Brand new solo female RVer

[Olive600]

I pick-up my 2005 Gulfstream B Touring Cruiser tomorrow afternoon. This is my first RV experience (I don't count riding in one for a few hours), and I'm swinging from elation to terror. No matter. I've always wanted to do this and now I'm doing it! I live in San Antonio and would like to take my first short trip very soon. From what I've read, the stretch between San Antonio and El Paso sounds like a difficult route for a newbie, so I thought I'd head east. Any suggestions? It will be just me and my dog. I'm in my early 60s. Thanks.

[cnq50b]

Welcome!!!
I can't offer advice on your first outing, but just wanted to say "Hi!" & "Welcome!".
Others from Texas will chime in once they get online with plenty of recommendations for you.
I know you're going to have a blast with your Gulfstream Cruiser. You've joined a great group here - hope to meet you down the road!

[avalen]

Welcome anywhere overnight is considered the shakedown cruise You don't have to go far at all, have even known of some
that did their shakedown cruise in the driveway Congrats on your purchase and I look forward to many many posts from you
as you cruise your way down the highway. I'm really looking forward to getting acquainted with Texas and Oklahoma and those
two states are on my list to "someday"

[Bethers]

Hi and Welcome. As one who has driven from SA to the El Paso area several times, cannot fathom why anyone says that's not easy. I think it's very easy. But, we all like different things. My first outing and driving of my rig was leaving in a snow storm in WI and getting to AL as fast as I could. Believe me, by the time I got to my destination, I was comfortable lol ... although there have been moments since.

I highly recommend you look at taking the mh to a local state park or campground ... try all the systems, etc ... then head on out. No, I didn't do that lol, but no one says what I did is the best method. It worked for me, but a first short run is really a good idea.

[mitch5252]

..

Hi, Olive, and welcome to a GREAT Forum!

I had the shakes once in my driveway, er, I mean - that's where I did the "shakedown" with my little trailer. It was fun - me and the dog and the better half...
You'll do just fine!

Jump in wherever you want...ask away and you'll get lots of opinions and years of accumulated knowledge!

Glad you joined us!!

..

[BirdbyBird]

Welcome to the forum....from another Gulfstream owner. Have fun the learning curve is all part of the discovery process!

[Olive600]

Thank you to everyone for your responses. I've spent the day reading about female RVers and watching videos. I'm feeling much more confident than I was this morning. I think I'll do my shakedown (I'm learning the lingo!) outside my house. My driveway is slanted, and I've been told that I shouldn't park on the slant, so I'll be on the street. I live on a quiet cul de sac, so there shouldn't be any problem. If that goes well, I'll head east to the Texas piney woods as soon as I can. Lots of planning to do. I'll keep you posted. So glad I found this community.

[WickedLady]

Hi, Olive, welcome to the forum from Washington state. Hope to meet you on the road someday.

[cpatinjones]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

[mtngal]

Hello Olive! And Welcome! I'm in Austin and travel regularly between Cali and TX; have to agree with Beth.... I 10 is an easy drive. Fun local camps are Canyon Lake and Lost Maples. Also McKinney State park just east of Austin. But drive way is always a good place to start!

[sharon]

Hey Olive, welcome from the left coast. Yeah, I'm with Beth, I don't think the drive from SA to El Paso is bad, but can't fathom why you would even want to go that way with the hill country so close. LOL! There's lots and lots of pretty places to go close to you. You'll do fine! We all get the shakey poo's when we start out, it's part of the learning curve. Hope to see ya down the road!

[Acadianmom]

Welcome to the forum. I also recommend staying at a local RV park so you can try out all your systems. If you bought from a dealer you will be close if you have any questions or problems. You will find that most RVers are very helpful if you have a question just ask.

We have a couple of members from San Antonio that will probably chime in if they see your post.

Martha

[longdog2]

Hi Olive from another San Antonioian. I would recommend the driveway first so you can test all the systems. And then, it's gonna be wildflower season in the Hill Country. How much better than that can you get?

[Olive600]

Hi Colleen,
Good to know that there's a fellow SA girl on the forum. Do you have favorite places you stay between SA and El Paso, and between El Paso and Tucson? I'll be traveling alone, so safety is a big issue. (It would be even if I had a crowd with me.) Also, Olive is actually my dog's name. She's part dachshund and part who knows what. I'll post a picture at some point. Hope we meet some day.

Nikki

[longdog2]

Diana, Birdie, and Sharon run that road on a fairly regular basis so I am sure they can give you the best advice. Karen is heading that way this week so she will also have some good ideas. Balmorea is supposed to be pretty neat.