Theadyn's van and trip log
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highdesertranger
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ah you all are teasing me, lets get some details. highdesertranger
rvpopeye
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Got you guys covered. This is something I have used extensively.
It has a program that will do both , download from YT and convert to mp3.
DVD Videosoft Free Studio
All that and so much more..................
www.dvdvideosoft.com
for windows and mac , not sure if they have an android app.
It has a program that will do both , download from YT and convert to mp3.
DVD Videosoft Free Studio
All that and so much more..................
www.dvdvideosoft.com
for windows and mac , not sure if they have an android app.
highdesertranger
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great news good to hear. highdesertranger
Well.. looks like I'll be needing a brake job in the future. *shakes fist at Van Halen* I may go broke trying to get her completely fixed, but when I consider it's also home, should I need it, I guess that is okay.
Just got back from a 3 day weekend from southern Oklahoma, at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Didn't drive Van Halen, as we were pulling a cargo trailer that his family was going to sleep in, so we went in the old guy's big old RV. 'Lovingly' named Georgie Porgie, haha. So, I was a passenger on this trip. It was a little bittersweet, as I would have been 10 times happier in my van than the bigger rig.
I got to thinking, reading this morning trying to catch up on here what I missed out on those days I was gone. That '..Single on the Road' thread really got me thinking. If I were honest, I think I deliberately went with switching from the big huge RV down to a van. It really is made for one. Which has gotten me thinking more and more... you know.. life stuff. Where I'm headed. Am I really happy here? You know, serious crap. And I know I am the only one with that answer.
I really only find any happiness or excitement while planning trips, tweaking the van, and reading up on other's travels and lives of people on wheels.
Which brings me to the other topic, about failure to launch/launching to failure. I think both ways are right. I do have fear, I know that, and may just have to one day say 'do it'. Cause if you wait for it all to be perfect, and all.. will never happen. But, I am also trying to get my ducks in a row, if you will. I do need to figure out the income source. I know I will be out there in the future, no clue when. Could be tomorrow due to circumstances, could be in a few years. Guess I'm planning for both scenario's, haha. I could hop in the van right now, live in it if need be, and hope to find an income source before my tiny savings are gone. Or, I could keep on working on the van while trying to figure out the income source. For now, I'm grateful it isn't thrust on me without option and have/had had time to plan. No idea if this is making any type of sense.
In the meantime, I am trying to get on disability for my wrist and other things. Slow process, I know. It's in the medical review phase and I expect my denial anytime, lol. Due to wrist, I'm finding it pretty hard to figure out the income thing. My line of work is just not possible (hence the disability). I can't imagine going back to school at 44 and tacking on debt for years for the 'maybe' job market. Been there, done that. I prefer to stay debt free, thank you. I've ran into so many scams trying to find online work, but I'm still looking in to that avenue. My other ever so often job cleaning RV's for my sister pretty much got taken from her daughter that needed the cash, so.. Yeah, I keep telling myself to stop working for family! Rambling here, but the money thing is on my mind constantly. Can't help it.
I will tell you one thing, though... I will use my small emergency fund if I have to to get to the RTR. I will not miss it again this year.
Just got back from a 3 day weekend from southern Oklahoma, at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Didn't drive Van Halen, as we were pulling a cargo trailer that his family was going to sleep in, so we went in the old guy's big old RV. 'Lovingly' named Georgie Porgie, haha. So, I was a passenger on this trip. It was a little bittersweet, as I would have been 10 times happier in my van than the bigger rig.
I got to thinking, reading this morning trying to catch up on here what I missed out on those days I was gone. That '..Single on the Road' thread really got me thinking. If I were honest, I think I deliberately went with switching from the big huge RV down to a van. It really is made for one. Which has gotten me thinking more and more... you know.. life stuff. Where I'm headed. Am I really happy here? You know, serious crap. And I know I am the only one with that answer.
I really only find any happiness or excitement while planning trips, tweaking the van, and reading up on other's travels and lives of people on wheels.
Which brings me to the other topic, about failure to launch/launching to failure. I think both ways are right. I do have fear, I know that, and may just have to one day say 'do it'. Cause if you wait for it all to be perfect, and all.. will never happen. But, I am also trying to get my ducks in a row, if you will. I do need to figure out the income source. I know I will be out there in the future, no clue when. Could be tomorrow due to circumstances, could be in a few years. Guess I'm planning for both scenario's, haha. I could hop in the van right now, live in it if need be, and hope to find an income source before my tiny savings are gone. Or, I could keep on working on the van while trying to figure out the income source. For now, I'm grateful it isn't thrust on me without option and have/had had time to plan. No idea if this is making any type of sense.
