Women Only: Getting close to moving into my minivan...

[DesertRose]

Hi women! I am so glad for this section of the forum!

Out of necessity, I am going to be living in my minivan with my two dogs for a while. Probably the 2nd week of March, so about a month away.

Yeah, it's going to be "interesting!" But I would never give up my dohg babies to do this... they love the outdoors. We hike all the time, and visit dog parks and dog beaches (including Cosmo Water Park in Gilbert, AZ). I will be based mostly in Arizona (LOVE it there) and go north and elsewhere for summers. I lived in PHX/Scottsdale for 6 years recently, so I know AZ pretty well. Can't wait to go back actually. (I am currently in California, where I grew up.)

My son is a mountain man vagabond/mountain climber, etc. so he is going to help me build out my van to suit me and my 2 dogs (storage mostly going underneath the bed big enough for the 3 of us. If anyone has any suggestions specifically related to a retired/disabled woman living in her minivan with 2 dogs, please feel free to reply! I would greatly appreciate it.

I was at the RTR recently, and loved it. I am kind of shy in making connections, so I didn't make as many as I would have liked. A concern I have is connecting up with others on the road and learning, fellowshipping with them and possibly traveling with them for a bit here and there.

I'm kind of like how Bob has described himself - I am an introvert, but I like people around, not necessarily too close, but nearby. I consider myself an "outgoing introvert." I think a lot of vandwellers can relate to that. Love people but need a lot of alone time in nature with the pups. I don't think I could do what Carolyn RV Life does and go out for many days or a couple weeks. That would drive me nuts! I certainly admire it though.

I love all the YouTube channels of various people, have learned so much! Keep them coming everyone!

 

[SilverVoyager]

If you qualify for a handicapped parking placard, get one, they are free and allow you to park close enough to pick up free WiFi! Or shady spots when needed.
If you have a van with side doors, park next to a curb, it makes it easier to get in and out, for you and doggies.
Put an emphasis on a comfortable bed! I found a comfortable folding mattress at Walmart online. It’s the 4” memory foam one, not the thinner ones. It was $100 with free shipping and worth every penny.
March in Las Vegas has good weather and lots of casino parking lots and Walmarts.
Good luck.

 

[CoachOnTheRoad]

Good luck! I've been in a mini-van since June 2017...what a ride! Also disabled, with a handicapped placard for my vehicle, which helps me on down days when I can't walk as far when I'm shopping. My disability includes chronic fatigue, brain fog, and muscle problems...so pacing is the key for me. It's still a process I'm working out, there is a lot more physical activity in this lifestyle. On the plus side, I feel healthier living like this! 

I use to be content to sit alone in my apartment (gave up the apartment last year) ...but I've turned into an extroverted introvert since starting this journey! 

Mary Ellen

 

[DesertRose]

Hi SilverVoyager and CoachontheRoad, thanks for your helpful replies! It's been a very hectic past week so I apologize for not acknowledging sooner (SilverVoyager). I have a wonderful woman and her daughter taking over my rented house in CA and have been busy with the transition.

I do have a disabled placard so that will help. I don't use it unless I really need to. One thing I have decided is to get a PortaPotty instead of a LuggableLoo, will definitely be worth the extra money and the loss of space involved. Still figuring out power sources, I think I will be getting a Yakima cargo box for the roof and start with one flexible solar panel. Jamie featured a power jumper recently and I've decided to get that after seeing so many YouTubers complaining about dead batteries     Worth the money I think.

I have health issues that will require me to stay fairly close to my (new and amazing) doctors in SoCal, so I may stay close to CA for the next 6 months (within a day's drive). Easy for me, I'm a desert rat who also loves the mountains. It involves new treatment for a virus I did not know that I contracted while in utero. It's a virus that 9 out of 10 people carry, but only 1-2 experience severe symptoms and repercussions during their life span. Sometimes it takes several decades before you find a doctor who thinks outside the box and really cares.

Eventually I would like to get a box van and build it out. All in due time... excited about the new COSMIC women's caravan.

 

[mert3957]

Hi SilverVoyager and CoachontheRoad, thanks for your helpful replies! It's been a very hectic past week so I apologize for not acknowledging sooner (SilverVoyager). I have a wonderful woman and her daughter taking over my rented house in CA and have been busy with the transition.

I do have a disabled placard so that will help. I don't use it unless I really need to. One thing I have decided is to get a PortaPotty instead of a LuggableLoo, will definitely be worth the extra money and the loss of space involved.

I just came across this post from a while ago. Did you get a porta potty? How did it work out in you mini-van? Any problem emptying? Thanks!

 

[maki2]

Most people don't seem to realize that there is another name for what you consider your personality. A person who is not all the way a massive total introvert or a massively total extrovert is known as an "ambivert". An ambivert has some characteristics of both sides of that seesaw. Most people are ambiverts. You for instance are very much an ambivert. Wear the label proudly, it means you are a well balanced individual.