Category: RV life

RVers can both hide-out and socialize while camping in the desert.  We are birds of a feather as we flew here for many of the same reasons, migrating from various northern points of the continent.  Yet we don’t usually hover or flock closely together when boondocking except by mutual agreement.

The Anza-Borrego Desert is quiet except for the occasional soft howl of the wind like a coyote in the distance.  Or sometimes the trailer rocks and the stove vent hums.  But otherwise it’s typically quieter than my mind.  I can see RVs around me, but not closer than 100 yards, some groups “circle up” like west bound wagons on a long trail.  Yet a silent understanding and respect keeps most from parking almost on top of someone parked alone.  It’s a big space and we all keep our distance.  But I don’t want you to think we are anti-social because there is no lack of social opportunities.

So many different kinds of RVs, many huge and small 5th-wheels and motor homes, bumper towed trailers and truck campers, and then there’s Chris and Cherie’s Technomadia bus conversion.  Because full-time RVers frequently change RVs over time while looking for the “best” for them they are a curious lot and like to look at RV layouts, and talk about RVs and where they’ve been.  Maybe you’ve been there too.  The bus is different, a curiosity.  So not for the first time,  Cheri and Chris opened their bus for tour Saturday afternoon, like an open house where you can have a look around.

I could see where they were parked yet wasn’t sure how to get there from my camp about  mile away.  But I finally figured it out and drove over, which charged my auxiliary battery a bit.

They were fortunate this 1961 GM bus had been originally converted in 1989 and then three years ago they made it there own with a few renovations and added color, turquoise and browns with light walls and ceiling and wood cupboards making this bright and homey.  Check out their story here.   The addition of a long desk with a row of windows view provides space for multiple huge computer screens for the app developing, technology consulting and strategy advice work they do while on the freedom road.

After sunset the movie “RV” with Robin Williams would be shown on a sheet hanging on the side of the bus but I didn’t stay that long as the temperature drops quickly when the sun goes down.  Because of Raynaud disease, basically poor circulation, if I get cold my fingertips, toes and nose go numb, so I couldn’t have dressed warm enough for the predicted overnight low of 30F.  I met a whole lot of people and I can’t remember all their names plus saw some familiar faces as well.  And we’re all boondocking out in this marvelous desert.

I truly think we’re all a bunch of introverts, relishing the quiet time of alone even as couples.  Many of us want to be connected with our various degrees of technology and fortunately that’s possible here at the foot of the Santa Rosa, Coyote and Vallecito Mountains forming a horseshoe-shape around us.  Yet we are human, and need real face-time social connections and even before the internet we networked with people forming friendships that can last over time.  Rvers cross paths with others living a mobile lifestyle and conversations pick up as if from yesterday.

I know the mobile life is not for everybody, many think they’d like to live like gypsies but won’t know until they try.  And of those who do full-time many choose to stay in fully developed campgrounds or RV parks all or most of the time where full utility hookups and more social activities are likely.  There’s also a rare breed of boondockers who search for places of nature for the solace and yet gather for the social.

Boondockers park off the grid.