camping

I’m Dreaming of a White…Vamper

I'm Dreaming of a White...Vamper

Don’t let that beautiful, blue sky fool you…. cause baby, it’s cooooold outside!

Windchills are in the minus digits today, also known as frigid, as John and I drove to the body shop to pick up our precious cargo. The van we have been working on converting it into a camper, which we have dubbed The Vamper – Second Chance.

She has a brand new, sparkling look with a fresh coat of white paint. Which as you can see she matches the fresh new white snow we received over the weekend too.

When the owner of the shop called John to let him know the van was done he said, “Just calling to let you know that your awesome van is done!”

Seems most people we share this new adventure with, think it’s quite cool what we are doing. Though there are a few that look at us like we are nuts. But that’s okay – we love being nuts!

As I waited in the car while John brushed off the new fallen white powder on the van I thought back to our trip this fall to Tennessee and the two nights we camped in Second Chance – though she is not yet complete.

And instead of dreaming of a white Christmas, which we will definitely have, I found myself dreaming about next summer and fall when we will venture out as often as we can, to experience life in the vamper, creating new memories.

After the holidays we will begin the next phase of the van conversion with seats installed that will swivel, custom made beds, a kitchen, and storage cabinets.

We will also be on the look out for a room to extend off the side of the van that can be used as an outdoor kitchen and an extra area to hang out. We aren’t having much luck finding something made in the US – what we like we’ve only seen available in the UK. If anyone knows of a resource for rooms such as this, we’d love to know.

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Have Van Will Travel Journal: Flooring Is In (Video)

John installed the flooring in our Vamper, “Second Chance” today! We recorded this video, though it cut out part way because the batteries died on my camcorder. But I was trying to say wheel wells, and those are also insulated.

Next comes insulation on the side panels. And that is as far as we will get for our trip to Tennessee which is only a little over a week away. But I bought a king size piece of 4″memory foam which we will put down for our bed this time around until this winter when the bunk beds get built.

On Friday we took a test drive to a nearby Cabela’s to check out their awesome camping section. The dogs rode with us so we can continue getting them ready for this adventure. It was about an hour drive there and back and we stopped for lunch, too.  Kylie and Gidget did very well and this makes me feel very good that they will travel well with us, which does my heart good.

It’s so fun to see it coming together now!

And just as I went to post this today, I’ve learned of a young woman’s passing from cancer. Deb was one of the first people who invited me to be on the radio when I came out with my first book and I was invited back again when I came out with my next book. My heart is so sad hearing of her passing – she was such a kind, beautiful soul. And oh, how it reminds me to enjoy the ride while we are here. I plan to do just that with this trip to TN and each day after – for you, Deb. For you.  God Speed beautiful lady. God Speed.

Past posts for Have Van Will Travel Journal

The Adventure Has Begun. New Home on Wheels. Who’d of Thunk?

The Conversion Begins

Inspector Approves of Phase One Conversion

She Gets a Name

First a Name and Now Mascots

Cozy Comfort

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Have Van Will Travel Journal: Cozy Comfort

Have Van Will Travel Journal: Cozy Comfort

It’s been awhile since I’ve updated about our van conversion. Life can sometimes get in the way!

We are heading for Tennessee early November with the van. And no, it won’t be ready in time. But we knew this. We plan to work on it over the winter so it is fully functional next summer. And we are only staying one night in a campground on the way down to Tennessee and then one night on the way back this time around. While in Tennessee we will be staying in a cabin.

So it looks like we will be throwing down some memory foam for a make-shift bed for this short duration we will be staying in the van this first trip.

The good news is that we will have power!  Whether we hook-up to shoreline (we discovered it’s called this whether you are in a camper or a boat) or we use our solar panels – we will have heat when need be and air, too.  This is very good news!

Solar panels fit inside ladder rack and behind it our air conditioning unit and Fan-tastic fan. Far end is open for additional storage.

And for a little more added cozy comfort I got the softest blanket that my sister made (Gidget is posing with it above). She said, “When I saw the dachshund pattern, I couldn’t pass it up!” She thought it would be perfect for our van, “Second Chance.” And she’s right – I just love it – and of course, I knew Gidget would too! So know doubt it will come in handy to snooze under while cruzin’, snuggle under in front of a bonfire, or when hanging out and reading in bed.

The goal is to have van insulated and sub-floor in place before we head out early November. I can hardly believe our vacation is almost here!  It’s been three years since we’ve gone on vacation, and we are both more than ready… and excited about this new chapter of what we hope to be many adventures with Second Chance – the Vamper!

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

Past posts for Have Van Will Travel Journal

The Adventure Has Begun. New Home on Wheels. Who’d of Thunk?

The Conversion Begins

Inspector Approves of Phase One Conversion

She Gets a Name

First a Name and Now Mascots