2019 Retrospective [Part 1]: 28,438 miles later

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I’ve been negligent about updating the adventure log lately. Now that we are two weeks into 2020 I thought it would make sense to look back at the adventures of 2019.

Thanks to the Automatic adapter in my truck, I have detailed information about every trip last year.

When I set off on the drive I didn’t have an exact plan or trajectory and decided to just figure things out as I went. The adventures began with discovering that an F-150 is definitely not a truck you want to tow with all day everyday. Upgrading to the F-250 was a night and day experience and the added safety and convenience features made the drive better.

Original setup with F-150 and 22’ Trailer

Original setup with F-150 and 22’ Trailer

I made some big mistakes from the start: buying a new trailer (instead of used) and something far too small for living in everyday.

Things worked out though, and I found this awesome rig in North Carolina. But getting a new-to-me trailer came with some drawbacks too. I had to backtrack to Texas to register it. This ate a chunk of time and changed my route trajectory.

F-250 and 34’ Trailer

F-250 and 34’ Trailer

The journey then brought me back to New Mexico, I learned about contract work and OttrCo, LLC into life.

Then I found myself right back to Florida to help finish a project that I spent a number of years dedicated to at work. I don’t regret taking either of these detours but suddenly the summer was coming to an end.

I might have still been able to make the northern journey until I lost a tire during the escape from Hurricane Dorian (which ended up not being anything of consequence). Unfortunately, the repair process for trailer sucks. Added with the incompetence of the repair shop, it took more than 2 months to get back on the road.

The Good

  • Made new friends in a variety of places

  • Establishing my own consulting company

  • Seeing Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge come to life with some great folks

The Not So Good

  • Tire explosion and resulting months long repair

  • “Death-Wobble” with my new truck

  • Selling a relatively new trailer for a big loss because it was too small for daily living

  • Missing half the country

Now to figure out what’s next.

Tom ArthurComment