In 1993, in the course of ten weeks, I drove across the United States in a Toyota Corolla with my dog, Muttley, as my co-pilot. I covered 21,512 miles, visited thirty states, including Alaska, as well as four Canadian provinces, and took a day trip into Mexico. When I returned home, I vowed to repeat the trip some day. That “some day” has arrived!
This time, my trip is open ended; I can take all the time I want to accomplish my new goal: visiting 49 states. (Hawaii will have to wait, as my van isn’t seaworthy!) In ‘93,I tent-camped cross-country. Being 35, it wasn’t hard to do. But now that I am in my 60’s, the prospect of sleeping on the ground leaves me cold. I was fortunate to be able to find a used conversion van being sold by a young couple from the Netherlands who were returning home. It has a bed, refrigerator, and plenty of storage. I added a portable sink, a toilet (an orange bucket from a well-known box store, outfitted with a toilet seat and lid), a microwave, a toaster oven, and a TV. I have a camping stove as well. It is extremely comfortable to live in and to drive, with a captain’s chair for the driver’s seat.
My traveling companions for this trip are my two shelties, Spice and Nemo, and my tuxedo cat, Oreo. They are good travelers—yes, even the cat!—and I wouldn’t dream of leaving them behind.
Thanks to so many people: Lorraine, Elaine, Helene, Marie, Julie C., CJ, Michelle, Pete, and Julie G. for their concern over my safety and plan to monitor my trip, let me forward my mail to them, check on my house, take care of my property, and make suggestions to keep it simple. The guys at Wakefield Gas deserve thanks for coming out to get the tires I want on my vehicle (which were too heavy for me to lift!), install them, and give the van the one-over before the trip. Thanks to countless people, including friends from the quilt class and Hammersmith Quilters Guild, woodworking shop, and Facebook buddies for their suggestions on places to see. (Seriously, though, I don’t *need* more fabric—tempting me with the names of all the great quilt stores across the country was unnecessary.)
As Launch Day approaches, I am more and more anxious to get started!
Solo Cross-Country Adventure 
Save travels! See you when you get here!
Bonne route! 😊 Bon courage!
Safe travels! I’m so excitex for you!
Good Luck! I can’t wait to read your travel blog and about your adventures.
Can’t wait to see you at Stop #1!
I added you to the various blogs that I follow on Bloglovin’ so I’ll get an email every time you post. Bon Voyage!
Safe travels my friend! Can’t wait to hear of your adventures! Godspeed!!
Have a wonderful time!
Safe travels! Can’t wait to read all about it!
Let me know if you find yourself in south central PA. I can’t put the critters up, but I would love to see you and do whatever I can for you!
So excited for/with you. look forward to following your adventures!