About Towing A Travel Trailer

Let's look at a photo of me hooked up to my trailer and analyse many factors. 

First if you look at trailer behind van,  trailer is fairly level hooked up.  It's not nose down or nose up.  That means the trailer weight is evenly distributed.  Often that means taking things off counter or other places and putting them inside trailer on floor centered over the axles. 

Now look at height of van and height of trailer.  While there is some difference,  it's very little.. and if i add the oldstyle cartop carrier to van,  it smooths the aerodynamics of the van trailer hookup. 

Trailer is single axle,  18ft plus tongue,  and low ground clearance.  That means higher speeds cause tail wag. A semi truck and trailer generates enough air disturbance when passing to push trailer sideways.  The solution is to slow my speed slightly as truck comes up to pass and increase speed about 5-10 mph as end of semi passes front of my bumper. 

If a on ramp is the cuved and banked circle onramp, then i go slower and turn much more gradually than I would in a car.  At the end of curved ramp, speeding up will bring trailer rear in line with the van. In fact,  anytime you find trailer rear end veering to one side or other,  speeding up will bring it in line with van. 

When going up a hill or mountain,  you'll find me in right hand lane with the heavy loaded semi trucks. Flashers on. Pretty much the slower the better.  I can climb the  upgrade faster but what goes up must come down. Coming down a long steep downgrade  i want to use my brakes as little as possible and for as short a period as safe. Overheating brakes leads to locking up brakes or brakes on fire.  Many downgrades have narrow shoulders and curves. I absolutely don't want to pull over on a downgrade if i can avoid it. 

Hooked up,  I've 3 sets of axles,  each with a single set of tires.  That means although a flat is inconvenient,  blowing a tire could be deadly.  The tongue can act as a lever to flip trailer or van.  

Safety chains 

Cross safety chains under tongue and securely hook to tow vehicle.  Last year was the first time i ever had a trailer jump off the ball.  I was using a rented uhaul truck with a ball.  The ball was just barely too large and had i been doing anything but moving trailer less than 20 miles locally, i wouldn't have done it.  

Other critical tips

Start off slow. 

Steer in gradual turns.  

Before stopping,  try to take foot off accelerator gradually and allow trailer weight to slow the rig up before braking to a stop.  Under no circumstances slam brakes on or stop suddenly.  If needed steer 45 degrees right or left to avoid a hazard. 

Do not press on in heavy rain or windy conditions.  Stop and wait until conditions are safer to proceed. 

When backing up,  drop your hands on steering wheel to the bottom.  Get out and check lineup or position when backing or parallel parking.  And yes I've done both and comfortable doing either. 

While this is by no means a complete guide, this will help you avoid some common mistakes that can lead to a wreck or fatal accident.  The goal is to arrive at your destination intact with no close calls.

Good coffee to you,  see you down the road,

Lou

If you've enjoyed this blog article,  feel free to donate $1 or more.

Musing on the change in electronics and internet and how that's affected my nomadic life

Looking back on recent history (my lifetime);

Advertising killed OTA tv for a while.  The move to cable tv was  "it's worth paying to not have so many commercials. "

Then cable fell out of favor for streaming plans because of limited or commercial free broadcasts on streaming. 

The other day while going through my files,  i ran across my membership cards to  blockbuster and family video.  I fondly remember when going to the video store (yes vhs video tapes)  was a highlight of the week.  The cost of 4 vhs tape rentals was about the same as 2 tickets to a movie theater.  And yes,  it was a big deal to make popcorn,  snacks,  and sandwiches for video nights.  And yes, it was sometimes a get together with friends to watch movies. 

I was a happy subscriber to Netflix early days of dialup.  I would not so patiently wait for the DVD s to arrive in the mail.  I worked going through the catalog to have a good waiting list so that my movies were uninterrupted by waiting for the ones i sent back to be logged in and my new ones sent.   There were subscription tiers of 2, 4, 8 DVDs that you could have at one time.  Somehow,  even though i promised myself only one a night,  i became a binge watcher decades ago.

I have subscriptions to 2 video streaming platforms.  And both allow limited or no commercials and downloading of videos to watch later.  I skipped right past the redbox DVD rentals. 

Currently i have approximately 20 videos of 5 most favored shows on my phone.  I enjoy being able to watch series from season 1 episode 1 to current. 

