#beingthankfulforwhatyouhave

[thecarcampingexperience]

What I Did and Would Do Differently...

If I could do it differently I wouldn’t try to buy and sell shoes like I did. While I love shoes, it takes up too much space then you start feeling like a hoarder and start hugging the anxiety of near mental breakdown. Would stick to essentials. Maybe bring a laptop. Pop to the thrift shop for a pan & find a good spot. When in Little Rock, met a singer hanging outside of an organic food store and he told me about resources like The Van that can help with food, shelter, and sometimes could wash your clothes, etc. Most of them were church-affiliated if I remember correctly. Things like washing clothes were a time-drag and I never found a really good solution, but all I tried was using the blow-dryer at Mcdonald’s while charging laptop and couldn’t even do it all the way for socks because of the embarrassment of people walking in. A membership to Planet Fitness comes in handy for showers. If someone knows a solution to the clothes thing feel free to comment or message, as it may come in handy if I decide to embark on these adventures again.

Aldi’s, Save-A-Lot, and Lowe’s are probably good places for food.. I’m sure other states have other types of stores in this price range. Tried putting hot dogs in a regular cooler... but forgot about them, so... it was a waste. Would recommend a GOOD cooler where the ice melts at a lower rate.

Tent- I didn’t use one, but one was available. You could, if and/or when a stable place with space is available apply thin layer of silicone to outside to make it rain-proof if it is not from the get-go and add permethrin to make it more bug-resistant. Make sure to check out the wildlife in your area to minimize surprises.

Laptop and phone and mobile charger and car charger- godsends. If one device dies...then you have a backup plan. At least have a phone.  For phone service- best coverage hands down goes to Verizon... T-Mobile seems to be good in the city parts. But I’ve went as far as New Mexico- me having T-Mobile and the other traveler having Verizon and this person- 9/10 times on the interstate at least, had reception. There was a part of Kansas not too far from Colorado where there was a dead-zone if I recall- it was a eerie time and a eerie place in this time and age.