How did you end up on the road, and why are you still here?

Random Painted Highway said:

Sounds like you are doing good! I haven't picked out a solar generator yet, but I'm getting close in making a decision. I had a small 100w solar panel that topped off my batteries, but that got stolen along with some other camping things some time ago. I did get new tires put on the rv last week...really happy about that! Decided on a new exhaust fan for the bathroom...went with MaxxAir (?) basic exhaust only...plenty good enough ventilation for my small living area and with a window open...should be just fine. I'm contemplating other uses for the rear corner bed, since I like the cab over bed better. I need some coffee myself and then a walk...I usually have some revelations to problems I'm working through, not always for the best! I'm pretty good at breaking stuff. Oh well that is part of the adventure.

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End of another day for me. 1:45 am.
Of course I've been getting some advice about what I need to concentrate on. One very recent one suggested that I don't need the comfort of an electric coffee pot or microwave or as much fridg/freezer space that I'm planning on. Each to their own I think. All well taken of course. I've gave that some thought and decided that it would be less expensive to down size than to "upsize" and more comfortable as well.
I'll make a suggestion to you as well - and then tell you what I've done.
Boon docking electrical capacity so that you don't need to use a gas powered generator should be considered, so Look at the capacity of deep cycle boat batteries. Two is meeting my minimum requirements for coffee pot, microwave and rv sized refrigerator used conservatively. I'm able to recharge fully in about 6 hours using a 10 amp charger.
Batteries cost me about $70 each, going to add a third one just for kicks. Plus I have a small gas generator (2 cycle) (700 watts) just in case it rains or is cloudy for a long period of time. As I mentioned before, I just got a 2500 watt (5000 watts surge) pure sign wave inverter, So that meets my needs for shore power just about anyplace I find myself. Next is the solar panels to provide the 10 or so amps plus the controller to keep the batteries up to snuff over a 24 hour period. I'm going for a bit of over kill on those as well, so am planning on 15 amps at 12 volts for 6 hours.
Your plan to use a solar generator will have to be sized for your needs and as I look around, I find them compact and seem to have everything contained in one package ---BUT-- If anything fails, the whole thing has to be sent in for repair or replacement which will leave you without power for who knows how long. With my system plan, I can replace any piece from any local source --- and--- the over all cost will be less than a comparable solar generator, just not as convenient or compact. Just my thoughts.
I've got other thoughts bumping around between my two slightly bruised brain cells, So It's nap time for now.

maki2 said:

You are not a prepper who is preparing for a holocaust, you are instead basically a tourist who is passing through populated areas to go on a camping trip. If you run low on food put the key in the ignition and head to a town for more groceries.

I personally do not understand why anyone thinks you have to recreate the kitchen you had in your home/house. You do not need a microwave or electric coffee maker. It is easy to heat up or cook food with a one burner camp stove. Traveling solo you can make do with a small 12v, energy efficient chest fridge-freezer. Mine is only 17 liters in size. I am not shopping for or feeding a family. Change your mind set about needing to recreate all those non essential former routines of how you do basic things.

