In case you are thinking about taking a solo adventure like the one I’m about to, I’m sharing the following lists I put together of pre-departure details:
-Put together an itinerary supporting the desire for a genuinely spiritual pilgrimage
-Create an informed budget
-Make advance reservations for any National Parks or other places where I’m likely to need them
-Find a trustworthy house sitter
-Do thorough research about trailer hacks, new technologies, and insights gleaned from online forums of other solo women campers, senior RV and trailer campers, boondockers, Helio trailer owners, off grid travelers
=Get a trailer hitch installed on the Rav
-Do my taxes
-Get all medical needs taken care of
-Get my teeth cleaned
-Parse a multi-month, multi-season, camping/hiking/comfortable traveling/town visiting wardrobe down to as few items as possible
-Get Rav serviced, including installation of new wipers
-Put together a small “library” of books to go with me as companion reading
-Buy a few blank journals for off-grid writing
-Find out who wants to be the check-in crew, create an email group for updates, send them my itinerary
-Re-activate my blog so I can document this pilgrimage
-Purchase trailer insurance
-Pull together my ritual basket and necessary tools
-Research, research, research!
Following more than a hundred hours of that research, here’s the stuff I decided to take along:
Anker C1000 Solar Generator & 200 Watt Solar Panels
Anker Generator Waterproof Cover
Pudson wall mount storage baskets (2)
Portuguese peel and stick backsplash tile to create a kitchen area above the countertop
RV Window latch extender (3)
Adhesive LED Utility lights (16)
Stainless Steel Tension Shower Rod to hang things from (space is precious)
Command large utility hooks for the walls
Command strips (20 pound)
Rare Earth Magnets (70)
3 x 6 non-slip runner for the floor
Full size linen sheet set
Full size, 100% w/duck and feather 4.5 in mattress topper (the benches look more than firm)
8 x 10 Outdoor Carpet to set up under the awning
Chef’s Knife set ` Potholders
Collapsible pour over coffee filter
Gorilla Grip Can Opener
12” Ceramic coated electric skillet
1800w single burner induction cooktop
1100W Electric Kettle, 1.5L
Wheat Straw Dinner Set
Silicone Spatula set
Set of 4 rubber wheel chocks
Set of 10 Lynx leveler pads
30 Amp surge protector/analyser
Set of two stick-on bubble levels for RV
Set of 4 vacuum suction hooks for RV
26 ft 1.5 in wide heavy duty stick on Velcro
10 ft x 23.6 in double insulated reflective shield for the windows
McNesh Tow Mirror set w/convex spotting mirrors to improve Durga’s line of sight behind me
Portable toilet kit: pop up tent, 16 in toilet w/ 30 biodegradable bags
50 amp to 30 amp dogbone power adapter for those times I’d set up where electric is available
5 gal solar bag hang up shower system
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System
500 Watt RV Ceramic Heater
Rhino Folding Survival Shovel
14 inch Camping Hatchet w/cover
Turner Heavy Duty Trailer Wheel Lock to keep thieves from stealing the Red Pearl when I’m away
Rhino Heavy Duty Trailer Hitch Coupling Lock-ditto
20 Volt Rechargeable Portable Air Compressor w/case because keeping on top of the tire pressure helps blow out
Astro AI Tire Pressure Guage, again, to check those tires
Proper jack, should the worst occur
Portable 3 drawer chest of drawers for my clothing
Misc. Storage Bins for the storage under the benches
25 ft 30 amp extension cable
Set 300 thread count cotton percale sheets (back up with multiple uses)
OSHA approved first aid kit
Alvantor 6 x 6 pop up mesh mosquito gazebo
Fuse replacement kit
Fuse/voltage light circuit tester
SAE Polarity Reversal adaptor kit for solar to trailer hook up
Second hand Bougie 30 qt 12v. rechargeable portable refrigerator
Down alternative full/queen blanket w/satin edging
Clearalif bio-degradable lavender laundry sheets for doing laundry
Mesh laundry bag
Bar D bio-degradeable organic cleansing body wipes
Tire socks for Rav chain alternative in case of snow
Solar motion detector lights, magnets and epoxy to affix on trailer. After a lot of reading about security, I ended up deciding to get these despite my preference for dark skies.
Window privacy film
Two 123 db hand held airhorns. First warning shot for intruders.
Bear spray, 2 canisters high potency. Not just in case of bears. Second warning material.
Black Viper Stun Gun Tazer- this one is intense. If someone with ill intent doesn’t back off….I pray to never need to use it.
Hanging shoe organizer w/headrest hooks
Stainless steel hangers (6)
Collapsible bucket
Lucy solar light
2 down pillows and pillow protectors
4 pack mesh hanging bags
Black fabric shower curtain for cargo cover
Magnification mirror, portable
Permatex Epoxy
20 pack super strength neodymium disc magnets
8 oz. rubber mallet
Pack of 2 rechargeable electric lighters
Folding chairs (2, one to make it look like I’m not traveling alone)
Traveling tool kit
Pack of 20 mixed size carabiners
2 Rechargeable head lamps
Rechargeable lantern
Day pack size back up first Aid Kit
Tilley sun hat
Gloves
Walking sticks
Day pack
Nutri-sport electrolyte powder tablets
Compass
Download of Gaia GPS app for I phone
US Road Atlas
State folding map for every state I’m traveling through
National Geographic Guide to National Parks
Double insulated water bottle (16 oz) for car
Second water bottle for back up
Neck kerchief for hiking
Foot ware: my Solomon high top hiking boots, Merrell walking shoes, Merrell Jungle Moc’s, ECCO Yucatecan Sport Sandals, and Under Armor rubber shower slides. Extra pair of insoles
Mountain Hardware Waterproof Hooded Shell
Land’s End Mid-Weight Down vest
Woolx Merino Zip Up Hoodie
Swimsuit and cover-up
The final 2 season wardrobe choices
Fleece lined hiking leggings
Performance cargo pants
One pair army green linen pants
Pair of black knit pull on comfort driving pants
Carhartt UV Protection Long sleeve button up shirt
Smart Wool Merino Summer Weight Pull Over Top
Gauze lavender plaid button up long sleeve blouse
Denim snap front long sleeve blouse
Two merino tee shirts
One sleeveless cotton camisole
One nicer cotton print pullover for in town
One pair matching linen pants for in town
Cotton hoodie, long sleeve, midi-length nightgown/robe
Long sleeve national parks tee shirt
Denim short-sleeve maxi-dress w/pockets
Cotton fish print sleeveless maxi-dress
Lavender cotton pull over midi-dress with pockets
7 pairs underwear
5 pairs merino walking socks
2 pairs heavier wool hiking socks
1 sport bra
2 regular bras
Eating utensils? Coffee measure?
What staples will you take? Coffee? salt? oepper? garlic & onion granules? Dried fruit, veggies, nuts? seeds? Or is there not room?
You can tell I’m food oriented!
Hi, Paula. I’ll be gathering my food products together when I collect Pearl. The RAV is full of things I feel needed to be collected in advance, for outfitting for travel. I hope to buy as much seasonal food in each place I visit as possible. The staples I’ll likely stock up on in Sarasota just before heading onward. I’ll make sure to devote an entry to that just for you. xox
I hadn’t read your earlier blog about picking up the Red Pearl in FL until after I asked about your food list. My bad for not following your blog more closely. No more of that! I’m really excited about your adventure.
You’re so funny. It’s all good.
A very inclusive list. Looks like your car will be very tightly packed until you pick up Pearl, but I’m sure most of this stuff (I know nothing about trailer travel) will be useful once you do. Bon Voyage!