Ten years and three months after we became full-time RVers, we’re houseless once more. Today as I compose this from the Fort Collins Colorado KOA, I’m both grateful and sad that we are no longer property owners.

The deal is done. Our dream mountain property that represented the peaceful spirit of our dear Jerry G Dawg is now part of our previous life, but it will live on forever. That’s because Jerry’s Acres is more powerful than any property deed. It’s state of mind where we’ll do our best to follow his example and make the most of every day. To live in the Now. To Be More Dog.

For the record, we both wanted the property when we purchased it in 2009. But all property ownership comes at a price and ours kept me up at night. It also kept us working more than we wanted to just to pay for things like insurance and maintenance. As much as I loved this place, it caused me stress.

Jim would have kept the house, spectacular views, the wildlife encounters and solitude forever. But even with our name on the title, I just couldn’t stop fretting about the costs of keeping the summertime getaway. Eventually we confronted the cost of ownership head on.  

Ask any couple who’s been together a long time and they’ll tell you that strong, happy relationships require compromise. Jim did more than his fair share of that when he agreed to put our place up for sale. I’ll always be indebted for it.

The downsizing to full-time RVing process consumed our summer. We got rid of so many things that took up space or would be appreciated and enjoyed by others. Finally, we crammed only our most meaningful, irreplaceable and sentimental possessions into a 5×10 storage unit. And Jim got to keep his old man’s chair, even though I think it’s the most hideous piece of furniture. See, even I compromised.

I’m sad and melancholy that we sold it, but relieved too. With nothing but the wheels under our feet and the few things that fit in this 27′ container we call home, the future’s wide open. People keep asking “What’s the plan?”, perhaps secretly wondering if opting out of property ownership automatically turns us into shiftless drifters with an uncertain future. No, it won’t. 

We will still work from the road as always, and seek out the adventures we love while enjoying a far lower cost of living. And at night when we lay our heads on the pillow we can feel secure knowing that Jerry’s Acres is always in our hearts, and home is truly wherever we park it.