ON THE ROAD AGAIN - Tampa to Tucson - travel buster trip. 9/1/ 2020 to ??

 Hope I'm making a wise decision, but I can't be out seeing the world so here I go.  I just bought a new vehicle, one that I can sleep in, carrying what I need so I can even stay on BLM land.  I don't want to stay in hotels and hopefully can find free or $10 a night places to sleep.

I bought new equipment, new 4" air foam mattress, solar light, USB chargeable fan (which will be needed), screen for windows at night, curtains, battery lights (one that goes on your head with a bright light).  Already had sleeping bag, one burner camp stove, chair and little table.  So I'm set probably with more than I need.  I do love camping.

I've asked friends along the way if I can park a night in their driveway and we could distance and go out for dinner (my treat) and the response I've had has overwhelmed me.  They have all said, no come in and stay inside.  Mind you the temperature during the day will range from 85 to 105 so the idea of being inside is appealing.  I know these people and trust them so I have said yes.  Of course I would have to use their bathroom and take a shower anyway.  

The shower is always a concern when "roughing" it.  I just read about self car washes and thought that could be a great option, one I have not seen in anything I have read in Vanlife, Carliving.  Wash the dirt and dust off car and take a shower while there.  I'm pretty sure I would wear a dress or shorts, but I do think that is brilliant.

I've studied so many Utube videos on how to do this, travel, be safe, how to boondock, how to camp stealth.  There is an entire world out there with many, many people actually living in vehicles.  There was a good sized lady who had no other home and lived in her Prius.  So I have no room to ever complain.  Bless her heart.

So for me this is just going to be an adventure.  I'm excited and a bit nervous, but I say go for it.  After much mental debate and talking with friends I have decided to take my .38 with me.  Since I am a 70 year old lady, by herself, just in case and better to be prepared than not.

As many of you know I'm not a silent sleeper, I can snore like a moose, so I'm hoping I won't need to do any city stealth camping as I'm sure if anyone walked by the car they would hear these awful sounds.  I just don't think stealth will work for me.

John and my theme song.  We started every car trip with this.  Go Willie!!!!  Can't wait to see my friends and make some new friends.  I wonder how hard it will be to make friends with Covid and masks?  Guess we'll see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBN86y30Ufc

The PLAN:

Tampa - Tallahassee 253 miles

Covington, LA  379 (my longest day at 5 hr. 26 min)

Silbsee, TX 264 miles

San Antonio, TX 299 miles (great Couchsurfer lady said I could stay with her, inside!!)

Fort Stockton, TX 312 miles    (why is Texas so big!)

Las Cruces, NM   286 miles

Springerville, AZ 258 miles

So that's the plan.  I really did not want to, nor could I really, drive 8 or 15 hours a day.  This way I can leave early, stop along the way to see a great site, have a meal if I want, and get situated before dark - which is something I 99% of the time do when I travel alone.

So now I can continue with life and my blog and I won't just have to complain about Covid and what I can't do.  I hope this trip goes great and then I will keep going.  Of course, I will not be up in any snow in the North in the winter.  If this stuff is still here come Spring, I can head up there.  That is the problem, we just don't know.

So tune in to my blogs and I'll report on my adventures.