Interested in East to West Trip.......

[YodaRules]

Looking for 1, 2 or 3 single RVers, with similar trip thoughts, interested in leaving Florida heading West or North then West in a very loose caravan type adventure. To me, "very loose caravan adventure" means keeping in contact with each other throughout the adventure whether traveling together, meeting up at campsites (from time to time or the whole adventure) and enjoy seeing the sights together. Campfire conversations are a great way to learn and grow as an RVer --I look forward to such.

Prefer company of women as I don't want there to be ANY conclusions this adventure is for anything other than companionship of like minded people drifting across the highways. Am not Gay but, certainly enjoy the wit and humor of my Gay friends.

Interests include star gazing, historical sites, photography, relaxing and enjoying the landscape God gave us to take in. Been a long time since I fished, but would like to take that up again (not sure about the cleaning) and want to visit astronomy RV parks as well as some of the famous "alien" sites. Perhaps, learn prospecting and rock hunting along with way. I could sit for hours just to breathe in the beauty of our world and give thanks.

My thoughts are to have a predetermined agreed route that would take about 8-12 weeks starting approximately 1st week of March 2016. Personally, I need to be back in Florida at least by mid-May. A route not made in stone but one that would be used as a guide. Some nights would be a "Wal-Mart Visit" going to next destination. Destinations would be group agreement as well as time camped. We would NOT share all meals nor spend all camping time together -- there has to be alone time .

My RV is a 26' Class B+ and I do not tow a vehicle as it parks pretty much anywhere. That being said.... the adventure would be a bonus to have someone along the does tow (pr pull) allowing a vehicle to leave camp in order to shop and/or visit local places from time to time. Of course, person would be compensated for fuel in these cases. I'm a young whipper snapper at 65 (in January will be 65 -- yeah, Medicare), slightly out of shape so walking is a habit I plan to indulge. Notice I said "walking" not 5 mile hikes.

I understand there are many who forge forward as a loner and do well -- at this point in my RVing life I want to be comfortable in my surroundings as I enjoy life. This is my best attempt to do so. Continuing this thread for ideas, suggestions and comments will be great (for all to see). However, if you are interested in pursuing a possible trip dialogue please email me: patsy.dominick @ yahoo.com

[mitch5252]

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Sounds like a great non-plan...

And ladies, just so you know, I met Patsy in NE GA last week and I believe quite strongly that she is not a serial killer, stalker, or some other kind of crazy. But you all know how my judgment leaves something to be desired.

Curious - is your preference dry camping or hook-ups?

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[YodaRules]

Mitch,

You are way too funny!!!! And I like hook-ups camping -- can handle a couple night boondocking if needed.

[BirdbyBird]

Topics that would be traveling companions might consider discussing amoung themselves: (You already covered the excellent one of "not necessarily traveling down the highway in lock step caravan fashion.)

1. There are differing tolerances for the amount of miles covered in one day. 100?, 150?, 300? etc.

2. Big interstate highways or the curvy, picturesque backroads? Or a mix?

3. Bright eyed, morning riser or a gradual morning person who moves off by 10:00?

4. Do you need to know ahead of time exactly what and where you are planning to land or do you switch up plans easily when distracted by wonders that call your imagination to explore?

5. As Mitch asked, are you comfortable boondocking or need or want hook-ups regularly?

6. Do traveling companions have electronics sufficent to allow communication amoung each other? Cell phone coverage and MIFI are not necessary but sure makes checking in easier.

7. Are traveling companions open to folks changing their minds or deciding that they really want to explore certain areas more thoroughly than others and driving off on their own?

8. There are those that drive and sight see and drive and sight see and drive and sight see...... And there are folks that drive and sight see and drive and sit gazing out at spendor of the lake/creek/woods/ocean for a time before moving on.

9. You already noted the differing levels of physical activity. All is usually fine if it is understood ahead of time. Are folks comfortable staying behind without resentment or the reverse, hiking out on a trail by themselves?

