Vanlog 20181219.925

Good morning. My daily routine is starting to get back in order.

It's important in VanLife to have a routine at times. It anchors you in the moment, gives a continuity to your day. 0 l l

I stayed in bed a bit later today. It was 32 degrees this morning...in southern New Mexico.

Since I'm in the city, I park at Wal-Mart or Cracker Barrel at night, pull into a park or a big shopping mall parking lot daytime.

I'm at the park. I've taken my trash out and made coffee. The buddy heater is on for a few minutes to take the chill out of the van. Wow. 5 minutes of the buddy heater and the van is toasty warm. I'm parked facing east to take advantage of passive solar and to use my small solar panels to charge things. I'll roll some cigarettes, make my bed, and empty my potty in a bit.

I've the whole van to rearrange after having the center seats removed. It's almost like starting over. Several things have new spaces. My 2hp generator is on the floor behind the front passenger seat. It has a small custom built table over it to protect the top. The auxiliary house battery is wired into the starter battery with just a cut off switch (manual).

As usual, I've a foot propped up on the dash and my phone/tablet holder on the steering wheel. The phone is charging off my platinum choice solar phone charger.

There is another dweller here. He's only been in town a couple of days. It's easy to spot another vandweller even though vehicle looks normal to others. It's a Ford, universal conversion van. It looks almost exactly like my old Ford e150 conversion van. 

It's time to get my day started

Good Coffee To You

See ya down the road

Lou

Support this blog

Donate a $1 PayPal.me

A gallon of gas $2.50

A refill of 20# propane $15

A 1lb propane canister $4

Or contribute more PayPal.me/LouBurgess

My van needs a new engine

As many know, my van broke down on I-10 in New Mexico as I was headed for Quartzsite and Yuma.

I had it towed back to Las Cruces

It needs more than we first thought. It needs engine replaced.

I've found a used engine at gotengines.com it is 77,000 original miles, 5.4L V8, and it's the OEM motor for this van. Price $1896 free shipping. Warrentee 3 year 36,000

My total income is minimum social security disability. I have MS. I've refunded unused PayPal $ and have a balance of $6.38 in my PayPal. I have no bank accounts.

We know I do a lot for the van community, much of it quietly in private.

I'm not asking for a free van. I'm asking for some help. The $1896 covers price of motor only. I've got some local help free to pull old engine and put new one in, including loans of engine hoist and such.

If you can help, my PayPal link is paypal.me/LouBurgesspaypal.me/LouBurgess or you can call Joe at got engines.com http://www.gotengines.com/m/and donate directly. When engine is paid for, they will ship.
http://www.gotengines.com/step-two.php?orderid=10028762http://www.gotengines.com/step-two.php?orderid=10028762

I'm parked in a safe place, Mona, me and my van. No risk of towing or impound

Thanks
Stephanie Lou Burgess

Musings From My Van

As most know, i recently purchased a conversion van. I get a lot of questions about how I'll modify it or built-ins.

As far as I'm concerned, this van needs almost no modification. I threw in my two 3-drawer plastic units, stuffed canned goods under the bed, put my stove and aquatainer water jug by the back door.

I'll be removing the car top carrier shortly as soon as I have both time & energy.

My challenge in minimalism is that I carry my jewelry making items and my sales set-up in my van. It will take serious thought and trying out new arrangements to get things just right.

So far, I've only removed one seat on the driver's side middle. I may remove the other middle seat and store it in my travel trailer. I'm planning a wooden credenza style set of drawers to go behind driver's seat reaching back to the rear seat. I keep the rear seat folded down into a bed.

Before I worry about inside modifications, I want the van perfectly mechanically sound.

Two of the plastic panels by windows in the door need repair. The driver's side electric window motor needs replaced. The rear door latch needs replaced. The sidelight on the driver's side front needs its plastic cover replaced and the dent pounded out. These are all minor things I can fix myself.

The paint is starting to show signs of sun damage, so I'll learn the art of painting a vehicle. Some new clear coat won't go amiss.

She's like me, good bones but showing signs of age. She's pretty though, comfortable, and travels well. The pups love her too.

My Dream Home

I was looking at vans, trying to find an E150 I could afford.  This Michigan is built Ford tough. :)

Up pops my dream van on craigslist. It was a 1999 E150 for $1000. What the add didn't say was that it was a beloved conversion van with a beautiful interior.

I went to look at it, offered $800 and drove away in my new home.

Great big windows with the pretty white factory blinds, comfortable chairs that recline, the rear bench seat folded down into a bed.  Absolutely no body rust.

I was even offered the original tv and vcr that came in it. I turned it down. Life is nice when you don't own a tv.

Granted, she has a few issues. The driver's side window no longer works. It was a struggle to figure out how to keep it up. Two auto parts stores and neither had the needed part nor the correct repair manual.

Someone broke a spark plug off. That will be a heck of a pain to fix.

A minor dent and lens on the front parking light is also on my list to fix.

Let me tell you I'm in van heaven. I am almost totally moved into her. It will be days of rearranging and organizing.

The plastic drawers and totes will be replaced down the road with a nice dresser and custom built shelves. I'm also thinking some custom built underbed units for less frequently used items.

For me, this van is one I've dreamed of, but never thought I'd afford. I'm in love with my new van. It's also puppy approved.

The minivan had overheating issues, so this van came right on time. A friend loaned me the money I needed to buy my dream van.

Life can be really funny at times. Tonight, i sleep in my comfortable van.

Updates

It's been a while since I've blogged. My life was a little busy. There have been many changes in my life.

I've traveled in the southwest, enjoying the beauty of the desert. The wide open spaces combined with the huge vista of sky is breathtaking. A desert sunset truly looks like a jeweled sky. Away from cities, the numerous stars cover the sky.

The big cargo van is gone, rust was its nemesis.

I now drive a minivan. It's great on gas but i really miss the space of the big old cargo van.

New Mexico currently draws me. The variety of land, small towns, big cities, the amazing food, and of course roasted green chilies.

Today, a bit of weather is rolling through, the wind whipping sand around. It's cloudy, but no major rains as yet. At 60 degrees, I'm comfortable with a sweater. Since it's a bit chilly, socks with my flip flops.

It's a day to Wi-Fi at Starbucks, watch videos, or read a good book. A nice cup of coffee, a good nap will make the day perfect.

I'd like to make the rtr in Quartszite, but I'm unsure that will happen. I'm traveling with a friend and we need to be local for a few things.

Until next time, safe travels.