A little too solo...

[Wanderingjee]

So I recently went full time in my 26' Argosy. I absolutely love it. A few more modifications and fixes and I am very mobile. I am full solar and batteries.

I am 42 years old, athletic, very adventurous, and lusting for incredible memories.

The problem is I don't want to do this solo. I want to share all this adventure that is literally weeks away. The mountains, the sea, the trails, the white lines flying by. This adventure wouldn't be complete without a partner.

This lifestyle is so unique I can't even begin to imagine the difficulty finding that "someone" who is willing to live like this.

My little rant. I apologize.

[daymonjones]

Shelters are full of friendly and loving companions who would give anything to share an adventure of life with you.

Maybe not exactly your point, I apologize, just work with dog rescue.

Have fun!

[Wanderingjee]

The thought did occur to me but I work 24 hour shifts and I can't in good conscience leave a furry friend alone like that in an Argosy.

[TouringDan]

Sounds like you are questioning your original decision to do it solo.

I would rather do it solo than be saddled with the wrong partner. Remember that new solutions have new problems.

If you like music, go to some music festivals.

Good luck.

Dan

[Wanderingjee]

I can solo but it seams like half of the fun would be missing. I suppose a good road trip will help me decide if solo full time or coupled full time is better for me. Considering my luck with women up to this point, I should shut up and solo! LOL!!!

[TouringDan]

Solo has some advantages. I used to go to a lot of BMW motorcycle rallys. I preferred going by myself because I met more new people. If I went with a friend, we would mostly hang out together.

Some folks just don't enjoy solo. My brother is single but won't go anyplace by himself. He just does not enjoy it. I am married and enjoy going solo. I would prefer that my wife go with me but she can't/won't, so I go solo. It beats staying home and missing the adventure.

Dan

[Wanderingjee]

Being fulltime, the adventure somewhat ceases to be the Argosy itself. It becomes home real quick which IS nice. It will be the travel.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by TouringDan

I would rather do it solo than be saddled with the wrong partner. Remember that new solutions have new problems.

If you like music, go to some music festivals.

Good luck.

Dan

Yep.


Maggie

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Wanderingjee

I can solo but it seams like half of the fun would be missing. I suppose a good road trip will help me decide if solo full time or coupled full time is better for me.

It's a lot easier to invite someone over when you want company than to kick someone out when you want privacy.

Go solo but be social. Attend a rally from time to time, or even host your own rally at your favorite campground.

[overlander64]

Greetings Wanderingjee!

Originally Posted by Wanderingjee

So I recently went full time in my 26' Argosy. I absolutely love it. A few more modifications and fixes and I am very mobile. I am full solar and batteries.

I am 42 years old, athletic, very adventurous, and lusting for incredible memories.

The problem is I don't want to do this solo. I want to share all this adventure that is literally weeks away. The mountains, the sea, the trails, the white lines flying by. This adventure wouldn't be complete without a partner.

This lifestyle is so unique I can't even begin to imagine the difficulty finding that "someone" who is willing to live like this.

My little rant. I apologize.

I can understand your intuitive desire to share the adventure, but don't let "freewheeling" scare you. There is a rather large group of FreeWheelers in the WBCCI (Wally Byam Caravan Club International) as well as a group for solo travelers in Good Sam (I believe that their group is called "Solo Sams" or something similar). My experience is with the WBCCI FreeWheelers group. I was 36 when I first joined in 1995, and enjoyed my association with the group (I now have a partner so am no longer eligible to be a FreeWheeler, but continue my Lifetime Membership with the WBCCI.

For nearly 15 years, I traveled solo for about 6 weeks every summer, and you will find that you are never a stranger for long in a campground. You must be prepared for the onlookers who, most often, will offer assistance with spotting and backing your rig upon arrival as well as assistance with hitching. There will be odd expressions when you accomplish any of these activities without assistance. I have hitched my coaches solo for so many years that I prefer to hitch by myself without assistance. To a lesser degree, I prefer to park the coach myself, but in low light conditions I find a spotter helpful in avoiding those hidden obstacles.

