SO ANNOYING! The Frustrating Reality of Mail on the Road (RV Life)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2024
- We’ve been doing this gate guarding thing for at least a month now, but we’re not quite sure if we’re actually official? We’ll explain why in this week’s episode along with one of the most popular questions all full-time RVers are asked at some point or another…
How do we get our mail?
The short answer: it’s complicated.
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00:00 Intro & Gate Update
01:21 Are we Legal?
05:28 Mail Options 1 & 2
07:44 Trinity Gets Car Sick
08:56 Guadalupe Mountains National Park
10:37 Alaska Fund Update (Thank You!)
12:09 Mail Options 3 & 4
14:09 Mail Option 5
15:08 Mail Options 6 & 7
19:07 MORE Alaska Fund Updates
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Hey there! We're Joe + Kalyn!
As online entrepreneurs, we thought, "why not work from home... on the road"? So in 2019, we bought and renovated a 2005 Jayco Designer Fifth Wheel, which took us to every state in the lower 48. But the economy hit our business especially hard after the 'vid, spurring us to pivot in new directions and try different strategies, including various RV work camping jobs!
Follow our full-time RV Life journey as we build back our bank accounts in order to fund the biggest RV trip of our lifetime-Alaska.
WE SEND ONLY FUN STUFF ⤵️
bit.ly/OpenRoadingUpdates
REAL-TIME UPDATES + STORIES FROM FULL TIME TRAVEL ⤵️
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We are so proud of you guys for keeping the dog. You won't be disappointed
She's fitting right in with the fam. Vomit and all 😂 -J
So happy Trinity is fitting in.. Thank you for rescuing her!
She’s pretty amazing. We’ve been doing 2 mile runs together in the morning and she hates it when we head back home 😄 The girl loves exploring. -J
I'm so happy you kept the puppy. It got me to sub 👍🏾 lol
Couple tips for dogs on bad roads, keep the window open for her, and stop about ten minutes into the drive and let her out to relieve herself. The vibrations, ya know...
Thanks so much for those tips!
She's sooooo good in the car this whole episode caught us off guard! But I may have been driving a little aggressively on bad dirt roads.... -J
Anytime we have to drive any distance with our dogs we give each one half a meclizine (generic, purchased on Amazon for cheap). This seems to stop the sickness. If we forget that, though -- yeah, it's a mess.
@@cynthiamyers4265 Thanks for the tip! Generally she's been good in the truck so I will see on our next travel day if this is a new thing for her...or if I was just driving like an idiot that day. -J
Trin's eye brows are adorable, I have had a couple dogs with the brown eyebrows. You can never have too many dogs in your life, I subbed because you showed heart in keeping her. If you can open the window for her to stick her nose out, she will not get as sick. Even a crack open will help on rides. Stay safe and healthy.
Thanks for the tip! We love Trinitys tan points too! ❤️ -J
I'm so glad you decided to keep Trinity. I am now a forever fan of yours.
Aw. Thanks so much. We appreciate you being here. -J
Second one of your videos I've watched tonight, started with, you found the dog. Glad you kept it. It's sweet how you allow Trinity the time she needs to get into the truck on her own. ❤
Thanks for the tip. Sometimes we don’t have time to wait a half hour though. -J
I've always wanted to just move into my van and go. Anyways, found your channel from the Trinity hype. Good to see the dog to TH-camr distribution system is working well.
"From the Trinity Hype" 😂 - No truer sentence has ever been typed in the history on TH-cam.
That girl has a FAN club!! -J
Pepper thumbs this video up herself. 🥰 We were watching it together. She said, “now I want a gummy bear!” 😝 Me too, Pepper. Me too. 😂 Loved learning about all the creative ways you guys deal with the mail issue. You are truly pros, and I know that sharing this information will help so many.
Excellent! I am glad we are reaching the next generation with thumb up-able content! 😁 -J
I like the countdown to Alaska fund. It made me root for you.
Thanks for cheering us on!! Soon we’ll start the reverse countdown as we spend it on the trip. 👀 -J
The best thing my RV came with was a washer/dryer combo unit. Sure, it's small and not the best, but nothing beats being able to do laundry whenever I want.
Niiiiiiice! -J
I have enjoyed your videos! I do not subscribe to many channels and very rarely comment. You won me when you decided to make Trinity part of your family. We travel/camp with our rescue fur babies. Howie (Pitt/Boxer mix), Maggie (Bengel), and Beansy (striped "squirrel" kitty) all travel together in harmony. Traveling with our fur babies is worth the extra work. Trinity and Kody (spelling?) Are beautiful! I hope they become best buds. Excited to see your future adventures and looking forward to Alaska thru your eyes!
