I love your philosophy. ❤️ I hope you are doing well.

@@ButterflyTracks I'm doing great back to normal....planning my next camping trip...about a month this time 😁

Rocky Mountain Huckleberry Chris, so glad you are ok. One thing I do now is when I move camp I go to google maps and drop a pin where I am and send a copy to my son. He always knows where I am in case I have problems and need emergency help.

@@cheryldavis2203 my son and I can track each other on Google maps. Everyone should do that.👍

Good for you sir! We all eventually reach that point where quality of life has to balance with quantity of life. I’ve had some serious health challenges in recent years and I cannot wait to get back out on the road.

Barbara Allen, yep old age is creeping up on me but I will have lots of memories.

Thank you, Barbara. 🙂 An example that we all have options.

Thank you for giving us her name. I think she is simply delightful and hope our roads cross one day 🙏✌️🌎💞

Thanks for watching. Twokniveskatie. 🙂

Thank you, San Dee. 🙂

San Dee Dobberstine, yes he did. That was during RTR in 2013. You have a good memory. Right after he did that I got really sick and it is a good thing that I was parked with my tribe. Katie two knives put me in her van and took me from Quartzsite to the Parker hospital and stayed with me for several days. Others took care of my dog and cleaned up my puke containers and watched my van. I love my van tribe.

I just found out she was in Without Bound.

Thank you Karen. I think I am too lazy to bother with a "buildout" but there were things that had to be done in HULK that I simply couldn't have done. My son put down carpet for me and did the electrical work hooking up a portable solar panel and installing all of the equipment and fuses and stuff that goes with it. And many many other things over the years. I am not sure how I could have done this without his support and help.

Love her story 💓💓💓 how amazing- she needs a movie deal 💯

@@ButterflyTracks 9h

Just found you.(so glad)..I,m 73...solo female...for 3 years now...Just telling you....we need to meet...we have SO much in common...we even talk the same way. I,m in a short Skoolie And like you.....Nothing fancy...Luv ya

Hi Carol. 👋 Good luck in your search.

I would test the waters in whatever you already own. I prefer our minivan to our full sized van. The full sized van can wear you out driving. It also doesn't get near the gas mileage.. but my Mother and husband do need to be able to stand up. For just me I'm taking the 2009 Jeep Patriot, but it really only has sleeping space for one and it has over 100,000 miles on it. Even if you just start out with day trips you will have new experiences and motivation. Best wishes on finding your perfect adventure vehicle.

@@anitasimmons3599 Hi Anita. 👋 Geat advice. 👍

Hi Modern Day Pilgrim! ❤️ Wasn't she great. Living free and fully.

Exactly right, Liz. Thank you for watching. 😊

Liz Summers, yes we have the ability to just move, even if it is just because we don't like the view. GRIN

Me too. 🙂👍

Right! Thanks, H Gj. 🙂

She is an inspiration. 🙂

Kim Lamfers, If things aren't easy I just don't seem to do them. Lazy.

She's living life fully on her terms. 🙂

Hi, Shweetie. 👋 I think what you're saying is pretty common about self isolation, even without a pandemic. We get comfortable or lazy and just cocoon in our nest. (Mixed metafor) 🤔

Hi Ramona. 👋 I wish I could have spent more time with her. ❤️

Ramona Defore, I hope someday we all get to spend time talking and exchanging ideas.

Remarkable. 😊

I was only at the RTR for the day and had to go back for work, but the time with Cherie was memorable and I cherish it. Great day! Tony was just as delightful in person, too. If you happen to meet Cherie, you will have a blast!

Hi Debbie. 👋 Thank you for watching. 🙂

Bravo to all of us that who "do it our way" whatever that may be.

Hi Liz. 👋 She's a free spirit. 🙂

@@ButterflyTracks She certainly is! What a kick in the pants!

Hi MK Chris. 👋 I hope your dreams come true.

Mk Chris, I hope you do too.

Butterfly tracks thank you. Keep up the fabulous work!!! You are awesome!!! Good job!!

