Thursday, May 31, 2012

What to do? What to do?

What me work?  Now?


Tomorrow morning, I am schedule for job interview.  You know while on unemployment you must apply at least, 3 x's  a week for jobs.  Well, I got a call yesterday.  Someone thinks I fit the bill for this job  and they want to interview me.   What a revolting development this is!!!!!!!! 

I have turned this over to God.  I can not make up my mind.  Do I want to go back to work or not?  The money is not what I'm used to making but not too, shabby.  It sure would boost my income and allow me to buy a better rig instead of an older model.  The big issue here is it will push back my getting out there on the road a few months or maybe a year.  I just can't think about this any longer. 

Have decided to let it flow with all the positive energy I have in me and hope some revelation will come to me.  Now, there is always the chance they won't hire me, then problem solved.  At least for a little while. 

Happy Trails!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Yikeees! That was a close one.

The hype people put out there when selling stuff ..

Nope, that was not the Class B for me, thank you very much.  It was not in good shape at all.  Back to the drawing board.  I think my first idea of a truck and a travel trailer is the best way for me to go.  A small travel trailer trailer, under 20 ft, I'm thinking.  I will continue to search until I find the right one for me.

GATE GUARDING YES OR NO ?

Are you guys familiar with this kink of work?  I have been doing some checking and calling.  Although, some companies do not want single women or singles for that matter, it does sounds like it might be something I would be interested in doing , for short periods at a time.

Any insight for those of you who are doing it or who have done it?  I wold be interested in your points of view.

Happy Trails!


Saturday, May 26, 2012

This might be a possibility...just saying.

Stopped by to place eyes on this 1995 Jayco motor home. I know itis old but the price is good.  It is a good way to start.  Th Jayco defiantly needs some TLC and a bit of body work on the drivers side.  I could see the inside through the windows and it could use a cleaning but not too, bad.  

One thing is the AC is leaking and would need to be fixed.  It only has the one AC for the vehicle.  I will have to think about that one.. maybe I could buy a small AC and use shore power to run it?  There is no stove, only a sink and Frig (small).  All this can be worked around, I have all sorts of stuff I can do with this little motorhome.

The main thing is how does it run?  I will check it out Tuesday or earlier. if I can.  My friend's husband, Tim is coming with me.  He knows a lot about cars and trucks and should be able to tell me if it is worth the investment.  It might be cheap but it's all still money I can't toss away.  It does have a ful sized spare on the back (not showing here).


1995 JAYCO CHEVY SPORT MOBILE RV G20

 
BTY

Had and exceptional time at the family reunion in New Orleans, today.   They are family and you got to love 'em,.  The crazy ones, too.  It was wonderful to see everyone in a good setting and not at a wake or funeral.  We older cousins are all that is left of my mother's side of the family.   We had our 1st cousins, with their husbands, their children, their grandchildren and some great grandchildren. 

I finally had everyone in one place to get the family tree unscrambled.  Now, all I need to do is type it in some format and send it to everyone.  We will start collecting photos from everyone and get them into this tree.  I have several photos of my mother, my grandmother, my grandfather, uncles and aunts that now one else has and I am sure they have some as well.  Need to pass this on before, it gets lost and forgot.  My mother's family arrived in New Orleans, in the early 1800's and lived in an area call mid-city until present.  The cousin who hosted this shin-dig still leaves there.   Katrina and other hurricanes can't drive us out but maybe up.  When he rebuilt his house after Katrina, he raised it 10 feet.  He is a retired fire chief.  His brother is retired form the fire department.  Another cousin is a retire detective from New Orleans Police department.  We defiantly show our Irish!!! 

That's it for tonight, tired.  Way too, many little kids today running all over the place.  It's Martini time!!

Happy Trails!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Where Did I Leave Off...


Belly Massage is therapeutic and healing.

Ok, so about 20 days ago, I was going to learn about, “The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy”.  Well, I did and I have a certificate to prove it.  It was such a great day.  It might not have been Rving, but I had and adventure just the same. 

The place was tucked deep into the woods down this gravel road, quite secluded and off the beaten path.  We entered through a picked gate and were immediately greeted by the owner’s two large dogs.  What a treat!  They were super friendly.  The female was part Golden Retriever and the male, a Catahoula mix, with blue eyes.  His name was Chaos.  I’m sorry, I forget the female dog’s name.

