Seriously, a whole year! I picked up Breeze, my Alto 1743 trailer from Safari Condo, on May 2, 2016 and my life hasn’t been the same since that day.
I remember being nervous about if I had the right hitch and wiring, what tools I might need on a daily basis, and, biggest thing of all, how the hell to drive with a trailer on the back of my Subaru. When I showed up on May 2, the Safari Condo person, Denis, was training two new guys so we all learned a lot that day! And then suddenly, the training wheels were off, and it was just me and Bella and the Breeze. I drove the mile down to the KOA campground completely out of my depth and more than a little freaked out. But I made it.
Because the Alto was in Quebec, I had to drive it all the way back to Seattle. Despite a little hitch drama and the realization that backing up into a site was nigh onto impossible due to my left/right confusion (the formal name for this is dyscalculia), I managed to make it back to the left coast and by the time I hit Seattle, I knew this was the life for me.
Breeze has gone 12,000 miles in the last year, covering 2 Canadian provinces (Quebec and Ontario) and 12 US states (Michigan, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado). We’ve stayed at 86 different campsites, averaging 7 different places a month.
I’ve spent a total of 337 out of 365 nights sleeping in my trailer (23 nights in 2016, all for business trips before I quit that gig, and then 5 nights in 2017), giving me a 92% “Nights in Trailer” score. (I am pretty sure I am the only one keeping score on this point.)
I’ve learned how to use propane, use up all the propane, and then how to get my tanks refilled. I’ve crawled under the Alto twice to put on pipe insulation: the first right after I got it when I was going to Yellowstone and snowy weather and then again just last week, when I was expecting below-freezing temperatures in Denver. I know how long my 15 gallons of fresh water can last me and that I can go just over a week before I have to make a date with the dump station. And, lastly, I have finally figured out how to back up into a campsite, after months of baby steps and parking lot practice sessions.
I didn’t know quite what to expect when I started out a year ago. I kind of knew it wouldn’t be all roses and perfume (especially the dump station part) but I didn’t know how much it would stretch me to be on my own so completely. I learned to reach out to friends and schedule regular phone chats to keep the friendships healthy, and I realized that I’d rather see family and friends than parks and monuments. I’ve had great adventures…
Seen amazing things…
And hung out with some really fun people…
Most of all, I’m learning to embrace the uncertainty and welcome the unexpected. Wake up to snow? Sure, why not. Go searching for cool geology stuff? I’m all over that.
I listen when locals suggest places to go because I’m never “from here” and rarely know more than where the cheapest gas and the closest Walmart are. One such tip led me to seeing huge flocks of sandhill cranes, which was a bucket list item I never expected to check off in Arizona, of all places.
As I look back over the last year, I am grateful to so many people for their support. My brother checks in at least once a week to see how I’m doing. My friends pick up the phone when I call and the long conversations we’ve had have helped me through everything from newbie fears to retirement blues. And the Altoiste group on Facebook has been a constant in this new life – I don’t know how I would have figured out stuff without them and they’ve supported my full-timing in so many ways. And I’ve made some good friends out of that group (so thank you, Alissa, one more time for such a wonderful idea).
Year Two starts today, and while I have some general plans mapped out, I truly have no idea what adventures are ahead, and I kind of like it that way. See you on the roads, my friends!
Related Link: Alto Review for Year One
I bought a Roadtrek less than a month ago. Gave notice to my landlord and will officially be full-time June 30. I plan on lots of practice trips before that. Your blog is such an inspiration. I too am celebrating an anniversary. Not only is it my birthday. I am one year post breast cancer diagnosis and the beginning of treatment.
Keep writing because I anxiously await each update.
How exciting, Nancy! And happy birthday, and even better, happy one-year anniversary of winning the cancer battle. You will love full-timing. Where will you be headed?
What a remarkable adventure! Thanks for continuing to share. Congratulations!
Congratulations and Happy Altoversary Annie! I love your ‘year in review’ and look forward to following your adventures in the coming months- and to seeing you this summer on Cape Cod. Talk to you soon!
Can’t wait to hang at the Cape with you this summer (and pretty sure no snow there in July or August, right!?!)
Happy anniversary dear Annie, and here’s to many more !!!
Beautifully written Annie. Thanks so much for sharing your journey and happy Alto-versary!
Happy Altoversary!! See? You are the seasoned expert now, offering advice to nervous newbies. It really didn’t take long at all. <3
Couldn’t have done it nearly as well without you!
Happy Anniversary to you, Bella and The Breeze. Many more adventures in the next year await you. I so enjoy your blog. Thank you for sharing.
Happy Anniversary, Annie! Randy and I don’t get our Alto until May of next year, but living through your adventures has been wonderful! Continued success in your photography, your writing…..and in life! Its been great to be on this adventure with you!
Just found your blog through the Alto Facebook page & am loving following along on your journeys. I know what you mean about backing up…it seems totally reversed from what your mind thinks should happen. The best tip I ever got was from my uncle who told me to put my hand down at the bottom of the wheel when backing up & then I can move my hand in the direction I want the trailer to go. It worked like a charm. Safe travels
Congratulations Annie! I’m a new camper and Alto owner so following your travels and learnings has been awesome!
Congratulations! Not everyone finds new joy in retirement strangely enough but glad you have found yours.
Thank you, Alan! Retirement has been an interesting journey so far, to go from full-time high-tech stress to “gee, which campsite should I pick?” is definitely a change of pace!
Love! Love! Love! Happy Anniversary! Looking forward to seeing you here in PA. 🙂
Oh Annie! I have to second everything you have stated! Just recently I reread your first couple of weeks with Breeze and Alissa’s Dory adventures. We pick up Monday May 8th. I thank you for wearing your emotions on your sleeve! I know that there are people who have had experiences and trepidations similar to mine. Thank you for your blog and your great eye behind the lens! You are a true artist! Safe travels.
Oh, you are so close to having great adventures in your own Alto. And thank you for letting me know my blog has helped you get ready for your Alto experience, it’s one of my goals to encourage people to get out there and see the world in new ways.
Happy Altoversary!!! I have loved how you take us all along with on your journey via the blog posts. Continue to explore and share with us!
Happy Altoversary and may you, Bella, and Breeze have many, many more! Loved reading this personal and touching view of your first year.
Happy Anniversary – may you have as many more as you wish.
Yay! Happy Anniversary Annie!
What you said. Happy anniversary.