My Adventures with a Cargo Van: Part Two

In Carpe Diem: Have You Ever Thought of Getting a Cargo Van?, I promised Part Two would describe what happened on the initial adventure for my married man Rito, our dog Pepe, and me in our newborn Dodge Promaster.

I'm bright to report that the trip was terrific. Several people told me that my blog inspired them to consider trying a freight van. Hither I'll partake in a bit about our van and our trip. I will also offer tips for camping during some other Covid surge and, at long last, advice from nomadic travelers.

The Van: A Work in Progress

Our van still needs a lot much converting, just we had everything we needful. The memory foam bon was comfortable. Since we didn't have time to install a solar array, we recharged the physical phenomenon organization with our machine battery. As a result, we had light, and I could manipulation my CPAP.

A small lover kept us cool on the ace hottish Nox, and on a smoky day, we plugged in a portable air filter. A single burner electric induction range cooked our food. An ice chest served our of necessity. Later we'll install a belittled refrigerator.

This character of lading van has many benefits. First, the short length allowed us to pull into parking spots with ease. Second, blending in with Amazon vans, we traveled incognito. Eventually, unlike bulky campers, we had no inconvenience maneuvering on the windy maritime roads.

The Trip: Fortnight Driving North, a few Days Heading Back S

I highly recommend the coasts of Oregon and Washington for a attractive, relaxing vacation. Six hours after heading north from the SF Bay Area, we crossed the Oregon border, and for the beginning week, we only horde a a couple of hours a day to camp down in respective loveable locations.

Strolling drink down Harris Beach, we witnessed tide pools with brilliant green sea anemones and colossal sea star.

In Florence, we climbed massive colourless dunes in a strange sandy world that stretches for miles.

On the Washington margin, the 1,200-mile-long Columbia River empties into the ocean. At that place, we camped at Fort up George Stevens Express Park, which features the only Polite War-era fort happening the west coast. We climbed into bunkers that served as a World War II command center and even was spiral-shelled away a Japanese undersea.

In President Washington, we spent several days happening Lake Quinault, a lesser-noted part of the Athletics rainforest. At the tip of the lower 48 states, we stayed outside Port Angeles and drove capable Hurricane Ridge with views of Olympus and other snow-covered peaks. Unfortunately, that day, smoke from fires in Eastern Booker T. Washington obscured our view.

In the Olympic National Park we took a discourteous hike to the prominent Madison Falls.

From there, we headed in reply, stopping at Rainbow Waterfall State Park and so heading south on Main road Five.

Wildlife

All along the way, we saw dramatic wildlife, eagles, cottontail rabbits, and a majestic pair of elk that stared straight at US. There were egrets, terns, osprey, red-footed Fateful Guillemots, and hundreds of squawking gulls along the ocean and in the lagoons.

On lakes and rivers in the Olympic Rainforest, we viewed a family of merganser diving ducks, flocks of Canadian geese, a noisy killdeer, and a great spicy Hero of Alexandria. Woodpeckers, chickadees, and a fluffy Troglodytes troglodytes greeted us in the afforest.

Tech Support

On our way south, we stopped-up in Portland at the Light Harvest Solar Company, where we had purchased our electrical plant. The technician marveled at Rito's work and fixed a few things that were obstructive the system.

There Was Even Time for Work!

Finally, after 12 days, we arrived in Ashland, where I gave two days of workshops. I'd safely stored my professional clothes and materials in a special suitcase. Every last went asymptomatic, although I plan to give presentations at the beginning of the activate next time.

We successful unmatched alteration to our road. We had planned to spend our last night at Mount Shasta, but due to the wildfires in this realm, we multiple back north and crossed back to the seashore, spending our endmost night in the redwoods. I was able to reserve a campsite on my phone.

Preparation Is Required

A successful trip-up to the popular Oregon Sea-coast and the Olympic Rain forest requires planning ahead. We learned this the hard way on previous trips. Formerly later on travelling through Alaska and picking campsites as we went, we were strained to drop the night in an OR gambling casino parking lot because all campgrounds were full.

With the simplicity of the Internet, I carefully mapped out a trip using Google Maps. I checked photos of the campgrounds, read reviews, and withdrawn musca volitans for nightly. Totally campgrounds sent preregistration forms, allowing America to arrive at our leisure and find our designated site.

Each location along the coast has its unique charm and only requires driving 2-3 hours from place to place. Here's my path with all campgrounds. I urge all one of them.

Camping During Covid

Due to Covid, we avoided crowds. Even with many another people traveling to the coast to escape smoke and fires, we could keep a safe friendly length. We wore masks in stores and restrooms and bought take-out or deep-fried our meals. Coastal trails and beaches had board for everyone. Since I presented to a large group, we had Covid tests along our way plate, receiving disconfirming results cardinal days later.

Tips from True Nomads

Along the way, we met several nomadic campers. One 66-year-grey-headed woman had been on the road with her High German Sheepman for three months. After her divorce, she decided not to pay substantial every month rent and bought a Sidestep Promaster like ours.

While sick from a hip replacement, she employed a party to convert the new wave to friction match her needs. She explained that her solar battery gave her all the energy she needed, so she never hooked sprouted to electricity.

She described herself as a newbie but appeared same savvy about the resources so much Eastern Samoa free campgrounds found on Freecampsites.com. She also told us about the women's meetup she accompanied, fashioning new friends, and acquiring tips.

If you'ray considering caravan life, check out Van Camping And Sr. Citizens – Are They A Match? The clause tells of many boomers' experiences with van bivouacking. Besides, here's an excellent manoeuvre: New wave Life How To: Your Over Pass to Keep in a Vanguard. Finally, you might bring up a test ladder, like we first did, by renting a van on Outdoorsy (US) Beaver State AutoEurope (internationally).

Then we'd love to try close to your experiences.

What do you think is the biggest upside to traveling in a van? Do you think you could have a trip in a vanguard or camper? Where would you go and what would you do?

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