21 Years in a 1973 Dodge Van

i`ve wandered a long time too. lost family members, etc.. i wouldn`t recommend it to many ppl. & yes it can sometimes have "rewards", like this. unfortunately in some places in america, ppl still don`t have respect for wanderers. manson`s legacy partly, i guess.

 

So where are you camping this summer, TwoDogs? I'm wandering too. My kids are gone for the summer and I just go whichever way my car happens to be pointing. I'm in Colorado at the moment. If you're gonna be around later in the summer, I'll see if I can find you. I'll make you a cup of coffee.

 

Hey, TwoDogs, your jalapeno cheeseburgers were the inspiration behind my moniker. I made some myself a while back and they were great. Hope you are doing ok. Must be pretty hot this time of year. When I retire I want to travel around the US and camp out in the wild. Take care and stay safe.

 

I'm almost always in the north-central area of AZ. during the Summer. The high country is a quite bit cooler than the lowlands. I hang around about 14 miles north of Cottonwood/Clarkdale close to the Verde River. Just a stone's throw from Sedona.

I'll trade you a guided tour of the area for that cup of coffee.

 

Cool beans dude. Who says that an old Dodgedweller can't leave his mark on the world?

It's warm. If it gets too warm I can always jump into the river with the dogs. I like it warm...I'm old.

 

Well folks...here's one of the downsides to not being well heeled cash-wise...I just pulled another of my own teeth. No novacaine or any other painkiller...just my Leatherman pliers. It was my last remaining one of the upper front four. On the upside...I'm gonna make a killer Dracula next Halloween.

 

I'm sorry dude. That sounds very unpleasant.

 

Not quite as unpleasant as the pain caused by the tooth still being in my head though.

 

Hey TD...a very cool thread indeed and a good read while being hunkered down inside with my dogs to escape firework noises which scare the hell out of them every time.

I'm sorry to hear about your dental dilemma, but it is true that it is better off gone, however the method. Funny, but I can still remember as a kid, my dad pulled a couple of my teeth with a small pair of slip-joint pliers since he believed it was a waste of money to take me to a dentist. Of course, he would always tell me before he began that "this is going to hurt me more than it will you" and all I could say was "yeah, right"!

By the way, it is good to see that you and your pups are still doing well over there in the boonies of Arizona! I believe out of the entire state, which I know very well, you have chosen the best place to get away from the things of man and fireworks too.

Take it easy...

 

Very Cool TwoDogs. I've spent the better part of the evening reading your entire thread. I've always thought about living in a van during the years after retirement. My wife likes the idea, as she would like to see the places I have seen during my years over the road driving a truck.

 

Hey 2Dogs,just finished your thread.I found it very inspiring as I bought a 1973 Dodge Tradesman Campervan last summer & due to some personal tragedies & unexpected circumstance.I have a great desire to just vanish for awhile & living in Beautifil British Columbia,I have many secret places of mountains & lakes to vanish in,but Arizona sounds like winters would be alot more comfortable.Anytime U want to visit B.C. I can show U some awesome sites.Take care

 

Jay you ever coming back from the desert? Your pic and posts are always inspiring!

 

I have to agree with you about being in the best spot in the state. I can enjoy most of the rest of the state if I choose a change of scenery without having to drive too far. But...I've got the best of all worlds right in my neck of the woods...a river, a couple of creeks, desert and wooded mountains. Also, a little south of me are mountain ranges loaded with gold.

 

As long as your wife can stand the cramped space you'll be in good shape. If she's the adventurous type, she'll love the gypsy lifestyle.

 

I'm not sure Canada would let me into the country. Before I straightened out my life about 24 years ago my past was pretty sordid. If you make it down here I'll show you the cool spots that the tourists never get to see.

 

Thanks dude. I'm back for the weekend. Have to weld some leak detectors and make some gas 'n' grub money. I have some pics to post tomorrow.

 

Welcome back, TwoDogs...Glad to know you're still doing well. I wish you many blessings. It's awesome to know that you're out there somewhere living this incredible life of freedom.

 

coming late to your thread, but love what I'm readin your not far from my current neck of the woods, hanging in the showlow area in a box truck this summer. If you dont mind, might just PM ya with some questions on long term living. this summer, retired, sold my house, and am mobile full time. not planning on spending much time out of the state in all likelyhood.

travelling with a dog and cat, have good ground clearance in the truck, but i'm alot heavier than you are so unsure if I could handle the roads you can in your van.

Nemo Http://www.nemonotes09.blogspot.com

 

I knew it! You found the Lost Dutchman and you're keeping it a secret. C'mon TwoDogs, out with it!

 

I second your humble request Caliente to TwoDogs, for it is obvious to those of us who have spent any amount of time hiking for miles around the Arizona desert (Superstition Mountains in this particular case) that the Dutchman's mine is not anywhere near Weaver's Needle...