It's Tuesday and I have officially been here for a week!!!

I'm going to post at least once a week from now until the foreseeable future.
The job hunt is going well, Iv'e posted many resumes and I'm currently in the process of making some contacts. I have started exploring Albuquerque and yesterday was very warm with a gentle cool breeze.
What I have found so far is that Albuquerque is chock full of restaurants and things to do. There is a place to eat for anything your could possibly want. I had lunch at a giant salad bar, and that's about all they had. It was great.
After that I ventured down to the one Makerspace in Albuquerque called QueLabs (I think it's pronounced KEY-Labs).
They are a very well equipped shop with a couple of Knee Mills and a South Bend Lathe, a MIG Welder and a full compliment of wood-shop tools. I'm going there tonight to meet people and get a feel of how they operate.

Looking for work.

Here I am in beautiful Albuquerque, the sun is shining and warm, the breeze is crisp and there's the faint smell of opportunity in the air.
After reading several hundred job postings I have learned one thing. Companies are seriously in need of someone who can write a job posting that reads well and doesn't contain every cliche known to the written language. Oh and someone who knows something about the qualifications and/or function of the position.
I may have mentioned in the past about my disapproval of ads asking for entry level applicants with a minimum of 2 years experience. Luckily I have not come across anything like that. However, I have found that a lot of postings are overwritten and look like someone had just cut and paste from other entries.
You can say what you want and tell me what requirements are needed, but really how much can you say about a pizza delivery job? It made me feel like you need a degree in rocket science with a minor in nuclear physics to get a job plunging a toilet. You can put lipstick on a pig, but. . .
And don't get me started in the grammar and misspellings. I know I'm not the best at either but my computer is smarter than me and if I let it, it will help me the best it can. So why can't people just take a second to proof-read their posts before finalizing them?
I do find that I'm amused by some of the posts and it makes me chuckle. Is it in poor taste to send them a reply pointing out the issues? Heck, they may ask if I want a job. Opportunities sometime happen in the most unlikely circumstances.

 

Here are a few pictures that I had on my phone. I think only a few of my friends will understand the first picture. The second is a picture of me about to cross over into New Mexico, and the picture on the right is a selfie at a rest stop in New Mexico with a complete strangers car in the background.

Day - 09

Okay, I finally got to a wireless zone.  It's at my sister house, so, good.

Ok I can't figure out how to put these pics in order. So this one above is me cooking noodles in the van, in Texass. 

This is of the visitors center in Texass.

There was a cool windmill inside the Texass visitors center.

And here is the view off of the patio in front of the Texass visitors center.

They have nearly everything there for the weary traveler, everything except wireless. As a matter of fact everywhere in Texass I stopped there was either no access or paid access. My entire trip, from Boston to the Texass border had wireless. Even in the poorer states. But wait, once I entered New Mexico I had wireless again. Thanks for nuthin Texass.

So here is a picture of a rest stop in New Mexico. I thought I got more pictures but I can't operate an iPad.

Here's another one, exciting huh?

If I find, oh, I know where they are. My phone. So pics later.

I made real good time and ended up on my sisters doorstep around 2:00pm. 

Now I have to catch up on all my interweb stuff. Thanks Texass.

Oh and it is beautiful here. Sunny hot with a cool wind. It can't be more than 65.

Texass sucks.

Day 08 - Update

I crossed into Oklahoma a little while ago. Here is a picture of the sun setting in the west. This was taken at a scenic overlook. 

I stopped at this rest area for the night. It is about sixteen miles from the border and there was just enough sun to get a picture. The light to the right is a lamp, just in case anyone was wondering. The sun is just about gone and on the other side of the building.

The weather is a chilly 62 degrees, burrrr.

I'm tired and I'm going to sleep for a couple of hours. Hasta manana. 

Day 08

Well the fund raiser at the Gratidude Ranch was fun last night. I met some great people and listened to some great music. Many thanks to Billy Lord and the band. Come to find out that Bill an I have some mutual acquaintances from Bradford college. Huh, small world.

check out the music

The Gratidude Ranch Stage

The Stables 

The Lounge

Next to the Lounge

Check out this cool place here.

