What Was It Like The Very First Day?

[snowball]

I do know that the very first time I went to dump I removed the outside cap only to find that the black tank and not been closed....either during the initial walk through or ?????? There was a lot of immediate jumping back and loud expletives and then a lot of rinsing and rinsing and rinsing...... After that surprise nothing seems so bad.

It would sure make everything else pale in comparison...I know a couple of times out in the desert accidents happened and what to do not a heck of a lot of water and the smell...yikes but kitty litter covers both and looks not unnatural

as to the first day was excited and scared but mostly excited we had to stay in SLC for four months after DH retired for two reasons they had not had him sign something on his retirement and so he was concerned that we would be miles and miles away and have to try and work out a glitch in the retirement and then for some reason the bank and dmv weren't communicating very well it took all that time to get the correct papers to dmv so we could get our rig licensed and be able to take it out on the road...Now I'm looking forward to a new life and experiences and am sure that the panic and scared feeling will be there
sheila

[ladyrenegade]

Wow, how much better I feel now reading these inspiring posts. I made it, I'm living in my bus now ...for 3 weeks and faced a few challenges getting organized and tonight coping with a plugged toilet, my own fault, too much toilet paper and the wrong kind. Lesson learned.

Haven't got far either, still parked on my Realtor's farm. Nice and safe anyway but soon hope to get settled into a local campsite for the winter. Full-time RV living was the most drastic change I've ever undertaken ....am doubtful of my own abilities sometimes, especially when these upsets happen. But, so wonderful to read the encouraging posts here. Thank you everybody. I haven't been online much at all lately with selling the hhouse, moving into a bus and adjusting to technically being homeless,but on wheels. Changing times.
Stay well and safe everyone
Cheers.

Janis

[longdog2]

You aren't homeless, you just have a home that is mobile. Lots of water for the toilet may help.

[snowball]

we have a sign on the back of the 5th wheel not homeless just house less right now that isn't sounding right
will try and remember to look and do a edit but you get the idea
this is your home just a different version of house
sheila

[Roadweaver]

You ladies are such an inspiration. I am very happy my daughter started this thread. Every post gives me that much more confidence. I feel like I have so many new friends that will laugh and cry with me as I start the next chapter of my life.

This morning I was lying here in bed thinking that for the first time, I am making decisions for me with no fears of what others think or say.

[ladyrenegade]

Thanks Snowball, that was quite a way to start out....unfortunate but not the end of the world....had to get things in perspective ....it is just a plugged toilet and I'm making progress with it. I don't want to call for help if I can remedy things myself.

I am so delighted to live on a bus. Never saw this coming but I'm loving living on wheels. Anyway, the sun is shining and lots to do still downsizing my stuff. I ended up just giving all the house furniture to my wonderful neighbors of 25 years who were always there when you needed them. Stellar neighbors. Still get to see them as I'm doddling along learning the RV ropes.

Cheers all!

Janis

[Echo]

This morning I was lying here in bed thinking that for the first time, I am making decisions for me with no fears of what others think or say.

Isn't that just about the best feeling in the world?? What makes it the very best feeling is that it's so freeing when you truly grasp that concept!!!

[Getupngo]

I haven't full-timed yet, but have spent six months out of the year on the road. I started out on my first trip from Salt Lake City in an older Class C, on the way to a three-month volunteer gig Louisiana. I. Was. Terrified. But then again, I am always afraid doing new things. But I still do those new things. I got blown all over the road by winds and passing semis. That year I spent six months on the road.

I must say, though, when I am afraid I turn into a screaming diva.

When I got my Class A, the first trip was to Washington State. The rig was hard to hold on the road, getting thrown this way and that by the ruts semis make in roads. I'd arrive at my stops simply exhausted and stressed. When I returned home, my mechanic installed high-quality shocks and a Steer-Safe device that keeps the wheels forward. Now it's very stable and just a hoot to drive.

[cnq50b]

You ladies are such an inspiration. I am very happy my daughter started this thread. Every post gives me that much more confidence. I feel like I have so many new friends that will laugh and cry with me as I start the next chapter of my life.

I so agree with this! I never imagined there was such a great group of women who have had the same dreams, faced the same fears & yet have made their dreams come true. Sure its not always sunshine & rainbows, but I know I'm not alone in this adventure.

