americanbackcountry
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- Aug 31, 2017
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Hello.
I have been coming to this forum for years now. I am watching Carolyn's RV Life on YouTube and was inspired enough to start my own channel. I just bought Bob Well's book off Amazon last week. Before all that, I bought a Pontiac Vibe (2003 first generation) and was doing research into how to convert it into a camper. I have to say that I am 5'9" and have room left over when I put the back seats down. I can turn the car on if it gets too cold or too hot. I feel safe in that it is like sleeping in a hard-sided tent. I have great ventilation with the sunroof that slides back and all of the windows open. I just love this car. Recently, I have downsized to the point of being able to put everything in the back of my Vibe while still having enough space to sleep and I have just about accomplished that. I may purchase a rooftop cargo carrier, but I'm not sure that I need it right now. It is not on the top of my priority list. I recently moved up to NY to be with my folks, but it turned into a total nightmare. Now I must leave and head back to Florida. I am ok with that. But it involves renting a mobile home (I mean a trailer that you can't move) and signing a lease. I moved from Florida for a reason, and as I look back, that reason was to be able to travel and explore the Adirondacks. In all actuality, I enjoyed the journey to NY more than the destination. I also think that might be the case when I go back to Florida. I will return to a place (specific home) that I have left many times because I was unhappy. Plus, all of my "things" are there. I am a minimalist now, and I think seeing those things and being in that place, even if I am only there until my new "place" is ready, will be a downer. So I'm thinking that I might try traveling around in my Pontiac Vibe. I read here that if one were to live in a car, the Pontiac Vibe is ideal. I have made plans to fly my friend up from Florida so she can help me drive back from NY, but I am thinking that the money I spend on a plane ticket ($175.00 plus tax) could be put to better use, like buying something that will make the Vibe more comfortable to live in (at least for a while). I have my dog with me, and she simply LOVES the Vibe. That's HER car : ) I spend alot of time in that car with her and she knows that when I am in the car, I am happy and her and I do fun stuff. So I am seriously thinking about taking the plunge on Friday (after I get the Vibe's oil changed and fluid levels topped off and checked for any possible problems that might impede my roadtrip...which I don't anticipate because I just put a brand new battery and starter in it) and just traveling like Bob and Carolyn and alot of others do. I also have bear spray for protection, a knife, a bear horn, etc and I am very aware of my surroundings. Frankly, I have camped in the Vibe and never had any problems. I mean, if you want to go stealth, nobody expects someone to be living in a little car. Additionally, I am taking three classes towards my undergraduate degree, but the classes are all online, so all I need is free wifi (McDonald's/Walmart/Public Library) and I can do what I have to do online in those places. Plus, I have Daisy to consider, so I can't leave her in the car by herself. Anyways, any questions, comments or suggestions (as my highschool math teacher used to ask)?
I have been coming to this forum for years now. I am watching Carolyn's RV Life on YouTube and was inspired enough to start my own channel. I just bought Bob Well's book off Amazon last week. Before all that, I bought a Pontiac Vibe (2003 first generation) and was doing research into how to convert it into a camper. I have to say that I am 5'9" and have room left over when I put the back seats down. I can turn the car on if it gets too cold or too hot. I feel safe in that it is like sleeping in a hard-sided tent. I have great ventilation with the sunroof that slides back and all of the windows open. I just love this car. Recently, I have downsized to the point of being able to put everything in the back of my Vibe while still having enough space to sleep and I have just about accomplished that. I may purchase a rooftop cargo carrier, but I'm not sure that I need it right now. It is not on the top of my priority list. I recently moved up to NY to be with my folks, but it turned into a total nightmare. Now I must leave and head back to Florida. I am ok with that. But it involves renting a mobile home (I mean a trailer that you can't move) and signing a lease. I moved from Florida for a reason, and as I look back, that reason was to be able to travel and explore the Adirondacks. In all actuality, I enjoyed the journey to NY more than the destination. I also think that might be the case when I go back to Florida. I will return to a place (specific home) that I have left many times because I was unhappy. Plus, all of my "things" are there. I am a minimalist now, and I think seeing those things and being in that place, even if I am only there until my new "place" is ready, will be a downer. So I'm thinking that I might try traveling around in my Pontiac Vibe. I read here that if one were to live in a car, the Pontiac Vibe is ideal. I have made plans to fly my friend up from Florida so she can help me drive back from NY, but I am thinking that the money I spend on a plane ticket ($175.00 plus tax) could be put to better use, like buying something that will make the Vibe more comfortable to live in (at least for a while). I have my dog with me, and she simply LOVES the Vibe. That's HER car : ) I spend alot of time in that car with her and she knows that when I am in the car, I am happy and her and I do fun stuff. So I am seriously thinking about taking the plunge on Friday (after I get the Vibe's oil changed and fluid levels topped off and checked for any possible problems that might impede my roadtrip...which I don't anticipate because I just put a brand new battery and starter in it) and just traveling like Bob and Carolyn and alot of others do. I also have bear spray for protection, a knife, a bear horn, etc and I am very aware of my surroundings. Frankly, I have camped in the Vibe and never had any problems. I mean, if you want to go stealth, nobody expects someone to be living in a little car. Additionally, I am taking three classes towards my undergraduate degree, but the classes are all online, so all I need is free wifi (McDonald's/Walmart/Public Library) and I can do what I have to do online in those places. Plus, I have Daisy to consider, so I can't leave her in the car by herself. Anyways, any questions, comments or suggestions (as my highschool math teacher used to ask)?
