Hello All, My friends think im crazy

[AndysVanAdventure AvA]

Hello everyone Andy from NY,

I'm almost ready to hit the road on a permanent vacation. I have been a w/end/vacation warrior for years (2011 Sprinter van)
always wondering what over the next hill?  As of June 2018 I can officially retire.  I will have worked 31 years outdoors
in -30 below wind chills,  from 1" - 3 ft.  of snow, ice storms, cold wet rainy skies, and hot Muggy weather "Yes like Florida Bob"
My Dads was right the older you get the colder it gets - it go's right to your bones.  I live 45 min from  Buffalo, NY with record snow storms Y-Tube 2014 and 1977 Buffalo blizzards, Ouch!  
Anyways  I have done what society says, pay taxes, work, eat, sleep, toys, huge house, married, raised beautiful family, After my divorce I have been downsizing and it feels great!  I have never traveled past Colorado but WoW Pikes Peak/Cheyenne "Stunning" and am ready for more! 
Love talking and meeting new people all over  
I will not be driving my van from NY to Arizona (i still gotta work) and have a lot to do in 9 days but will be testing my limits :s  
And flying in with just a backpack and a rental van, ha wow! Hopefully there are Salvation army/thrift stores along my adventure. :huh:

See ya all at the RTR in January
Andy from NY - AvA

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Andy! Last year a woman who came to the RTR with just a rental car stayed for the entire two weeks. I'm not sure where she got her supplies but she had a great time!

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.

 

[Cancan]

Wow awesome - hope to meet you !

 

[akrvbob]

Welcome, you are in for a great adventure. Phoenix will probably be the cheapest and closes airport, plenty of thrift stores in Phoenix!!

 

[bpdchief]

Welcome... enjoy your adventure

 

[AndysVanAdventure AvA]

Thank you so much guys for the warm welcome.
I've been on adventures before with a backpack but not for 9 days.
I'm just going to wing it and go with it, Salvation Army thrift stores and Walmart will supply me with everything I need. Cooler ice water food air mattress blankets pillows ect... I'm used to having my van , but and there's no way I'm going to pay huge money for a motel rooms. When it's time to go home just donate back.

 

[Bohemian scout]

Awesome plans !!! This will my first time, maybe we’ll meet!

 

[mpruet]

I will have worked 31 years outdoors
in -30 below wind chills,  from 1" - 3 ft.  of snow, ice storms, cold wet rainy skies, and hot Muggy weather "Yes like Florida Bob"
My Dads was right the older you get the colder it gets - it go's right to your bones.  I live 45 min from  Buffalo, NY with record snow storms Y-Tube 2014 and 1977 Buffalo blizzards, Ouch! 

Know what you mean.  I spent 6 years in Rochester, NY - including 1977...

 

[CautionToTheWind]

I'd invest in a sleeping bag vs. blanket...can get to low 30's.

There are several Salvation Army Thrift Stores to choose from near the airport and one Goodwill leaving west on I-10; just south of interstate on 51st Ave. (address: 515 N 51st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85043)

Have fun!

 

[AndysVanAdventure AvA]

Awesome plans !!!  This will my first time, maybe we’ll meet!

Hello Bohemian scout
Yes my first time also, like I said I have never went past Colorado.
what do you have for a van rv camper car?

 

[AndysVanAdventure AvA]

I'd invest in a sleeping bag vs. blanket...can get to low 30's.

There are several Salvation Army Thrift Stores to choose from near the airport and one Goodwill leaving west on I-10; just south of interstate on 51st Ave. (address: 515 N 51st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85043)

Have fun!

Thank you for that info, I was just starting to look to see locations of s armys, thrift store.  Deff yes sleeping bag 

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Lots and lots of Goodwill thrift stores in Phoenix and most are pretty good. Google map search. Get on their email list for specials and discounts. Saturdays every second week, all half off. Savers is the other popular choice. Usually both better than salvation army of the ones I have seen in this area. YMMV.

 

[AndysVanAdventure AvA]

Know what you mean.  I spent 6 years in Rochester, NY - including 1977...

Hi sorry just getting back to ya,, 
wow 6 years in Rochester then you know what I mean,  i have been working outside for over 30 years has took it toll on me  I have just had enough.  I meet people all the time here that say we love the 4 seasons we are from va,fl,cal,out west. they can have it all!!
I'm going to leave every Nov to April I think they call that a Snowbirds.  ha

 

[AndysVanAdventure AvA]

Welcome, you are in for a great adventure. Phoenix will probably be the cheapest and closes airport, plenty of thrift stores in Phoenix!!

Thanks Bob, love yr vids
This should be fun woohoo..  just me, my backpack and a rental van, I'm just going to make it work , Hey food water shelter and a van and I'm right at home. Ha    First stop Walmart then thrift stores, cant wait to meet you and other people love meeting people and hearing their stories
Update : my daughter is begging me to come with me, she also has the BUG "always wondering whats over the next hill" .. that comes from my Father, So it might be Me +1  for the adventure. 

I have been looking at maps I looks like most everything we want to see is 2 hours away Slab City, Salton Sea, lake havasu, the dam, Oatman, and the bar in the desert. So your camp will be home base. 

A quick question bob, I one of you videos you said the traffic get very bad, will it be crazy leaving and coming back to the camp in the day? Like fighting traffic like here in NY?

 

[Almost There]

 

A quick question bob, I one of you videos you said the traffic get very bad, will it be crazy leaving and coming back to the camp in the day? Like fighting traffic like here in NY?

It's not quite like fighting traffic in NY state but close.

Right near one of the main market areas the traffic gets completely crazy because of the parking situation - everyone wants one of the roadside slots instead of driving down to the big parking lot at the west end of town and hoofing it around the market.

There's 2 east west roads, so if I want to go to the market I drive around town and come back in from the east side, park in the big lot and avoid the craziness....

Also keep in mind that probably 80% or more of the seasonal residents are from out of state and retired.

Think major shopping mall at Xmas and you've got the picture...