Headache said:
Hey everyone! My "goal" for this fall/winter is to spend it in Quartzite. I have tentative plans of being there sometime in November and staying until April.
Welcome to vandweling.
Last year was my first RTR and it was well worth the risk. What I mean is, it is hard to approach a group cold, without knowing someone on the inside to guide you in.
Last year I rolled up as they were serving Thanksgiving dinner. Not knowing anyone other than from this forum I parked my van, walked up, took a plate and had a great time.
So i got there in November and left around February. As you said you also plan to stay a good bit.
Forget the LTVA. Why enter an outlaw lifestyle like vandwelling by asking the local government permission to stay. Then conforming your rig to meet there specifications? And parking exactly where they say you can park!
As all the people you want to meet are outside the fence, not inside with you.
??
You will quickly get to know Ehrenberg buy the river and Quartzite.
Your rig can be as simple as an old cargo van with a cushion in the back to sleep on. Actually mine is not much more than that. And I have been full time about a year or so. Working and camping.
As for toilets you can spend money if you like....or As i did. Buy a box of 13gal(49.2l) tall kitchen bags and some Huggies wipes. If you like PM me for more detailed instructions.
As I understand it, many prefer a 5gal bucket and a bag of Kitty litter.
Something I learned rather abruptly. The RTR bunch are very welcoming and helpful.
*** However it is necessary to be outgoing if you want to actually meet people and make friends.***
This fact is obvious to most but to me, was a steep learning curve.
After the Thanksgiving dinner I sat outside my van and watched people walk buy for more than a week and not one was interested in anything more than, wave and walk away.
I then started walking the road also. I then met people that talked for a minute or two then walked there way.
?... Not exactly the kind of... "Welcome to vandwelling" reception I was hopping for.
Its not there fault!!! My expectations were far to high.
So as you go to your first RTR. Here are a few things to conceder.
1/ JUST DO IT!!
2/ Don't over think it. Just do it
3/ Don't expect anyone to understand your need for comradery. Give it time and you will meet some awesome people.
4/ your rig can and SHOULD be very simple at first. Living with simplicity is one of the secrets to enjoying fulltime vandwelling.
