Full-time With Doug

Miles and I are literally chillin. AC is slowly chillin us down (75). Starlink is struggling as I don't have a real clear view of the sky. No big problems today.  The tow bar was having a problem locking but I sprayed the silicone in it and I think it's ok now. The MH engine battery has an issue I need to investigate. I'm hoping it's not the alternator since lots of noise from a few pulleys. Real slow crank before it finally kicks over. I need to find a parts store for some fuses, light lense, small extention cord, and have the battery tested. I booked an extra night so we'll be here 2 nights. I can fully rest with AC before the long trip. It's just us and an older couple here. They let me checkin early. 2 nights for $48. I've gained a little more confidence and think I'll make it ok. If not, I know the drill.  

  I gotta get gas tomorrow when I leave here. It used to be an anxious event when I started doing this until I realized Street View is a big help. I can easily get gas here without leaving the toad in everyone's way and not getting stuck because I can't reverse. I like these angled pumps plus a road on either side. In one side, out the other. I'll spend probably $140, includes 4 gallons for the generator. Theoretically, I can go 350-400 miles but I drive less than that each day so I fill once each day. It'll cost near $600 in gas to get to my campsite in Colorado. I can do this in 4 days but may stay and relax in Fort Sumner, NM after I can buy weed.  I may try the RV Park in Ft Sumner for a few nights if the weather's too hot so I can run the AC. I want to see what $180/mo rv park is like in case I need it someday.  The Billy the Kid museum is right there. Maybe I can go for free if I stay at their RV Park. I've been there before. It's like Ruby Falls or Ro...

 I talk about water a lot. It's because it's so important for comfort and survival. I'm slowly mastering my water strategy. I have 4 of these 7 gallon jugs. That's roughly 60 lbs each if filled. I used to pump all 4 into the motorhome when the tank goes dry. I use lots of water out of gallon jugs like dog bowl, toilet, and my drinking water. I now keep one 7 gal jug in the motorhome for filling 1/2 gal jugs for those things. No sense pumping water into the motorhome, only to pull it back out in the faucet. I also don't commit my last drop into a tank where it could get trapped if my water pump fails.

 

 I did some custom work on the TV to make it a Roku TV. Duct Tape. Black Duct Tape. The problem is that I have power for the TV and roku. Different lengths, dangling around. The Roku device needs to face me so it works. I also separated the power from Starlink which I don't want to be mobile. It doesn't help that the Roku device power USB port is loose and flaky. Duct Taped it also. Now I can easily move it around with a cord. A Roku TV would work nice. $88 at Walmart. I'm not mounting it. That corner is where the wood stove goes. 

 I'm studying my routes for Monday. I'm going to take the northern route. It takes me close to Waco and stays near Dallas in case I have problems. Once I get past Abilene, I'm exposed until Lubbock then .... It's a plan and we all know how that works.

 I went to Jewett to buy a few groceries. Dwindling population for sure. Great land here, I bet it's cheap. I'll go back Saturday to stock up and also do laundry. 17 minute drive. I added another place to call home. When I come back, it'll be familiar here and I know where to go.

 I'm at a county park and today is the day to mow. Lots of guys showing with mowers, weed eaters, and blowers. Not a big deal. What you need to be careful of is that these guys who might be paying a little too much attention to you. One guy stared for a long time when he thought I couldn't see him. He continued to steal long glances. Maybe not a big deal but... I have expensive stuff like generators, power tools, gasoline. When you live like this you need to pay attention to your surroundings and people near you. Be observant. Use your camera. I take pictures of people and cars I find suspicious. When I leave for the store today, I'll leave the park then turn around and watch my shit for 10 minutes where I'm not seen. I've chased away curious onlookers that way. Be unpredictable. Let them see the dog. I need a security camera now that I have WiFi.  Don't be in fear. Just pay attention.

  I need to buy a big tent. This one looks nice. When the motorhome goes into the shop to get work done, I need a place to live. I have a luxury cot for a bed, battery, inverter, tv, and all I need for comfort. I'll make an "abort list" of stuff I'll need to make sure it fits in the toad. I just need to find nearest campground where I can set it up. I can use it to camp host if needed I think. Maybe I don't need a motorhome. Think of the distances I could go. Something to ponder for the next few days. I might just buy that tent to prove that it works just for the piece of mind.

