Pretending to be Retired…a look into the future
While traveling through Arizona and filming different RV Resorts we’ve had our share of experiences, but our stay in Mesa at the Viewpoint RV and Golf Resort was definitely unique.
This resort marked many firsts for us: our first 55+ resort, our first RV Resort with a golf course and our first RV Resort with free fruit everywhere.
So what was our take away from this resort that offered us so many firsts: I can’t wait to turn 55, retire and live the good life! Let me explain the daily routine of some of the friends we met at the resort: Wake up at 6, Tennis at 7, golf at 11, swimming at 3, happy hour at 5, Dinner at 6, and concert at 7. Are you jealous yet?
There are a million things to do inside the resort and literally hundreds of groups to join from woodworking to pickle ball. We had the opportunity to meet up with the hiking group who took us out for a 5 mile hike up Superstition Mountain. The pace was swift and the ascent was rapid, it blew us away how fast these “supposed old people” moved up the mountain. I think 75 might be the new 55.
We found ourselves pondering how much better the world could be if everyone lived like this all the time, not just after retirement. Everything would go down! Obesity would go down, stress levels would go down and major health problems would start to dissipate due to the excessive well being… but that’s a dream world and I am digressing.
Back at camp we found ourselves picking fresh fruit daily and making the yummiest of orange, lemon, and grapefruit sparkling drinks. It was like summer in the middle of winter (we visited late January)! Even Singa couldn’t resist the sweet citrus smell.
We found ourselves spending most of our time in the resort taking advantage of the amenities and lounging at the pool. Outside the resort, we did make our way to downtown Mesa. We managed to find a hip art scene, a historic downtown, and…a killer place to eat. And yes, we are aware our lives revolve around food. A food blog is somewhere in our future for sure, maybe after retirement.
Our favorite find was the Blue Adobe. From the outside it may not look like much, however it’s an incredible establishment. Super yummy Arizona twists on Mexican classics. Everything is house made and the lobster dip is a must.
One thing we’re sad we missed was High Tea at the Biltmore, we love afternoon tea! We attempted to go on Sunday afternoon however we just missed the reservations. Major bummer! If you have the opportunity to take afternoon tea please by all means let us know what you think, from everything we read it’s an exquisite proper tea fit for Royals.
All in all, this was probably our favorite RV Resort (not sure why everything is now called a Resort?) in Arizona, especially if you are looking to spend more than just a few days. Most everyone we met was there for the whole winter season and after our one week, we could see why.
Have you been to Viewpoint or a similar RV/Camping Resort? Tell us your take in the comments below.
Disclaimer: While we were compensated to film the campground (thanks Encore!)…all of our experiences and opinions are not purchased and are still our own.
Katie Hall
You are lucky you are famous enough to get in to the 55+. I have been calling ahead to 55+ RV parks in Mesa over the last few days and they won’t let us in Hahaha! If they only realized how well we would fit in! Lapidary, wood shop and women’s only billiards, are you kidding me?? What more could you ask for? Anyway, my husband and I are 30 and set out to full time RV about 4 months ago. Love reading your blogs and watching your videos. HAPPY SAILING!
Bob
We just discovered the two of you yesterday on YouTube. As we begin our rving adventure we were looking forward to keeping updated. Now we read about your next adventure, sailing. Not that we have anything against it at all. At least we have the archival you tubes etc. Have fun though we know you will
Jason Wynn
you know we will 🙂
AZClaimjumper aka Bill Cole
I’ve stood in the same exact spot during my ascent to Superstition Mountain Summit.
It’s a shame you didn’t spend the majority of your time in the Sups instead of the RV park.
There are numerous up & back hikes as well as loop hikes, however IF you plan a loop hike you definitely want a GPS with the tracks downloaded so you can stay on the trail you want.
Hopefully, next time, you’ll park your RV near the Peralta Trail Head & spend a couple of weeks exploring the Sups.
Sarah F
So funny that you mentioned missing high tea at the Biltmore! We have a famous Biltmore here in my town that has one of the best tea rooms ever. Hope you make it to Asheville NC one day soon (if you haven’t already)! Thanks for the wonderful videos and info.
lisa wood
What a wonderful resort you stayed in. We are also staying at a caravan park that calls it self “resort’l” when in reality its no where near as nice ; )
Jason Wynn
yes Lisa the ugly truth about RV Parks is they don’t want to be called ‘RV Parks” so they use the term ‘resort’ very loosely. In my mind when I think ‘Resort’ it conjures up thoughts of a 5 star hotel on the beach with full service dining, spa, masseuse, and bubbly at sunset….oops, sorry for the rant 🙂
Ken Conley
What do you mean, “when” you retire, you are retired, you just don’t know it yet!! As far as resort title, I have seen many parks that claim to be a resort, some may have been a resort 30 years ago, but many are not well maintained and are falling into the ground. Others, like the Islander at Lake Havasu City, are well maintained and well rounded with numerous activities, pools, pickle ball, etc. Some of the older parks need to give up the “Resort” name. Thanks for a great post, as always, and enjoy Yosemite, it is truly one of the most amazing places in the country, and make sure you get up to Glacier Point if the road is open.
