The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. So it is also true in the RV world.
Needless to say, the summer workamping opportunity is no more, so it's time to hit the road once again. The good news is, as we had some plans for short trips in the area, we're now able to extend those and actually enjoy ourselves. Being in this part of the country is still necessary for at least a little bit, as we have other motives for being here, but once those are complete, who knows where we'll go. That's the beauty of the RV lifestyle.
Where does the Internal Compass take us next? Keep tuning in to find out.
Well, once again, Freedom Rolling has a soul. Ghost of Johnny Olson, tell the people what we bought!
Yes, based upon the issues we had previously, coupled with the lack of reliable inventory, we have purchased a 2024 Ram 2500 Diesel with a much more powerful 6.7L engine. We'd like to thank our sponsor, "Bob", for his generous support in this particular endeavor, and although he is no longer able to read this, his contribution will go a long way towards the well-being of Freedom Rolling for years to come.
So people are probably wondering, what happened that caused this to occur? Well, it's an interesting story. While we were out exploring one of the region's fine locations, the 2006 decided to start shaking while heading out. Fast forward to an incredibly busy interstate highway, and it shakes a bit more at highway speeds. Then comes up a piece of metal, and it takes out our driveshaft, and the transmission followed. Luckily we were able to get out of the way of traffic without causing any further accidents or injuries. Transporting it to the next state for repairs because the present state didn't have any good locations in the direction we were going, neither of which being where we were living at the time, is a way of life for the full-time RVer. Needless to say, too much damage was done that we could not fix the vehicle.
Unlike the last time we acquired a new soul, because of the multitude of changes in states, we are starting a new trip with this one. We didn't move the heart anywhere else, as we're still where we were previously. However with this new soul, we're looking forward to not only Following our Internal Compass, but also being able to pull our heart a bit easier with the more powerful engine.
Well, it's official: Freedom Rolling has no soul.
More to come in the coming weeks.
Sometimes, when taking a look at a map or watching some travel shows, you start to develop a bucket list of places you'd like to visit. It could be a long term stay; it could be just a simple day trip. Either way, here's where we'd like to eventually go:
Yellowstone National Park: Perhaps the most popular of the National Parks. Although this is mostly within western Wyoming, part of the ground do extend into Montana and Idaho. Although at a high altitude, the allure of wildlife and Old Faithful have made this a long-time draw.
Grand Teton National Park: Just south of Yellowstone in Wyoming lies the Grand Tetons. Nothing states "Rockies" more than this sight to behold. It is also a popular destination among ski tourists with Jackson Hole nearby, though our visit would likely be in the summer to avoid inclement weather.
Grand Canyon National Park: Drove by it once in Arizona, but never had a chance to stop there. This carving of rock with the western Colorado River beneath is a popular destination for many. We have some friends that work this area throughout the summer, and look forward to eventually visiting.
Western Maryland: This being on the bucket list is no Accident. Maryland has always brought a bit of intrigue, and a drive through Cumberland and these parts of Appalachia has been one to certainly want to try.
Key West: Off the Florida Keys... No, we're not looking for Kokomo. However, any road tripper will want to mark off the southernmost point of US Route 1. Though he's been there before with a group, driving it yourself it yourself is a completely different bear, and one to certainly do.
We probably won't get to all of these within the next year or so, but if our Internal Compass takes us to these points, it'll certainly be where we want to visit.
When you embark on a journey such as this, there are both things and loved ones you may leave behind. When you do, you may have to return to come face to face with some closure, which is what Freedom Rolling has sadly had to do. When these sorts of things happen, especially unexpectedly, you may find yourself making long trips without the RV. Here's some tips on how to make this happen.
First, remember when we talked about emergency planning? This is one of the times where it's going to come into play. You'll be using that "go bag" and other provisions. You might need a few extra things, such as dress clothes for a slightly-more-formal event, and hopefully you kept some when you first packed. Thankfully, there's going to be enough time to get these together, so you don't have to rush. However, because you were ready, you'll find the extension of the trip much less stressful than it already is.
Remember taking a look at the route and your packing and timing? Once again, chance has favored the prepared mind. Figure out what's going to work best for you. A thousand miles in one shot (or at least something close to that) might sound doable going there, but not necessarily so much so coming back. Do you even drive it? Public transportation (i.e. trains and planes) may sound like a possibility, but you must also consider the route, especially when certain cities may not be a very good place to be. If you do drive it, and it's probably the least expensive of the options... Are more than one person able to drive, and are they all comfortable with the route? When you reach a destination, it's certainly something to keep in mind, especially if where you need to be is on the opposite side of the country.
