Update. Aug.4th. 2022

 Been doing some p.t. crabbing this summer. not making much money but plan on expanding for next season.  The addition of a refrigerated trailer is essential for this operation.  I need to keep crabs alive for a few days after catching them .  So the plan is buy a used trailer and insulate it. add a cool bot system and there is my refrigerated trailer.  Bam ! 

Next random thoughts are planning the boat camping trip.  It's so hot these days I haven't even been out on boat so I have time to think about boat stuff.  

I'd like to do a #SO24 as #Rivendale calls the bike camping beginners technique.  Kinda ease into the experience.  Stay close to home, camp overnight and  get the feel for it. I'll apply the same theory to boat camping.   I guess it gets on eout of their comfort zone gradually.  I'm not too concerned about my comfort zone as I'd like to get a few trips experience a d make sure I have what I need a d want on board. I won't be pulling up to any convince stores or grocery stores for supplies.  I'll be #boondocking on a beach or anchored in a safe cove . 

I'll need to prepare for a list of things from recharging phone,boat battery, sleeping gear, mosquitoe netting,  cooler and ice management,  cookware, camping cook stove, which will be my #coleman 1 burner green bottle #camping stove.  For the SO24 I'll probably keep food simple. A few prepaid sandwiches and instant coffee for am.  Bur for the multi day trips I'll need to carry food and cook.  That'll be part of the fun. I could live on sandwiches but I want to cook alo g the way. 

I'll have on board a few fishing rods also.  2 gallon of water for each planned day of camping plus some for reserve.   I plan on exploring along the way.  Not just hauling ass up the river. I want to stop and fish where ever looks interesting,  stop and beach the boat and take. breaks and just look around. I'll definitely need to install a bimini top or red neck style it and use a patio umbrella for shade on the boat. Don't want full sun on me all day. 

Logistics.  park at boat ramp, leave truck and trailer. Risky for sure. Thrives stealing catalytic converters and gas all over.  

pack list., 

COOLER, ice, food, water, pedialyte,  coffee, propane stove and 2 bottles. cook pot. spoon, knife. * ice, not  sure block or bag.  

HYGIENE,  toothbrush and paste, razor, liquid soap, bath towel, 5 gal.bucket,  Toilet paper, fingernail clippers,  Hempvana cream for cramps in legs.

FIRST AID KIT. *  SUNSCREEN * SUNGLASSES,  Multiple pair. Reading glasses,  multiple pairs. 

WATER,   2 gallon per planned day of camping plus reserve for emergency.  

Boat, 6 gallon of gas, necessary tools, extra prop, safety kit, flares, etc.  2nd boat battery as back up. 

 * more to follow. 

End of P.T. job.

 well that little gig is done.  I was asking God for a signal which way to proceed with work. This morning I got that signal. I was undecided Should I stay with the part time retail job or get back out on the water and commercial crab and fish. With the current fuel prices and bait prices I really am skeptical weather people have the disposable income for luxuries such as crabs for 75-85.00 $ a dozen.  I guess I'll find out.

  I feel catching and selling fish will be more consistent then selling crabs.  Around here crabs are a summer time necessity but not when people are struggling to put gas in their car and food on the table.  Crabs will still be in demand on the following,  Father's day,  July 4th weekend and Labor day.  Fish, catfish more specifically and a few lbs of white pertch should sell consistently since it's more of a food item then steamed crabs.  Makes more  sense to spend 7.00 a lb on catfish fillet then 75.00$ for a dozen live unsteamed crabs.  I'm hoping.  I'll be chasing both crabs and fish, maybe put my eel pots in and see what I can do . I'd like to sell lives to restaurants,  that's gonna require some door knocking.  I think it's me that does the searching and door knocking,  they haven't been seeking me ,that's for sure. 

#commercialcrabbing #commercial fishing 

boat camping trip

 I'm thinking of taking my 14ft aluminum boat on a 2 to 3 day camping trip.  Starting at Kent Island Md. and going up the Chester river to Chestertown Md.  Close guess on distance is approximately 20 miles .  The river continues on, I might consider traveling up river further. More thoughts on this trip later. 

 

plan of action

 Store hours are being cut. Don't know why, doesn't make sense but I'll be turning those free hours into commercial crabbing and fishing time.  That's my original plan anyway.  To work as a stock dummy in off season then work crabs and fish in season. Makes sense since that's where the money is.  I adapted to a regular pay check and steady income from the beginning of this job. Not much money but steady work.  With gas and bait prices through the roof  I was kinda content with the income from store job.  But this little push of the hours being cut might be just what I need .  I don't have to catch much to make more money then I am now, it's more about getting out of comfort zone. 