In the meantime, I am trying to get on disability for my wrist and other things. Slow process, I know. It's in the medical review phase and I expect my denial anytime, lol. Due to wrist, I'm finding it pretty hard to figure out the income thing. My line of work is just not possible (hence the disability). I can't imagine going back to school at 44 and tacking on debt for years for the 'maybe' job market. Been there, done that. I prefer to stay debt free, thank you. I've ran into so many scams trying to find online work, but I'm still looking in to that avenue. My other ever so often job cleaning RV's for my sister pretty much got taken from her daughter that needed the cash, so.. Yeah, I keep telling myself to stop working for family! Rambling here, but the money thing is on my mind constantly. Can't help it.
I will tell you one thing, though... I will use my small emergency fund if I have to to get to the RTR. I will not miss it again this year.
GrantRobertson
Well-known member
Theadyn said:
I was 45 when I went back to school, just to finish my Bachelor's. I ran up $60k in debt and I still have 5 credits left to finish. But I would and will do it again in a second.
If I hadn't gone back to school I would never have invented the education system I have now devoted my life to completing. I would have just kept working jobs I didn't like to pay rent and to stay alive so I could continue to work at jobs I don't like. I now plan to work on my Master's on-line while living on BLM land in the mountains. Then I will go for my Ph.D. in Information Science. All because, when I was about to loose my house and become homeless, a friend reminded me that I had been wanting to go back to school for years, and now the fates had left that as my only option. The best advice I have ever received.
Had a wonderful visit with Tony and Karen while they were through my town. Such a sweet couple. 
Toured the museum, even the parts that weren't Route 66 related. I swear I find something new there every time. Then went for Italian and got to really visit with them and learn some of the life of a full timer. Thank you guys for your company and conversations!!
About the brakes... guess the bf finally took pity on me and said he would look at them. I had already had plans today to meet my daughter and husband in Oklahoma City (they needed some things from their house in my town that is for sale, OKC was in the middle), so I didn't really expect a lot, just a look and advise. Darned if he didn't take both front wheels apart, put on new rotors and pads, along with doing the back wheels. I guess all of them were bad. Very glad I have not been a lead foot in that van, preferring to ease into stopping with plenty of time. I am yet poorer for the parts, thank goodness for the free labor, but will have all 4 wheels with new brakes and rotors on the front (not sure about back yet, it's still apart in the shop).
Funny thing I gotta mention, haha... the bf's doggy decided the front passenger seat was HIS... hardly leaving the seat all day. The few times I went out there he was curled up and content as can be, haha!!
I've started mturking in my spare time to work on replenishing the fundage part. It's slow going and low pay at first, but I'm going to give it a shot for a while. I've read you've gotta do 'x' amount of tasks to get to the better paying stuff. Of course, it takes a while to get the groove of it, I'm still in the learning phase. But it is with Amazon, and months ago when I tried it out, sure enough, it paid into my checking account, so that part is legit, at least.
Once the brakes all good I will probably head out to my daughters place for a day or two, try out the tranny good and the brakes, and sleep in the cold to get a good feel for it before the RTR. Probably between Thanksgiving and Christmas will be good. Can't wait to get this baby on the road!!!
Toured the museum, even the parts that weren't Route 66 related. I swear I find something new there every time. Then went for Italian and got to really visit with them and learn some of the life of a full timer. Thank you guys for your company and conversations!!About the brakes... guess the bf finally took pity on me and said he would look at them. I had already had plans today to meet my daughter and husband in Oklahoma City (they needed some things from their house in my town that is for sale, OKC was in the middle), so I didn't really expect a lot, just a look and advise. Darned if he didn't take both front wheels apart, put on new rotors and pads, along with doing the back wheels. I guess all of them were bad. Very glad I have not been a lead foot in that van, preferring to ease into stopping with plenty of time. I am yet poorer for the parts, thank goodness for the free labor, but will have all 4 wheels with new brakes and rotors on the front (not sure about back yet, it's still apart in the shop).
Funny thing I gotta mention, haha... the bf's doggy decided the front passenger seat was HIS... hardly leaving the seat all day. The few times I went out there he was curled up and content as can be, haha!!