The other obvious thing to consider is where you happen to start. Will you be allowed to leave the heart for what could potentially be a couple weeks? Do you need to pay extra camp fees? Are you going to be effectively forced to bring your RV along, further complicating matters? There have been horror stories out there about RVs being declared "abandoned" because no one's there for a while, and just like that the home is gone. Be sure to take that into consideration as well, because not everyone will be able to drive heavy, and you won't be able to go as far as you would in a day without the rig.
So if you're Following your Internal Compass and something comes up, never fear, because you'll be ready to handle it.
Throughout the past couple of decades, advances have been made in technology in order to assist people. However, depending on what you want and where you are, for a full-time RVer, it can be both a blessing and a curse.
Many RVers want to spend time around the Rocky Mountain areas and the vicinity, such as the Black Hills, Sierra Nevadas, and Cascades. If you've ever looked at a cell phone coverage map, you'll notice there isn't much there. The same is going to apply to the global positioning satellite systems, especially when the minerals in the ground cause these things to not function properly. So be sure to carry the paper with you, and plan ahead. The number of times you see tourists so dependent on those little devices and then complaining about the businesses because it doesn't make them constantly available may be entertaining for those used to it; but if you're not, it'd be best to have alternatives available.
That being said, not all of it is to the point where you shouldn't use it at all. There are plenty of rewards programs out there, especially with national chains that you'll see wherever you go. One popular brand of general store has a coupon system where you're able to have a negative balance and be paid to shop. It might not be exactly what you want, and you do have to be careful because the ingredients aren't necessarily that good for the body. However, if you're in a bit of a crunch, take advantage of it. You won't see it every time, and it'll take a few shopping trips to build it up, but you'll get there.
One of the biggest pain points of the wallet is fuel, and that's wherever you go. If you have a bigger rig, you may find yourself needing a diesel truck. The good news is that there are now some companies that are willing to help RVers establish fleet accounts. This is something that truckers have been using to pay for diesel when doing their deliveries, and although you'll still have to pay for the fuel yourself, you won't be anywhere near those insanely high prices you see advertised on the highway. You will have to use the truck lanes for a fleet account, which might be awkward if you're "light" or come across a store employee that isn't all that familiar with fleet requirements. These also won't work for unleaded, so you're stuck with the traditional store cards if you want any sort of savings.
So as you Follow your Internal Compass, know when technology will work for you, and when it will not.
Throughout the past couple of decades, advances have been made in technology in order to assist people. However, depending on what you want and where you are, for a full-time RVer, it can be both a blessing and a curse.
Many RVers want to spend time around the Rocky Mountain areas and the vicinity, such as the Black Hills, Sierra Nevadas, and Cascades. If you've ever looked at a cell phone coverage map, you'll notice there isn't much there. The same is going to apply to the global positioning satellite systems, especially when the minerals in the ground cause these things to not function properly. So be sure to carry the paper with you, and plan ahead. The number of times you see tourists so dependent on those little devices and then complaining about the businesses because it doesn't make them constantly available my be entertaining for those used to it; but if you're not, it'd be best to have alternatives available.
That being said, not all of it is to the point where you shouldn't use it at all. There are plenty of rewards programs out there, especially with national chains that you'll see wherever you go. One popular brand of general store has a coupon system where you're able to have a negative balance and be paid to shop. It might not be exactly what you want, and you do have to be careful because the ingredients aren't necessarily that good for the body. However, if you're in a bit of a crunch, take advantage of it. You won't see it every time, and it'll take a few shopping trips to build it up, but you'll get there.
One of the biggest pain points of the wallet is fuel, and that's wherever you go. If you have a bigger rig, you may find yourself needing a diesel truck. The good news is that there are now some companies that are willing to help RVers establish fleet accounts. This is something that truckers have been using to pay for diesel when doing their deliveries, and although you'll still have to pay for the fuel yourself, you won't be anywhere near those insanely high prices you see advertised on the highway. You will have to use the truck lanes for a fleet account, which might be awkward if you're "light" or come across a store employee that isn't all that familiar with fleet requirements. These also won't work for unleaded, so you're stuck with the traditional store cards if you want any sort of savings.