Nikki Wynn
Hey Ken, while we do hang out with a lot of retirees, we still have to work and have a good 30+ years of working ahead… unless we win the lottey! Ha! We agree with you on the resort thing. Viewpoint really was a resort and we agree that the Islander is too! We love Lake Havasu and stayed there on one of our trips and made a little video of the islander: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/islander-rv-az
Ken Conley
When you are having so much fun doing what you are doing, it has to be hard to call it work:) You must be able to see this as a lifetime “job” and I cannot think of a better job to have. Keep up the great work.
Jenna
Certainly something too look forward to…I think life begins again @ retirement
Pat
Wow! I’ve heard of this place, but didn’t realize it was so nice. Heck, we’ve never stayed in an RV “resort” that had concrete slabs to park on. With our budget, I guess we’ll have to settle for parking on gravel! It really does look like a fun way to live though. Take care!
Nikki Wynn
Pat, if you just stay for a night or 2 it is a little more expensive than some other resorts but if you stay for a month or the season it’s very affordable.
mary van
Looks like a good time! That was a pretty large group of hikers with you and some of them up there in age. Pretty cool that you always find so many active older people.
Those oranges are beautiful! Nothing better than fresh squeezed orange juice. (ok, yes there is)
Jason Wynn
Could not believe how fast those hikers moved…and don’t even think about being late for departure! Seeing the retiree’s at this RV Resort shed a whole new light on what we thought the typical retirement community looked like.
As for the OJ, throw in some Vodka and now you’re talkin! HA.
Laura
Loving your blog, keep doing what you are doing because you guys are an inspiration to others! I can’t wait to do a cross country trip one day in a camper but until then I’ll just live through your beautiful photos 🙂
Dave MacKenzie
That’s it. We will be packing our bags this winter and heading for a warmer climate. The both of you post so much interesting and useful information that it would entice anyone to head south in the colder months. Thank you sharing so much with everyone.
Jenna
Hey Wynns!
I always wondered what the deal was with some of these 55+ communities – this one looks like fun. Thank you!
Nikki Wynn
Hey Jenna, I am not sure exactly what you want to know, so if I don’t answer the question let me know… We were hired by Encore to film each of these properties and that is why we were staying at each of them. It was an interesting look into the snowbirding culture in Arizona.
Bruce in Nacogdoches TX
Jason and Nikki – great visit and great posts.
The animated gifs are fun, too.
We are seeing a number of folks moving to Nacogdoches here in East Texas who are in their 50s and have selected us as their retirement location.
Some are still working – or maybe one of the individuals in the family is still working. But they’ve opted out of the rat race and into the 7-minute commute, beautiful scenery and friendliness that smaller communities offer.
(Trees and lakes here – mountains and sunsets in Arizona — it’s all good.)
I call them “pre-retired.” They might still need to check in with the working world, but it is on their terms and via broadband. Eventually, they’ll go full-time, just as the RVers of this world often transition from part-time to full-time roadies. You are in an enviable position – getting to meet successful retirees of all ages. Be sure to ask them how they handled their working life – especially meeting their financial goals. You may just learn the secret to reaching that age-55 retirement target. Hope it works for you!
Nikki Wynn
Hey Bruce! You nailed it! We do ask how they ‘made their success’ all the time. The answer never seems to be the same. The most successful ones usually had great foresight and were able to buy a small restaurant or company and make it very successful. The common denominator seems to be that if you can find a need and fulfill that need, you can make great money. It’s always an interesting conversation!
Susanna
so beautiful, I just love your blog, the sharp, colorful photos, the kitty, just awesome! 🙂
Susan
wow! Quite the place. How much is the cost?? I see you are on the way to Yosemite. Great ! You are going at a perfect time before all the tourists hit it hard and while the water is still flowing in the falls.
Randy McCoy
Nice…thanks for sharing…..Randy….and yes 51 and climbing!
Mark of SJC
If your in the Indio/Palm Desert area of CA, you should check out the Motorcoach Country Club. Everything you mentioned, plus a series of canals plied by private electric boats. Amazing doesn’t begin to describe it!
Nikki Wynn
Mark, we have already been to Palm Desert area and we didn’t stay there but it sounds awesome. I will have to at least look it up to see what we missed. We love to stay in natural, out of the way places and wild camping but there is something to staying at the over the top parks everyonce in a while.
Emily
Isn’t that the good life? Sounds pretty great. What a fun resort!