RVing

Have Van Will Travel Journal: Cutting it Close

Have Van Will Travel Journal: Cutting it Close

We leave in three days for Tennessee.  John is insulating the panels and the ceiling this weekend, which will consist of three layers. If you want to know more detail in terms of what he has used, just let me know and I’ll find out for you. That’s not my area of expertise, obviously, as to what materials are all used. What I do know is John  has researched this extensively, as he has every step of the process.

Last Friday we did a “test run” with the dogs traveling an hour to Cabela’s to check out their camping section. I was really concerned at that point as the empty box of the van was so loud. My ears rang for two days. I was worried how that would be on our trip.

Well, I’m thrilled to say that with just putting in the vinyl flooring, which also is insulated underneath, it has made a big difference in noise reduction. Once John has the three layers of insulation in, I’m confident that the noise level won’t be an issue at all.

But, whew, cutting it close here as our departure date of Wednesday is right around the corner!  So I try not to go outside and check on John too often to see the progress, because then I tend to worry. But, I do have complete faith in my Johnnie.

I packed the dogs food, meds, etc. today which required a whole suitcase of its own, but that is how it is when one has senior dogs.  I’m not complaining, just so happy they will be coming with us.

I’ve decided that while we are gone, I won’t be blogging. It was somewhat of a hard decision for me, as I love keeping in touch and writing to you. But I also remind myself that I need to take a break, to refill my well — even from something that I enjoy. I plan to take photos and a journal to make notes and will share with you some highlights when we return.

For something that was never on our bucket list, I just have to say we are pretty darn excited around here. And a friend on Facebook, Chops, said she thinks this may be my next book — about our adventures in Second Chance – the Vamper.  Hmmmm, who knows?  And if so, I mentioned to my mom yesterday that I thought this title would be good – “This Was Never on Our Bucket List.” What do you think?

Even though this was never in our plan, isn’t that how life goes?  Good or bad?  And sometimes you just have to ride the wave and see where it will take you.

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

Flooring is In (video)

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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

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

Have Van Will Travel Journal: Did He Really Just Cut a Hole in the Roof?

Have Van Will Travel Journal: Did He Really Just Cut a Hole in the Roof?

Another installment of our journey converting a 2009 Chevy van into a camper.

I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful Labor Day weekend. It is absolutely gorgeous here in Wisconsin this holiday. The sun is warm, there’s a hint of fall tickling my senses, and the cicada’s are singing their song.

And today is the day John cut a hole in the roof of the van! Scary stuff!  But alas, he’s a pro and after many videos he watched and articles read on line, he took the plunge. The hole was cut to accommodate the Coleman Mach 8 air conditioner that will sit on top of the van (it is low and inconspicuous – not a large, boxy one you see on top of some commercial trucks). The next hole John will cut is for the Fan-Tastic vent roof fan. We discovered that the Fan-Tastic fan is the “go-to” for this type of thing and nothing else beats it. It brings in fresh air and takes out the stale. Gotta have that in 84 sq. ft. with two people and two dogs, that is for sure.

After this is done he will begin insulation of the inside. This is all so exciting that it’s hard to keep my patience in check as I just can’t wait to see it done!  And I’m not the only one who has to practice patience. Doesn’t this photo below look like Gidget is saying, “Aren’t you done yet papa? I want to go on vacation!”

Well gotta run — I think I hear John calling me — time to lift the A/C onto the roof of the van. Wish me luck!

P.S.  Stay tuned to meet our mascots that I ordered for our van. They are SO CUTE!  You knew of course that our van, which we have named “Second Chance” had to have mascots too, right?  🙂

g in van seat

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

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.