Starting Out in Baltimore

[Guest]

Well I'm actually between DC and Baltimore - whatever. I'm very new to van life but it's not a new idea to me. For years I have wanted to get out and do some relief work, some charity and just live my life without all the hassle humans seem to have created for themselves. Recently my body revolted against the day to day grind I'd gotten into and has provided me with a way to finally get out - out of a 9-5 job that nearly killed me, out from under a house that is holding me back physically, mentally, emotionally and dragging me down - forcing me to live to work. Time to let go of the accumulated stuff and live simply and smart.<br><br>So far I'm so excited by the community I've seen and even though I don't yet have my vehicle I already feel like I belong - that's pretty hard for me so thank you.<br><br>I'm looking mostly at camper and step vans for their height. I'm a tall girl to start with and I have a messed up neck. Add to that I will be building a large comfy traveling/ climb cage for my 6 (yes SIX) cats. I won't be doing much in the way of urban dwelling except for when I'm on the move since the cats will need to get out and move around. They camp with me often so we're very prepared for that.<br><br>In any case, I can yammer forever. Looking forward to getting to know all of you better!<br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<b>Welcome to the Tribe Cherry.&nbsp; I have 1/2 of my family in MD.&nbsp; annapolis, Glen burnie.&nbsp; Look up Cindis posts "Finally"&nbsp; she has looked for a long time and finally found what works for her.</b><br><b>Dragonfly</b><br>

 

[Guest]

I'm a GBHS graduate. Lived there most of my life. Also did some time in Pasadena, Westminster, Reisterstown and am currently in Maryland City. I'm looking forward to learning from everyone and offering what knowledge I have.<br><br><br>

 

[stude53]

<P><FONT size=3 face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Welcome, Cherry<BR><BR>I know the DC/Baltimore area well, having grown up in the Alexandria, Va. area, worked for years in D.C.,&nbsp;and lived in Bladensburg, Md too. Live in North Carolina now.<BR><BR>You've come to the right place to get advice on the traveling life. Let us know how we can help.<BR><BR>By the way, I'm looking for a step van to convert, as I want the standup height. I'm accumulating the materials and stuff I need,&nbsp;whereever I can scrouge them.</FONT></P><BR><FONT size=3 face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Bob<BR><BR></FONT><BR><BR>

 

[sl1966]

Hi &amp; Welcome Cherry. This is a great warm place for info and ideas!<div><br></div>

 

[Guest]

Hi Bob &amp; sl1966! So far everyone I've talked to online is awesome.<br><br>Bob there are currently a ton of step vans for sale in the area here. There is a fabulous Tastycake SV - the paint is in terrific shape. It would be great for urban van life.<br><br>I am&nbsp; likely going to go with a camper van, I think it will be plenty of space I'm only 5'9 and 120 pounds. Plus, since those are already sort of laid out I can get going quicker and the cats will have plenty of space. I think I might do better to live in there for a bit before I go building in the cats' travel cubby. I want to build as close to right the first time so I'm not kicking myself later.<br><br>I have two CL ads saved and am waiting to hear back. My problem is #1 I've never driven anything that big (I drive a Durango right now) #2 I don't know much about buying/ selling cars in general and I need to get rid of my truck since that will be part of the funding for the van. Unemployment is going to cover the other part.<br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

@Cherry&nbsp; Is GBHS Glen Burnie HS?&nbsp; I think I'm going to make it to a big Halloween party my cousin Eddie throws in Glen Burnie this year. It is a small world. Last names are Middlebrooks, Schull and Feihns. <br>Dragonfly<br>

 

[cyndi]

<FONT size=3>Hi Cherry!&nbsp; Baltimore and DC are great places to escape from.&nbsp; I'm glad you find the forum.&nbsp; It's a wonderful place to keep yourself motivated and inspired.&nbsp; And to get all kinds ofhelp with just about anything!</FONT><br><br>

 

[Guest]

Hi blkjac &amp; cyndi!<br><br>@dragonfly - yepper Glen Burnie Senior High School class of 1993 I may know your relatives - GB isn't that big and I know a ton of folks, I'm bad with names.<br><br>

 

[Dust of the Sun]

Cherry-<br><br>GET OUT!!!! I went to Glen Burnie High School...tho years before you....nobody is from Glen Burnie, are they?&nbsp; Well cept you and me. Go Gophers...Had friends in Severna Park, out by Ft. Meade, Pasadena, Kent Island over the bridge etc. My high school years were highly uneventful. Went to Florida for 22 years and ended up in rural southside virginia. I haven't been in Glen Burnie for 10 years...Ritchie Hwy, Crain Hwy, the two crappy malls...there's probably more now...anyway, what a shocker. You've found a great bunch of people here...hope you find what you're looking for....I'm in the same boat. Dust<br><br>

 

[Guest]

Hiya Dust!<br><br>There's a very good chance we probably know each other.<br><br>By two crappy malls I suppose you mean Marley Station and Arundel MIlls? GB mall is now a strip mall, Harundale - which by the way was the first ever fully enclosed indoor mall on the east coast is now a strip mall.<br><br>I'm near Ft Meade in the Laurel area (Maryland City). There's a Target and a Wally World on rt. 198 both allow overnight parking. We have so much military that there are always people camping in their cars around town.<br><br>It's odd, now that I'm made this choice, when I go to the store I look closely at the other vehicles around me and it's kind of easy to spot the vehicles that are boondocking.<br><br>

 

[Vanimal]

I did a stretch at North Harford High School which is about an hour north of GBHS.

