I have been gate guarding in the oil fields of Texas for nigh onto 2 years now. While not completely off the “Road” as I travel from gate to gate south of San Antonio, it is a life of many months spent in one place, usually though not always far out in the boonies away from civilization, guarding one gate 24/7, umbilical cords to a support trailer providing the necessities of life (water, electricity, refuse removal), with an occasional monthly wild ride into a town for fresh supplies for my earth ship. Entertainment is found in the beauty of nature, sunsets so red and bold as to require nightly pictures, and the occasional visits of curious animals, both wild and domestic. Of course, there is also the standard TV provided by a well-tuned satellite dish, radio stations blaring out both Country and Western when not in Spanish, and books. Lots of books.
Last night, I poked my Bluetooth headset into my right ear, threw a camper on the back of my old truck, fired it up, and headed back out on the road with a large dog of French persuasion named Charley whose command of the English language was limited to “pfft”. I drove many miles out of my way to avoid the traffic congestion of New York City, crossed through Connecticut and Vermont, enjoyed the White Mountains of New Hampshire, till at last I was back in Bangor, Maine. After a night of peaceful sleep without the constant hum of a generator in my ears or the buzz of alarms telling me another tanker truck was coming through, I spent some time in the local and profuse antique stores gawking at the many items stored in basements, attics, and barns for years as they were replaced by newer models or thrown away with chips and dents by ancestors now long dead. I was amazed by the prices even a previously 10 cent plate now fetched or attempted to fetch.
After a leisurely uninterrupted lunch and a short walk with Charley to meet and greet the nearest Maine bush, we hit the road again to find Deer Isle for the night. The lady inn owner was expecting us. As usual and despite the numerous maps onboard, I managed to get lost and pass my turnoff. I had been warned not to ask directions from locals who delighted in providing wrong directions to tourists while silently laughing there heads off inside. I tried asking a rather taciturn local officer of the law for help which led to nothing more than a nod of the head in the direction which I had come. I set off again following the nod until I found the turn I had missed and managed to navigate to the old but stately inn in the woods. The owner was a very nice woman, alone and of senior age, who greeted us with typical New England cordiality. She provided a place for us to rest and all the info needed to enjoy our stay. She introduced Charley to her cat who thoroughly detested both dogs and humans and would have been quite glad to see the whole of Maine decimated of beings save for herself and the lady. Thankfully, Charley has no interest whatsoever in cats either for speaking to or chasing. We got some dinner, introduced a tree to the unique essence that is Charley, and went blissfully off to sleep again to relieve our tired bodies and ponder our current adventure.
The next morning, I woke up alone. Charley was nowhere to be seen. He had not woken me up as usual with a “pfft” in my face. The inn and lovely woods of the island were gone. Alarms were shrieking. I could hear a generator humming in the background. Looking outside, the land was now patches of dirt and cactus. A tanker was passing by, too fast as usual. A large wide gate stared at me as if to say, “Get back to work!”. I was home again if you can call it home. The new adventure was over, for now. I look forward to hitting the road again this evening and continuing my explorations. I secretly grin at the thought of traveling the back roads of America with a dog named Charley when I once again poke my Bluetooth headset in my right ear to let Gary Sinise and his wonderful voice read John Steinbeck’s book, “Travels With Charley”, to me again from my Kindle Fire. I read it myself as a child so many years ago and it was the catalyst in my life that led me to becoming a full-time RVer and wanderer of the country, of the planet. Till tonight…
Sounds like a fantastic adventure. I don’t know how you’ve lasted two years. I can be home for about 4 months before my wandering bones want to take a walk. Books, dreams and pure imagination are great substitutes until the real thing can happen.
I don’t know either but I have had some wonderful vacations (I take 4 a year) and am keeping my eye on the goal I am working toward.
I love road trips, though I have never been in an RV before. It’s just so much fun to explore new places and have new experiences. When the kids are older we want to take them in an RV around the country.
That would be the most wonderful gift you can give your kids! There is so much out there that isn’t taught in schools.
Nothing I would love more than to have an RV to roam around in! If i was to win the lotto we would do this interminably!
I know someone who lives full-time in a tent roaming around the country. He loves it! With workamping and jobs or businesses over the Internet, anyone can do it.
What a fun glimpse into your adventure! Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it. The power of the mind is a wonderful thing.
What a fun adventure! I love getting away from everything and relaxing, but I admit it’s always nice to come home too. Thanks for sharing your story!
I prefer to take my home with me so I am always home. Turtles and snails have the right idea.
I used to have a pop up camping trailer and I miss it. Loved reading your post
I have done tents, pop-ups, truck campers, class C, travel trailer, and now a 5th wheel. Loved them all. Do miss my popup too It was the biggest Coleman made back then with a bathtub/shower, porta potty, and furnace. Very easy to tow.