Rallys and Caravans can be quite nice for solo travelers as both offer built-in social aspects as well as relieving some of the "decisions". Rallys, particularly those with a solo traveler/FreeWheeler/Solo Sam presence can be a good option particularly if you are fairly new to solo travel with a travel trailer. Caravans also offer opportunities to discover attractions and features that one who is not familiar with the territory might miss. I have fond memories of the many places that I have visited while Caravanning that I would have missed had I been traveling alone. Most caravan leaders are familiar with some of the needs of solo travelers and will work to make your experience enjoyable.

Good luck with your adventure!

Kevin

P.S. You might consider blogging as an alternative means of sharing your travel experiences. There are a few examples linked here on the forums as well as a few threads that have followed specific travel adventures of Forums members.

[mandolindave]

My camper is not my hobby. It is a tool, that keeps me comfortable while I do my hobby.

I second the music festival suggestion. It's a social event. Many wilderness areas and campgrounds are at least partially inhabited with folks that would rather be alone, or be spending quality time with loved ones.

I'm in a camping club and there is always hundreds of people that I know when I go camping. I spend more time with my camping friends that I spend with my best friends. You make close ties when you camp with someone for 3 or 4 days straight. I see my friends at home for just a few hours a week.

I get your point about sharing too. You can tell someone about an experience, but shared memories are somehow more special. It's not often that I make myself laugh. It's is nice to be alone from time to time but I get enough of that at home.

About the lady situation. The law of averages says that you are due for good luck. Bad luck has no legs, and can't follow you for very long before it gets tired of crawling around after you. Do what you like to do, and chances are you will meet someone who is like minded. I bet there is some nice lady out there somewhere who is praying to find a smart, rugged fireman, who can sing her a love song. You'll find her when you are ready. Give me a holler if she has a sister. Who am I kidding....they'll only break our hearts. ha ha

[andreasduess]

According to my female friends, there is no way a fireman could be single...

[rodsterinfl]

As a fellow solo camper I understand your perspective. I would agree with others on several points. One, it is better to be single that wish you were and, often it is difficult to find another person that shares multiple interests.

You are correct in that it WOULD be fantastic to have someone to share the traveling experience with but it often does not work. I travel internationally and went for a summer to Australia, New Zealand by way of Asia. It was a fantastic trip. I planned camping, touring in a motorhome, and many other activities. I invited my cousin to share the experience. I talked over every aspect with her, sent her the plans all prior to going and she was fine with it all and made no suggestions. When we arrived in Japan the differences surfaced- issues with walking, eating, time. She wanted to dine in splendor and enjoy things at a slow pace with night lounge visits. I planned a once in a lifetime visit covering major sites with a moderate itinerary.

I am perfectly comfortable being alone but I also enjoy interaction. What some posters stated is an important consideration that, most families and campers are on their adventure with the expectation of spending time with each other or a time to not be bothered; however, if people plan together to camp, it is a different situation altogether. Rallies, Caravans, etc are a way to camp and share. That is what I plan to do when I can get time to use my rig more.
If you are somewhat a loner now then you will be fine. If you are a people seeker and spend little time alone now, then your concern is warranted.

A cat is a good friend though with your schedule avoid a siamese or abys. They fend for themselves but they need attention too.

[64Lincoln]

This thread hits right home with me. I'm single and the proud owner of a '64 Safari that I have spent since April restoring. I've been to three rallies and I've camped several times on my own at different parks. I have lots of ideas of trips I'd like to take, but it sure would be nice to have someone to share the experience with. I even hesitate to go alone as it seems rather strange to camp alone. Then I go anyway, and I'm always happy I did. These single camping groups sound intriguing. I'm going to have to check them out. Or, better yet, I might meet that special woman. I do bring my dog and he's great, but not much of a conversationalist.

[rodsterinfl]

Another note on solo camping.

I just found out that a guy at my church goes camping with his SOB trailer alone. He just got back from a west coast tour right before Thanksgiving. He was gone all summer. He said that he loved it and spends the time getting caught up on reading, seeing sites and just enjoying life. He is in a wheelchair and fends for himself through all the camping experience.

[m.hony]

We know a guy that camps often by himself in a Casita 17' towed by an F150 V6. We see him quite often at the campground. He has traveled with his little rig to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and the Black Hills of South Dakota and out West. He seems to enjoy reading and cooking. He'll just be sitting around his house some random afternoon and just up and decide to go. Looks like the life to me.