There is a plethora of streaming services including many "cable channels." Most offer what hulu did in their early days.  A selection of free content that anyone can watch.  Even current shows are available.  Some,  the day after they air,  some for a week only after airing,  some the previous seasons only.   Many offer login with your cable tv provider.  Services vary,  tiers of service vary.

I have a older flat screen LED non smart TV and a blu-ray DVD player in my van.  I've yet to hook them up and use them for two reasons -- power consumption and i am content with watching things on my small screen. 

My 4 laptops and netbooks sit up in over the front seats storage area unused for the most part.  My Samsung phone can often do almost anything required.  I no longer even own a tablet.  I may pick up one that's offline mode only to watch things on a bigger screen.

I no longer own a hotspot wifi device. Again,  my phone can share internet access through bluetooth or wifi connection.  I can mirror (cast)  onto a bigger screen if needed. 

The beauty of my system is that even though I've just added a set of batteries and a 100 watt solar panel,  my starter or house battery alone has kept up for years on charging up my electronics.

Have a happy weekend.

Good coffee to you,

Lou

If you've enjoyed this blog,  feel free to donate $1 or so. 

Good Morning From My Van

Kira enjoys her morning nap after first morning potty walk. 

Good coffee to you. What's today like in my van (that is waiting for fuel pump replacement)? 

We woke at 830 a.m. to a chilly 45 degrees.  The desert gets very cold at night, then by 10 a.m. it's sunny and comfortable.  

Mornings in a camper van aren't much different than traditional style in a bricks and sticks house.  Get up,  go to the bathroom, walk the dog,  make coffee,  fold the door curtains and fold up the bedding.  

I'm still trying to balance repair tasks and totally rearranging interior of van at the same time.  It's getting better but interior still a disaster in terms of things having their own place

Kira decides napping in the dog bed next to me is a better option 

Add a chihuahua who always wants to be right in the middle of everything (might be food involved)..

But finally I've a spot on the couch to sit and a spot on the end table to set my coffee.  Ah coffee,  nectar of the gods,  my sanity potion.

As usual,  I'm in waiting mode.  A friend coming to charge my battery,  small check tonight at 11 p.m., the fuel pump to pay electronically tonight plus labor.  So I'll do a bit of housework and organizing. 

I've a fresh bunch of bananas one of the panhandlers left on the corner,  and a full, unopened cherry Pepsi.  While I am a purist on my cola,  i won't turn down a free,  full,  unopened cold pop. 

I think breakfast will be peanut butter with Fiji apple preserves (on sale $1.09) on whole wheat,  with a banana and a big kosher dill pickle on the side, accompanied by my second cup of coffee. 

A simple no cook breakfast.  No dishes to wash,  a couple of paper towels and a paper plate for the trash,  a knife and a spoon to wipe clean.  That's living my dream.  

No,  I'm not living the dream,  I'm living my dream.  Life still happens whether in a traditional house or full time in an RV. 

So, good coffee to you,  from Kira and Lou in my big green vintage class b plus van. It looks to be a wonderful day today. 

~Just Lou~

If you've enjoyed this blog,  feel free to donate $1 or more at PayPal.me/LouBurgess

Adversity or Opportunity ?

It's the time of harvest and plenty.  Storing up for the cold and lean months.  A time to tell the stories of days past.  To teach the younger generation.  

Put the man-made calendar away.  Ignore the clock.  Eat plenty of the vegetables and fruits in season.  Lots of variety and color.  

Gather around and read together.  Instead of tv or video,  stream an audiobook or old radio dramas.  

Stock up popcorn,  dried fruits,  dried beans,  lentils,  rice,  split peas. String green beans and cranberries to dry.  Stock up on cocoa powder,  dried milk,  cinnamon sticks. 

Open the windows and let the fresh air circulate. 

Go through your closets and drawers.  Either give away or use old time rag bag.  

Just as covid-19 as changed the world,  it's an opportunity to look at our lives and our ways of living.  

Adversity always brings reflection and opportunity.  You can bemoan change or become the change. 

It is truly your choice

Responsible, Safe, Traveling During Pandemic

Let's talk cleaning and disinfecting 

With the pandemic,  it's critical knowing what to use to stay safe. 

Rubbing alcohol 70% and paper towels for hand sanitizer. 

A bottle of water,  a bar of soap,  and a small bucket for washing hands.  Time the handwashing for 20 seconds.  An old toothbrush makes a good nail scrubber. 

