Hello -- looking forward

[havingfunnow]

I'm Louise, and I'm from Michigan. I don't have an RV yet, but by this time next year I will -- at least, I'll have something that will take me on some adventures, even if it's just a small van rather than a formal RV. I travel with William, a 13-year-old Collie-Golden Retriever mix. We like shunpiking and boondocking.

I'm really excited to hear what a group of women will say about this way of travel and life.

[monik7]

I'm Louise, and I'm from Michigan. I don't have an RV yet, but by this time next year I will -- at least, I'll have something that will take me on some adventures, even if it's just a small van rather than a formal RV. I travel with William, a 13-year-old Collie-Golden Retriever mix. We like shunpiking and boondocking.

I'm really excited to hear what a group of women will say about this way of travel and life.

Welcome Louise. I'm pretty new on this forum too. You'll find a very caring and helpful group of ladies here. You can ask all kinds of questions. I'm sure they will be able to help if you have questions on what type of vehicle you want. Will you be full-timing? I still have my house, but try to get out with my 2 dogs as often as possible.

Again, welcome!!!
Sandi

[Sandersmr]

Welcome! And I have to ask what is shunpiking? I haven't run across that term before.

[VickieP]

Welcome! And I have to ask what is shunpiking? I haven't run across that term before.

I had to look it up because I hadn't heard of that either:
The term shunpiking comes from the word shun, meaning "to avoid", and pike, a term referring to turnpikes, which are roads that require payment of a toll to travel on them.[1] People who often avoid toll roads sometimes call themselves shunpikers.

Shunpiking has also come to mean an avoidance of major highways (regardless of tolls) in preference for bucolic and scenic interludes along lightly traveled country roads.

Welcome to the forum!

[WickedLady]

Welcome to the forum, Louise. You have a lot in common with Beth as she prefers the backroads also.
I camped in my cargo van until I got it fixed up to tow my little travel trailer. Used a 12v cooler, a porta-potty, 12v lantern, etc. Worked like a charm as it is fully carpeted top to bottom and a foam mattress was comfy.
Glad you found us.

[BirdbyBird]

Welcome to the forum. Join in the fun and if there is anything we can do to inspire you to keep doing and dreaming forward, just let us know. Hope to meet you around the campfire in the future.

[avalen]

welcome, I had a van too that was all set up for camping. I miss that van but someday I'll have a small class c for running around in.
Shunpiking was a new term for me too but glad its all explained now, it makes perfect sense.

[ellenw]

Welcome, Louise -- my middle name. Have you had an RV in the past in which you shunpiked and boondocked or were you in a tent? I'm sure a lot or even most of us here love the backroads - nice to have a word for it. In fact, it'd be a great name for your future rig, don'tcha think?

[Redwahine]

Welcome. I'm new and in the process of trying to figure out what kind of rig I want. This is an awesome group of women. Ask any question and someone will answer. Shunpiking! A great term.. Thanks Vicki for looking it up

[Travelinana]

Welcome Louise, it's always exciting to greet a new member and doubly so when we think we will get to help shop for a new or new to you RV. Keep posting on your plans and progress.

[retiredhappy]

Welcome Louise. I'm a shunpiker and didn't even know there was a term for it. Altho I have said I prefer the "blue" roads cause usually on maps the smaller roads are often blue.

This forum is full of women who are anywhere from fulltimers (I did for three years) to weekenders (which I now am). We love pictures.

[mitch5252]

...Thanks Vicki for looking it up

A big, old' Forum Welcome to you, Louise! We're glad you found us AND we're already learning from you! We'll look forward to hearing about your upcoming shopping adventures.

Oh, I'm a ShunVickier (or ShunThePester)...
Over time, you will be, too!

[havingfunnow]

Oh, thank you all so much! I do feel welcome!

WickedLady, that sounds just like the setup I have in mind for this year! Next year maybe I'll add a teardrop trailer, and the tent can become a screen room. I do like the idea of having a separate cooking area, especially in bear country. I have great respect for bears.

It's actually not too different from the camping I did years ago, Ellenw. I had gear in the trunk of the car, and I could always sleep in the back seat in a pinch. Still, I really don't like putting up and taking down tents in the rain or snow! Ugh! Hence a van. She'll be named Addi, short for Adventuremobile.

Isn't shunpike a wonderful word? An old one, too, which makes it even better. Turnpikes are great for getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible, but they're not much fun to drive. Besides, The William is an excellent traveller at 35 mph, a good one at 50 mph, and a complaining one at 70 mph. I have no idea why that is the case, but since I have enough time in my life to work with it, why not?

Monik7, I think I'll be out about half the year -- a good solid stretch in the winter, shorter periods in the summer. It's the family kaleidoscope around here in the summer, and I wouldn't want to miss it. Too much fun!

Again, thanks so much for the warm welcome, everybody.

[linann]

Welcome to the group. Shunpike is a fun new term that will be part of my future vocabulary. Hope you have more!

[cpatinjones]

Hello and welcome to the forum!