Hi everybody

[blueberry]

I've been lurking and learning for a while, so I figured I'd better introduce myself at last. I've been wanting to travel the country like this for over 50 years and it finally hit me that time is running out. Yeah, I'm slow like that.<br /><br />Next spring, I plan to buy a cheap cargo van (would love an Astro) and furnish it with the bare essentials - cot, bucket potty, desk for food prep &amp; other uses, chair, 5-day cooler, and storage boxes. I plan on eating mostly raw, but will get a small camp stove for occasional outdoor cooking. Not sure how I will handle the power issue, but I'd love to have enough solar to cover most of my needs. That will have to wait until I save the $ for it, though.<br /><br />I live on Social Security so there's never any left at the end of the month to save for a van but I make a little extra doing website work (hosting sites, etc.) so I think I can scrape up a couple thousand by spring. Once I'm off the rent treadmill, I hope to save enough for either a better van, a small trailer, or to fix up the one I'll be living in.<br /><br />My big concern is mechanical. I know nothing about vehicles other than to take them in for oil changes and repairs. I won't have much (if any) emergency cash to start with, so I thought I'd stealth camp around town for the summer while I save up. That way, I won't have to worry about a breakdown on the road.<br /><br />I'd love to hear opinions/advice on my plans - and hope to meet some of you at the RTR in January, if I can get there. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br /><br />

 

[Coffee Tim]

HI Blueberry, nice to meet you.&nbsp; Hope all goes well for you.

 

[HoboBerg]

Welcome Blueberry! Sounds like a good plan. You will find a lot if support here best wishes!

 

[blkjak]

welcome .... blkjak

 

[stude53]

<span style="color: #008000;"><strong><span id="post_message_1275260356" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Welcome, Blueberry! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Bob</span></strong></span>

 

[blueberry]

Thanks for the welcome! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[She]

Welcome blueberry...love the name!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[blueberry]

Thanks, She! I kinda like yours too. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[yesican]

Hey blueberry...Sweet of you to join us!<br />Rae

 

[josephusminimus]

I've been lurking and learning for a while, so I figured I'd better introduce myself at last. I've been wanting to travel the country like this for over 50 years and it finally hit me that time is running out. Yeah, I'm slow like that.<br /><br />Next spring, I plan to buy a cheap cargo van (would love an Astro) and furnish it with the bare essentials - cot, bucket potty, desk for food prep &amp; other uses, chair, 5-day cooler, and storage boxes. I plan on eating mostly raw, but will get a small camp stove for occasional outdoor cooking. Not sure how I will handle the power issue, but I'd love to have enough solar to cover most of my needs. That will have to wait until I save the $ for it, though.<br /><br />I live on Social Security so there's never any left at the end of the month to save for a van but I make a little extra doing website work (hosting sites, etc.) so I think I can scrape up a couple thousand by spring. Once I'm off the rent treadmill, I hope to save enough for either a better van, a small trailer, or to fix up the one I'll be living in.<br /><br />My big concern is mechanical. I know nothing about vehicles other than to take them in for oil changes and repairs. I won't have much (if any) emergency cash to start with, so I thought I'd stealth camp around town for the summer while I save up. That way, I won't have to worry about a breakdown on the road.<br /><br />I'd love to hear opinions/advice on my plans - and hope to meet some of you at the RTR in January, if I can get there. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />

<br /><br />Welcome Blueberry.&nbsp; If you get a van manufactured back when vehicles had engines instead of chicken noodle soup under the hood it's not too difficult to learn basic mechanical repairs.<br /><br />Just saying.

 

[Pikachu711]

Welcome to the group Blueberry! You'll find quite a bit of useful information here on most vehicles you may consider buying. So don't be too concerned about asking any questions that may come to mind.

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>Wecome to the group.&nbsp; The best advice I can give you is not to worry.&nbsp; Things seem to have a way of working out.&nbsp; It is never too late to start enjoying life!</p><p>V.T.</p>