Cleaning:  bleach and water in a spray bottle or bucket.  The proportion is 1 cup bleach to 9 cups water. 

A face shield or goggles as well as a mask covering both nose and mouth.  

I traveled during the height of the pandemic through Arizona aand Nevada. 

Use your debit card or phone to pay whenever possible. I use scan to pay as much as possible. 

I don't dine in at all.  If i eat out,  it's drive through or curb service.  Pay on app whenever possible. 

You don't need a build out van to wash hands.  A simple large to go cup makes good sink to catch water.  A bar of soap,  and a small 16 oz bottle of water.  You may dump the water on any tree or Bush. 

My soap dish is a washed out dog food container.  Recycling.  Orange lid makes it easy to spot. 

Washing hands with soap and water is a lot safer than the alcohol hand sanitizers. 

The hand sanitizer requires 60 seconds wet to provide protection.  

Travel safe. 

Funny but social distancing is fairly normal for many vandwellers.  

And although 6 feet  the recommended distance,  I'd encourage more distance.

Thoughts From My Van

Part of Vandwelling

There's an entire world out there

To venture into and to discover

Also

You discover you. Who you really are without all the distractions and busyness that obscures your ability to discover who you are, what you want, what is important to you.

Learning to slow down and savor. To take time to really see what is around you, a chance to choose your own path rather than just follow what everyone else does. 

To be a vandweller is to think and make your own decisions and your own choices. 

It's not running away. It's not rebellion for the sake of rebellion. It's a conscious informed choice. It's going towards rather than away from. 

~Lou~

If you enjoyed this blog, feel free to donate $1 or more at PayPal.me/LouBurgess

Today I met one of my blog followers

We know that i rarely publish a photo of myself,  and i don't do publicity tours ever.  

Today i got to meet a reader who had no idea i was me.  And i so enjoyed chatting with her and her husband. 

She's originally from Hawaii (I've lived on Oahu), and he's originally from my home state of Michigan. 

We chatted of simple ordinary things,  travel,  vehicles,  cancer , my dog Kira as well. 

In other words,  she's exactly a normal person like i am, and to hear her pleasure at discussing my way of writing and the ordinary everyday things i write about is exactly what i strove to do when i started writing.  I feel like i won the lottery today.  And made a new friend

We enjoyed a good laugh at how easily I blend in to places so that the star is the place,  not my ego. 

I never planned on being read so widely nor my name known,  i just wanted to write and share the beauty and the wonder of everyday places, not just the tourist spots.  

See you down the road

Just Lou (and Kira too)

Feel free to contribute $1 if you enjoyed the blog

PayPal.me/LouBurgess

Just Some Random Musings

There were some quiet unspoiled places that I used to enjoy

I camped on bolivar peninsula in my ?20s.

I loved the quiet of manistee national forest. 

I enjoyed ehrenberg until a rv wanna be guru published that it was free and a no man's land. 

I've never had a problem with nfs rangers or BLM officers.  We shared love of nature and it's beauty as is. 

And I always carried a couple of bags.  One for trash,  one for cool (to me)  things. 

Back in the days of Google plus,  I became known for unedited shots sharing the beauty of natural things as well as highlighting the traces man leaves behind. 

The more people that gather in one place,  the more damage done to mother earth and nature.

I've camped where bears,  wolves,  and big cats come through.  I've never been attacked or had to shoot one.  Very simply, I was in their environment.  I didn't try to tame any or feed any.  I made sure I left behind nothing that would harm them or endanger them.  As I pulled out,  you saw only a few wheel tracks and no things left behind. 

And toilet paper long outlives the campers. Eww. Dirty disposable baby diaper.  Everything has an impact on nature. 

I don't take wood or pine cones from one forest to another.  I do take some birch bark, maybe a pretty pebble. 

It doesn't matter what it looked like when I got there. Public land belongs to all of us.  So I cleaned up something that is also mine. 

I can sit still for an hour or several,  just watching the wind,  the trees,  the animals,  insects,  and other natural inhabitants. 

I don't build big fires.  Usually a very small comfy one. 

And when I leave,  I leave only memories.  

Good coffee to you

JustLou 

If you've enjoyed this blog,  feel free to contribute $1 or more

PayPal.me/LouBurgess 

How To Protect Against Viruses By Cleaning

Basic science related to disease

It's long been known that diseases can come from urine or feces. This means both human and animal.  