This place was positively enchanting.  Considering, my house is only about 5 miles away, I was amaze I did not know about it.  The instructor proceeded to tell us everything we would be covering that day.  There were 6 students, bellies at the ready, waiting to learn this marvelous way to heal and how to keep our organs aligned correctly in our bodies.
A cool front having come in during the night kept the temperature at a perfect 72o.  It was a cloudy with a slight northerly, breeze.  A little too, cool for swimming in the spring fed swimming pool.  After we finished our lunch break the rain came gently down.

The building we were using had a wall of windows on one side that faced the woods and a natural spring bubbling up for the wildlife to use.  Oh My Gosh, such a relaxing day.  We ended at 4:30pm and we all hated to leave.


Sunday, I will be returning there for an Herb Fest and I can't hardly wait.


The road is long but the destination is in sight.


The saga continues as I search for motorhomes and travel trailers.  I defiantly, know what I don’t want, so I am making progress.  What I want I cannot afford so I must modify my plan a bit.
My unemployment is just about to run out.  Now, I can make it on my SS income but my activities will be curtailed, considerably.  Plan remixed:  Save Money with a vengeance.  I developed a strict budget.  I also, will be selling off a lot of the stuff I managed to collect over time.  Heck, my kids will just give it all to the Goodwill anyway when I’m gone.  Now, I am not a stranger to hard work.  I’ve done my share and I might just have to do it some more—at least for a while to get what I want, unless I can think of something to do to make money on the road.

Just got off the phone with a friend of mine, she spotted a Chevy Conversion Van not far for here.  I called the guy and will go out to see it Tuesday.  Yea, Jane! Thank you.  Some friends, like Jane, are so supportive, others not so much.

Family reunion for just the cousins Saturday, in New Orleans and Sunday Herb Fest and Monday BBQ with friends gonna be a big weekend.

Next week, I am going to go to a state park in Mississippi for a couple of days.  Not Rving but it’s the closest I can get right now.  I will take pictures to share so it will seem like I am one of you guys, almost.  It might be awhile but I’ve got a plan so it will happen.

Ya’ll have a great Memorial Day weekend.


Memorial Day started after the Civil War to pay tribute to the United States Armed Forces who have died in war or while otherwise serving their country.  If you are close to a military or non-military cemetery anyone is free to pay their respects to those who made the greatest possible sacrifice so that the rest of us can continue to do what we enjoy doing.  The traditional time to visit cemeteries or war memorials is at 3PM local time on Memorial Day, which is Monday. U.S. flags will be flown at half-mast until noon.  If you are not close to a cemetery of war memorial please pay tribute to the U.S. men and women who died during military service by observing a minute of silence at 3:00 PM, local time.”

Happy Trails


PS: Please excuse spelling and grammatical errors--I do;)

Thursday, May 10, 2012

YOU DESERVE A BREAK TODAY

Tomorrow, I am taking a break from searching the Internet and constantly, thinking about Rving.  Did you ever see that commercial, I can’t remember what the product is, but all the people, men, women, children are dressed in dirt bike clothes and helmets and they are saying, “I wanna ride”?  Well that has been me for the past week.  All I can say is, “I wanna go Rving”.  I have been seeing so many deals on used travel trailers, it makes you want to go out right now and get one. 


 I scheduled to take a day course on how do belly messages.  This is a mini course from 9AM to 4PM.  It is in a little city about 4 miles away called Abita Springs.  Here is a brief bit about what it is all about:


The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy™ are founded on the ancient Mayan technique of abdominal massage which is an external noninvasive manipulation that repositions internal organs that have shifted, thereby restricting the flow of blood, lymph, nerve and chi.  This modality incorporates a holistic approach to health care which includes massage, anatomy and physiology, herbology, nutrition, and emotional and spiritual healing.


Since, I have back issues that give me fits, I thought I would learn these techniques.  It just might do some good for the nerve damage I have on my right side.  Most days, I am fine but every few days it flares up when I forget I can’t do what I used to do. 


