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Topic: Driver age (Read 346 times) previous topic - next topic
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Driver age
Am I too old?  Having been steeped in Lazy Daze since 1991, I am having a hard time letting go. 

Would it just be too much for an old lady to start over?

Be brutally honest!


   Virtual hugs,

   Judie


Re: Driver age
Reply #1
Hello Judie and such an interesting yet challenging question.  It’s sounds to me like you still have the enthusiasm for RVing.  And that’s half of the equation.  The other half is if one’s health and energy are up to the task.

On another RV Forum, I’ve read about people in their 90’s and apparently continuing to enjoy their experience.   At 78 and 75 years, we’re still enjoying our RV experiences.  We’ve decided to travel more slowly and not as many miles staying longer in fewer campgrounds. 

Our life would seem less fulfilling if we had to stop this RV adventure.   At any rate, that’s my point of view on this important topic. 

 
Re: Driver age
Reply #2
Age is just a number.
Don't let numbers decide for you.
I still ride motorcycles and will continue to do so as long as I can throw a leg over and ride safely.
Jota
96 23.5 FL

Re: Driver age
Reply #3
Judie,

It’s not the number that counts, it’s the person’s physical and mental abilities that matter.  Some physical limitations can be mitigated such as proper eyewear, daytime driving only, shorter driving days, more rest stops and slowing down your speed.  I always wear my glasses while driving even though my license doesn’t require me to.  I also don’t drive over 65 mph regardless of the speed limit.  Part of today’s 3 hour journey was on I-29 where the speed limit is 80 mph.  I took my time at 65 mph in the right hand lane and stopped for breaks twice.  It made me feel more relaxed and the dog was appreciative too.  If setting up camp becomes more difficult to handle, then bring along a friend or companion to make things easier.  Now for one’s mental abilities, only you or maybe your close friends and relatives can answer that question.  I’ve known people in their 90’s that are still sharp as a tack and others in their 60’s I wouldn’t let hold my kite string.  It all depends on the person.  So my advice is, don’t stress too much over the number and trust your judgement.

- John
Fulltimer with a 2021 MId-Bath “Babe”, 1996 Cherokee “Scout” and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶

Re: Driver age
Reply #4
HELL, NO!!   We haven't met in person yet!!!
2005 RB

Re: Driver age
Reply #5
Do you feel you are having problems operating one of your rigs? 
Are you able to come up with those wonderful scratch meals in the rig's kitchen?
I think those are more pertinent questions that the number of birthdays you've seen.
IMO,  LazyDaze is a state of mind more than ownership of a particular brand of vehicle.
I consider LD'ers who have given up their LD rig as graduating to the LDAA (LazyDaze Alumni Assn).
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE

Re: Driver age
Reply #6
"I consider LD'ers who have given up their LD rig as graduating to the LDAA (LazyDaze Alumni Assn)."

Thanks Joel, I'll take that as a compliment! But it was physical deficiencies that took me off the road, else I'd be there still at 87.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: Driver age
Reply #7

Do you feel you are having problems operating one of your rigs?

      I’m becoming accustomed to driving a larger vehicle.  Up until now, I always drove our “toad” (17’ 8” Sportsmobile) on trips.  Have become more comfortable with the Pleasure-Way (20’ 4”), but never drove either of the Lazy Daze units, and certainly not the 40 footer!


Are you able to come up with those wonderful scratch meals in the rig's
kitchen?

      Easy peasy!  Never had any problem with that - not even in the Sportsmobile.


I think those are more pertinent questions that the number of birthdays
you've seen. 

IMO,  LazyDaze is a state of mind more than ownership of a particular brand
of vehicle. 

      No doubt this is entirely true.


I consider LD'ers who have given up their LD rig as graduating to the LDAA
(LazyDaze Alumni Assn).

      Maybe I won’t have to - third time’s the charm, maybe?


   Virtual hugs,

   Judie

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Re: Driver age
Reply #8
Judie, I'm not too sure how old you are, but soon I'll be 77, and have no doubt that I can drive my LD as usual.  I'm a single old lady traveling solo.  But I do wonder about continuing to tow a car everywhere I go. Last year for the first time I left the car in storage and drove from Arizona to Oregon and back, for the first time in ten years was not towing anything behind it.

It was easier on the highways, but not so convenient while camping was set up to stay a while.  Oh well, it worked out.  But I'm not sure i can do that permanently.  I know that when we begin making mistakes we need to be ready to pass the baton. When is that?  Each of us has to decide.

Kristin
1997 MB

Re: Driver age
Reply #9
I don't think there is an age limit.  

