How We Got Started. Part 1: Learning

I know that many people are yearning for an alternative lifestyle, but don't really know how to go about rearranging a lifetime of habits and personal effects. If you are feeling a bit jealous or even inspired because of our up coming adventure, then, please, let me tell you that you can do it too. With a little hard work and ingenuity, it is totally possible. Over the next few posts, I am going to help break down what and how we went about making our dreams a reality.
Downsizing your life can be a very daunting task. Living life like a gypsy can be a romantic dream, but down right scary when you actually start thinking of how to survive on the road.
Danny and I did a lot of research before we started spending money.
Here are some of the best sites we came across:

"RV-Dreamers" (http://www.rv-dreams.com/) was one of the first sites that gave us some really useful information. They share a plethora of information for "Full Timers" including a 3 month budget laid out by income level including: "Thrifty", "Moderate" and "Money Is No Object". Looking at these budgets helped a lot. We are obviously in the "Thrifty" category, but it was nice to know that we could actually pull this off on our budget. Through this site we also found out about "Workamping" (http://www.workamper.com/?gclid=CL3Y2fjikLYCFetAMgodxDEAAw) and a few other work while traveling web sites. Nice to know that we can eventually find a job when the savings runs out!!

Remodeled Airstream

When we bought the trailer the first thing that came to mind was remodeling....new floors, storage space and general customization is pretty standard for older trailers getting a second chance at the road. While searching the web, I came across the site "Goin' RV Boondocking" (http://www.rv-boondocking-the-good-life.com/boondockingtips.html). Brian (the "host") is a bloody genus. Really, I'm designating him the "Jesus Christ of RVing". His posts are so funny and bring a lot of common sense to the table. He shares brilliant, super easy and inexpensive ideas on how we could spruce up our new home. And so so much more. From this site I learned about serious boondocking. Boondocking is a type of RV camping where you have no hook ups to electricity, water or sewer. You have to be totally self sufficient  This may seem petty easy considering that you have your home attached to your vehicle...How hard can it be, right? Well, apparently it can be an art.

Boondocking

Enter "The Adventures of Tioga and George"  (http://vagabonders-supreme.net/).  George is a "Full time Boondocking Vagabond" and takes it to the extreme. He never pays for camping, EVER! He also has some great advice ranging from how to deal with cops at 2AM when you're trying to "city camp" to exact GPS coordinates of camps he has used successfully.
Both Brian and George use a "Club" service to help them stay connected when between camps. RV Club services range widely depending on the "Club". Danny and I will probably end up with Good Sam Club because they provide things like road side assistance, fuel discounts, and dumping stations. As well as a monthly magazine and a mail service.  All of which will be ridiculousness handy to have (well, probably not the magazine).
What I really love about this whole endeavor is learning that there is community there is out there with information and support about RVing full time or just generally living on the move. There is even groups who meet through their RV Club to do like minded adventures or knitting circles...whatever floats your boat.
-A