10. Do folks want to eat out all the time, potluck all the time or as you mentioned are folks wanting to eat often on their own. (Good for food budgets and eating healthy)

11. Those of you that have traveled with others, please jump in and add other questions that we usually discuss before saying, "Yes, lets go!"

[SoCalGalcas]

Tina, you really covered the subject thoroughly. I have traveled both in a "formal" caravan, and, informally with friends. In a "formal" caravan, you have a "leader" and a "tail gunner". When traveling with friends, this sometimes causes problems as no wants to "lead".

On one trip, there were 3 of us. Person in front suddenly pulled into parking spot, second person went in, then, no room for third person! We got separated and irritations arose!

Another time, 5 rigs traveling together. Person in back of line radioed ahead "find us a restruant I'm hungry". For 5 rigs on a strange highway!

Your #7 was good. The most important IMO! I did a trip with 6 rigs that was a high lite of my years on the road. It was a long trip from Q to east TX. We agreed on the nights lodging....then went together or alone throughout the day. It was OK for anyone to drop out and come back into the group anytime they wished.

If people are kind, consider it, civil, things will work out well.

Lyn

[YodaRules]

Tina, what a good list to think about..... and Lyn, I agree with you pointing out #7 in Tina's list. It is very important to understand everyone has their own ideas and places to visit. All should be able to drift in and out of the adventure. After all, one may..... after a week or so.... decide it's not for them and head off on their own adventure. Hopefully, we are adult enough to understand and wish them happy traveling. While traveling together the stopping, eating, sightseeing could be as a group as well as on your own. I also agree that common courtsey and consideration goes a LONG way in developing relationships as well as possible trips together.

I believe communication is the key... before and during the adventure.

[BirdbyBird]

It is a nice feeling though, knowing that if you needed help, someone would drive over/back etc. to lend you a hand. But maybe folks should ask that question, too. I am thinking how so many of us took turns being sick at the OR gtg this past summer and how nice it was to know that there were people that would not let a body rot too long before noticing.

[mitch5252]

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Just want to let you ladies know that Patsy is a really nice person, and not a serial killer.
Maybe a cereal killer - I don't know...



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[mitch5252]

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Tina was a wonderful nurse - straws and ice cold water. And crackers.
Gosh, we were a sick bunch of women...
Glad THAT's over.
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[YodaRules]

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Just want to let you ladies know that Patsy is a really nice person, and not a serial killer.
Maybe a cereal killer - I don't know...



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Mitch, I see one of your MANY talents is.... photoshop! Can't believe I didn't catch you taking this. And yes, I do like cereal -- simply cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs!

[BirdbyBird]

and the day after I worried about and assisted the lovely Mitch, she returned the favor by bringing me fluids and crackers..... The "village" definitely looked after one another that week. There was a lot of gifting bottles of Gatorade.

[SoCalGalcas]

Yes! I was blessed with helpful good friends. I was so sick! Lyn

[avalen]

ya, that OR GTG was great! in spite of each of us getting sick, well, almost all of us, and I thought I was gonna skip it but
no, it got me too. I think Lyn was the sickest of all, as it took so long for her to bounce back.

[monik7]

You're right Ava, only California gals (Sharon, Diana, and I) didn't get the bug. Sorry our other California girl, Lyn, was so sick.
Sandi

[gingerK]

..
Sounds like a great non-plan...

And ladies, just so you know, I met Patsy in NE GA last week and I believe quite strongly that she is not a serial killer, stalker, or some other kind of crazy. But you all know how my judgment leaves something to be desired.

Curious - is your preference dry camping or hook-ups?

..

Is she an "ax murderer" then?

( Sorry, Patsy, it is an inside joke. First time I met the ladies a friend was aghast that I was going out to KS to meet a bunch of ladies I'd met on the internet. "They could be ax murderers!" she said. And someone else's daughter said the same thing first time her Mom met up with a bunch of us.)