About the Wandering Wahls Blog
Sep 15 2008
After living abroad and enduring many relocations with the Air Force in the past decade, “trailing spouse” Tom Wahl and his wife, Mary Claire, a recently retired Air Force officer, are introducing their children, Joe, Anna, and Sam, to the U.S. As the family travels in their RV from state to state, they also are looking for a permanent residence. Stay tuned to see what happens as a family of five travels across America in search of their next place to call home.
Tom and Mary Claire,
What a SUPER idea to hit the roads of our wonderful country in an RV. The adventure of a lifetime.
Does raise a number of questions, however and I would be looking forward to hearing, reading, and/or helping you and your family have a successful trip.
The MOAA gang in New Hampshire thinks we live in the greatest state ever and have at retirement picked to live here for a number of reasons. But that is why you have started the trip. Hope NH and New England is on your map. We can review all the reasons wth you.
Call and we can discuss the best times to vist. The leaves are just now starting to change and should be at full color about 12 October. Our Board of Directors meetings are the second Thursday of each month at 1830 in Concord, NH. Call me: 1-800-778-4251
Your future will be interesting. As an old (83)retired Navy person I am looking forward to where you drop your anchor because you cannot be a gypsy forever.
I bet you will determine the location based on where you both get your best job offers and where the state will have the best perks.
Take the recommendations from everyone and enjoy yourself as you travel around this wonderful country.
Listen to your responses. One told me to apply at the VA to get the highest VA disability and he also told me to join life membership in TROA (now MOAA).
Get a job you enjoy doing. I went into Human Resourse work and my wife. a former Navy Nurse, completed additional college work and retired as a High School teacher.
If in Fort Wayne, give us a call.
Bon Voyage – enjoy yourself,
Dan and Nancy Morgan
Hello from the great state of Georgia!
The weather is mild and the summers are hot here. We live in a rural community in Woodbine, which is near Kingsland and St. Marys and the Kingsbay SUBASE. They are building a new VA center in St. Marys which is very convenient to us. We are close to the Florida border so there are lots of jobs in Jacksonville FL and also Brunswick GA. There are a lot of things to do here. We’re just about 4 hours from Disney, 45min drive from Jekyl Island and just about 20min drive from Crooked River State Park, not to mention Okefenokee State Park is near by too. Living is cheap here in GA. Yes, we pay taxes but they’re low compared to other parts of the country. There’s lots of housing available at just about any price range. You might want to consider GA in your retirement plans, we did and we love it!
Aloha, I realize its hard to take your RV here but don’t forget about visiting the state with the best weather on the planet.
Do you happen to be related to the Wahls in SE Kansas. William Wahl is the head of the family located in Anderson and Montgomery Cos. ?????
@Jim Thomas – I don’t think I am related. But if their Wahl name is of Norwegian origin, then we probably are related. Interestingly enough, my middle name was originally William before my parents changed it to Robert when I was 4 (they changed my middle name in memory of my oldest brother who was 18 at the time and had passed away in a car accident when we were living in St. Louis). I was always kidded about being known as Willie Wahl.
@Diane – thanks for the idea: we do plan to get there, sans the big rig.
@Pete – we might see you because one of my wife’s mentors from the AF teaches at URI.
@Dan – GREAT ADVICE! Please keep the ideas coming.
@Lori: thanks for the info, we do plan to see GA and the south, not only for DisneyWorld, but to teach the kids about the birth of the blues and about our civil rights history.
Again, thank you all for the input. It is much appreciated.
Tom
What an adventure for all of you! For not the first time, I wish that I and my girls could be younger and plan to do such a thing….you know, if wishes were horses….
I think hands on history and civics is perfect ‘home schooling’! All the best in your decision. I was moved here by my 0-5 spouse to be near a base that wouldn’t likely close for 20 years. He flew his final flight in Aug 2007 and I am trying to be near family. Yes, GA is hot!
