RE-introduction and update...

[simply lesa]

Hi everyone, it's nice to be back...<br /><br />I loved trying to sleep out in the back yard under the quilt-tents and inside the plastic (thanks dad) teepee as a kid...I grew up to live in a van in 1979ish and then in a stationary trailer as a campground hostess with my exhusband and 2 small children in the late 80's. &nbsp;I homesteaded or started to in Maine, in Virginia and in Costa Rica. &nbsp;I moved a lot after the 90's and have been traveling in Central America, especially Costa Rica for the last 7 years. &nbsp;Last year, I thought I was hitting the vandweller path a year ago and the plans got side tracked mostly by my income. &nbsp;I live on SSDI. &nbsp;I try to Keep It Simple and create adventure as I work to stay as healthy as possible. &nbsp;<br /><br />Last year I returned to the US thinking I would buy a van and jump right into vandwelling ....then realized I couldn't afford it right away and decided to cross another item off the bucket-list and I bought a backpack and took off hiking on the Appalacian Trail. &nbsp;After 2 months and getting very sick I had to stop. &nbsp;The Vandwelling idea came back up and I made an attempt at it in a Ford Explorer. &nbsp;.... then my adult son decided he wanted to visit Costa Rica and I took him back....We are in Nicaragua right now making plans to come back north through Mexico soon....and of course the butterflies are flapping thier wings in the ole stomach as we search craigslist and here for vans and campers or ideas that I can manage on my budget. &nbsp;We are looking at visiting Slab City and or the Quartzsite areas...<br /><br />I can sure use some moral support and some ideas of how to get back AND get something to live in as well.... My son is a wonderful mechanic, computer repair guy and inventive genious so making things work and be more comfy shouldn't be too difficult...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

I missed you lesa. Glad you are back.

 

[simply lesa]

thanks everyone. does anyone have contacts in or near slab city? because coming up thru mexico with backpacks we will need to get outfitted and establish enough presence to get a van registered n sfuff...i think. i would like to at least chat with someone before walking in with a tent under my arm,

i apologize for any typos im typing on a cellphone

 

[sl1966]

I do. I have very good friends who live there year round and know the lay of the land. Contact me offline.<br /><br />And Welcome back!<br /><br />

 

[sl1966]

Here's a contact email for more info on the place ... [email protected].&nbsp;<br /><br />She did say you might want to reconsider coming during the summer though. At least not without a vehicle. It's a very very rough place to be in at this time of year.<br /><br />

 

[SirJoey]

It's a very very rough place to be in at this time of year.

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Rough as far as the weather?<br />I too hope to visit there someday.<br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[sl1966]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Rough as far as the weather?<br />I too hope to visit there someday.<br /><br /></strong></span>

<br /><br />Partially, yes. The extreme weather lends itself to create a host of other problems, especially if you're not adequately prepared to fend for yourself. If you're not this can have the unintended consequence of putting you at the mercy of some potentially unfavorable types. More so if you're a woman. The fall, winter, and spring are much better for the weather and sheer number of people around.&nbsp;<br /><br />I'm not trying to give you the wrong idea about the place. I never felt unsafe while I was there and even enjoyed my visits. I'm doing my best to make perfectly clear what the conditions are like. I've got plans to spend winter (part or in whole even) there.<br /><br />The LoWs have a chapter there, and are a great group to fall in with when visiting. This is how my friend came to be there and learned about the place. http://www.lonersonwheels.com&nbsp;<br /><br />

 

[WanderingRain]

Good luck with your search. I can identify with your feelings as I too skim the online world for yet another vehicle to camp out in eventually.