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! And I hope we earn that hard to get subscription with every new video. 😊 -J
Poor sick baby! ☹️
You guys do a fantastic job on your videos! Kudos to continued growth! 😊
Thank you so much! -J
Trinity is reading all her emails. That's why dogs 'sniff'. 😊 Please slow down and let her read them 😅 Poor baby speed reading!
We go on several “Trinity walks” where she sets the pace and does her thing. -J
I stumbled upon your video in which you were adopted by trinity. Your kindness has hooked me. I am a full fan!
🤗 Thanks so much for following along and taking the time to watch our videos. It means so much to us! -J
Just watched your last 10 videos recently. Your editing, story telling and overall quality has improved a ton. You guys need a decent drone for some aerial shots of the different locations you end up in and a decent gopro that you can setup for easy time lapse shots. Hope to see you guys keep growing.
Thanks so much for the compliments. This style was completely new to us this past September when we started back up. But we feel like we are starting to hit our stride when it comes to how we shoot and edit.
Drone is next on our shopping list. Hard to drop a grand on something when you're putting everything aside for Alaska. 😂 That said, I think we're close to pulling to drone trigger.
TBH I've wanted one for like 4 years now. LOL Stupid budgets always getting in the way but like I said, it's coming soon!! -J
I had a package that came general delivery that didn't arrive before we had to leave. I called the post office where it was supposed to arrive and they were nice and forwarded it at no extra cost to another address.
I haven't tried that with these post offices but I tried it once in the past and the postal employee was very adamant that since there was no way to verify my identity they couldn't even tell me if my package was there.
Something we continue to discover is that the service of the post office depends entirely on the staff. Some love helping you with general delivery, others are CRAZY ANNOYED that you didn't get a PO box for the 2 weeks you'd be in town. -J
I don't know how I stumbled across your channel, I'm loving it and just subscribed (and thumbs up) when I saw you adopted Trinity. I'll be binge watching the rest. Thank you!
Appreciate being binged! 😁 -J
They have an alternative to GPS. Called paper maps. They tend to work pretty well. 😊
I love me some paper maps! What I like about GPS is that it shows me where I am at a glance as opposed to looking for the nearest cross streets. 🙂 -J
You two handle everything with such aplomb! I’m a full-timer, too, and yes! Mail is an experience…Also, FYI OTC Pepcid may help doggo. If you know you’re going to have a long (or very rough road) travel day, giving Pepcid might help. It’s safe for dogs but check with you vet for dosage instructions, etc. Travel On!
Thanks for the tip! It caught us both off guard because she has traveled SUPER well. But I was being a little aggressive on the dirt road between braking and swerving for potholes. I think I just gave her the K9 six flags experience.
Thanks for increasing my vocabulary today. I looked up Aplomb and what a compliment! Thank you! -J
I want to buy Trinity a doggie hammock for the truck.
How can I gift it to y'all from Amazon ?
@@ayindegibson1407 Oh that's so kind of you. If it's what I'm thinking it is that would be so helpful for both Trinity and us. Would you mind sending an email to rvopenroading@gmail.com and we can work out the details. I don't want to give any extra location information right now on here. -J
Somehow you two make even fairly mundane topics interesting and fun.
What a huge compliment! Thank you! -K
I’m still bingeing your videos and loving them! Trinity is beautiful. She looks like our Molly girl. Our Molly crossed the rainbow bridge a few years ago, but she was the sweetest dog I’ve ever met. I hope Trinity is just as wonderful.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I know even after years there's still that hole. Our first pet passed 9 years ago now and I still get sad thinking about it - but also smile thinking of the happy memories. ❤️ -J
You two are really nice to watch, and can't wait too see the Alaska trip, wish I was on the road again,
As a former rescue animal transporter (5+ yrs) do not feed or treat a dog prior to a long travel day, esp a bumpy ride as gunk will relieve itself both ends. Doggie learning dos and donts. Keep cleaning supplies and extra rugs, blankets, and towels. Blessings. New sub .. Team Trinity.
Thanks so much for that tip!
I think another one is don't drive like a maniac on a dirt road! 😂 -J
Very exciting to see your Alaska Fund growing.