Healing Hands

2012 GRADUATION
Last night at my granddaughter’s graduation she was beautiful.  She spoke flawlessly in front of all those people, I was very impressed.  She received so many awards. I am so very proud of her accomplishments.  It was a long evening.  Now, when I arrived (in daylight), I noted what entrance I going in (the ceremony was held at the University’s Student Center, which is a dome building).  You see where I am going with this? 

Yes, you right, not a clue which parking lot held my car.  The parking lot had lights but they only shown on the cars right under them.  The only good note, I was not alone in the search.  Needless to say women, graduates and yes, even men, walked the parking lots with key remotes hands stretched out as far as the arm would allow (like that would matter) clicking for some distant familiar sounds that would lead them to the vehicle that would take them home.  Every time you’d pass someone they would ask, “still looking, too?”)  I want to tell them, “No, I found my car but I just like walk around like a dodo”, Ugh. 

Interjection: I found this on the Net.  Who knew?




Now one neat trick , is that if the car is just out of range of the remote, putting it under your chin while pressing the button will give the remote an extra boost, as your skull will act as an antenna and give you an extra few yards of slack.

The scene was like, a National Geographical Special on Emperor Penguins.  One adult watches the hatchling and the other goes out to find food.  Upon returning to this mass of hundreds of penguins, the only way to find the right family member is to honk until you hear that familiar sound.  Same thing here, we walked and we honked. 


After walking 2 lots over to the left and seeing nothing, I meandered, remote in hand, back the way I started and then 2 lots to the right.  I knew I was in the second row and that was all I knew.  Seriously, my right hip was on fire. I almost sat on the curb and called a cab to drive me around the parking lot.  After about 20 minutes, far off in the distances, I didn’t hear but I saw lights responding to my pushes on the remote.  There she was right where I left her, amazing.

For the past few months, I have been doing great on my new healthy eating plan but on the way home I was sucked into a SONIC hamburger joint and before I knew it, I was eating a burger and fried onion rings.  Now, that’s what I’m talking about!  Woulda had a Martini but even in Louisiana they frown on that activity while you’re driving.

Made it home OK, did the Martini and then, all was right with the world, again.



Question  you boondockers what do you use for your Internet connections?  When I do get rolling I will be traveling West and Northwest.  What is good for those areas?  Responses appreciated.  Thanks bunches.

Happy Trails to everyone. Hope you enjoy reading my blog.





Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Realms of Possibilities

Travel trailers I have been looking at, so far :

Jayco, Jay Flight Swift  SLX 145RB and 154BH and 184Bh’s very nice.  




Canyon Cat 12RB by Palomino Travel Trailer is 12 Ft. long.  I like this size best.



and the 2012 Nomad Joey Travel Trailer 204 by Skyline RV. It is 20Ft. 



 
Still to check out are the Casita travel trailers and the Scampi’s.  This might mean a road trip to find these.

Some things I would like Fridge and Freezer separate.  If not, I'd want a frig that operates 3 ways, 12v, 110 and gas.  I heard they were the best way to go. I like the baths on the Swifts with the little tub and shower.  I found these quite roomy.
Sorry for the pics, I copied them from the Internet and some are blurry.

That’s it for now.  I need to create a spreadsheet and get my finances roped in to a more workable form.   But first I need to get this computer room tightened up.

Brags needed here, my granddaughter, Taylor is graduating tonight from high school.  She finished 8th in a class of 350 students.   I am so proud of her.  She has received so many awards.  Off to college next year, majoring in veterinary science.   She will make a great vet.  Yea! Taylor!
Any input is welcome.  I thank all the bloggers out there who blogged from the beginning it has been so valuable.  BTY, I have a friend who is thinking about doing the same thing-I got her right fired-up.  Spoke to a real estate agent this morning.  This is beginning to firm up.  The plan is developing nicely. y'all.


