what a journey...

[bluepinecones]

Know it was a tough journey but aren't you proud of yourself for making it.

Think I remember you mentioning that you will be heading west when you leave FL. Since you like boondocking, would urge you to look into Harvest Hosts to see if there aer locations in areas you plan to visit. I was impressed with Louise description and delight with those she had tried.

[daibraik]

Well done, Cricket!

Regarding cats: When I full timed, we took our cats. Like your cats, my male cat screamed and hollered all the way to the vet when I put him in a carrier. And he used to make a mess in it as if he hadn't gone to the bathroom in two years. He still hates the carrier. The female was more docile, but I had to chase both of them down, or stalk them, or strategize to get them into their carriers to travel with us. Some people will disagree with this, but I put them in the fifth wheel in their crates in the bathroom while we drove in the truck. (Natch, we don't do that with people because it's dangerous.) I didn't listen to the belly aching, and they eventually calmed down, but they never truly liked it. The male stopped messing his crate after about two days. The female never did soil her crate, nor did she caterwaul like the male. The alternative was giving them away, and that was no good.

I just couldn't travel with a loose cat in a motorhome. I'd be too worried the cat would try to hide under my foot and the gas pedal or brake.

I'm not an indoor/outdoor cat person. Mine stay indoors, but I too have seen cats on leashes. It looks interesting.

I don't travel with my cats right now because my significant other is home taking care of them and the dog, thank goodness. I'm snow birding. I'm in a motorhome now, and I often wonder how I would travel with them. I think I'd crate them and put them in the bathroom again during travel, if only to cut down on the noise and keep them from watching me which incites the male to cry piteously. The male though large is a typical scaredy cat (as am I). The female tends to be more adventurous and probably actually likes traveling. They both love arriving at the destination and scoping out the goings ons in any park if they can see out of the windows.

I think almost all animals can be accustomed to certain things. We do put the cats in the pantry every night with their food (to keep it from the dog) and with their beds. They're content enough to go. It's "their" place now for night night.

Dawn

[CricketSail]

About the cat. I transitioned him to being an indoor cat when I lived with a friend for 2 months before taking off in the RV. To my surprise I found a World of difference between the car and the rv for the cat. He's hysterical in the car, but just loved the rv. I think the difference is there are so many great places for him, like over the cab bunk. Yes, he does get behind the slides, but I'm careful about that. He can find his own place in the rv.

I don't put him on a leash since he's suddenly very happy to just be in the RV. I thought the diesel engine and generators would freak him out, and I got a sedative from the vet, but never needed it. He finds some place to curl up and sleep when we travel, is right back out to have some looks out the window when we stop.
I think a key thing is that I never change his "environment." He lives in the RV, and he's happy with that as his total world. Since he doesn't go out, he's gotten used to it and isn't trying to get out the door. Also, I have never crated any of my animals. They think they are being punished and get Really Sad.
I think my advice would be to give the cat and the rv a try. I found it's not like a car for him at all. All my cats (and dogs) barfed in the car, never the rv. I don't confine them in any way, which may be a safety thing, maybe not. They are always free to find their own comfort spot, and that has made a difference I think. Anyway, they are certainly happy.

[dayspring39]

Oh you are one brave lady! I would never have ventured out in the horrible weather... You did and made it... I love reading about adventures from my cozy inside...
Kathleen

[CricketSail]

I'll look into Harvest Hosts, I need to get to more boondocking, less time in the campgrounds. About the cat, the only lesson I've taken from it is that the car and the rv seem to be very different experiences for the animals. Bad car experiences aren't necessarily how it's going to be in the RV.