Yes! Closer every week! -J
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is great if you like caverns. Check it out. Love the view out your front door. Nice big tank battery. Welcome to the oil patch.
We visited the caverns in 2021 but want to go back! Just not sure if we want to do a day trip like we did in this video again 😂. Maybe we will go when this job wraps up. There's some good boondocking right outside the park. -J
I have a dog we go camping with and when she goes to the window, I put it down. Cool air blasting down her nose helps her feel better.
Thanks so much! She usually just lays down and sleeps (I say usually as if we've traveled with her for years. 😂) -J
So happy the new gig is working out ❤. I think that bumpy road got to Trinity‘s tummy. 😢
That...and the fact that I was driving on the dirt road like I owned it... 😬😬. Poor girl. I won't do that to her again. -J
Backroads if your not towing air down your tires you can get so much smoother ride, I usually run my Bronco at about 15psi off road, My jeep friends run 5-10psi.
But then at the end of the 6 miles I have to spend 30 minutes pumping them all back up to 60-70lbs before driving the rest of the way to town. 😭 -J
Thanks!
AHhhhh! Thank you.
I don't think I'll ever understand ya'll generosity to a random couple on youtube who's just trying to work their way to a goal and document the process. Thank you so much for boosting our progress! -J
Yeah, when you were thinking of adopting the dog, that was the only choice. I’m so glad you made the right one. You went up to 10/10 in my estimation.
These comments are always tough for me...because I'm very glad Trinity is part of our family - honestly couldn't imagine life without her.
But when someone says "Glad you made the 'right' decision" and it was the "only" choice...it can be taken as "if you don't adopt every stray dog you are making the wrong decision." Adopting an animal is an incredibly personal decision with lots of factors to weigh - and in our case we had to consider space (whether the RV was right for Trinity and us) and another pet that we've loved and cared for for 9 years and wouldn't consider putting in harms way.
It's 10000% possible (and even probable) that you didn't mean the "right" decision that way - but we've had many many people tell us that if we didn't adopt her that they would unsubscribe which feels like they are pressuring for a specific outcome (even though we adopted her 3 weeks before the video was published), or insinuate that if we had come to the conclusion that she was not a good fit for our family that we were doing the categorically wrong thing....which seems like an odd thing for a complete stranger with very little knowledge of the situation to say.
Anyway - I hope this comes across as conversational - I do mean it that way. The internet is often the place where we say things and they are taken incorrectly and it's possible that's what I've done here. I guess what I'm saying is while I'm super glad you see us as 10/10 😁 if you see someone take a stray off the street and give it it's best shot by getting it to a shelter or trying to find it a forever home but they aren't able to adopt it for whatever their reasons may be...please don't hold that against them. -J
@@OpenRoading you are totally right. Thank you for your response.
@@PeggyPoppins566 Thanks so much for understanding! -J
@@OpenRoading the reason I said that is because your videos were leading up to that. Probably with a different outcome you would’ve edited those parts out.
@@PeggyPoppins566 haha... funny thing about that....when we were at the shelter we didn't know at that moment what we were going to do because all our decisions were being compressed in time due to the gate job ending early. We totally would have showed dropping her off at a shelter and wouldn't have thought that people would be mad at us because...hey...we helped the dog.
We were 3 weeks ahead in shooting at that point. Looking back...Had we done that....we would have been cancelled....I am 100% confident. -J
The mail system is all messed up. We’ve been in same address for 20 years but ours still get lost and now the postal people have figured out they can steal gift cards so its bad out there
My parents get mail for me. I've never lived at their current address and we don't use it to send stuff. It's weird. -J
if you think those roads are bad... wait til you drive up the Al-Can!
I don't think we did a good job of showing just how bad this road is...if the Al-Can road is as bad as this dirt road it would take a month of non-stop driving to drive the 1,300 miles.
We've taken our rig up many forrest roads...this road is top 3 worst roads we've ever taken it on.
I'll circle back with my assessment this summer... hopefully not in tears on the side of the Al-Can😂 -J
lol. it's entirely possible the catastrophic state of the road isn't conveyed adequately in videos.... but still... expect some pretty bad spots on the Al-Can.
although in all transparency.... the last time I was on that hwy was over 30 years ago. I heard they were repaving it ... but I think they are always having to repave it because of how bad it gets.
There was a bumper sticker we often saw (and ended up buying as well) that said, "Winding in and winding out
fills my mind with serious doubt
as to whether the lout who built this route
was going to hell... or coming out!"
