I have been working from the rig since we went FT in November 2014 and thus far our trips have been 6 weeks in a spot then a little hop and 10 weeks in a spot. Now we are entering the phase where we will be moving every 10 days or so and I wanted to pass along some of the challenges I am facing. I know I've touched on this in other threads, but wanted to gather it all here in one place. You should know we have two vehicles and I fly for work at least once a month, sometimes twice, so when we were sitting in once place it was relatively easy but now it's getting tougher. As always this is my reality, but thought I would pass it along to those contemplating working on the road under similar circumstances.
1.We have to plan our route at least 30 days ahead. My trips are mainly booked 30 days in advance and I need to know what airport I am flying in and out of in order to book the trip. This requires coordination in advance of where we will be and the necessity of being within two hours of an airport. Thus far on the East coast has not been a huge deal but as we move out west this will require more careful planning. The upside of the pre-planning is less stress and the ability to really look for a good campground deal. The downside of course is less spontaneity. Currently we are booked in campgrounds through May 15th
2.The weekends are the only time we know we will be able to see local attractions. We are staying 10 days because we need the weekend to see stuff in the area (otherwise what is the point). Yes, when I am working from home I can see things in the evening but I never know when that unexpected work trip will come. For example, Savannah has been on our Must See list from the beginning and we scheduled a week in a state park near the city. The price was high, $273 for a week, so we decided to not do our typical 10 days which gives us one weekend. We booked the campground (which was already filling up btw) and two days later I was scheduled for a training class. I do have some flexibility over my schedule, but some trips have to happen and this was one of them. So Lee will be in the really cool campground all week, and I will be in New Jersey. In order to make this work, I will be flying out of Jacksonville on Monday and then following him to Savannah on Friday. Then we will have the weekend to explore. We could have completely flipped our schedule around, but in the end decided to start as we mean to continue, and left it as it was. In this case the weekend will have to be enough.
3. Travel days are complicated. We have two vehicles which means I cannot work from the rig while Lee drives. I am seriously tempted to turn in the company car, but it is saving us so much money when we get to a place I have held onto it. That may change once we are moving more, because I could work on the computer while Lee drove and we could travel any day and any time we wanted. With two vehicles I can only travel a few hours in the morning during the week. My conference calls start around 9am est usually and I need to be in front of my computer for most of them. Can't do that while driving. So that means we have very short hops or we travel on weekends. We are still working through it, and again in the east it is less of an issue because new areas to explore are relatively close to each other. Should be very challenging when we get out west and we are dealing with longer drive times and the time change as well.
So I am sure some of you are thinking is it worth it. My answer is heck yes. I worked yesterday until 6pm...saw a beautiful sunset on the beach...and then came back and took a 9 pm call. I would have done those same things in New Hampshire but no sunset on the beach :) Plus the weeks I don't travel are awesome, with plenty of opportunity to explore in the evenings. As much as I appreciate having a steady income that allows me to also enjoy this life...it is limiting. Still I am the happiest I have ever been and I know we are moving towards removing those limitations in a responsible way. In the meantime, it is possible to work and travel and live this lifestyle...if you are lucky enough to have an employer that allows it...but it does look somewhat different than the experience of the folks who do not need a steady outside income.
Trace
manycats said
08:31 AM Mar 11, 2015
My work requires a dedicated phone landline plus internet access. For security reasons I cannot use a cell phone. That's why we are setting up a mini-house and a separate shed-office in North Carolina. We'll live in our 5th wheel parked on the lot until our truck and medical bills are paid off, then we'll be free to travel longer distances and longer time. I understand quite well the logistic problems you describe. We had to give up our second vehicle when I traveled frequently and had to be in and out of airports. During that time I would fly back to whichever airport was closest to my DH's location. Luckily we were able to enjoy the surrounding areas when I was between assignments. Our dually truck was also our daily, dual purpose, vehicle and we managed quite well.
Your second car does create a problem when you want to relocate. You may want to sell it or leave it with someone for a while. It may be worth it to have more freedom and less hassle.
NWescapee said
10:24 AM Mar 11, 2015
Hi Trace,
Ahh, your reality sounds so familiar!! I don't have to travel as often for work as you do, only a few times a year, but still have the full time day job.
