232 VanFest LiftOff! Backup battery, Lunar Lake, Sevier Lake, Water Bypass

I attended the Project Vanlife Summit last week and have a full report. We'll also play with some Coroplast, visit a dead man's skull, fly on a very old plane, try out a 12v heated blanket, and talk about Hip Camp.  FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) Our DC-3, built in 1942. Project Van Life Summit I have mixed feelings about this event, but have a look for yourself https://projectvanlife.com/vanlife-summit/ A Place to Visit - Harvey Morgan's Head https://fremontcountymuseums.com/the-lander-museum/ https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/79641 Product Review - iHealthComfort 12v Electric Blanket Seems to be a good one! https://amzn.to/3EECqmN Tech Talk - Coroplast This corrugated plastic product is great for building things and covering windows. https://www.instructables.com/Corrugated-Plastic-Collection-Coroplast-and-Correx/ Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.

25 Feb 202332min

Completing ones bucket list requires something: understanding what's on it. And that's not always easy. We'll also take a look at a pet monitoring solution, find creative uses for Washer Fluid, visit an odd structure, and play a bit Galaga! FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) What's up, maps? Waggle Pet Monitor I haven't tried this, but it might be the right thing for someone. Only $99 on sale - https://amzn.to/3XA1r9f A Place to Visit - Portland Observatory Looks like a lighthouse, but it isn't. It's just as interesting, though. https://www.portlandlandmarks.org/observatory/ Product Review - My Arcade Galaga A really authentic bit of retro fun.   https://amzn.to/3XA1r9f Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.

15 Feb 202332min

How about a few YouTube channels to check out? And after that, why not visit some dinosaur footprints while keeping your battery warm enough to charge. And then you can use your compass app find your bumper step.  For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link!  FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) Beneath this dome lie the ages... YouTube Channels: TABI-IE-Quietnight https://www.youtube.com/@tabi-ie-quietnight- No words, just watch a Japanese man in his converted box truck. Peaceful and immersive.  David McLuckie https://www.youtube.com/@DavidMcLuckie THE man for Chinese Diesel Heaters. Very Scottish.  Rainman Ray https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lANwRQ0vJGE A quirky master mechanic shows you how he fixes just about everything Matt's Off Road Recovery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KR3uwo1b4w Matt's hugely popular channel shows his adventures rescuing people who strayed a bit too far into the Utah wilderness. Greg Virgoe https://www.youtube.com/@GregVirgoe Greg's channel is often held up as the best source of information on how to build out a van.  Catlady Van https://www.youtube.com/@ThecatladyVAN She travels Canada in a van with her cat, and let's us go with her. Eric Enjoys Earth https://www.youtube.com/@ericenjoysearth2756 Eric does things differently, and that's good for us. A Place to Visit - Dinosaur State Park YES! You can find dinosaurs in New England http://dinosaurstatepark.org/ Product Review - Receiver Hitch Bumper Step This thing is strong, tough, and fairly affordable.   https://amzn.to/3JV9Xws Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.

8 Feb 202330min

It doesn't have to cost a lot to outfit your van. We'll talk about ways to get the stuff you need for cheap. We'll also discuss the importance of E-brakes, visit the "center of the United States," play with Alfred Cam, and recommend a great vanlife book.  For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link!  FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) Photo from Alfred Cam alerting me that my flamingo lights had turned on Stanley Cook Products I use: Stanley Adventure All-in-One 2 Bowl Cook Set https://amzn.to/3HQShAF Stanley 24oz Kettle with Mugs https://amzn.to/3XN8jAZ A Place to Visit - Center of US The trick is to define WHICH center you want... Read the first paragraph: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_geographic_centers_of_the_United_States Resource Recommendation - Alfred Cam A great way to find new use for old phones and to add some security to your van. https://alfred.camera/ Product Review - Daydream to Dream Life: Quit your 9-5 job to live in a van down by the river A great introduction to Vanlife by the folks at FnA Vanlife https://amzn.to/3jnIfxs Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.

1 Feb 202328min

Frankie and Alex left NYC and hit the road. Now, they find themselves in Costa Rica, and they took some time out from traveling to tell us about their journey, relationship, and what it's like to travel with Paco, their adorable dog.  FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) From the Big Apple to the Big ProMaster!   FnA Vanlife Their website, full of content for folks wanting to follow their journey or learn to start their own https://www.fnavanlife.com/ FnA Vanlife YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FnAVanLife Stuck on a Baja Beach Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIdYsLk9utM Van Life Book Daydream to Dream Life: Quit your 9-5 job to live in a van down by the river A GREAT introduction and guide for vanlife by Alex and Frankie. I've read it - this is well-written with very practical advice and realities for those looking to hit the road.  https://amzn.to/3wCk7tV Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.

28 Jan 202348min

Why have propane? We'll talk about why and why not and give options for those who don't want to cook with gas. We'll also explore Antarctica, rugs, places where dogs are welcome, and we'll encounter a mystery.  For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link!  FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) Would you like to work here? It's possible...   A Place to Visit - Antarctica Jobs There ARE jobs in Antarctica, if you're the right person. Not all are skilled - they need everything a small city does.   From Cheryl (Thanks!): Antarctic jobs for 2023: https://www.usap.gov/jobsandopportunities/   but this is the bulk of the jobs from firefighters to plumbers: https://www.amentumcareers.com/jobs/search?query=antarctica Resource Recommendation - Bring Fido! Visiting a place and want to know if your dog is welcome? Check this.  http://www.bringfido.com Product Review - 12v Dehumidifier NineSky Dehumidifier https://amzn.to/3R9ASWJ Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.

25 Jan 202330min

Just for fun, let's do some trivia! 10 questions, some easy some hard. We'll also review cheap tablets, talk about how to have another vehicle in your van, decode your VIN and we'll visit the USS Constitution.  For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link!  FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) The USS Constitution   A Place to Visit - USS Constitution The oldest commissioned warship in the world.  https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/ Resource Recommendation - VIN Decoder Your VIN holds a lot of information about your vehicle. Decode it here. https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/ Product Review - Amazon Fire Tablets Are they as good as iPads? NO! But are they amazing for the price? Absolutely.  https://amzn.to/3XmDL92   Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.

18 Jan 202331min

This episode is not sponsored in any way.  Jess from goRoam contacted me to ask if I thought you folks might like to hear about her solution for Internet on the road, and when I found out what it was, I said YES. This episode delves into Starlink, 5g and LTE connectivity and there's something to learn for everyone.  Her company, goRoam, has a solution that allows "at home" Internet speeds anywhere. And she has great tips for folks with less connectivity needs. It's not "cheap," but if your job depends on it, it's not out of reach either. I was surprised at how affordable it is. If you're going to work from the road, Internet connectivity is super important, so you'll want to check this out. You can check out their stuff at http://www.goroam.tech You can contact Jess directly at info@goroam.tech

13 Jan 202339min