Greetings from Texas

[RussianBlue]

Hi everyone. &nbsp;I'm Gregg (the Russian Blue is the breed of my cat) and I can't believe I found this forum. &nbsp;I only wish I had found it years ago. &nbsp;I've been thinking about hitting the road and now I know how to do it and that it can be done.<div><br></div><div>I'm retired on disability and just can't seem to be able to settle down anywhere. &nbsp;I've been thinking about taking a road trip that follows the route of the Mississippi river so I can research the diary I own of a Civil War soldier. &nbsp;Now I know I'm going to take that trip thanks to this forum.</div><div><br></div><div>I plan on buying a vehicle in the next month or so but i'm still not sure what kind will suit me. &nbsp;I'm 6'5" and travelling alone so I'm thinking about a van, minivan or Suburban with the seats removed. &nbsp;I'll wander around the forum to see what others are saying about that.</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway...I'm sure happy to have found this place. &nbsp;Hope to hear from you.</div>

 

[RussianBlue]

Hi Sparky1,<div><br><div>Thanks for the intro. &nbsp;It's too darned cold there for me but you better believe I'm thinking of heading that way when the weather warms up. &nbsp;I grew up in NJ and haven't been there for years.</div><div><br></div><div>I love the area you live in...and yes, I'm a HUGE Civil War buff. &nbsp;I always wanted to live there.</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks again for the intro and you stay warm too!</div></div>

 

[ice_maiden]

Howdy neighbor .....From Texas here also....Missouri born ....Texas raised, except for a few years in Louisiana and Florida<br><br>genealogy buff myself but that takes me into the civil war era a lot since several of my relatives served in it as we originally haled from&nbsp; VA, WV, &amp; TN.... still have cousins in WV<br><br>

 

[RussianBlue]

Hi ice_maiden,<div><br></div><div>It's a pleasure meeting you. &nbsp;Ahhhh...Nothing like being in Texas, is there? &nbsp;I'm fairly new there though...only the last 23 years or so but wish I would have grown up there.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm still learning this genealogy thing and just about have given up on tracing my family but I'm doing OK with the soldier's whose diary I have.</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway...Thanks for the introduction. &nbsp;I hope to hear more from you.</div><div><br></div><div>Take care...</div>

 

[sl1966]

Hi Greg ... you've been here longer than I have then. I'm in San Antonio for a lil while longer.<div><br></div>

 

[RussianBlue]

Well well well...another Texan and pretty close to home at that! I'm down in Corpus but I do hope I'll be able to hit the road soon.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I see you travel to CA. &nbsp;Is that where you're originally from?</div><div><br></div><div>It's a pleasure meeting you...Hope to talk more soon.</div><div><br></div><div>Take care...Gregg<br><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div></div>

 

[WanderingRonin]

Hello Gregg,<div><br></div><div>From TX as well. Currently in California visiting relatives. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Was in San Antonio earlier this week. I flew here...</div><div>Left my van stored there... my little home on wheels. I miss it already!</div><div>I'm sort of a newbie in that I only purchased my van last July and moved into it last October. Haven't looked back since and had the time of my life.</div><div>Well, good luck with your search for the right vehicle. I am sure plenty of folks here will be helpful to you.</div><div>I feel the same in that I wish I found sites like this maybe 5 years ago.</div><div>Well, at least we found 'em now!&nbsp;</div><div>Peace,</div><div><br></div><div>Rod</div>

 

[RussianBlue]

Thanks Rod.<div><br></div><div>I've been reading a lot and now have switched the focus of my vehicle search to something like a cargo van. &nbsp;I guess I know what I'm really looking for when I see it.</div><div><br></div><div>Can't wait to get back to Texas but am really looking forward to heading back east then maybe on to California to visit family as well.</div><div><br></div><div>Can't wait to get started.</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks again for the welcome. &nbsp;Hope to talk to you all soon.</div><div>Gregg</div>

 

[Les H]

Hi Gregg, welcome.
I'm in north Alabama, about 20 miles SW of Chattanooga, Tn. There are quite a few of us in the general region, and yes, this area is deep in civil war history. If you get the chance, try to find "Swankie Wheels" on this forum or the vandwellers( yahoo) forums. She does genealogy from her van as kind of a " paid hobby", and she is a fulltimer, so might be able to answer some of your other questions too.
As to vehicle, my son is 6'4" and just barely stand in my bus (I'm 6'0" and can stand just hunched a bit), so my quess is that anything smaller than a full sized hightop would be uncomfortable for you.
Take care,
Les

 

[cyndi]

Hi Gregg! Welcome! You live pretty close to paradise, Padre island! I'm looking forward to more than a couple winters spent there!

 

[judycmomx6]

Hi Gregg, welcome. I agree with you about this site. I am also new here, but I am looking very forward to getting to know everyone better. Look out! This place is very addictive! I feel like I am missing something if I don't get to come to the site every day and see what everyone is up to. And I agree with Cindy, I would love to someday be able to see that part of the country. I drove a big truck for almost 19 years and I don't recall ever getting down there. Anyway, again, welcome.

 

[WanderingRonin]

Cargo van is pretty cool, Gregg. I have a Ford econoline E-350 15 passenger van. For a while, I was also looking at cargo vans (especially ones with the access hatch from the driver's cab).<div>Also, I have always been curious about shuttle bus conversions. (there's more headspace for one) The really short ones that fetch people from the airport would be nice to convert. I found one at the back of a church lot in San Antonio but as I am going overseas, it's really not a good time to consider it. It looks like a fixer upper which needs mechanical work. But the pastor was willing to sell it for real cheap.</div>

 

[sl1966]

Yeah my family is in CA. I grew up there but am not exactly from there. Long story best told over a cup of coffee or a couple of beers.&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif"><div><br></div>

 

[swankiewheels]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Hi Gregg,</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">SwankieWheels here in Quartzsite AZ at the RTR with 40-50 other like-minded moble living folk.&nbsp; Met Les H in GA last May.&nbsp; Would be great if you would come to Quartzsite this week and see other folks vans.&nbsp;&nbsp; I have a Chevy Express van 2006... 3/4 ton.&nbsp; I pull a cargo trailer with all my worldly possessions (and some other-worldly junk).&nbsp; I've been on the road a couple years and have kayaked 40 states... the only remarkable thing about that is I could barely walk in 2005.&nbsp; I have a blog at <a href="http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/" target=_blank>http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/</a>&nbsp;.&nbsp;&nbsp; Bob Wells, the owner of this group is here along with Ghost Dancer, owner and founder of Yahoo Vandwellers group (over 8,000 members now).</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Also, I agree with Les H... you should seriously consider a high top.&nbsp; I'm 5'7" and am always jealous of the high tops.&nbsp; Would be great to be able to stand straight up, especially during bad weather when you don't want to be outside.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Charlene</p>