In Hawaii many years ago,  Hawaiians making poi would throw out entire batch if a fly landed on it.  

The Navajo have long known and protected against a severe illness caused by mice urine and droppings.  

Chihuahuas and rat terriers were bred to go after rodents.  It's known that the Black Plague transmits via fleas off rodents.  There are few cases yearly in New Mexico of Y Pestis.  

We have several recalls and outbreaks yearly of e coli from produce,  usually caused by fecal contamination in field from human or animal.  

And those clear, pure mountain springs often have caused a parasite infection by contamination of feces or animal contamination upstream.  

Typhoid and dysentery killed so many in times before modern plumbing.  

Wounds and infections killed so many before washing hands and sterilizing medical instruments.  

Virus mutates to adapt to environment.  But it's essy to kill if you're through. 

Bar of soap,  bleach,  ammonia,  lysol.  These are common inexpensive items.  There's no need to use excessive amounts.  

Most people don't regard bleach or ammonia as dangerous.  Yet they kill several people a year.  

Chemical safety for cleaning is ABC. Each cleaner with Ammonia,  Bleach,  or cleanser  cannot be mixed with each other.  Dishsoap contains ammonia.  Another cleaning tool to use carefully is oven cleaner or toilet bowl cleaner.  They usually contain lye. Safety is not mixing cleaners.  

I suggest using boiling hot water to rinse or scald dishes,  glasses,  and silverware.  Alternatively,  use a sink with bleach 1 cup bleach to 9 cups water to sanitize.  Don't share cups,  silver,  plates,  or bowls.  Don't reuse that serving spoon or knives.  

My go to method of overall disinfecting is a 5 gallon ice cream pail with bleach water,  and an old clean sock from the discard or socks with holes.  Wipe every hard or plastic surface.  I start in one corner and go around entire room,  bottom to top,  in a circle.  The easiest method to do walls and doors is a bucket and sponge mop.  

While fabric holds virus least,  you can still safely clean carpet and furniture with a carpet cleaner or a bucket of dawn dish soap and water.  And change and wash bedding daily if someone in house has a virus.  

You can make your own disinfectant sprays for commonly used surfaces and use after you've sanitized the  place with bucket and cloth.  Label bottles with different color electrical tape for safety.  

The most common missed surfaces are table and chair legs,  or underside and backs of tables and chairs.  And yes don't forget appliances, lights,  vehicles,  phones.  

A bar of soap and a bottle of water in your vehicle is safer than many hand sanitizers.  Wave hands in air rather than using a towel

Where did I learn all this?  I was often very ill from simple cold or flu as a child.  NY grandmother did all these when I was ill so I didn't keep reinfecting myself or others.  My first husband worked as an operating room tech and he often cleaned surgical beds.  When he worked second shift,  I'd help him so that as newlyweds we had more time together.  I later checked these with medical professionals and my science instructor who had a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Michigan.  

Feel free to check these procedures with someone who is a medical professional or has degrees in related fields.  

An Ordinary Day -- In A Nomad's Life

Today is a lazy day for me.  I slept in until 11 am, a little late,  but obviously what my body needed.  Kira was perfectly content to sleep next to me that late. 

We spent last night at the local Walmart.  There's an area where I often see the 2 or 3 other fulltime low key nomads.  We're all quiet,  leave no trash, make no fuss,  and quietly leave.  

During the Walmart el Paso shooting,  I was approached by police and asked if I'd seen any unusual vehicles and to call them if I had.  It pays to be quiet and respectful of property.  The police do notice.  

Today was

-Wakeup

-Move van over in a parking lot by McDonald's for potty and wifi.  

- move van to nearby park,  take out the small bag of trash, and empty the potty in the bathroom's toilet. 

- breakfast.  Sometimes I just like opening a can and eating right from the can. 

We saw 3 homeless with a cart and a pit bull.  Kira donated breakfast for the pup.  Dog food and some small milkbone treats. 

my p-58 can opener

Eating utensils

snacks

Today is a lazy no cooking day.  I'll open a can and eat when hungry.  

A friend called and said he'd bring me a 2 liter cola and some peanuts in the shell for Kira.  She adores a shelled peanut as a treat. 

