Hi Everyone,
I've made a few posts here, but hadn't introduced myself:
Well, that's all for now!
Cheers, Cagey
I've made a few posts here, but hadn't introduced myself:
- Age 59, married w/2 children still living in our household
- 1 child semi-disabled, may never leave home (hope springs eternal).
- 1 child's nest-leaving as been profoundly delayed by COVID (among other things).
- As a child living in Southern California, my family would take annual 2-week drive-a-thon vacations: parents and sister in a station wagon touring the best parts of the western US. My mom was over the moon about natural beauty and scenery, and I got that from her. She loved Sedona AZ, and we would take week-long vacations there every year in addition. My folks entertained the idea of moving there, but it never happened.
- After graduating university, I lived for over 30 years in SF Bay area. Never happy there (or in any major metro: far too many people for my taste), but it was a prime location for work in my profession (SW Development) so I "sucked it up" enduring an increasingly horrendous commute, etc. while supporting my household.
- Our household moved to SE AZ 1.25 years ago (working remotely during COVID enabled a "stealth interstate move" over Christmas-New-Year's vacation 2020) as part of a "get out of [HCOL, High-government] Dodge" (and establish ourselves in a relatively LCOL location where 1+ kids could envision a future that included home-ownership, something that's effectively impossible in the SF Bay area w/o a Masters degree in the right major) plan.
- that was 1.25 years ago; since then, even where we've moved, home prices have skyrocketed (of course you all know this).
- Retired a few months ago (I was laid off, and was in the fortunate position to not need to pursue my next employment (good thing too as ageism is a thing, and my profession is rife with it)). A few months later (now that we're living on somewhat fixed income): hello crazy inflation! Sigh.
- My first 4-wheeled vehicle was a 1970 Ford Econoline E-200 (long wheelbase, standard low-top cargo van) w/302 V8 and auto-tranny. "Big Red", an incredibly utilitarian vehicle, was my primary ride for (a wonderful) 10 years (1979-1989). Because for quite a few of those years I had a (off-road) motorcycle parked in the back (and I had "stick and brick" places to lay my head), I didn't do much to make it habitable: insulation and OSB on the sides, and plywood on the floor, with a twin mattress on the floor or stored alongside the bike. I learned enough mechanic skills to keep it on the road on a limited budget: changed a few wheel bearings and brake cylinders, pulled a cylinder head to repair a burnt valve, etc. Did a lot of fire-roading and camping solo and with my GF. One of my favorite places we visited back then: Prewitt Ridge [Dispersed] Campground in Big Sur area.
- My last quarter in university, my van was my bedroom. Back in those days there were no laptops and no WiFi, so I mostly used it for sleeping and sometimes studying & homework.
- Back when Bob Wells was affiliated with Enigmatic Nomadics YT channel (5 years ago?), I stumbled across his (and Jamie's and Kyndall's) videos which were real eye-openers. And dreamed (but knew that my family situation would probably prevent action). Ever since, I've been following the growth of van-dwelling from afar (thanks, Youtube!), and have been amazed at its growth. And wondering/dreaming how I could "test the waters" in a limited fashion.
- Skyrocketing prices for vehicles in general during COVID (and for RV's in particular starting before that), plus of course gasoline, is discouraging me from making an "investment" in a vehicle suitable for nomadic life, when I'm very far from sure such a vehicle would end up being used much.
- (also largely thanks to COVID-related supply-line problems causing key material-delivery delays) we're waiting out (tied to home base by) a seemingly endless round of minor home improvement and repair (that should have been done 5 months ago).
- DW wants to travel (traditional style: i.e. not involving camping much less boondocking). But is willing to let me go out on my own while she holds down the fort (and I vice versa).
- Given the current economic uncertainty, it's harder than usual to justify expending resources to leave (even if only temporarily) a consciously designed comfort zone. Expenditures on traditional travel (smaller, with no capital expenses involved) are easier to make than "buy and/or convert a vehicle for boondocking". Still working this out.
Well, that's all for now!
Cheers, Cagey