little Van update...

I have spreading my time between the van and working on my tiny house of late and have been neglecting this little blog. The van is still going although it is time to re-think how it is being utilized. It is still set up as an RV but lately I have been thinking about taking out the kitchen to use in my tiny house. I have not been camping in the van in awhile and I could really save some money by using the kit from the van. I have also been knocking around the idea of selling the van since the cabin seems to be where I am going to make my home now.
  I have done some projects which are kind of universal to the van and house....I recycled a used fuel pump into a 12v pump for the Zodi shower. It has increased output and can be hooked up to the van battery instead of the little 6v battery pack that came with the shower. This is working as my house shower now but would be a great conversion for someone who is using a Zodi in a van.

  I also mad a 12v extension cord which is my main source of power in the tiny house, running of the van's deep cycle. I fashioned the cable out of an old extension cord, a pair of alligator clips recycled from a set jumper cables and a three socket 12v plug-in thingy. The battery in the van charges while I'm driving around and when I get home I plug the house into the deep cycle for my lights, DVD and fan. at some point I will add a solar or micro-hydro system for the house but for now, this system is working great.

well, that is all for now.
peace.

and another new alternator..and a new grill.

So I have been pretty inactive on my two blogs. Working on the Tiny house has stalled and I have settled back into the vandaminium for the summer, or at least until I get the cabin moved. The good news is that I found an amazing place to move the house to (and park the van until then) but the bad news is that I am too broke to do anything about it. I have been trying to stay off the river and focus on the headhunting job which I know will bring me success at some point. As much as I love rafting, it is a viscous circle of poverty and I have decided that although I do not need to be rich, I need to make a better income than I have been as a whitewater guide.

....so last weekend the alternator went out on the Van (taking the battery with it, I am told). Replacing it was not too hard but I needed help to get enough tension on the belts. Everything seems to be working now and I feel pretty good about learning how to do yet another thing on the van. Hope this combo lasts longer than a year!!!

I have been living pretty lean lately, dividing my time between Marshall NC and my job which is about an hour away. With gas prices the way they are I have been boondocking in a national forest area called Mills River. There are beautiful campsites along the river and camping is free when you are outside of the campground. I have been going there and spending a few nights a week to cut down on my long commute and other than a 75 dollar seatbelt ticket (dumb!!!) it has been a great experience. Dinners have been pretty hum-drum but the other day I decided I wanted to grill and I found a great folding charcoal grill at one of the local box stores...

This thing is great, folds flat and is easy to clean. There is no lid which kind of stinks but as a hibachi it works great. The other night I grilled a steak and cooked rice and green beans on the stove in the van. The grill is really neat and is definitely the coolest purchase I have made in awhile. 

Well, that's about it for now. Safe travels! 

Excited for summer...

Sooooo....it has been a while. I have been making a go of my new career (just eeking out an existance) and noe raft season is back. Hopefully my spirits will lift as I have been down in the dumps lately. Work has stalled on my tiny house. I need to move it and find a somewhat permenant spot for it. it will have to be done soon as it is sitting in the parking lot of the raft company. It was easy living this winter since it was so mild. I did not use much propane or wood so that was a bonus....

I camped in the Vandaminium for the first time in a long time the other night. For the last few months the van has become a catch all of clutter from the shack and I really noticed it when I tried to do a camp out. Today I am dedicating to the van. There a re a few things to be fixed...namely my winshield wipers that quit working. I will also tackle the stereo system which does not seem to be getting enough juice. I am going to re-route the power to my spare battery and hope that it will stay on. I also need to re attach the front speakers.

Inside, I am going to clean and reorganize. I really want the van to be ready for some adventures as I have been stuck in the parking lot for three months and I am feeling the itch to travel a bit. Last night I went grocery shopping and stocked up the pantry so I can jump at a moments notice and hit the road.

Other than this wiper and stereo the van is doing OK. I am still having some steering issues and I need to address them but all in all it is running pretty good. OK. I am getting to work.....after this cup of coffee.

OK.......some news. Finally

I have neglected this blog....mostly because I am focused on making my new tiny home livable. I went to Cincinnati to sell trees for the Christmas season. It is a 6 1/2 hour ride and the van did great although the steering column seems to be getting looser. I took a look and found that it is also cracked and will have to be welded or replaced. It will have to wait. I am focused on making my shack nice for the winter....

The dual battery setup is working flawlessly and the fridge is working like a champ. I have been keeping some essentials in it even though I have a full size fridge in the outpost where I am parked. I pulled the bedding and mattress foam out of the van and I am using in my new "house". The van has become transportation and a giant closet. It is nice being able to stretch out but I do miss the cozy-ness of the van (not that my 128 square foot home is much bigger!) If I can find a nice spot for my house nest summer I think I will buy a small gas saver car and use the van for just camping. I am going to keep it though, you never know when you need a home on wheels.

My new job is going.......well? It is a new type of work for me and I am left on my own mostly so it is hard to gauge progress but I like it and hope that I can make a career of it. If so, I will be able to work from anywhere in the world!!!! Until then I am trying like hell (If anyone reading this knows any maintenance managers in the waste industry, please have them email me!!!! ;).

That's it. Nothing exciting. Pleas check out my other blog which I have been devoting a little more time to lately.

Travel Well,
soma