I had fun and we had some laughs but its time to move on. I will be leaving this morning, what time, I don't know but it will be before noon. I'm going to try to make it five hundred miles before I stop.

Thank you Suzi and James for your hospitality and letting me stay a couple of nights. I wish the weather was a bit better but whatever.

On a side note, I had to get a few things at the local walmart and I don't know if too many people are familiar with peopleofwalmart.com but this is one that is frequently on it. All I have to say is I was not disappointed, but I forgot my camera so no pics. Sorry. But there was this guy who is a super fan of some sports-ball team and let me tell you he was all about representing his team, or morphing into the mascot, I couldn't stop looking. He had a tail. And fuzzy ears. Damn I wish I had my phone on me. Now I know some people would say, "that's not nice, don't make fun of those people." Blah blah, blah. But the way I look at it is they want to be noticed, I mean why else wear that outfit if you don't want to be looked at. He was proud to show his pride and I did him a disservice by NOT posting his picture. But it looked something like this.

What if he was one of those furries or furbies, you know, the people who like to dress up as plush animals and do. . . stuff. Plushies? That would be creepy. And it was the day AFTER halloween. Honestly I have no idea. But now I want some cereal.

Day 07 - Update

Okay the video was of artist Justin Moore, although I have not confirmed the video footage yet.

I'm currently at band base camp were the band is practicing for the show tonight.

And this is a picture of the recording studio.

Day 07

The campsite at the piney river escape campground.

There is some history here. The piney river, which runs by the campsite, was the location of a music video by whom I have no idea. I will google it and see what I get. And there is a run down barn where I parked to try to find where I was going, it was where Johny Cash did some recording. Who knew? I will try to get a picture. If I had known, I would have got one when I was there.

This is the area where part of the video was shot. It looks deep around the rock on account of the blue water. The rest of the surrounding water is very shallow. But I was told people jumped into the water from the rocks so I figure it must be deep enough for that.

We had breakfast in the local general store and this is a picture of the ceiling. Cool huh? It looks like they used reclaimed wood and shutters. The tables and chairs were made from the same stuff. It was very nice.

On a side note, I have noticed in my travels the people in this part of the country are very friendly but you feel like an outsider. It is very noticeable when you sit and the locals quiet down and stop talking, they sometimes leave. But if you were to go over and talk they are polite and accommodating. Just something I have always noticed.

I will stay tonight and leave tomorrow morning at some point. I want to see James play with the band.

Day 06 - Update 02

This picture is to show how flat the country gets after you leave the the right hand side of the country. It was taken on I-71 South in Ohio. 

And before anyone comments me about why I used that road when Blah blah blah. This is the way I chose to go, get over it.

Anyway, I was later reminded that this was an anomalous patch and once I arrived in Kentucky it was back to the hills and valleys.

 Here is a shot of Cincinnati Ohio, note the clouds in the sky.

I do have a public service announcement, Never use your cell phone for any reason while you are driving. It is dangerous and you WILL miss the good shot of the city that you wanted and as your punishment you will get a crappy picture when you hand slips while you're trying to correct for the road when it suddenly turns because you're not from that area and you don't know the roads well enough to be taking your attention off of driving to get the perfect picture of a very nice city which in my own personal opinion has greatly improved since the last time I was there.

We ate at an excellent BBQ place in Dickson, TN. I forgot my phone so I borrowed my sisters to take this. That's me on the left, my sister and James' arm on the right. I had ribs.

I made very good time in what turns out to be the first leg of the trip. I left Peabody Friday at 10:30 am(EST) and was parking at my sisters campsite in Bon Aqua Tennessee Saturday at 5:30 pm (EST).

Total trip time 19 hours with a six hour layover in Pennsylvania. 

Day 06 - Update

I made it to Kentucky, the rain seems to be holding off for now although the sky's are very cloudy. I should make it to Bon Aqua in about five hours give or take. So this is my warning to my sister, you may have a guest waiting for you when you get back.

This is a little BBQ place at the truck stop. I'm resisting the temptation.

Day 06

Not much to see, it's three thirty am in Pennsylvania at the welcome center.

