Watching from the sidelines

[pattymae625]

Hello!
I've been dreaming of this on and off for several years. I am 59, currently caretaker for my husband (89 years old tomorrow!) and sister (61 years old). Between the 3 of us we have 4 dogs and 3 cats, 1800 square foot house full of stuff and like most people debt up to the rafters. I am the only one who would love to travel, hubby & sis are both content to sit and watch TV and play their computer games. I will be honest and also state that I have mental health issues that keep me from getting my life in order. I have a new provider (therapist) and am currently off meds as the last batch wasn't helping and causing too many side effects. So my hope is too 1st find the right treatment plan, pare down my stuff and as much debt as possible for the future. In the meantime, I will enjoy dreaming and rooting you all on to the ideal life.

 

[Joseph_Grey]

Thanks for the encouragement. I am just starting out too, building my first van. Keep dreaming and good luck to you and yours!

--joe

 

[eDJ_]

If you have broadband (high speed) internet,  you could sit right there and use your computer and travel the highways yourself and see what others see.   How can you do that ?    By using Google Maps.

Here is a brief look at what you can do with it.

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/print/g...t-know-about-google-maps?playlist=Google_Maps


If you go to Google and type in the name of your city + and Maps....hit enter

You will get a map with a small yellow figure that looks like a clothes pin in the navigating
tools box.   His name is "peg man" and when you put your mouse cursor next him you will notice
he leans towards it.   You can then put our cursor on him and left click and hold down and drag Peg Man to
the map.  You will notice the roads suddenly turn Blue.  You can sit Peg Man on any of those blue roads and wait  just a few seconds and you will get a photographic view of that area there.  But that's not all.  You can look at the road and you'll see arrows that you can click on and it will advance you in that direction.  Now if you come to an intersection....you may notice an arrow to the left or right which you could click and make the turn. There is also a compass with a white end and red end.  You turning the compass you can take a look around in all directions.  

This map is of the whole USA.  But you can use the magnifying glass to zoom in and see more specific areas in greater detail.

Now If you haven't traveled much how would you know about interesting places to see ?   Well there are websites for that too.  

Only In Your State is a website that will allow you to select a State you want to find the interesting places to view.

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/

Find a State and some interesting places there to see, and then go to Google and type in the names of those places + Maps.   It should bring up a map with the Peg Man in the box somewhere.   Drag the Peg Man on he map near that area and a few seconds you will be seeing it like you are there.  

Thus you can travel from your computer at home.  See ? 

This doesn't take a long time to learn how to use and it can be a lot of fun.  A lot of Van & RV travelers use this
to pre plan their next drive on their trips.    


When you pull Peg Man out onto a Map,  see how the highways turn Blue.  He will work on any of the  Blue roads.

Within seconds Peg Man gives you a view like you are driving down the street.

This view is on Park Avenue in New York City.    Notice the two arrows in the center
that say Park Avenue.  You would click on one of them to go forward and the other to
reverse and go back. 

In a way it's like playing a computer game.

But this would enable you to travel from the sidelines.  


Want to go explore the Moon ?  Now you can with Google Maps  Let Peg Man take you there !

https://www.google.com/moon/


Now,  how about Mars ?

https://www.google.com/mars/


In my bottom website below  "edjautoservices" there are a few Trip Planners which you can use to explore
America with.   Some of these will plan side trips to see things of interest.   You only have to tell it how far off your planned path you are willing to go to see these places of interest. 

So have some fun with this virtual traveling software.  It's free and you can be on the road without having to leave home.  

 

[SoulRaven]

I'm hoping it all comes together for you soon, and having a plan/goal can go a long way in helping you get there! It can help to do something each day to work toward your goal. Start sorting things or even mapping where you hope to travel, anything that makes it feel like you are moving forward with your dream.

 

[pattymae625]

Appreciate your ideas to help me through the days..

 

[LMTLMT]

keep working on it and see you out on the road! you can do it

 

[Txjaybird]

 Hello and Welcome.  The thing I like about Hopes and Dreams  are that      #1.They are free.     #2.  Sometimes they come true.

I have enjoyed reading and have learned a lot by clicking on the  things at the top of the page like Blog, Conversions and How To.

There is also the Cheap RV Living You Tube channel and others that have people showing what they travel in and where they've been.  I like to see places I've never been to and even those I'll probably never see in person.  It saves on gasoline too

Jewellann

 

[WriterMs]

Welcome, PattyMae!

Caregiving is very stressful. There are more than a few of us on this forum who traveled before but are, for a while, sidelined so we can caregive. While being able to do so is a blessing, it also takes a mental toll.

Glad to know you are seeking changes in your own caregivers to find the right path for you.

Use this time to learn and also find your top destinations, etc. Lots of info being given that I did not know either.