Socially awkward, introductions usually come last for me, but here goes!

[BackToBasics]

Title of the topic says a lot for what has driven me to this lifestyle, hah, but it goes deeper.<BR><BR>I thought I'd be taking my first steps in to this type of life on my own, but I've met someone, she's coming along for the ride, and as an awkward person herself, she's loving the idea. We've always felt overwhelmed by all this crazy technology despite growing up around it, and want nothing more than to get away from it, and get more in touch with nature, and what there is to see out there in the world. Too bad we can't go back in time.<BR>&nbsp;<BR>We're both folks with autism, albeit mild autism, and are both feeling a tad.. well..&nbsp;intimidated by this BIG change in living style, especially with so little life experience. We're not too sure how many people in their early 20's adopt this way of living, but we're hoping to learn from you seasoned folks at the next RTR, especially concerning the police.. So far, on test runs,&nbsp;they don't seem to like us youngsters, they get suspicious! Especially with me.. Part of what has me attempting this lifestyle are the money issues, I live on social security after being fired more times than I can count (autism doesn't fit well in most work places, communication happens on a different level with us) and it's got me a tad irritated with the average way of societal living. Over the years I've adopted a solid dislike for the system and have adopted anarchist theories, though I do respect the law, and that's one of the things that has brought me here, to learn how to survive like this. I'm not a black masked hellion that smashes windows, or a maddening wannabe martyr, I guess I just have my head in the clouds and believe that we can co-exist without so many laws on the books and systems in place if we just respect eachothers space. (I don't rant like some people you know, yes I've read around the forums. Just voicing my views so they don't become an issue later, I'm a peaceful guy and realize life's not black and white. They probably wont even come up unless I'm asked.)<BR><BR>My partner is currently in California, I'm staying in NY, getting well where I can get medical attention, so you'll all meet her at the RTR.<BR><BR>That's pretty much me. I may be an oddball, but I'm friendly! Nice to find contact with with&nbsp;people who're thriving on the road.<BR>

 

[Tara]

Hi and welcome! &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I lived in a van and a bus for 4 years in my 20s. &nbsp;Now I'm almost 30 and I have a home base and travel much less widely.</div><div><br></div><div>You sound super interesting, I hope we all make it to the RTR.</div>

 

[BackToBasics]

Tara, you have no idea.. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> My mother thinks I'm a nutjob, not only for choosing this new life, but just because I'm me! I'd live on her dime like she suggests if my almost 40 year old child of a sister wasn't such a mooch. I'm gonna prove to her that living on very little is possible.<BR>

 

[twokniveskatie]

Welcome, back to basics! i'm an east coaster also, hanging out in Pa. for right now.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>there are quite a few "younger" folks doing this very thing, in all kinds of vehicles. you'll fit right in.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>you aren't the only person around here with anarchist leanings. we pretty much cover the full range of interests, beliefs and lifestyles......we are a pretty accepting bunch.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>glad you are here<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif"></div>

 

[oldnjung]

<P>Welcome Back, and your friend in CA.&nbsp; Just moved "back" to Oregon from central CA.&nbsp;We did not make the first RTR, but my wife and I really hope to make the next one in Jan. 2012. Before we moved up here, we met Bob (Yes, THE Bob!) in the Sierras and a very cool dude indeed!! We've all been your age once. At least the ones of us who are older. One of the fundamentals of this site, forum and group is accepting people for who they are and where they are in life. So, don't worry about being young or anything else.&nbsp;jb&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

 

[sl1966]

Mellow greetings ukie dukie!<div><br></div>

 

[BackToBasics]

<P>Thanks Jband, it's not so much judgement I'm worried about, just expressing the fact that I am a little bit lost going in to this with so little time spent on this earth.<BR><BR>And Oregon, huh? That's one of the states we were considering for summer-staying, the southwestern desert gets too hot in the summer! We've been having a hell of a time planning things out on the map, especially with so little knowledge.<BR></P><P>Sl, ukie dukie? What's that? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></P>

 

[sl1966]

I'm a big fan of b&amp;w movies. I got tired of using some variant of the same greeting I've used before and pulled that one out of the memories. It's from a movie called The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer. Great flick!!!<div><br></div>

 

[Khaosinc]

