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 took an outdoor shower yesterday. Full soap. The water pressure is good outside and hot water is nice. It's hot in TX and almost hit 90 yesterday. I'm here WAY past when I would prefer to stay but... weather forecast says more wind today. I have money to travel. It'll cost about $550 for gas to get me where I want to be. I have about $2700 of cash and credit to use if I need it. It's better to travel during the week. It's easier to find boondock campsites and help if I break down again.  I'll move 40 minutes north to Fort Parker Lake SP on Monday morning. There, I can pump and dump, plugin, fill water, and enjoy AC. There's a place to get propane nearby. I can't go long distance until I get propane so the refrigerator will work.  

 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.

 That little thing where the wire hooks up can twist. It has a little ignitor inside. You can see it. Turned one way puts it next to where the gas is for the pilot light. I bend the wire so it stays where I want it. Wires all have little burnt parts because the second or third try to light, gas has been building and... little explosions sometimes. Not big, just little. Once lit, it's bulletproof. Water stays hot.  It's old. 23 years. New ones are pricey but I can find cheap ones for under $300 if they're damaged. A crack in the foam covering or something dumb. It holds 6 gallons. I want to build a natural water heater out of 4 in pvc around back part of the motorhome roof. Painted flat black with a spigot running into the shower. I saw that on a camper. I still have to fill it. 50 - 60 gallons more I can carry. 60 x 8 more lbs to the motorhome. Showers are always nice.

 

 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.

 Miles is still a little clingy. He did good yesterday by staying outside. I even moved him away from the motorhome for periods of time. I go out and visit when I'm inside. This morning, he wants back in. I'll be moving outside as soon as I'm finished running the generator. 

  Starlink is a game changer for me. Before it, I had to use Verizon hot spot which had limits and not accessible from most places I go. I can go anywhere and still have Internet. It's my WiFi just like everybody else. Since I have WiFi, I have TV so I have no need for expensive phone plans or Dish. It's bullet proof. Solid, heavy construction with a long 75 ft cord that plugs into the "modem" and it plugs into power. The app controls it. Easy peezy. $135/mo going up soon to $150. Still worth it though.  BIG difference between a camping trip and living in the RV full-time. I need the same stuff you take for granted at home. I need WiFi, TV, Internet, security cameras. I need it all everyday, everywhere I go.

   It's easy to judge after something fails. If my "little gamble" HAD paid out, I'd be in a much better position. How much of a gamble? I had barely made it to TX from Colorado on fumes (literally). I actually stopped somewhere and dumped my gas cans into the motorhome.  I figured THAT to be the big gamble. The plan was to be as still as possible without spending lots of money. I can only be in one place for 14 days in most cases. I have to drive to the next place then the next place, I got oil changed and inspection for both vehicles plus some wire malfunction. $700.  So off I go to S Padre Island where I can sit on the beach for 2 weeks. I'd done it before. I know lots of people who've done it. It was only 1 hour away. Easy does it, I just needed to save $2500 to $3500 to get some work done. At $1400/mo you can save pretty quick. I would be able to get enough funds to do the inspections, fixes, tires, whatever to get er ready to Colorado.  Well laid plans. ...

 

  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.

  Miles needed a potty break. I'm glad to be back home but I'm concerned about my harmonic balancer. The transmission guy told me. That should be something they could have done but they only do transmissions. I don't feel anything going on but it can go bad quickly. I'm searching for someone who can do this. Most places just want to sell you tires, oil changes, and other minor stuff or they service fleets. It's a motorhome but it's a Ford. I've contacted Ford and let them know specifically that it's a Ford chassis with a Ford engine. If they can't do the work then who can. There's another place near here that seems to have that kind of service. I've got a week to figure this out. I'll just keep looking. I think I have enough to cover if it can stay below $1,000. Might be a little higher. The parts are cheap but labor intensive. Later this morning I'm going to reposition to get more level. I need to put a good charge on both vehicles a...

 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...

I95  I've checked out the area around the transmission shop where I'm picking up my motorhome today. I need room to hookup the toad, transfer Miles, and do a cursory inspection. It eases the anxious feelings to know what it all looks like. I've never been there. This is my first time out in nearly 4 months. As a recap, the transmission died on 1/7 in Dime Box, TX right at a little truck stop/store/gas Exxon. Huge parking lot, lighting, cameras. The manager was understanding and didn't mind. It was a miracle as there is absolutely nothing in that area. I lived there for 10 days. Beautiful countryside. Finally figured out what I wanted to do and had to tow 63 miles ($800) to McKinney RV Park ($500). Cash. Paid each month. No deposit needed so it was the least amount of cash needed to get me off that parking lot. I lived there while I arranged for Oliver Bro Transmission to do the work, save my money and secured a few credit cards. Meghan lives 20 minutes away. While at th...

 I've gone from "whatever" to "not sure about this" in a few short months. No, not the lifestyle. I've become more diligent and responsible. By the time I pay for my transmission ($5,500), I'll be tapped out until Friday. There's another credit card coming with another $1,000 but... I'll need to drive without funds. It's only just over 1 hour drive but... I guess I'll say a prayer. Not for the Lord to help me get my way but for safety and peace. I'll throw the dice and head out Monday to Limestone Reservoir where I can park for free. I need to find that sweet spot between being responsible and carefree. Moderation is not my strong suit. I'm an "all or nothing" guy. It's the Asperger's in me focusing on one thing to extreme. It served me well as a programmer as I could lose myself with puzzles... several at a time where one puzzle fits into other puzzles. It was a 24/7 job regardless of efforts to silence it.