But the friends I’ve made here are just grand! I don’t know if I’d survived the last year without their love and caring. (Most are not Georgians either, but such is life in an AF town.) I am waiting for the next chapter! And am sorry about price of gasoline, but it IS going down poco a poco!
Hi Tom and Mary Claire,
I’m PR Agency that works with the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. I’ve been reading about your trip. It sounds like you’re having a lot of fun. We’d love to talk with you about it. You can call us on our toll free number: 1-877-592-8601.
Fran Connors
for RVIA
Hey there Wahlers. Hope you’re all doing fine. Perhaps you could ship the RV rig to Oz and come and see us? We are enjoying the travel logs immensely. All our love and missing Frankfurt already…Hope the tennis lessons are going well for the guys! Ciao,
This is an excellent educational experience for the children & parents We with 4 kids & 17 ft. trailer began our summer tours of the USA & Canada in 1964 almost flipped it the first yr in upper MI. We graduated to an Apache Eagle tent trailer (slept 4) w/o facilities. The 2 oldest slept in an Army pup tent or the floor depending on the weather. We moved up to a Cox tent trailer which slept 6 after 6 yrs & visited 45 states over the years Fron CA to NH (never got to camp in Maine). We saw the Redwoods: The Big MO mooored in Wash: Gen Ike’s in Kanses: Yosmite, Glacier,Rocky Mtn, Carlsbad, Crater Lake, Yellowstone,Grand Canyon, Great Smokey Mtn, Badlands & Mammoth Cave NP’s to mention a few. one summer was spent in our native state of NY, from Niagara Falls, Fort Ticonderoga, Rochester, Albany, Syracuse, etc. Each summer was a different adventure for all. May I recommend some reference books:The New America’s Wonderlands Our National Parks & Field Guide BIRDS of North America, The Revolutionaly War all National Geographic publications:The MOON BOOK (Kim Kong): 40 Nights to Know The Sky (Fred Schaaf) & a geology book on North America. Shirley & i would love to relive those years. If you get near Phoenix call. We are about 12 car miles from Luke AFB with a great Commissary & a 3 bedroom home. You are more than welcome.
Hey O’Connors!
Great to see you here! We’re keeping the RV in good shape for your trip next year! We miss Frankfurt also, that was fun. About tennis, we’ve been negligent in that regard, maybe because we have no rackets. Write again. We’ll email you.
Tom & MC
To Warren: Thanks for all of the tips, especially the book ideas! What a trip you made – wow! If we get to Phx, we’ll let you know. About the books, you wrote: “The Revolutionaly War all National Geographic publications” – are these two separate books or is the Revolutionary War book by Nat’l Geo?
Thanks,
Tom
Your personal adventure brings back many fond memories of our life on the road—-sans kiddos. They’re all grown and doing their own thing, so we sold everything in SoCal, bought our Beaver pusher and hit the road——for almost EIGHT years. We too were looking for a place to settle down. My wife Pat had a hangup with city names—isn’t that a stupid name for a community ??etc ! ! ! Our travels covered all 48 contiguous states; we made and still have many close friends that we met while “gypsying”. At times we miss the road and all its adventures, but priorities change and unfortunately, we get older.
We “found” our piece of paradise in the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg. We love the “landlubbers” life here; we’re very involved in church, community etc. If ever in our area, drop a line and we can set you up in a very nice park right in town and close to everything. Incidentally, the school system is EXCELLENT, as are the medical facilities. How many communities of a population not quite 10k can boast two flag officers– Fleet Admiral Nimitz and General Hagee, USMC Commandant, retired.
If you have not yet joined Family Motor Coach Assn, I would highly recommend it. Many informative articles for full timers as well as excellent tech topics.If you have questions, drop a line—I’ll see if I can help.
Happy travels and keep the rubber side down.