I've started mturking in my spare time to work on replenishing the fundage part. It's slow going and low pay at first, but I'm going to give it a shot for a while. I've read you've gotta do 'x' amount of tasks to get to the better paying stuff. Of course, it takes a while to get the groove of it, I'm still in the learning phase. But it is with Amazon, and months ago when I tried it out, sure enough, it paid into my checking account, so that part is legit, at least.
Once the brakes all good I will probably head out to my daughters place for a day or two, try out the tranny good and the brakes, and sleep in the cold to get a good feel for it before the RTR. Probably between Thanksgiving and Christmas will be good. Can't wait to get this baby on the road!!!
We enjoyed visiting with you so much Theadyn! Very good news about your brakes and your bf willingness to help you. Hope the mturking works out.
Hope the mturking works out.A funny thing happened this week, I had to share.
It was a Tuesday and my sister-in-law (late hubby's sister) was having a rough time. Won't go in to the 'why's', so let's just say, she needed some cheering up. I had a doc's appointment that morning, and we decided afterwards we would hop in a car and head over to the casino (about 25 minutes from where we live) and hang out and play a while.
Little did she know I would be showing up in Van Halen. I still needed to get her on the road to try out the new stuff, so it was perfect. Now's where it got interesting. Although she has been following my blog, she has never gotten to see Van Halen in person.
The girl thinks it's cooler than sheet! I was showing her around in it, she kept saying 'A person can live in this!'. Yeah, her light bulb went off on it, big time!
Her eldest daughter showed up for her lunch break, and we were still hanging out in the van. We had her daughter get in, too. Since it was lunch, I thought it would be cool to just cook her lunch, right there, in the van. You shoulda seen their eyes when I popped out a cooker, a pot, and canned lunch and cooked everything right there and served it. I kinda floored 'em, if I do say so myself. *blows on nails*
After that, took sis-in-law to casino, got lunch and visited for a long while. Then we hit the fake slots, lol. Neither one of us has much moola, so we 'gambled' on $20 each, lol. It actually lasted a few hours. Kept calling me her 'lucky charm' cause whenever I would sit by her, her winnings would go up. When I hit zero I went outside for a breather, that's when her lucky left, lol, and soon she was down to zero. But meh, we had fun.
On the way back we talked a while about her living situation. It's not good right now. She is leaning towards looking for a bigger RV to live in soon (she has 3 kids still in school). Probably after tax time. But I will help her find one. There always seems to be those big older class A's that no one really wants anymore. I'd even drive it for her and park it where she wants. Or a travel trailer and have someone I know tow it for her.
What's funny though, was she was already thinking this way. But then she hung out in my van just a little while, and it seemed to solidify her thinking. I thought it was cool!
Oh, and by the way..
Now my daughter and new hubby are thinking the same thing. They are having to stay in a travel trailer at and RV park right now and are actually liking it. They see all the benefits. They already have their sticks 'n bricks house up for sale and are living 3 hours from it, for his job. So they are thinking, after the house sells, instead of buying something else like that and being stuck, why not buy something they can move around? Uhhh yeah! They were already in to the tiny house thinking. And now they are having to live and move around for his job and seeing how 'stuck' they are with stationary houses. They've been living in a company provided small travel trailer for about 6 months now, and it's working.
Will be taking a small road trip today in Van Halen to test out her driving.
It was a Tuesday and my sister-in-law (late hubby's sister) was having a rough time. Won't go in to the 'why's', so let's just say, she needed some cheering up. I had a doc's appointment that morning, and we decided afterwards we would hop in a car and head over to the casino (about 25 minutes from where we live) and hang out and play a while.
Little did she know I would be showing up in Van Halen. I still needed to get her on the road to try out the new stuff, so it was perfect. Now's where it got interesting. Although she has been following my blog, she has never gotten to see Van Halen in person.
The girl thinks it's cooler than sheet! I was showing her around in it, she kept saying 'A person can live in this!'. Yeah, her light bulb went off on it, big time!
Her eldest daughter showed up for her lunch break, and we were still hanging out in the van. We had her daughter get in, too. Since it was lunch, I thought it would be cool to just cook her lunch, right there, in the van. You shoulda seen their eyes when I popped out a cooker, a pot, and canned lunch and cooked everything right there and served it. I kinda floored 'em, if I do say so myself. *blows on nails*
After that, took sis-in-law to casino, got lunch and visited for a long while. Then we hit the fake slots, lol. Neither one of us has much moola, so we 'gambled' on $20 each, lol. It actually lasted a few hours. Kept calling me her 'lucky charm' cause whenever I would sit by her, her winnings would go up. When I hit zero I went outside for a breather, that's when her lucky left, lol, and soon she was down to zero. But meh, we had fun.
