A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

... as if anyone cares!!!

BUT ... I got a call from my favorite Louisiana refuge, saying they had a cancellation
and would I like to come this summer? Well ... whether I go there (hot & steamy)
or paddle all summer in South Texas (hot and steamy) ... my next stop is Gila Cliffs
National Park in New Mexico at 6,000 feet. Cold. In the teens. Through December.

Cold.

SO ... (I know you're thinking, GET TO THE POINT,WOMAN!) my question is ... how do
I pack for BOTH climates & seasons? Ohhhh .... the travails of the poor beleagured
RV traveler.

Oh, wait. Full-timers do it. Must be able to be done .... Oh, ye sage ones, enlighten
me. Do you rotate wardrobes ... or do you just follow the warm?

Oh course we care!!! And to your question......LAYERS!

mtngal wrote:Oh course we care!!! And to your question......LAYERS!

and BOXES. I have to go from Baja to Alaska, so all my wintry stuff is in a big plastic tub until its needed.

I'm a layers person - plus I always have a sweatshirt handy. But I need cold weather and hot weather clothes right now- although my heaviest stuff is now at the back of the closet. Living full time - need to have it all with me all the time

My first summer workamp job was in NH - and I had to go buy more wintry clothes, as I didn't think I'd need them - and froze in those mountains that summer until I realized, I need more layers and some heavier stuff.

my wardrobe such as it is doesn't seem to vary much summer or winter so its there in the closet windy that skirt warm that one or those pants and that top is hotter so won't wear it type of thoughts when i get dressed
so no help here when you leaving??
sheila

Oh, still don't know. I was thinking, if I go to the refuge in Texas (kayaking), I will be in
a remote area and without cell or Internet. And my fall gig (if I don't chicken out) will be
in a VERY isolated place ... Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in New Mexico.
Forty-some miles of bad road to the nearest city. No cell service ... spotty wireless
access (they say I can plug my laptop into the Internet at the visitor center when I need to).

So ... my question to myself is whether I want to live isolated for FIVE months -- no
cell service, no Internet, no TV? The Louisiana refuge is right on the edge of Monroe,
LA. There's a university and I have some lovely friends there.

Gila Cliffs has a large group of volunteers who all live in the same RV park just four
miles from the Monument. So I will have people around ... but don't know if that
will be a blessing or a curse.

Well, we have the "5 outfits per person per seasonal temps" code.... Which means 5 pairs of jeans, shorts, each for Ernie & me...5 tops/shirts too (10 outfits each)....hang tops/shirts in the closet.....fold jeans/shorts for storage in the cupboard.....layer stuff according to the weather....sweatshirts and hoodies handy...and a good fleese as an outer garment for really cold weather.....1 "dress up" outfit for "just in case" (dress slacks and nice top).....Purge older items when you buy new...and if you haven't worn it in a year....get rid of it.....

Deciding on your locations.....well.....I suppose it depends on how much you really enjoy being "outdoors and with nature", roughing it without constant contact with the outer world, or having "creature comforts" avalible......that is something only you can decide..... Only you know what your limits are.....

Okay, some help with the wardrobe....not much with the location decision....but hope this helps a little.....

Of course, the decision is yours to make; but I understand your need for our thoughts. It's hard to make these decisions! If it were me, I would opt for the Louisiana post because although it seems remote, it's actually near civilization in the form of a college town with all the necessaries you would need (internet, supplies, library) without driving 45 miles over an undesirable road. AND you have friends there. Gila Bend sure is gorgeous and peaceful, but. . .

As for clothes. I'm with Lori, only I don't have an Ernie to consider! In my very small closet I keep one winter jacket with a hood - it's nylon outside (for rain, etc) and sweatshirt material lining (for a bit of warmth). I also have a heavy cardigan sweater which can go under the jacket as needed. A zip up sweatshirt with hood (heavier than a hoodie) and a lightweight jersey snap up cardigan complete my layering. I also have a plaid lap robe tucked away in my rig that is great for wrapping up in front of a fire (right, Sheila?).

