On April 1 I began my embarkment for NE Oregon. My plan was to head towards Carlsbad, NM, and then through Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and on up into Oregon. Seeing all the sites and National Parks Along the way. On this route I was able to experience and see:
- Carlsbad Caverns – NM
- Petrified Forest National Park – AZ
- Grand Canyon (South Rim) – AZ
- Moqui Cave – UT
- Zion National Park – UT
- Bryce Canyon National Park – UT
- Capital Reef National Park – UT
- Glen Canyon – UT
- Goblin Valley State Park – UT
- Arches National Park – UT
- Canyonlands National Park – UT
- Craters of the Moon – ID
- Bayhorse Ghost Town – ID
- Oregon Trail Head – OR
On this route I planned to boondock (or park and stay for free on public lands) the entire way because I left with about 800 in my bank account. No savings. No backup for incidentals. No phone service either. So not only was I flying broke…I was flying blind.
Money
I had submitted an application for a small credit card that I was intending to use for gas. Of course, my mailing address still resides in Oklahoma so not much good it would do for me. And to get mail in my location in south Texas took an additional 3-4 weeks plus the time to track it down to all the possible random locations it could end up. Luckily, my Mom gave me the numbers and info and I was able to put it into my mobile wallet and use it that way. Pure lifesaver! Thanks Mom!
Along the way, I did some commissions for art and sent those off and got paid. I also received my final check from my most recent employers so that assisted with the finances.
As you can see by the pie chart…gas was the most costly factor as to be expected. The highest I paid for gas was $4.99/gal. There were not many on this route that was higher than that, and if there were I would go elsewhere. I am also really upset with my food cost. Lets me know where my areas are that I need to desperately work on.
Speaking of fuel, I did experience some fuel trouble going through New Mexico. I grossly underestimated the fuel it would take to get through this National Forest I was driving through. The hills and steep grades combined with wind sucked my tank dry! I saw a sign for Pie Town only 3 miles ahead! SAVED! Except Pie Town does not have a gas station. The next station was 20 more miles away. I was not going to make it.
I rolled into an RV park and knocked on the main cabin/house door. I asked them if they had any gas I could buy. The owners of the RV park were generous enough to give me about 3 gallons of gas out of a gas can. The gentleman would not let me pay for it. It was enough to get me to the next town and saved me some serious issues on the road. I emailed them and offered them an ad spot in my magazine next month. But either way…if you are in Pie Town, NM, go see Jay and Penny Carroll at Pie Town RV Park!
Phone
I had also decided that in my last (extremely remote) location, there was no need for a massive phone bill. So I disconnected it. I never used my phone for calling and the only people who called me were the car warranty people. So what was the point anyway? This proved difficult but obviously doable.
I downloaded my trip on Google Maps, one destination at a time. Example: Start in Big Bend Texas to my first boondocking spot near Carlsbad Caverns. The map would download and used offline. Then once I got to Carlsbad NM area…find public wifi like at a gas station, Walmart, or restaurant and get the next step in my journey. And so on and so on I went like that all the way to Oregon. No cell phone. No active GPS.
Not all areas have a cell signal anyway and luckily most places have public wifi. Here is some that have proven useful.
Major restaurant chain locations such as:
- McDonalds
- Taco Bell
- Starbucks
- Arbys
- Wendys
- Burger King
- Chick-Fil-A
Major retail outlets such as:
- Lowes
- Walmart
- Target
- Staples
- Kohl’s
- Office Depot
- Best Buy
Public/Community places such as:
- Library
- Public Transportation areas (airport, bus station, train station)
- Courthouse
- Some large public parks
- Malls
- Hospitals
All of these have large enough parking lots for an RV traveler to get into and out of. They also have a public bathroom and local assistance if needed.
I cannot stress enough the VALUE of asking locals about roads and road conditions. They live there and they will absolutely tell you what roads not to go down and which is the best way for you!
In total, I spent around $1650 and the trip took me a total of 18 days. I encountered some more severe weather in Utah and Idaho since winter was still gripping on by her fingernails. So that made me stay longer or go sooner to avoid storms. I learned some more things I need to work out for travel….like stay away from the fast-food restaurants for one. But to also keep my propane tanks full and my small 3 gal fuel can full as well. All lessons towards a better me, a better life and a better trip for next time!
