A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

Some time back grammynmaggie suggested that I start a blog.

I have taken her advice - thanks, grammy!

This is the result. All of you have read my cargo-van-to-camper-van story (still working on posting the last part of this), but after working on the van for more than a year, as of the end of last month (October, 2013) with the van finished, I finally was able to take my very-first-ever-trip/maiden voyage!

As I was working I always had a slight fear in the back of my mind that I might not like the camper/travel lifestyle. I had never done anything like this before in my life!

Well, I am here to report that with my nerve-wracking "First Time" now behind me, and I can't wait to get back out on the road.

Here is my story:

http://heartdogs.net/wordpress/?page_id=308

Enjoy! Suggestions and comments appreciated!

Northern California Anne

Whew! That had my heart racing! Can't wait for the next part...

That's a great maiden voyage, beautiful up there, just be careful taking risks on the remote roads. It made me think of people who have been stranded when it was off season.

Great blog, Anne! Gorgeous pics, and I smiled with you as you hit pavement at the end of your adventure.

Did I miss pics of the interior of your van?

Laura

Love the start of your blog Anne. I love volcanoes too, but maybe not to the same extent as you. I do love geology and have a library's worth of books, so I can easily relate to your excitement in your adventures. Have fun and congratulations on the completion of your van project and your first successful trip.
Sandi

Love your blog, Anne.
I could relate to so many aspects - getting a late start on my first big adventure, each stop at a store takes forever & especially the final sentence - I frequently have to tell myself to breathe as I drive mountain passes & the only ones I take are on 4-lane highways!
Love your writing style - please, please keep it up.

Good job Anne! Loved the photo with the sun in the left corner and the one of the snow on the road. YIKES!

Linda

Great first time out!

Azusateach wrote:Great blog, Anne! Gorgeous pics, and I smiled with you as you hit pavement at the end of your adventure.

Did I miss pics of the interior of your van?

Laura

Laura, here are a couple of pictures of the interior - will post more when I finish that part of the blog:



This shows the construction of the bed frames and the crate frame. All storage is underneath the beds and the crates via large plastic (lightweight!) tub.



This shows the beds with the memory foam mattresses in place, and the beds made. Cooking/washing up will be done outside. There is a porta-potty under the dog crates for night time emergencies.

Reading light goes on top of the dog crate at the "head" of the bed when the van is parked. In cold weather I have one of those electric heaters that look like an old-time radiator that sits on the floor in front of the dog crates. This radiator was the best bet for me, although they don't heat up instantly they do slowly radiate heat and don't themselves get extremely hot. Thus it can be placed fairly closely to interior structures and still remain safe.

and my a/c unit:



I needed this because I don't "do" hot weather!

There is a false wall behind the open door that contains the a/c (2 inches of styrofoam panel insulation sandwiched between two sheets of paneling), and this door needs to remain open when the a/c is running to exhaust heat to the outside (the a/c doesn't take up much room because it "sits" on top of the door step). The other door is sealed (unless it is opened, of course).

This a/c installation worked really well for me when I was laboring on the van last summer. Outside temp would hover at around 105 degrees, inside temp a cool 75 degrees.

Thanks for asking!

Northern California Anne

If you don't already have it on your list, you might be interested in Sunset Volcano National Monument just north of Flagstaff, AZ. It is a bit cold there during the winter, but very nice in spring and summer. There is a national forest campground there, but you need to remember to fill up your water tanks before you go.

Campground is on black cinders and ash. Not much growing there, but I was amazed at the shocking pink flowers growing in the black ash!

Well....another deceiving title on a thread!

dpf wrote:Well....another deceiving title on a thread!

Get yer mind out of the gutter, Pat!

Wow what a trip! glad you arrived safely....and did you camp at the lake in your last photo?
awesome photos
sheila

VickieP wrote:That's a great maiden voyage, beautiful up there, just be careful taking risks on the remote roads. It made me think of people who have been stranded when it was off season.

Good advice!

When I came to the "T" in the road there was actually a Forest Service sign saying something to the effect that the road was closed for the season. Wish I would have taken a picture of it.

Anyway, I thought "that's nice" and just kept right on going towards Hwy. 89.

Didn't really have much choice. . .

Anne

JudyJB wrote:If you don't already have it on your list, you might be interested in Sunset Volcano National Monument just north of Flagstaff, AZ. It is a bit cold there during the winter, but very nice in spring and summer. There is a national forest campground there, but you need to remember to fill up your water tanks before you go.

Thanks for the suggestion, JudyJB.

I actually visited Sunset Volcano about 35 years ago. I found it fascinating. When I get that way I will definitely plan for a stop, and will fill my water tanks before I go. My "water tanks" are two 5-gallon jugs.

Enough for a day or two, anyway!

Anne