Okay, journey isn’t quite right. I’m thinking of going just to Caballo State Park, about 18 miles south of home. And my middle-of-the-night thought is what ever am I going to DO sitting by the Rio Grande for 2 or 3 days. Slight panic. So I daydreamed a plan of the days’ activities – quite the opposite of the spontaneity I had wanted. But the imagined plan was reassuring. Walk the dog, eat breakfast, meditate, write, take pictures, edit photos – repeat as necessary. It’s all the things I want to do without the distraction of the fridge or Facebook.
The light went on – this is the life I want. It’s pure, it’s simple. At least it will be when I get more comfortable with the RV. I can fix some meals ahead because I don’t want to cook much.
I made a list of what I needed to get – tire covers, spare keys, etc. I also need two other lists. One for things that stay in the RV but might need to be restocked occasionally – linens, kitchen stuff, etc. And the other for trip-specific things – food, toiletries, clothes. I’m looking forward to having the RV ready to go – just add food and clothes for the current trip.
Bought a camping pass for New Mexico State Parks. It’s a bargain at $100. Dry camping will now be free for me; hook-ups will be $4 a night.
I made marinara sauce and froze enough for five dinners. I’m getting eager to leave.
Made the bed in the cab-over. Sure don’t want to do that very often – it’s a bit awkward, but it seems to be a comfortable bed.
I expect to sleep in the cab-over. don’t want to have to take down the table and make up that bed daily. I want the table up – it’s my writing area. I like to have my journals accessible all the time. So this area is not a dinette. Is it an escritoire? Maybe, but I have trouble pronouncing it.

The former dinette – now escritoire. There must be a better name! Look at all the windows around it.
In the house I’m realizing how wasteful I am. Washing dishes, I think I can’t use this much water in the RV. These are good lessons for me.
I’m ready to try my short trip to Caballo. Actually it’s more a test of me rather than of the RV. Dorothy (the RV) and I are going camping.
FANTASTIC!!! This week? Have a wonderful time. It’s very exciting. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.
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I am so living this journey with you Donna! All I would add is an instrument. Like Marilyn, awaiting your insight and observations…
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Your music would be a fine addition to these trips. And I keep thoughts of you and Marilyn with me on the road.
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Hints from a sometime RV resident: keeping dish soap to a minimum results in being able to keep dish water to a minimum. If needed, another dishpan of the size used in hospitals for wash basins will work well. Paper dishes sometimes are expedient when water is at a premium. Turn off your water pump when not using water (less running down of the battery). We don’t have a potty in ours, but putting TP in a plastic bag rather than in the holding tank MIGHT give you more mileage on the tank. As to making the bed, we rarely sleep on the sheets but instead use a sleeping bag on top of the sheets which is easier to take on and off (lightweight fleece ones are available too). The sleeping bag opened up becomes a blanket (just thrown on top, not tucked in). We keep raincoats, hats, spare batteries for the flashlights, Bananagrams, and a tick remover in the camper all the time. We also have a camp stove because we like to cook outside, not inside (cleaner too).
Have a great time!
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Good tips! I really appreciate ideas – it’s a steep learning curve.
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Sweet setup. I’m jealous.
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It might be a little more peaceful than a house full of teenagers. Your time will come.
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