Living off the grid

yes bobntom I am very aware that IF I also sold the house I might "run through" that money without realizing it... and have made (mentally) plans on how to not do that, so I can always buy another house if I want.

Thunderbow... ahhhh yes. THAT'S off the grid! I have a brother who "lives" in a 5th wheel with his wife...though they also own a home (daughter rents it)...so they have "domain" address... and can have roots and travel this great country. My rig would be much much smaller and not take a football field to park lol... and I could go into some back country if I buy what I'm configuring... the salesman was trying to talk me out of the limited slip axle because of the upcharge. DOH. I want something that if I put a wheel off in the back country it won't sit there and spin with all the power!!! (While waiting for AAA to find me of course...)

I have a great camera set up...used to be a freelance professional photog... scenery, out of doors, animals my best!

I really think I could handle this with NO problems (once I have it all figured out on the road you know)...for at least 6 months (weather change?)

Sigh. I have a great helping salesman at another dealer (if there really is such a person)...but he's beginning to put TOO much time into arranging what I want...I think the end of the month push to win some contest or "get me increased incentives" or as he has warned, that color you want is all but "sold out" (manufacturers often only paint so many of one color...).... but if he pushes tomorrow any, I will have to back him down citing my disability doesn't do frantic well. LOLOL

But still... "out there" all alone with my doggie (and having to check home-made State charts about size and weight of vehicles and bridges, and firearm carry... etc etc etc... I do wonder IF I can do that... I know when I was able-bodied I surely could and did at times... not for long periods of time though...

Yeah, and making sure I can return to the grid if and when I needed to or wanted to is very important. If someone has a list on how they did that, I'd like to see it

I'm really whirling on this.

Now I've realized that I have to plan for a way for my service dog to get into a van... and my one semi friend who can't step up that high. I have to upfit for a power assist driver's seat (you know the kind---it turns and comes down so you sit in it and it lifts you up and turns you back to drive)... and I was thinking about a Captain's chair for the passenger so I could have a nice seat facing into the back area when I wanted it.

But if I don't select a second sliding door, how does my dog get in? It's too high for him to jump up onto the driver's seat...and there's not enough room for him to jump into the floor area first... and I surely don't want to have to take him around to the other side to open a door and fasten him in... and that's another issue... fastening him into the passenger's seat... It's a van and may be more of a reach than I can make.

And now I have to explain my dilemma to the salesman?

I keep having good thoughts about being out on the road. I've always loved to drive... but now have to stop every hour to do stretches (PT requires --so does body)...

...but I'm also have small waves of fear about being out there "alone" where no one knows where I am.

But then... my spirituality kicks in and tells me no one knows where I am every day, and that God knows where I am all the time...and "perfect love casts out fear"...

Twirling.

Wellllll folks...

I asked God for a definite sign that this is the right vehicle... and plan... that was this morning...

this afternoon I finally was in touch with the conversion upfitter I would be using...and he said I can't even have him put the Vehicle Manufacturer's power assist driver seat in because it would void the warranty. It seems on of the batteries is under the driver's seat, and would have to be moved.

I cannot get into the vehicle without assistance. BUT even if I ALWAYS used the motorized wheelchair and ramp, I still couldn't get into the driver's seat because of the tight space and the floor emergency brake. The guy couldn't even put a Captain's chair in because of the brake... and that would mean having to have an electronic emergency brake put in and that one taken out... but still can't have the power assist seat.

SO. I will wait for the 2016s and continue planning.... so much for a birthday present in July

It is what it is. Best to find this out now...

The guy was impressed by all the homework I've been doing on purchasing (a year's worth...just settled on this vehicle last month)... and my knowledge. Of course, I 've been bouncing things off my genius mechanic brother in Boston.

Psychological problem now... I feel stuck again.

A good resource for free camping is the BLM (Bureau of Land Management)---there is another that is not coming to mind right now.

My brother put me onto issues of Escapees Magazine and also Trailer Living... specific articles about getting ready to do this...

but alas... it has been put on hold for now...

and I feel stuck.