Welcome <br><br>I'm a former van (and everything else) dweller who got trapped in a 'normal' life for the last 10 years. <br><br>I'm 40 as well, and trying to heal up from the last 2 years of surgeries and the resulting infections.&nbsp; Soon I will be on the road again<br><br>

 

[BackToBasics]

<P>Khaos, now you've got that Willie Nelson song in my head! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Hope you get better soon, I almost underwent surgery myself, and I know how much it sucks to have to put your plans off.. Ailments suck.</P>

 

[oldnjung]

<P>We hope to get our Blog up this week or next to tell our "story" with pics.&nbsp; A couple of things, in general,&nbsp;we have learned. Things will take longer than planned. Things will cost more than planned. (But can still be cheaper than living in house or apt.) There are many more "boondocking" sites in the mountains than on the coast. Get prepared and take short period "dry runs".&nbsp; A lot can be done in your apartment, house, garage, backyard, etc. to simulate living out of a van, car or whatever. Read everything you can on this site.&nbsp;All the original&nbsp;postings from the home page, plus all the threads on how to and where to live. This place is really nationwide, Canada&nbsp;AND the island of Guam!&nbsp;With&nbsp;links to Mexico, Australia and some European countries!&nbsp;We know a little about California, and a little about Oregon and will be glad to share when you get out west.&nbsp; Good Luck!&nbsp;</P>

 

[BackToBasics]

<P>That's where I live, primarily.. California.. I've been reading for about a year now, but no amount of reading can ready you as much as actually going out and doing it, especially with the company of seasoned travellers.. That's what I hope to gain from this whole RTR deal.</P>

 

[sl1966]

Oh cool. Where in CA BTB?<div><br></div>

 

[BackToBasics]

<P>So strange, I was just thinking about what people were going to call me.. and I was thinking, probably BTB.. Anyway, I WAS staying in San Diego, but being in the city when an earthquake happens scares the&nbsp;crap out of me.. Southern California, out in the desert, usually Niland. Slab City's just so.. mesmerizing, such a strange place. Still trying to come up with a place to go when it gets hot, though.. 110+ degree weather is not nice for a cabover..</P>

 

[user 423]

Still trying to come up with a place to go when it gets hot, though.. 110+ degree weather is not nice for a cabover..

<br><br>Yeah, it's amazing that some hardy souls stay out there year-round.&nbsp; I spent a July in OR one year near Roseburg. It did get to 100 there but 40 miles away, higher up at the BLM campgrounds, it was a good 15 degrees cooler.<br>

 

[Khaosinc]

I'm currently living in a small town by the Canadian border in WA.&nbsp; 80 degrees here in the summer and people start to melt.&nbsp; A lot of great camping areas though, both serviced and not.<br><br>

 

[BackToBasics]

Start to melt, at 80 degrees? No way.. It's gotta be humid, right? I grew up in NY, and 80+ degree summers with the humidity was worse than 95 in the shade in southern California... All that water in the air makes it intolerable!<br><br>I've been considering Taos, NM as a summer haven, I guess it only tops out at 90 there, ever, and going in to the mountains will drop it by 15 -25 degrees, similar to that BLM land in OR, but a little more dramatic. Still worried about those cops though, one ticket and I'm not eating for the rest of the month, either that or I can't drive for a while.. Can't always rely on BLM land, and campgrounds are expensive!<br>

 

[stude53]

Welcome, BackToBasics<BR><BR>I was thinking B2B as a shorter nickname, so you need to let us know what you would like to be called.<BR><BR>Good fortune on your new adventure.<BR><BR>Bob (aka stude53)<BR>

 

[Les H]

Hey BTB, welcome! I'm originally from upstate Ny, now reside in NW Alabama, 10 min from ga and 20 min from Tn. . My oldest son (20) has Asburgers, so I am somewhat familiar with the effects of it. It can make it tougher, but the forum allows you to " meet" people before you have to ( or want to) meet them face to face. I have had the pleasure of meeting several vandwellers, including Twoknives Kate, and most are some of the nicest, most laid back people you will ever encounter.
Les

 

[cyndi]

<FONT size=3>Welcome, B2B!</FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=3>I hope you'll find your fears put to rest by the experience of others, here on the forum.&nbsp;</FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=3>Personally, it's the people that claim to be "normal" that scare me!</FONT><br>