Unfortunately, I have been one of Mike's "doers not goers", mostly because of the downsides of having jobs. We would get out for a couple of weeks and some weekends each year. That was supposed to change this year, with somewhere in the 4 months of travel scheduled. Also like Mike said, life got in the way, and we only got out for about 4 weeks. Next year, we hope.
Like Marko, I like to see what folks do (both in travel and tweaks) and where they go, and why. I find particularly interesting that there are those that travel a bunch to go to multiple "socials" around the country, and others that just want to go sit on a mountaintop by themselves, and many in between. (classic introvert/extrovert thing?) It does show how flexible having B is for everyone. Things like mileage, while a cost consideration, are probably more a technical exercise to me, and a fun distraction on long drives. Fuel costs don't really enter into our plans of where we will go, or how fast we drive to get there, but we do track it by trip (not by tank). Probably the most realy useful part of the tracking would be an early indication of mechanical problems.
I think I am a bit lucky in that the tinkering is as much a hobby as it is gaining the usability improvements in the van. If it wasn't on the van, I would be building, modifying something else. It certainly doesn't qualify as work to me. I was equally lucky when I had a job. I spent 45 years designing, building, improving equipment and processes and never tired or disliked it. Didn't always like the politics of business, but the work was great. So now I get to do the same type of stuff, without the BS, except I have to pay for it!
I also think that it will be interesting to see how our travels work out once we can get out long term. We know we can live in the van without issue or frustrations, so I guess the tweaks have helped, but we still have to experience the longer periods on the road. How we finally end up spending all our time is still to be determined. I have a much shorter attention span than DW, so how much we move and do will probably be variable.
Happy travels to all, I would say, no matter how or why you chose to do it the way you do!
Like Marko, I like to see what folks do (both in travel and tweaks) and where they go, and why. I find particularly interesting that there are those that travel a bunch to go to multiple "socials" around the country, and others that just want to go sit on a mountaintop by themselves, and many in between. (classic introvert/extrovert thing?) It does show how flexible having B is for everyone. Things like mileage, while a cost consideration, are probably more a technical exercise to me, and a fun distraction on long drives. Fuel costs don't really enter into our plans of where we will go, or how fast we drive to get there, but we do track it by trip (not by tank). Probably the most realy useful part of the tracking would be an early indication of mechanical problems.
I think I am a bit lucky in that the tinkering is as much a hobby as it is gaining the usability improvements in the van. If it wasn't on the van, I would be building, modifying something else. It certainly doesn't qualify as work to me. I was equally lucky when I had a job. I spent 45 years designing, building, improving equipment and processes and never tired or disliked it. Didn't always like the politics of business, but the work was great. So now I get to do the same type of stuff, without the BS, except I have to pay for it!
I also think that it will be interesting to see how our travels work out once we can get out long term. We know we can live in the van without issue or frustrations, so I guess the tweaks have helped, but we still have to experience the longer periods on the road. How we finally end up spending all our time is still to be determined. I have a much shorter attention span than DW, so how much we move and do will probably be variable.
Happy travels to all, I would say, no matter how or why you chose to do it the way you do!