A little cleaning, a nap,  some video streaming,  and a little social media is the extent of my ambitions today

Good coffee to you

Lou

If you've enjoyed this blog you can contribute $1 or more at

PayPal.me/LouBurgess 

A Day With No Clock

One of the great pluses of nomadic life is divorcing the clock constructed life.

I spent last night inside,  had to be gone by 830, I woke up at 8.

Grabbed Kira and things,  threw into the class b plus van.  Quick breakfast made and bagged up.. coffee on the go.

It's been cloudy and drizzling.. we have spent most of the day at park.. turned on heater and took the chill off the van.

Breakfast,  lunch,  and naps all intermingled today.  No time sensitive things until a tech support gig after 3 pm..

The perfect day to just relax and not watch the time.  

Here's to those days where time is elastic, it just ebbs & flows

Good coffee to you

Lou

If you've enjoyed this blog,  please donate $1 or more at PayPal.me/LouBurgess 

Journey Notes: celebrating 1 week after a hiatus

Life happens.  And as usual, it seems to enjoy throwing the advanced challenges at me.  Kira and I have been fulltime back in the van a week.  She is happier. 

The class b+ is loaded to the gills. I can't find anything yet.  I was finally able to clear enough of the bed to lay down and sleep.  

Mark has joined me for a week or two to help, and for a visit.  

Kira has decided to help write the blog today (napping on my lap) 

With the recent loss of the amerigo trailer,  we are just going on one foot in front of the other

Good coffee to you

Lou

If you've enjoyed the blog,  you may contribute a $1 or more at

PayPal.me/LouBurgess 

Guns, Police, Crazies, and A Chihuahua

Yesterday was one of the craziest I've ever had while boondocking and traveling.  

Let me set the scene for  you. 

I'm getting ready to move 2 vans and a very rare amerigo travel trailer.  I have my faithful 1990 G20 Mark III long wheel base Chevy  Conversion  Van. I have the beautiful original Chevy camper van,  a 1973 Chinook  factory camoer Conversion  with the Chevy  shortblock 350cc motor,  the 4 barrel carburetor has been replaced with a edelbrook  racing  4 barrel carb,  and it has dual glass pack exhausts.  And that old trailer with the fall hunting camouflage and fall maple leaves is the only known 1970 Amerigo travel trailer in existence.  The trailer is being almost given to my friend Zina Lacy, the top nationally known person for vintage rare trailers.  She'll sell you that 1940s rare  cute project camper or she does some of the most beautiful and whimsical theme  glampers

 

The 1990 Chevy van threw a serpentine  belt abs needs a pulley replaced.  Not a big thing.  It'll take about an hour.  The hightop just needs a burnt ground wire replaced and the idiot lifting out the battery for me screwed up the cable ends on the house battery.  That's about 10 minutes tops .

I've now got the 4th mechanic and spare driver scheduled to come out.  I have all the parts and tools needed.  

What has delayed me? All the chaos and police drama is caused by 2 drunk high methheads and the unmedicated schizophrenic son , all in a cesspool  torn apart single wide trailer with old glass fuse electric overloaded and the toilet and pipes leaking sewage into the trailer and ground. The one acre property is covered with a destroyed to the ground old single wide  home,  piles of junk torn apart.  It looks worse than a county landfill 

 

Several months ago i needed a quick spot to store a trailer and van.  I asked on Facebook . I had stored the trailer at Sunny RV park for a little over two years.  I don't know what changed there in the office but there were 3 instances when the management called me to come check my trailer because the fenced in camera surveillance brightly lit lot had started to have homeless thieves break into stored  vehicles.  So i looked for some place to store trailer short term while i switched things from the 1990 conversion van into the beautiful dream hightop chevy vintage class  b+ camper van.  

Two weeks ago the 1990 conversion van threw the serpentine belt.  It's a simple repair.  I had someone bring the belt and replace it.  They jumped the van because the battery had gotten low.  I drive it up hwy 70 and the belt decides to start going again.  I get it safely parked.  

The hightop van has a few issues caused by an idiot who only disconnected one of two batteries under the hood to change a simple starter.  I come out to see  sparks and an electric arc under my beloved van.   Shoot.  That's when you know you're going to replace the engine electrical system pretty much all of it.  I think I'm almost out of the woods with that.  The ground wire, the battery cable and clamp should be the final piece.  

