New guy intro...and looking to adventure...something?

[Divad]

Greetings from Washington State. I would like to introduce myself, get to know some of you and I have a kazillion questions! My background...single Father of two for the past 13 years and will be an "empty nester" by next summer. Out of all the travel ideas that have zipped through my brain these past months...van travel has hit a direct bulls eye for me and I do have questions!!!

The regular stuff...who, what, when why and where of course but also the the average age of van travelers. Get together events? How many of you have met on the road and remain friends? Not so much about your rig but about the people involved. There are a million more for sure and I wish I was out there with ya tonight sharing in person. Until then, it's the net.

Cheers.

 

[Drifted_Cowboy]

Welcome. Any particular geography that's calling your name?

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome Divad! You might find answers to your questions by reading through the forum posts but I think it's a little hard to find information that way so I'll give it a shot. The major get together is the RTR - http://www.cheaprvliving.com/gatherings/ - held every winter in Quartzsite Arizona. A lot of long time friendships develop between people who meet at RTRs. We've only been to one and still keep in touch with people that we met there. We've also met quite a few members on the road. The people who visit this forum are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet so don't hesitate to contact a member if you notice that someone is in the same area as you.

Ages run from 20s to 70s but most people seem to somewhere in their 40s to 60s. Maybe more singles than couples. Why is sometimes necessity, some times wanderlust, probably a combination of both for most people.

Ask away! Hope you get to join all of us out here on the road.

 

[Patrick46]

Hello, from down in Oregon!!

What part of WA are you from Divad?? What do ya do workwise?? Do you do much camping now??
Are you considering vandwelling as a permanent thing, or just for weekend travels??


Welcome to the forum!

 

[Divad]

Sheesh...thanks guys! Currently, I'm in between Thurston and Lewis County. But in W. Washington all my life. Travel wise?? I have no idea yet. I guess it would be short outings to start but it sure would be nice to hit the road for a couple months in a "stealth" van. Simply blend in wherever and soak up everything possible, meet some rad people and who knows maybe find new place to grow new roots. I suppose anything is possible and I should expect the unexpected.

Again, thank you the warm welcome and I look forward to getting to know more of you. Cheers!

 

[Suanne]

Welcome! I'm in Western WA too, the Snoqualmie Valley (but, worked in your neck of the woods prior to taking early retirement). I think if you attend the RTR gathering in Quartzsite in January, you'll be both inspired and informed. There's lots of knowledgable "VanDwellers" that attend in every type and flavor of mobile-living vehicle that you can imagine (big RV's to cars, tents, bicycles ... and lots of vans). Information is freely shared among like-minded folks.

Your idea to take some short outings first is a good one. It's an effective way to see if vandwelling is for you. As well as to start considering what your mobile lifestyle might be like. Like many, I put on lots of miles at first, exploring lots of new places. Now, I think I'm transitioning into being more of a snowbird. Regardless, I love living in nature.

It's good to have another PNW'er here

Suanne

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Welcome David
We travel as a couple, with a mini dog. Margie 56 and me 67. We're loving the vandwelling lifestyle. Having already been in travel mode, it wasn't hard downsizing into a van.
We popped into the RTR last winter and met some cool folks, and have met several members during our travels.

I think if you get out there for a few months you'll be hooked.

 

[GotSmart]

Single father of two? My 3rd just graduated from college, and I am hitting the road in about a week. I have spent the past 8 months building my home. Thanks to the people here, and at Ramchargercentral. There is fantastic information to be had for the asking.

I am 55, and will be coming from the Heartland. Miserable Muggy Missouri. I will be hitting the LA area, and mostly going up Highway 1. I do not plan on doing the "stealth" thing. I have a logical story of looking for a friendly place to settle down in.

 

[Patrick46]

look around on this board, and you'll see folks who are totally into the stealth thing, and alot who think that it's more a state of mind than anything else. (me included)

I can be completely invisible sitting in the front row of the SuperBowl if I really wanted to.
Knowing how is the big secret.

 

[GotSmart]

look around on this board, and you'll see folks who are totally into the stealth thing, and alot who think that it's more a state of mind than anything else. (me included)

I can be completely invisible sitting in the front row of the SuperBowl if I really wanted to.
Knowing how is the big secret.

Just a Hobbit!

 

[Divad]

The stealth thing...yeah, part of it is the sport I suppose and a part of it is having the ability to do so. What I really want is to choose my own back yard at my pace as that would be priceless to me. I'm crafty and can built the right rig, stay on budget and in no way a hobbit! The goal is to set an example of what is possible, meet people with the same ambitions and live a great life. Back as a kid, I lived in a station wagon "down by the river" by choice. It was fun and the stories still linger on today. As an adult...I see adventure and cool new people to connect with, fun new what-everish stuff...memories and friends.

I'll be picking out a van this winter when the prices are half of what they are today and build away. Until then, if the community doesn't mind...I'll be watching your posts, learning more and hopefully get to know each other by the time I hit the road. Gosh, thanks again for the warm welcome. So cool!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I'm one of those who has gone beyond stealth a long time ago, but I don't have to live in a city and try to hide myself as some who work and reside in one place. Only been told to move 1 time in all the years I've been traveling and that was in Bend, Or. I understand the NE is quite different, but I don't plan on visiting any of those cities anyhoo.
For the fulltime traveler, I don't think trying to be stealth is worth it.
Its all about picking the right spot to have a peaceful night of rest.

Now, if I could have a cloaking device, that would be fun. Well, until some unsuspecting driver tried to park in the same place

 

[Patrick46]

An Invisibility cloak is a good thing!

 

[Drifted_Cowboy]

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/...y-cloak-that-hides-objects-from-visible-light

 

[Divad]

Good stuff folks! I won't need a cloak because I have a special rug chosen for my future van that is a "magic carpet". It will be blessed by a Buddhist, a Shaman and a Priest before I trek on my journey Seriously. Which reminds me of the Bill Murray scene in Caddyshack..."so I got that going for me"...if I could just get the attention of the Dalai Lama, I'd ask him for a blessing as well. I look forward to catching up with many of you in person when my time is right. Until then, I'll be cruising the board and learning more. Again, thank you for the warm welcome. Cheers!

 

[blkjak]

welcome....blkjak