264 Legislative Changes, Macbook Air, Solar for Portables, Bermuda Triangle, SS Badger

COVID-19 is growing stronger, but we can still travel! We just need to do a few things different. We'll also discuss the important of ground wires, review a Dometic toilet, joyously recommend commercialtrucktrader.com, visit the Timberline Lodge and tell a boat ramp story.  COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus  CONTEST!!!! If you live in the US and e-mail me before July 7th, 2020 with a story or other item of interest that I can put in the podcast, you'll be entered to win a brand new PWM Solar Charge controller. Every entry will receive a Hook Waka Bang sticker. Your privacy will be respected - nothing shared, stored, folded, spindled or mutilated.   Travel during COVID-19? You can do it, but set your expectations and be a lot more self-contained.  Tales From the Road Playing stupid games on abandoned coast guard bases isn't the smartest thing to do.    Resource Recommendation Commercial Truck Trader:  The BEST place to search for vans online. Truly an astounding display of vannage.  Tech Talk: Ground Wires Ground wires are just as important as the power wires. Take care of them.  Product Review: Dometic 970 Camping Toilet Not quite like being in a house, but a perfectly reasonable solution.  https://amzn.to/3eVepZC

1 Juli 202029min

High top or low top? That IS the question this week, and while high tops have a lot of appeal, low tops have a place as well. We'll also visit Gillette Castle, the Oregon Coast, and review Ikea Eket and suggest American Van. How can you secure your van? Not personal security, but keeping people out of your van! The Amazon Fire HD 8 has a cool secret, and Salvage One is an interesting place to visit in Chicago. Would like a free water pump? We tell you how. And FINALLY, and explanation for all the Aurora references. And we try Rock Auto and report back. COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus  CONTEST!!!! If you live in the US and e-mail me before July 7th, 2020 with a story or other item of interest that I can put in the podcast, you'll be entered to win a brand new PWM Solar Charge controller. Every entry will receive a Hook Waka Bang sticker. Your privacy will be respected - nothing shared, stored, folded, spindled or mutilated.   High-top or Low-top? It boils down to this: do you want to optimize living or driving/parking?  Tales From the Road A trip to the Oregon Coast! Sort of. Florence to Astoria has some of the most picturesque driving the US. If you can see it.   Resource Recommendation American Van:  A catalog of commercial vans that might have something just for you.  Tech Talk: Curtain Dividers  The secret to hanging a curtain between the front and the back is a shower curtain tension rod.  Product Review: Ikea Eket Eket is a different type of Ikea product, not made of MDF and it doesn't need hex wrenches! What's best is that it comes in different depths.   A Place to Visit: Gillette Castle One of my favorite spots in New England, this castle was the home of William Gillette, creator of "Sherlock Holmes" as we know him. It's full of surprises.  Gillette Castle State Park

24 Juni 202031min

How can you secure your van? Not personal security, but keeping people out of your van! The Amazon Fire HD 8 has a cool secret, and Salvage One is an interesting place to visit in Chicago. Would like a free water pump? We tell you how. And FINALLY, and explanation for all the Aurora references. And we try Rock Auto and report back.  COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus    Van Security Keep your stuff out of site, hide small things, and learn a couple of tricks like kill switches, locking swivel seats, and chained steering wheels. Tales From the Road The Auroras explained, finally. What does it mean? You'll have to listen to find out.   Resource Recommendation Rock Auto - more than just an annoying commercial. It's actually pretty great!  Tech Talk: Free Water Pump! Ok, we'll spill the secret - your free water pump is... gravity. But it can be all you need.  Product Review: Amazon Fire HD 8 Not really a review, but rather an interesting way to use it as an Alexa hub.  Amazon Fire HD tablets. https://amzn.to/3ftHSts

