First Solo Trip, Part 1

[BirdbyBird]

Congratulations woman! You did it and survived to retell the story. Can hardly wait to hear about the adventures yet to come. Most of us have stories about tree branches sticking out of antennas, leaving steps behind or needing to repair electrical cords. That part about being distracted as you prepare to leave is a good one. That is usually when something goes amiss....the routine gets out of whack and without a good check list it is easy to miss something. And I am not even telling about the time I looked in my side mirror and watched my outside storage compartment door flapping in the wind.

[JudyJB]

You did well. I'll be in your place in a few weeks!! Still scares me. I have only made a couple of trips and so far have not had the courage to get above 57 MPH! The wind would really make it harder.

Let us know how today goes. I think I am going to start out limiting how many miles I drive each day because of the stress!

[Sandersmr]

Congratulations woman! You did it and survived to retell the story. Can hardly wait to hear about the adventures yet to come. Most of us have stories about tree branches sticking out of antennas, leaving steps behind or needing to repair electrical cords. That part about being distracted as you prepare to leave is a good one. That is usually when something goes amiss....the routine gets out of whack and without a good check list it is easy to miss something. And I am not even telling about the time I looked in my side mirror and watched my outside storage compartment door flapping in the wind.

Oh birdie - I had my escape window doing that last year. The girls had closed and "latched" the window only they hadn't gotten it latched well. Going down the road and look in the side mirror to see that window bouncing!

[Liz]

And I'm not going to mention how I was so excited to go pick up Silver Lining for the first time, that I forgot an important step in my checklist. Shut up Birdie.

I do keep a checklist and use it. And add to it when there's something else I realize needs to be on it.

I drive mostly in the 45-55 mph range on the roads I travel. On an interstate, I may do 60, but rarely more than that. If I feel wind gusts I slow down.

[sharon]

Ok, so we know I'm the one with the lead foot here, BUT....having said that, the big W will slow me down everytime. Rain slows me down. People can go around you on the interstates and they can stay behind you until you can find a safe place to pull over on a 2 lane. There's no law that says you have to keep up with traffic even on the interstate. Actually, a new rv driver should never drive over 55 even in good weather. Slow down until you get used to Magic and how she handles in any given circumstance. You're not in any hurry to get anywhere anyway, you're on an adventure, not a journey!! If the wind gets bad enough that it's jerking the wheel out of your hand, you need to be off the road. Period. You're a new driver, get some experience under your belt before you try the scary stuff. Even if it's a rest area, truck stop, grocery store lot or wherever you can go to ground. It's not fun to be driving in the right hand lane and all of a sudden you're in the left lane. Been there, done that. Not yelling at you MF, just some sane advice from someone who cares about ya! And, all of that being said, you did great! Proud of ya!

And, oh yeah, I got stopped in Arkansas last year, in the car, for weaving. On my way to Little Rock to catch the plane for the cruise. Sheesh! I was watching the HP in the side view mirror follow me after I passed him in the center divider...and yes I was speeding when I came up on him. He thought I was drunk or something. Nope, just nervous at having a cop dog me. No ticket after I explained to him I'm a cops daughter and they made me nervous.

[Acadianmom]

Sarah, you did good. Don't worry about trying to do 70 because everyone else is. I am most comfortable doing 55 when the speed limit is 55 but will do 60 to 65 on an interstate if it's not raining or windy. I hate to go through Houston but it's hard for me to miss it going West without going a lot of miles and time out of the way. I think I would just as soon go through there during rush hour when everyone is going 40 if there aren't any wrecks. I just pick a lane and stay in it and they can just pass me. I do try to stay out of the truckers way and if I am holding up traffic on a 2 lane road I will pull over if it is convenient. I'm sorry Texas, I not driving 70 on a 2 lane road that needs to be 55. Texas must have decided they have too many people and are going to thin a few out.

The night before a trip I will write down the towns I am going through and how many miles between towns and where I have to change highways. I have a GPS but I don't always want to go her way. If I know how far to the next town it helps me plan if I need to stop. Where a GPS will really help is in a town you don't know. It will help you get back to where you want to be.

