whyKnot be prepared!

Although I was never in Girl Guides, I've been learning the value of being prepared.
Living spontaneously can be fun but then unexpected problems can arise such as spending 3 hrs searching for a place where I can get my propane tank filled. I has assumed most big gas stations had propane and discovered such is not the case. I was in Halifax at the time, preparing to "boondock" (parking my RV at a free site overnight such as a Walmart parking lot, a visitor's centre, a truck stop, or a rest stop  ) It saves money but there are no hook ups for water, electricity or sewage disposal.Planning ahead means carrying enough water and propane, making sure the batteries are charged, and dumping the black water tank before it's filled.
Propane is important as it runs the furnace (necessary in cold weather) as well as the fridge and stove.
Another helpful preparation is to plan the route to avoid unnecessary driving, low bridges (I need 12ft clearance), and interesting locations to visit.
My route took me from Halifax to Moncton NB where I stopped to visit my niece Ria, then to St John and finally to cross into the US at St Stephen.
I was lucky to get a very pleasant and respectful guard who did a quick check of my RV since I was planning to be in the US for a few months. He told me the max time in US for Canadians is 6mos
rather than 7 as some people think.
It was now Oct 29th and the weather considerably colder, close to freezing some nights but the fall colours still beautiful.
A long drive down hway #9 "Airline Rd" then #95 to Bangor where I finally got a tracphone for $10 and a SIM card for minutes, simple to use.
No contract, just get another card when my minutes run out. 
I love it!
Now I still need to sort out internet access.
As my friend Liz told me, it would have been easier to get all this done before my trip:another lesson on being prepared!
Lots of toll booths to go through but easy driving except for the heavy traffic near cities and always many trucks.
 After Maine, it didn't take long to get through New Hampshire,Massachusetts (gas $2.99/gal!), Connecticut, New York,New Jersey,Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and finally a longer stop at Winchester, Virginia to visit Mary, a long time friend. Prior to that I had been staying at Walmart parking lots which are quite safe since some staff are there all night, the lot is well lit and there are security cameras. Most of the time my RV was the only one there and I rarely saw others on the road because I was so late leaving.
Mary took me to a "Gourd festival" which was fun, followed by a delicious dinner at a Thai restaurant.
On the way to Virginia I did run into an unexpected experience that I'll describe on my next blog.