How do you spend your free time?

[skyl4rk]

For boondockers in remote areas:  Once you have set up your camp, organized your stuff and cooked a nice meal, what do you do with your time?

Do you build things or have a hobby to "keep busy"?

Do you relax and slow down and do nothing?

Are you physically active or more sedentary?

Do you have time to talk to other people in long discussions?

Do you ever find it boring while boondocking?

Do you intentionally camp near a special area that provides some recreation for you (rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, etc.)?

Would you be bored without an internet connection?

How does boondocking change your personality and the way you feel?

 

[SoulRaven]

I spend most of my days in deep thought.

For example I am thinking of changing my screen name to "Horace Manor".

 

[Seraphim]

Just going to add this link to what others may add - it asks the same question, and has quite a few ideas, though it's a few years old.


https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Hobbies-on-the-Road?highlight=Hobbies

 

[CrazySister]

I walk so much more when I am out, and love the break from tv, phone, and computer. I like to tidy up every day and keep things put away. I love to sit in a sunny spot and read. At night if I can have a fire that is the centerpiece of the evening plus lots of long conversations. If it is freezing or rainy we play cards inside and go to bed early. The best of times.

 

[Seraphim]

We have numerous hobbies : biking, canoeing, shooting, reading, hiking, board games, photography, to name a few. Parts of the day we're active, others more sedentary. Don't get bored - love the boondocks for beauty, solitude and privacy.Extroverted, don't get into personal discussions if I can help it. We like parking near places we can bike, hike, take photos or canoe - often times those the focus of our travels. Not bored without Internet, very rarely use the TV or radio. Boondocking lets me forget people, and relaxes me, plus we see much more wildlife when we're further away from humanity. If all else fails, I'll take a nap.

 

[SoulRaven]

While I am mainly a city camper, I like to spend my days near a lake, stream, river, ocean, or some type of park. Sometimes I might fish a little, or just enjoy the scenery and wildlife, and of course other people can be quite a source of entertainment.

There is never any end to cleaning and organizing my van, so there is always something to do.

Sometimes when the weather is nice, I will take my electric bike out and wander around aimlessly, if I don't have any particular errands to run.

After dark, that's my internet time, maybe a little TV, usually have my radio on low for background music if it's too quiet.

If I'm boondocking I like to have a camp fire to sit by in the evening, might even decide to cook dinner over the camp fire. Sometimes even some of the parks will have fire pits, so I can take advantage of those too.

I don't really like camping away from other people too much. I enjoy being around others, and enjoy helping others, which can sometimes take up quite a lot of time too.

I enjoy doing the flea markets, swap meets, and rallies. So many ways to make extra money at these, and have a blast while doing it. I'll pick up stuff to resell at a profit, sometimes huge profits, even though I don't primarily do it for the money.

When I grow tired of an area, I move to somewhere new, and start all over again. There's no end to the places you can see and things to do. One lifetime isn't enough to see it all.

 

[LeeRevell]

My camping has often involved dual sport motorcycling, so I use the bike for buzzing around the forest roads and local sight seeing. If a nature trail is near by, I'll walk it and photograph anything interesting.
Military historical sites and displays fascinate me.
In camp, I read a good book and listen to music - quietly (headphones). Sometimes just sit and enjoy Nature.
Since I have only fairly recently gotten the smart phone and laptop, the 'online' thing hasn't been a part of my camping and roadtrips..... yet.

 

[jimindenver]

I love to read, Honey likes the TV. Other than that we have games, the cameras, the dogs but normally we just keep ourselves busy with the day to day things needed. We both love to cook and have more time up there to do so. Everything is cooked from scratch and done by hand so it just takes longer. (taste better too) I'm also always checking the panels, adjusting or cleaning them, checking the batteries, water, tanks and there is always finding, collecting and cutting up the firewood.

There are a few time I do enjoy just sitting there doing nothing at all. In the morning I'll sit out with the dogs, drink coffee and watch the rising sun light up the mountains while listening to the morning song birds. I also like to hike out in to the woods and just sit there and listen, it's very relaxing. The same is true with the nightly fire, I can stare into those flames for hours and not feel the urge to get up and do stuff.

