings are very clean and he only wants $50/mo,
but the insides are just crammed full of boats and trailers.
He says he can get me in soon (when boats start going out) and
that access isn't a problem. Still, I'm just a little leary
that I'd have to rely on his (or a helper's) availability and
that it might be a tad tricky if stored items have to be
juggled around. On top of that, he's in his early 80s, so I'm
also slightly concerned about what might happen if he ages
out.
Any thoughts for me?
I don't like the sound of all that. Keep looking.
On Sat, 14 Mar 2026 17:53:52 -0500,
sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:
On 3/14/2026 10:20 AM, Ted Heise wrote:
plus it's great having electricity. On the other hand,
they've raised the rent now to just under $200/mo (as
threatened).
That is high, probably too high for me.
Yeah, it just makes me squirm every time I pay it.
I may try out that rural place, but will keep looking too.
On Sun, 15 Mar 2026 15:42:16 -0000 (UTC),
Ted Heise <theise@panix.com> wrote:
On Sat, 14 Mar 2026 17:53:52 -0500,
sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:
On 3/14/2026 10:20 AM, Ted Heise wrote:
plus it's great having electricity. On the other hand,
they've raised the rent now to just under $200/mo (as
threatened).
That is high, probably too high for me.
Yeah, it just makes me squirm every time I pay it.
I may try out that rural place, but will keep looking too.
FWIW, I got the down low on a couple of options that looked
promising. One had no open spaces and the other was $110/mo
uncovered and $350/mo in an indoor bay. Yow!
On 3/17/2026 9:11 AM, Ted Heise wrote:
On Sun, 15 Mar 2026 15:42:16 -0000 (UTC),
Ted Heise <theise@panix.com> wrote:
On Sat, 14 Mar 2026 17:53:52 -0500,
sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:
On 3/14/2026 10:20 AM, Ted Heise wrote:
plus it's great having electricity. On the other hand,
they've raised the rent now to just under $200/mo (as
threatened).
That is high, probably too high for me.
Yeah, it just makes me squirm every time I pay it.
I may try out that rural place, but will keep looking too.
FWIW, I got the down low on a couple of options that looked
promising. One had no open spaces and the other was $110/mo
uncovered and $350/mo in an indoor bay. Yow!
Yikes!
I really dread the thought of ever moving, but if I do I think
I want a small house, a 3 car garage, and a nice finished barn
on about 2.5 Acres. That'd work.
On Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:44:26 -0500,
sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:
On 3/17/2026 9:11 AM, Ted Heise wrote:
On Sun, 15 Mar 2026 15:42:16 -0000 (UTC),
Ted Heise <theise@panix.com> wrote:
On Sat, 14 Mar 2026 17:53:52 -0500,
sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:
On 3/14/2026 10:20 AM, Ted Heise wrote:
plus it's great having electricity. On the other hand,
they've raised the rent now to just under $200/mo (as
threatened).
That is high, probably too high for me.
Yeah, it just makes me squirm every time I pay it.
I may try out that rural place, but will keep looking too.
FWIW, I'm leaning toward just sucking it up with the current
place, in n small part for the convenience of getting at it and
getting it in and out whenever I want.
FWIW, I got the down low on a couple of options that looked
promising. One had no open spaces and the other was $110/mo
uncovered and $350/mo in an indoor bay. Yow!
Yikes!
Yep. Makes the $200/mo a little less bothersome.
I really dread the thought of ever moving, but if I do I think
I want a small house, a 3 car garage, and a nice finished barn
on about 2.5 Acres. That'd work.
Totally agree. When we were house hunting last summer I had on my
list a 3-car garage with a ceiling high enough that it would
accommodate my trailer (assuming I'd have a bay door installed).
I've seen a few like that around here (and a couple even look like
they've been configured exactly as I had in mind), but none came
up on the short list. Hence the need for storage.
Having space to store at the home is one of the things in the back
of mind when I was dreamily looking at properties in Pensacola.
On 3/18/2026 11:40 AM, Ted Heise wrote:
On Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:44:26 -0500,
sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:
I really dread the thought of ever moving, but if I do I
think I want a small house, a 3 car garage, and a nice
finished barn on about 2.5 Acres. That'd work.
Totally agree. When we were house hunting last summer I had
on my list a 3-car garage with a ceiling high enough that it
would accommodate my trailer (assuming I'd have a bay door
installed). I've seen a few like that around here (and a
couple even look like they've been configured exactly as I had
in mind), but none came up on the short list. Hence the need
for storage.
Having space to store at the home is one of the things in the
back of mind when I was dreamily looking at properties in
Pensacola.
