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lifestyle:hitting_the_road [2021/02/01 16:01]
frater_secessus [thinking]
lifestyle:hitting_the_road [2023/06/03 13:58] (current)
frater_secessus [one year out]
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 ===== thinking ===== ===== thinking =====
  
-  - what is my main drive for full-timing in a van or RV?+  - what is my main drive for full-timing in a van, car, or RV?
     - travel?     - travel?
     - live frugally? (often incompatible with extensive travel)     - live frugally? (often incompatible with extensive travel)
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     - independence?     - independence?
     - necessity? (would otherwise be [[lifestyle:involuntary|homeless]]     - necessity? (would otherwise be [[lifestyle:involuntary|homeless]]
 +  - will I pay to camp in sites with amenties like [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]] and [[water:start|water]], or will I be [[camping:dispersed|boondocking]] off [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|solar]] or a [[electrical:generator|generator]]?
   - how long do I expect to full-time?   - how long do I expect to full-time?
   - what is my present and future financial situation?   - what is my present and future financial situation?
-  - how is my physical and mental health?+  - how is my physical and mental health?  Will I require ongoing [[lifestyle:medication|medication]]?
   - am I easily bored?   - am I easily bored?
   - can I recognize danger when I see it?   - can I recognize danger when I see it?
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   - can I cook for myself?   - can I cook for myself?
   - do the foods I like require refrigeration?   - do the foods I like require refrigeration?
-  - am I squeamish about bodily functions? +  - am I squeamish about bodily functions?  How will I use the [[lifestyle:faq_toilet|toilet]]
-  - will I require ongoing [[lifestyle:medication|medication]]?+  - will I require [[hvac:solar_ac|air conditioning]] or can I [[camping:snowbirding|follow mild weather]]?
  
 ===== laying the groundwork ===== ===== laying the groundwork =====
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 ===== one year out ===== ===== one year out =====
  
-This section assumes you are planning to hit the road sooner rather than later.  Starting a year out means you can test out your van in all four seasons with your "home base" resources at hand. +This section assumes you are planning to hit the road sooner rather than later.  Starting a year out means you can test out your van in all four seasons with your "home base" resources at hand. It also means you can get up to speed on [[lifestyle:core skills|core skills]] like cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, etc
  
   * decide if you are going to buy [[rv:intro|a camper]], build one out of [[rv:cargo_van|a cargo van]],  or use something you already own.   * decide if you are going to buy [[rv:intro|a camper]], build one out of [[rv:cargo_van|a cargo van]],  or use something you already own.
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   * **make general plans** on where you would like to travel (or stay) in the first year of your RV life.   * **make general plans** on where you would like to travel (or stay) in the first year of your RV life.
   * practice "camp cooking" (making simple one-pot meals, etc) while still at home.((https://vandwellerforum.com/showthread.php?tid=2681))   * practice "camp cooking" (making simple one-pot meals, etc) while still at home.((https://vandwellerforum.com/showthread.php?tid=2681))
 +  * practice cooking on the actual [[food:cooking:stoves|stove]] you will be cooking on, if any. 
 +  * practice cleaning [[food:cooking:cookware|pots]] and utensils without running water
 +  * start noticing all the places you can source [[water:drinking|drinking water]].  Pour all your water from gallon jugs or similar to assess how much water you consume.
 +  * start practicing quick [[hygiene:bathing|navy showers]], sponge baths, etc.  If you plan on using a portable shower bag or sprayer  take it into the bathtub with you and try it out.  
 +  * consider downsizing the number of clothes you own, focusing on clothes that are comfortable and easy to [[lifestyle:faq_laundry|launder]] in a laundromat.  Start wearing your new wardrobe.
   * start paying more attention to weather on the news and what it looks like outside.  Think about how you would react to that weather in the van.((https://vandwellerforum.com/showthread.php?tid=2681))   * start paying more attention to weather on the news and what it looks like outside.  Think about how you would react to that weather in the van.((https://vandwellerforum.com/showthread.php?tid=2681))
 +  * practice setting up and using a bucket [[toilet:bucket|toilet]] or whatever you plan to use, including separation of liquids and solids. You may want to set the bucket in the bathtub or use a urine bottle there to make beginners accidents easier to clean up. 
 +  * get a library card from a library near your residence.  This can help with [[lifestyle:residence|residency]] and you can check out ebooks and other digital media on the road. 
 +
 +
 +On cooking, [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/13zaeal/food_ideas/jmrfl1k/|jimheim says]]:
 +
 +>> Spend the [time before departure] at home practicing. Only cook meals that you'll be able to cook on the road. Limit yourself to the cookware you'll have. If you have to ask, I suspect cooking with these limitations is new to you. Best to learn at home so you're prepared. It'll also help you identify cookware essentials. See how much you can do with limited pots/pans/utensils and no appliances. Get used to living without a fridge and microwave for leftovers. It's a steep learning curve. You can make great food on the road with those limitations, but if you're not prepared, you'll come to dread dinnertime.
 +
 +
 ===== one month out ===== ===== one month out =====
 This section includes items that are best done while you still are in a physical residence. This section includes items that are best done while you still are in a physical residence.
lifestyle/hitting_the_road.1612213283.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/02/01 16:01 by frater_secessus