18 Juni 202031min

What if you'd rather just buy a van? We talk about the realities, some of them harsh. We'll also review the Stanley Cook Kit (it's great!), talk about how to screw properly (really) and I'll tell the tale of what it's like on our Interstates now that COVID-19 is firmly with us.    COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus    Pre-Built Vans They're expensive. RV Trader is a great place to start, to get an idea of prices, etc.   Conversion Trader is focussed specifically on self-built vans.  Sportsmobile has the best full-sized, custom conversions. Tales From the Road Things are weird an eerie on the nation's interstates. Bring snacks.  Q&A - Window Tint Is it legal to tint your windows? Maybe? Sometimes. Could be. We discuss. Resource Recommendation Perhaps the very first "#vanlife" book, Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck.    Tech Talk: Screw With Care! Don't just screw willy nilly into your van. Every hole is a potential problem, and it's a good idea to know how your drill works as well.   Product Review: Stanley Adventure Prep + Cook Set - 1.58 Quart, Stainless Steel This is a great, compact, and flexible cooking solution perfect for vans.  https://amzn.to/3hgDPm5

11 Juni 202030min

Another Top 10? Who knows—but here are some tips about #vanlife that might help you make decisons. A House on the Rock (and so much more), Pre-made Camper Kits, a Choose My Own Adventure Idea, Free Templates, and a Velcro Wall.   COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus    Top 10 Tips #vanlife can be easier if you know a few things. Here some of them are.   Tales From the Road What if someone else told you where to go? In a nice way?  Q&A -Premade Kits?  Is a premade kit your ticket to #vanlife? Maybe. Wayfarer Vans is the most well known.   Resource Recommendation Free van build tool? Yes! But the templates are the real value. Thank you, SportsMobile.  A Place to Visit: House on the Rock One of the three "most curious" spots in the US. You can't prepare for this - just go. House on the Rock

26 Maj 202030min

Top 10? Who knows - but here are some myths about #vanlife that need to go away. A moving highway? Yes, it exists and it's called the "Badger." How do the pros do laundry? Infrequently. And we'll explain the difference between solar charge controllers, tell a story of a storm and recommend Travels with Charley.   COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus    Top 10 Myths #vanlife is gaining popularity and so are the stereotypes. Don't buy them. Tales From the Road What can a storm teach us about perspective? Q&A - Laundry?  Use the laundromat? The Scrubba promises to let you do your laundry in a bag. For a price. https://amzn.to/3bQRegx A mini washing machine. https://amzn.to/3cOJo8v A fine salad spinner washing machine. https://amzn.to/3e6ehp9 Resource Recommendation Perhaps the very first "#vanlife" book, Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck.  Tech Talk: Solar Charge Controllers Will Prowse is the god of solar. Here's is explanation, which is a lot more thorough than mine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB6zojol9o0 A Place to Visit: SS Badger The last coal-fired steamship running the United States today. https://www.ssbadger.com/

20 Maj 202028min

Can you work while living and traveling in a van? Of course you can! And there are more opportunities than you might imagine. I tell tales from the light and dark sides of Moon, Oklahoma, and spend a lot of time talking about insurance matters you need to consider.  COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus    Working From the Road You don't need a #vanlife job You need a job you can do remotely RV folks have some answers for us Great place to start: http://www.workamper.com  Divine on the Road's Earning a Remote Income | Van Life Facebook Group. Tales From the Road An alien visits Moon, Oklahoma and makes brief contact with the beings living there.  Google Maps: Moon, OK Q&A - How Do I Get Insurance? VIN determines if your vehicle is commercial or not Concentrate on liability insurance State Farm often comes up as the best

14 Maj 202033min

Minimalism? Yes, but what kind? An exploration... also, we review Curtis Tow Hitches, take a look at drive options for different vans, take a death march through Texas, and invite you to visit Starry Meadows, and maybe see Charon.  COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus    Video Games in Your Van A lot of #vanlife folks talk about "minimalism." What is it? And do you want it?  Melissa Camara Wilkins discusses Types of Minimalism   TECH TALK: FWD vs. RWD vs. 4WD There are pros and cons to each of these setups. What will you use your van for? What's your budget? That can help you choose the best option for you.  A PLACE TO VISIT: Starry Meadows  Like astronomy? Visit Colorado (or what to)? Check out the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society and their amazing site, Starry Meadows.  https://csastro.org/ PRODUCT REVIEW: Curtis Tow Hitches Not planning on towing anything? You might still want a tow hitch for bikes, storage, etc. You can install it yourself. Curtis makes a decent product. https://amzn.to/3c6un1L  Q&A - Kittens in a Van while at work? It's fraught to attempt to have a pet in a vehicle while you're away, but if you have no other choice, here are tips for making the best of an imperfect situation.

5 Maj 202031min