In about an hour or less,  both repairs can be done, then I'll just load the big genny and my small Briggs and Stratton 2hp vintage generator,  the 5000 btu brand new this year window ac unit, my favorite nice zero gravity chair with the handy attached small shelf, hook the trailer to the 1990 g20 and with a friend driving my hightop and me in the van trailer unit, I'll carefully negotiate the rutted dirt road and down the paved road to 70 i go.  Parking already arranged.  Then it'll take about an hour tti change oil,  charge battery,  and list the big dual fuel 3800 watt rv ready portable generator.. Priced right,  I've a few interested parties.  Then quickly empty out, clean the 1990 conversion van, list and sell that.  I've a little cash,  and in less than two weeks,  I'll fill up the gas  tank,  and head off with the hightop and the trailer.  I've been trying to go on this extended trip for almost a year.  Finally there should be no delays.  

So I'm not a homeless person living in a ratty rv parked on a store lot.  I'm a land owner with stage 4b advanced cervical cancer,  multiple sclerosis,  and autism who has decided I'd like a nice extended slow bucket list trip while I'm able to travel and take care of me and my chihuahua.  I have several good long time Facebook friends that have invited me to visit and spend a little time.  I want to relax and watch the setting  sun, to sit and enjoy writing.  And i want to show and share the little overlooked cool places and people all over the US. 

And with all the news about the missing or dead full time travelers,  i want people to see that it's still safe and possible to travel without getting killed for your rv. 

So once I'm back traveling,  enjoy my writing and blogs,  watch my short  YouTube and Instagram videos,  and see the nice relaxing reality of what the new ones call living the dream.  Life still happens in a fulltime van or big rv.

If you've enjoyed my blog,  feel free to contribute  a $1 or more at PayPal.me/LouBurgess 

Thanks and good coffee to you

Borrow Books -- Online Free

One of the nice things about the internet and technology is that now you can use a library card and free apps to borrow books online.

The OverDrive app is free to install. There are no hidden fees to use it. Another awesome feature is that you'll never have a fine for overdue books borrowed online. 

I found the Libby app (by same developers) was perfect to read and enjoy my library books and audio books. It made it much easier to download and read my books. 

Done with the book? Just hit return book and you're all done. This is perfect for those without cars or who travel or are shut in their own homes or hospital. 

All it takes is a library card from a participating library. While Las Cruces NM doesn't participate, I was able to easily use my library card from Quartzsite, AZ.

I've finished my first book, and I'm on my second. This came in just in time for the holidays when many places are closed.

So enjoy your holiday. Treat yourself to some books you couldn't afford to buy. The world is now open to you. 

Not all technology is bad. This is pretty user friendly. I was able to learn to use it well in less than a half hour. 

Happy Holidays. 

Good Coffee To You

Lou

If you enjoy the blog, feel free to contribute $1 at

Paypal.me/LouBurgess

Adding Cash To Your PayPal Account

PayPal has stepped up to the next level in customer convenient services. Now instead of carrying a lot of cash, i can stop at many stores and add it to my paypal account.

I just took the service for a test drive.
I went to my bank and withdrew $120. I drove to a store that i found through the app.

In my case, i had started to go to Wal-Mart. This morning Wal-Mart was having network connectivity issues. After hearing tech support on the phone and realizing that Wal-Mart was not a good bet today, i returned to my van. Time for plan b.

Plan B was to open my paypal app and see what other stores in the area offered this service. I spotted a Dollar General nearby.

I opened the app, logged in, selected more from bottom menu, and selected add cash from the sub menu. Next i selected the store Dollar General. The app generated a bar code on my phone screen.

The clerk had never done this before so she requested assistance from another employee. They came quickly to the register. It was as simple as her scanning the barcode, asking me how much, and ringing it up.

I got a receipt but when i checked paypal...nothing. The receipt states it may take 30 minutes to show up on my account.

Twenty minutes later my PayPal app notified me that I'd added cash to my account. It shows in the balance and can be used now any way i normally use paypal.

Bravo paypal. Love this feature.

My recommendation...highly recommend it and will use often in the future.

See ya down the road
Good coffee to you

Lou

If you've enjoyed this blog support it by donating $1
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Why Some Of Us Choose Vandwelling (living in a vehicle)

There are a lot of people out there who totally don't get what vandwelling is about, who vandwells, why they chose this way of life.

Truthfully there are almost as many reasons as there are vandweller and many types of vandweller.