 

[Dust of the Sun]

yep, I lived right down the road from Harundale Mall in Southgate just past the ramp to Pasadena...and near what's now Arundel Hospital I believe it's called....Glen Burnie Mall was junk when I was there on the way to Brooklyn...I worked from age 18 to 26 at the big Sears Automotive Center on Ritchie Hwy just past the Glen Burnie Mall...man it's a small world...I bet I wouldn;t even recognize Glen Burnie now...wasn;t much to recommend it back then...all my family is gone from there,,,my parents bought our house in Southgate around 196o-something and my mom stayed till 1995ish. I went to Anne Arundel Community College but wasn't into it, too young...did get a whopping Associate's Degree from there...not much use. Joined the Navy and got outta there to California. Man the memories, especially of my friend's shore house in Kent Island Estates just over the Bay Bridge...did lots of fishing and crabbing at least in my teens and early 20's....still can't get over a GBHS alumni here and now at cheaprvliving.com....amazing. Dust<br>

 

[Guest]

GB is still Chrome City - always will be. Not as safe as it used to be. I remember walking everywhere. From the HS to the library in Harundale even all the way up Ritchie Hwy to Denny's. Not now. GB sadly looks like Brooklyn Park did when I was a kid. MD just has too many big cities for such a small state Baltimore, Annapolis, DC all squishing the charm out of the central part of this state including Charm City. The eastern shore is still beautiful as long as you avoid OC.<br>

 

[She]

Well I'm actually between DC and Baltimore - whatever. I'm very new to van life but it's not a new idea to me. For years I have wanted to get out and do some relief work, some charity and just live my life without all the hassle humans seem to have created for themselves. Recently my body revolted against the day to day grind I'd gotten into and has provided me with a way to finally get out - out of a 9-5 job that nearly killed me, out from under a house that is holding me back physically, mentally, emotionally and dragging me down - forcing me to live to work. Time to let go of the accumulated stuff and live simply and smart.<br><br>So far I'm so excited by the community I've seen and even though I don't yet have my vehicle I already feel like I belong - that's pretty hard for me so thank you.<br><br>I'm looking mostly at camper and step vans for their height. I'm a tall girl to start with and I have a messed up neck. Add to that I will be building a large comfy traveling/ climb cage for my 6 (yes SIX) cats. I won't be doing much in the way of urban dwelling except for when I'm on the move since the cats will need to get out and move around. They camp with me often so we're very prepared for that.<br><br>In any case, I can yammer forever. Looking forward to getting to know all of you better!<br><br>

<div><br></div><div>I can't tell you how your life is like mine and how I want to do the exact same thing your saying for the very reason your saying. I'm tired of the rat race(not that I have anything bad to say about rats...I have 3)</div><div>Welcome <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Everybody is so helpful and nice here. Its like family.</div>

 

[Dreighen]

I'm new here as well but wanted to say welcome! When I was in the Army I was stationed at Ft. Detrick, in Frederick, MD. Partied a lot up in Bmore, and moved to DC, then lived in Alexandria, VA, so that whole area is my old stomping ground. Now I'm out west!

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<B>Glad to see you back. we saved your identy for you.&nbsp; <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif"></B><BR><B><FONT color=#00ff00>Dragonfly</FONT></B><BR>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Welcome back, Cherry</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">You have been missed. Looks like you have come up with a winner with your Starcraft.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob (aka stude53)</p>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Hey Cherry</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Are you going to install a carpeted pole for your traveling companion to get to the over the cab penthouse?</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Heres a source for your gas cap.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.jcwhitney.com/1975-1999-ford-f-250/locking-gas-cap/p2019732d50236y1975-1999j1.jcwx" target=_blank>http://www.jcwhitney.com/1975-1999-ford-f-250/locking-gas-cap/p2019732d50236y1975-1999j1.jcwx</a></p>

 

[ChpperKahn]

I'm a GBHS graduate. Lived there most of my life. Also did some time in Pasadena, Westminster, Reisterstown and am currently in Maryland City. I'm looking forward to learning from everyone and offering what knowledge I have.<br><br><br>

<div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Haha I didn't know MD was such a terrible place that everyone wanted to run from it, it seems like everyone on cheaprvliving is a refugee of the place. I grew up in Reisterstown! Wow...</div><div><br></div><div>Well welcome and Happy Travels in your new van!</div><div>Tunde</div>