The idea of getting away sounds nice, but in reality I prefer to have my home to come back to.
I prefer to take my home with me. 😉
That sounds so exciting.
In South Africa where I am, RV’s have not really taken off. That being said, we love exploring and there are plenty of places to do just that.
Thanks for the info. I was wondering if Africa did much RVing. Exploring new places is always good even without an RV.
A lovely post. Never been in an RV, but I used to love taking long drives to nowhere in particular, getting lost in the process but always discovering new scenery. It was a great way to de-stress or get over a bad day. I need to do that again.
Have done the long drives too and love them. Sometimes I end up at a motel for the night. No planning involved. I used to keep a packed suitcase in my car in case that happened.
What excitement! I can’t say that I’ve had much of an adventure in awhile, in the more traditional use of the word. Moving back home to the SF bay area from Canada has been an adventure for me, and the road trip here had a lot of twists and turns… but in the classic sense, I haven’t been on an adventure since my husband and I took a road trip to Vancouver and Vancouver Island and camped every other night! Enjoy your next adventure!
Are you kidding me?! Moving between countries is a huge adventure! Hope to do that myself someday.
So fun, thanks for inviting us along your journey!
Glad to have you aboard.
What a wonderful adventure. It is so funny because I just told my husband last week, we should sell everything and hit the road. He just laughed at me. I can see it now, Betty, Eric, Lucy and Ricky. Lucy and Ricky are my dogs and I know they would love to do this. Thanks for sharing your story, really was a great read. cheers
You do realize that Lucy and Ricky made a movie called “The Long, Long Trailer” don’t you? LOL My Mom laughed at Dad when he brought Army surplus tents home and announced that we were now campers. After our first trip out, she stopped laughing at him and we had many wonderful trips in tents then RVs.
Your post is a breath of fresh air. Thank you for letting us join you on your journey. I was totally transported into your story. I’m hoping when I get to retire (long in the future) that this is what retirement will look like. 😀
LOL But I’m not retired. There are lots of us younger folks out on the road traveling and workamping along the way. I worked over the Internet for a couple of companies for most of my time out there. I have met lots of construction people, internet business owners, teachers, nurses, transcriptionists, writers, campground hosts, amusement park workers, swap meet sellers, RV insurance agents, mechanics, gate guards, and even a guy who runs his whole trucking operation from the road.
You have the life I want!! I hope I can do this one day, just buy an RV and travel the country!
I hope so too! It’s a wonderful life! Never going back to sticks and bricks home.
It’s awesome to be so wrapped up in a book that it not only gives us an escape from reality but inspires us to live a dream. Thank you for sharing yours.
You’re welcome! I’ve had a wonderful time traveling all over the country thanks to John Steinbeck and Charley who got me started.
Such wonderful writing, I fell right into your tale. What a gift!
Glad you liked it. It’s not easy having to stay put for so long after traveling all over the country. This helps.
What an exciting adventure. I need to get out more often 😉
I have said that I want to travel a year or so —– one of these days. Just sell the house and load up the van and go wherever we want for a year.
Then back home buy a very small house to retire in.
I will keep up with your adventures.
Thanks for sharing
Debra
You won’t be sorry you did! Just don’t put it off too long. When I can’t drive anymore, I plan to settle down in an RV park where people are much friendlier than house people and there is lots to do.
One of the things I since I have been married and had kids is being able to travel more. Now, I never have enough time and/or money. I really miss it.
Know how that is. I ran away from home the minute my last child turned 18 before he could. Stuck him with the house and car, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, noisy neighbors, etc.
Great post! My husband and I are thinking about buying an RV. Can’t wait for our adventures to begin! 🙂
No think. Do or … heck just do it! You won’t regret it.
This would be my idea of a dream too. Just traveling with a pooch and seeing nature and lots of different places. Enjoy living your dream!
I am! I am!
Love your writing! This is the dream – to just go from place to place, meet new people and explore nature!
You have no idea how many great things are out there on the road just waiting for you to discover them. It’s a far better education than I ever got in school. There is so much they don’t teach.
Fun adventure – traveling the country via road trip with a dog. But as always, back to work hehe.
Yeah, could have done without the work part but I’m not old enough to retire. Been lucky to work a lot over the Internet.
That sounds so exciting! I need more adventure in my life!
Be careful. I have become an adventure junky. Every February – March my feet start itching to get back out there and do or see something cool.
This was written very well. I just talked about renting an RV and driving around the country, but for only about a week.
Can’t do it in a week but you should do it. I went to South Dakota for just a couple weeks and ended up staying for 6 weeks. Still not seen everything there. Winter chased me out down south.
We also had friends who full-time RV’ed for several years. It was great when they visited us…just pulled up in the driveway, stayed until the urge to move on struck them. No inconvenience of messing up our beds! Ha! I’d love to do this some day. Thanks for sharing
Have done that numerous times. I love staying at my son’s and introducing myself to his friends as the mother he keeps in the backyard. 😉
I wish I had the courage to take off and travel like that! I lived in Maine for a short bit and there are so many stories to tell there. Thanks for your post!
