Community Forums

Alikair · 08-09-2021, 05:31 PM

I plan to solo FT a in a travel trailer for a year or more after I retire in under 3 years.
Originally, I was planning on staying at RV parks or city and state parks.
But now that the campgrounds are booked most of the time I have changed my plan to mostly boondocking.

As a solo RV'er, in the "boonies", how do you deal with the isolation?
Do you guys avoid boondocking on BLM land or do you walk by your fellow campers and try to startup a conversation??

ga traveler · 08-09-2021, 05:37 PM

I started camping in 1968 with a 1968 Shasta 13 ft compact trailer. I kept it up because the folks are so friendly and helpful. Don’t worry about making friends. There will be a few bad apples but most folks will be great.

TravelSolo · 08-09-2021, 05:45 PM

I have not done it much or for very long. I am usually boondocking when at an event so i am busy during the day. I am also still working and have been working remote for 25 years, so again, my days are occupied.

I am not sure how much I could handle the alone time if I was full timing and retired. I'd have to keep up on my primary hobby and make sure to make the events around the country (which I could do every weekend, and many weekdays in some places). I might need to get a dog or something at least.

SomeDay · 08-09-2021, 06:19 PM

Lots of folks do it. One lady that's been doing it for a long time is http://carolynsrvlife.com. She also does regular youtube videos.

Happy Travels

followingsea · 08-09-2021, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alikair

....after I retire in under 3 years.
.....

Wow, you are worried what you are going to do in 3 years?

Worry about being in good enough health to travel. I am solo because my wife died. And I am not list friends that have died since retiring.

I do enjoy the solitude of boondocking about 20% of the time.

Another 20 % of the time I am in a campground with lots of people. I am in a popular state park on the ocean that is full. I made the reservation two days ago.

There are plenty of campsites if you are flexible.

Last week I had a long talk at a national monument. With the camp host. Work camping such as being a camp host would be a way to meet people.

Church, bingo, casinos the list goes on.

So just it out there and you will figure it out.

Bobby F · 08-09-2021, 07:13 PM

Maybe I'm weird, but I mostly boondock because of the promise of solitude.

Mr_D · 08-09-2021, 07:24 PM

Wife died 5 yrs ago of liver cancer. Since then I've done a number of trips. Can't say I've been any more lonely while boondocking than I am at home. A few cats help but it's still not the same.

laj · 08-10-2021, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby F

Maybe I'm weird, but I mostly boondock because of the promise of solitude.

Exactly what he said. I have so many things i want to do, places i want to go, i don’t have the time for......

**Spdracr39** · 08-11-2021, 07:54 AM

I just don't have the desire to go it alone since there is no one there to share it with so I haven't travelled at all since my wife passed.

HopsBrewster · 08-11-2021, 08:03 PM

Boondocking doesn't automatically translate to isolation. You'll be surprised how many people you can meet. You get to choose whether you camp far away from everyone, or come in closer for some company.
B'docking ain't just BLM desert camping. There is dispersed camping in Nat Forests, free and low cost unimproved CGs in NF, BLM CGs, Corps of Engineers, etc. Or you can still find a few spots miles from anyone.
You have the choice to be lonely or not.
Like any other way of life, most people respond well to the opportunity to make a new friend. Say hi to me as you walk by and I'm likely to invite you to join me for coffee or a beer.

Old-Biscuit · 08-11-2021, 08:15 PM

How alone do you feel at home right now??

Boondocking doesn't mean Isolating oneself unless you want too

DCBinVT · 08-12-2021, 11:14 AM

One of the answers is to have a dog. I rarely feel lonely, note: I do talk to my dog, she goes with me everywhere and good-for-me she's a good traveler - sitting up in the front seat looking out the windows while traveling.
DCB in VT

Myjunker · 08-13-2021, 12:31 PM

If you like your alone time then you won’t be lonely. I love alone time and I have a dog and two cats that love to travel with me full time. I talk to them. But I am never lonely.

wyoaztravler · 03-27-2022, 09:04 PM

First time looking for a friend to travel with.
My wife passed 4.4 years ago, and I do miss the relationship we had, it was great.
She loved to fish and I took her fishing and traveled all over the U.S.
We traveled full time, 11 months to a short year of only 4 months one year for nearly 17 years.
I am looking for a lady to travel beside, I really enjoy the West and really prefer Boondocking, no crowds, just Nature and all its beauty surrounding us.
I love to ride bicycles and motorcycles, I recently bought an ebike and really enjoy riding it.
I also have a very small 250 cc Kawasaki Super Sherpa, its small enough for me to handle, over my 78 years I have owned some 60 different motorcycles and many RV's from truck campers to 40' motorhomes, I really enjoy the traveling the United States, what a great country we have.
[Mod Edit]
I love the WEST, not crowded and beautiful, but I am open to your ideas as to the traveling you are wanting to do or places you want to see, I am open to see new places, are you?
I currently have a 31' Desert Fox Toyhauler and a F250 Ford Diesel 7.3, supercab, (4door) and will be heading north in a month or two, if your in Yuma and heading north I am in Kingman, maybe we could meet for coffee?
I don't smoke and don't drink, I smoked for years and quit about 30 years ago, never was much of a drinker.
I was in the Navy, I suspect the Asbestos might have caused the lung cancer that I have, but then working in a shop as a kid in a machine shop and that may be the issue but who knows, no one. Enjoy life while you have it.
Charlie AZWYOtraveler