Hi Laurie. 👋 I'm so glad to hear from you. How I would love to sit with you and Cheri and hear your stories. 💕

Laurie, I just saw your comment. Yes! We have been really good friends for many years. Hope you are doing good. Would love to see you again. Many hugs to you!

Laurie, yes of course I still have the card you gave me and the heart shaped rock in the black velvet bag. Lisa, I also still have the little troll doll you gave me. She is hanging on the wall peeking out of the bag Laurie gave me.

I know, and I hope to do it again soon. I could have talked to her all day. Thanks for watching, Janina.

Thank you, Melissa. 🙂 It means there's hope. ❤️

Hi Kavita. 👋 I feel blessed to have you here. 💛 what stories you could tell. Right?

Same boat, exactly! Only I’ve been doing it for a relatively short 3yrs. In Ventura now in fact (but consider L.A./Hollywood my home). And yes, worst experience has been with the police. I had people lie about me to the police (to keep me away from their property, I have always parked legally and usu move every night)…. the police threatened to arrest me, it was really scary, because I’d done literally nothing and the police ended up searching everything…. just because I lived in a van and the other person lived in a house, they never even asked my side or if the accusation were true (that I had an unmarked gun!😂…. I look like Martha Stuart, I would have thought they’d give me SOME benefit of the doubt that I wasn’t a terrorist). Anyway, thanks, I can relate to everything you said, I don’t think any doctor is worth it so keeping my mind open.

@@ButterflyTracks thank you for welcoming me ❤️

@@irisgreene4175 hi Iris. Thank you so much for putting out the energy to write me such an awesome reply. Yes my home base if you want to call it that, I don't have a home but I'm in LA county. But I noticed anywhere in southern California the police are brutal to motorhomers. I hear you loud and clear about being threatened because I've been threatened. I have a service dog and they literally said that they were going to chop up my service dog and throw him in the bushes. I also had seven squad cars surround my motorhome in a park because somebody had called and said I was homicidal. The abuse that time was horrific. And no they don't care about your side of the story, it's all about power and they know that nothing will happen to them no matter what they do. It really really made traveling the only sour part of the whole thing. It was as if I was a targeted individual. And I don't know if you know what that means. I did a lot of camp hosting and I had to deal with a lot of Superintendent Rangers which are higher in rank than any Police Sergeant. And boy have I had them come down on me when I would stick up for myself. I'm really glad you shared what you had to share with me. Where are you going right now? I'm just curious where your travels are taking you. Anyways I could go on and on I would love to talk to you in person, over the phone anything because I can tell you have been so far the only person who has admitted that law enforcement can put a big damper on living a so-called free adventurous life. Take care and have a sweet evening.

Hi Ken. 👋 She's the voice of experience.

Yes she is. 😍

Yes she does. Living life free and happy. 🙂

Thank you, Katherine. 👋 I love what you said that life is for living. We really do have choices. ❤️

Thank you, Terri. 😊

Your husband is so right!

Thank you, NH Bomat. 🙂

Hi Deb. 👋 I could have talked to her for hours. 😍

Hi Deb, I love all of your Facebook posts. Hope to see you again. Maybe we will be able to have real RTRs again now that covid seems to be getting better. I miss camping with Gary too.

hi, Cheri! Glad you enjoy FB, and we can keep in touch. I wonder about the future of RTR...It may have out-grown itself. The year I met you, it was a massive turnout. Maybe if it evolved into a regional type of get together, it would be more informative and not overwhelming. Any rate, it was great to see your van tour! Stay safe!!

Thank you, Caren. 🙂

Hi Beth 👋 Me too. 😍

Isn't that the truth, My Favs. Amazing how many wonderful people if met in just 4 months on the road. 😍

Thank you, M Fisher. 🙂

Yes, she shows how simplicity can lead to freedom. 🙂

Thank you, JT. 😊

I agree, Mary. 🙂

So right, Dannie. 🙂

Yes, she's an independent wonder. 😍

They work great. Also good for propping your feet up at night. 👍

Thank you. 😊 💙 🦋 💙

She's a sweet lady who has this figured out. I was leaving the next or I would have camped with her and would have loved to spend more time with her.