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First thing - I'm 83 and move slowly and not very far.
Second is that I have a failing thyroid which means I have a hard time keeping weight on, so I must consume calories even though I'm never hungry. I have had two heart attacks - and so on and on.
That does not mean I am dead yet and have no wish to hurry my last day along.
third , I've been taken care of by a loving wife for over 60 years, she provided me with just about everything I needed without my input, In turn, I worked my ass off to provide her with a good life as well as my kids. I was forced to retire when I was 79, still doing the job of a 25 year old but due to insurance company limitations I had to go.
My wife has died and left me a total klutz when it comes to ordinary living things - So I'm scared to death of leaving something undone or forgotten. Also, I am maintaining a 6000 square foot home, to retain it's value for my remaining son. who will inherit when I die- probably sooner rather than later.
forth-- I do not have unlimited income- I think the responsible thing for me to do is make sure that I am not a Burdon on anyone when I die, neither remaining family or friends. My death is a forgone conclusion. The when is unknown.
fifth: While I have some time and energy remaining although limited, I have dreams and asperations that I've carried with me for many years which I am working toward into this "nomad" life. NOT A VACATION, A life which each day will be a surprise.
I have no wish to live a frugal, minimal existence. When I want a cold beer I want to grab it and go sit in my folding chair, When I want a hot meal, I want to have it ready to eat in 10 minutes or less -(The pills I take to give me a desire for food does not last very long)
Thus the need for a microwave - I can buy frozen meals ready to eat in minutes or just open a can and zap it.
After over 60 years of being an over the road truck driver, I must have my fresh, hot coffee and lots of it. Not cups of coffee, but pots of coffee each day, so I WILL have my coffee pot, I know, I know, It's not a need but a must have, want.. It's part of my being alive. I like perked coffee, not boiled coffee like you seem to suggest. I did that back in the 40s , didn't like it then and still don't.
Another thing I refuse is to eat fast food like burgers and fries. I like beef and baked bean and potato salad and pickles and tomatoes.
After my wife died--- I just gave up on life, and living, Ended up sitting on my front porch with a cup of coffee for several days until one of my neighbors noticed that I had not moved and stopped to say hi - then called the emergency number - I woke up a couple of days later with needles stuck in me and tubes down my neck in a hospital bed.
I felt like crap - the next thing was the head shrinker- Got my head shrunk, still don't feel much like living but also don't feel like wasting these last days either. Could be months or even years.
mean while, I have sort of a plan - I'm GOING to leave all these memories behind, well they are in my shrunken head but the reminders have to be left behind. This home that is now just a house and the "things" that go with it.
So - their lies the problem, I want to leave but I don't want to be a hermit either while at the same time knowing that most everyone out there my age and with my memories and skills are just not interested in the 30s and 40s. And some old guy that takes forever to walk 100 yards - Truth be told we not are invested in a high speed life style and divorce and tattoos and 75 miles an hour trips to the fast food joint. Wearing fad cloths that "look" all cool, Hundred dollar "sneakers". and smoking pot. Plastic bumpers on cars.
Nope - What I intend is to take the REAL modern things and use them, Like running water and electric lights, sleep in a warm bed as long as I like and just being lazy while at the same time enjoying paved roads and quiet, out of the way places to park and snack on what ever I want, when ever I want, and then take a nap for as long as I want without spending all day cooking some bland concoction that resembles card board nothing.
I'm going to use paper plates and plastic "silver ware" that I can just discard when done.
no dishes to wash thus saving water--- and soap--- and elbow grease-- which will leave me more time to nap or drink beer or more coffee.
And one day, if you happen to see me sitting there, not moving for several days - just toss some dirt on me and let me sleep.
Just think of all the gasoline that will save-- I'll be recycled, now that WOULD be "cool"

scaredycat72 said:

I like going to festivals and other events in my region and I usually drank too much so I learned to sleep in my Yaris. Then I drank too much when I went out in my city so I learned to sleep in my Yaris. Then I got into a relationship with someone with a bad drug addiction and we lived in my car for awhile. Now I'm sober, single and on VA disability for all the stuff that had my drinking too much so I want to travel, escape, runaway, something, while living in my SUV because it's cheaper than hotels and I'm terrified of bed bugs, which I've experienced in 2 hotels and 1 domestic violence shelter. They're horrific and now I have a phobia.

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I've read and re-read your post a few times. What I've gotten from those word is a basis of how we are the same and still different. How those I have watched over the years and how my thoughts and actions and daily choices compare.
As a person, late teens and early 20s, as with those around me, I thought that partying and getting high on booze was how to find fun and enjoyment. Life was supposed to go like that.
As time passed, I found that I didn't like a hang over. The memories of the night before were not really clear.
Slowly, I drifted away from that "high" type of fun and found that I was just as excited and happy with more ordinary activities, Boy type stuff, building things and fixing things and having a good running car and a clean place to sleep, eat and meet up with those friends who were heading out for their next party while I chose to do other stuff with a few that just hung around to do things like cook over an open fire and learn to play and instrument and sing songs. Some of the girls I knew hung with me and others who would rather do that than get drunk and hung over the next day.
We did all the things that the others were doing but did it often and with great memories the next day, not foggy, but clear and planned on more of the same, We went camping and swimming and going to the drag races. Those of us that hung around like that seemed to have more money to spend on fun things and time together and were happy as we moved along with life. As a group, we made wiser choices after long discussions and of course romances and marriage and children.
Of those that continued the high speed, party life also moved on as well. Most moved into divorce, some in jail, some died in car wreaks, some were just badly injured, some changed style of living and did well. Some I've stayed in touch with over the years.
Now that I am old, Looking back, The choices that I made were good for me. Whether the others feel the same, I have no idea, not my place to judge. Each style of living has it's costs and rewards.
I'm ready now to move on to the last part of my style of living. Open smile and looking forward to what tomorrow will bring- excitement at new things learned and new things to try out. As usual, I am slow to decide everything, but once a choice has been made, I am ready for the outcome, right or wrong, good or bad.
I'd like to share my style and choices with others. Since all of the my past companions are now history, memories, New persons will have to replace those memories with new memories. These will be great times and experiences until my time runs out.
You dear one are now part of that new living even though we have never met. Just the talking with you here give me a lift. I am not so alone. I am pleased with today!

