van life

On Leaving. On Staying.

On Leaving. On Staying.

The other night I was gone for awhile so John was in charge of looking after Kylie and Gidget – not that they need much looking after. When I walked through the front door a few hours later this is the sweet scene I was met with. John said they snuggled like this the whole time I was gone, which of course melted my heart.

As we get ready to head out Wednesday morning to Tennessee for a long overdue vacation in our van we’ve converted to a camper (well, phase one is done!) I’m glad that Kylie and Gidget can make the trip with us. While it has caused some extra effort getting everything packed for them (meds, food, leashes, blankets, beds, kennels, etc.) and then adjusting as we make the trip, I’m sure, it reminds me to be patient, and go with the flow.

While I love going on vacation, I am a homebody also. It is effort to go on vacation, let’s face it, but I know we will have a good time, and I really am excited about this trip. But then yesterday afternoon I had the urge to re-arrange our living room, which I wasn’t planning on doing until we returned.

After it was arranged in what I call our “winter” look with the sofa and over-sized chair centered around our wood stove, I sat down and a delicious warm, cozy feeling overcame me. It felt like my little house was wrapping its loving arms around me, whispering in my ear, “don’t go.”

And I was torn about leaving and staying. But alas, I can’t be in two places at once. And this is the beauty of leaving…coming home again and appreciating even more what home means to me. But also in leaving and seeing what is happening out in the world that inspires me and refills my creative well.

I won’t be blogging while we are gone but will likely post some photos on my Facebook and Instagram pages if you’d like to check it out.

As for me, back to my list and last minute preparations while John finishes up making a make shift bed for us and getting everything in order so come tomorrow we can begin (creatively) packing the van, making the beds, and taking care of any last minute details. 

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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.