Hi Honey and Me. I agree. 👍

Hi Gail. Yes, she was so open and down to earth. 😍

Hi Tracey. 👋 Love to have a meet-up some day. Happy travels. 😊

🙂

Hi Tracey. 👋 Yes some things are meant to be.

I'd live to have a meet-up someday. 🙂

She was also in the documentary Without Bound. 😍

@@ButterflyTracks I have not heard of that one. I will check it out.

I am not being argumentative … different view point and maybe some things to think about - your comment made me think and better understand what I might choose. AND for perspective, I am downsizing from a 33 foot Motorhome with all mod cons :). And I do intend to make whatever I get into a mini-house. Partly because some of the house things are important to me: toilet, shower, ability to cook inside and hopefully oven … researching options for bread baking if oven not an option. Aside from my personal preference, though, is that although it would seem that things are less complicated with fewer house like features, there is complication in: finding shower/bathroom, cooking in inclement weather … potentially other aspects of living that would require finding whatever. As a solo RVr with dogs and cat for 16 years (a few stints of long term travel living), my experience is that even with a self contained RV, there are still a LOT of living decisions that must be made daily-weekly-monthly and I believe the number and frequency of decisions goes up with less house systems, i.e. more complicated living, not less. And I am speaking more about long term travel/full timing vs short camping trips.

Liz Summers, thanks for mentioning these points. Your experiences are valuable and helpful. Thanks to you and On Time.

Life can be so simple and less stressful. Thankfully there are many options so you don't have to be without phone and internet.

So many people and so many options. It's wonderful. 👍

My dad used to say"You don't own a house! A house owns you"! He was right about that! LOL! Keep it simple! I have never trusted banks! They want everyone to own property! Then the bank owns you!!!!! 😂🤣😂🤣

Thank you, Lone Star. 🙂

Thank you, Julieta😊

Simplicity can be beautiful. 🙂

Carol, the expensive luxury stuff would be wonderful but most of us are on limited income and I would rather put my money into the gas tank so I can go places and build memories. Would like it if the price of gas went back down though. Hulk only gets 11 mpg. LAUGHING

Sure nuff am extreme minimalist and my van will not have half of the stuff others have

Aw, Greg. You are an inspiration too. 🙂

@@ButterflyTracks 🙏🧙‍♂️

We have a Facebook group for women who are interested in traveling and camping. It's for women only. A safe place to exchange information about nomad adventures, caravans and meetups. Butterfly Tribe Women Who Camp 💙 🦋 💙 facebook.com/groups/794347871824247/?ref=share

Hi Done Dennison. Sounds like you have fun. 🙂

McDonalds sells bags of ice for $1.00 here

She's living life to the fullest.

Thank you, Piper. 😊 That was a very wise comment. With such a great attitude it the sounds like you must be living life yor way. 💙 🦋 💙