This might be an encouragement for you as you head West, I actually find moving easier when we're in the Pacific time zone. Like you, I'm tied to my laptop and phone most of the day, being in the West, working with lots of people in the East and Central time zones means my day starts early, but then again, it ends early. We've been able to start some of our relocations at 3 PM, drive until 7 PM, and get set up at the next location. So yes, distances can be greater out West, but timing is sometimes easier. Thus far we've only had about 2 months in the Central Time zone, but have spent approximately 40% of our time in Mountain time zone, and the rest in the Pacific time zone.
We have found staying 2-4 weeks in a location is a good length of time, gives us time to explore the local area, get caught up on laundry, chores, run errands, etc. Thus far this year we've been able to stick to at least 2 weeks wherever we've landed. That's getting ready to change as Dale has back to back art shows the last 2 weekends of March that are 100 miles apart so we'll be moving on a Thursday mid-day which always creates some work challenges for me, but that's where having only 1 vehicle has been a blessing. My laptop will be in the truck and I will work as he drives.
April will be a month of more moving / exploring and covering 800 miles to the next destination to be set up for the May art shows. Our goal this year is not to have any full weekends of travel, been there, done that, don't want to do it again. OK, we did it when we had to be at an art show or had to travel due to family circumstances, and would do it again if we had to, but as you know, working M-F then traveling the entire weekend doesn't leave you feeling like you've had much time for anything fun or any down time. Our current plan is if we need to move further than a 1 day drive, we'll leave on Friday afternoon and drive until early evening and Wally dock or Casino camp for a night and then finish the drive on Saturday. Another advantage to being in the Pacific time zone, I can usually free my schedule up by 2 or 3 PM and we can get 4-5 hours of driving in on Friday afternoon / evenings.
So, in keeping with our goal of not having any full weekends of driving we're trying a new plan for April. We'll drive on Saturday, spend Sunday exploring, M-F working, the following Saturday exploring, then drive Sunday. Spend almost 2 weeks at the 2nd location so we have a weekend, then spend the following Saturday driving to the 3rd destination which leaves the first Sunday and the following Saturday to explore and then travel again on the following Sunday. So we'll be alternating between spending 8-9 days in one location, 2 weeks in the next, 8-9 days in the next giving us more weekend time to explore. And I have no reservations for that entire month, just locations of good boondocking locations that have good data / cell coverage on BLM land.
One consideration for the times we plan Friday relocations is the checkout time at the campground. Many of the parks have noon check out times which means we're pulling out of our spot at noon or shortly thereafter, by the time we hit the dump station, etc. we're still a little early for me to call it a day so we've pulled into truck stops / Wal Marts, etc. and I've gone back into the rig, worked another hour or two and then we get moving down the road. Adds a little more stress as we juggle things around, nothing like having the slide moving in and the power being disconnected while I'm trying to finish up a conference call!! I've asked for late checkout several times and if the park is not full or if they have no one slotted in that evening, it's usually not a problem.
I don't have to travel as much as you do for work, but I keep that in mind as we plan our stops. Right now I know I'll be close enough to the Las Vegas airport or the Fresno airport if I had to travel.
Once we hit our destination in California we know we'll be there 5 weeks before we move north again, so we are balancing moving around a lot the last part of March and most of April with then sitting still for a few weeks and we'll continue to do that all year.
Due to Dale's art show schedule, I actually do plan out for 6-10 months ahead of time, maybe not with reservations for all of that, but if we're in an area that I know will be busy, like Tempe AZ in March, I make reservations to make sure we have a spot close to the art show he's participating in. With MLB Spring training / snow bird season / spring break etc. in March in AZ, gotta make plans ahead of time.
Good luck, we all have different realities to deal with, but it's a wonderful life. Despite all the time spent working either my job or the weekends at art shows, we've still hiked more miles, bicycled more trails, visited more museums and botanical gardens, and enjoyed many more sunsets in many different locations down the road then we ever would have with our lifestyle in the S&B house.
cherylbrv said
11:54 AM Mar 11, 2015
I used to live for the planning aspect of travel, but I have to admit, now that I've discovered plans are made in bubbles, I'm kind of liking not making plans that far ahead. I don't envy you!!!
Then again, Mitch is romancing a possible job opportunity that will involve travel and being available, so who knows what's down the road?
