'no destination' winter travels

[hoyden]

It's official. I will be on the road come early December.
Holy cow.
No job, no 'home base', no real plans.

As a friend reminded me,

You can always make more money but you can't make more time.​

​

"If you don't do it this year you'll be another year older when you do"
~ Warren Miller

It's time to leave the caustic workplace, and the lonely rental.
Me 'n the dogs are going on the road.

Since it's winter, a Southern route is loosely planned.
I have some places I'd like to visit, but nothing set in stone.
Will trailer some family furniture to my cousin in New Orleans and somehow explore New Mexico before that - with the trailer. Hrmph.

The loose plan is to meander my way to Richmond, Va ... with visits to friends along the way, and campering at state and national parks in southern Az, New Mexico, Texas (friends in Austin), Louisiana, along the Florida panhandle, consider going to the Keys but that'll probably be too expensive and no place to boondock so maybe just northern Fla, check out Savannah, Ga, and make my way up to Richmond.

Something like that. Slowly.

A good chunk of 'stuff' will be in storage here still.
I'm not ready to give it all up just yet and, as much as I hate paying to store stuff,
I don't plan to be on the road forever (and where would I keep my Tacoma rear seats?!).

I'm scared, excited, nervous, cold-footed, and already feeling a bit lighter.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Dawn, we are wishing the best and safe journeys for you. Keep us in the loop as you travel!

 

[hoyden]

Thank you! I definitely will!
Hopefully can meet up with more WtW folks on these travels too!

 

[Bseek]

Sounds like you are leaving with a good plan for reintegration if necessary. Most people who make these life changes either love it and soar, or find that they hate it, but learn something from the experience. It think you have a unique history that will allow you to travel in the adventurous manner that will inspire us all. But your motorcycles will still be waiting for you. I can't wait to hear of your adventures.

 

[hoyden]

When I think too much about it, I get scared. Eep!
I just heated up a tortilla in my toaster oven. Got a glass of water from my kitchen faucet.
Brushed my teeth and cleaned the toothbrush in the bathroom sink.
My cottage is dinky, by most U.S. standards: about 320 square feet. I like small spaces, but this still has plumbing...
and a doggie door to a yard. Conveniences. Creature comforts.
Netflix without worrying about using my cell phone data plan.

But I'm going to variation, and exploration, and friends, and testing of my resolve and creative and troubleshooting abilities. And I love campering!
And I so need a change.

I'm hoping to sell my DR200 and get something even smaller. Perhaps a wee Trail 90.
The DR is great, but it's just too heavy and awkward for me to feel comfortable loading/unloading it on my own.
I don't plan to do any major riding - I don't like leaving the dogs alone for too long, and I don't want to risk getting hurt far away from the camper. A little Trail 90 will be fun for some exploring, for scouting, and for emergencies.

 

[Taku]

I have no doubt you will adapt quickly to camper life. It should be a grand trip, after two weeks it will be familiar after a month it will seem like you have been doing it for a much longer time. And you can always get a motel room once in a while for a change of pace! Best of luck, have a great trip.

 

[Cayuse]

One word, Jealous!

Good luck on this new adventure it is going to be incredible!


Now, about the DR...

 

[ski3pin]

"I'm scared, excited, nervous, cold-footed, and already feeling a bit lighter."

Fear is what keeps us alive and makes us feel alive. I like fear because it tells me to pay attention. This is only a comment, not advice. You don't need any advice. You have developing skills and a lot of talent. You will do fine, no doubt. Get out and see the world, take it all in, follow your dreams and heart. Our best wishes for you.

But, of course, you have to take pictures and tell us all about it!

 

[hoyden]

One word, Jealous!

Good luck on this new adventure it is going to be incredible!


Now, about the DR...

Ya wanna buy the DR?
I gotta put fresh gas in it and clean the carb. Damn pilot jet is clogged.

 

[hoyden]

"I'm scared, excited, nervous, cold-footed, and already feeling a bit lighter."

Fear is what keeps us alive and makes us feel alive. I like fear because it tells me to pay attention. This is only a comment, not advice. You don't need any advice. You have developing skills and a lot of talent. You will do fine, no doubt. Get out and see the world, take it all in, follow your dreams and heart. Our best wishes for you.

But, of course, you have to take pictures and tell us all about it!

Thanks, ski! "I like fear because it tells me to pay attention." So true!
and probably why I like riding motorcycles too - have to pay attention!

Lotsa pics! My little Lumix point and shoot did fine on that last trip, so it'll be coming along!

 

[hoyden]

Taku - good points! I do adapt pretty quickly, I also over-think and ruminate too much! Ha!
Thanks for the reminder that I can indeed always get a hotel/motel. I forget that.

 

[OpenSpace]

"Explore, dream, discover" - Mark Twain

Godspeed!

 

[takesiteasy]

Sounds great! Best wishes and safe travels. i will enjoy reading your trip reports. I've heard the Florida panhandle area is a great place in the winter. We will probably visit there sometime to escape the cold. Happy campering!

 

[kmcintyre]

Nice. In my world travels a lot of people in other countries do what you are doing but in the US we don't seem to embrace it as much. I think once you get over the fear of the unknown, all will be great. Sometimes just getting started and pulling the trigger is the hardest part so you are over the hump! Enjoy.

You could do Baja too.

 

[searching for nowhere]

You put a smile on my face. You are going to live the dream I was too scared to live 20 years ago. In hind sight there was nothing to be scared of. Gosh... all the interesting people you will meet. The stories you will hear. I'm jealous.

 

[Stalking Light]

Sounds like a grand adventure. Big Bend might be worth a swing by and I'm sure you'd get a kick out of nearby Terlingua. Donna and I will be camping on Cape San Blas the weekend of Jan 21 and anytime you get within a few hundred miles of Atlanta let me know and maybe we could meet up.

 

[longhorn1]

Hoyden, We wish you the best on your travels. Be safe and hopefully we will meet up on the trail. jd

 

[hoyden]

kmcintyre: I considered Baja, but have read conflicting reports on ease of travel. I'll have to research more.

Thanks y'all! I gave my official written resignation to work a few minutes ago and now I'm back to scared. Excited, but eep!
I know I'll feel fine once the cottage keys are in my landlord's hands, I'm in my truck with the dogs and on the road.
but for now... yikes!

I found this neat app that shows gas stations and state/national parks and more! Fun and handy!

https://roadtrippers.com

I'm hoping to figure out a way to make some income while on the road, be it through writing, monetizing my website, online work.... We'll see.

 

[kmcintyre]

kmcintyre: I considered Baja, but have read conflicting reports on ease of travel. I'll have to research more.

Thanks y'all! I gave my official written resignation to work a few minutes ago and now I'm back to scared. Excited, but eep!
I know I'll feel fine once the cottage keys are in my landlord's hands, I'm in my truck with the dogs and on the road.
but for now... yikes!

I found this neat app that shows gas stations and state/national parks and more! Fun and handy!

https://roadtrippers.com

I'm hoping to figure out a way to make some income while on the road, be it through writing, monetizing my website, online work.... We'll see.

I use the gasbuddy app to find gas. Works well.

 

[hoyden]

I use the gasbuddy app to find gas. Works well.

I use that as well! I had it for my last trip, but forgot to use it til the last week and a half! ha!