I know it has been a couple of weeks since I blogged, but I had to accumulate some adventures to relate here ya' know...LOL.
Okay, so I left Livingston, Texas on Saturday May 16th. I was headed ultimately to Tennessee via Arkansas. I hit the state line at Texarkana, AR right about the time to stop for the day, at about 5:30pm. I had picked two different State Parks to stay at in case one was full, it being Saturday and all. Well, I figured this was my best planning so far. I gave myself a backup just in case, right? The one thing I had been lacking up until then was a good plan, I was flying on luck, truck stops and my friend Vicki's help at the last minute. This time, I was set, ready, prepared...or so I thought! Guess I am still in the learning phase, well because, um...both parks were closed due to flooding when I arrived...aaarrrggghhh! So, I turned to my handy dandy Escapees member park guide for assistance. I found the Sunrise RV Park...I called, they had room, I headed straight there.
Upon arriving I was less than impressed to be frank. The park was "parking lot" style, all gravel with some soggy grass between the loops of gravel, no trees...and I was in Arkansas! Well, since my well planned plans failed me, I went in and paid a whopping $30 for a gravel lot, with full hookups, thank goodness I was only staying for one night!
So, after the long drive, my more than perfect dog had to go potty. I was being patient walking her as she had been cooped up all day in the truck when I was approached by the woman who checked me in. She asked had I had dinner yet, well "no" I said. She said to come on over to the office, they were having their first potluck that night. I let her know that I wasn't packing anything fit for a potluck, just some sandwich stuff and she told me "Oh honey, don't you worry about it, you just get yourself over there!" Okay! So after my dog had finished being a dog and I had cleaned up her dogness, I changed my t-shirt and headed for the office potluck, empty handed, looking ragged and feeling out of place. Well, that changed the moment I arrived at the office. Many guests were arriving from the park with dishes of food. We all stood or sat around outside on the little patio for awhile and got aquianted. I felt VERY welcome. The meal was awesome, the dishes were a variety, and the people, stories, and conversation was all very interesting and very fun! I learned that the new owner, an elderly woman who owned several trucking companies (I met her, wonderful woman) had just purchased the property and converted it from swamp land basically, they had just opened a few weeks before, hence the lack of trees, etc. I had a GREAT time, the people were awesome! I left overly stuffed with two additional plates of left-overs and a great feeling that I had experienced a truly wonderful bunch of people from all over the U.S.
So, all in all, I have to say that this was one of my better stops in the end. After complaining to my bestest buddy, Vicki, about the cost of the place and the lack of foliage, I came away in wonder at the extent people go to to make you feel welcome, very much worth the $30 in the end! I highly suggest this park for those passing through, not for the scenic beauty, but for the warmth and kindness of the folks who own and run it, they deserve your patronage!
So, I packed up the next morning and was all set to head out to my next well planned destination, I even called ahead to make sure they were open! Woohoo for me, right? Well, you know the saying "The best laid plans..." Well...I stopped by the office to convey my utmost appreciation for the previous nights hospitality when I was once again sucked into eating left overs and listening to some very interesting stories. Basically, we had a second potluck! So, once again, my well laid plans were way layed due to me deciding the experience was more important than the mileage. I finally said my final goodbye's after 1:pm. Very much enjoyed my time there, but now I was off schedule by nearly two hours. Then, once again, Vicki to the rescue!
I called her as the evening time got near and she steered me in the direction of the Village Creek State Park in Arkansas. Thanks AGAIN to Vicki being my mapquest hero! It was a beautiful park! Once there I realized I had no cell phone coverage and no internet, but the park was too pretty to stay only one quick night. I decided to stay two, I wanted to hike some of their trails and see the TWO lakes there. I did not regret my decision. Without cell phone or internet, I had to find new ways to occupy my time. I wrote out 10 postcards, played solitaire with real cards and fixed me two great dinners over the campfire. Oh yeah, and hiked the great trails they had there. By the time I finished my fire cooked meals, my dog and I were pooped out and slept very well! I don't mind so much being without the "comforts" of technology after all!
On Tuesday May 19th we headed out, another campground planned out and all was well there, no problem, except...there was a problem, or more like one whole days worth of problems! I decided to take Hwy 64 through the lower part of Tennessee, faster, fewer miles than any interstate, NOT! I ended up going through a perpetual construction zone. When all was said and done, I went 190 miles in seven hours, that averages out to 27 miles per hour...joy!
