Our great madventure!

[Katje Sabin]

It's taken a long time to get here, but we're almost ready... I'm an almost-40 single mom of three homeschooled kids (14m, 12f, and 8m). We are selling our house, loading up the 23-ft. Tioga Montara I bought last summer, and hitting the road in February or March (depending on the real estate market... and yes, if we make enough on the house sale, we'll definitely be looking at a bigger rig!). Right now I'm in the process of unloading all the DRECK I've amassed... selling things on eBay, donating, dumping... whatever it takes.

I guess I just wanted to check in with folks who have done something similar. Sometimes it just seems overwhelming, trying to face another day of shoveling through old toys and books and clothes, whittling our possessions down to what we REALLY need to stay alive. I read about this sites' founders, who were forced into simplicity by a fire, but I'm trying to do it voluntarily instead of having some calamitous event choose what I get to keep.

Any hints or words of advice? I've been reading the www.flylady.net web site and it helps... also some of the books and other web sites, but I'd like to hear about what actually helped you get to where you felt free enough to finally open your wings for take-off.

I'm also looking at trying to do freelance writing on the road, and I would need a good wireless set-up. Or at least, I think I do. Are there really enough Kinko's around to plug in and stay connected? I read through the dashboarding technology info and it makes my head spin (and I'm definitely computer-literate!).

Well, that's it for now. I'm sure I'll come up with about a million more questions for you seasoned pros, but I just wanted to say hello and thanks for all your generous info!

Best wishes,

Katje

www.madventure.us

[GEORGE FRANKEL]

KATJE I USE THIS METHOD WHEN I GET READY TO TRAVEL I MAKE 3 PILES. # 1 PILE ALL THE THINGS I HAVE TO HAVE CUPS,BOWL, SPOON, THINGS I HAVE TO HAVE TO MAKE IT. # 2 PILE ALL THE THINGS I THINK I NEED PORTABLE RADIO, EXTRA FUEL BOTTLE, PILE #3 PILE ALL THE THINGS FUN, BOOKS, BOARD GAMES, TAPES, CDS THEN I TAKE ALL OF PILE # 1 NONE OF PILE #2 AND 1/2 OF PILE #3 AND BE ON MY WAY. IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT YOU WILL GET IT. THE HARDEST PART OF ANY TRIP IS FROM THE COACH TO THE FRONT DOOR GOOD LUCK.

[imported_Katie]

We are a crowd of 4 Irish living in San francisco. We were considering taking a 10 day road trip to New York for St.Patricks day, March 17th and back again. All in 10 days. We will rotate driving. Is this possible and what advice would the experienced give? We want to see as much as possible along the way! Also we will need to rent transport. How would we work that?

Thanks

Katie

[Don Woodmancy]

Our editor is a world-class guru on staying connected and I'm sure he'll respond to your message in due time. In my travels, I don't want to carry a computer around but I still have found a sure-fire way to stay connected. Go to the library. No matter where you go, at least in the US and Canada, you're going to find local libraries and almost all of them are going to have internet access available. Have a great life on the road.

[Katje Sabin]

when we take off for a long road trip, it will be me and three kids (ages 8-15). we'll take our bikes and rollerblades, but i'm wondering if i need to try to tow a car along with us. can i expect to park a 23-foot RV anywhere i need to, or should i try to find a light 4-seater to drag along? has anyone wished they had NOT brought a car along?

[Mark Sedenquist]

There are very few places you can't park a 23-foot RV. When we are on the road, we really dislike the notion of being here and there. When you have only one vehicle you will always be "here." Plenty of folks find they want a tow vehicle -- but a tow vehicle will guarantee that there will be some places you are unable to explore, or if you do, you will have to return to pick up RV. Having one vehicle can be very liberating -- I never recommend having a tow vehicle.