Quit worrying about finding the perfect rig to travel in. Just go find a rig that has 70 percent of what you need and go get out there on the road ASAP so you can make the most of the next 10 years.

Get unstuck! You can sweat the small stuff later. You have lots of years to fix a rig up one project at a time until it best suits you.

Mysoutherncross said:

Hi Ken, I too travel alone, am 65 and with a dog. I’m presently in AL. I feel your pain. Would be nice to meet up with likeminded people. I’m headed to Quartzsite tomorrow and still have my pass until April.

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moving slowly - more slowly each day. I'd planned on being long gone by now. Life got In the way, and, My mind always runs way ahead of my body.
I've got almost all the piece needed. just discovered today that I had over looked a thing or two.
I have to be practical - As I have said in past writing, food, shelter and so on must be planned for.
Today, I re-discovered that I can no longer lift 150 pounds 9 feet in the air or run up and down a ladder, more like crawl up and down. and hire a crane to do that lifting.
Anyway - I'm getting closer each day. Looks like before the weather turns cold again, I'll be able to stumble South, unless a tornado blows me away or flood washes me away, or I don't wake up in the morning.
Spaggity and meat balls for breakfast- Eggs, bacon and tomatoes for supper.
PB&J bed time snake--Ha.
I'd send a picture of my solar panel set up but I don't know how to do that
Night

wb8vyn said:

moving slowly - more slowly each day. I'd planned on being long gone by now. Life got In the way, and, My mind always runs way ahead of my body.
I've got almost all the piece needed. just discovered today that I had over looked a thing or two.
I have to be practical - As I have said in past writing, food, shelter and so on must be planned for.
Today, I re-discovered that I can no longer lift 150 pounds 9 feet in the air or run up and down a ladder, more like crawl up and down. and hire a crane to do that lifting.
Anyway - I'm getting closer each day. Looks like before the weather turns cold again, I'll be able to stumble South, unless a tornado blows me away or flood washes me away, or I don't wake up in the morning.
Spaggity and meat balls for breakfast- Eggs, bacon and tomatoes for supper.
PB&J bed time snake--Ha.
I'd send a picture of my solar panel set up but I don't know how to do that
Night

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Haven't seen you post in awhile. You doing alright?

Also, thanks for all the stories. I hope y'all continue to add to the thread. In the end, stories are all that we really have and it is how we will be remembered.

Right, write, well anyway. Still kickin' not too high though.
Here's the deal. After considerable thought and some planning, I decided that I need to keep what I've earned and paid for. I have a house and small piece of land that I wish to leave to my son when my end comes rather than just let it slip into some greedy persons hands for lack of action on my part now while I can still move and think clearly. lawyers and all that stuff.
As far as an update goes, I'm all set to get underway, nothing mechanical is holding me back, could just hook and go this very minute, even money is not a problem - got plenty. Not huge in the savings account but plenty.
What I've got in my mind is that this moment or the next could be my last or, years from now. In any event, I want the remaining part of my life to be on my terms. I do NOT want some one else dictating to me what I should eat and drink or when. No one telling me what I can or can not do, or where I can go. Any mistakes I make will be my own for which I will be accountable for.
At any rate, I've gone to visit old folks homes and insisted living places - and saw old people just sitting around wait to have meals brought to them and covered with a blanket or just playing cards to kill time till told it was bed time or escorted some some entertainment planned for that hour....
Nope - not going to happen to me.
Anyway, I am going to lie up all the loose ends that I can think of and then just go about my life one minute at a time for as long as that lasts.
Oh sure, I've got a vision of what my days will be like, you know grouching about what our world has become and what could be done better or what has been done wrong in the past that has brought us to this point.. but truth be known, So long as I can choose how to live my days without some one else telling me that I must do what is best for me and then forcing to do their bidding... nuts to any of that.
I AM going to eat all the wrong foods, and sleep late and go and stop as I feel like.
The Idea that I am free to live that way and realizing that there is going to be pain involved is MY choice. I choose freedom knowing full well that my freedom is not really free. I will pay a personnel price willingly.
My goal right now is to make sure that no one else will have to clean up any mess that I might leave behind. Freedom also has a responsibly.
Time for a cigar and a cup of coffee, maybe even a beer or two.. I may even cuss a bit. Also been thinking of taking up drugs. Chasing women also my be on my list. Nah, I'd have to take a shower. Sounds too much like work. I just took one just the other week.
Gnight

wb8vyn said:

