Today was a final walkthrough inspection for the house and it (unsurprisingly) went fine. The closing is as my realtor expected…on the very last day the mortgage company said. Rat bastards. In the meantime, I am living in my driveway for nearly two weeks to stay out of the house and keep it clean. Since it looks like it is a firm “go” I just might scoot out a few days early.

🛣️🛻🏔️🏕️

However, I just discovered a few close state parks that I was considering going to are closed for winter now. That is so unfortunate as I was going to stay at one. I may need to just hang where I am since I need to do business before I leave, plus it s free. I will just have to drag the trailer with me to do those errands on the way out.

It’s really too bad that rest areas /roadside parks are no longer a camping option, but I do understand why. Some are for a few hours only, and others I have seen no parking except to use the toilets & picnic areas. Crime is a big issue everywhere, and it is happening in parking lots now too. I guess I will be finding out for myself before too long. I will be looking for open campgrounds and public lands that look safe.

I know these are different days in the forests as well so I just try to arrive, stay & leave quietly. I keep an eye on things closely and lock everything up – I do not trust anyone. I stay to myself (hopefully I am the only one or the sites are sparse) and just enjoy where I am; the peacefulness of a stream…the smells of the forest…the feel of the air.

I have wanted to take a particular route and I think it will be okay weather-wise other than some winds. I’ll just take my time and it will be fine. Those cross-winds can really slow things down if you are towing and you might even need to get off the road a stop until the winds die down so it is safer.

As I looked at routes, I was also looking for some interesting things to see & do. Problem is I have been to many of the sites along various routes, but this time of year things might not be open anyhoo – I don’t really know what to expect other than sparse snowfall. Well, until I get in the area towing a trailer, that is.

One route has forest fires burning…in NEBRASKA!!!!. I went to the National Forest there a few years back and it was quite an adventure that almost ended badly. It was a beautiful, scenic area around those National Forests and an old fort that was a Nebraska State Park. I wanted to go that way but I will have to avoid it with the fires that are burning. That is too bad, too…it was on my route.

I am always adaptable in my travels in case of problems – weather, rail strikes, political issues, etc. It is still winter in the mountains so hopefully that will not be an issue yet. In the western US, the towns can be sparse in some place; sometimes miles & miles of miles & miles. I try to consider that while towing; you need to be sure your rig is in good shape. It is why I am considering a newer vehicle, along with better fuel mileage and more peace of mind.

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So, the date is now set to close and I can finish making some plans to head out.

It is such a relief.

See ya next time…

Shawn