just starting

[dwellinpossibility312]

<p>In a few weeks I will be leaving my current house for good.&nbsp; I will begin traveling in my van full-time...until I decide not to do so. &nbsp; Over the last year and a half I have done a lot of research, but realize I will learn much more by doing.&nbsp; I expect to be on this site frequently as I begin this journey.&nbsp; I have retired a little early, and expect to move along or stay as determined by my own desire rather than the calendar (except weather) or someone else's timetable.&nbsp; I have some safety concerns, but hope to get some ideas from the kind folks on this site.&nbsp; Looking forward to this new life.&nbsp;</p>

 

[cargovanconversion]

Welcome to the forum and happy travels,<br><br>Van.

 

[txanne]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Welcome--I am so new I am just now</p><p style="margin: 0px;">deciding what I need in a rv/camper.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Best of luck with your travels--cry freedom</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">annie</p>

 

[She]

Welcome! Hopefully we can put some of those fears to sleep.

 

[Skooky]

hello and welcome. I'm always way more fearful of cities than I am of wilderness. <br>

 

[dwellinpossibility312]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Thanks for welcoming me.&nbsp; I see that "just starting" means different things to all of us.&nbsp; I do have a questions about how this all works.&nbsp; If I want to ask a question about safety issues how do I start that?&nbsp; I did a search and didn't find any that addressed my questions.&nbsp; Thanks for your help.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Maggie</p>

 

[twokniveskatie]

There is a section dedicated to safety issues. Did you see it?<div><br></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">https://vanlivingforum.com/?forum=201988</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Other than that, you could post your question in that section, if you have specific concerns. We'd be glad to help you out!</span></div>

 

[travelingchic]

Welcome to the forum and congrats for starting out on your adventure. &nbsp;I believe the best learning experience is doing it. &nbsp;Research is good and making a plan but not until your actually in the situation will you truly learn what it is like. &nbsp;Until then it's all fantasy. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Hope to hear more about your traveling.</div><div><br></div><div>TC</div>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Good evening and a warm welcome from Iowa.&nbsp; With&nbsp;time you will be less worried about safety but will rely on instincts.&nbsp; The first few times sleeping in parking lots and on streets made me nervous but a person gets used to it.&nbsp; You'll do fine.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br>Take care and welcome to the group.&nbsp; At least this is not a scary place - most of the time.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">V.T.</p>

 

[Journeyman]

Welocome!
You will find lots of great advice and support on here.

Dennis

 

[sl1966]

Welcome! Lots of great people and advice to be had here! Good Luck and can't wait to hear about your adventures.

 

[dwellinpossibility312]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Thanks to all of you for your warm and reassuring welcomes.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Looking forward to having the time to read and share more on this site.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Maggie</p>

 

[dwellinpossibility312]

There is a section dedicated to safety issues. Did you see it?<div><br></div><span style='line-height: 19px; font-family: ".Helvetica NeueUI"; font-size: 15px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);' class="Apple-style-span">https://vanlivingforum.com/?forum=201988</span><div><span style='line-height: 19px; font-family: ".Helvetica NeueUI"; font-size: 15px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);' class="Apple-style-span"><br></span></div><div><span style='line-height: 19px; font-family: ".Helvetica NeueUI"; font-size: 15px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);' class="Apple-style-span">Other than that, you could post your question in that section, if you have specific concerns. We'd be glad to help you out!</span></div><p>

</p><p>Thanks for the info on that section. Last night I looked at the "firearms" section.&nbsp; It was difficult to follow for someone who is not familiar with all the terminology.&nbsp; Would be great to have some basic info for those less knowledgable about firearms.&nbsp; The parts I liked best were the experiences of others and the pros and cons of having a firearm.&nbsp; And of course, other types of self defense measures.</p>

 

[twokniveskatie]

Hey- I am moving some of the more technical posts to a separate thread so as not to freak out beginners. You don't need to know some of that stuff in order to have or use a weapon. I am sitting 30 ft from a reloading room, and don't understand some of these recent posts. I let the boys do the ammo But I know gun safety, am a good shot, and feel confident about using my weapons. So don't feel intimidated! You've given me some good ideas about organizing info. I've tried to keep separate threads on personal experience, ethics and opinion, and information. I have now started a "technical" thread and am looking at some other ideas. Your feedback has been very helpful!

 

[judycmomx6]

Welcome Maggie! Glad you found us!