This is a perfect day to look back on my first 100 days of becoming a vagabond. It’s sunny, short-sleeves-and-shorts weather, a nice breeze, and a mostly empty campground. Just me, the butterflies, the occasional horse on the path the other side of the fence, and cars coming and going down the road.
100 days ago, I was at Safari Condo, nervously picking up the trailer I had waited 15 months for.
I really had no idea what I was in for. Not a freaking clue. I knew this vagabond life decision would change my life, but I really didn’t know how it would. After 100 days, I am starting to figure it out.
10 random things I’ve learned since May 2:
- There really *are* Walmarts or Targets almost everywhere (thanks to my friend Mary for that tip). Many Walmarts are open 24 hours, which can be very handy.
- Amazon Prime delivery is awesomely fast for those things Walmart or Target don’t carry.
- Hitching and unhitching a trailer is not that hard, once you figure it out.
- Dumping poop is really not that bad. Having a toilet with me 24×7 is worth it.
- Friday and Saturday nights in summer at campgrounds near cities are crazy.
- Picking a campsite involves research, planning, and dumb luck. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don’t. It’s been a mixed bag so far.
- I am still getting rid of stuff 3 months after moving into my trailer. Seriously, I have no idea why I thought I would need some of the things in the “going to goodwill” bag.
- The Facebook group of Alto people has saved my sanity more than one time. I <3 all of them so very much.
- My brother is the best. Whether I’m feeling disconnected or like an orphan missing my dad, he always picks up the phone. And when he doesn’t hear from me for a while, he checks in.
- I have wonderful friends. People have spent time with me on playdates, walks, dinners, lunches, phone calls, video chats, Facebook and blog comments, and IMs. I was worried that being a vagabond might be lonely but thanks to good internet and great friends, I feel in touch, supported, and loved. You all know who you are!
Top 10 favorite things since May 2? Here they are, in no particular order:
1 – Lake Superior and the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan. And spending two days learning RV and Alto-specific tricks from Rhea and Dave (eternal thanks will never be enough!)
2 – Seeing my Wisconsin great-nieces for the first time in four years. They’ve grown! And having Eden be my first sleepover Alto guest was extra-special (she’s the one in the pink jacket).
3 – All the back roads. I avoided interstate highways a lot of the time and was rewarded with views like this one in Wyoming, east of Yellowstone.
4 – Spending a weekend in Yellowstone National Park with my cousin Judy and husband Ray. Learned a lot about RV life, cooking a good meal, and seeing wolves, elk, and bison. Lots of bison. And lots of tourists.
5 – Seeing the Grand Tetons for the first time. Thanks, Ray, for rerouting me so I didn’t miss them.
6 – Staring at a great horned owl who was staring back at me so intensely it kind of freaked me out. Thanks, Gary, for taking me on that hike, it was great!
7 – The whole eastern part of Oregon was a new thing for me and those big skies convinced me I’ll be back. (And if you’re near Pendleton in an RV, I recommend the Indian casino RV park, it was the best one I’ve stayed at so far, hands down.)
8 – My first night as a full-timer (no apartment, no storage unit, just me and Bella and Breeze) was a bit of a mixed bag. I had this beach as the highlight…
… and this campsite as the definite lowlight. Not only did they break the rules with two trailers, this actually wasn’t even their parking spot. A big tree had fallen where they were supposed to park so they “shared” mine, even after I showed up. It was my first lesson in learning that not all parks have rangers to sort things out and that sometimes you just have to shrug and let things go.
9 – I got my setup mostly figured out by my third campsite (Dash Point State Park). I’m mostly resigned to the idea that the awning will never look the same twice, tent-type assembly just isn’t my forte.
10 – I’ve rediscovered my love for hiking along trails, taking the time to meander this way and that, looking at the small things like mushrooms, berries, and banana slugs.
Next week, more changes: my last day of work is looming large in my thoughts. I’ll no longer be tied to the Seattle area and (after a week of housesitting for friends) will move to the coast and start hanging out at beaches. I’ve missed beaches for four years, so the first thing on my retirement bucket list is to get my fill of them, which is what the red pins are showing (the green pins show where I’ve been).
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite photos from my first 100 days, a cairn I made along the Green River while staying at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.
7 years after the original post and replies, this is useful to me. I am 90 days from leaving corp life, and plan to do the travel trailer for 3 years all over the good ole US of A. These blog articles and comments are sooooo helpful for managing my expectations, and building excitement.
Hi Annie,
I am thinking of getting an Alto and would love to discuss with you some of the particulars. I too would be traveling female solo.
Look forward to chatting with you.
Hi Theresa, are you on FB? If so, there is an amazing group for Alto people, where you can search threads and learn about options and decisions others have made. Most of my decisions and my learning process are on the website, so you can browse those too. I will drop you a note to the email you put on the comment as well. Thanks for reading!
wow–love all of your thoughts and pics. can’t wait to get my very own Alto!
Thanks, Linda!
congratulation on you retirement. Annie.
I have really enjoyed you blog’s
You have given me courage to drive trailer and car. As I have always left the driving to my Husband.
I am so looking forward to picking up our 1743, Safari condo September 19 th in London. This will be a big up grad from using a tent.
I have been looking at your beautiful pictures.
Looking at your Awning I see you have windows in your front screen. The ones I have seen are solid mesh and front rain fly. Did you have it custom made?.
Happy travels. I will be thinking of you when we pick ours up. Next MTH
Hi, Molly! The front part of the awning is a separate purchase, available only from Safari Condo (although ask and CanAm can probably get it to you via them…). Safari Condo decided they did not want to stock both a solid wall and a mesh wall, so they worked with the vendor to make a custom design. I really like it, lets air in and yet can be really private at crowded campgrounds 🙂
Hard to believe it has been 100 days, Annie! You’re a camping pro now. 🙂
Annie — Some beautiful pictures and I’m sure now some beautiful times to match are testament to your first 100 days. I’m looking forward to my own retirement one of these years, pretty soon I hope.
Initially retirement may be weird but after a brief time it becomes so comfortable and normal. Corp life will feel so far behind. I prepard for years for retirement. It still was a head trip. I am 2.5 years beyond Corp life and wonder how I ever really was a Corp person.