It was so unbelievably windy for no apparent reason whatsoever. But... I think I have figured it out.
frost heaves.
this is also why repaving is constantly happening. I'm assuming anyway... I mean... here roads are always needing work because of frost heaves and cold weather creating pot holes. You will notice the effect of this quite evidently as you drive from Fairbanks to Anchorage (likely long before then, but definitely then!) The bumps that are created in the road... it is REALLY easy to under estimate them. My friend kept catching air a couple summers ago.
I think they made it winding on purpose to keep the speed down and force people to not be in a position of underestimating them.
I'm excited to see your trip unfold this summer on your way up. It will be interesting to see how it has changed. And I'm sure you will stop at many of the attractions that we did. It will be a lovely stroll down memory lane.
I highly recommend returning back down the Al-Can in October if you can. The colors are AMAZING!@@OpenRoading
@@caydancebloom Thanks for the October tip! I think we're planning on heading back in September...but it's all in pencil at the moment.
From all the research I have done the main highways to and from have improved drastically in the past couple of decades. We've been making sure to get as much info as we can from other RVers who have traveled it within the past couple of years since things can change so quickly. -J
oh... what is one more month! lol you will want to stay.... I know it! Only til September!? for the LARGEST state!? we are 3x the size of Texas! you will definitely need more time.... @@OpenRoading 😉😊
You're not offering much hope for us getting our security cards once we finish our application process 🙂. Love the Amazon locker! Roulette, we will be doing that on our next order. One thing that we have found is helpful with mail on the road is that if you know it's coming through FedEx then you can use the FedEx store without a fee and the same with UPS at the UPS store.
So glad to see your adventures in Guadalupe National Park. We actually did that exact same trail when we were there in 2021. Another fantastic video! Thanks for sharing your lives- Kyle and Michelle
You must film the Amazon roulette. 😂 I will say, it's a LOT easier if it's a bluetooth locker where you can open it from your phone.
As to Guadalupe - we need to go back because we only had time for like 1 mile up that trail 😭 We didn't come close to really experiencing it.
Thanks for the Tip about Fedex stores! -J
If you think that lease road was bad, you wouldn’t have liked the road past those gates. Thats the worst road in the area right now. 😂
😂 I take it you live or work around here? -J
@@OpenRoading Both. I know that road all too well haha. I saw the gate and started laughing.
@@Danbeal4real So much for taking a shortcut to the Guadalupes! 😂 -J
Congratulations on a really sweet gate! Another mail option is the guard company you are working with. Of course if they offer that option.
Very true! I appreciate you mentioning that! Our first gate didn’t offer that for us, but this one certainly did. 🙌🏻 -K
Another great video guys! Trinity seems to be adapting well other than that mishap 🤢. Congratulations on the Alaska fund. You’ll have the rest before you know it. Already looking forward to next week’s video!
Thanks so much! Already starting the editing process. It's gonna be a fun one. 🙂 -J
New fan. Love your channel. I’ve been full timing 2 years now. Currently staying in a campground while I work and build our house. Hope to make a trip to Alaska next year ourselves. Looking forward to watching your adventures.
Maybe we'll cross paths on the road! Happy house building! -J
I think you could turn down the music in the intro of your videos, while you’re taking. Otherwise bomb!! 👍👍🔥❤️
Thanks for the feedback! -J
She really is a gorgeous dog. I am so happy you adopted her. Oh, great places to get large quantities of poop bags discounted are Ross for Less and Beall's Outlet Stores.Just be sure to enter these stores with $20 or less in your pocket, leave the plastic in the truck, because otherwise, I guarantee that you will find dozens of other quality items greatly discounted that in the moment, you Have to Have😄😁😆
LOL. It's like walking into a casino!
Thanks for the tip on the bags. -J
@@OpenRoading I Never take a shopping cart in "Dollar" stores anymore either...In the past, when I did, it always turned into $100 Dollars store! One of the carry baskets usually cost me $30-35, so most of the time now, I go without any carriers and just "shop until I drop" things, which still can end up being $25👍🧓
@@klee88029 Strategy. I like it. -J
We did the same thing and called TOPS. We were told they do not forward the security badges and they had ours the whole time. Try calling TOPS. Hope that helps.
Ahhhhh. Fun. Good info! Thanks so much. -J
Just came across your channel. Wahpeton t shirt? Yeppers, red river valley? Oh yeah, beat harvest, cria 34 years ago. Virginia Minnesota? High school.