I think it is more a physical thing.  We have decided to quit RVing.  I have had mobility issues (knees) for a while and now they have reached the point that it is difficult to load up, unload, and take care of the RV.  The enjoying part was no problem.  I am only 72.   I don't want to be in the position that someone has to "rescue" us and drive the RV home because I fell or something silly.  We will still travel but will stay in a motel. 

If you are healthy and having fun stay with it.
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath

Re: Driver age
Reply #10
Thank you, John.  I would be hard pressed to think of a more enthusiastic Lazy Dazer than you.  It has been a delight to read about your unbridled happiness over the years.

For all the years my husband was disabled, we carried a policy with either Sky-Med or MASA.  It was a great comfort to know that rescue was only a phone call away.  And everything would be taken home with little fuss.  Can't comment on efficacy, except that it apparently scared away all the bad stuff.  Never had to use it.

I think FMCA includes a version of this service as well, but I haven't looked into it yet.

   Virtual hugs,

   Judie

Re: Driver age
Reply #11
Judie, I'm not too sure how old you are, but soon I'll be 77, and have no doubt that I can drive my LD as usual.  I'm a single old lady traveling solo.  But I do wonder about continuing to tow a car everywhere I go. Last year for the first time I left the car in storage and drove from Arizona to Oregon and back, for the first time in ten years was not towing anything behind it.

It was easier on the highways, but not so convenient while camping was set up to stay a while.  Oh well, it worked out.  But I'm not sure i can do that permanently.  I know that when we begin making mistakes we need to be ready to pass the baton. When is that?  Each of us has to decide.


Kristin - Thank you for the advice about towing.  Over the decades we never towed a car.  Instead I drove separately after we got a 40-foot behemoth, and continued that with the Rear Bath Lazy Daze.  In the 90's, with the Baby Daze, we used our bicycles.  We were younger then!  ;->  I have no intention of towing anything, OR even riding a bicycle.

I see that I failed to identify my age.  I'm not shy about that; I just didn't think of it.  At two years younger than our dearly departed heroine, Joan Taylor, I am 80 years old.  My mirror agrees with me entirely, but my heart and mind scream a much lower number.  And I'm in decent physical shape; no mobility problems.

My intended goals are not to do the usual RV things that we had done in the past, but rather to strike out on an adventure to visit the libraries in Arizona to photograph their architecture and choice of the art work that is displayed on their buildings and grounds.  As an adjunct, I would quiz the librarians, who are quite likely to spill the beans, on where would be other nearby venues worthy of a side trip?

The annual pass for the state parks of New Mexico was utilized in the past to good benefit, so I intend to do that again, and to visit as many Harvest Hosts venues as I find practical.

Any suggestions would be most gratefully received as well.  What Would an inveterate Lazy Dazer Do?

And yes, there will be cooking!  ;->


   Virtual hugs,

   Judie





Re: Driver age
Reply #12
I didn't intend to set off a lot of alarm bells.  I am mostly doing fine.  If we had a smaller RV we still might do short trips (I currently have a 38 or so foot class A).   The real issue is loading, unloading and the routine care.  I would have those issues with even a small class B.  So that is why I gave up RVing mostly.

I am still having a blast doing day trips. I just stay close to the car.  I like playing with the cameras.   In Oct we are driving from Tucson to Santa Fe to see my in-laws for the eclipse through some very pretty AZ mountains.
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath

Re: Driver age
Reply #13
Which rig are you planning to take, Judie? The Pleasure-Way, or...? As others have said, what matters is whether you're comfortable driving it. Keeping your travel legs short helps a lot, and that's not hard to do with the New Mexico state parks.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Driver age
Reply #14
"We’ve decided to travel more slowly and not as many miles staying longer in fewer campgrounds. "

We were never Dashabout RV'ers, but yes, I intend to use my "at least three nights in a spot" rule as much as possible.  So your advice is well taken.  Thank you.

Harvest Hosts' and Boondockers Welcome's more short-term offerings will be utilized as attractions, I think, with benefits, with longer stays in other places.


   Virtual hugs,

   Judie

Re: Driver age
Reply #15
HELL, NO!!   We haven't met in person yet!!!


Definitely hope to rectify this terrible shortcoming of my life!  ;->   Soon, Girly!


   Virtual hugs,

   Judie

Re: Driver age
Reply #16

It’s not the number that counts, it’s the person’s physical and mental abilities that matter.

- John
[/quote]



Thanks, JohnK - I think I am okay in all of those departments except for having a partner in crime.  A whole new world.


   Virtual hugs,

   Judie

Re: Driver age
Reply #17
Age is just a number.
Don't let numbers decide for you.
I still ride motorcycles and will continue to do so as long as I can throw a leg over and ride safely.


Huzzah, Jota.  My kind of attitude.  May I steal it?


   Virtual hugs,

   Judie