Breakdowns, Relationships, and Disease (Oh My!)

Howdy my fellow nomads and followers of a different path!  It’s been quite awhile since I’ve updated everyone on what’s what, and today’s the day we change that.  

So grab a beverage and get ready for a firehose …

Covid Rears Its Ugly Head (Again!)

Yep, the disease that robbed us of multiple years of our lives is still here.  And more specifically, it’s here in the bus.  Nikki tested positive a couple of days ago.  Minor symptoms, but still positive.  So far I’ve been testing negative, but she has been unfortunately close to the daughter and the grand-babies, so we’e a little worried.  

I know this has become synonymous with the flu, and perhaps rightly so.  But I also still remember my first bout with it when it knocked me down for the better part of a month.  Something I have zero desire to relive.

Current COVID Score:  Nikki (4) and Rick (2)

Relationship Update

So yep, Nikki and I are indeed back together.  At some point I’ll probably give you more of the gory details, but we were separated for almost two months, living separate lives on opposite sides of the planet while we each pondered our futures.  It was both an enlightening and sad time.  

My last video spent some time discussing what went on (link below) but behind the scenes we have been talking quite openly, especially about how we need to communicate and treat each other.  So many things get lost when we don’t take a moment to actually consider what we’re saying … and what we’re not.

Nomadic Life Broke Me
Or It SAVED ME … You’ll DECIDE
https://youtu.be/qutrH-3X8nE

The Bus is Broken

Nope, not clickbait.  We’re currently sitting in my daughter’s driveway with a few hundred dollars worth of parts, just waiting to get everything installed and repaired.  And in fact, that’s what the next video is all about.  A video you won’t get to see until we actually finish, which is on a kinda goofy and loose schedule right now.

Basically our suspension failed and we have air issues.  For those not in the know, our air system controls not only the air suspension, but also the brakes.  So it’s kinda important to get all of this in better shape.

As far as the future of this bus and this life … that’s coming up in the last section of this post.  LOL!

A Milestone is Neigh

OK, a little personal pat on the back.  I’ve been struggling with my YouTube channel for years, only to see barely perceptible growth.  But recently things have been quickening and I’m at the point where a major milestone is about to happen.  Hopefully as early as tomorrow.

I really don’t want to spoil anything and I will be making an announcement, but I’m seriously giddy that things are finally moving in the right direction.  What have I changed to make this happen?  I have no freaking idea.  LOL!  But I’m going to keep on keeping on.  

Maybe one day yet I’ll be a full-time Creator!

The Future (Travel/Jobs/Etc)

Oh, before we start … all of these images (and all of my latest thumbnails) … were created using Midjourney AI.  I’ve been having a blast with this stuff.  It’s beyond amazing that we now have the technology to write a few sentences and get an image within moments that matches.

Well, almost matches.  I spent most of this morning trying to get the AI to put a mechanic under a broken bus, and it kept giving him more than two legs.  So there’s still room for humans, I suppose.

Anyway, the future!

We are indeed planning on keeping the nomadic bus life dream alive.  It’s just that currently we’re kinda without an immediate next direction.  Part of that is waiting on the bus repairs.  We’re “supposed” to be in Gainesville Florida in a week to attend a tiny home show, but that’s at the mercy of the mechanic this week.  

As far as what’s really after …

Nikki needs a job, and her work requires a “place”.  When she finally lands one, we’re basically going to drive the bus to wherever that is and use it as a hub for more adventures.  We just have no idea right now where in the country that may be.  I too will be going back to work in a few months, but I’m portable.  I can work from anywhere, so that makes this all a little easier.

The past two years have taught me much about how I want to live out my years.  Being a nomad fits me like a glove, and that must continue.  I love living in the bus, I love travel, and we’ve got a dozen plans in the works for the next decade as to how to keep improving on that lifestyle.

I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting us.  For watching the videos.  And for your constant words of encouragement.  It means the world to me.

Now … back to fixing something so we can get the f*** going!

~ Rick