. Once you get to Fairbanks the Walmart has full hookups. Watch out for moose at the post office, they tend to be infront of the line.
Thanks for the heads up about Alaska! And wow! Small world moment!!
Only one other person has ever mentioned my Huskies T-Shirt and that was outside of Phoenix AZ. 😂 I have family that lives there and some nephews and a niece on the tennis team. Gotta rep the fam where I can! -J
@@OpenRoading glad you kept the dog, I ended up with our dog bailey kinda the same way. On your way north stop by Reno, well pull your rig into the hanger and make sure its ready for those Alaska roads. Were on the stead airport. Bartlett Aircraft Structural Services.
Best of luck and enjoy the journey.
Jack Bartlett.
@@johnbartlett5442 I'm afraid if I do that you'll find a list of reasons we have to stay..... 🤣
Just found your channel today. Thanks YT algorithm
Awesome! Sometimes the YT Algorithm smiles down on us. 😂 -J
Great video you two! I love Amazon locker roulette and we're totally doing this moving forward. ❤
Shoot. Gonna have to change this thumbnail…. 😂 -J
@@OpenRoading shoot I forgot! 😫 No DON'T change it! I specifically said to Jess that this one was great and the "it's complicated" text was genius!
@@JustinandJess 😂😂
love you guys. Alaska here you come. crushing that goal. ❤
We're getting there! It's so exciting. -J
Get 10 ply tires if you will be in the Southwest with horrible roads or hot states with burning asphalt temperatures for a while. Budget Tires, a national company beats all other prices and great warranties. Used to be a Travel nurse for many years, took me a few sets melting, leaking away before I bought the 10 plies. Best switch I have ever done.
I *think* I got 10 ply tires. I know I did for the trailer.
This is what I got: (Spoiler alert of an upcoming video)
www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/bfgoodrich-all-terrain-t-a-ko2/
@@OpenRoading Yes they are "BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 LT275/65R20 126S E (10 Ply) BW Tire." And Discount Tire is great also. I always bought everything from nationwide companies when I was on the road, even if a bit/10-20% pricier for the ease of getting service when needed. I have transitioned from Amazon to Walmart for most of my online shopping over the past couple of years also because it is SO much easier to return things to Walmart than Amazon because there's Always a Walmart within 100 miles to do a quick on person return. Last Amazon item I chose to return was shipped by FedEx but return shipping label was via UPS, and no drop box near me. What a pain that was. 🧓
Awesome! And I hear you on trying to return through amazon! -J
Good info and great humor. Thanks
I'm glad we can bring a smile with our videos! We want them to be entertaining as well as slightly informative. -J
Try using "green slime" to treat your tire leak.
I thought about it...but I've read that it really messes with your TPMS and that tire techs hate the stuff when you get your new tire. I think I would use it in an emergency situation but we just monitored this one!
We do have 4 new tires though now! (Spoiler alert for a future video). -J
Great video guys.
Thanks so much!! -J
Good video and glad Trinity is part of your family.
You know she's a keeper when she vomits all over your truck! 😂 -J
Great video . Thanks for sharing.
Safe Travels.
Thanks for stopping by! -J
Great video with lots of important information for the traveling community.
Thank you! -J
Hi Trinity. Hope you feeling better ...where's the bunny?
Bunny's still here! He just doesn't come with us on trips to town. 🙂 We'll make sure he gets his proper air time in the next video. -J
I've found that our Apple iPhones have more up to date maps than the GPS navigation built into our car. Plus the iPhone navigation does a good job of notifying us of road conditions on our route.
Yes. Plus...any GPS unit is an additional piece of technology that I now need to have, update, maintain etc in the truck! I know I sound like a luddite but...the maps on my phone have gotten me where I need to go (with occasional private road detours 😂) for 5 years of full time life. -J
Great video, keep it up. We also have a dog that gets car sick, I feel your pain.
Up until this moment Trinity has been a dream in the car. I really think this was due to my...shall we say....less than smooth/calm driving on the dirt road. I unintentionally gave her a 6 flags experience I think. -J
Oh my that road! 🤢 Poor Trinity, I commiserate, those situations aren't pleasant for my constitution either.🐕💗🤗 Thank you for all the excellent information this is so helpful! I wondered how many National Parks there were! The Guadalupe Mountains National Park looks beautiful!❤ Congratulations on your Alaska fund, how exciting to watch! 🙌💸🙌
All my comments are my favorites of course, BUT my most favorite are either people who I recognize because they are in the comments every week or people that I've met in real life. 🙂
So you are some of my most favorite people!
