I recently had several readers ask me if I'm still on the road. Although I rarely blog anymore, I'm still shunpiking in a Prius. I have a 2015 model now, and gave my 2004 to family because it was still running good. I just wanted something less likely to break down when out in the back country.
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| Cameron and Jasper taking ownership of my 2004 Prius, June 2017 |
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| 2015 Prius, Alabama Hills in Lone Pine, CA, April 2018. |
At the end of 2016 I went full-time. John and I divorced, and gratefully remain friends. I typically spend winters in the desert southwest as a snowbird, June in Washington to see my grandson, and the winter holidays in the west with family and friends.
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| On the Oregon Coast with grandson Jasper, June 2017. |
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| Thanksgiving pie with family in Southern California, Nov. 2017 |
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| Chrismas at Bryce's home with friends in Pahrump, NV, Dec 2017 |
The rest of the year I typically follow the good weather on the road, exploring, in nature. I also started traveling to volunteer with Remote Area Medical (RAM) which is a mobile organization that communities host for a weekend to offer quality free medical, dental and vision services, no questions asked. I'm so impressed with them,
ramusa.org. I would encourage you to seek free treatment if you need it, and volunteer and donate, if you can.
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| A typical dental area of a RAM free clinic (extractions, fillings, cleanings), ramusa.org |
While in the desert southwest in the winters, the
Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR) is always a January highlight. This year we were written up in the NY Times.
This year, for the first time, I organized and facilitated a 3-day
Women's RTR following the main RTR. I was thrilled with the turn out, the mentoring sessions, panels, and camaraderie. I'm looking forward to our second annual WRTR next January.
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| Friends at Dome Rock in Quartzsite, AZ before the RTR, Jan 2018. |
I have so many good friends, camp mates, and family to visit, I've been surprised at the amount of time I actually spend hanging with people. Somehow I expected, when I went full-time, I'd have large chunks of time to myself. That just hasn't been the case. I'm thrilled, and am learning to take the time I need to be alone and recharge when needed.
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| Desert back road, north of Tucson, AZ, March 2018. |
That's my travel life right now and into the foreseeable future. I'm loving it. I'm living an amazing gift of freedom, experience, and contentment. So grateful.
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| View from my camp on a New Mexico Lake, April 2018. |
I don't expect that I will be writing about my travels anytime soon. But, I wanted my readers, new and old, to know that I do respond to comments and questions. This blog isn't going away.
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| Sunset, Padre Island National Seashore, TX, Nov 2017. |
Nice to read you again, after such a lapse of time ; Keep on enjoying life it goes by so fast ! My regards: Lucy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading Lucy. The best to you, Suanne
DeleteThank you for sharing Suanne! I am so grateful to you for the information that you provide! I am unable to quit my job, bit hope to see you AT WRTR 2020!
DeleteAlma
FlamingoBlack … I sure do hope you make the 2020 WRTR!
DeleteAlways a pleasure to camp with you Suanne! See you at the RTR in January!
ReplyDeleteI love camping with you guys. Watching the eclipse with you all was a highlight of last year! So glad to have you back in the RTR. Enjoy and safe travels!
DeleteNice to hear from you Suanne! I'm glad things are going so well!
ReplyDeleteThanks Elaine. I hope you and Ming can make it down next winter. Would love to have you at the WRTR. :) Safe travels!
DeleteSo glad to see you’re still on the trail. You videos with Bob really inspired me.
ReplyDeleteThank you David. Happy trails to you!
DeleteAlways good to see a post from you. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Appreciate you reading it.
DeleteSuanne,
ReplyDeleteI’m sure glad you posted an update. You have and still are admired by many, not to mention how many you inspired.
I’m on that list!
It’s always a pleasure to see you each year.
Stay safe and have a blast, but remember we would like to hear from you more often.
Brent
Brent, You are so very kind. And I could say the same about you ... except you do post, and prolifically! I hope folks interested in your travels and Prius build-out, visit your blog. Be well my friend, and I'll see you down the road.