I especially appreciate hearing how scary those first times out were for so many. I have always loved driving - loved floating down the road with such freedom & abandon, but the first 3 days with my mega van weren't quite the love story I'd dreamed of. Winds, big trucks, thunderstorms & hurricane type wind & rain were pretty discouraging - until I came back to this group & found out that's all part of it. And that it does get better.

Now I take out my van every chance I can - totally confident on city streets with it, still a little cautious on highways exit ramps & sharp curves, but hey, I should be - this is one tall skinny van! I might talk to my mechanic brother about those shock absorbers or that steer safe device to see if he thinks it will help - thanks for that info, getupngo. It might be overkill for my class B but I'll see what he says. But that just goes to show how the info just gets passed around here????? gotta love it!

[Roadweaver]

Steer safe device,.....something else I will have to look into. Thanks again.

[Dawn309]

I am going to look into that SteerSafe device too. It's the ruts in the roads from the 18 wheelers that get me. I have done OK with the 18 wheelers going past me. Haven't noticed much sway with that.

[Echo]

I am going to look into that SteerSafe device too. It's the ruts in the roads from the 18 wheelers that get me. I have done OK with the 18 wheelers going past me. Haven't noticed much sway with that.

Anything going down the road and passing me has a tendency to try and suck the truck and trailer to the left!!! Have to be alert all the time. But big trucks cause the most suction and sway!! There was one style of big truck that didn't bother me at all but danged if I can remember which one it was with that body style. Which ever one it was never caused me a problem at all no matter how many time that style passed.

[JudyJB]

These things are NOT fun to drive because you cannot relax the way you used to when driving a car down the road. No one-handed casual grip will do.

Just to remind the newcomers of the advice I was given a few months ago. I had been planning out my route and several stretches had well over 300 miles on them--a couple even 350! I was told that because driving was so different and required such concentration that more like 200 per day was more like it. You aren't driving as fast as you used to and you are having to correct for a lot more things that you never even noticed in a car.

I adjusted my schedule, and they were absolutely right. 200 miles would often take me 6-7 hours, and I would be completely worn out. I was stopping to rest more often, etc.

So, for your first trip, no matter what you are driving, limit yourself to 200 miles per day. After a few days and on very good roads, you can increase it, but best not to exhaust yourself at first and get into a dangerous situation because you are tired.

No driving after dark, either!! Just make that a hard and fast rule.

[BirdbyBird]

I do allow myself to drive later into the day when I know that I am heading for a Walmart. I might take a short nap earlier in the day cover more miles and hit the lot near dusk. When I am staying at the Walmarts I am usually trying to cover miles and not trying to take in the sights.... The fewer hours I spend sitting in the lot the happier I am.....

[Pooker]

Most of us have lead hectic, do-five-things-at-once lives. It's very hard to dial it back, isn't it? But remember, girls, we chose this lifestyle to relax, enjoy the view, and smell the roses. Yup! There will be bumps in the road. Hard decisions to make. Just about every emotion to experience. That's living!

Back to previous question: The first time for us was when my DH lost his job after 31 years and no one wanted to hire someone over 50. We sold the house; put everything in storage; bought an ancient Winnie; rented a tow dolly to bring his car; tossed the cat in and headed from East coast to West coast. We had camped for years, but never driven a motorhome when we picked her up. Had so many problems with the Winnie along the way because it had been winterized and as soon as we got to warmer weather we found the leaks everywhere! Blew a water hose and brainstormed 2 hours before figuring we could use the sewer clamp to hold the hose on. At one point had to lock the poor cat in the bathroom while I sat writing letters "back home" while listening to stereo music blasting country/western on one side and a Spanish station on the other when a crew of RV repair guys were trying to get us back on the road. I won't bore you with all the stories.

How did we feel? Like a couple of kids running away from home! Giddy! Every problem, every test, was met with hope and anticipation. Have I ever been sorry we did that? NEVER! Life worked out and in the years following our getaway I have gotten to see most of this wonderful country of ours and discovered that no matter where you have your breakdown, what crisis you are facing, there are some pretty amazing folks out there willing to help. Many of them right on this forum!

Pooker