Allen Spousta, LCDR/USN Retired
Hi Tom and Mary Clair,
Greetings…….Long time no see. Just saw the picture of you guys and the RV. Well bought a 40ft RV and have live in it for 2 yrs…Shoot me and email….I still have my old email address you wrote to me at before. You can call me at 320-491-8290. Great to see you guys again.
Al
STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE,
@Betsy – I sent you an email!
Hi Tom and MC,
I saw the pic in MOAA mag and got the Christmas Card that afternoon when I got home. Sounds like quite an adventure, not Mary’s cup of tea. I’m sending a card to the Rapid City address, I guess that’s base camp these days.
Frank & Mary
Frank and Mary – Hi! Look at our family blog at http://web.mac.com/wahlsacrossamerica and you can find our email info. It would be great to hear from you.
@Allen: thanks for the invite and the info. I’ve heard of Fredericksburg, especially for the German population (I’m always looking for ways for our kids to keep up their German). How are the schools there? Can you email us with your email: wahlsacrossamerica@mac.com. We also have a personal web site with more pictures you might find interesting as an RVer: http://web.mac.com/wahlsacrossamerica
Tom
@Allen, sorry about that last posting repeat.
I was quite surpised to open the MOAA magazine and see your picture! I’ ve caught up on the blogs – sounds like you are having a great time.
The US isn’t the only one having a very cold winter. Germany has had the coldest temperatures in 20 years!
Keep having fun!
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Please don’t forget to see Michigan. After visiting Niagara cross into Ontario, Canada and drive across to Sarnia and cross over into Michigan on the Blue Water Bridge. Then take the Great Lakes Tour. You won’t be sorry when you see the Mackinaw Bridge, Mackinaw Island, the Upper Pennisula and the shore towns of Lake Michigan including Traverse City. On your way south detour slightly to Marshall, MI. (Our home). You might just find the perfect place to settle down. Great schools, international connections, and the Ft. Custer Base outside Battle Creek (cereal city).
I’ll keep it short – you likely have zillions of correspondents…the same number that read the USA Today article today. Lived overseas, worked in Russia for 30 years, amongst other countries, was in the military… Can I make a visit suggestion? I-10, exit 206 in Texas (east of the I-20 split). Go 6 miles south to the smallest state park in Texas – Balmorthea (spelled incorrectly). $5 to drive your RV in and park, more if you want to spend the nite/hook-up. The attraction?….a 2-1/2 acre swimming pool filled with 3-1/2 million gallons of fresh spring water (replaced every hour) at 70 to 72 degrees year-round. Oh, there are fish in the pool. And if you go in the summer, you do need to keep an eye toward the ground (rattlesnakes). Want to travel to one of only three (ground level) mines in the world that harvest RED emeralds? Or visit a cattle rancher in the middle of Nevada who sells fresh lobster? Did you get an insiders view of the castle in Colorado Springs, Glen Erie? And….I’ll stop now. Best wishes for both a successful trip and trip outcome – a place to call “Home”. Gary
Dear Wahl Family -
Your trip sounds awesome. I have a suggestion for you to check out the town of Granville, Ma. It is a rural town in the foothills of the Berkshires, close to RI and CT seashore, NH and VT mountains, Boston, Hartford, CT, Springfield, Ma and a lot of cultural venues. We need to sell our home (4bdrm, 2 bthrom Cape style) with large deck and walkout basement, and 16 acres of woods and fields zoned for 5 house lots. There is a barn, pastures, riding ring and 20′X40′ in ground pool. When you are in New England, you might like to check out this area and our home and property. You could even hook up the RV in our yard or stay at Prospect Mountain Campground 2 miles from us on Route 57 in Granville. You can go to GoogleEarth and type in 831 Main, Granville, Ma 01034 to see the layout of the property. We hope to meet you and show you what’s here.