On the way back we talked a while about her living situation. It's not good right now. She is leaning towards looking for a bigger RV to live in soon (she has 3 kids still in school). Probably after tax time. But I will help her find one. There always seems to be those big older class A's that no one really wants anymore. I'd even drive it for her and park it where she wants. Or a travel trailer and have someone I know tow it for her.
What's funny though, was she was already thinking this way. But then she hung out in my van just a little while, and it seemed to solidify her thinking. I thought it was cool!
Oh, and by the way..
Now my daughter and new hubby are thinking the same thing.
They are having to stay in a travel trailer at and RV park right now and are actually liking it. They see all the benefits. They already have their sticks 'n bricks house up for sale and are living 3 hours from it, for his job. So they are thinking, after the house sells, instead of buying something else like that and being stuck, why not buy something they can move around? Uhhh yeah! They were already in to the tiny house thinking. And now they are having to live and move around for his job and seeing how 'stuck' they are with stationary houses. They've been living in a company provided small travel trailer for about 6 months now, and it's working. Will be taking a small road trip today in Van Halen to test out her driving.
You're converting the whole family! :-D
Heading out this morning for a mini trip to my daughters for a couple days. It's only 3 hours away, but will be a good road test and camp test with the cold.
I believe the temps here will be about the same as it will be for the RTR, so it will be a good try out. 60-ish during the day, 40-ish at night, give or take. Will be parking in the drive of the RV lot my daughter and hubby are staying in. Hehe.. stealth camping in an RV parking lot. Aim to check out the museums they have in their town.
Did take her out for a good spin yesterday, and man oh man, she was purring. I do admit, I was a wee bit afraid getting behind the wheel. Might sound stupid, so be it, but with her repairs and the not really going anywhere lately, I haven't driven her in a while, preferring to drive my tiny car when running errands around town and the like. Van Halen is just so much bigger, kinda intimidating. But once I got in her, it was nothing. Nothing, I tell you!! So that's another reason for the trip today. I intentionally aim to drive her through big Oklahoma City, even exploring it a bit of the city on the way to the daughters place, and on the way back. Really get a feel for her in traffic and the rush, and all.
Spent the rest of the afternoon rearranging, yet again, the inside of Van Halen. Getting her ready for RTR. Removed stuff I won't be needing, found lots more storage space, and figuring out what is still needed to go in.
I've always been the over thinker in trip planning in the past, to the point it stressed me out. Am really trying not to this time. The basics of all I need are in there already. All that's missing is clothing and more food and water.
Cheers all!!
I believe the temps here will be about the same as it will be for the RTR, so it will be a good try out. 60-ish during the day, 40-ish at night, give or take. Will be parking in the drive of the RV lot my daughter and hubby are staying in. Hehe.. stealth camping in an RV parking lot.
Aim to check out the museums they have in their town.Did take her out for a good spin yesterday, and man oh man, she was purring. I do admit, I was a wee bit afraid getting behind the wheel. Might sound stupid, so be it, but with her repairs and the not really going anywhere lately, I haven't driven her in a while, preferring to drive my tiny car when running errands around town and the like. Van Halen is just so much bigger, kinda intimidating. But once I got in her, it was nothing. Nothing, I tell you!!
So that's another reason for the trip today. I intentionally aim to drive her through big Oklahoma City, even exploring it a bit of the city on the way to the daughters place, and on the way back. Really get a feel for her in traffic and the rush, and all. Spent the rest of the afternoon rearranging, yet again, the inside of Van Halen. Getting her ready for RTR.
Removed stuff I won't be needing, found lots more storage space, and figuring out what is still needed to go in. I've always been the over thinker in trip planning in the past, to the point it stressed me out. Am really trying not to this time. The basics of all I need are in there already. All that's missing is clothing and more food and water.
Cheers all!!
sassypickins
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"All that's missing is clothing and more food and water."
Now that's music to the ears! Have a blast!
Sassy
Now that's music to the ears! Have a blast!
Sassy
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Theadyn said:Hehe.. stealth camping in an RV parking lot.