My brother in FLA found a nice little place, with a pool too,
that had a drive along the side of the yard into the back where
he parks his class A. Only had a single car garage, but he
saves a bunch keeping it right at his house.
I am still rolling around the thought of building a garage for
mine, but I doubt I'll ever pull the plug. Instead of letting
it winter out in the snow and cold, I prefer just to take it
out to Arizona and ride it out in the desert. Doubt the wife
would like that, so I might have to fly her in and out for
visits. I remember the feeling of waking up when I lived in
Tucson and being warm and looking out into the Catalina
mountains. Shoulda stayed out there instead of coming back to
Illinois.
On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:11:59 -0500,
sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:
I am still rolling around the thought of building a garage for
mine, but I doubt I'll ever pull the plug. Instead of letting
it winter out in the snow and cold, I prefer just to take it
out to Arizona and ride it out in the desert. Doubt the wife
would like that, so I might have to fly her in and out for
visits. I remember the feeling of waking up when I lived in
Tucson and being warm and looking out into the Catalina
mountains. Shoulda stayed out there instead of coming back to
Illinois.
Now you've inspired me. I hadn't thought of doing somewhat
separate things. My wife and I are both in a community choir and
are only allowed to miss 1 or 2 of the weekly practices. That
really limits the length of trips we can take, except in the
summer (when the choir takes a break). I've been thinking of
dropping out of the choir, and the opportunity to spend a month or
more in the southwest (AZ or NM) during the Jan-Mar timeframe just
adds more incentive.
I'll have to think about the best way to
float this. Maybe see if she has interest in skipping the winter
concert to do this with me, and if not the flying in and out
option could be the fallback.
Novice question for snowbirding it: what kind of options should I
be looking at for an extended stay, weekly (or monthly) RV park
rental, or are there other approaches?
On 3/20/2026 9:26 AM, Ted Heise wrote:
Now you've inspired me. I hadn't thought of doing somewhat
separate things. My wife and I are both in a community choir
and are only allowed to miss 1 or 2 of the weekly practices.
That really limits the length of trips we can take, except in
the summer (when the choir takes a break). I've been thinking
of dropping out of the choir, and the opportunity to spend a
month or more in the southwest (AZ or NM) during the Jan-Mar
timeframe just adds more incentive.
I was always in various choirs in my youth, too. Church, high
school and college. I was a music major before I dropped out
of school. Now, I just sing to rock and roll in the garage.
Heh.
Novice question for snowbirding it: what kind of options
should I be looking at for an extended stay, weekly (or
monthly) RV park rental, or are there other approaches?
If I was staying longer than a week, I'd sure want sewer hookup
and fresh water so I wouldn't have to move for either. Most
all will have the electric, some have the water, but sewer is
the one gets sites filled up fast. You might need to do
laundry and lots of places have them now, but if not you at
least got to be able to get to town and a laundromat. Same
with groceries. It's nice to get settled in and then fill the
fridge with what you need from a real grocery store and not a
super expensive camp store. LP gas...do they have it there, or
do you have to go into town or find a gas station.
If you take medications and don't have enough for a full trip
and need some mailed, you have to make sure the campground will
let you have mail sent there. I've seen a couple that refuse
to do this for some stupid reason.
I guess you also have to consider internet access. It seems
like a lot more of these campgrounds are getting decent wifi
now. I like getting away and not doing all the checking of
email and stuff I do at home, but I certainly want to check in
on some things almost every day.
You also really have to think about reading all the reviews for
places. You don't want to pay for a month and then find out the
owners are total assholes making ridiculous demands.
Last, you have to know where to get more beer and cigars!!
Ha!
On Sat, 21 Mar 2026 15:25:36 -0500,
sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:
On 3/20/2026 9:26 AM, Ted Heise wrote:
Now you've inspired me. I hadn't thought of doing somewhat
separate things. My wife and I are both in a community choir
and are only allowed to miss 1 or 2 of the weekly practices.
That really limits the length of trips we can take, except in
the summer (when the choir takes a break). I've been thinking
of dropping out of the choir, and the opportunity to spend a
month or more in the southwest (AZ or NM) during the Jan-Mar
timeframe just adds more incentive.
I was always in various choirs in my youth, too. Church, high
school and college. I was a music major before I dropped out
of school. Now, I just sing to rock and roll in the garage.
Heh.
Heh, indeed. As it happens, I started college as a music major
too. I'd pretty much decided I didn't have the drive to be a
performer (voice or instrument), and after a year in music ed
(including a semester of student teaching) I decided I didn't
really want to teach. So I switched to a science focus, then
ended up dropping out. Didn't go back until I'd drifted from
place to place for about a decade.