Guadalupe is gorgeous and challenging to explore. -J
@@OpenRoading Awww you are so sweet! I hope we can meet you all someday down the road! 🙌 Maybe there will be an Open Roading Rally sometime? ☺️😉
@@DMRSIX Wow. I can't imagine being "big" enough to ever have an open roading rally. 😳 We would love to meet new friends along the way though so please stay in touch!
If you're on IG follow us over there (@Openroading). We keep that account pretty up to date as to where we are. (We don't post our coordinates or anything, it's just much closer to real time). If you base were we are on youtube there's a high chance we're already somewhere else. 😂 -J
@@OpenRoading I think your channel will continue to gain momentum! We are all hungry for transparent and real content and most of us are working class who have a dream of traveling. You keep it real by not glossing over the day-to-day hard realities of living, working, and maintaining the RV lifestyle. And you keep us motivated with your goals and sharing your progress that keeps us wanting to watch every episode! You are essentially giving us a how-to manual with all of your tips and intricate information. So many channels give us the beauty of the experience but not enough explanation of how to realistically achieve that experience long-term. We are praying for you and rooting for you to reach your goal of going to Alaska! 🙏🙌 🙏God bless you!
@@DMRSIX I so appreciated everything about this. Thank you so so much. 🤗 -J
USPS scans all mail and has an "Informed Delivery" service that will scan and send the images to your email account.
But are they able to then forward it to wherever you are? My mom has this service, but I think it’s more if you live stationary. -K
@@OpenRoading Yes, it's for a stationary address.
Newer subscriber - really enjoying the vids! I've gone back as well - partly because I wanted to see if I could figure out which motorcycle carrier you're using as I have a KLR and though I'm likely to rear mount (for a van) it looks super sturdy with your Kawi Versys. Thanks so much!
Here you go! amzn.to/3SrZagU
We modified it by adding 2 more square tubes for stability but it's rated for 600lbs. -J
@@OpenRoading Oh awesome thank you so much!
Something you might try for a GPS is Smart truck rout 2 it has options and features for bigger vehicles and routs that you can modify for your preference.
Hello. Poor girl getting car sick. It happens. Stay warm.
It was so weird because neither of us heard it happen but suddenly we were both smelling dog food.... She recovered like a champ though. -J
Just wondering where you got your roll up shades & do you like them/would you get them again? We're looking for something similar! Congrats on 10k subscribers!
We actually made them! We bought the cheap vinyl roller shades from Lowes and took the vinyl off the mechanism. My mom sewed around the edges of fabric so the ends looked nice and we used sewing tape to attach it to the roller. They were a pain... but cheaper than brand new! - K
@@OpenRoading Thanks for the info--totally sounds like something I would think of, but hadn't!!
I’ve heard about those mail forwarding services, I guess some work well and others leave a little to be desired…
We have mail issues as well and we’re stationary in a house…
Here in Las Cruces NM the Post Office can’t sort the mail as they’ve removed that job and reassigned it to a centralized facilities in Texas. For instance if we order an item from Amazon and it originates from Amazons El Paso distribution facility an hour south of Las Cruces it’ll be sent to a centralized sorting facility in perhaps Dallas or Houston many hundreds of miles distant from our home. Then it’ll start the journey to our home usually via Lubbock and El Paso (yes back where it started) and then that hour trip north to Las Cruces where we live. This isn’t just some mail but all of the mail. If my neighbor across the street sent me a letter it’ll go on that long round about trip through Texas. So next time the Post Office asks for a rate hike you’ll know it’s to take the mail on a tour of Texas.
So far traveling mailbox has worked really well. Post office mail forwarding has been a little bit more challenging. Someone let us know in the comments though that the post office won't forward security cards for some reason. So we're gonna have to get them re-sent.
Too funny that if you send a letter to someone near by it goes all the way through Texas. 😂 -J
You have to shop online. Then just pick up.
I'm enjoying your videos. I discovered you while researching workkamping. Are the gate guarding jobs competitive? Are they hard to acquire?
They are a bit more competitive during the winter it seems because so many RVers come down here. That said - we had zero trouble getting a gate and felt OK turning down a few because they didn't fit right. I'm sure it depends on the area you are in.
The less picky you are about the type of gate, the faster you'll get one. I would just get numbers from multiple recruiters so that you have several options.
