2018 RTR

[Janie]

Hello,

I am and older women who needed to leave a bad situation a long time ago, but fear and being dysfunctional kept me anchored where I am now.  I must still try to break away and live the rest of my life without somebody else controlling almost every move I make.  I just found information today about the 2018 RTR.  I had signed up for emails in August 2016 but never received anymore after April 2017.  I am in serious debt but want to try and make this rendezvous - I am using it as incentive to get it all done and get going (I have a 10x30 storage to clean out).   I live on the east coast so it won't be so easy for me but I am going to give it a good try.  At least I will have my best friend and companion - a terrific dog, to travel with me.  Any good advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  :blush: :huh:

 

[ArmorAbby]

Welcome!! Everyones definition of "older" may be different. I'm a 45 year old female with my one year anniversary of Vandwelling peeping around the corner. Although I dont speak much, the people here have helped me in ways you may find amazing. I never even.jumped a car battery before this and people here helped me to install my own solar system complete with battery banks and isolater to my alternator. The most difficult it seems for most is the solitude. I love the solitude. My most valuable purchase was the portapotty. I recently came back to these forums because I am now gonna turn my old cargo van into a high top. Yep. Littlr ole me is gonna make it from scratch and poor mans fiberglass. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! I'm rambling here cause I wanna respond fast to finish my lunch, oh yeah, my road pro for cooking and my Little Buddy Heater for winter weather more must-haves...Man, last winter I had no heater.... If I can help with anything just give a holler...

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[ArmorAbby]

PS, Im also on the East Coast. Jersey here. We were talking a couple months ago about meeting up but I just havent done it.

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[muffytravels2]

hi, Janie,
I've just joined this forum but want to encourage you to not allow fear of the unknown to stop you from doing what you need to do for yourself. We have but one life. I am definitely in the "older woman alone" category and am determined to continue to travel, meet new friends, live each day as fully as possible and spread sunshine all over the place.   I plan to travel/camp in my car, an Isuzu Rodeo SUV out to AZ for the RTR. It will be fun! Hope to see you there.
Linda

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Janie to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you. hope to see you at RTR. highdesertranger

 

[ColdBrook]

Janie,
You can do this.  Just do things one step at a time.  I am going to the RTR for the first time finally.  Wanted to go the last two years but didn't manage to.  This year I am definitely going.
Don't give up, lots of us first timers are older.
Coldbrook

 

[Janie]

Welcome!! Everyones definition of "older" may be different. I'm a 45 year old female with my one year anniversary of Vandwelling peeping around the corner. Although I dont speak much, the people here have helped me in ways you may find amazing. I never even.jumped a car battery before this and people here helped me to install my own solar system complete with battery banks and isolater to my alternator. The most difficult it seems for most is the solitude. I love the solitude. My most valuable purchase was the portapotty. I recently came back to these forums because I am now gonna turn my old cargo van into a high top. Yep. Littlr ole me is gonna make it from scratch and poor mans fiberglass. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! I'm rambling here cause I wanna respond fast to finish my lunch, oh yeah, my road pro for cooking and my Little Buddy Heater for winter weather more must-haves...Man, last winter I had no heater.... If I can help with anything just give a holler...

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Hi, I am so glad to hear from some people.  Well, I wish I was 45 but I am 69. 
But I am determined to do this, I have some physical issues but I feel I can get done what needs to be done, just maybe not as fast as I want though.  I hope that I can make this RTR but having to clean out a 10x30 storage unit by myself is overwhelming, especially now in the winter.  I have been trying to sell stuff and nobody is buying (mostly vintage glass/ceramic items/collectibles.  I live in upstate NY but grew up in Bergen County NJ.  I wish I had a cargo van, when I was desperate for a towing vehicle a few years ago (been planning for at least a few years) vans where scarce or not worthwhile so I have a 2005 Chevy Tahoe.  It needs some kind of mechanical work right now also.  I am hoping to get an older, small, lightweight and cheap travel trailer someway, somehow - I have a lot of debt already but I hope to somehow swing it. I feel so desperate that I didn't get out of this situation sooner.  I do have a Stansport (?) portapotty already. I need a heater and want to get a battery charger/jump starter. It was great hearing from you, it give me hope even though I am much older.