BUT, like I say and my little brother likes to remind me, everything happens for a reason! Once AGAIN, I relied on my dear friend Vicki's mapquest abilities! She was being sneeky at work to help me out on this on, believe me, I had planned on at least another hundred miles that day! She found me David Crockett State Park! Turns out this park is only 50 miles from my younger brother (for those who don't know, he is in prison in Alabama, this will be my first visit) and I have paid up through the three day weekend so I can go see my brother on Sunday. He is so excited he is speechless!
Anyhow, once again this park is beautiful. Me and my Goof (the dog) went down to the creek today and spent several hours near the small falls they have here. Okay, now here is where I learned soooo much from my doggum! She is GREAT with children! I had NO idea she was so good with the little ones! She spent four hours playing with these little tiny people, she was so gentle, so good, I am sooo proud. The little girl in the pics asked her mom "Momma, can we take it home?" I have never had such a great compilment on my doggum until that moment! Here are some pics, please look at the kids faces, they were in amazement of her, as was I...
So, that is where I am now, hope all is well in the rest of the world because truthfully, I have no idea other than that mine is going great! Another blog later! Thanks for reading...
Well, I got A LOT done yesterday. I basically figured out much about how to organize, select, and throw away. (Sorry Vicki, but the party hat had to go!)
Anyway, I got the trailer done, I still have to do the truck, but we had some seriously awesome thunderstorms here today...and...well, not today. Just enjoying and learning to live on my own sense of timing. What do I mean by that? Well, what I have learned from this whole experience since the beginning, a little over a year ago when the planning started, is to just go with my gut feeling. Wait, think, figure it out...
So, I will do it "all" when it is meant to be done. I do believe that all happens for a reason. Tomorrow I plan on getting my truck sorted and reloaded. I am saving my "trash", all those things that I have decided I can live without, in a pile so I can take a picture for you all. I think it will be most impressive. For those who don't know, downsizing is the hardest part of "going full time" in a small travel trailer.
What have I learned, for those that have asked, get rid of boxes. It does not matter the size of the box, from a Q-tip box to a box of tea bags, put in in ziplocks, it saves space! Also, organize your refrigerator every other day, you can add bottles of water/soda out of cases (you buy cases to save money) faster than you think. Also, finish what you started! Do NOT leave half opened anything anywhere. Do not have a half full bottle of water outside and one inside, throw away as much as possible as soon as possible. On paper towels, do not buy super cheap or super expensive. A middle of the road will allow you to reuse if necessary and will cost way less and be way less bulky. Ziplock baggies are your friend...buy lots of them, buy them...buy them. Ziplocks save storage space, easy open, easy close and are disposable when need be, but again, take them out of their boxes and put them in a larger Ziplock baggy, saves space.
Smaller is better in some instances...say bottled water. I was buying by the gallon, have a space in my fridge for that, BUT, somehow one got a slight pucture, water all over the floor when I got to my next stop. I now prefer 16oz bottles of water, I can load them into the fridge at six at a time. Doing this also helps "stablize" your refrigerator contents when moving, you can pack them in and help the "shift" syndrom. Same goes for my diet sodas, a six or twelve pack rather than a two liter bottle for example. I have found them much better as to resealiancy in the refrigerator while moving than flat two liter bottles.
What else...
Well, I can bet you all, that no matter how much I think I have "downsized" and no matter how proud I am of my "packing abilities", I will do it again in two months and find I have done a lousy job thus far...but I am learning and getting better. It is amazing how much "stuff" you think you "may need", when in all likelyhood, you will never. My biggest worry is being broke on the road and not having basic needs...therefore I have a couple years worth of motel soaps and shampoos and lotions sitting in a bag, but I will either use them or toss them eventually.
I am proud of tossing my hair dryer and curling iron...I have naturally curly hair, I will live with it, but putting too much effort into how my hair looks (no matter how much of a pain in the ass curly hair is) while I am camping, just seems stupid. Why do I care? I am me, I can look perfectly decent with the way I am naturally, why try so hard and keep so many unnessary "tools" to look "just right" with me on the road? I have accepted it, I have curly hair...period!
Now for the difference between "nessecities" and "conviences"...well here we go...
On a day to day basis, I utilize my computer for many different things. Weather updates, travel ideas/goals, repair/modification info, RV items, etc...but what I do not do is take the time and effort to set up my printer. I have found this to be a daunting task...although I do have several "country folk" who do not entertain the idea of internet, nor would know how to use it. Soooo, I am far behind in updating them all...shame on me! Now that I have organized my trailer (aka, home) better, I am more equiped to print these blogs and mail them...yet...okay, I just have to.
On another note, I have to tell you all that being from Southern California has inhibited me some...some stuff just does not apply to living, or traveling elsewhere...so here is one instance...