Peter and Nancy Batayte – nbatayte@att.net
I was born in L.A., lived 4 years in Denver, 4 years in Newport, R.I, 13 years in Santa Clara , Ca. and the last 13 years in Buckley , Wa. Buckley is a small town with no crime, 9 miles to a bigger city (Bonney Lake) that has all amenities, 15 minutes to Lake Tapps, and 40 minutes to Fort Lewis and Madigan Army Medical Center. I currently work for Honeywell at Fort Lewis, and get sent all over the country for business. I was hesitant to move here at first, but my wife convinced me that it was a better place to raise kids than No. Cal. Both of my daughters attended college, and my son is a sophmore at White River High. Outstanding Mount Ranier views, proximity to the ocean, rivers, and lakes, and a peaceful town is why we will continue to live here. P.S.,love what you guys are doing!
Wow! it was great to read your article and what an adventure you are on… your children are lucky, they might not realize this now, but they will always remember their year in the RV. I lived in Virginia for 6 years and I would strongly suggest that you check out the Virginia Beach area. Seashore state park has miles of paths and great for bike-riding too. Hospitals , commisary, military bases and great weather. The bike path along Virginia Beach boardwalk goes for miles along the ocean. God bless and the best of luck to all of you! Please keep me informed. Ruth
Greetings Wahl family,
Read your story on the Passport America newsletter, and Barb and I think it’s great you have a chance to travel with your kids before you retire.
We have lived in Florida for 35+ years, and suggest that you take a look at the Fort Walton Beach-Destin area (in the Florida Panhandle). Besides having the whitest beaches in the US, we are home to 3 local Air Force Bases (Hurlburt, Eglin and Duke Field), several excellent hospitals, one of the best school systems in Florida, several 4-year colleges, all forms of the arts and recreation….well, you get the picture.
Visit our RV website, http://www.ronandbarb.homestead.com, and click on the RV USA TV link and watch the Florida Panhandle program (which I produced several years ago) for a closer look.
We are presently volunteering for the National Park Service at the Gulf Islands National Seashore on Okaloosa Island (between Destin and Fort Walton Beach), and will be here through September.
If you get down this way, call us. Summer is coming and the water (and the fishing) is great.
Dear Mr & Mrs Wahl,
I enjoyed the profile on you in USAToday…kind of envious actually…nice Military pension and exploring the open road. Very fun.
Something in the article intrigued me…you said…
“What struck me most is we were used to living in a small, clean village in Germany with no crime. The kids walked everywhere, played outside without any cares,” he says. “I’m not sure we can find a place (in the US) that has that.”
This sounds like Utopia to me, and my wife and I would like to explore Germany and visit this village. Would you let me know where it is? My wife and I are seriously thinking about leaving the US and starting a new life in Europe…possibly Germany. I work for the DoD as a Fed Govt employee.
Thank You.
Hi Tom and Mary Claire,
I’m the editor of Highways, the official publication of the Good Sam Club. As you probably know, our organization provides discounts and services for RVers, and we’re always looking for interesting members (or prospective members) who have compelling stories to tell. We read your article in USA today, and would be interested in sharing your experiences with other Highways readers (obviously, this article would have more of an RVing slant). Please contact me if you’re interested in speaking.
Thanks!
John Sullaway
Editor
Highways magazine
800-765-1912 x609
jsullaway@affinitygroup.com
hi wahls: i read the story of your travel adventure in the 18 may edition of usa today. i envy you. you are truly on an exciting once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
i write to you primarily to identify chico, california as a permanent home for you at the conclusion of your travels. WE LOVE CHICO! a truly friendly city no snow. bidwell park is the second best city park on the country after central park. the university and the top-rate performances it brings to town annually. butte community college. nearby camping, hiking hunting and fishing. nearby beale afb and our well respected and outstanding enloe hospital. etc., etc. our chamber of commerce has prepared a beautiful visitors package i can get for you if you so desire.
b t
to the wandedring wahls:
did you receive my original message to you dated 28 june 2009?
b t chapman
Hi Tom and Mary Claire,
It’s great catching up with you on your website. So far, Colorado has been our favorite state out of 31 visited over the past 12 months. The jobs have been scarce however, so we’ll soon be heading east. Keep us posted on your locations, and perhaps we can link up again. We’re going to stop in Nappanee, IN again because we enjoyed the people so much!
