Nomad Life: A Turn for the Worse…?

[@youraussienomadfriends]

Hello great topic. We are full time nomads in our van. We never stay within 60ks of a town nor city. We have been on the road three and a half years without a problem and have never stayed in a caravan or RV park, we free camp. We do carry our own washing machine, 200 litres of water and a portable toilet. We totally carry everything we need to survive for a month at a time. Anyway just thought I would tell you how we nomad is Australia. Stay safe. Hugs from your Aussie nomad friends.

[@RobandMarvy]

That is awesome!

[@kybollweevil7540]

Your white Express Van is probably the most common vans that people use so that could be why people mistake you for another white Express Van from the day before.

[@RobandMarvy]

Good point. There are only 10 spots...you would think they would write down plate numbers before rapping on your door though.

[@darylhawkins4658]

I consider myself a traveling camper. Allot has changed in the last 18 months. The word on the net is that public land is the place you want to be, so load up the RV, trailer or tent and live on public lands rent free. There was a time I could roll into Conservation Areas here in the Midwest any day of the week. Once my favorite spots showed up on apps, there’s no joy camping there anymore. For every RV sold someone is fitting out a school bus, cargo truck or trailer, pickup, van, SUV or car into a living space. I’ll be heading to Az mid December. I’ll keep an eye out for you two. Stay safe, well and positive. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@RobandMarvy]

Yep Daryl, Census reports that there are over one million people living full time in RVs. This clearly is an inaccurate number since most of us nomads never see a census to report or refuse to. Plus it does say anything about Vans, Boxtrucks, Minivans, Cars, etc etc.

[@momsvancrazyjourney4443]

Thanks for being open and honest about this topic. Sadly, there are those who leave trash laying out and give this lifestyle a bad name. As for closed restrooms, I think staff shortages are causing some of that. Maybe there is a way to set up a volunteer system to help out.

[@RobandMarvy]

Absolutely! I would like to see "locals" set up a volunteer group in each area. After-all, I honestly would say that they commit the lion's share of littering.

[@ellen9579]

👣🎃👣 Clever intro, Rob 👣🎃👣

[@pthomasgarcia]

I lived in a van the past several years in one area and have had minor run ins with security, police, and karens as well as other questionable characters. Things did begin to get more strict as coronavirus became a thing, like bathrooms in store being locked and needing to ask for access instead of just having it. Fortunately, I was able to find affordable land out of state that I now camp on. Driving out here I noticed most rest areas were closed. I expect things to get worse because conditions are getting worse

[@RobandMarvy]

Yep things will get worse, but still, I think living on the road is a pretty good place to be.

[@badgeell2804]

Yeah it's getting harder now to find spots to park 👍🛠️🇨🇦🛠️🇨🇦

[@RobandMarvy]

especially for some of us that not very big on"tribal" gatherings and caravans.

[@ernieroberts56]

I'm not in a Van. I have a Van ready to roll at some point in the future. Circumstances keep me from being able to be the wondering tourist. But I am so glad that you don't put any spin the truth and make it sound like the sky is falling. I do sometimes wonder about the sustainability of these very expensive rigs. But yet they come from a different life than I do.

[@RobandMarvy]

Well, I am pretty sure this rigs we be sold in a few years once folks learn that Nomad life isn't about g-string bikini's, parked next to waterfalls, and electric-lift beds.

[@ATravelingAddictSolo]

I hope by the time I start traveling there is not going to be all this new 'friction' .

[@RobandMarvy]

The further out you are the better!!

[@Gavinsnana]

You were right about tension, it’s not just with nomads and two years later the tension is worse. I think a guy that I call you know who started this tension and keeps it going. I sold my van an moved into an apartment because I got really afraid as a senior woman of color.

[@RobandMarvy]

Yes, unfortunately many people do not make decisions based on seeking facts, but rather look for "information" that supports their values and beliefs. You cannot have an intelligent discussion with an angry person who swears their beliefs are founded on "truth", when there is no evidence of such. Mexico has it's political issues too, but without this major flaw in its culture.

[@oldermanvanner4026]

Nice video, no i have been getting the opposite treatment treatment from people, helpfulness, kindness and ect.

[@RobandMarvy]

Good for you! We do too, but it only takes the occasional rude person to cast a cloud on your day. We do move past it quickly, but still worth mentioning.

[@Gavinsnana]

Sorry to hear that you’ve had those experiences. I lived in my cargo van only for a month in the city limits of Salt Lake City Utah with no issues. I plan to return to full-time van life in March and stay in and around the city of St Paul and Minneapolis Minnesota. I’ve noticed a few people parked and in their cars for long periods during the day, at the grocery parking lot where I walk daily. People who leave trash behind and bottles of urine, not necessarily nomads, make it bad for nomads. In Utah’s suburbs partying young people were the culprits. Our society wants those who have found an alternative to corporate greed (insane costs of living etc.) to just disappear. Thanks for responding to my question with your discussion about teaching English remotely. If you’re willing and you haven't already, I’d like to know the story of how you and Marvy got together. I’m heartened by inter racial relationships. I enjoy your channel and wish you and Marvy the well.

[@RobandMarvy]

Thanks Janice, it seems we have been getting a little more push back from store owners too whike just parked to do shopping. Feeling mych better now we are back in the BLM areas...

[@TERMIN8TOR99]

Get a lock pick set😉

[@RobandMarvy]

My eyes are not what they used to be for picking locks...maybe an acetylene torch!

[@kathyowens9901]

Have you noticed more people out and about? I wondered if the population is increasing of people on the move.

[@RobandMarvy]

Ohh Kathy..for sure!! Even in the last two years...TONS of new people...especially with the Sprinters.

[@Gavinsnana]

Because this video is short I’m going to watch it, my fourth video this evening. I want you to stay monitized.

[@freedomdove]

Let's hope things get better soon. Maybe the BLM offices can be contacted to ask why restrooms are being closed. If it's lack of man-power to keep them clean, maybe people can volunteer to help with that when they're camping there? If the choice is either to have them open or closed, I would choose to clean the bathroom when I was visiting that area. It's not much different than how you have to pick up trash at campsites, I guess.

[@RobandMarvy]

LOL, people volunteer? We are too busy picking up trash and toilet paper at campsites! In some areas there are BLM camp hosts (like in Lake Havasu) that helps keep the squatters and really loud people to a minimum.

[@freedomdove]

@@RobandMarvy Lol. I know. Once upon a time when I first started thinking about being nomadic, I thought it would be wonderful to ditch picking up after other people. I've been doing it all my life. But then I realized I'll still be doing it as a nomad. It is what it is, I guess.