Older VanDwellers (65+)

[Jean P.]

I am a single female and close to 65. Although in good health....I have reservations about traveling alone. I live in GA and work part time. My grown children and grandchildren live nearby. Going out west will not work for me. Any older single folks living this life in the Southeast? I would love some feedback.  

 

[cyndi]

The southeast gathering is happening as I type
"The middle 2 weeks of October at Tumbling Creek recreation area, Cherokee National forest, near Copperhill, Tn. We have had several GTGs at this spot, and it's one of our favorites..."

They're on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SE-GTG-93156553...cation=ufi

 

[TrainChaser]

Jean, what are your fears of traveling alone? Some people have more issues with the 'alone' part than the 'traveling' part, simply because they haven't done much of it before.

 

[WriterMs]

Welcome Jean!

I am over 60 and don't worry about traveling alone. I make sure someone knows in general where I am. Take normal safety precautions.

Maybe you will meet some new friends in the southeast and decide to make a short trip out west in the future. Consider the RTR! You'll meet folks there from all over the country.

 

[Jean P.]

Thanks for the info cyndi! 
I live in NW GA wish I could attend the gathering in TN.  The facebook link doesn't work for me.  :huh:

 

[Jean P.]

Jean, what are your fears of traveling alone?  Some people have more issues with the 'alone' part than the 'traveling' part, simply because they haven't done much of it before.

TrainChaser, I have lived alone for over 20 years and love it. I just don't have much experience driving on Interstates. When I travel to Atlanta I take the back roads just to keep my sanity. 

 

[Jean P.]

Thanks for the Welcome WriterMs! 
I would love to connect with others who travel the SE. 

Would love to go to the RTR. I have seen Bob's and a few other's videos. 

 

[djkeev]

It begs to be asked, do you have a Van yet?

If so, is it reliable or something that you don't trust to get you successfully from point A to point B?

If you fear the Interstate road system you do greatly limit your travels if there is any time constraint.
The secondary roads are great but they can gobble up hours driven but resulting in few miles driven.

On last Summer's trip to Oregon (almost 8,000 miles) we took a lot of secondary roads, US 2, 20 etc that were fabulous roads. I was driving an 86 VW Westfalia that really balks at the high speed limits on the Western Interstates.
In spite of that.....
We had a blast!

Even this past Summer's trip to Montana we took the VW and easily cruised at 70mph without issue. We were more in a time crunch on this last trip.

Don't be paralyzed by fear.
But do honestly examine yourself and evaluate the possibility that you may have lost some of the abilities needed to drive effectively into the future?

There is no reason for a competent driver to fear the Interstate

Dave

 

[cyndi]

Try this one jean

https://www.facebook.com/SE-GTG-931565530233197/?fref=ts

Also, here's a link with a little information about last year's Roving Florida gathering.
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Florida-Roving-GTG

 

[Jean P.]

It begs to be asked, do you have a Van yet?
There is no reason for a competent driver to fear the Interstate
Dave

Hi Dave, I don't have a van yet. I have lived in a Park Model Camper for 14 years at the same spot. I love my situation...but would love to travel in a well equipped van. 
Honestly...I am paralyzed by fear on the interstates around Atlanta. I use to drive them but now they scare me. I'm unsure of my merging skills at 90 miles per hour.  Reckon I don't need to be on the road. 

 

[Jean P.]

Try this one jean

https://www.facebook.com/SE-GTG-931565530233197/?fref=ts

Also, here's a link with a little information about last year's Roving Florida gathering.
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Florida-Roving-GTG

Thanks cyndi!!!
These links worked. 

 

[eDJ_]

I would suggest getting to know some people here.  Find opportunities to meet them when they are traveling through your area.   You may find some who would travel with you like a caravan where each of you are in a
Van of your own.   In the old days when most people traveled in Airstream Trailers towed by larger road cars,
they did this.

But today it wouldn't take but a few Vans together to Caravan.   I'm sure this board has a few women who would consider it.

The Caravan could be comprised of some couples and singles of either gender.  They may caravan to a
central location for security on the road and they go is separate directions a few miles away, perhaps to meet with others they have met and know.   They may exchange Cell numbers and emails so that they can stay in touch until they want to rally and travel together once again.   This is where it would be nice to build a network here to facilitate this. 

