Not one of the cool kids...

[ttpadilla]

Good luck on your travels! I never thought of myself as a cool kid either...

Um, have you SEEN your rig?! You're definitely one of the cool kids. But you are more than welcome to hang out with us uncool kids anytime!

 

[Baloo]

Now I feel special!

 

[flying kurbmaster]

Thanks to the internet, the cool kids are now uncool, even though when they were hustling to fit in, they were 14, now the resentful uncools are creating the new cool but instead of being teenagers struggling with their identities they are adults still struggling with their identities. N4T I wish you a nice, safe, trouble free journey without worrying about what others think. Enjoy, It takes courage to be yourself, not heroic courage but everyday courage, by being courageous as you are, by following your dream, you are encouraging others to be courageous. The world needs more people like you.

 

[ttpadilla]

Did any of you feel excruciating anxiety the night before you hit the road? Yesterday, I was super calm, and just kind of waiting for tomorrow to arrive, but today, absolutely nothing went right, and part of me fears it is a portent of things to come. I won't list the 1001 things I'm worrying about because I know that it all boils down to one thing: Change. Is. Scary.

But, for the past 49 years my success rate for surviving scary things has been pretty close to 100% so I'm going to believe that's a lucky streak I can continue. See you all on the road...

 

[offroad]

You will do great. Boredom will be the biggest challenge some days.

 

[ttpadilla]

You will do great. Boredom will be the biggest challenge some days.

Thanks, offroad. BTW, did you get my reply to your message?

 

[cyndi]

I think pre road jitters is pretty normal. For me, they get intense as I got more used to living in my vehicle. Except when I parked for an extended time. I found I checklist really helpful in putting my fears at rest. there are a couple on line that I customized for my moho and my gear.

I liked this one
http://www.rvgoddess.com/IMAGES/PDFs/Departure_Checklist_2013.pdf

 

[Almost There]

I think pre road jitters is pretty normal. For me, they get intense as I got more used to living in my vehicle. Except when I parked for an extended time. I found I checklist really helpful in putting my fears at rest. there are a couple on line that I customized for my moho and my gear.

I liked this one
http://www.rvgoddess.com/IMAGES/PDFs/Departure_Checklist_2013.pdf

Good checklist!!

Copied and saved..thanks

I'll end up just taking off all the stuff that doesn't apply but it's a great start.

 

[ttpadilla]

I think pre road jitters is pretty normal. For me, they get intense as I got more used to living in my vehicle. Except when I parked for an extended time. I found I checklist really helpful in putting my fears at rest. there are a couple on line that I customized for my moho and my gear.

I liked this one
http://www.rvgoddess.com/IMAGES/PDFs/Departure_Checklist_2013.pdf

Super checklist, thank you! My mechanic didn't show up yesterday, to do my oil change, safety inspection, and generator repair, so that's some of my anxiety. There is ONE place in town that might do that service for me on my way out of town, and I'm planning to stop there.

 

[rvwandering]

Like Cyndi says pre-trip anxiety is fairly normal then when you add in the huge life change that it entails for most of us it can be a bit over the top. Don't worry too much - you'll be fine. And if anything goes wrong we're all here to help as much as we can.

 

[gypsychic]

Nana,

Just breathe. You will be fine.

I jumped back onto this site in my web browser instead of using Tapatalk, as the app doesn't show signatures. I thought yours was "Think fearless" which I really liked so either I'm confused (as I can be very often) or you changed it. Either way its a good montra for embarking on change. One I should remind myself also.

Sending good vibes your way. Cheers

 

[ttpadilla]

Nana,

Just breathe. You will be fine.

I jumped back onto this site in my web browser instead of using Tapatalk, as the app doesn't show signatures. I thought yours was "Think fearless" which I really liked so either I'm confused (as I can be very often) or you changed it. Either way its a good montra for embarking on change. One I should remind myself also.

