Barefoot311
Active Member
- Sep 22, 2011
- 177
I am searching for a free or very cheap pop up in relatively good condition. Meaning my two year old son and wife would stay in it with me. I don't mind doing some work as I seem to have a lot of free time on my hands now.
Here's the story. Several years ago, my wife and I bought our first pop up camper. We were both relatively young (mid 20's) and were hard workers, both dedicated to our careers. She was a teacher and I was a police officer. Yes we both signed up for a lifetime of service at minimal pay, especially here in the great state of NC. Anyways, after several successful trips, we decided to take on an upgrade, a class c Motorhome that needed some pretty serious work. I have always been handy and love projects. Well this one got away from me. After a year went by, we were reaching an ending point and our camping was soon in sight again. As with most careers of service, I was unexpedely moved to another unit that required more time and attention than previous endeavors. One thing lead to another and we had to sell "The Beast".
As life went on over the next few years, my wife had some health issues that had to be addressed and money got shifted quickly to Dr bills. Than came out little bundle of joy! Our son, who is now 2, came into the world and graced us with a lifetime of smiles, laughs, tears and a lot of poopy diapers so far!
Shortly after our son was born, the pressure at work started becoming overwhelming. I was devolving fears that I never faced before and as a police officer, your fears can get you seriously hurt. I quickly became overwhelmed, trying to hide my anxiety, and soon to be my depression. The expectations of the unit I was in were unobtainable, and for a goal oriented individual like myself, I couldn't achieve them.
One day while sitting on the interstate as I had done for several years, I witnessed a fellow friend and brother stop a car right in front of me. Before my very eyes I watched as he nearly was struck by a driver who was not paying attention. The scene quickly became involved and before I knew it, I was in this persons car, which was now upside down, rendering CPR to a young man while his mother watched in horror. I will spare the rest of the details but unlike the other traffic crashes I worked, which were in the hundreds over my career, I couldn't shake this one. I was quickly overwhelmed in constant thoughts of that day. I saw there faces every where I went. I could tastes and feel everything as if I was still there. PTSD creeped up on me fast like a villain and took over. Before I knew it, I was being placed on leave and being sent to outpatient treatment. As the months went by, I wasn't getting better and was forced to retire from the career I held so dear to my heart.
I have spent years following this site, posting occasionally several years ago, reading and enjoying the posts from time to time. Now I am stuck in a position of needing some help and was hoping maybe someone on here could lend me a hand. Camping was always a form of therapy for me growing up. It was a place to escape to and an outlet for me to unwind and I feel I need that more than ever right now. With the events that have transpired not in our favor over the last couple of years, my budget to get back into camping is non existent. I am now on a fixed income with my wife being the sole provider for our home.
What do I do now, some may wonder? I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a stay at home dad to my very loving and joyful son.
So, sorry for the long post guys, and if you have made it this far, thanks for merely listening to my story. It has been a rough road the past few years and taking the opportunity to share it hasn't come easy. If anyone has or knows of someone who may be willing to give up an older popup, please shoot me a message.
Thanks and you guys are all the best! I love this group!
Here's the story. Several years ago, my wife and I bought our first pop up camper. We were both relatively young (mid 20's) and were hard workers, both dedicated to our careers. She was a teacher and I was a police officer. Yes we both signed up for a lifetime of service at minimal pay, especially here in the great state of NC. Anyways, after several successful trips, we decided to take on an upgrade, a class c Motorhome that needed some pretty serious work. I have always been handy and love projects. Well this one got away from me. After a year went by, we were reaching an ending point and our camping was soon in sight again. As with most careers of service, I was unexpedely moved to another unit that required more time and attention than previous endeavors. One thing lead to another and we had to sell "The Beast".
As life went on over the next few years, my wife had some health issues that had to be addressed and money got shifted quickly to Dr bills. Than came out little bundle of joy! Our son, who is now 2, came into the world and graced us with a lifetime of smiles, laughs, tears and a lot of poopy diapers so far!
Shortly after our son was born, the pressure at work started becoming overwhelming. I was devolving fears that I never faced before and as a police officer, your fears can get you seriously hurt. I quickly became overwhelmed, trying to hide my anxiety, and soon to be my depression. The expectations of the unit I was in were unobtainable, and for a goal oriented individual like myself, I couldn't achieve them.
One day while sitting on the interstate as I had done for several years, I witnessed a fellow friend and brother stop a car right in front of me. Before my very eyes I watched as he nearly was struck by a driver who was not paying attention. The scene quickly became involved and before I knew it, I was in this persons car, which was now upside down, rendering CPR to a young man while his mother watched in horror. I will spare the rest of the details but unlike the other traffic crashes I worked, which were in the hundreds over my career, I couldn't shake this one. I was quickly overwhelmed in constant thoughts of that day. I saw there faces every where I went. I could tastes and feel everything as if I was still there. PTSD creeped up on me fast like a villain and took over. Before I knew it, I was being placed on leave and being sent to outpatient treatment. As the months went by, I wasn't getting better and was forced to retire from the career I held so dear to my heart.
I have spent years following this site, posting occasionally several years ago, reading and enjoying the posts from time to time. Now I am stuck in a position of needing some help and was hoping maybe someone on here could lend me a hand. Camping was always a form of therapy for me growing up. It was a place to escape to and an outlet for me to unwind and I feel I need that more than ever right now. With the events that have transpired not in our favor over the last couple of years, my budget to get back into camping is non existent. I am now on a fixed income with my wife being the sole provider for our home.
What do I do now, some may wonder? I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a stay at home dad to my very loving and joyful son.
So, sorry for the long post guys, and if you have made it this far, thanks for merely listening to my story. It has been a rough road the past few years and taking the opportunity to share it hasn't come easy. If anyone has or knows of someone who may be willing to give up an older popup, please shoot me a message.
Thanks and you guys are all the best! I love this group!
![[:)C]](/smileys/smile_happycamper.gif "Happy Camper [:)C]")
If I was closer I would drop off a 1999 fleetwood in your driveway sir.....but WI to Asheville alone is a 15 hour drive. (our last vacation spot) but when you do find a a 