Joan and Thom Besch
Hi Tom and Mary Claire,
Tom, I am your cousin. Earl Wahl’s youngest child. I live in Wheaton, IL. I have somewhat kept in touch with Helen. Our last conversation (the other day) she thought I should call Becky–as we are thinking of taking a road trip to see Mt. Rushmore. I was up that way many years ago with my sister (Mary Beth) and our children. Bud and Helen were wonderful!! It was nice to see the house that my Dad grew up in. Would like to take the trip again, as my husband has not been to Mt. Rushmore. Back to my conversation with Becky… Well, she had mentioned that there was an article of you and your family in USA Today. I goggled it, and what a wonderful surprise. Great Story!
Enjoy your adventure!!
Joanne
@B T CHapman – thanks for the tip. My wife went to Chico State and we’re familiar with the area. It is a nice area, we’ll have to consider it. Thanks!
@Joanne – Wow, this is now a family thing. It is nice to hear from you. Please email me at wahlsacrossamerica@mac.com, I’d love to hear from you. I remember Becky form when she came to Seattle many years ago.
We saw Helen and my dad together last October and we saw the old house a week before the current owners were going to tear it down. What a place to see. Our ids loved Grandpa’s stories of living in the house (and walking to school uphill both ways).
Thanks for the note.
Tom
Aloha Wahls- I read about your journey in our USAA magazine. I can’t wait to hear where you end up and why you chose that place. I do hope you decide to share all those detail or maybe your top 3 places. My husband will retire from the Navy next yr- and we have no idea where we will end up. All we know after being in Oahu for the last 9 yrs of military service is that – this is too far away and not home for us. Our kids 3 and 5 probably wouldn’t handle a big RV trip, as they think 30 min in the car in Oahu traffic is a long ways. I have done a lot of traveling before kids- and I do hope you have time to check out Glacier Natl Park, and Northern Idaho. But there are just too many favoirites to mention. I do hope you have a wonderful trip.
MC and Tom, It was great to see your pic in USAA magazine. It looks like you are having a grand adventure. Greg and I did some RVing before we had Brett. I remember when your kids were toddlers and babies. They grow so fast. Brett turned 4 in August.
We are settled into the Southern IL, St Louis area. Greg is back to work full time at Scott AFB and I’m working part-time with a local pediatrician. If you are ever driving through the area, don’t hesitate to look us up. We are in the phone book. Take care and keep in touch! Judy
I enjoyed reading about your adventures in the USAA magazine. My husband and I are both military brats, and still feel the need to move every 2-3 years, though we hope we are in our “forever place” now.
If you’re looking for a place to settle, I can recommend our home in North Alabama. We live in Decatur, a town of 60,000, 15 minutes away from Huntsville. Huntsville is filled with military who have lived all over the world and chosen to retire in Huntsville (including my own parents, and perhaps in the future my in-laws!). It has lots of amenities for military families, without being a “military town.” The weather is great, being mild but still seasonal. There are many opportunities for hiking and other outside sports, and it’s right off the interstate in case you feel the wanderlust return. I don’t know if you are planning to continue homeschooling when you settle, but this is a supportive area for that, too (we have four daughers we homeschool). We enjoy low taxes in Alabama, and this particular area is doing relatively well in the troubled economy. We’d love to have you as neighbors!
Best wishes on your journeys!