 Made it to Limestone Reservoir. I need to reposition and get level but I'm too tired right now. Miles is a good traveler, he ventured around the motor home while we drove, even got on the bed. We stopped at a picnic area so I could evaluate things. All seemed good. A Sheriff checked on me. I gave her a thumbs up and she did the same and kept going. I was in shorts and no shirt by then. When I got ready to leave the transmission shop, the toad wouldn't start. I had to back the motor home to the toad to hook it up. On top of that the rear camera was not working because the lighter is not working. I borrowed Meghan's battery jumper thing that has a lighter receptacle so I got the rear  camera working later down the road.  The tow bar isn't locking again so I had to mess with that. I stopped for gas then the motorhome wouldn't start. The jumper thing wasn't charged yet so I dragged out the generator and battery charger. In 10 minutes we were on our way. I only said...

 You really do need to scout ahead if you're unfamiliar with the road you want to take. Luckily, you can use Google to see satelite images ahead of where you want to go. Before that trick, I found myself on a very narrow road that I had no business on. When the road is more narrow than the length of your vehicle, you can't turn around. I found this little road that had a gate but enough room to park. It was late so I went to bed. The next morning I walked further down the road and found a spot where I thought I might be able to turn around. I was able to turn around with a 50 point turn. I hooked up the toad and got out of there. Lesson learned.

 

 

  It's still a bit early to be at Taylor Park right now. 

 Not everyone has a huge nest egg, so you need as much put away as possible. $5000 might cover a humongous event, but you better think big. Save as much as possible. I’m currently saving $1,000 each month, $1400 if I really suck it up. The savings is perpetual. Eventually, I’ll need a new MH and toad. Stick to your plan. Be realistic. Use a spreadsheet to plan and track every expense. Starve first before touching the  emergency fund. You need some sense of security. Fight through the avoidance of reality if that’s a problem. Money, like water, is essential. If you can’t possibly save money, then you need more income. Workamp. Never drive when your money is empty and no credit cards no matter how tempting. At a minimum, you should have $1500 available. Cash or credit. With a major breakdown you can parachute into an RV Park with a tow truck to save your money to get fixed. It's enough money to cover most everything else. I parachuted into this RV Park. I had just overcome a few...

  OMG this was wonderful. It had quite a calming effect. My anxiety is up a few notches as I take Beau to the vet tomorrow at 2:30. This helped. I have meds too. It was also good for my pain.  We're going to take the toad on a ride north in the morning. I'm scouting out a place I want to homestead on for 2 weeks. Maybe see some more joy from Beau if we get out by a lake and a place to hang out.  3 different parks run by 2 counties. It's dry camping. I've scouted via Satellite view. Beau surprises me sometimes. He'll get right up and wobble over to a food bowl and start eating. Devouring it. There's different kinds of food all over. He is mostly blind and real weak. Sometimes he seems confused. Sometimes he'll start chewing on a bone. I made him exercise but I did have to carry him down and up 5 flights (45 lbs). He pooped and peed. Every now and then he wags his tail. He likes to hang out on the balcony. He'll pee there as well. It is what it is. I'l...

 

  It's 61 degrees, getting to 85 today. 95% humidity. The Earth is definitely warming with lots of fog. Spring is only 3 weeks away. I love the fog for many reasons. It's also a warning for me to get out of Texas before it starts hitting 90s. I remember the fog on the lake in Wisconsin where my grandparents lived in the 60s. Early in the morning down on the dock or out fishing in a rowboat. You could hear the loons. The trip to Wisconsin from South Florida in late Spring. Driving through the countryside where there were trees and hills and fog in the morning. I yearned to live there, away from the flat, sandy land I lived on with just pine trees and palm trees. I love what fog does to the view of the landscape. The birds don’t seem to mind it. It's certainly a good excuse to stay in except I'm out of coffee this morning. 3 days til payday. I don’t want want to touch my savings. I have enough food. Beau needs treats. I might make a grocery store run today for a few essen...

  Another gorgeous day here. It's 78 degrees F. February! Tell me how it is I don't know what the fuck I'm doing? I need a kite I think 🤔 . VD is for suckers. 

  See camping guide service for help getting the very best camping available. Servicing Gunnison National Forest this year.  CLICK HERE