Upon arriving here at Escapees (highly suggested) RV park, the guy who checked me in said he had found me a spot that was "easy" to back into as I had mentioned that I am a novice at backing in. So I find my spot is at the "intersection" of two "streets" when I get here. Okay, easier than normal I can see, BUT! But there are some limitations as to width, etc.
As I am ever so slowly trying to maneuver my "rig" into place, a nice gentleman offers his services as a guide. GREAT! I can use all the help I can get! Well, he says...to a former Californian...
"Just pull up onto the grass there..." What? The grass? You cannot pull up on the grass, the treee huggers will kill you for that! So... after him assuring me repeatedly (four times) that pulling up on the grass is okay (totally against EVERYTHING I HAVE LEARNED MY WHOLE LIFE), I do it, then he tells me....okay, now...turn your wheels all the way to the left, BUT, that will turn up the grass, OMG!!!! No way!!! I threaten him with the wrath of all the environmental Gods of California, but he assures me that they do not reign supreme here...so I do as he says...after much assurance that the grass will be fine! He successfully helps be back in, after a truly "environmental" breakdown, AND no grass was killed, WHAT DO YOU KNOW???
I just wanted to point out here how anal Californians are about EVERYTHING that will be alright. I killed nothing, no matter how it was bred into me that I would. I did no harm to anything, no matter that 37 years of threats had predicted I would. AND, I did not get in trouble, WOW!
I am slowly but surely and greatfully learning something I had always known. California is a freak state run by freaks and the rest of the world does NOT revolve around them! Thank YOU!
Anyway, still in Texas, but got some plans to move on soon...hope you enjoyed all this and I will update you when I feel I have something to say...Me
Okay, this is the crazy thing...I have been doing...um...nothing! I hang out on the internet or go for walks with my dog lately, BUT...the one thing I have not found the time to do is organize! My truck and trailer need a serious overhaul, I bet I could trash a third of the crap I have brought with me, but something is keeping me from just doing it! Could it be the freaking ridiculous heat and humidity? Well...most likely, guess I have been spoiled to the mountain summers, BUT, it is getting to the point where I can almost no longer maneuver in my trailer, I MUST do something this weekend. Wish me luck on that!
What have I been doing then you ask...well....
I have been reading a lot of others full timer blogs, they are giving me much needed info. Every one of them are doing it for different reasons, although none seem to be as disorganized as I am...why? Not a lack of the "just do it" gene, I think it is uncertainty. What is it that I brought that I can let go of? You go through this phase, part of it is uncertainty, and part of it is wonder. Hmmm, the whole part of paring down your stuff is figuring out if you are better off without the drama of packing, storing, taking it with you. Basically, can you live without it? The general rule is, if you haven't used it in six months, trash it...BUT, I have not been on the road but a little over a month...
You know what's bugging me the most? I have files on my last five residences, may I need them...not sure? Probably not, but who am I to toss them? Hmmmm, what is the risk? See, that is where the most basics of sizing down comes into play...what if's? When you can not recall your address from three years ago, or five or ten. Do you keep those files, guess that's where the six month rule comes in...we shall see.
The other thing today was trying to get a driver's license here in the state of Texas...should have been simple, but it proved to be pretty tough.
I have "lost" or had stolen (I think I lost them) my most recent documents. I was refused a license on the fact that I did not have proper documentation, so my plan to become a Texan, well, we will just say, it is postponed. I am weighing my options, which means dealing with the state of California, and that is a looooonggggg term ordeal. If you know anything about CA it means waiting on hold for three hours just to ask for them to fax a simple document, which never gets sent..CA sucks! I found I cannot request a duplicate unless I am there in person to make the request. So, I am considering my other options.
So, here I sit...I do have money coming in and I am not "afraid" of much, but still, I sit and wait to decide what my options are in this situation. I am just "sitting" here though, really NOT the plan...so, as soon as I know where I am headed, I will let you all know, but for now, just thinking, waiting and...well thinking...
More on all this later...me!
Well, here I sit, waiting for something to happen...those that know me, know what I mean, those that don't, well, just waiting for my ship to come in I suppose...
What I wanted to focus on this evening is my dog, Goof! I have so not given her enough credit.
This beautiful, perfect girl has stayed with me through the learning curve. She is just learning that I chose this life, I decided this trailer is our home, yet she is still right there!
She has swam in the river with me...
And she has taken to being tied up really well, she even knows what "No Barking" means for when we are in the parks...she is a trooper!
So, just so you all know, it's not all me here, I have my girl...Goof! The perfect traveling partner!
More later, stay tuned, Me