I don't bother someone who is hooking up or unhooking. I know if someone helps me then I'm not sure what all was done or not done. When you pull out of a site look to see if anything looks familiar, like your door mat. lol My cabinets and drawers have push button locks and I seldom make it very far without having to stop and lock something. Anything that's sitting out I just put it in the floor because that's where it's going to end up.

Just remember, you have everything you need with you and if the weather gets too bad just find a place to park and take a nap or spend the night. I like to visit friends and family and bring my own bed room with me. I don't feel like I'm bothering anyone.

Keep those wheels a rolling.

Martha

[WickedLady]

That trooper was just checking to make sure you weren't under the influence. The right lane on interstates is for slower traffic....use it and let others pass you. Good Job!

[Echo]

Sarah I think you did a he77 of a good job. Nashville is no picnic to go thru. When you get more confidence and you decide to try Nashville? Go straight thru and you will be surprised. I440 is OK, but I never liked going that way. But I happen to think that you passed with flying colors.

Nancy actually truckers don't have a whole lot of problems with those who go between 55 - 62mph as long as they do stay in the right lane. It drives us nuts when they get into the middle and left lanes and go that speed!! Most all states restrict big trucks to the 2 right lanes if your traveling a 6 lane highway. So the middle lane is the best one for truckers. Being an X trucker and now just a regular license holder the thing that drives me totally out of my mind is that people don't use exit and enter ramps the way that they should. They crawl up a ramp to get onto the highway and don't bother to speed up to enter the highway. And other people will freaking slow down to let them get on the highway. I have had idiots come to a damn stop on the highway to let someone out. GODS!!! And those entering the highway seem to think they have the right of way and don't even bother to look as they expect everyone to move over for them.

[mtngal]

Sarah....you ROCK!!!

[Redetotry]

Yeah Sarah, you did it! I hope each trip gets easier!

[PeggyinCT]

Yeah Sarah. You did it. You kept driving and didn't let fear keep you from arriving at the Blue Marlin.
I still am very anxious whenever I start a trip. I stay in the right lane and don't care if the whole world passes me. I only worry about the vehicle in front of me. It's not fun driving in wind and your hands get very tired. Now your with friends and have road stories to tell. Good for you.
Peggy

[snowball]

Very good Sarah!!! you as they have all said did good! be proud of yourself and continue on your journey
sheila

[MsJane]

You are going great! I do agree about going a little slower but then I'm in California and the speed limit is 55 when towing. Keep on writing because I enjoy reading about your first solo trip.

Take care and safe travels.

PS
Trying to figure how to get my image small size - can anyone help?

[Birdie]

Sarah, good on you girl friend!!! You just keep on the road and it will become second nature to drive and make magic with Magic. I am so excited that you decided to just do it!

My most recent oops: Stopped in Boise City and got the laptop out and logged on and did things, put it back in the case sitting on the sofa and took off down the road. Thhuummpp - made the curve and the laptop in case slipped to the floor. I forgot to put it back in place between the passenger seat and the outside wall! We all do things that we will not tell to anyone because it is so obvious, we don't want anyone to know we did THAT! You just have to get out and about a lot, but know things will happen. Try to lessen the 'cost' of what ever it is that happens.

Yes Liz I'll not tell that one on you - you don't tell on me about my maiden voyage with Suite Pea and those extra miles in Herbie! See Sarah, we all got "I don't wanna fess stories". Basic things that we know better, we just didn't do better.

I have been known to drive right thru the middle of cities. Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio - I don't like El Paso because you are driving with a lot of people who probably don't speak English, probably don't read English, probably don't have any driver's license or ANY insurance. Faith, baby, faith!

[Echo]

I have been known to drive right thru the middle of cities. Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio - I don't like El Paso because you are driving with a lot of people who probably don't speak English, probably don't read English, probably don't have any driver's license or ANY insurance. Faith, baby, faith!

To tell ya the truth? Driving big truck there were so many times that unless big trucks were restricted? I found it so much easier to drive straight thru a city. Tons of people are way worried about to much traffic and figure that taking a by pass around is so much better and then the by pass gets crowded and straight thru is less congested.

But I much prefer the 2 lane roads too. Always more to see and if you don't have a time schedule to stick to it's a lot less stressful.