In a cabinet over my bed I have 2 pair of regular jeans, 2 pair of black jeans, 1 pair of regular jean shorts, 1 pair of black jean shorts, and khaki pants (can be used for dressy - sort of) and khaki shorts. With those three colors I can mix and match 5 or 6 short sleeve tees and another 5 or 6 long sleeve ones. I also have a pullover sweater and a regular sweatshirt. I don't hang any clothes in my closet - no room for starters and I just don't camp with things that need ironing or hanging. I do have a hanging shoe bag in the closet along with my jackets and I cut up another shoe bag and stapled the sections to the "wall" under my bed. I have 2 drawers under my closet and that's where tops and undies go. My bathing suit gear is in a nylon backpack stuffed on the closet floor. It sounds like a lot, but actually everything fits in a rather small cabinet.

I was very impressed with how Diana and Sharon manage in their smaller rigs. They would be the experts for sure!

Happy travels whatever you decide.

Evie

Okay! I've just confirmed ... it'll be Louisiana July and August. Then three months
at Gila Cliff Dwellings Nat'l Monument for the fall. There! It's done!

I emailed the folks in Texas and let them know. To be honest, they've been
fooling around with this for a month ... and I'm tired of it.

So I feel better knowing where I'm going. Thanks everyone for the clothing
suggestions. I'll have a very easygoing summer (I think they ask 16 hours a week ...
maybe 20 ... can't quite remember) and work hard (32 hours a week) at Gila
Cliffs. It's all good.

I can take three months of relative isolation. I'm thinking now, however, about
getting a satellite dish. But that means I'd have to buy satellite service ...
oh $$$$$.

Hello, my name is Sharon and I'm addicted to clothes and shoes! Maybe that's why I have such a big coach???? Seems like everywhere I go the weather is mixed so I need to take for all seasons. You don't even want to know what I took for 10 days at Glamis!! LOL! So guess I'm not any help there, and I can pretty well garantee that I'm not gonna be anywhere for 3 months where the weather is in the teens! That said, I did enjoy your post about your travel options, we're a nosy bunch here and always like to hear where someone is going. I love the Gila Cliff dwellings, but only in the summer. The isolation wouldn't bother me as long as I had access to a used book store or library every couple of weeks and I have a satellite dome, so if I can avoid the trees I'm good to go.

Looks like you've made your travel plans and your coach is big enough you should be able to pack what you want, so go and enjoy yourself, take lots of pictures and keep us posted when you can. Are you gonna make it to Quartzsite?

No, don't think Quartzsite is in my future this year. BUT ... on my way back from Gila Cliffs I might could stop by.

I will be workamping in Silver City (KOA) midApril thru Sept 30. I LOVE the cliff dwellings and I don't think the road there is bad at all, just 2 lane curvy road. I'd be happy to meet up with anyone for lunch in SIlver city, maybe?

retiredhappy wrote:I will be workamping in Silver City (KOA) mid April thru Sept 30. I LOVE the cliff dwellings and I don't think the road there is bad at all, just 2 lane curvy road. I'd be happy to meet up with anyone for lunch in SIlver city, maybe?

I'll be at Gila Cliffs in September ... we DEFINITELY can have a mini-GTG. Yaaaay!

Getupngo wrote:

retiredhappy wrote:I will be workamping in Silver City (KOA) mid April thru Sept 30. I LOVE the cliff dwellings and I don't think the road there is bad at all, just 2 lane curvy road. I'd be happy to meet up with anyone for lunch in SIlver city, maybe?

I'll be at Gila Cliffs in September ... we DEFINITELY can have a mini-GTG. Yaaaay!

I'll be at Kanab, Utah again from April 1 through the end of October - so near and yet so far. Would love some kind of GTG, especially to meet you and Karen and anyone else, but it might have to be somewhere in-between.

Your jobs sound great. I haven't been to Gila Cliffs, but did explore Bandelier National Monument, near Los Alamos, a number of years ago. Fascinating place.
I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.