Escapees Profiles: Dory & Bill Johnson
TL;DR Part-time RVers Bill and his wife travel 6–8 months a year chasing perfect weather, enjoying events, and building lasting friendships through Escapees Chapter 8.
Who is with you?
My husband Bill and our two pups, Ginger and Lacey. We are in a winter pandemic travel bubble with our friends, Larry and Daina Chamness, who we met 4 years ago at the Escapade in Sedalia, MO.
###How long have you been on the road? Full-time or part-time?
We’ve been winter and summer Texas weather escapees for 5 years. We still have a Dallas home base and travel for 6-8 months a year. We started this winter’s travels in South Texas on Jan 1 with Winter Texans Hangout in Livingston.
What kind of RV do you have?
Winnebago Aspect Class C
What got you interested in living the RV life?
It’s been a lifelong dream for both Bill and me. We like the unhurried pace of RV travel, especially staying in one place long enough to explore.
How do you fund your travels?
We are early retirees and lived somewhat frugally, which we have continued to do as retirees.
What is your camping style?
We enjoy a mix-up of styles. We have done a week at a time off-grid but enjoy full hook-ups in between. We keep our mileage to 250 miles or less between stops and, if we go further, we give ourselves a few days in one place. When we are sightseeing along the way, we will go just far enough to allow good day trips.
What do you seek out when traveling?
We are perfect weather searchers so we plan our travels around temperatures and sunshine. We like events such as Albuquerque Balloon Fest, Winter Blast, and Escapades.
Favorite experience so far?
We’re really enjoyed the Chapter 8 Mexican Connection trips for past 2 years. Can’t wait for 2022!
Worst experience so far?
That has to be the blowout in Idaho that wrecked our grey tank right at the start of a two-month trip. It didn’t stop us though…. just had to change plans to stay only in campgrounds with showers.
How many Escapees events have you attended?
3 Escapades, the Winter Texan Homebase Hangout, Boomerville in Quartzsite, and 2 Mexican Connection trips.
Introvert or extrovert?
I’m an introvert disguised as an extrovert.
Tell us something weird about yourself
I am fascinated by Osprey cams. Oh, and I’m a 5th generation Texan.
Would you rather deal with a leaky sewer hose or a flat tire on the RV?
Give me the leaky sewer hose. After being on the shoulder of I-20 with a flat tire, and a blowout on I-80, I never want to do that again.
Do you have any advice for others?
Join some Escapees Chapters to meet other like-minded, adventurous RV friends. Our Mexican Connection Chapter 8 friendships have allowed us to have wonderful, safe, meetups even during the pandemic. What a blessing!
