Our following of the rules as above got us two
of the best memories of our trip : a visit to a local
organic farmers and craft market and a walking tour
to all of the best. most affordable downtown
cafes. The time we spent chatting over home
prepared meals topped everything else. They were
going away on a trip after our second night, so
we prepared lodging with our other friend and it
was time to call a man about a job.
WORK AS IF PLAYING
Our contact with our temporary boss, took place
at the top of a steep hill in town. We walked,
sweating the whole way, and appreciated
reaching his building. We met with him and
took an assignment 4 miles out of town
which involved cleaning and painting two
rental apartments. Once we agreed on the
price, we drew another map for ourselves,
and prepared to install ourselves with the
second friend.
Getting prepared for the work involved making
a sight tour of place the last day of our weekend:
Sunday. Our second friend was solo and knew the
area, so decided to go with us and take us on
a small country tour after our survey. The work
was listed, tools needed listed, we would be ready
for the drive.
The rolling green hills , lakes and breezes was
a stark contrast to Florida and we loved every
second of it. Our second friend was very happy to
lead us to a waterfall park with spectacular views,
where we exhausted our camera.
Two days passed with work during the day,
and nights sharing dinner, music and
conversation with a friend. We learned
even more about this wonderful area, and
the work and the people.
When the work contract was at the end, we tallied
all we had spent since our departure from Florida
and what we had earned from working to give us
this result:
For gas, food, one motel stay and other incidentals, we had spent
$312.00 . From work we had made $400.00.
We were into our seventh day of vacation.
BALANCE AND PREPARATION MAKES IT HAPPEN
To sum up one leg of a road trip was very important for us.
Since it is the first major trip we took together it spoke well
for our needed travels in the future.
The key to saving money on the road is like saving money
in other phases of life:
- think ahead, plan head
- collect all the information you can
- travel efficiently and light , be clean
- be adaptable on all levels
- go where you know good friends
- go where there is opportunity for fun, adventure, beauty and/or work
- learn to make your vehicle ready for sleep
- provide for yourself in every way possible
- accept all good gifts and give good company
We hope we have removed your hesitations to take road trips and
you are now willing to draft your first map for a new, promising,
life adventure.
