July 2020

*****PLEASE READ: If you comment please put your name!*****

Hi All,

Here is an update of my first journey as a full timer....

I hit the road on July 1st after having a good-bye breakfast with a friend. I spent the first night in Beatty, Nv.

Hit the road in the morning for Wikieup, Az.....
This is how you know you are getting close to Vegas LOL! Anybody know what it is?

Interesting sign...

Always love the views out by Hoover Dam!

I had planned on boondocking (no frills camping aka off the grid) south of Wikieup, Az. When I arrived it was pretty hot outside and the spot was in a canyon where I figured it would be even hotter, so I decided to move on to the next town, Wickenburg, Az. It was still really hot there so had to settle for a campground with hookups. There were not a lot of choices so had to settle for a place that cost more then I usually would spend on a campground. Lesson #1 learned - have alternatives set up in case one place doesn't work out!
I got settled in and took a walk around the park. This cat decided to join me, followed me like a little dog all through the park.

The next day (July 3rd) hit the road for Tucson, and a couple days break.
Stayed at the fairgrounds on south side of Tucson. It was very hot! That didn't stop me. Did a little exploring after I got settled in. Apparently this is an airplane museum that I passed, there were hundreds of these planes there!

July 4th I headed to Tombstone. Cool little town, very touristy (not my thing), but glad I went.
The courthouse....

Downtown...it looks quiet but there were a lot of people there

Had to stop at Big Nose Kate's.....

Shop door sign

Was a fun day.
July 5th headed to Saguaro National Park. There is a cool loop you can drive through part of the park

There was also some hiking trails off of the loop. I had to just do the easy ones because it was 106*!
This was the first one, had some cool sights....

The next hike was a bit longer but also had stuff to see
Saw this bird nest...

Lots of cool cactus too

At the halfway point there a little bit of history, this was pretty cool to be there and picture them living there....

I was amazed at the birds that would land on the saguaro's, they were eating out of the flowers, not sure you can see them in the pictures

My next stop was planned for a few day stay in Deming New Mexico, but while in Tucson I learned that if you visit NM you needed to do a 14 day quarantine. I decided to change my plans and just drive straight through the state to Texas. So from Tucson I drove to Bowie Az and spent the night. Went through NM the next day.

This picture is coming into Las Cruses, I have a little history there from many years ago...

And then finally into Texas...

Spent a night (July 7th) in Van Horn Tx then headed to Fort Stockton Tx for a couple days rest and to get my Texas drivers licence
Was tempted to take this exit, may have been interesting hahaha!!

Camped on top of a hill in Fort Stockton.
My views....sculpture was on the way into town

After a relaxing day and my DL appointment I headed to Menard County Park for the weekend.
This turned out to be a really nice park on the river, this is my view from my window..
It was at this point where reality set in that I can change my view every day if I want to!

It was really pretty there, people really nice. It was still very hot and humid!

Spotted lots of turtles swimming in the river!!

Finally it was time to head to Austin...
For Texas claiming everything is big, many of the roads seem to be really narrow, especially if you are towing a trailer!

I'm in Austin for a while now, spending time with my daughter. I will update the blog again before I leave.
So far I am really liking this lifestyle. I love the feeling that when I am tired of one place I can just move to the next place! Still loving my trailer, it is perfect for me.

Put your name if you comment!! I don't know who "unknown" is!

Stay tuned.......and stay safe!

Oh What A Feeling!!!

Hi All,

****So I have some updates but before I get into that I want to let you know there is now a spot to add your email on the right side of the page (on your computer, not your cell phone!) so you will get notified when I make and update!*****

****ALSO....feel free to comment below but please put your name so I know who commented. Thanks!!****

I told you I would let you know about the house....I got an offer the day after it was listed on the MLS. Their offer was a bit out there pertaining to what they wanted so I rejected it. A few days later got another offer. We finally came to an agreement and went into escrow. A week or 2 later they had to cancel, they couldn't get the loan. Back on the market we go.....the next day got another offer! We made an agreement and started escrow. This deal has gone through! Escrow closes Monday or Tuesday. By the way, these people bought the place sight unseen!!
Here are a few pix from the well inspection and septic pump/inspection.....all inspections came back good and no repairs were needed either :-)

So reality is starting to sink in! Oh what a feeling it is to not have to worry about anything anymore! Just a truck and trailer, no house, no cars, no quads, no bikes, no bills, I love it!!

My plan now is to finish up some things here, and say my good-byes to the friends I have made. I will be wheels up on Wednesday morning to start my new life. I will be heading south down through Tucson, then east through (actually around) El Paso to Austin Tx. I will arrive there on July 13th. I am taking my time getting there, well, because I can! Hahaha!!

Don't worry I will be documenting my journey and I hope to be able to update the blog after each of my trips.

Stay safe everybody!!

Update

So thought I'd post an update since it's been about a month and things are moving along.

While in the process of cleaning out the house I also started several projects on my new (home) trailer.
I added a sewer hose holder. This trailer does not have a rear bumper where the sewer hose is usually kept. I mounted it under the trailer right near the drain pipe.

The trailer did come with a 2" receiver on the back, so I added a rack and a storage box. This worked out great and gives me some extra outside storage.

Since I usually boondock when camping I decided to upgrade the battery and add a second one. I also added a small box in between the batteries that holds some wood blocks for the levelers or whatever else. There was also enough room to add my water containers. Really happy how this all worked out!

Once these projects were done I was then able to pretty much empty the house except for some furniture I couldn't move on my own.
I then listed the house for sale.Things are happening with the house, don't want to jinx anything. Will update more later.....

Meanwhile, I went ahead and moved into the trailer. My sister came out for a few days and helped me move the rest of the furniture out of the house.
Then we headed out the next day on a 10 mile hike up to a ghost town....5 miles up in a bad head wind, but it was a good hike anyway.

This week has ended up with the terrible news of my long time good friend Bob passing away, I am heart broken, he will be missed by many! RIP Bob.....

Our infamous race in Glamis

Always a great sport!

One of hundreds of off the chart fun desert trips!

That pretty much brings you up to date for now.....stay tuned for more to come.....

Stay safe everybody!!