Finally bucked up and pulled out of town

[Thecampulanceman]

If you read my introduction a few months back, I was in the middle of building my rig, selling my house (and everything in it) and getting ready to make big changes. My house closed on July 31st and I spent the month of August bouncing between a local campground and staying at my folks place. I found myself doing 'just 1 more thing' to the truck and then last week I finally said it's time to go. I pulled out of town on Sunday morning and I've made it to Indiana on my way west. I initially went south but I was uncomfortable going up and down the grades in PA and WV and so I back tracked and came north then west to get some flat driving. My truck is unproven and I found myself waiting for a failure at every mile I traveled. I'm carrying a motorcycle on the back on one of the Ultimate MX Haulers and I was waiting for that to fail also. The first day was very stressful for me and I found a camp in WV and spent the night listening to a torrent of rain and thunder and then hit the road. I stopped for fuel, coffee, and planned my route, picking a destination in Cicero, IN and calling to confirm a camp for the night. We pulled in here at 6:30 last night and Lefty (my dog and traveling companion) and I are staying another night while I take some time to plan the next few days of travel.

I've already learned that I need to plan a destination that's within reach and not too much driving so that we can make a lot of stops. I've always driven to get somewhere as fast as possible, so this kind of travel is a real change for me and I need to plan 300 - 400 miles a day and not 700 - 800. I'm pushing myself to relax - if that makes sense.

 

[ByeBye]

Very nice clean rig!!!
Switching to 300 mi a day max has been its own reward. I stay at or under 60 mph and just let things go around me. Much easier to stay in the moment and appreciate everything around me.

 

[bullfrog]

Just try doing !/2 day travel (no more than 200 miles, less is better as long as the mechanicals warm up!) and look at freecamping.com for wildlife areas or boat ramps so it doesn't cost so much to go slow and maybe stay a day or two and see what the area has to offer. Staying north is a good idea as far as temps are concerned. It is still very hot in the southwest unless you are in very high elevations so getting here in October should be fine. Getting used to moving every 14 days and forming your routine is more important than making miles. It is most important you get comfortable with your new living situation and keep well rested and relaxed. Look at the days travel as moving from one RV spot to another close by not hundreds of miles away. I sometimes find an ideal spot just a little ways down the road and being in a somewhat familiar setting as the day before makes it easier to relax. You could even take the bike and scout ahead if you are uncertain where you want to go next. After all it is about the journey not the destination at this point.

 

[Thecampulanceman]

Very nice clean rig!!!
Switching to 300 mi a day max has been its own reward. I stay at or under 60 mph and just let things go around me. Much easier to stay in the moment and appreciate everything around me.

I hear you - when I get up to 65 I feel like I'm only driving and I'm not able to even look around. My truck seems to do well on cruise at 60. It can climb all (except 1) grade without downshifting out of OD, so I've settled on that speed or lower depending on posting.
And thank you for the comment on my rig - in March when I bought it, it was a full blown ambulance - lights, sirens, stickers, stripes... the works. I busted my @rse working on it to get it where it's at. It has done everything I've asked and the more days of that the more I'll trust it.

 

[Thecampulanceman]

Just try doing !/2 day travel (no more than 200 miles, less is better as long as the mechanicals warm up!) and look at freecamping.com for wildlife areas or boat ramps so it doesn't cost so much to go slow and maybe stay a day or two and see what the area has to offer.  Staying north is a good idea as far as temps are concerned.  It is still very hot in the southwest unless you are in very high elevations so getting here in October should be fine.  Getting used to moving every 14 days and forming your routine is more important than making miles.  It is most important you get comfortable with your new living situation and keep well rested and relaxed.  Look at the days travel as moving from one RV spot to another close by not hundreds of miles away.  I sometimes find an ideal spot just a little ways down the road and being in a somewhat familiar setting as the day before makes it easier to relax.  You could even take the bike and scout ahead if you are uncertain where you want to go next.  After all it is about the journey not the destination at this point.

That is something I hadn't thought about - I'm still in the mode of 'I'm driving to get somewhere' but I really don't have anywhere to go. I know I want to get to the SW but not until temps allow, and between then and now I'm unscheduled. I do need to develop a routine and get comfortable so I don't feel as stressed as I have been. Thank you for your comments.

 

[RoamerRV428]

It is truly time to make the destination the journey

The journey is now key vs. the 'get to a destination fast by all costs!'.

So true....time to relax. Time is now yours to do with or without as you wish! Hard concept for most of us til we embrace just that!

Very cool rig and I love love love your dog! So handsome!

Happy all is doing well without failures. Keep on campulancing!!

 

[speedhighway46]

Hello TCM:

Very nice fabrication on your truck- well done!

Don’t forget Walmart. I say at one most nights when I’m on the road. Unless they are posted “No Overnight Parking” they are generally safe and secure; just stay out of big cities.

I usually plan my day’s routine hopping from Walmart to Walmart; and I follow the 1-2-3 rule in my travels: Leave by 1:00; never drive more than 2 hours; always arrive by 3:00.

Hope you enjoy your new life. Congrats!

 

[Thecampulanceman]

It is truly time to make the destination the journey

The journey is now key vs. the 'get to a destination fast by all costs!'.

So true....time to relax.  Time is now yours to do with or without as you wish!  Hard concept for most of us til we embrace just that!

Very cool rig and I love love love your dog!  So handsome!

Happy all is doing well without failures.  Keep on campulancing!!

Thanks Roamer for your comments! Over the last 4 days I've limited travel to 3 hours of driving and that's been a huge improvement. I've stayed 2 days at 2 spots and we're headed out again tomorrow to get to Oklahoma City area.
Driving less leaves me more time to stop for supplies, fuel, rest stops for Lefty, etc. and that's made for improved state of mind.
I sure wish I had an A/C unit in the truck - I guess that can be on my list.

 

[Thecampulanceman]

Hello TCM:

Very nice fabrication on your truck- well done!

Don’t forget Walmart. I say at one most nights when I’m on the road. Unless they are posted “No Overnight Parking” they are generally safe and secure; just stay out of big cities.

I usually plan my day’s routine hopping from Walmart to Walmart; and I follow the 1-2-3 rule in my travels: Leave by 1:00; never drive more than 2 hours; always arrive by 3:00.

Hope you enjoy your new life. Congrats!

Hi Speed and thank you for your comments. I will, I'm sure, make my way to a WM at some point. I spent my first days at a free campground in Indiana this week and went 2 days on my batteries with a little help from my generator too. A Walmart for a night can be done for sure.

 

[Oldwolf]

Nice rig!
Did you make it to the SW?

 

[ckelly78z]

Nice rig!
Did you make it to the SW?

Yes, regale us with some updates soon.