From what I understand the summer gates pay more in part because it's harder to find guards willing to deal with the summer heat. -J
Thank you for the quick response@@OpenRoading! Rooting for you and your trip to Alaska this summer!
@@tomduley6357 I just realized I said "Get numbers." What I meant was "phone numbers"
Companies I recommend from my limited experience:
S&S
J&G
Guard 1
You can be affiliated with up to 4 companies at a time, so you can work for one, and then when that gate is done, you can work for another one if it fits you better. -J
Thanks so much!@@OpenRoading
A Seinfeld clip is always good
😂 - Gotta use clips that speak to our viewership demographic. (although technically I was still in the single digits when the show started. 😳 -J
I'm curious-- will USPS Informed Delivery keep up with the address changes/general delivery? It's such an invaluable tool and helpful to know when mail has been either stolen or delivered to the neighbors.
I do not know!
That's a good question. I've never set that up so I'll have to look into it. My knee jerk reaction is guessing that you'd need to set it up with a residential or business address but, like I said, I haven't checked! -J
Could you put your spare tiee on the truck and if you need your new spare you'll just have to inflate it. Just a thought.
There legit isn’t room anywhere on/in the truck for an extra spare with rim. Unless I’m missing something. -J
Google is no good in west Texas
Haha! Ain't that the truth! -J
Can you call the county road district to scrape the road?
I doubt it. And I think these are more private roads than county roads. Like I don't think anyone is supposed to come down the road to the pad we are at. Pretty sure it's all private land. -J
What program do you use to edit videos. Thanks.
Sorry for the delay - I've been waiting to try to get an affiliate with them but they are taking their sweet old time.
We use Wondershare Filmora. I've used both Premier and Final Cut in the past but after using Filmora exclusively since September 2023 I really recommend it for the "average" video editor.
It's very powerful, has a good price point, and if you ever decide to go to one of the other ones you have a good foundation on the principles of editing. -J
@@OpenRoading thank you
Could you guys have a temporary card or printer friendly ID Made For Now. Just curious, I'm glad you guys put out camera's And I'm Sure Your Armed If Need Be. Please Don't Answer That Because One Never Knows What Kind Of People We Can Come Across. I'd Definitely Take A Class In Using Firearms. It's probably just the military guy in me and as the son of a police officer and military man growing up. Please always be safe as I feel I know you got this brother.
Quick thought on the Google maps!
Google is bad about doing that with the maps best way around that with Google is to download the map from Google first for offline then it shouldn't go crazy giving other directions. Lol
Re: Security cards - We have a certificate that works - the security cards are sent. We're going to call on Monday to see if they can re-send them to Kalyn's mom. 😂. -J
@@OpenRoadinggood deal, loving the content. Watch out for those Owls we had one of our Crew have one knock him out after hitting him in the helmet and off his bike last year. Lol
@@ORIGINALCONCEPTGARAGE Sayyyy whatttt?!?! Who knew owls were mean?! -J
@@ORIGINALCONCEPTGARAGE Meanwhile on OwlTube;- " Damn, you better watch yourselves round those Gate Guards, One of 'em headbutted me, I thought I was fast but the SOB was on a bike!"
@@andrewgray1949 them Owls are mean seriously 😳
Exited for this new video!
FIRST COMMENT AWARD! 🥇 -J
Loved the video you two, thank you for sharing your adventures, I live in California and I have experienced many earth quakes, really freaky feeling
I'd be ok with a 3.something being the highest I ever experience!! -J
What are you going to do when the Government makes you purchase an Eletric vehicle with limited range? It is the one thing holding me and my wife back from purchasing an RV.
Let me ask you this...if you think the government is going to make you do this in the future...why are you waiting to do the thing while you still can?
If it's the one thing holding you back, then time is slipping by. I don't say that snakily or to sound like I'm brushing the question off - I genuinely mean it. If you truly believe that we are headed that direction in say, 5 years, then you have 5 years to do the thing before you can no longer really do it under the regulations that you're fearing. If it's the expense - buy used? Buy it, use it for 2-3 years and sell it. Or - buy it and if the terrible thing comes true, set it up on some property and rent it out as an air bnb.
Now to the actual question - I personally don't see that happening nation wide any time in the VERY near future. (I'm not an expert) It could happen, sure, but there is way too much infrastructure that needs to be put in place before they could even attempt to pull it off.
It's my personal opinion that states like California (who have some laws regarding commercial trucking) may even have to take a few steps back in a few years - but only time will tell.