Have a great Wednesday.  Happy Trails to everyone:)

Exploring for Campers


Yesterday, I ventured out to my local RV dealers.  My goal was to see just what types and sizes would best suit me.   The answer is all of them.  What a conundrum!    I’m still on the fence about Class C’s and Travel Trailers.   Reading blogs on rving, it seems there are many reasons one would have for both types.
Class C does provide a safety factor (not having to go out your vehicle to drive away from trouble) and the convenience of park and basically; you’re ready to enjoy the surroundings.   Down side is the mileage factor, wow!   If I were to get the Class C it would be one of the smaller ones under 20 feet.  The born free motor coach is just the ticket, everything but the price that is!   Mileage on Born Free is about 13 mpg highway.      www.bornfreemotorcoach.com


I’m not too, sure about that bathroom, though.
Travel Trailers afford you more room inside to move around which is a good thing.   I love to look at stuff so meandering around the local area; say within a 100 mile radius is something I want to be able to do.  Having a tow vehicle I can detach from my living quarters might be the way to go.  Since, I do not have a tow vehicle at this time; I am just guesstimating what the mpg would be on say a Ford 150 V8.  This is what I see on the Internet: The 2010 Ford F-150s have 3 engine choices.  Below are some configurations.

4.6L 2-valve
V8 ~ ~ ~ 22mpg highway / 16mpg city
4.6L 3-valve V8 ~ ~ ~ 21mpg highway / 16mpg city
5.4L 3-valve V8 ~ ~ ~ 20mpg highway / 13mpg city
Since, Ford has the market on Class C chassis.   I figured I would opt for a Ford Truck.   Of course,  I understand that this is just for the truck with no junk in it.   O & G this is turning into  a full blown course on rving, trucks, mileage, insurance, finance, and  logistics but if I’m going to do it right these step are most important. 


Monday, May 7, 2012

My Little CowPoke, Valentino!

In the Beginning!

Well it all started a few weeks ago when I met Bill and Cheryl.  They are full-timers from Canada.  Leaving their winter quarters in South Texas making their way back up North for the Summer, they stopped to visit Cheryl's, Aunt Liz.   Now, this is where I come in to the picture.  Liz is a friend of mine and she invited me over for a crayfish boil and for me to meet Bill and Cheryl. 

We instantaneously, hit it off talking about all sorts of things.  They told me they have been full-timers for the last 10 years.  As we spoke, many questions and information flowed back and forth.  How, where and when do you all do this camping or rving.  They have a 5th wheeler, with sides, I believe is was a 32 footer.  I was fascinated. 

Not a stranger to roaming the country-side myself, I have manage to touch on all the states but six and that includes Alaska and Hawaii.  The wanderlust grabbed hold of me and has not let go yet.

For the past few weeks, since that meeting, I have be trying to figure out a way to get me and my dog on the road.  Newly retired, since August 2010, one of the things I want most was to do was to see more of this beautiful country.  I am a great fan of John Muir and Thoreau's, "Walden", to name a few of well known  environmentalists, naturalists, travelers, writers, etc,

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike." 
John Muir
John Muir

Walden Pond

Sorry, I digress.  This has been such a learning curve.  Although, I have traveled quite my camping experience is limited.  I did sleep in a tent when traveling with my children but is was so big and cumbersome we decide it was way too, much trouble to put up.  Once, when I was on vacation alone seeing, Indian Country, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Arizona,  I fixed up the rental station wagon's back half into a bed and did sleep at several camping sites.  Not the most comfortable to say the least.

Now, with travel trailers of ever shape and size it is hard to make a choice.  My Toyota, RAV 4, I believe, has made the decision for me.  At just 1500lbs towing capacity, using it is out the question.  I am leaning toward a small Class C, Van type camper. I don't mine small but I need a bit of walk around room, just in case it rains or snows and I am stuck inside for a couple of days, right?  At least that is were I am today.

I had breify considered:
The Aliner Alite 300 was small enough for my RAV 4 to handle but give me a break, stuck inside for days while it rained outside.  I don't think so!!

This is a new blog dedicated to me finding my way out to the open road.  I am doing all the research and fact find I can on the subject of rving at campgrounds, National Parks, Bureau of Land Management  and boon docking. solor power, the whole nine yards.  It might get a big long because,  there is much research and the internet is a big place. 

I figured there might be someone else like me who would like to see America by driving it. So I am doing the leg work for y'all.

Since, as I have realized there is much information out there to be had, if you have any links or suggestions, please post a comment. 

Now that is is approaching Summer, my plan is to shoot for the Fall.  I hate the crowds in the Summertime.  One other thing,  I will not be a full-timing, I plan to travel in the Spring and Fall and to stay home in between.  Sound like I have a plan, at least.   Stay tuned:)


Happy Trails!