 

[offroad]

simpley-lesa: am a new bee person to this all. &nbsp;but if I can do any logistics type of planning for the effort, let me know. &nbsp;am just trying to learn what others know of the lifestyle, and your story sounds very much like the liftstyle I will eventually live. &nbsp;<br /><br />was also thinking backpacking the AT trail at first. &nbsp;Have read that you need around $15k to $20k to get a van and outfit yourself for the lifestyle. &nbsp;So am trying to put that in a bank for when I decide to convert to a nomad existance. &nbsp;<br /><br />Car camping out of a tent at 105 degrees is deadly. &nbsp;I would think so. &nbsp;if you read the forums here you can find some who have a van, small AC unit, and a generator to start with. &nbsp;But you can outfit yourself for $5k to $10k that way. &nbsp;Still sounds expensive, but possible.<br /><br />

 

[simply lesa]

Thanks for the offer OffRoad. &nbsp;<br /><br />I seem to be One man down today, my son decided to return to CR for a while not sure what that will mean in the future. &nbsp;I hope we can still travel near each other in the US....&nbsp;<br /><br />I&acute;m sticking with the original plan this time...with adjustments based on wise advice of course. &nbsp;I still think it&acute;s a good idea to come north thru Guatemala and check out a couple places I wanna see, come thru Mexico into CA... not sure if starting in a tent will be my first choice for the Slabs! but I gotta get there and get started...Im open to suggestions&nbsp;<br /><br />I dont want to pay for an airline ticket and I have time on my side. &nbsp;I am more than capable of saving money even on my budget normally.... if arriving at the slabs is better with a group in Oct then so be it.... I can travel slowly and see more stuff on the way.<br /><br />wonder if I could buy something along the way - probly too many probs at the border???

 

[sl1966]

Honestly, you'd be better off getting the vehicle somewhere in Socal since you're coming up thru Mexico. If you're not in a major rush, you'll find a good road worthy vehicle (and anything else you may need there) before going to Q or Slab City. Anything that delays your arrival while it's still hot out there works in your favor.<br /><br />

 

[simply lesa]

Yuppers exactly....<br />I have learned the "where there is a will, there is a way" and even on my meager by US standards $700 SSDI monthly income...anything is possible.<br /><br />Perhaps I should scour the area in So CA for a housesit position while I look for a vehicle.

 

[sl1966]

If you happen to stay anywhere near or in orange county, ca .... there's a great Spanish/Cuban restaurant that I used to live near/eat at all the time.<br /><br />Felix's in Orange, CA. The ropa vieja there is one of my faves.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.felixcontinentalcafe.com/">http://www.felixcontinentalcafe.com/<br /><br /></a>

 

[harryoutdoors]

Good luck lesa...I'm planning to head out on the road fairly soon also. Getting a divorce and retiring at 62 so I'll be getting the smallest retirement they can give me...around $900 but, that's not too bad if I can find a van...probably going with an old ASTRO van. <br /><br />Hope you can find everything you need and live your dreams.<br />Harry<br /><br />

 

[simply lesa]

A bit more updates -&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />I am getting sooooo nervous. &nbsp;Well the butterflies are gathering in the nether regions of my stomach (oh maybe it was the water in Granada, Nicaragua! jk).<br /><br />OMGosh if things keep moving in the seemingly possitive direction that they are going right now (and it isn't some pipe dream or a craigslist scam or something wierd).. I could be back in the USA and riding in style! &nbsp;<br /><br />I found a 96 Ford e150 conversion van <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp;that has lived on the road a bit, tho not too many miles. &nbsp;It needs a little re-inspection work. &nbsp;The current owners are getting ready to come to Nicaragua in a couple weeks! (coincidence? or fate? or stupidity?&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp;hence the butterflies swarming) &nbsp;anyway.... OMGosh the owners are willing w/a deposit to fix the probs...for a reasonable amount and possibly --- drive it to the airport to meet me! is this possible! have the powers that be actually smiled in my direction?!<br /><br />Someone please pinch me and wake me up! &nbsp;or cross every appendage possible and say more prayers!<br /><br />I decided to work with Terry at www.mydakotaaddress.com for my residency because so much of the work can be done online without my physically being in the states. &nbsp;Thank you lord for that! &nbsp;After that, then I can call my credit union people again about the personal loan I am considering (after almost 8 years of living debt free) to make the transition a bit easier, then more discussions. &nbsp;In the mean time I am looking for someone on the ground in VA to take a look at the van for me - just to be sure it's not actually a pumpkin in disguise!!! oh I hope its not midnite and the tires dont turn into mice or snakes <img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp;or something...&nbsp;<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your time and reading my rant... ah stress the stuff it can do to a woman!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I hope it all works out <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Hmm...id be tempted to get the SD residency with those tax breaks and no vehicle inspection hassles...but cops here are aggressive about out of staters registering here in wv after being here ten days.&nbsp; They want that tax money.

