"Bill's Excellent Adventure!"

This entry covers 12/08/07 through 12/27/07
12/08/07

This is another normal day punctuated with a rather bizarre encounter with a couple of campers this afternoon. Mike, the 80-mile per day bicycle rider, another guy and Richard were talking about economic policies, interest rates, etc. I slid into the conversation after a few minutes and asked about the dollar and the impact of Hugo Chavez’ decision to disconnect from the US currency standard.

After this other guy, who apparently was an investment pro, made some statement that it really would not effect the dollar worldwide, Mike chimed in with a bizarre comment. He said something about how he joyed in Hugo Chavez trashing Bush in his UN speech. I did not go ballistic. After hearing this other guy agree with Mike I felt my blood pressure rising and I turned and abruptly walked away and mumbled something about “I can’t believe this nonsense.” The investor guy said something about “you must be a Republican.” I responded with, ”got that right” and went back to my truck. Mike stopped by my truck and said he hoped he hadn’t offended me. I replied, “you offended this country and we will just have to agree to disagree.” That was the end of the conversation.

12/16/07

This is Sunday. Still at Oliver Lee SP outside Alamogordo, I drove down the 4-mile access road to a side road to get a good signal. After making a call to Rick and leaving messages for several others, I looked up to find a Deputy sheriff walking up from behind me! Turned out one of the neighbors out here thought I was suspicious looking, and according to the sheriff, I was seen down along the road several times. I told him I was down here last weekend to make calls, like I was doing now but that was all. He checked my driver’s license and wrote down my name and number. He walked off and I drove back to the campsite, just wanting to clear that area. I told him I was traveling the west, had been out for 10 months in a five year journey and that I was from NC.

He didn’t say much and left. So did I!

I tried to call RJ using the digital roam signal after I returned to camp. I got through but after a couple of minutes the signal dropped out on me! The Deputy said this was a “dead” area for reception.

I have misplaced my WiFi card and decided I might as well upgrade to a Verison or a Sprint dedicated internet card. It would cost about $60 for the card and probably another $60/mo for service. I got to thinking (dangerous!) My round trip to town here and about anyplace else I camp is about 40 miles. That’s 2 tanks of gas at $3/gal, or $6. I drive to town to a Hastings bookstore/coffee shop and drop $2 for a large coffee. That’s $8 to use free WiFi! Nuts to that plan. I drive to town 10 times during a long-term stay so that’s $80/mo! When in town I usually find some reason to spend more money and I only get about 10 hours of air-time on the internet.

By going to a dedicated card, I’ll have continuous access, can upload and download files when I want to and I don’t have to go to town unless I want to do something special. Makes sense to me!

I have paid through night 21 so I’ll be leaving here on Weds and will probably head for Leesville Dam SP just north of La Cruces.

Temperatures yesterday were in mid 40’s and a low last night of 21. There is a slight warming trend on its way so mid week it should be in the 60’s with lows in the high 30’s.



12/27/07
This is my first entry for some time! Since Christmas, I have developed a new web site called “www.thepickupcamper.com.” (there is another site called pickupcamper.com, and anticipate being challenged for the closeness of the title at some point in time.)

I now have consistent internet connection since purchasing a Verizon data card in Las Cruces. The website is up and running on a free page through Go Daddy, although I still need to purchase permanent server space. I’ve added Google-Adsense ads to the site and have just signed up and created an ad through Google-AdWords. Put a small amount of money to get it started into the Words account to begin to refine the keywords I have put into the system. I did find it as a sponsor ad about six pages back from the search results page for “camper shell.”

I am currently camped at Caballo State Park about 20 miles south of Truth or Consequences, NM. The temps are cold, low last night was 19, the high today was about 41. Winds are picking up to about 30-40 mph with gusts up to 55 according to the weather channel. I’ve been here 6 days and will probably stay another 4. Then who knows where to next! It’s great…FREEDOM!

I plan on selling an AC/DC power harness for camper shells once I get the details and cost figured out and actually build one for myself. It will use off the shelf parts. I figure I won’t get that many orders so I’ll build them on demand at whatever campsite I’m sitting at when I get an order. I’m also going to see if I can get set up at a place like Home Depot to get discounts on parts to lower my estimated price. Ron gave me a great suggestion. To see if I can get set up as a distributor for flexible solar panels and I can market those including a turnkey system for wiring up a shell. I’ve been researching flexible solar panels and there is one that is a military grade, but the cost is realllly steep!

Also, I plan on marketing designer T-Shirts and license plates with the business logo as well. Attempting to brand my brand. We’ll see what works! Rick may be my “funnel” for getting those items produced but he’s got a lot on his plate right now. I tinkered around with a specialty site to produce your own license plates and some kind of vinyl sign to put on my truck tailgate. Those signs are expensive, some $45 ea.! The plates are about $15 for a single plate with heavy discounts for larger orders. Perhaps I’ll spring for one license plate to see how the system works, collect some ideas from site visitors and come up with several standard plates that would be worth ordering in larger quantities.

Besides staying inside the shell for warmth, there is not much else going on. I’m just really excited to have a consistent internet connection! This is great!

Well, this will do it for now! Take care and Happy New Year!