Right, write, well anyway. Still kickin' not too high though.
Here's the deal. After considerable thought and some planning, I decided that I need to keep what I've earned and paid for. I have a house and small piece of land that I wish to leave to my son when my end comes rather than just let it slip into some greedy persons hands for lack of action on my part now while I can still move and think clearly. lawyers and all that stuff.
As far as an update goes, I'm all set to get underway, nothing mechanical is holding me back, could just hook and go this very minute, even money is not a problem - got plenty. Not huge in the savings account but plenty.
What I've got in my mind is that this moment or the next could be my last or, years from now. In any event, I want the remaining part of my life to be on my terms. I do NOT want some one else dictating to me what I should eat and drink or when. No one telling me what I can or can not do, or where I can go. Any mistakes I make will be my own for which I will be accountable for.
At any rate, I've gone to visit old folks homes and insisted living places - and saw old people just sitting around wait to have meals brought to them and covered with a blanket or just playing cards to kill time till told it was bed time or escorted some some entertainment planned for that hour....
Nope - not going to happen to me.
Anyway, I am going to lie up all the loose ends that I can think of and then just go about my life one minute at a time for as long as that lasts.
Oh sure, I've got a vision of what my days will be like, you know grouching about what our world has become and what could be done better or what has been done wrong in the past that has brought us to this point.. but truth be known, So long as I can choose how to live my days without some one else telling me that I must do what is best for me and then forcing to do their bidding... nuts to any of that.
I AM going to eat all the wrong foods, and sleep late and go and stop as I feel like.
The Idea that I am free to live that way and realizing that there is going to be pain involved is MY choice. I choose freedom knowing full well that my freedom is not really free. I will pay a personnel price willingly.
My goal right now is to make sure that no one else will have to clean up any mess that I might leave behind. Freedom also has a responsibly.
Time for a cigar and a cup of coffee, maybe even a beer or two.. I may even cuss a bit. Also been thinking of taking up drugs. Chasing women also my be on my list. Nah, I'd have to take a shower. Sounds too much like work. I just took one just the other week.
Gnight

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What a great post. Loved it and good luck with your new lifestyle.

Our story just hit us as a surprise more than anything. To be quite honest? I didn't know anything about "Van Life". I never knew it was a thing.

I've posted this elsewhere in the forums but I retired after 28 years on the FD at the age of 48. The FD is 28 and out. I was seriously injured in a house fire that put me in the hospital for many months. I ended up taking a duty disability retirement but that really made no difference with the amount of money that my pension pays out each month since by the time I was out of the hospital my 28 was up. The only benefit that I get is I pay on State Income tax because of my disability retirement. I spent most of my career investing our money and investing heavily into our pension system.

My wife and I have always traveled out West at least two times a year. My wife and I were married right outside of Durango Colorado and have been married for 22 years. My daughter is 17 and getting ready to start college at the University of Colorado. During one of our last trips out West, we took her on a two week trip to the Grand Canyon, Vegas, all through Utah, and back into Colorado where we always end up. While out West, I kept on seeing these 4WD Mercedes Benz Sprinter Vans that had been converted. I had never seen one before and finally got a closer look at one parked in a parking lot in Utah. Then it hit me. "People are actually living in these". That started a chain of events that led us to where we are today.

My wife was 47 at the time. And we started doing heavy research on these vans. The plan has always been that when my daughter graduated high school we were moving to Colorado. That was never in doubt. But what we came to realize was, since our house was paid for and we made a large chunk of money off the sale of our house, we invested most of the money from the sale of our house and added it to all of our other investments. What that allowed us to do is for my wife to be able to retire at age 48 and we just moved into a converted 4WD Mercedes Benz Sprinter with every option you could ever want.

Now, it has become if we want to travel 2 miles down the road or 200 miles. We can do that with no timeframe to be anywhere. This also solved an issue we were going to have if we had purchased a home in Colorado. My parents are in what you would consider poor health. So we have to remain mobile. It made no sense buying a place in Colorado and then having to come back to this state (maybe for months at a time) while still paying for a place in Colorado that we weren't even staying at. We also found that if we live within reason, we actually save more money since we pay no items that are associated with home ownership. Everything in the van is self contained and we are only limited by how long we can make 21 gals of on board water last.

I have no idea how long this will last? But there are things we want to see and places we want to go and having the freedom to just go when we want? That is pretty priceless.

karleesto said:

I have had 1 real friend in my life and he is now dead. btw his name was Ken as well. All of my acquaintances are dead or dying as well.

Yep the trap is my own doing. Trying to live up to societies norm. No more

I am moving toward piece of mind and heart for the remainder of my time on this planet.

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Very inspiring...I have done what society expected of me and spent a chunk of my life fixing up an old house that my late Mom bought with Dads insurance money.
My brothers refused to help and wanted to ' help' on their terms.
I'm done with organized religion....all this moral snitching.
So this is my time and the sand in the hour glass is filling up.
I atleast want to see things and have better experiences.