Today I am in Indianapolis for Performance Racing Industry. The car show was epic, but the city after life does not excite me. So, from my hotel room I just wanted to share some my top 10 non-glamorous parts about solo traveling on the road.

# 1 – Showering

Being in an SUV is great as I can get just about anywhere without hassle. The not-so-great part is not getting a warm shower every day. Heating up water requires quite a bit of space and work. Wipes and a cool freshwater rinse do come in handy, but I never feel as clean. Especially after a long hike or setting up camp in dirt. I just remember, it’s no beauty contest on the road and I have no one to impress.

#2 – Keeping the Car Clean

Speaking of dirt. I wash my vehicle a couple times during my trips, inside and out. You wouldn’t believe how disgusting it gets, and it gets gross fast with myself and a large dog going in and out of it. Turbo is an awesome travel buddy, but gets sick off road and slobbers EVERYWHERE. I have blanket barriers on everything but it’s still not enough to protect my interior from his slobber. This requires anywhere from 10-16 hours of detailing my car once I get home, inside and out. (Maybe if you don’t have OCD this wouldn’t effect you, but I need to keep my vehicles in good shape)

#3 – Food Storage

Food. It’s so hard to keep food cold, this last trip I opted for a small cooler just to buy food on the go between towns. I don’t feel the need to buy a refrigerator (yet) as it’s a big investment, requires constant power and takes up precious space inside the car. So, at times I just pick up food from the store and make it on the go, even if it’s on the curb somewhere.

#4 – Finding Places to Sleep

Sometimes I just can’t find a good spot, especially for free and away from people with views. I’ve found myself pretty comfortable at travel centers/truck stops although they are very noisy with trucks idling all night. Truck stops offer me a sense of safety with their 24-hour station and people vs stopping on the side of the road somewhere. Plus, already made coffee in the morning is nice.

Which leads to “”Know before you go.”” Before entering a new area, sometimes you need permits for backcountry camping. Always check beforehand what is needed since cellphone service is not guaranteed. This can be the most exhausting part at times, especially since I usually don’t plan far ahead.

“If I don’t make a plan, my plan can’t get ruined.” – Story of my life

#5 – Weather Changes

Sometimes I have this great idea then weather changes it, especially in the mountains. From blizzards to sideways freezing rain to 109 degrees then 28 degrees. Sometimes you just need to wait it out or completely change your plans. I was stuck in Idaho for 3 days in the same spot because I really wanted to see Yellowstone. Weather took a turn and instead of traveling south I was stuck there for avalanche clean up with what little supplies I had for a long cold stay.

#6 – Wrong Place, Wrong Time

About 99% of the people I meet are wonderful, minus the incident in Christmas Valley Oregon. Which was the worst encounter I’ve had to date. I do run into sketchy areas with iffy people. So far, knock on wood, it’s been good. My favorite encounter was a girl knocking on my window at 6am wanting a lighter for smoking her weed in the middle of the blue ridge mountains 😂

#7 – Laundry

Everyone thinks your homeless as you fold things up outside in a suite case to pack into your car. Spikes some great conversations. Note: even finding a laundry place at times is hard, especially a clean one. I try to pack at least 7 days of clothing. Some I can wear twice but others… not so much.

#8 – Plants

Poisonous plants. I discovered I’m HIGHLY allergic to Ivy, Oak and Sumac. This has lead to an extreme phobia when I’m hiking of any plant that could possibly resemble these. After a long hike with the dog, I find myself losing sleep over panicking about a reaction. I take so much precaution now, but the dog can’t tell plants apart and runs through it all. I’m way more afraid of these plants than anything else in the woods after my last experience left me with multiple doctor visits and steroid injections. It was a terrible experience.

It’s hard to tell the difference sometimes, but here is a guide to help you determine what plants to stay away from. It’s worth it to screen shot on your phone in case you need to refer back to it. I just stay away from all leaves of three, I don’t care if it’s a raspberry bush I won’t go near it.

#9 – Pack, Unpack, Repeat

Packing. Unpacking. Clean and organize. Packing. Unpacking. Clean and organize. Repeat every day 1-3x a day. Need I say more? Granted having the bed in my vehicle has made this much easier than setting up a tent all the time. I can for see a small pop-up camper or roof top tent in my future.

#10 – Loneliness

Last but not least, Loneliness. Sometimes it’s great, sometimes it’s not. There are times I just wish I had someone to share the same experience with and chat over an open fire about the crazy day we had and split the responsibilities of travel. From prepping to being on the road to getting back home and unpacking is a LOT of work. But then again, finding a friend to take days off from life and get beat up on the road and seek crazy adventures and is able to keep up with me is a lot to ask. So instead of waiting around I go alone, otherwise I’d never get these life experiences.

What It All Comes Down Too

I’ve lucked out with my vehicles. Civic breakdown 300 miles from town, but was able to limp the car back to the dealer. It was a long 300 miles… That and besides overheating my Rav4 transmission going too hard for too long offroad, it’s been a breeze. I do carry quite a few tools that might be needed. I have recovery gear, I am mechanically inclined but it’s always on the back of my mind that I hope I don’t need to use any of that alone on the road.

The market is saturated with things to make this lifestyle easier. I am using what I have with the best of my abilities and learning as I go. The most important things to me are staying safe, healthy and keeping Turbo happy.

Tools, recovery gear, first aid, water and maintaining body temperature are far more important than having the nicest bed, the coolest fridge, the biggest generator, the brightest lights and all of the above. One day I do hope to have some of these tools to simplify traveling, but right now I am winging it on a budget.