Port-a-home

Have you ever longed for something so badly that it was comparable to an intense thirst? We have, and do. We have a thirst to get on the road and see this country. But this time, not just from 70mph on the interstates.

Our thirst to travel is beyond a dry throat now, which would normally be quenched by an occasional inner-state move, or even out-of-state move. It has even surpassed the sore throat stage, normally soothed by a change as drastic as a cross-country move. It has now ripened into full-blown dehydration mode, and a condition as serious as this can only be remedied by one thing: going back over the road full time.

Enter our secret desire we’ve been wishing for since April 3, 2008, when we met a traveling physical therapist: TRAVEL NURSING!!! Heck with waiting for retirement to travel the country together in an RV, we’ll do it now and take the kids along for the experience!

Now, as simple as buying an RV would seem, it has become quite the arduous process.We have flip-flopped between 5th wheel toy haulers, travel trailers, and 5th wheels.

Decision #1:

During our pursuit of the perfect portable place to call home, we decided, based on extensive research and RV forums, to purchase a used luxury 5th wheel toy hauler: the Excel Wild Cargo.

Naturally, we would pull this big-rig with a semi...because we like semis...and because this rig is HEAVY...and because the shock factor of six people piling out of a semi would generate some amusing stares.

We found the RV, packed up the family, and braced ourselves for the 18-hours-each-way drive to purchase it. Just before heading out the door, I told Hyrum to double check that it wasn't sold yet. He called the dealer, and in typical Johnson Jinx fashion, the trailer had been sold earlier that morning, after being on the market for ages.  

Decision #2: 
 
Discouragement soon turned to optimism when a few hours later, Hyrum stumbled upon this unique travel trailer design.
 
 
A TRI-LEVEL TRAVEL TRAILER! The Riverside 32loftrb. Now if that doesn't scream Johnson, I don't know what does.
Quirky, unusual, practical, stare-inducing, able to be towed by our payment-free 15-passenger van...a perfectly unconventional trailer for an unconventional family. 
Being a new model on the market, we would have to order one. The day we decided to place our order, we double checked the towing capacity of our one-ton van and found that it was equipped with the lighter of two axles, meaning we could only pull this trailer when empty. (Imagine our disappointment.) That killed this plan, since we only wanted to squeeze into a travel trailer if we could pull it with our (payment-free) van.

Again, back to the drawing board, and back to 5^th wheels.

Decision #3:

During a sleepless night recently, Hyrum discovered the coolest family rig. The Sierra 35loft, aka The Treehouse. I was sold when I saw the floorplan and the price. We found a great used, but basically new, one in the Washington DC area and began negotiations. If this one falls through also, I may cry.
The kids will sleep in a loft in the back with a massive stargazing skylight and a trap door leading to a ladder that takes them to the room below where they will dress, lounge, play, homeschool, etc (we will be homeschooling when we are over-the-road).

There are peep holes and mail slots, rustic boards with a treehouse appearance, and other kid-friendly features, plus almost every other feature I'd been hoping for, including a u-shaped couch/dinette and 1 1/2 baths. The only thing it lacked was a 4 door fridge. But, it does have a small fridge outside in addition to the inside one, so that should help. But my poor freezer space will be TINY! There's a king-sized bed in the front for us parents, a washer/dryer closet, lots of storage, and there are two couches with inflatable beds for guests, not to mention all the outside storage. I'm in love. If all goes according to plan, it will arrive on Friday. 3 days!!!