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Bob and Margaret Kellett

Fulltime RVing and Travel Enthusiasts

At Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah Beside a Pristine River in the Rockies

We are Margaret and Bob Kellett from Auckland, New Zealand. Our three children, Victoria, Louise and Paul, are each happily married, all living overseas, and busy raising their own families. Each year the planning of trips to Australia and Canada to visit our children and grandchildren is usually the first item on the agenda. As we both love travel, additional side trips and/or cruises are normally incorporated into each overseas trip.

This website was established to keep our family informed of our various travels and adventures over the last few years. Nevertheless, anyone else keen on experiencing life in a motorhome may find something of interest here. Established RVers can compare notes, whilst novices will find just how easy it is to get out on the road and have a ball!

In 2001 we sold our food distribution business, which then freed us up to enjoy more travel opportunities. Whilst visiting Australia we noticed the large number of "Grey Nomads" in their caravans and campervans, clearly having a marvellous time touring the highways and attractions of that great country. Excited at the prospect, we began planning a caravan tour of Australia for ourselves, searching via the Internet for the caravan or recreation vehicle [RV] that would best suit us.

Casually clicking on a USA website, merely to see what types of RVs were available over there, we were immediately struck with the wide range of RVs available in North America, plus how much cheaper they were compared with anything similar in Australasia. Then we discovered their magnificent Class A motorhomes, and were hooked! The Australian trip was put on the backburner, and motorhoming in the USA and Canada became our new dream.

After several months of Internet surfing we purchased from Harrison RV in Jefferson, Iowa, a new 36 ft Fleetwood Pace Arrow motorhome. What a leap of blind faith! We had never owned any type of RV before, had not even set foot in a Class A motorhome, and did not know the difference between the grey and the black water tanks. Nevetheless, we did have the only thing that really mattered - the desire to give it a go!

Firstly we had to check our atlas to find out just where Jefferson, Iowa was; then book our air tickets. Two weeks later we were receiving a crash course from Steve Harrison, Sales Director, on how to operate the Pace Arrow. We christened the motorhome "Playtime", and the following day we were up and away, cruising along one of the many magnificent Interstate highways that crisscross the USA. Our fulltime RVing adventure had really begun!

Our first Playtime and the Jeep Liberty, refuelling enroute to Alaska

Since 2004 we have driven through every State of the continental USA, plus each of the Canadian Provinces [except Newfoundland], only returning to New Zealand during the period October to March in order to catch up with family and friends back home, plus to avoid the Northern Winter!

We have been privileged to be able to visit whichever USA or Canadian attraction, national park, or area of interest took our attention at the time. Normally we would park the motorhome at one of the excellent RV parks one finds throughout North America, then explore the local area using the Jeep we tow along behind the motorhome. Sometimes, especially in the more remote locations, we would just boondock [free camp] and enjoy the natural environment. Although we have already seen a great deal, there is much, much more yet for us to discover and enjoy.

Meeting Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood City We Meet a Friendly Alaskan Resident

It was truly surprising just how easy it was adapting to and fitting into the fulltime motorhoming lifestyle in North America; but what really has impressed us most is the warmth and friendliness we have encountered, without exception.

The Pace Arrow suited us admirably, nevertheless in 2006 we saw and fell in love with a new 40 ft Tiffin Allegro Bus, which offered an even higher standard of services and luxury. We purchased the new motorhome from Kings Campers at Wasau, Wisconsin, who gave us a really great trade-in deal. They treated us like family during the whole week they took carefully checking every item and system in the Allegro Bus before letting us drive away in it. Our Allegro Bus is also called "Playtime", and it displays that name on its Montana personalised plate, so if you see us in your travels please give us a honk, or come on over and share your adventures with us.

Playtime and our Jeep Commander in The Painted Desert, Arizona

Each of our annual journeys are outlined in the attached pages. Margie is a keen patchwork quilter, so "Margie's Quilts" shows some of the many quilts she has enjoyed making as we travel on "Playtime".

We are often asked what is the attraction that gets us out on the road each year. Perhaps the best answer is the comment made by a woman who, after hearing about our RVing experiences, said, "Well, it certainly beats staying home and doing the dusting". Being able to view new horizons, learn about foreign places, and meet different people on almost a daily basis, is a way of life we think we are very privileged to be able to enjoy.

Like many people, we had often talked about getting more colour and adventure in our lives. The ability to get out and get going depends on matters such as finance, health and family commitments, however, often the hardest part is making the decision, "Yes, let's do it!".

This advice from Mark Twain provided us with our motivation.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

EXPLORE - DREAM - DISCOVER"