 

[Sameer]

I always camp where I have internet and phone and TV. I am a boondocker, so it is usually in the middle of no-where. After coffee in the morning my dog and I walk a couple of hours. I get on the internet and check the news and local weather and "happenings" in the area I am camping. Cook breakfast and then relax and think and then relax and think some more. Make notes of what maintenance needs to be done to the van and other lists. Work on my budget!!! Read the history of the area I am camping in. Look for rocks and check out the vegetation. Do some work! Cook lunch...think and relax! In the evening I watch the local news and some TV. Think and relax. I am always doing something and never bored. I like making future plans of adventures I want to experience and I love to day dream about all the possibilities. I am in bed by 9:30pm....but always up by 5:30am.

 

[mockturtle]

I hike a lot and read even more. Never, ever bored.

 

[highdesertranger]

well I am a boondocker and I am also a prospector so I always am doing something along those lines. if I am not actually mining I am scouting an area, going over maps, studying historical records, taking samples, etc. usually I take 1 day off a week, sometimes 2 if I have to make a supply run. I talk to the locals if there are any around. I have never been bored. highdesertranger

 

[Numpty]

Land based game fishing, boogie boarding, snorkeling, more fishing then drinking beer beside the fire.

Living the dream

 

[highdesertranger]

sounds good Numpty, I like the last part best. highdesertranger

 

[Patrick46]

FREE TIME???

What on Earth is THAT?????

 

[Ella1]

I've wondered about that too.
Seems to me a lot of time would be spent in the activities of daily living, since for many of us, including me, the taken for granted utilities would not always be available--indoor plumbing and electricity. Food prep and Clean-up 2-4 times a day, personal needs and care would take a portion of time. Much more time than what I spend on them in a sticks and bricks house. Without plumbing at a campsite, one needs to get to a facility with some regularity=gas and more time.
So maybe it's basically pretty much a "survival" situation with little time for hobbies.
Is that right?

Having said that, I do have a few hobbies, but don't generally spend hours and hours on them daily, either.

 

[akrvbob]

Seems to me a lot of time would be spent in the activities of daily living, --indoor plumbing and electricity. Food prep and Clean-up 2-4 times a day, personal needs and care would take a portion of time. Much more time than what I spend on them in a sticks and bricks house. Without plumbing at a campsite, one needs to get to a facility with some regularity=gas and more time.
So maybe it's basically pretty much a "survival" situation with little time for hobbies.

Not at all! The daily activities of life do take longer but you sleep 8 out of 24 hours leaving you 16 hours and with out being a wage-slave the other 8 hours you'll have plenty of time for whatever you want to do.

I go to bed every night wondering where the day went, but very, very satisfied with it! And that's what's important. 

When I was a wage-slave, I NEVER went to bed satisfied! There was ALWAYS some little (or big) problem rattling around in the back of my brain and usually a dozen competing with each other for most of my attention. 

I'm so glad those days are gone! Taking a little longer to go to the bathroom or to wash myself is such a tiny price to pay for constant piece of mind!!!! 
Bob

 

[B and C]

I go to bed every night wondering where the day went, but very, very satisfied with it! And that's what's important. 

When I was a wage-slave, I NEVER went to bed satisfied! There was ALWAYS some little (or big) problem rattling around in the back of my brain and usually a dozen competing with each other for most of my attention. 

I'm so glad those days are gone! Taking a little longer to go to the bathroom or to wash myself is such a tiny price to pay for constant piece of mind!!!! 
Bob

Waiting for the day (1-4-2016 last slave day).  We'll be a little late to the RTR.
Brian

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

ive been out of work a week, waiting for some things to come thru, but im bored as hell lol hard to adjust to an extra 8 hours of free time actually. its kind of a product of working, never had a lot of time for hobbies so gotta discover them now.

 

[Sameer]

Plenty of time for hobbies...I was born a rock hound and thanks to Bob...learning photography is how I spend a lot of my time. Cooking is also a favorite...Reading, watching a good movie...actually plenty of time for everything your heart desires...!