Hello, Everyone!
I guess I'm a late-comer to the 2019 Graduating Class. Had been dreaming of this since I was a kid, in one form or another. Had firm plans to go Full-time in 2008, buying a used Class-A to live out of in Georgia and Florida, spending the required amount of time in each state to earn another pension working as a 911 Dispatcher. Well, God had other plans, and in 2007, I became disabled with Meniere's Disease and other complications. My career ended in 2008, and within a year, I was homeless. I guess you could say I went full-time for the first time in May 2009, living out of my Pontiac Vibe with a tent, gear, books, my cat and tenacity.
After a long, hard battle, I eventually won my SSD case in November, 2014. By then, I was living with a man I thought I'd be with for the rest of my life. When able, I'd take driving vacations by myself, sleeping in my Jeep Cherokee or pitching a tent near friends and family. Sadly, Christmas Eve 2018, he and I had a falling out, and my dream to be free-roaming was immediately moved back to the front burner.
February 2019, I purchased my 2019 Forest River Wolf Pup 16BHS. I modified the bunkhouse to allow for better storage, including a rod for hanging clothes. I sold what I could, packed what I couldn't, and rented a very small long-term storage locker for my furniture and other belongings. April 1st (no joke!) 2019, I stepped into my camper to live full-time, and haven't looked back. The first few months, I visited family and friends in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, boon and Lot-docking along the way, or staying in their driveways for a month or two at a time.
I camped while exploring Washington D.C., while off-roading in the Uwharries of North Carolina, then more friend/fam visiting through Tennessee, Georgia and down into Florida for the winter on my parents' property.
In March of 2020, Covid-19 forced me back to Illinois (too soon!) for a cold couple of months camping on a friend's farm while tending to various medical needs, doctors appointments, and more friend/fam visiting through Social Distancing. With a clean bill of health, I hit the road again the end of June, finally crossing off of my Bucket List, a westward journey that included camping while exploring Yellowstone NP and the Grand Tetons, then down into Flaming Gorge. I'm currently making my way to Sacramento, planning to spend the end of summer and the foreseeable future near the home of my aged Great Aunt, as she has requested my assistance in maintaining her independence for as long as she can. I've been down in Las Vegas for the last month, awaiting repairs to my beloved Jeep after hitting a poor deer in Utah.
I'm looking forward to getting to know fellow travelers, to compare notes and offer up my own insights where needed. I am a firm believer that God always puts me where He wants me, and hope His plans include attending an Escapee event or two in the future.
Thank you for taking the time, if you read this far. I welcome anyone in this thread to add me on Facebook for pictures and travel updates (www.facebook.com/Talegi710). Look forward to getting to know you!
