We've Learned So Much -- Is it Time?

"Later never exists." - Anon.

In a few days we’ll be heading to Quartzsite.  It’s time for thousands of RVs to converge on that small desert town.  We’ve learned so much since the first time we were there a few years ago.  It was there that we were really introduced to boondocking for the very first time.  We were so sure we wouldn’t be able to adjust that we also booked a month at a local park at the same time we were staying on the BLM.  Actually, we weren’t sure we wanted to adjust.  After all, we couldn’t understand why folks would want to be without all the utilities if they had a choice.  We thought we were prepared though but we had a lot to learn.  What else could we need?  We had a generator.  It was one of those very noisy commercial generators but we didn’t know the difference.  That first time was definitely a major learning experience for us.  We had so much to learn and didn’t even realize it.

We were experienced RVers, experienced campers and even experienced boondockers … even though we had never called it that.  We had spent many nights boondocking in the past in tent trailers, travel trailers and 5th wheels. In those days we never carried a generator with us.  We didn’t figure we really needed it.  Like I said we thought we were so experienced but really we had so much to learn and we learned by listening and watching others.

I’d love to say we caught on fast but that wouldn’t be the truth.  We adapted to the things we liked and fought the things we didn’t.  One of the hardest things was water conservation.  We could get the water.  It was cutting down on usage and the disposing of it that caused the problem.   We were reacquainted with GI showers and dishpans in the sinks.  Did we adjust?  Very reluctantly on the water bit. 

Eventually we ended up with a blueboy and a 45 gallon water bladder..  Eventually those two 12 volt batteries became four 6-volt batteries and then became six 6-volt batteries. We learned about inverters and tri-metrics, LED lights, water filters, propane heaters and the list goes on and on.  The loud generator became a Honda 1000 which eventually became a Honda 2000.  The 5th wheel became a motorhome.  The stand-up satellite antenna which could cause hours of frustration became a mounted automatic satellite receiver.  Even Distant Networks was added to our list of necessities for TV programming..

Our AT&T air card continued to serve our internet needs most times but with it came a few other things including a cradlepoint router, a Wilson antenna and amplifier.  All these little things became a necessity for living off the grid.  Most everything we learned about cost money. Camping World became our favorite store and General Delivery our main address.   We did discover getting ready to boondock was not a cheap thing. 

We’ve learned about COEs, County Parks, special passes, Wal-Marts, Flying J’s and BLMs.  We’ve learned many things.  If they give a diploma for RV living, we should have earned it by now.  What more can we learn? 

What more can we do?  Is it time?  We still haven’t added solar.  Or, have we?    Terry spent the day running wire.  He said the hard part is done.  Tomorrow will mostly be spent finishing up with the charge controller and digital meter.  We have yet to get the mounts and the panels.   We’re hoping to tap the knowledge bank of other RVers on what we need since we’ve learned so much from them in the past. 

‘Tis life on the road.