My friends and family were not crazy about the idea but I went and have had no big problems. Maine was wonderful!
Wow, I love your writing style! You really drew me in. I live outside San Antonio and can understand why you let your mind wander. 🙂
A fellow Texan! I’ll be back out on the road again in just a couple more years. Until then, I have to be content with one week vacations four times a year and whatever I can create in my mind. 😛
Oh, if I could only talk my husband into buying and RV and traveling full time! I guess I’m just going to have to live my life vicariously through you! Great blog, I’m glad I found it!
LOL. That is one reason I never remarried. I knew one day I was going to do this and no one was going to stop me.
Lovely! Isn’t amazing how a book can create a whole new world for you?
It’s awesome! Such a good book!
I got caught up in your story. Felt like I was the one in the story and suddenly waking up from the adventure. Great humor and great writing style.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
What a fun change of pace from the usual casual and informal blog writing, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and love your writing style 🙂
Thank you! I couldn’t help myself. I love that book so much and really miss doing my usual traveling at the moment. Alas, bills must be paid.
I have some friends who decided to do a year on the road and it changed their lives. So awesome to hear of people living their dreams on the road. Enjoy! I’ll have to share this with them. 🙂
Please do! Would love to hear from them. It does change you life forever.
You had me drawn into our travel adventure, then snapped me right back to reality. Thanks for sharing your story.
Happy you enjoyed it. I could have done without the reality part myself but I like to eat and so do my creditors. Sigh.
Living life on the road is our goal when we retire!! Awesome life!!
DO IT! It truly is a wonderful way to live. Hopefully you found some other info here to help plan for it.
Well, now I am trying to figure out which is your life, haha. I do know that once you get use to that hum..even for a few weeks, you aren’t usually sleeping well the next night unless you are “dead” with exhaustion.
Definitely a great read. Now I am off to check out more of your site.
The hum I am used to but I’ll never get used to the alarms. Hate those but it’s part of the job. I’m temporarily off the road to work and make money but do get back out there on vacations and will be back to traveling full-time in just a couple more years. At least I still get to live in my RV and move around to different gates in different areas to feed my adventure addiction.
You made me want to be right there with you. I enjoyed the post and can not wait to hear more about you and Charlie. As well as travel in a RV someday with my family.
There are many families full-timing out on the road and homeschooling. You might be surprised how many.
Hi Katrina!
The freedom of RV life – if you only knew how many times my wife has suggested we just round up the kids, sell all of our stuff, and hit America in an RV. I’ll have to show her your post, to which I already know she will say, “See? There are even animals named Charley in her adventure! WE SHOULD HAVE A CHARLEY IN OUR RV AS WELL!”
You might be hearing from her, Katrina 😉
Thanks for the great article,
Alexander
Happy to answer any questions you may have. Lots of families and younger non-retired folks are doing it.
I love road tripping!! 😀 Hubby and I took a huge vacation all around the US a few years ago and it was amazing!! And now when we travel we much prefer driving to flying. 🙂
Howdy from Texas fellow traveler! Same here. Found it pretty hard to get the pilot to pull the plane over for an impromptu visit to the Spam Museum or to change my mind and go south instead of east. 😉
It has always been my dream to someday have an RV and travel in it all over the country – I think this is seriously cool! Maybe some day I’ll have adventure stories like this to share, too! 🙂
Crossing my fingers for you. Lots of adventures to be found on the road.
Wow! You are a great writer! I was enthralled in your post. And you are living my dream! Traveling in an RV. That is what I want to do when I retire and write along the way. I’ll be following you virtually!
Lots of writers out here. My favorite is at http://rvtravel.com . We can always use one more. My family enjoys hearing what I have been up to.
Sounds like a wonderful adventure! And I can feel your passion as I read. Charley sounds like a great travel companion, too. Not too talkative 😉
Yes, I LOVE RVing. Pfft.
Sounds like you have a real passion for this lifestyle and will be making your dream come true again.
Absolutely! I still get to live and work out of my RV but traveling is limited at the moment. Will be getting back out there soon though.
Okay, so now I’m living vicariously through your travels. My family and I are fledgling tent campers, with aspirations to travel more extensively one day. For now, we stick to nearby state parks. Your site is going to serve as my new field guide. Cheers to you and Charley!
Careful. Sounds like you are getting the travel bug. It’s a nasty bite with no known cure. I started in a tent and now I tow an 8,000 pound 5th wheel after going through most of the other RV styles. You have my sympathy.
It’s always fun to have an adventure!! Love the story…really makes you feel like you are there!
Thank you for stopping by and reading it. Life is an adventure.