Saw your article in Highways and thought you might be interested in the following idea. I am a retired Air Force LtCol living in Washington near McChord AFB(15 minutes) its in Pierce County just southeast of Tacoma. Ford Middle and Franklin Pierce High are the schools, all within 4 Blocks. My wife Dee (Dolores) and I are willing to lease to buy are 3 bedroom 1 Bath home, FURNISHED, to the right family. Its about 1500 SqFt and on a corner lot. We have lived here about 5 years and have completely remodeled the home including a cemet RV pad. I pull 30 amp out of the garage and have yet to winterise my 40 ft Allegro Bus. We would like to some day go full time, but would like to try a few shorter periods first. We could return each summer and you and your family could go rving until the next school year begins. The address is 10301 Golden Given Rd E. Tacoma WA 98445. If this idea sounds interesting give us a call: My cell 253-370-4428 or Dee’s Business line 253-984-7221.
We’ve been to Snowville Great pies in one of the resturants.
Thanks, Tony
Hi Wahls,
It has been so nice reading about your adventures. My husband and myself are going to head out on a similar adventure in a little over a year. we will have a then 6 and 7 year old. I homeschooled my older daughter for 3 years of middle school so that part doesnt bother me. My question to you is who do you make your reports to like which school district or dont you at this time. We are selling our home and going to travel for a few years.
Oh I wont recommend to you to settle in our home state of New york. We live outside of Rochester and I dont think we have much to offer you. The taxes are very high and jobs are scarce. I am not military nor have I been although my son is in the Navy currently in Naples, Italy. I wish you only the best and have a great time while making your search.
Robert & Denise Fracek
Would love to travel like you guys are doing. Just like most everyone else, just got caught up in day to day living. Time passes fast, but it is funny how “tomorrow” never seems to get here.
Enjoy your time out traveling, and if you are ever around the San Francisco Bay Area, we live right next to a park with camping facilities. Great camp sites (not packed in like sardines), there is a lake with fishing, boating, swimming, miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horse back riding. Park and camping is open year round. Check it out at http://www.ebparks.org/parks/del_valle. It is amazing how many local people do not even know the park exists. It is about 35 miles from San Francisco, and only about 15 minutes to the edge of the town of Livrmore.
Ever in this area give us a call at 925 443-5483
God bless you in your travels.
Jim & Laura Frerking
Dear Wahl family–I’m not up on blogging but found something about you way back in 2008. I have been wondering lately where you ended up and voila—I found your info in a basket under my bed. I’m a widow, retired nurse, with a desire to join a group like an RV travel assn. for us old folks. Any such thing? and where have you ended up? Thanks for living the dream of so many of us.
Dear Mr. and Lt.col. Wahl,
Just in case you are still thinking that maybe another income stream would be……..well…….good, we could point you towards a part-time opportunity that’s been around for 50 years and is extremely “active” in eighty countries.
Anne Marie and I lead very busy self-employed lives and are finding that this particular opportunity is going to give us time and money in the same place: sans self-employment!!!!
Geography is not an issue…………….we live in S.E. Massachusetts and have been RV “snow-birds” for several winters. There are no borders!
Charles
I would love to see your “A” list of the most beautiful places to live in the US, but can’t find it. Can you forward me a more direct link?
Thank you!
May I be bold enough to respond to Jenni Jenney? I am not familiar with the accepted protocol of blogs and blogging.
Anne Marie and I are members of Good Sam RV Club, which is easy to join, even if one is “currently” without an RV. Through Good Sam, one can join one of many “Chapters”, which are can be numerous in some states and variable in their group make-up.
There are many, many advantages to being a member of Good Sam, including vehicle insurance and a most informative monthly publication called “Highways”.
Try the website: http://www.goodsamclub.com; and the member services address is: 64 Inverness Drive E., Englewood, Colorado 80112; ‘phone no. 800-234-3450.
Good Luck
Charles Hammond
[...] work for you. One family who’s been on the roads for months of military retirement is the “Wandering Wahls”. Browse their blog and decide whether their lifestyle would work for you and your [...]
Found your blog! Wondering if you would like to discuss an article in an upcoming issue of Fulltime Families Magazine. Let me know!
@Kimberly – sure, email us at wahlsacrossamerica@mac.com