DebbieM said
03:00 PM Mar 11, 2015
Manycats, Can you not use a VPN?
manycats said
10:14 PM Mar 11, 2015
Answer to Debbie M: Thanks for the suggestion, if I change jobs that would be the answer. Right now, the answer is no. I interpret English/Spanish for a company with contracts with both Federal and State government agencies, banks, investment firms, hospitals, etc. About 90% of the information is confidential and we have very strict security protocols. My phone line has all sorts of restrictions (no caller ID, no long distance, etc.) that are closely monitored. I even have a separate computer for work and a separate e-mail address restricted to company matters. No, I'm not a spy or a secret agent but I do have a high security clearance... LOL. For that reason I'll be stationary for a few more years.
The beauty of this lifestyle is that we can adapt, juggle and find solutions. Once in a while I get frustrated and have a temper tantrum when I can't go where I want, but, on the other hand, I enjoy my work and make the best of what I have. Besides, once I'm free of the work shackles and chains, we'll have a "home base" when we're decrepit!!!
I have been working from the rig since we went FT in November 2014 and thus far our trips have been 6 weeks in a spot then a little hop and 10 weeks in a spot. Now we are entering the phase where we will be moving every 10 days or so and I wanted to pass along some of the challenges I am facing. I know I've touched on this in other threads, but wanted to gather it all here in one place. You should know we have two vehicles and I fly for work at least once a month, sometimes twice, so when we were sitting in once place it was relatively easy but now it's getting tougher. As always this is my reality, but thought I would pass it along to those contemplating working on the road under similar circumstances.
1. We have to plan our route at least 30 days ahead. My trips are mainly booked 30 days in advance and I need to know what airport I am flying in and out of in order to book the trip. This requires coordination in advance of where we will be and the necessity of being within two hours of an airport. Thus far on the East coast has not been a huge deal but as we move out west this will require more careful planning. The upside of the pre-planning is less stress and the ability to really look for a good campground deal. The downside of course is less spontaneity. Currently we are booked in campgrounds through May 15th
2. The weekends are the only time we know we will be able to see local attractions. We are staying 10 days because we need the weekend to see stuff in the area (otherwise what is the point). Yes, when I am working from home I can see things in the evening but I never know when that unexpected work trip will come. For example, Savannah has been on our Must See list from the beginning and we scheduled a week in a state park near the city. The price was high, $273 for a week, so we decided to not do our typical 10 days which gives us one weekend. We booked the campground (which was already filling up btw) and two days later I was scheduled for a training class. I do have some flexibility over my schedule, but some trips have to happen and this was one of them. So Lee will be in the really cool campground all week, and I will be in New Jersey. In order to make this work, I will be flying out of Jacksonville on Monday and then following him to Savannah on Friday. Then we will have the weekend to explore. We could have completely flipped our schedule around, but in the end decided to start as we mean to continue, and left it as it was. In this case the weekend will have to be enough.
3. Travel days are complicated. We have two vehicles which means I cannot work from the rig while Lee drives. I am seriously tempted to turn in the company car, but it is saving us so much money when we get to a place I have held onto it. That may change once we are moving more, because I could work on the computer while Lee drove and we could travel any day and any time we wanted. With two vehicles I can only travel a few hours in the morning during the week. My conference calls start around 9am est usually and I need to be in front of my computer for most of them. Can't do that while driving. So that means we have very short hops or we travel on weekends. We are still working through it, and again in the east it is less of an issue because new areas to explore are relatively close to each other. Should be very challenging when we get out west and we are dealing with longer drive times and the time change as well.
So I am sure some of you are thinking is it worth it. My answer is heck yes. I worked yesterday until 6pm...saw a beautiful sunset on the beach...and then came back and took a 9 pm call. I would have done those same things in New Hampshire but no sunset on the beach :) Plus the weeks I don't travel are awesome, with plenty of opportunity to explore in the evenings. As much as I appreciate having a steady income that allows me to also enjoy this life...it is limiting. Still I am the happiest I have ever been and I know we are moving towards removing those limitations in a responsible way. In the meantime, it is possible to work and travel and live this lifestyle...if you are lucky enough to have an employer that allows it...but it does look somewhat different than the experience of the folks who do not need a steady outside income.
Trace
Your second car does create a problem when you want to relocate. You may want to sell it or leave it with someone for a while. It may be worth it to have more freedom and less hassle.
Ahh, your reality sounds so familiar!! I don't have to travel as often for work as you do, only a few times a year, but still have the full time day job.