I covered a lot of miles yesterday, and it felt good. I stopped when I reached the border of New York and PA. I set my GPS for Kentucky which is about five hundred miles from where I am. So after I push some food in my face I will be back on the road.

Day 05 - Update

I figured that I should not let my tank run below half so killing two birds with one stone, here I am in NY about 220 miles east of Buffalo getting fuel and coffee.

So far it has been a very pleasant day. This is the way I drove when I was running OTR, so everything looks familiar. I will hold here for a little bit so I can stretch my legs.

Departure - Day 05

All packed and ready to go. It's about ten thirty eastern time and I'm just minutes away from heading out. My first stop will be in Upstate New York to get gas and possibly some rest.

Day 04

Okay, tomorrow I leave on my adventure! I have tied up all the loose ends and PM'd my van.
All that there is left to do is to pack my stuff and hit the road.
With all the extra room that I have made in the conversion van I will be able to take a few more things with me, I have a full cooler of food, four flats of ramen noodles and more water than I probably need. I had to be reminded that I'm not questing across a vast wasteland and that there are a lot of opportunities to get food and water along the way. I said my goodbyes to everyone that I could find and I would like to say thank you to everyone for there support. Hopefully I will find something in my travels and I can make another start.
My first destination is Bon Aqua, Tennessee where my sister is enjoying her new RV lifestyle in the warmer weather. After that I will make a bee line across I-40 for Albuquerque. I'm not in any rush to get there, I'm going to take my time and smell the flowers and take in the local scenery. Something I was never able to do when I was traveling for work.

Day 03

Getting closer to the departure date. I now have almost everything ready to go. I'm hoping some more donations come in so I will feel a little more comfortable but where is the adventure when there is no risk, right?
I already feel better, i've been sleeping a little later so I can do more night driving. I like to drive at night because there is much less traffic to deal with.
By my calculations I should get to Tennessee some time Monday.
Okay then there is not much else to chat about today.
It's cold here and I wold like to leave.

Day 02

It's day 02 of my cross country relocation adventure!
I got a lot done to the convertion van. I removed the two middle captains chairs to make room for my 'living room' and 'kitchen'. Now all I have to do is find a place to store them. So far it has been a challenge. As a last resort I will store them at my parents house. I am trying to sell them on CL but there a no bites yet.
My next task is to get a list together of what needs to be packed. I will be taking all of my electronis and RC things. I will also bring my play station along for the ride as it will provide some entertainment. If money gets thin I could also try and sell it for a tank of gas if need be.
So far everything looks good for my departure on Friday.

Day 01

View off Hampton Beach 6:30'ish am.

Okay, the day has finally arrived. I'm preping to leave for New Mexico via Tennesee.
Today is the first day because I have ended my employment at the job from hell and what better day than Monday to start.
I will be leaving on my trip either Thursday night or Friday morning depending on the rain. I have a few things to take care of before I leave.
Due to the fact that I was unable to save much money and the incredible lack of donations to my go fund me campain, I will be traveling on a less than optimal budget. I talking about maybe not having enough for gas to even reach NM.
I'm moving in hopes of finding something, anything that I can be happy at that will make me enough to live on. I've found that here in new england that has been next to impossible to achieve.
Plus it's warmer there and living in my van will be more tolerable in the warmer climate.

Well, that didn't work

The I'm back online and after nearly a year of having my house for sale absolutely nobody has made an offer on it. So after much deliberation and self reflection I have made up my mind and I will leave next week.

Here is the plan, get together whatever money I have, get in the van and start driving.

I figure all I need to get to NM is about five hundred for gas.

I will make a stop in Tennessee to see my sister. Who has also become an RV'r.

Like I have promised I will snap pictures on the way and try to post every day.

This trip has been a long time coming and I have to say I'm both nervous and excited.

Nervous because I have just enough for gas and little else.

And excited because I have been planning this trip for a long time.

As it turns out this is going to be one of those 'find myself' things. I have a lot to think about and even more to figure out. I'm nearing fifty and I still don't have a plan. Scary.

The way I see it this can go one of two ways. 

1. I relocate and find a nice job that affords me enough to live on.

Or

2. Head out deep into the desert and watch a beautiful sunset.

Nuff said.