Novice question for snowbirding it: what kind of options
should I be looking at for an extended stay, weekly (or
monthly) RV park rental, or are there other approaches?
If I was staying longer than a week, I'd sure want sewer hookup
and fresh water so I wouldn't have to move for either. Most
all will have the electric, some have the water, but sewer is
the one gets sites filled up fast. You might need to do
laundry and lots of places have them now, but if not you at
least got to be able to get to town and a laundromat. Same
with groceries. It's nice to get settled in and then fill the
fridge with what you need from a real grocery store and not a
super expensive camp store. LP gas...do they have it there, or
do you have to go into town or find a gas station.
If you take medications and don't have enough for a full trip
and need some mailed, you have to make sure the campground will
let you have mail sent there. I've seen a couple that refuse
to do this for some stupid reason.
I guess you also have to consider internet access. It seems
like a lot more of these campgrounds are getting decent wifi
now. I like getting away and not doing all the checking of
email and stuff I do at home, but I certainly want to check in
on some things almost every day.
You also really have to think about reading all the reviews for
places. You don't want to pay for a month and then find out the
owners are total assholes making ridiculous demands.
Last, you have to know where to get more beer and cigars!!
Ha!
All very helpful wrt campgrounds/RV parks. I guess I was
wondering if there are other options (like renting a house or
property). I hadn't really thought of it until your input, but it
sounds like the availability of hookups is probably going to limit
the options to RV parks or campgrounds.
On 3/22/2026 9:20 AM, Ted Heise wrote:
On Sat, 21 Mar 2026 15:25:36 -0500,
sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:
I was always in various choirs in my youth, too. Church,
high school and college. I was a music major before I
dropped out of school. Now, I just sing to rock and roll
in the garage. Heh.
Heh, indeed. As it happens, I started college as a music
major too. I'd pretty much decided I didn't have the drive to
be a performer (voice or instrument), and after a year in
music ed (including a semester of student teaching) I decided
I didn't really want to teach. So I switched to a science
focus, then ended up dropping out. Didn't go back until I'd
drifted from place to place for about a decade.
I really screwed my early years up. I went to school on full
scholarship, and gave it all up. I had great grades and did
like school and learning, but I had no direction and ended up
getting wildly out of control. I never went back and finished
school, but I ended up doing just fine, and worked in an area
of employment I did love. Most of this I owe to my wife.
Somehow she saw something in me and stuck with me before I
ended up dying or getting killed. Amazing how quickly things
can turn around once you find purpose.
If I was staying longer than a week, I'd sure want sewer
hookup and fresh water so I wouldn't have to move for
either...
All very helpful wrt campgrounds/RV parks. I guess I was
wondering if there are other options (like renting a house or
property). I hadn't really thought of it until your input,
but it sounds like the availability of hookups is probably
going to limit the options to RV parks or campgrounds.
I wasn't saying it is that hard to find sewer and water at all.
You just have to look for it. Yes, spur of the moment booking
can be difficult at some places to find sewer, but it is
usually available somewhere.
The rental options are huge these days. I've done it several
times before I got the View, and it was alright. MY step mom
rents in Arizona for a month at a time in the winter. It's
expensive, but she usually gets a big house with a pool, and
money is not a worry for her. I just don't want to do that
again, but I'm sure my wife would have no problem with it.
Funny story.
We did a rental for a week at a high rise condo place right on
the beach in Panama City. It was high, like around the 25th
floor. We were unaware when we went out on the deck for
coffee, but the door latch had been giving the owners problems
and they did what they thought was a temporary fix. Well sure
as hell we close the door to keep the flies out and it locks us
out. We were stuck on the balcony, and because it was so high
and all the people on the ground could hear was the surf
pounding, we couldn't get anyone's attention to get management
to let us back in. We couldn't get our phones to work since we
were in a concrete structure and the balcony pointed out into
the Gulf of America. After a couple hours my wife was able to
get just enough signal to text the landlord about our problem,
and after another half hour someone came up and got us in.
This was a very dangerous thing. Because of my Afib, I was
getting nervous and my heart was racing. The sun was coming up
and it was getting very hot out there, and we had no water to
cool down. If we didn't have my wife's phone and gotten just
enough signal to get out a text I don't know how long we would
have been up there yelling for someones attention. An older
person could easily die in a situation like that.
I went out there again, but I didn't bother closing the sliding
door.
| Sysop: | Amessyroom |
|---|---|
| Location: | Fayetteville, NC |
| Users: | 69 |
| Nodes: | 6 (0 / 6) |
| Uptime: | 28:11:05 |
| Calls: | 899 |
| Files: | 1,320 |
| D/L today: |
3 files (12,347K bytes) |
| Messages: | 264,596 |