Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Have I lost it??

I've been doing some off the wall thinking the last few days, and I'm putting this out there for comments--good or bad--so get back to me and let me know what you think!! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shortly after Thanksgiving, I'm headed out of Illinois and impending cold weather for Florida.....original plan was to hook up the STEALTH camper to bring along. Was going to go to a nice place outside of Silver Springs to park for a couple months and just hang out. Lot rent alone was going to be $800. for 2 months....I want to point out here at the start that this new idea has nothing to do with money! The travel fund is in place, and could easily last 6 or 7 months. But, this new idea has me intrigued, if nothing else just to prove to myself that I could do it!! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have come to realize the past few weeks that my new tow vehicle----the Chevy Suburban---has lots of interior room with the 2nd seat folded flat and the 3rd seat removed. I'm thinking that if I put an air mattress back there and a sleeping bag on top of it, I could sleep just as well on that as I do in my STEALTH camper!! Naturally, a few modifications would have to be made, such as blocking all the windows with foam blocks and then a layer of Reflectix......a partition easily put up/taken down just behind the front seat to aid in privacy and block out prying eyes....temporarily install a small solar panel on the roof--maybe my 80 watt folding panel, tied into a battery so I would have some power......but then again, maybe not, as I would just be using the back area to sleep! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Would take along my Coleman catalytic heater as well as the Coleman 2 burner cookstove.....my DVD player....minimal clothes---jeans/polos/sox/undies---the basics ya know! How much stuff does 1 guy need really? The laptop...the cell phone...the camera...the GPS...batt. charger for the camera....supply of coffee/creamer/sugar/stirrers/GORP/instant oatmeal/Cheerios/whatever else I want to load into the beast! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not being tied to a fixed place, means I will be free to roam thru the state off the beaten path and check out Florida at a leisurely pace.....get tired, just pull off at a Pilot/Walmart/rest area and hop in the back and snooze! May even go to Disney World and hang out a few days.......run to Titusville to the Space Center....over to Tampa to Busch Gardens....yeah, this is starting to sound pretty good!! But can I REALLY do it?? What do you guys think? Not pulling the STEALTH camper will stretch the gas even farther! Let me hear the opinions---good and bad!!
Posted by at

8 comments:

  1. Karen and TonyOctober 10, 2012 at 6:01 PM

    Yep , you can do it! If you're worried about it getting too cramped take a small tent. There are cheap and free places to camp all over Florida ,although they are harder to find than in other states. Try staying at Cracker Barrels near tourist areas and little Indian Casinos when you get out in the sticks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BlackSheepOctober 10, 2012 at 6:14 PM

      Thanks for the tip! Little Indian casinos---will have to research that!

      Delete
    2. JanetOctober 11, 2012 at 2:05 PM

      I did this last winter on a trip to Florida and the winter before that to the Outer Banks. I have a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and have the back seats folded into the floor. There are definite advantages to this system. I'm a 64 year old female, so yes you can do it. I have one suggestion though, on the air mattress, change that to Memory foam. Air will keep you too cold, and memory foam will hold in your body heat for cool nights. Memory foam lots more comfortable also, and does not deflate. I would be glad to answer any questions, as I think I just about have most of the bugs worked out of this system.

      Delete
  2. Freedom | Rethinking the DreamOctober 10, 2012 at 6:19 PM

    Sounds doable in the Suburban. We go camping sometimes and one of our friends often sleeps in the back of their Suburban. Foam blocks in the windows should help keep in some of the heat when the weather cools.

    If I were to do that I think I'd circle the state and take in all the sites. St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, then head down the coast to the keys and spend a few days there. Then back up and across the everglades, Ft. Myers and Sanibel Island. Then hit Bush Gardens in Tampa and then maybe cut back over Orlando for Disney.

    I wonder if taking the stealth trailer might make some of your stops a bit more comfortable. Like if you want to stay a few days in one area, maybe set up camp in some of the state parks for a few days.

    Either way, sounds like a fun trip.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Debra DickinsonOctober 11, 2012 at 6:56 PM

    I agree with all that has been said, and I know you'll find YOUR way and will have fun nmw. But I have to tell ya - as I read this post, my initial reaction was.... "Uh, John - why don't you just trade 'em both in on a small Class B?" :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BlackSheepOctober 11, 2012 at 7:03 PM

      Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat????? You mean, an RV with windows??? You know me better than that!!

      Delete
    2. Debra DickinsonOctober 23, 2012 at 8:45 PM

      ROFLOL. Just seeing if you're paying attention. ;)

      Delete
  4. TeresaNovember 10, 2012 at 8:03 AM

    I'm for the suburban - way easier to maneuver! Have a GREAT time!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)