I would suggest that those who have receiver hitches on their van could consider finding a used serviceable
tow bar should they need to tow a Caravan member to a service facility in the case of a break down. 

I would welcome anyone to check out my sites below for ideas.  The lower site contains a link to NAPA Repair Facilities such that anyone needing repairs can find one across the USA through these NAPA affiliates.  These
are a standardized business of skilled mechanics using NAPA auto parts to make repairs with. 

These are some thoughts I would offer.  But first and foremost,  know who you are getting involved with by taking some time to build your network.

 

[kayell]

"I am paralyzed by fear on the interstates around Atlanta. I use to drive them but now they scare me. I'm unsure of my merging skills at 90 miles per hour.  Reckon I don't need to be on the road. 

Being paralyzed by fear of the interstate mess around Atlanta is completely rational.

I used to drive from upstate SC to panhandle FL by secondary highways to visit my daughter rather than go through or around Atlanta even though it added at least a couple of hours to the trip. The only other interstates that bothered me as much as the Atlanta disaster was some ungodly mess in RI. And I used to drive around the DC Beltway 5 days a week.

 

[Queen]

Hi Dave, I don't have a van yet. I have lived in a Park Model Camper for 14 years at the same spot. I love my situation...but would love to travel in a well equipped van. 
Honestly...I am paralyzed by fear on the interstates around Atlanta. I use to drive them but now they scare me. I'm unsure of my merging skills at 90 miles per hour.  Reckon I don't need to be on the road. 

I've driven through Atlanta dozens if not hundreds of times.  Many years ago I'd just roll on through, but as traffic has gotten more and more ridiculous I simply plan the trip to stop and hour or two from Atlanta, then roll through at the crack of dawn.  Not much traffic at all then, so much more doable.

 

[ArtW]

And once you're out of Atlanta, you can mainly travel on state highways, it's much more interesting IMO
I have been through Atlanta, and based on the sheer size of the highways, I'm glad i went through at about midnight, when there seemed to be little traffic, I hate driving freeways in any larger city

 

[muddy]

As a super nervous driver, interstate driving (once you escape the gravity+construction of major cities) is actually less stressful than normal driving. Hit cruise control and you can often go a long time without touching the wheel, signals or breaks.

 

[DrJean]

Hi there! Guess since you were here first I can go by 'doc' instead of Jean.



For me, I just couldn't compare having to drive about Atlanta with the rest of the nation's driving!  Let's face it, Atlanta is a world of it's own---including the airport (I've often said you can go to heaven when you die but you have to change wings in Atlanta! hahaha)

Maybe just because I see so many big trucks and Sprinter and Transit vans on the turnpike these days that I'm not aware of any need to go 90 mph in any situation?  They seem to maneuver about those of us who are fine going 60 mph in the middle lane?

I'm a newbie here but from the spirit of things  here I think if there was a gathering you really wanted to try that there'd be someone that would go out "the same time" and help keep track of you.

 

[djkeev]

Honestly, I am getting older too.

While I do run the freeways, to date I've been running them in a VW Vanagon...... 90 big horse power pishing me down the freeway!
70 mph is pretty much top speed. Stay in the right lane and read the road signs.
Try to avoid rush hour around the major cities and life is good!

We did do Chicago at rush hour with road construction last year! OMG!! What a F-ing nightmare!
Stay your course and be aware of the idiots around you.

Don't limit your life by irrational fears.
My Wife has a fear of large enclosed spaces, Casinos, Malls, Target, etc.
Her life (and mine by association) is compromised and limited by unreasonable fear.
There are things that I would do if she were not here..... But after 47 years I'm not dumping out on her now!!!

Dave

 

[DrJean]

As a super nervous driver, interstate driving (once you escape the gravity+construction of major cities) is actually less stressful than normal driving. Hit cruise control and you can often go a long time without touching the wheel, signals or breaks.

Wait!  You drive without touching the wheel?????  

 

[GotSmart]

Wait!  You drive without touching the wheel?????  

Doesn't everyone?

I guess my cat is better trained than your dog.  He lets me know when to come back to the drivers seat.