In 2003 I started a new career as a truck driver, prior to then I had done many many different things. I was a geek, worked in restaurants and fast food, did construction and a whole lot of other things....some of which I am not proud of.
Over the 14 years I have been driving a truck I have been screwed over by company after company in various ways. The trucking industry is a brutal and unforgiving place to make a living.
Over the last 4 years I have worked for 6 different companies and lost damn near everything I own in the process. I have almost nothing left of any value and really really am tired of getting dry humped every time I turn around.
The Present
Until today I have spent the last 2 months working for a car hauling outfit in Mansfield, TX. I knew shortly after starting here the company was in financial trouble. I stayed with them cause I had no money, no where to live and no backup plan. I had hoped to that I could sock away some money before things took a turn for the worst. Sadly, that was not to be. I recently learned that the company was in such dire financial straights that they had started screwing drivers. Mainly on their pay, myself included. So today I quit that job, cleaned out my truck and am now homeless with very little money and a determination to get out of the trucking industry for good.
The Future
My van is a 2003 Ford E150 Coachmen Conversion van (wanna be RV). The brakes are shot, the tires are shot, the front end is shot (can't hold it in a straight line on the highway) and the Air Conditioning is broken. It does have a queen size bed in it so I can sleep in it at night. Once I get somewhere and put some stuff in storage....Van is slam full right now.
I am thinking I am going to head to Colorado later today (once the heat dies down somewhat). I have always loved Colorado, the West Slopes are amazing, nature is amazing, weed is legal and the weather is much nicer if you are homeless (sleeping in your car).
I can work online during the day at various coffee shops and such that have WiFi. I can write more posts and devote more time to them. I can do Video's of the places I go, wildlife, etc. I can camp out in nature in my van at night. Of course I will have to:
Make it to Colorado (West Slopes)
Have my van still running and drive-able
Get a couple batteries or good Solar Panel to charge batteries that run an inverter (I have inverter already) so I can power my fridge, laptop, etc.
Put a bunch of stuff in my van into storage once I get there.
Start making enough money to live on within two weeks from today (actually collecting the money); as that is about all I have for money right now, assuming my van doesn't break down on the way to Colorado and eat it all up.
Conclusion
I am currently in Mansfield, TX, I will be leaving here today and driving up US 287 to just north of Amarillo, TX where I will cut off on US87 into New Mexico to I25 up into Denver where I will hit I70 over the mountain to the Western Slopes. If you live anywhere near this route and can offer any assistance (Couch Surfing or a better ride) please let me know ASAP. If you are live in Colorado and wanna meet up when I get up there let me know. If you are desiring something from Colorado and do not live nearby or can't afford to go there to see it/get it please let me know. If you just like my crazy ass and wanna offer moral or financial support please let me know. You can reach me on Facebook (while I am traveling), just send me a friend request or message me through FB Messenger; that is the quickest and easiest way to get a hold of me while I am driving!
I am a proud supporter of minnowsupportproject (aka minnowsupport), if you haven't already joined check them out over on their Discord Channel by clicking below:
Update #1
My old 2003 Ford Van has crappy dry rotted tires and no Air Conditioning. I had to stop in Decatur, TX and get a room for the night. I am going to leave out early in the morning and drive north before it gets too hot. Will probably stop somewhere mid day tomorrow and get a room then drive on to the Western Slopes on Sunday morning.
To ensure I have some funds to live on while I transition and figure out what to do next I decided to power down. I am not cancelling the delegations I have going. I am not leaving steemit. In fact I will be posting more and more once I get situated in Colorado. I am only powering down a percentage of my Total SP which will yield me 248 Steem a week for the next 13 weeks. That is enough for food, smokes (and weed) and gas for my van and will allow me to be mobile and explore places so I can vlog it on steemit.
Update #4
A poor man's dinner....whole chicken from Walmart ($4.88 + tax) and a Powerade Melon.
Update #5
My old van (ie home) for now! It is loaded to the gills right now!
Update #6
Nerves are kicking my arse so I can't sleep. Got up and @zenchess messaged me and offered a donation. That KAF dude sent me $20 via Paypal. Now when I get to CO I have $30 to get some good weed with thanks to him and the 5 SBD I received earlier. Gonna be posting a video in a few days of me sitting out in the wilderness at my campsite smoking a big bowl of Blue Dream and getting baked like I am a piece of meat in the Sahara Dessert!
Update #7
Update #8
My phone took a crap this morning, I had to stop in Harrold, TX to get on WiFi so I could do a reset and restore my phone....will be back on the road shortly!
Update #9
I made it to Amarillo, TX stopping for fuel and food then heading north.
Update #10
Heat got me again at 1 PM CST I shut down in Dalhart, TX. I am about 150 miles from the Colorado/New Mexico line. I will spend the night here (and hopefully get some sleep) then leave out Early AM and hit Colorado around sunrise. Should be able to make it to Glenwood Springs, CO tomorrow.
Update #11
Special thanks goes out to @robertdurst10 for the generous donation of $20 SBD.
Update #12
Special thanks goes out to @lifewithcrypto for the generous donation of $5 SBD.
Update #13
Made it into Colorado this morning, will post pics in new post later today.
Update #14
Special thanks goes out to @luvabi for the generous donation of $5 SBD.