I'll tell you about me first. I've never felt comfortable in a house, apartment, or traditional living situation.

I've recently found out I'm autistic. The hypersensitivity to noises, smells, and lights makes me uncomfortable around others.

I'm disabled and my social security disability is minimal. The places i can afford to live or those with subsidized rent are uncomfortable for me. I have had to deal with those who drink or use drugs. I remember not feeling safe getting in the keycard door, the elevator, or the hall to my apartment. And often you deal with the mentally unstable.

When I'm in my van out my travel trailer, even in a dark forest at night or in the desert alone, I'm comfortable, safe, and confident in my ability to handle anything. I can see all around me easily.

Another reason i choose this lifestyle is that living smaller, it's easier to be independent. I can clean, take care of me and my needs. It takes much less physical energy to take care of me and my house on wheels.

People equate living in a vehicle as free or very cheap. While it costs less than traditional housing, I've still got more bills than i want.

You need to keep your vehicle legal and on good repair. You need an address to register your vehicle, plate your vehicle, and insure it.

I pay my land payment every month. I'm buying little over an acre. I have my insurance for my vehicle. I've recently changed vans. Both the old van and the new hightop van have needed repairs. My travel trailer is currently in storage. It's just one thing after another like anyone else.

Even though I'm nomadic, i am part of the local community wherever i am. I might be the only person they see camping in my vehicle.

That means I'm strict with myself about how i present myself. No trash around me. If there's trash when i pull in, i clean it up. Human waste is handled safely for me and wherever i am. No poop in trash bags or urine filled bottles. I've probably got more education about safely handling human waste than most.

Regular trash...i live with less of an impact on the environment. Don't assume you can put bunches of trash in a businesses dumpster. They pay for their trash to be removed.

Gray water...it stinks when it is stored in on board tanks. I prefer to use the bucket method. Little to no chemical at all. I've learned to clean with vinegar or baking soda. Both are very earth friendly.

I've had people come up to me thinking I'm homeless. They offer many things. I try to nicely explain I'm not. That one you take each incident on case by case basis.

Don't get me wrong, right now I'm broke and in debt. Like anyone else. You don't go out to eat or buy that impulse buy, or buy things that aren't necessities. I pay my bills first. I fill my gas and propane.

I buy my Chihuahua her good dog food and milkbones. My dog loves the van. She can see all around her. She's with me all day every day. She gets walked and goes to parks. Dogs best life in her opinion. I make sure that I've heat for cold times and fans for hot days. She comes first.

So that person living in their vehicle, may be there by choice. It's a different lifestyle. It could be the millennial who values experience and travel over possessions. It could be that disabled person who prefers travel and quiet. Some are retired. Some work on the road. Some commute digitally. There are so many different types of people.

Being in a van gives me the time and privacy i need to write. I like writing.

So, the next time you see that vintage hightop van...it's very comfortable and has all i need or want.

See ya down the road

Lou

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Good Coffee To You

It's 36 degrees in southern New Mexico this morning.

Coffee is made and in hand. I love Taster's Choice instant coffee with turbinado sugar and Half and Half creamer.

The pups have pottied. It's too cold to sit outside on the porch steps. They are eating their breakfast in bed (off the cold floor). As usual, teddy wants to eat food from one of the other's dishes.

Today TEDDY will probably be rehomed with a very nice person. That'll leave Kira and Shorty with me. Shorty's original owner contacted me. Shorty was given to me by someone who had no right to give him away, a member of the family. 

So the plan is to reunite shorty with his family as soon as they've moved out from the uncle's house. I'll miss him but it's what is right for shorty. They've never stopped loving him and missing him.

I'm getting my new to me van, a 1973 Chevy hightop camper, ready to go on a trip. I'm thinking that I'll do a couple of near to the trailer overnights while i wait for the 1990 Chevy g20 mark 3 to sell.

It feels funny to have so much time to get a van just right. Usually I've got an hour to change stuff over from van to van, drive off and find a park or place to arrange it. 

It's nice to do it slowly, but there's also something to be said for the shove it all in and rearrange down the road method.

Now to enjoy my coffee.

See you down the road

Lou and the #2pupcrew

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Exciting new changes ahead

I'm setting up my own website and domain. Soon I'll move all things Lou to my own site.

I'll also be able to design websites, host your website. I'm planning on a section just for us full time vandwellers and rv-ers.