@@ButterflyTracks thank you so much Jan for taking the time to respond. I’ve had a long road to discovering what was important to me. I was very much unintentionally living life by other’s expectations , was oblivious to my needs and yet would experience intense emotional responses not realising their source for the first 30 odd years of my life. It was when I fell pregnant that I knew I needed to really get my s**t together - so for a number of years did some challenging work on myself. The last decade until today. I’ve probably had some of the most challenging times as more mature adult dealing with divorce, co parenting, career, all that comes with change of life, Lockdown fatigue and being anxious about getting Covid (as have upper respiratory issues most of my life) then getting Covid (when I returned to my work place) followed by post Covid Pneumonia which put me in hospital and where I discovered I was chronically anaemic- further tests revealed two major health concerns one of them being colon cancer, the other a really large hiatus hernia that had to be operated on asap otherwise it could have twisted my stomach (fatal outcome). Our health is our most important valuable asset(includes emotional, spiritual, mental and physical) So whilst I was progressing pretty well with my emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing my physical wellbeing had not been as optimal as could have been - clearly. I was also quite focused on raising my (now adult) daughter and making a living - juggling quite a lot - as we women tend to do. In the past six months and two major operations later: one for my colon (thankfully had the cancerous region removed successfully without further treatment required) and am just recovering from the hernia op requiring four complex procedures to put things right- phew- (massively grateful for the support and much needed rest - been a very humbling experience ) Looking to 2023, a much physically healthier version of me. This has all spurred me on to keep to my initial focus on how I choose to live my life (especially on the other side of 50 - am 54 now) and part of this will be to pick back up my passion for adventures in my mini campervan and instead of weekends here and there, occasional holidays and festivals, to start to kit my SUV out properly for longer excursions/adventures hoping to go full time nomad. Having significant health scares the first thing that came to my mind was “time” omg I need more quality time for family and friends and my unrealised personal dreams… I wasn’t ready to leave this planet just yet… and surprisingly work wasn’t even in my radar! It is so true when terminally ill people talk about what they wish they had more of or regret - it’s time. We take time for granted - well I admit I did. Living life my way in genuine simplicity, meeting more of my needs in a healthier way, in exploring life in my adventures , discovering what I’m really capable of, being more present that deepens my relationships, connecting with others that is enhancing, and being of service (however that takes shape) - this is what I know will deeply enrich me and others around me. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to go on so much lol 😂, My main point is that I realised how fear has paralysed me in certain ways for not going after what I really wanted and believe my health issues is tied into this - manifested it physically. I’m not my health issues … I’m not fearful of death (that’s inevitable) as much as I’ve realise I’ve been fearful of really living. Well I’ve sure as heck received a good kick up the proverbial butt. Quit being a silk worm (it has it’s purpose of course) and become the Butterfly 🦋 So that when I’m 81 or 91 (to borrow your future self speak) I can say - Yeah, I have lived my life as intentionally well as I had hoped to and I’m good to go. Hope all that long winded waffle makes sense?!

Don't we all. Thanks, Susan. 🙂

Yes, thank you for pointing that out. I had to go back and watch it again. 🙂

Hi, Norma. 🙂 Thanks for watching.

Me too. 😍

She's amazing. I wish we'd had more time together. 🙂

Hi Linda I love your story. Maybe I'll see you down the road. 🙂

😊

❤️

Hi Ruby. 👋 Thanks for watching.

Thank you, Pam. 🙂

I'm so glad to have met her. 💓 and let everyone else meet her too.

Thank you, Lola. 🙂

Thank you, M Hayes. 🙂 I hope to meet her again down the road.

Mine too. 😍

It is nice to be self contained. I couldn't do this without something for night time emergencies. 👍

Me too, Bonnie.

Thank you, Kimberly. 🙂

❤️

Hi Felix Cat. 👋 I like your term "travel cabin." Yes, it's pretty easy to set up. 👌 Thanks for coming with me on my adventures. 🙂

I know. I would have liked to camp with her and spent days talking to her. But both of us were leaving the next day.

Thank you, Elaine 👋 She was so much fun that I didn't want the conversation to stop.

That's a great idea! 🙃

😍

Hi Sherry. I know what you mean. 🙂 I keep meeting wonderful women on the road. I think you'll like Cindy's attitude too. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jcCXiZOktbmpco0.html

I know. I feel it too. So nice to meet kindred spirits. Do you have a KZfaq channel?

@@ButterflyTracksunfortunately, no but I do enjoy watching videos about vanners, car camping or anything with outdoor freedom. I find bushcraft vids can be useful to our way of life, especially when, where and how they cook. I've gotten a lot of recipes from watching bushcraft vids as well learning some different ways to cook.

Now you're making me hungry. Good idea on the fruit.👍

Thank you! I would love to see your beautiful country! 😊

Hi Anita. 👋 Thanks for watching.

😊👍

It was my pleasure. 😍