On Dec. 4, I loaded my car with what I hoped would be the essentials of living on the road for a period of time. I was hesitant to purchase any type of RV for obvious reasons — in that, perhaps, I would shortly find this was not for me and have an RV I didn’t need and might not be able to sell.
So, I packed an air mattress, that is filled electrically. I added a 2-inch foam pad to go on top of that and purchased a four-person tent. I also have my sleeping bag and a heavy blanket.
I took a foldable weight bench, dumbbells, some resistance bands, my bike and my running shoes. That left me room for a few clothes, a couple of jackets, toiletries and a few other odds and ends, and I headed out.
I have everything I own in my car now with the exception of one box that is in storage. I headed south staying one night in Pennsylvania and another night with a friend in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The following day, I arrived at Blue Angel Recreation Center, in Perdido Key, Florida, close to the Alabama border, where I have set up my current home.
It has been more than I expected. There are many trails to explore. I have found a running trail that is my all-time favorite. I have the bay on both sides while I run up the middle through a pine forest out to the tip of a peninsula. In the waters out there, I have seen my first stingrays. Eagles perch in the trees near the shore.
I have an electric griddle that I use for cooking meals, and it’s likely I am eating healthier than I was at home. I certainly do not snack nearly as much. My tent is within 60-seconds walking distance from the bay, as are the bathrooms and shower.
The idea is to live as cheaply as possible, while living as well as possible, in warm climates. The plan is to leave here on Jan. 17, taking approximately a week to make my way to Corpus Christi, Texas. I may leave sooner; it will depend on the weather. There is nothing set in stone with this lifestyle. I plan to stay in Corpus Christi for the month of February, before moving on to Mesa, Arizona, to catch some of the Cubs spring training in March.
After that, I have some ideas, but again, nothing written in stone which is, of course, the reason for living this way. The freedom to choose when to move on and where to move on to. No, I did not give this a lot of thought prior to doing it — perhaps a couple of months, probably less.
However, I have already met people who have been doing it for as long as 20 years, and as little as I have. Others have been doing it for three, five, seven, and I met Benjamin from Vancouver, Canada, who pulls a trailer, stops and works for a while at convenience stores before choosing when to go again. He said he is looking for a place to settle down but has not found that place yet.
What we all seem to have in common is the desire not to be anchored to something we have responsibility for, namely a house or apartment. True, I am only one of two who have a tent. None of those I have met, however, think I am crazy.
They have actually said it makes sense to see if it is something you’re going to want to continue. Then buy a camper van, used if you are traveling alone, I have been told. I am not the only person traveling alone, though we are in the minority. I have met a couple traveling with children, who homeschool them and have been doing it for two years. And another couple who have two teenagers and have been doing it since 2014.
I am 65 years old. Some might think that it’s too old to be sleeping in a tent. I have slept better in a tent than I was sleeping in my home, sleeping a solid eight to 10 hours a night. My days are taken up with running, exploring, beach time, a little grocery shopping and reading. So far, the days have passed extremely fast.
I have no idea if you’re reading this, what your retirement plans might be, if you have any at all, or if this type of nomadic life is something you might consider. However, as a recent newbie to it, I would tell you if you have even slightly considered it, do a little more research or like me, just jump in with both feet and see where you land.
The thing about it is, it can be, or cannot be, permanent. The choice is always ours. The couple I met who have been doing it for 20 years and are 79 and 83, the woman being 83, said as long as they have their health, they will keep seeing places where it’s not too hot and it’s not too cold. I like that idea.
I understand this may not seem an ideal setup to some, but to me, so far it has been ideal. On Christmas Eve, the area I am in was expecting high winds and torrential rain. I had ridden out a couple of thunder and lightning storms with heavy rain and did not have any water in my tent. However, sleep was hard to come by. So, on Christmas Eve, I rented a cabin right on the water near my tent.
It allowed me to escape the elements. I really was not comfortable as I missed my tent and living outdoors. I sleep much better outside attuned to the sounds of the night and breathing fresh air. I would have thought it would have taken longer to adjust to living that way, but clearly, it has not. I am now much more relaxed back in my tent, which escaped unscathed on Christmas Eve. We were rewarded with a temperature of 75° and blue skies on Christmas Day.
Does doubt creep in at times? Of course, it does, but doubt is not a reason to pack it in and do something else, doubt is part of the process, something to be recognized for what it is, dealt with, and added to the experience gained each day in living this way. The road is open to you if you wish to follow it.
Charles Laramie writes from Perdido Key, Florida. In Vermont, he hailed from Fair Haven.