 

[Bohemian scout]

Janie, this quote of yours describes myself “I am and older women who needed to leave a bad situation a long time ago, but fear and being dysfunctional kept me anchored where I am now. I must still try to break away and live the rest of my life without somebody else controlling almost every move I make.”
I finally broke away after 38 years....just left, had no contact for 16 months. I’m so proud of myself and after 18 months I’m finally controlling the anxiety. I saw him on thanksgiving and felt nothing well, except sorry for him and who he is. I’m starting to feel joy again even though the things I tolerated enter my thoughts occasionally, I’m free!
I’m lucky because we had a older but nice van we used for my business and camping. I took off with a cot, sleeping bag and camping supplies. Drove to Oregon and stayed gone for 3 months...it was awesome! Now I have a cheap home base in Oklahoma because of grandkids but travel and camp as much as possible. My van build changes before every trip, making it more comfortable and home like. I found the RTR a few months ago and said “ I’m going!”.
Everybody says “just do it!” and I think you should. I can’t wait to meet like minded, friendly, non judgmental people. I feel like this trip will help me let go, open up and become the person I am meant to be. I won’t be held back anymore. Hope to see you at the RTR! PS...I’ll be 63 next week.

 

[Janie]

Janie, this quote of yours describes myself “I am and older women who needed to leave a bad situation a long time ago, but fear and being dysfunctional kept me anchored where I am now.  I must still try to break away and live the rest of my life without somebody else controlling almost every move I make.”
I finally broke away after 38 years....just left, had no contact for 16 months. I’m so proud of myself and after 18 months I’m finally controlling the anxiety. I saw him on thanksgiving and felt nothing well, except sorry for him and who he is. I’m starting to feel joy again even though the things I tolerated enter my thoughts occasionally, I’m free!
I’m lucky because we had a older but nice van we used for my business and camping. I took off with a cot, sleeping bag and camping supplies. Drove to Oregon and stayed gone for 3 months...it was awesome! Now I have a cheap home base in Oklahoma because of grandkids but travel and camp as much as possible. My van build changes before every trip, making it more comfortable and home like. I found the RTR a few months ago and said “ I’m going!”.
Everybody says “just do it!” and I think you should. I can’t wait to meet like minded, friendly, non judgmental people. I feel like this trip will help me let go, open up and become the person I am meant to be. I won’t be held back anymore. Hope to see you at the RTR! PS...I’ll be 63 next week.

Hi Bohemian scout, great to hear from somebody who has gone through a similar situation.  I have been with my spouse for 27 years but this was my second marriage - I am 69, but more determined than ever to leave before it gets to be actually too late, this situation is truly killing me in more ways than one.  I hope that I make the RTR, I really do need something else besides my SUV (a small cheap travel trailer), and don't know if that will be financially doable.  I intend to give it a worthwhile try, wish I had know about the RTR in January sooner.  I'm afraid that I don't know how to smile anymore, I want to be able to think and be more positive, negativity is the rule of the roost here.  I can give up most of my possessions but feel the need to keep a minimum, that's where a travel trailer comes in - I cannot afford, nor have the skills to convert a cargo trailer.  Thanks so much for your support.

 

[Bohemian scout]

Hi Bohemian scout, great to hear from somebody who has gone through a similar situation.  I have been with my spouse for 27 years but this was my second marriage - I am 69, but more determined than ever to leave before it gets to be actually too late, this situation is truly killing me in more ways than one.  I hope that I make the RTR, I really do need something else besides my SUV (a small cheap travel trailer), and don't know if that will be financially doable.  I intend to give it a worthwhile try, wish I had know about the RTR in January sooner.  I'm afraid that I don't know how to smile anymore, I want to be able to think and be more positive, negativity is the rule of the roost here.  I can give up most of my possessions but feel the need to keep a minimum, that's where a travel trailer comes in - I cannot afford, nor have the skills to convert a cargo trailer.  Thanks so much for your support.

We definitely have been through a similar situation. I also felt I had to leave before it was too late. I feared one of us would have medical problems and I’d have to stay. The thought of me being stuck taking care of him for life or worse him taking care of me helped with the decision to leave. Negativity is the worse and I’m a glass full to the top type person. His glass was empty....smiling comes easier now, sometimes I just do it out of the Blue knowing I’m happy now....I made it out. Many people do it in a suv, it doesn’t matter how you start out...just do it. You owe it to yourself, it’s your life. Live this last stage being happy....and smiling!!!

 

[muffytravels2]

So good to know other older women are just doing it! I definitely plan to drive out to AZ for the RTR event in my Isuzu Rodeo. Today I'm seriously considering putting a cargo carrier on top though I think I can manage just fine using mostly my backpacking gear. Whatever, it is exciting to have this activity to look forward to.

 

[Bohemian scout]

Agree! Hope to see you and other older age but young of heart women at the RTR and out on the road. We need an identifying sticker on our vehicles!