Why do I worry?

[Geocritter]

After sitting in San Marcos TX since June in my new-to-me 1994 Holiday Rambler I’m now just a month away from heading out on the start of my new mobile life. The following is my concern.

I’ve never been much of a worrier about car and travel issues. I’ve done my own car repairs all my life and I’ve always been very self-reliant. When I was in college I didn’t think twice about taking a semester off, hoping in my ratty old TR3 and driving from Illinois to San Francisco via Los Angeles (it was winter). Almost ran out of money by Vegas but took the $20 I had left and turned it into $200 playing black jack. That was in the late 60’s. In the 80’s I rebuilt a 1956 21' aluminum cabin cruiser. I used to take it 30 miles offshore into the Gulf of Mexico sport fishing. Some of my friends thought I was crazy but for years I had a great time with it. The boat actually gave me something to like about summer in Houston. I’ve made I don’t know how many coast to coast drives in cars and trucks that a lot of people wouldn’t even drive around the block. So why am I feeling so much trepidation as I prepare to drive my good running low-mileage RV from San Marcos TX to Tucson AZ next month. Sure it’s 900 miles but it’s an easy drive, all freeways, the kind of drive that machinery loves. So why do I have this nagging worry in the back of my mind? I turned 66 in August, is this a symptom of old age or something? Please don’t tell me it’s gonna get worse.

Steve

[SCR]

I have over come the fear of the unknown that comes with age.

My attitude is I have done all I can to prevent what I fear and if it happens then take care of it and move on. The alternative is not appealing to me at all and even then there is no guarantee that something won't still go wrong.

In other words go for it and hope for the best deal with the worst and enjoy what you can..

[scroller95969]

If I was as afraid when I was younger as I am now I never would have learned to walk.:)

[Dog_Folks]

I think it is part of aging. I experienced the same thing.

When we were young we knew it all and were invincible.

Now, being older, we know better.

[2gypsies1]

It's definitely not because of age...we, and many others are older than you. 🙂

I think you just need to have that first trip completed so you can see that you have nothing to worry about. Things happen to all of us and when they do, they somehow get resolved.

If you're heading to Tucson, one stop I recommend you make is the Escapees park in Benson, AZ and if you're not a member yet, you can join up in their office. Plan to stay in the park at least a week or two and you'll find the most friendly, helpful full-timers and you won't want to continue onto Tucson! If you could even stay until Jan 1 you'll have many holiday happenings, meals, fun to enjoy with folks like 'family'. You'll meet new friends - guaranteed. It's a great place for the holidays.

Best of luck in your new lifestyle. You'll love it once you get moving!

[Ron_Butler]

We had a sailboat for almost 25 years and whenever we headed out for extended cruising in BC waters, I was somewhat nervous and anxious leading up to departure time. Once out on the water and on our way, that dissipated.

When we changed to land cruising, the same feelings were there, even when we were full timing for 5 years. Now that we are just doing extended travel between the northwest and our winter home in AZ., I get the same feelings. I find that it is worse the last week or so before departure while taking care of last minute details, afraid that some careless driver will mess things up and delay our departure!! :B

I attribute it too making sure all the details are in place and the excitement and anticipation of getting on the road.

You will be fine once you realize that you are really free and on your way down the road! Relax and enjoy, you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner!

[Old-Biscuit]

TucsonJim wrote:
No worries. Just like back then, if you have a problem, you're smart enough to get it fixed, and you're savvy enough not to get taken to the cleaners. You don't have to worry about a time schedule because you don't have to be back to work on Monday morning. If you break down, get the rig to a place you or a pro can fix it. Crack open a cold beer and you'll figure it out.

And should you break down in Tucson, drop me a line and I'll have that cold beer with ya.

Sage advice.......

Relax, head out and enjoy.

As my Mama would say.."Don't sweat the small stuff---deal with it"

[tonyandkaren]

It will get better not worse.:-) It's perfectly normal to be a little anxious about embarking on a totally new adventure. I think that it's more about change than about the trip itself. Take your time. Enjoy the trip. In a little while you'll be settled into fulltiming and everything will become routine.

[sowego]

I really can't say why you are concerned about going fulltime...maybe some instinct inside you in alert or maybe it is just nerves about taking out on this journey. Take our time on this 1st trip, not make it a rush trip and see if you relax your worries will melt away. If they don't after a a month...then you may have to make a change in plans.

[TucsonJim]

No worries. Just like back then, if you have a problem, you're smart enough to get it fixed, and you're savvy enough not to get taken to the cleaners. You don't have to worry about a time schedule because you don't have to be back to work on Monday morning. If you break down, get the rig to a place you or a pro can fix it. Crack open a cold beer and you'll figure it out.

And should you break down in Tucson, drop me a line and I'll have that cold beer with ya.

[Artum_Snowbird]

I would say, get your roadside assistance for sure, and also put $10,000 away in an account, and put $1000 a month into it whether you use it or not for your rig. It's not for gas, but it's for everything else that the rig might need no matter how frivolous it might seem. One day you will have a biggie or two... if it grows to $20,000, enjoy some of it gently for other things, but if it doesn't, well just be happy you have planned ahead and keep on trucking.

[deejay41]

I don't currently fulltime, but I agree with your concerns.
When I was younger, I was "10 feet tall, and bulletproof",
but now I worry more about the unknown.
Just age, and experience, I guess.

Good luck in your travels.

[HappyKayakers]

Do you have a roadside assistance policy specifically for RVs? That could give you some peace of mind.

[gbopp]

I don't full time so I can't share my personal experience.
Maybe during your earlier adventures you always had a 'home' or somewhere to return to if you had any problems. And, if you are going full time you will no longer have that option?
And, maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about. 🙂
Relax and enjoy your travels.

[NCWriter]

I think all of us at that age know that bad things can happen and we get wiser and more cautious than "invincible" kids are. I now realize why my mother was so worried when I drove coast to coast alone in a crappy little Datsun. But also, when we set out on a trip in our vehicle-plus-home, maybe it's natural to be a little apprehensive until you get underway into the rhythm of the trip..

For me, that feeling has lessened by dealing with the usual unexpected glitches that have arisen the past few years in more than 30,000 miles. They can be dealt with, and somehow it all works out.

Have a great time!