Solo RVer Jacque Green travels with paint brushes and an energetic canine sidekick

Jacque Green paints landscapes inspired by her travels. (Julianne G. Crane)

"Building up your self confidence is freeing when traveling," observes novice full-time solo RVer Jacque Green of Tulsa, Okla. "After years of being an accountant and always on a schedule, it is nice to come and go at a whim."

In early 2016, Jacque says, she almost died.  "Laying in the hospital," she recalls, "I would visualize walking on a beach with my dog, Johnson. I had long dreamed of RVing but kept putting it off."   After recovering, she purchased an RV in April and by June she hit the road on her first extended RV trip to Colorado. "On my way home, I made the decision to do this lifestyle full time." 

It took Jacque only two months to give, donate or sell almost "a lifetime of stuff."  She closed on her house in October and has been on her RV journey ever since.  "It really felt like lifting a weight off my shoulders," she says. "I no longer wanted to care for all that stuff."

Jacque Green's rig: 2013 Coachmen Prism (Julianne G. Crane)

Her Rig: 

Jacque found a previously-owned 2013 Coachmen Prism 24G Class C motorhome with one slide. At the time, there were only 7,000 miles on its  Mercedes-Benz diesel engine.

Jacque says she zeroed in on the 24-foot Prism because of its length and ease of handling. "When I started looking for an RV the most important thing was that it had to be something I could do myself."

Her tow car is a Honda CR-V, "which doubles as extra storage," she jokes.

Jacque & Johnson (Julianne G. Crane)

Her sidekick:

Jacque's puppy, Johnson, is an energetic two-year old, blended English Cocker and Clumber Spaniel. "Most people think he is a bird dog," says Jacque, "however, he is really an old lady's (50-pound) lap dog."

As with all active dogs, Johnson loves being outdoors and needs exercise several times a day. Jacque is always looking for campgrounds near good dog parks or walking trails.

A few of her observations:

"There is a learning curve to handling an RV," she says.  "I went to the Escapees RV Club's Boot Camp and learned a lot. I also met other solos."

She says that by living day-to-day in an RV, she is aware that there are still ways to further simplify her life. "I find myself continuing to lighten my load," she reflects.  "Some items I thought I couldn't live without and had to bring with me are becoming unnecessary." 

As a daughter, an artist and a former accountant, she says: "I will keep my mother's silver tray and all my tax receipts. There are still a few things you cannot escape from." And she will keep a small amount of art supplies. "I try to capture on canvas my impressions of places I've visited."  To read more about Jacque's artwork, click here.
 
-- Text and photos by Julianne G. Crane (Click on images to enlarge.)  

... For more on the RV lifestyle go to RVWheelLife.com. 

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