The website is called The Desk Out There, but really, this is becoming as much about the traveling as it is about the work. The views I’m getting. The road trips I’m on now.
I’m on an Indian reservation in Arizona right now, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s some of the most beautiful land I’ve seen. The driving feels different out here. Just the absolute beauty of this landscape — I can’t put it into words. Or into pictures, for that matter.
This week, I’ve pretty much worked the whole time. I work in my RV and get stuff done just like I’m sitting at home. There really is no difference. Working is still working. The surprising part is how little it seems to matter where I’m sitting when I do it.
Right now, I’m sitting in the RV because I haven’t found a nice enough spot yet to actually put my desk out there. So far, while I’ve been working, it’s mostly been parking lots.
We’ve stayed at some beautiful places, but those were either PTO days or weekends when I was driving, so I really haven’t had that chance yet.
Tonight is a perfect example. It’s Friday night after work, and I’ve been off for about three hours. I’m at Marshall Lake dispersed camping outside Flagstaff, off Forest Service Road 128, looking out at the mountains. It’s absolutely amazing.
But again, I’m not working. I’m on my day off, looking at an amazing view.
I’m hoping over the next couple of days and weeks — once I get to Joshua Tree — I really can take my desk out there.
From a work standpoint, everything has worked great. The satellite has been working great. I’ve had an internet connection 24/7 wherever I’m at, with no problems whatsoever. I’ve been doing video calls, emailing, working on PowerPoint presentations, and watching TV at night.
From a connectivity standpoint, it’s no different than sitting at home.
I’ve got three screens with my laptop, and it all works perfectly fine.
The battery in the trailer has been phenomenal too. I’ve used maybe 25% max, and that’s with the heater going or the air conditioning going, while also charging my laptop. By around 1 or 2 o’clock, it’s completely full again.
No problems whatsoever.
It works really, really well.
As the sun goes down, I’m sitting by my campfire, watching the Big Dipper appear in the sky. It was the first constellation I ever learned about. While sitting here looking at it, I can hear bull elk calling to one another. They’ve been going for about forty minutes so far. It’s awesome.
Oh man, the stars are coming out. So many stars. There’s still a glow in the sky, and I don’t know whether it’s the sun still going down or actual light pollution.
The Guy Behind the Desk
