RV Road Trip to BlogHer ’11 Starts NOW
It was touch and go for a while there. But two relatively minor sewer problems later, and one emergency trip to the vet, and I am officially on my way to San Diego.
Holy Crap, y’all. What was I thinking taking my (not so) skinny butt on the road in a big RV?
With a cat that hates to be in moving vehicles?
I’m sure this is just my usual panic-mode of coping with new situations, combined with the “RV newbie” fear. Right? (say ‘yes’) This will probably all be old hat after this first test run is over and I get back to northern California in about two and a half weeks.
Driving from northern California to BlogHer in southern California is actually a perfect opportunity for a test run. I’m sure I’ve packed way too much stuff, and in some cases not nearly enough (Food? Who needs food?).
But I have an outfit for most every occasion and that’s what’s important. Yes, and shoes. I plan to be at BlogHer in time for the Thursday night party in one of the aforementioned outfits. This RV? She’s got closet.
My motto is: There’s no sense in traveling if you can’t bring your cutest clothes.
(Video of the inside of my RV at end of post.)
I’m stopping at fellow blogger Steve Downing’s of Fengtastic in Santa Barbara on the way down. He’s kindly offered me a spot on the street in front of his place for the night. Wait, let me rephrase that. We’ve never met face to face… ok, that doesn’t sound quite right either. Never mind. Sorry Steve! I hope you didn’t have a reputation to uphold.
Mine is long gone. (Because of this blog.)
I have no idea where I’m staying once I hit San Diego, and since I’m not taking my car I had hoped to park near the convention center. However, they seem less than RV friendly in the areas near the convention center. Finding a place to sleep/park for four nights will be an adventure within the adventure.
If I can figure out the logistics (with a cat in the motorhome, and no car), I’ll go to Legoland for a day. And I plan to also meet a few friends and fellow bloggers while I’m in the San Diego area.
Oh, you want to know about the cat and her trip to the vet? (Hey, I heard you say ‘oh no, not the cat again’- you can pretend to be interested for three minutes, ok?) She’s doing remarkably well considering she was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease almost a year ago. She has a bladder infection, and got a shot of antibiotics, and seems to be doing exceptionally well this morning.
The sewer problems? Well, black water tank backed up and wouldn’t drain – right before my first official dinner party. I’m rather quickly becoming versed in the inner workings of plumbing, as well as other minor maintenance details. It feels good – kind of fun, actually. I know, I know. Once the “newness” of fixing your own stuff wears off I’m sure I’ll be annoyed to be fixing something. I’ve already caulked the shower pan!! And repaired a star crack in the windshield. I feel so productive.
And I feel so free. It is truly the most freeing feeling to have a house that is mobile.My friend recently lost his mother, his last surviving parent. He said he suddenly felt “untethered”, as is he was now floating around rather than grounded to the planet. The way he spoke about it, I could tell he was uncomfortable with the new feeling.
I feel untethered. There is certainly an aspect of “newness” to the sense of feeling untethered as I’ve always had a place to which I’ve been anchored. Now, I feel free. It’s a comfortable feeling. New, but comfortable.
Here’s a video of the inside.
Great looking home-on-the-road. Safe travels!
Thank you! I love living in it!
I’m still jealous! Have fun at BlogHer!
Xo susie
BlogHer was awesome! Wish you could have been there -I would love to meet you in R/L!
I totally had you pegged for Leopard-spotted pillow cases…
Damn. I try so hard not to be predictable.
If the cat hates riding in the RV so much, likely it will get even by peeing on your bed. Good luck and enjoy Blogher.
I’m worried about that. So far, so good. But she’s not happy about it moving. At all. BlogHer was great! Tons of food, too.
I WANT AN UPDATE!
How was the conference? The driving in the cities? How is Checkers? Are you back “home?”
Since you have not named your RV yet (at least you didn’t tell me if you have) I would like to suggest “Bertha, The Orthopedic Shoe.” Flattering? … no, but driving down the street towards me she did look ever so much like a giant square toed tennis shoe.
Please write or post when you get the time, and give Checkers a squeeze from me.
Steve
The conference was great fun! Lovely folks, tons of food. Home a bit earlier than expected (see next post for details).
No, I have not yet named her. But ‘Bertha’ ?? No, that doesn’t sound very flattering. I’ll have to see what comes to mind.
Thank you and your mom for your gracious hospitality last week! And please give Scruffy Boy a hug from me, as well. xo
Likewise to Checkers, where you now?
Thank you 🙂 And give Cousteau and Calypso hugs from me! I’m back home for a bit, waiting for water tank to seal (see following post). Hope to head to the coast by next week. Looking for spots to stay,not a lot out there.
What a brave girl you are! Have fun!
That’s what they keep telling me, but sometimes I wonder if brave isn’t being confused with not smart enough to come in out of the rain 🙂