My stay in Vermont is about to come to an end. It was 19 days of awesomeness. For the first time, I felt like this new RV life started to come together. Not only did I enjoy beautiful scenery and campfires, but I connected with new friends and became familiar with the area. This is a glimpse of the RV life for which I had hoped.
It’s All Uphill in Vermont
A major reason for my move to the RV life was to get healthy. With nature right outside my door, I bet on my desire to explore the great outdoors. So far, I’ve seen some amazing sights and challenged myself to hike and bike, and occasionally kayak, as much as possible. And while I’ve had some tough hikes in other states (like the 3 Dune Challenge in Indiana), nothing beats the hiking in Vermont.
I spent my first day in Vermont hiking up to Silver Lake in the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area. I use the All Trails app, which rates trails from easy to moderate to hard. For the most part, the trails I selected were considered moderate. But there was a huge variance among the trails. While Silver Lake trail was wide and gradual, my trek up Aunt Jenny’s trail to Rattlesnake Cliffs trail was downright treacherous. I took my time to avoid the many opportunities for falls and sprained ankles.
My outdoor fitness gauge went through the roof during this stay. I hiked in different parts of Vermont, including a tiny portion of the Appalachian Trail. Hats off to thru-hikers! Plus, I biked on the Northern Rail Trail in New Hampshire and kayaked on Lake Drummond on a quiet Sunday morning. It wasn’t all work – I took a day to wander around Burlington and cruise Lake Champlain.
Taking Risks and Finding Friends
My long stay in Vermont was a deviation from my original plan, which was to travel to Maine. I even had a reservation at Acadia National Park. But Maine’s Covid restrictions for out-of-state visitors and my over-ambitious itinerary led me to cancel Maine. Honestly, I was worn out from moving from one campground to the next every week or so. And with all those short stays, there was no way to connect with other campers or RVers in the area. Loneliness had begun to set in.
One of the best things about staying in the same place for a decent period of time is that I could make an effort to connect with people. Since I didn’t know anyone in Vermont, I took a risk. I met up with a financial coach whom I had only met on Facebook. We ventured out for a hike and pizza. Plus, I met up with woman who belongs to Sisters on the Fly, a social group for women who camp and RV. And what a treat that was – she gave me my first fly fishing lesson!
Permanent Workcation?
Yesterday, I checked in with my friends and family and had a slip of the tongue, calling my trip a “vacation.” Wait a minute! I am working!!! Now I have to admit, this was my most challenging work experience on the road yet. Technology failed me.My main WiFi provider is AT&T, and this campground is a “dead zone.” So that was out of the running. Then I had problems with my cell phone coverage, which is Verizon. Finally, in week two, I was able to access the campground’s premium WiFi, which was spotty at best. I won’t lie – it was frustrating.
I had one day in which I gave up the laptop altogether, and it felt rather good. I went biking and then spent the evening reading a book – A Woman of No Importance (affiliate link). What an inspiring story of a woman who defied the odds and played an integral part in the defeat of the Nazis. It was a reminder to spend a day every now and then unplugged. To make that day a true vacation day.
I can definitely get used to this permanent workcation. I have flexibility, although the weather and technology influence my schedule. And I get to play outdoors and see amazing stuff. This is the RV life!
What’s Next?
I’m back to my original crazy travel schedule. Tomorrow I leave for Pennsylvania, eventually making my way down to Florida in September. There I will set up domicile before heading to Texas for several months, where I will slow down. I’m still figuring out a good travel pace.
My big adventure on the work front is launching the Gutsy Women Club. I’m excited about the program I am developing. My launch date is September 1, but I’m inviting you in early if you’d like to check it out. We’ll move through a different theme each month. Here’s the schedule for the remainder of 2020.