DeleteSuanne:
ReplyDeleteBeen wondering if anyone U know lives out of @ Toyota Hilander Hybrid & if so, how they like it as camping vehicle; thanks ! My regards: Lucy.
Hi Lucy, I don't know anyone who lives out of a Highlander. Sorry.
DeleteSuanne, thanks for the reply. Lucy.
DeleteSuch good timing. I have been thinking of you lately! I emailed you quite a while ago and you did email me back, I am still "getting ready to go" cleaning out the house and will be looking at purchasing the Prius near the end of summer. You are an inspiration and I hope to be at the WRTR next year. Thanks again for posting and keeping my spirits up! I am glad you have a good network of people built up!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you came by to read! I'm glad you are still working toward your goals. Hope to see you at the WRTR! The best to you.
DeleteDear Suanne! My Hero! I am so glad you have posted an update. Your pictures are gorgeous, and fill my heart with so much joy. I’m just beginning my Prius travels. Each night I thank the Lord for leading me to your blog, and for the privilege of meeting you at the RTR and WRTR. (I do wish I could have helped you with sewing curtains... my offer still stands.).
ReplyDeleteOne of the lessons I have learned from traveling in my Prius, is that there are so many great people to meet and to get to know. I have so many new friends and new family members that I have met at the RTR and WRTR that my life has become so rich!! I consider you, Brent, David, and John as life long friends, and my Prius living hero’s.
I wish you safe travels and more wonderful memories. I look forward to being with you again at the WRTR. And maybe at a campsite along the way someday. Thank you for sharing your beautiful soul and self with me and all of the others that follow you. With much love... ~ Nancy
It was a pleasure to meet you at the RTR. And you are doing so good in your own Prius RV! The very best to you in your travels!
DeleteIt is good to read that you are doing well. I discovered your YouTube video and this blog just recently, a few months ago. It has been a wonderful inspiration, and full of ideas. With no recent updates, I was worried about you.
ReplyDeleteI work at a job that I enjoy so I am not on the road much, but when I do travel, I sleep in my car, a Honda Civic for the last twenty-one years, mostly in state and county parks, etc. But it finally had to go back in December, so I now have a 2013 Prius C. The Civic was small for car-camping, but the "C" is really small and I am going to have to leave some things behind that I used to carry along. Still, it shares some of the advantages of the full-size Prius. I'm still working on how to arrange things, and taking naps in it. I'm heading out on a two-week trip in June. Again, I have gotten lots of good ideas from you, but the inspiration of your example is best of all.
I wish you all the best.
So glad you found it inspirational. That does my heart good. The best to you as you figure out how best to utilize your Prius C. Safe travels. Suanne
DeleteI jus discovered your world n am so inspired for you to b my example. Thank u for sharing your insightful tips.my first question is where do you buy that gal. Water jug n how does the water stay fresh. I'm mostly a Wal-Mart shopper so I'm hoping I can get all nylon n polyfleece blankets there. If not where? Thank you again. How do you not b afraid not knowing what ppl or animals might show up at any moment.
DeleteSuanne, I just saw Bob's YT of you and popped over here. I'm planning similar. My dad has a Prius--do you find the low undercarriage limiting on unpaved roads, risky over dry washes? Deb in AZ.
ReplyDeleteI avoid sand, mud, snow, and water. If unsure of the road I'm on, I get out and access.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I absolutely love driving the back roads. I've learned how to drive rutted, rocky roads so that the Prius' low ground clearance is less of an issue. (I regularly surprise my friends where I can drive back to.)
Still, I'm never too proud to recognize that I shouldn't try a road … I just back up or turn around.
Also, I carry road assistance with SPOT's SOV (Save Our Vehicle) where they will come out into the back country where other services like AAA will not. Even SPOT's SOV says that it must be on a maintained (dirt/gravel) road. But, I know others who have been off a maintained road and have got SOV assistance. SPOT's web site is http://findmespot.com.