I'm writing a couple of books. Available soon.

So many exciting changes ahead. Stay tuned.

Welcome to New Mexico

You're bundled up in sweaters and jackets in the morning, and in the afternoon you're running around in tank shirts and sundresses.

I never thought that I would see the beauty of the desert. I'm a Michigan girl...grass, trees, lakes, forest, snow.

Yesterday it was so hot that all i could do was lay there and breathe. This morning, I'm huddled up in my blankets with hot coffee.

On a big prickly catcus sits a single yellow flower. The tall thin octillos sport beautiful orange flowers.

Mesquite trees offer shade and almost always have a sticky sap running down the tree attracting tons of ants.

Acadia cats claw trees have really tough spiked thorns.

In the  desert, sunrises and sunsets are spectacular. I love the way you get sunset colors reflected off clouds and mountains.

It's a desert so there are rarely mosquitos. You do get mosquitos and gnats by the Rio Grande.

The mighty Rio Grande is often a slow trickle. The government has harnessed it into water for irrigation.

Alfalfa is a water intensive crop. There is a better natural method of agriculture here. You plant a ground cover. Trees or plants are built up in a dip with a natural earth basin around them to funnel and hold the water near the plant or roots. You plant things that are less water intensive. There is a lot of container gardening.

I've learned to be very conservative with water. Water can be used a couple of times for different purposes.

In the van, i do dishes with a spray bottle of vinegar and water. Water from cooking goes into my gray water (a folgers plastic coffee can.

Bathing can be very simple too. A soup pot half full of water is enough to wash hair and all of my body. That water then becomes part of the gray water.

In New Mexico, gray water can be poured on trees. Gray water is any water used except for human waste purpose.

My "pottie" doesn't flush...it's a large plastic coffee can with lid. It's taken to any portapotty or vault toilet and disposed of safely. Baking soda or a plain charcoal briquitte control any odor. 

Safe travels and Good Coffee to you
Lou

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Imaginary Invisible Lines

Let's think about something for a minute.

Imagine there are no imaginary lines denoting

-countries

-states

-county

-city

Would you really know if you were somewhere "different"?

Or would you find that people are just people?

I've lived in Europe as a young woman.

You get up in the morning, open the Windows (they swing out like doors)

You make coffee, enjoy pastries

You put the bed covers to air.

You grab your string shopping bag and go to market to see what's fresh for the day.

You planned your meals for the day or two based on what was fresh and seasonal. It's actually a very healthy way to eat.

It didn't matter that i didn't speak the language.

At that time i could convert from one currency to another including figuring out buying power.

You smile and nod to people in greeting. You take time to look at the world around you, enjoying the weather, the birds, and the sights.

Now, let's look at something crazy. We fight over imaginary lines, over what someone has said, as if we are three year old children at a playground arguing over who gets to ride the merry-go-round.

We fight over what people wear, where and how they pray, and many other silly things.

We fight because someone has something we want or because we don't want them to have something.

We're like over-tired hungry quarrelsome three year olds who need a nap and cookies.

If there is intelligent life in outer space, the first thing they'll do when we make contact...is quarantine our planet.

Why not try to get along with others.

As a vandweller and nomad, i often hear contempt for those who have a traditional house and home.

I'm a land owner myself. I generally prefer not to build on my land, enjoying it as it is. Others prefer different. There is nothing wrong with that.

As a land owner, I think that I'm actually more inclined to keep the area I'm parked in neat. I also clean up where ever i pull in.

Unlike many,  I'll pull into a spot that is full of trash, get out my gloves and a bag, and clean it up. I'm living on mother earth. I like where i live to be clean and pristine, as if no humans had been there.

Maybe that's why I love New Mexico. There are many people just like me. It doesn't matter who's trash it was. The wind takes it where it wants, and I am the one who has to look at it. It's just as easy to just clean it up myself as to complain about it.

When you travel in New Mexico, you'll find people welcome you. There are portapotty or vault toilets many places. Dump your human waste there...not on the land. Dumping pee jugs or human poop on the land spreads disease. 

There are many places with dumpsters and generally no one complains if you put a bag of trash in there. Pick it up and dump it.

Be a good guest, respectful of the land and clean. Enjoy the vistas. New Mexico has some breathtakingly beautiful vistas.

Good Coffee to you

See you down the road,

Lou

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