Now THAT'S hard-core!
Bob
Success! Nary a knock on my door. Although... I did have the RV park owner drive by reaaaaallll slow one morning as I was putting on some makeup. Guess he was making sure I wasn't plugged up to any of their stuff. They drove off and not another word. Stealth RV park camping, score!! lol
The first night I lit my smallest buddy heater, warmed up the place, got under the comforter with the wool blankie on top and slept pretty darn good until the morning. Next morning, it was 39 degrees out, and the stupid %*@#$!@!@!@#!~@! heater would not light!! argh!!! lol I put un extra fuzzy socks and a jacket and lit the single butane burner with the water all ready to go in the kettle for coffee, it seemed to warm it up enough. I made coffee, covered back up some, and read a while as I sipped on hot coffee.
Stupid heater.. I did already have the little buddy heater, the vertical standing one, but had loaned it to my nephews during the ice storm after Thanksgiving as they were without heat. So I had this smaller one as a backup that I took. Let me just say... I HATE THAT ONE!!! It kept getting knocked over no matter what I did. Then, the meanie wouldn't light the next morning. Took the propane bottle off, plenty in there, that wasn't it. Come to find out, the ignitor is messed up. It's been barely used, as well. Grrr...
All this to say, I broke down and bought yet another little buddy heater that was on sale at Wally World for $70, preferring my nephews and family to keep my other one in case they need heat. Mucho happier with the one that sits without falling over and has a shut off in case it does happen to fall over.
Anyways... lol
When I got back today I went ahead and hit the store for food and more water, I think I'm set on that now. (will replenish there as needed) I got things that were shelf stable, so as to stay away from needing refrigeration or a cooler. Keeping it simple.
My small folding solar panels came in today, can't wait to try them out. Will keep it out at the RTR to keep my battery pack charged up. There's 2 USB ports, in case anyone else is in need. The battery pack is pretty cool, will keep up my phone and tablet charged a few times over with a charge. Since I don't really have much else that needs charging, this should work pretty well. My lights are either a solar powered lantern or puck lights that has batteries, and I've got a store of batteries ready to go.
Have some other things I'm in the works on doing, major life change stuff. Hoping it will sort itself out before next month.
Cheers all!!
Nary a knock on my door. Although... I did have the RV park owner drive by reaaaaallll slow one morning as I was putting on some makeup. Guess he was making sure I wasn't plugged up to any of their stuff. They drove off and not another word. Stealth RV park camping, score!! lolThe first night I lit my smallest buddy heater, warmed up the place, got under the comforter with the wool blankie on top and slept pretty darn good until the morning. Next morning, it was 39 degrees out, and the stupid %*@#$!@!@!@#!~@! heater would not light!! argh!!! lol I put un extra fuzzy socks and a jacket and lit the single butane burner with the water all ready to go in the kettle for coffee, it seemed to warm it up enough. I made coffee, covered back up some, and read a while as I sipped on hot coffee.
Stupid heater..
I did already have the little buddy heater, the vertical standing one, but had loaned it to my nephews during the ice storm after Thanksgiving as they were without heat. So I had this smaller one as a backup that I took. Let me just say... I HATE THAT ONE!!! It kept getting knocked over no matter what I did. Then, the meanie wouldn't light the next morning. Took the propane bottle off, plenty in there, that wasn't it. Come to find out, the ignitor is messed up. It's been barely used, as well. Grrr... All this to say, I broke down and bought yet another little buddy heater that was on sale at Wally World for $70, preferring my nephews and family to keep my other one in case they need heat. Mucho happier with the one that sits without falling over and has a shut off in case it does happen to fall over.
Anyways... lol
When I got back today I went ahead and hit the store for food and more water, I think I'm set on that now. (will replenish there as needed) I got things that were shelf stable, so as to stay away from needing refrigeration or a cooler. Keeping it simple.
My small folding solar panels came in today, can't wait to try them out. Will keep it out at the RTR to keep my battery pack charged up. There's 2 USB ports, in case anyone else is in need. The battery pack is pretty cool, will keep up my phone and tablet charged a few times over with a charge. Since I don't really have much else that needs charging, this should work pretty well. My lights are either a solar powered lantern or puck lights that has batteries, and I've got a store of batteries ready to go.
Have some other things I'm in the works on doing, major life change stuff. Hoping it will sort itself out before next month.
Cheers all!!
