NOTE: We met Tom and Marilyn Clark at the University of Idaho Conference on RVing in the summer of 1996. They were counting the days -- still about a year's worth of them -- until they would reach early retirement and embark on a new life together as "Full Timers". We were extremely impressed with the extraordinary preparation Tom and Marilyn were making for the upcoming lifestyle transition, and invited them to document the last few months of the process in a series of articles. They not only did that, but now that they're "on the road" they're sending back reports which campare "expectations versus reality". We think this series, which is still unfolding here, is one of the best resources for aspiring full timers available anywhere. On behalf of all RVers who will benefit from these wonderful articles which follow, we express our apprectiation to Tom and Marilyn for this outstanding contribution.

PART I: PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY

• "JUST STARTING OUT" Tom and Marilyn Clark begin their series of six monthly articles on their experience in moving from the workday world to full timing. The first article describes their discovery of the RVing option, and what steps they took to get ready.
• "EDUCATE YOURSELF" In their second installment, Tom and Marilyn review and evaluate the world of information resources available to the full timer -- and tell you how to find them..
• HOW TO BUY THE RV THAT''S RIGHT FOR YOU: The Clarks let us in on all the considerations that went in to acquiring an RV that would best suit their new full timing lifestyle.
• WHERE TO CAMP: Here the Clark's carefully review the options available to them, and make some preliminary decisions on such issues as boondocking versus full hookups; and explore the mysteries of membership campground networks.
• COMMUNICATIONS Cell phone, email, voice mail, regular mail -- what will work best for you? How to make these options work for you "on the road".
• INSURANCE, FINANCES & LEGAL MATTERS: In their final article is this informative series, Tom & Marilyn tell what state they chose for their legal residency -- and why. In addition, read how they've anticipated and planned for the financial and legal well being.

PART II: THEY'RE ON THE ROAD!

Now that Tom and Marilyn have launched their life of full timing, they're back with new reports -- comparing expectations to reality.

• FIRST IMPRESSIONS After six months on the road, Tom & Marilyn give us feedback on their initial impressions -- what's working out as expected, and what are the surprises?
• FINANCES With even a bit more experience under their belts, they take a very careful look at what their actual costs have been versus what they had anticipated. Many readers have contacted them requesting this information as a help to their own planning for the day they'll be joining the ranks of full timers on the nation's byways.

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