Side note - hanging outside a USAF base for the past week has been awesome - seeing the F16's fly around. -J
What website do yall use for the work camp
We got started on facebook workcamping groups. For the gate guarding specifically we were pointed to a few specific recruiters for a couple companies and then just got on their call list. I believe Kalyn also had a website she checked, but I'm not sure if we ever got any of our final leads from that site or not. We'll be doing a full video on this within a month or so! -J
@@OpenRoading i ask because I work in the cruise industry and looking at full time RVing plan on getting a camper in july
@@shanebonifer6991 Best first place to start is searching facebook for "Workcamping" and "Workcamping jobs with wages." -J
Hahahaha! My wife just walked by as I watch this video and she blurted out... "why are you watching a gay guy on the computer." I said he is supposed to be married, but he does sound a little bit don't he...
Allllllllrighty then. -J
Google traps strikes again 🤦♀️!!
Hahahahaha nice. -J
could you guys gate guard all the way up here?
Possibly. Most of the gate gigs in the lower 48 are in the south but I'm sure there are probably some in Alaska as well since the energy industry is strong up there.
However, once we finish gate guarding with our current company it is our intention to be done workcamping at least for the summer. We are working hard to continue to use Kalyn's biz (more on that in Firdays video), this TH-cam Channel, and Joseph's podcast editing to make ends meet, while using the $15K 🤞🏻 for our extra Alaska expenses. We want to spend as much time exploring Alaska as we can as opposed to being tied down to someone else's schedule. -J
You can’t forward General Delivery mail.
I have forwarded general delivery mail from one post office to another successfully on two separate occasions.
For what it's worth they won't forward things like passports and security cards it appears. -J
What if we want to donate some food or treats to sweet Trinity?
That's so sweet of you. Here's a paypal link: paypal.me/openroading
We don't publicize it because we don't want people to think our journey is all about getting others to send us to Alaska, we want to earn our way.
Sure hasn't stopped generous people like yourself though. 😊 Trinity loves the extra attention.
Thank you! -J
@OpenRoading I know that, but you took on Trinity when you didn't have to. I recently lost my older fur babies. I just feel like helping out of my love for my babies. I'm not great with technology, so I will ask one of my older kids to help when they come for dinner tomorrow. Lol
@@mommasonthemove9144 I'm so sorry for your loss. That pain is always so hard to walk through. 😭 -J
Fracking has nothing to do with earthquakes.
I'm not going to get into an argument on this one but areas with no earthquakes start experiencing small earthquakes when they start fracking. So there certainly has been a correlation. Of course correlation does not equal causation but it is evidence of a potential relationship between the variables.
I did a lot of digging (no pun intended) on this issue in a previous life and if you ask me...there's a connection. -J
I understand that the roads you drive on in Alaska is pure sand. Therefore your rigs get sand in every nook and cranny. And you can never really get your rig totally clean again. Have you heard this ???
I have not heard this.
I'm not saying it's wrong, but I haven't heard that from anyone recently.
One thing as we have planned our trip we have been making sure we are getting our advice from people who have made the trip within the past 5 years. The roads up there are not pristine, but they also, in many cases, not anywhere near as bad as they used to be from what I can tell.
Also, depending on where you heard that another question is which roads? Alaska is a massive state and I imagine the further into the bush you go, the worse the roads are.
Either way, If we don't mention sandy roads in any of our videos, check back with me this fall and I'll let you know what we experienced! 🙂 -J
@@OpenRoading I appreciate that update. Like you say it could be when and where
Who even wants mail
*slowly raises hand......*
Stupid not to fix a leaky tire
Can't fix a tiny leak in the sidewall. It got us from Upper Michigan to ND to Texas.
It's been replaced now along with the other 3 tires.
Monitored it like a hawk and didn't drive it low. 🤷🏼
Thanks for your input! -J
Impressive videos and thank you very much..
Gotta use rv life . Towing a trailer, NEVER USE google!
Honestly in 5 years of full time travel we've had like 2-3 issues and those were usually resolved before we even got there because I researched the route out ahead of time. -J
@@OpenRoading google has always sent us on some really really sketchy routes. Will not use them @ all when towing our trailer. Google DOES NOT take n2 consideration that u r towing a large trailer
Thanks!
Wow!
Thank you so much for your generosity! 🤗
I'm still not used to people wanting to help us meet this goal. Ya'll are amazing. -J