This might be an encouragement for you as you head West, I actually find moving easier when we're in the Pacific time zone. Like you, I'm tied to my laptop and phone most of the day, being in the West, working with lots of people in the East and Central time zones means my day starts early, but then again, it ends early. We've been able to start some of our relocations at 3 PM, drive until 7 PM, and get set up at the next location. So yes, distances can be greater out West, but timing is sometimes easier. Thus far we've only had about 2 months in the Central Time zone, but have spent approximately 40% of our time in Mountain time zone, and the rest in the Pacific time zone.
We have found staying 2-4 weeks in a location is a good length of time, gives us time to explore the local area, get caught up on laundry, chores, run errands, etc. Thus far this year we've been able to stick to at least 2 weeks wherever we've landed. That's getting ready to change as Dale has back to back art shows the last 2 weekends of March that are 100 miles apart so we'll be moving on a Thursday mid-day which always creates some work challenges for me, but that's where having only 1 vehicle has been a blessing. My laptop will be in the truck and I will work as he drives.
April will be a month of more moving / exploring and covering 800 miles to the next destination to be set up for the May art shows. Our goal this year is not to have any full weekends of travel, been there, done that, don't want to do it again. OK, we did it when we had to be at an art show or had to travel due to family circumstances, and would do it again if we had to, but as you know, working M-F then traveling the entire weekend doesn't leave you feeling like you've had much time for anything fun or any down time. Our current plan is if we need to move further than a 1 day drive, we'll leave on Friday afternoon and drive until early evening and Wally dock or Casino camp for a night and then finish the drive on Saturday. Another advantage to being in the Pacific time zone, I can usually free my schedule up by 2 or 3 PM and we can get 4-5 hours of driving in on Friday afternoon / evenings.
So, in keeping with our goal of not having any full weekends of driving we're trying a new plan for April. We'll drive on Saturday, spend Sunday exploring, M-F working, the following Saturday exploring, then drive Sunday. Spend almost 2 weeks at the 2nd location so we have a weekend, then spend the following Saturday driving to the 3rd destination which leaves the first Sunday and the following Saturday to explore and then travel again on the following Sunday. So we'll be alternating between spending 8-9 days in one location, 2 weeks in the next, 8-9 days in the next giving us more weekend time to explore. And I have no reservations for that entire month, just locations of good boondocking locations that have good data / cell coverage on BLM land.
One consideration for the times we plan Friday relocations is the checkout time at the campground. Many of the parks have noon check out times which means we're pulling out of our spot at noon or shortly thereafter, by the time we hit the dump station, etc. we're still a little early for me to call it a day so we've pulled into truck stops / Wal Marts, etc. and I've gone back into the rig, worked another hour or two and then we get moving down the road. Adds a little more stress as we juggle things around, nothing like having the slide moving in and the power being disconnected while I'm trying to finish up a conference call!! I've asked for late checkout several times and if the park is not full or if they have no one slotted in that evening, it's usually not a problem.
I don't have to travel as much as you do for work, but I keep that in mind as we plan our stops. Right now I know I'll be close enough to the Las Vegas airport or the Fresno airport if I had to travel.
Once we hit our destination in California we know we'll be there 5 weeks before we move north again, so we are balancing moving around a lot the last part of March and most of April with then sitting still for a few weeks and we'll continue to do that all year.
Due to Dale's art show schedule, I actually do plan out for 6-10 months ahead of time, maybe not with reservations for all of that, but if we're in an area that I know will be busy, like Tempe AZ in March, I make reservations to make sure we have a spot close to the art show he's participating in. With MLB Spring training / snow bird season / spring break etc. in March in AZ, gotta make plans ahead of time.
Good luck, we all have different realities to deal with, but it's a wonderful life. Despite all the time spent working either my job or the weekends at art shows, we've still hiked more miles, bicycled more trails, visited more museums and botanical gardens, and enjoyed many more sunsets in many different locations down the road then we ever would have with our lifestyle in the S&B house.
Then again, Mitch is romancing a possible job opportunity that will involve travel and being available, so who knows what's down the road?
Manycats, Can you not use a VPN?
The beauty of this lifestyle is that we can adapt, juggle and find solutions. Once in a while I get frustrated and have a temper tantrum when I can't go where I want, but, on the other hand, I enjoy my work and make the best of what I have. Besides, once I'm free of the work shackles and chains, we'll have a "home base" when we're decrepit!!!