This blog follows the retirement adventures of Blaine and Terri Peck. When we began blogging in May of 2016, we were not actually retired yet, but that happened on June 2, 2017 and we hit the road as full-timers on June 19, 2017; leaving all of our family behind in the Akron, Ohio area, within 30 minutes of each other. Parents, children and grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews.
We first met in church when we were both five years old. Started dating at 16 and married when we were barely 19. God has used the experiences in our lives to prepare us for this journey together.
Blaine was an IBEW Union commercial electrician and Terri worked an assortment of front office jobs and was able to be a stay-at-home mom until our sons were 8 and 10 years old, only returning to work part-time to earn “fun money”.
In 2005, Blaine’s parents took their four children and their spouses on an Alaskan cruise for a week. We decided to extend the trip by renting a Class C for two-weeks and drove around Alaska. What fun!!! I’d say the test run was successful! After 12 years of talking, dreaming and planning, we are now living our dream!
And to think, this all started in 1979 with a motorcycle and a pup tent!
Here’s a brief pictorial look at how we’ve evolved over 38 years:
Here it is! The motorcycle and pup tent in 1979. A bit blurry, but remember – no digital camera back then.
Next up, a converted 1977 Dodge Van. Conversion was done by one of Blaine’s great-uncles. And yes, that’s Terri! This picture was probably taken about 1980
Please forgive the next couple of pics. We had to copy them from our son’s scrapbook. This is the same van after we had it painted. We used this, and only this for awhile before Chris & Kyle were this old.
This is how we traveled for quite awhile. Once we got to our destination, we’d set up a tent for the boys and we’d sleep in the van. This picture was probably taken around 1994.
Next, we added a pop-up. We used that and the van for awhile, until Terri got tired of camping.
Renting this Class-C in Alaska was the catalyst that Blaine used to get Terri thinking about full-timing.
One of our favorite trips – Alaska! Denali is in the background. If you ever have opportunity to go – – DO IT! It’s one of those places where just being there has made us feel like crying and praising God! We can’t wait to go back!