So as you Follow your Internal Compass, know when technology will work for you, and when it will not.
Trip 15 is soon at its end, and trip 16 will be upon us. This time, unlike the "psyche" we pulled for 15, we are actually going somewhere else. Where will we be going? You'll have to keep checking us out here to find out. Until then, remember to Follow your Internal Compass.
One of the challenges for those of us living on the road is figuring out where to go next. For some road trippers, why not go to all of the lower 48?
For many road enthusiasts, the ultimate road trip is where you touch all of the lower 48 states. Some people have made a competition of trying to do it in 96 hours legally. There are others who like to try to set driving speed records but may have to wait for the statute of limitations to run out on their potential speeding fines. There are some who have taken the time to map out the route to make this possible. Perhaps there's also some debate about whether to just see all 48, or make a loop around and return to a particular destination along the route, which for the casual road tripper would seem a more plausible strategy.
If the goal is to visit all 48 states, you merely only need to go a little bit inside of the border, and not necessarily to a city. This will involve "clipping" a few states. Some take this to an extreme and use a driveway, but let's assume you want to stick to public roads. What are some good options? Needles, California is a good one, as you can go into the state from a city bridge, bypassing the "agriculture checkpoints" altogether. One good one we found was using Interstate 29 and State Highway 11 to clip North Dakota. The Four Corners monument is tempting, but out of the way and has a cost to it, so how about US routes 385 and 138 through Julesburg, Colorado? You'll pick up the other three easy enough on the basic route. There are a few others out there, just peruse a map.
In case any of you were wondering, Freedom Rolling doesn't have plans to do this sort of an adventure anytime soon, especially not against the clock. The subject just happened to come up during a forum discussion of road trips one day, and looking at a map. Draw it out yourself, and see what you come up with. Our original drawing is long gone, sadly, and was quite a bit inefficient, having to do some wackiness in order to reach Kentucky. The aforementioned "clips" were used, and perhaps we'll try drawing it our again in the future, though it looks like many other people and companies have taken quite a bit of time to optimize it.
So if your Internal Compass takes you on the road, and you don't know where to go, see it all.
Ah, toll roads. You've already paid a tax for the highways once in the form of fuel, and now they expect you to pay again?! And with that rig behind you, it's going to be even MORE?! If you're planning your next road trip, here's some tips on how to avoid some of those pesky tolls.
The first, and probably most widely well known, is what we like to call "The Jersey Effect". In the case of most bridges, whether crossing the Delaware or the Hudson, you usually don't have to pay to enter New Jersey, but you almost always have to pay to leave. There are a few bridges that are free, but can be very narrow or even prohibit trucks and RVs altogether, so plan ahead. This effect isn't limited to Pennsylvania or Delaware, either. If you're planning a trip to New England, the Hudson River has several crossings, and although you aren't going specifically into New Jersey, tolls are collected going "away from New Jersey" (eastbound), but are not collected going "towards New Jersey" (westbound).
Secondly, remember that the limited access highways are typically what's tolled, so try some US or state routes that have at-grade intersections. Need to get to Delaware from Baltimore? Try US 1 and MD/DE 273. Heading west from Cleveland? OH 2 is actually really nice, coupled with US 20 if you need to go due west of Toledo. Need to go east to Boston? Vermont and New Hampshire help you there, with VT/NH 9 and NH 101. Remember that this isn't always the case, especially when you consider both the aforementioned Jersey Effect, as well as some of the bridges across the bays near Annapolis, Norfolk, and San Francisco. Also be careful, because states like Texas and Florida have their toll roads on state highways to get around federal funding blocks, so an interstate highway may be better in those cases.
The third thing to remember is that optimization takes practice. You probably aren't going to find the best route right away, and it'll take some playing with bypasses and shortcuts to get it right. If you're traveling a long way, try to use the distance to your advantage, because the gas hit isn't that bad. North of Chicago is easy to go US 41 past Waukegan after using I-94, but if you're heading west to Iowa and chose to go towards Fort Wayne from Toledo, why not stay on US 24, go to Peoria, and avoid Chicago altogether? US 30 to I-80 is very tempting, but goes through what seems like a bad part of town. Keep an eye on the fuel usage because western towns are spread a bit more thin, but with some planning, you should be OK.
Don't let Following your Internal Compass cost you an arm and a leg. Find your way around the toll roads and enjoy this country.
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