 

[Mortisha]

Hello Simply Lesa.. glad to meet ya HuggZ

 

[Kevin H]

Great Choice with Terry at My Dakota Address.&nbsp; We've been with her for 1.5 years.&nbsp; She is terrific.<br /><br />Good luck with your transition and Happy Trails.

 

[simply lesa]

Another update - &nbsp;I decided to come back to Costa Rica and housesit for 3 weeks to help out a friend of a friend in need. &nbsp;It will give me time to save a little more money. &nbsp;The van I was looking at sold and the owners should be in Nicaragua on thier new adventure! &nbsp;Good for them. &nbsp;Okay for me. &nbsp;When the time is right, the right thing will come through - I know I have had enough experiences for me to really know that this is true. &nbsp;Sure a little whisper of "bummer" crossed my lips and then I settled with the new idea. <br /><br />I keep searching good ole craigslist and finding all sorts of kewl things..I should figure out how to share them on the classifieds here using my Android cellphone.<br /><br />I most likely will now just fly back into the states from Costa Rica because of time and because I will be bringing back a couple suitcases for a friend. &nbsp;If I wait until October I have a place to stay while I get a van - BUT and I mean but I dont wanna wait...can you hear me pouting? &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />I am looking at Couchsurfing and housesitting as options for making the transition a little easier. &nbsp;A way will show up. &nbsp;One other option I have is&nbsp;my adult son who wants to join me as a vandweller, &nbsp;I have asked him to get himself a van first so I can have a place to come to. &nbsp;He lost his job and was here in Costa Rica a while so he&acute;s kinda free. &nbsp;I sent him a little money to help him get started and he already has a real big 2 or 3 room tent so we can make do for a couple weeks while van shopping for me. &nbsp;And to give me some time for the reverse culture shock that inevidably happens when returning after a lengthy stay outside of the states.<br /><br />I try to keep myself encouraged by reading posts and all the blogs that I can find from vandwellers and full-timers. It helps AND it makes me anxious...&nbsp;<br /><br />I cannot wait to meet you guys in person - especially Bob. &nbsp;I have been reading and thinking the same stuff, all the posts and websites and PeacePilgrim books and PossumLiving and what have you since I was young and devouring the Original Mother Earth News and trying to figure out how to make the sun or a bike run a refridgerator or blender or cook stuff or washing clothes....<br /><br />Anyway. I think thats an update for now.<br />Let me know if you find a really good deal (especailly you mechanic guys) on a high top conversion van - I dont care much about rear seats or beds or &acute;stuff&acute;because I am pretty creative. &nbsp;I do care about good mechanics, and tires because I have to move in right away. &nbsp;My price range is right around $1500. Oh and my son is a mechanic and computer and electronics wiz he should be relocated near Little Rock Arkansas this week. &nbsp;<br /><br />Mortisha and anyone else fulltiming - facebook me! I have FB messanger on the cell!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[simply lesa]

Whooya! My son is still on board --- and he got the first van!&nbsp; <br />Because the plan is for him to have a van and get set up and started with vandwelling and then for me to join him in the US in a few short weeks...geez I'm gonna be anxious to join him and then after I get there we get my van! Woohoo....<br />Here's a couple pictures... (if I can get them attached)<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML">&nbsp;</div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML">&nbsp;</div>