New Mexico
I am sitting here writing this post from a remote dispersed campsite in New Mexico today. I have heat, power, and internet…way out here in the middle of nowhere. Pretty cool to me.
About 10 days back I finally hit the road from Michigan to being my journey toward the Southwest.
Sunrise at Camp Yesterday
I’m learning to take my time in these travels which is why I set up camp here and plan to be here for a total of 5 nights, or 6 days.
It’s hard for me, slowing down. Not having any particular purpose on a given day is taxing on the emotions for someone like me.
This living by faith thing is a hard concept for me to balance in my head.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I have a difficult time not “doing something” from the time I get out of bed in the morning until the time I get back into bed for the night.
I know, though, that trusting in God to direct my steps may mean some times of sitting, listening and reflecting.
I’m hoping through the months ahead my mind begins to retrain itself to embrace the slowing down and watching the world around me while at the same time coming to believe that God isn’t angry with me for not producing and “working” constantly.
Finding that “rest” to which Jesus continually refers in his lessons is a must in my life.
At any rate, I am testing the Winnebago’s limits related to it’s abilities to be what is called “off grid”.
Since leaving Michigan, between the new set up for charging the RV battery from the vehicle while running as well as the upgrades to the solar wattage (not totaling 980 theoretical watts) I have yet to have to connect to “shore power” for a recharge.
The maximum wattage I have pulled has been from my current location in New Mexico just tipping 500 watts of charge in full, high sun mid day.
It’s adequate, but I am simply unimpressed with solar as an energy option for dependence be it for RV living full time or a traditional home. I don’t think I will change my mind on this. I have always been suspicious of the solar claims but my experiences on the road thus far have reinforced my original guesses on the matter.
Never the less, it’s working for me currently as long as I am incredibly mindful of my power consumption day to day.
In my travels, I have, other than my current dispersed camping location, stayed exclusively at Boondocker Welcome spots. These are RV parking destinations provided by private individuals opening their property for folks to park and stay for a night and in some cases multiple nights.
A Sunset Panorama in Lincoln, Nebraska
On my travels to get here, I stopped over in Joliet Illinois, Redfield Iowa, Lincoln Nebraska, Quinter Kansas, and Pueblo Colorado.
I have met a few wonderful folks and really enjoyed a longer stay with my now friends in Lincoln. I enjoyed some farm type work while there and it was good to be of use to them for a few days.
As I meander my way south through New Mexico in the coming weeks headed toward Phoenix where I will meet up with Joelle once again, I’ll try and do a better job of posting along the way.
Thanks for following along and I hope all of you are well.
rob out
PS Check out the video below for a few pre winter tips and an update on our trip