My plan was-is to work p.t. in off season then do commercial fish in season until age 62 . I then would collect S.S. and do commercial crab and fish  for my income.  Maybe I should re evaluate this.  Maybe I should up the focus on fishing now and see where the road leads. I think Im stepping  over 20.00 bills to pick up 1.00 bills with working this retail stocking shelves job. Amazing how I can take the path of least resistance and feel comfortable with it.  But then again it's probably because I know everyday on the water is not profitable.  haha. The full time commercial guys say, "anyday not in the red is a good day " . I'm well aware of the self employed life style.  That's probably why I'm satisfied with working for a paycheck instead of busting ass everyday for a possible profit. 

Anyway,  I will be pursuing the commercial fish and crab venture this season, even if on a part time basis.  I see a future in catfishing here. 

Well,  it's 7:15 am on Memorial day.  In parked in front of store waiting to do a 3 and half hour shift. Hardly worth the time of showing up, but wanna keep this job for a while.  Time to punch in and watch all the hot women who insist on dressing as cock teasers and  go shop at the Dollar store. 

                              Ray

Working retail.

 Took this gig last October, 2021 as a winter job.  I been saying I will get a winter job for several years now and never have.  Well I'm still here and actually not hating it too much.  Retail is new to me. Stocking shelves drinks cooler and freezer section is my main job.  Not difficult work but the being on one's feet all shift is tiring.  I think I'll be OK.  

Being a van dweller affords me the opportunity to work for less then poverty scale income, literally.  The job pays shit wages but everything else about it works for me. Location, hours, indoor work and steady income seal the deal. Dealing with the public is a new and  interesting thing,  but that's a story for another time. 

I'm typing this post to myself while on a 30 minute lunch break.  No one else will be reading this,  haha. So this will be a future look back into my perspective on this day, after unloading 1100 pcs. truck delivery. 

I really started wondering about my sanity since I actually like this job. I blamed and still do  blame the  bad brain Fog from covid for questioning my sanity and judgment.  Oh well. Do mentally challenged people realize they are challenged  ?  Catch 22.  

Living out of a van is still totally awesome.  I been at this close to 11 years.  It's really convenient to have lunch break on the parking lot of where I work, in my Roadtrek class B. 

I recall questioning my sanity after a few years of van dwelling in the beginning of this journey.  I still ask myself why a single guy , especially a younger man would pay very expensive rent moneys for a place to sleep. 

#vanlife #Roadtrek #ClassB 

 

Retired guy, working .

4,14,2022.

Long time no post. I'm not a blogger type. I just type .

Had the Covid Sept. 22  2021. Was a long bad trip. More then moderate pneumonia but mostly the brain Fog was the scary part.  That lasted months, and still have some lingering symptoms.  Speech and thoughts don't always line up. 

Retired but working part time as a stock clerk. Not a bad side hustle, but it's my only hustle and I'm fine with it.  Doesn't pay that much, but a guy living out of his van doesn't need much in the way of money.  Location is perfect, hours are perfect. It's also a physically demanding job which I like.  Get a nice workout in while earning a few bucks.    

I wake up 5am, leave my night parking spot and head to store, there in 5 minutes. I'm the only one on the parking lot.  I make coffee and do morning routine. I'm there a good while before manager arrives to open, but I like to be there ahead of morning rush.  This is where #vanlife shines. I'm home everywhere I park.  Store opens. I work my shift, usually 5 to 6 hours.  Out the door by noon-thirty. I'm a stones throw from my #gym and the local bike trail.  I need to get a bike rack on my van . Can't ride my bike if it's not with me.  The plan for this summer is work am Mon thru Thursday am. Gym and bike after shift. Fridays are for crabbing,  Saturdays and Sundays for selling my catch and misc. life activities.  Sounds good on paper. Let's see 👀 how this summer works out. 

My 3 year plan is work this side hustle and crab-fish commercially part time. When I turn 62 I plan on collecting S.S. and then doing crabbing as my main job. Plans........ 

Gym stuff. Still lifting regularly.  Been working #5x5 strong lifts for a while.  Was out 4 months because of having the Covid. Been working to regain to previous levels. 

#Vanlife is still the most awesome thing.  Love my #Roadtrek.  I don't see myself ever going back to a sticks house, but one never knows what can happen.  I'm 11 years this Aug, of 2022 as a #full time #vandweller.  

 

#vanlifeblog