Category: Uncategorized

You already know how my first day started–with the fuel challenge. I am happy to report it got better after that.

As I was approaching Brenham, Texas, I need to stop somewhere to check my route. So I pulled in behind another McDonalds where I promptly took a nap. Boy, I needed that.

Then I decided to go to WalMart to finish buying the groceries I couldn’t carry on my Scoot on my previous trip. Good thing I stopped where I did to check that out–I needed to turn a different direction at the very next corner.

At WalMart I lucked into one of the van-sized handicapped parking spaces right across from the entrance. That meant I could walk into the store then use one of their carts for  shopping. I stocked up on heavy and bulky items.

Then it was time to decide whether to stay there for the night or not. It was only 3:30. I had two or more hours until dark. Research showed me Conroe, Texas, was about 60 minutes away. In Conroe I could eat supper at Cracker Barrel then stay there for the night. I like Cracker Barrel food. And their overnight spots are not as popular as WalMart which makes them quieter. So, I decided to go on.

It took me two hours to drive those miles. At one point I got stuck behind a house being moved. Yes, I was driving my house, too, but mine doesn’t require both lanes when going through a town and I can drive the speed limit.

But I did pull into Cracker Barrel just before dark. And it was a quiet night. And a truck arrived to make a delivery just as I was headed in for breakfast so the manager on duty was there to give me a cheerful good morning. Good way to start my second day on the road.

TTYL,

Linda

It’s been years since I pumped my own gas. I seldom drove once Dave retired so he was always there to take care of that task.

Not today.

Dave recommended I get fuel before heading out to my next park. So I stopped at the corner station. Their diesel was only at the truck pumps. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll get another chance.

The next station I didn’t see in time to be able to safely pull off the highway.

The third station only had biodiesel. Not recommended in my engine.

Finally, an easily accessible station with diesel at the car pumps. Except the pump didn’t work.

So I pulled further down and discovered the pumps at the other end didn’t have diesel. Circle back to one that does.

Finally, my tank is full and I’m ready to head on down the road. But, I’m exhausted from all that.

So when I see a McDonalds ahead with a mall parking lot adjacent I pull in. Time for some caffeine. After all bodies need fuel, too.

TTYL,

Linda

When couples are getting ready to go RVing many men ask the discussion forums how much clothing we think their wives should bring. I usually say something like they should bring as many clothes as you bring tools. 🙂  My point being we cannot determine another person’s needs.

As a minimalist, though, I don’t think we women need as many clothes as we were taught we do.

This is my closet. It is 21-inches wide.

Hanging from the rod is a raincoat, winter coat, 4 jackets of various weights & dressiness, 3 dressy tops with 1 divided skirt, 6 long-sleeve t-shirts, and 5 short sleeve-t-shirts. By mixing and matching various layers I have a lot of variety.

Note the empty hangers on the left. I forgot to bring ones for the already dirty clothes so had to buy a packet of hangers. I expect to be donating some next time I go to Goodwill.

On the shelf above are 1 pair of blue jean, 1 pair of white jeans, 2 pairs of sweat pants and various packing cubes. The cubes hold mostly socks, underwear & hankies but there is one of swimming stuff and one with hats, gloves and scarves. My jewelry roll is also up there just in case I decide to do something bold like wear a different pair of earrings or a necklace one day.

Having just done laundry when I took this picture I can assure you this is all the clothes I own except for the ones I was wearing at the time and my 1 pair of pajamas. (My sweats are used as back up pajamas if needed.)

For shoes I have 1 pair of closed-top Crocs which look more like clogs than Crocs, 1 pair of leather sandals, and my moccasin-style slippers. I own other shoes but I left them in Minneapolis. These are all I wear, anyway, but I have hard to fit feet so I keep ones I may wear again some day.

So, how many clothes do I think women should bring?  If they share my style, about this many. If they don’t, then the answer would be different.

TTYL,

Linda

When RVers talk about toy haulers they mean RVs where the back opens down to provide a ramp, up which they drive their toys (golf carts, motorcycles, ATVs and the like) into an area known as the garage. I don’t have a ramp. But I do have an area I think of as my garage. It looks like this:

It’s where I park my toy.

And around it I keep other things I don’t want in my living area.

Like dirty clothes and empty WalMart bags:

Cleaning products:

My bag chair (green) and step stool (white) and folding bar stool (would be black on the left except it’s not currently stowed).

Windshield washer fluid:

And other things of that sort.

Not bad for a garage that’s only 3-feet long by just over 2-feet wide, huh?

TTYL,

Linda

Here’s my desk which I also use as a table for meals:

If you look at the top of that photo you will see my O2 Cool fan which can run off 12 volt, 110 volt, or D size batteries. It has a stand but given my limited counter space I chose to have Sportsmobile put a tie-down loop under the cupboard above the desk so I can hang the fan from it.

Above the desk might seem like an odd place to install a roll of paper towels but I didn’t like any of the available places in the galley and I kept sitting down to eat without a napkin so now they are in reach from my table but still accessible to the galley.

Note that I had Sportsmobile install lots of outlets so I can charges all my electronics in one place.

I usually plug the fan into the right hand 12v and my iPhone into the left hand one. Then I plug my laptop and iPad into the 110 volt ones. I have not yet managed to fill them all up but it sure makes for lots of cabling laying around when everything is plugged in.

Above all that is what I call my office and entertainment cupboard.

In it are all my office supplies, games and crafts, and workout equipment.

For those who already asked, yes my desk chair is a real one. From IKEA of course. It is just like the one in our apartment in Minneapolis. Here it is bungied to the desk ready for travel.

I am so pleased with the way I’ve managed to get so many of the comforts of home into this 24 foot RV.

TTYL,

Linda