Sending good vibes your way. Cheers

You're not crazy, that was my signature! Thank you for the support. Hoping to get on the road soon, but there were a ton of metal shavings in my rear differential or whatever, so my quick oil change is taking longer than I'd hoped. So far, for the lack of maintenance it's received, nothing too terrible.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I always feel a bit fearful just before moving, every time I sit somewhere for a length of time. It is easy to get comfortable. I am feeling a bit stressed at this time, as I am shifting in a couple of weeks. I have been following summer for the last eight years you would think I would relax about it all. I know, I always get excited once I get going but tidying up the loose ends is a bit of a worry so you are not alone, if that is any comfort.

 

[ttpadilla]

I always feel a bit fearful just before moving, every time I sit somewhere for a length of time. It is easy to get comfortable. I am feeling a bit stressed at this time, as I am shifting in a couple of weeks. I have been following summer for the last eight years you would think I would relax about it all. I know, I always get excited once I get going but tidying up the loose ends is a bit of a worry so you are not alone, if that is any comfort.

It is comforting to know that a veteran like you still gets fearful. Thank you!

 

[ttpadilla]

Well, so far, I'm having a wonderful time parked in a remote, and free, area of Lake Shasta
The sunrise on the lake this morning actually made me gasp. Gorgeous. I do have a few problems with the motor home (refrigerator is not working in gas mode, and there's no 12v mode on it, generator doesn't work, and my suitcase solar panel is not useable), but other than obsessively checking my battery levels to make sure I don't get stuck, I am supremely happy, and Bella is having the time of her life exploring and swimming in the lake. I'm really impressed with how quickly she's adapting. Even though there are other RVers within sight she's not wandering over to visit and has determine the boundaries of our campsite for herself.

 

[Baloo]

That is awesome! Wish I was there too! Sounds beautiful. Did you try cycling the fridge? Sometimes they will throw a fault light when there is air in the gas line. Just make sure the gas is on and try turning it off then back on a few times. (Had to do that with my old travel trailer every spring). Good luck!

 

[highdesertranger]

baloo has a good point about purging the gas line of air. is it lighting? there should be a little sight glass where you can see the flame. I imagine Shasta is pretty low. highdesertranger

 

[4GNomad]

Nana,

Congrats on hitting the road. My father has a houseboat on Lake Shasta. It is really the only type of RVing I do during the summers. I haven't been up there in a while though. The lake is actually doing pretty good with the drought. I think it is around 70% full last I checked. It is a beautiful area. Good luck with your issues. I am sure everything will work itself out.

 

[ttpadilla]

Baloo, the pilot lit no problem, in fact it was a raging inferno in there, and one of the wiring diagrams had come loose from the wall and was dangerously close top the flame so I was glad I'd checked. The igniter kept trying to ignite though and after a few seconds everything would shut off. Fortunately, some one who knew what they were doing happened my way.

Today was some kind of crazy awesome miracle or something. A couple was passing by on their morning walk (they've been RVers for 14 years) and we got to talking. I mentioned that I was going to have to leave early due to no refrigerator, and no tools to hook up my solar panel wiring. They said they'd be over after their walk, and sure enough, about 20 minutes later, they arrived, loaded up with tools. There was so much carbon build-up in the refrigerator line three igniter didn't even know the pilot was lit. This guy was so thorough. Took everything apart, cleaned it, and the fridge fired up good as new. Then he cleaned all my battery posts and connectors, and hooked up my solar panel. Then he fixed my tv antenna, inspected my roof, and gave me complete instructions on how to re-do it
Then he fixed a little leak at my water pump, then checked the oil and purged the fuel line on the generator. It now starts, but it won't stay on, so we're going to try again tomorrow. The crazy greatest part of it all is that he wouldn't let me pay him, just said to pay it forward. I got a great education today, and feel much less vulnerable. His wife is great too. We're exchanging books, and I was able to give her some fresh basil and thyme from my front dash herb garden.

Dying to write more and post pictures but I have a terrible signal here. Wilson Sleek is my very next purchase.

 

[akrvbob]

There are lots of really good people out there, many more than we tend to give credit for! I'm really glad you ran into one of them!!

I bet you're feeling a whole lot better now!
Bob