About these posts. Almost all are
copies of various notes to email
groups and lists that I have submitted over a period of a few years.
They were current when I posted them but changes may have been made
since their posting. In any case where I have made purchases, or do so
in the future, I will try to list the amount. I keep daily logs, on and
off the road, and try to remember to note each expenditure, even the 99
cent McD pancake breakfasts. I receive hundreds of email messages and
many of them mention various purchases of things I am interested in,
usually give sources, but often fail to list the price paid. Thus, I
have no way to comparison shop for the identical items.
Road
Expenses, Etc.
As for travel. I
have a real small social security
monthly income ($425 month 2005) that is adequate to cover expenses
so long as I do not travel all the time and burn gas, which I do not.
I supplemented this with seasonal summer work at the Island House
restaurant. That adds a few grand to the travel kitty.
If I stop along the way for a week or
so to wait for the next check, I
stay at federal government campgrounds. I use those that are real cheap
or free. $1.50 a night up to $7.50 for one night at Awendaw SC forest
service where they had E&W and a hot shower. I have a senior
discount card for federal stuff and get free admission and one-half off
camping fees. Most of the CGs I use have water and some have cold
showers. As long as it is warm, those cold showers are fine with me.
Otherwise, I use the shower in my rig. On the road, I overnight at
Flying J’s when possible. They have RV spaces, free dumps, water, and
the cheapest gas around.
Anyone traveling the U.S. should get a
Flying J RV card and a frequent
fueler card, both free, and both can be ordered at their web page. I was able to use my RV
card to get showers, $5 then, except at one place in AZ. I think it was
Eloy on I-10. They required a frequent fueler card which I did not have
then but do now.
For three years I worked as a chef at
the same restaurant in VA from
about May through September or so, then headed west. I will be going to
the Slabs, do not anticipate returning to VA this year because of the
large expense getting back from the Slabs. Plus, I had a great deal
while working in VA. Free parking, a full hookup, telephone, and would
do some auto electric and trailer work at the garage where I stayed. I
kicked in some bucks to cover the electric and phone bill. The owner of
the garage left for Florida and the free stuff is no longer available.
But it is not a huge loss since getting back to VA and returning to the
Slabs costs a thousand bucks or so, gas, beer, cigars, etc.
Gas prices have jumped 20 cents a
gallon here in two weeks (January
2005) and with the weak dollar I anticipate $2+ gas as I get further
west. So, if all works out weather-wise, I'll stay at the Slabs until
it starts getting over 100 degrees, June most likely, then leave for a
cooler area for the summer.
Fortunately, in decent health at 67 so
I may take some part time
kitchen work in that area.
I'll will have a Verizon cell phone
and notebook for accessing Yahoo
mail and updating the web pages, or at libraries along the way west and
in
Niland. CA, home of the Slabs. Let me know if you get in the area. CB
Channel 23 is monitored there.
bravenet.com