Road-Vice

For what it’s worth, here are some of the lessons I’ve learned so far for people interested in this kind of road-trip and journey. Elementary, sure, but lock and home:

–       Weather, weather, weather – the single most important factor when “home is where you park.” Do not underestimate it and take it into account beforehand and during your trip, both for general seasons and on a daily basis.

–       Do not mess with private property. Try to get to your parking place before it’s pitch black, both to scout and possibly ask people around.

–       Smile and be diplomatic with local authorities (be it a clerk, police, ranger, neighbor, and so on). Friendly accommodation and common sense are usually just a smile away from hostility and foolishly rigid adherence to rules.

–       Get rest when you need it! Of course when you’re driving, but also when you’re not. Fatigue and bad health won’t make you see or feel any more things, to the contrary.

The ‘vows’

Though not a highly principled man by nature (by nature, man not highly principled?), here are some guidelines I will try to abide by:

–       Never eat in one of the major fast-food chains that border all of America’s roads (I might have to grab a coffee there from time to time). This is why I often mention what I eat in the diary entries. And one may notice it doesn’t often differ from the meals served at the fast-food chains! But it is a first step. The motivations are related both to health issues and to the environment (also slightly philosophical / political perhaps). More on this topic eventually.

–       Limit my carbon print to my vehicle and personal consumption, never throw out trash onto the road or in nature. Might be some bio-degradable stuff, a roll or two of soiled toilet paper.

–       Quit smoking – Done. Have also managed to cut back on coffee.

–       Manage a regular fitness routine, despite irregularity of travels.

–       Work, create, enjoy: love it, but don’t be a total bum.

–       Keep eyes and ear open. Remember to try to understand, never assume.

6 Responses

  1. Thanks for visiting my blog, it’s awesome discovering yours! Having just spent over a year on the road, i’m curious how your “manage a regular fitness routine” vow worked out? Keeping healthy and fit when moving SO much was one of the biggest challenges for me!

    • ooa revo says:

      Hi! Thanks for your support and for sharing! As for the ‘regular fitness routine’, well like you say… I can only hope I manage it during the second road-trip!

  2. Enjoyed reading.
    I will certainly keep those lessons in mind.
    Thank you for sharing.
    I hope you are still keeping the vows.
    All the best

  3. podnumber2 says:

    I love your road-vice, especially because I presumed this page would be about vices acquired/enjoyed on the road, and it was actually the opposite of that! Quitting smoking, adhering to health and fitness practices, avoiding fast food, and maintaining a good-will philosophy are all to be commended!! I have a lot more to explore here. Thanks for sharing your project and life.

    • ooa revo says:

      Thanks! Not easy to adhere to all of these guidelines while on the road, but have done my best to stick to them. Hope to share more soon!

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