Strolling Amok

Pops goes on tour.

Archive for the category “Camper Nirvana”

08 Jul 2016
15 Comments

Operation Moto Dog

Image liberated from mallorypaige.com.

Image liberated from mallorypaige.com.

“I believe embracing our crazy keeps us sane,” is one mantra that Mallory Paige follows. A young woman in her early thirties, Mallory has done some world travel and some VW bus vandwelling. While riding in a motorcycle sidecar in Ecuador one day, she got the crazy idea that she could ride from Oregon to Alaska and back on a motorcycle, and with a sidecar attached, haul her labrador Baylor along for the ride. Then near trip’s end, she advanced her internal throttles into full-crazy and decided to tour every state in the country. She’s been doing that for awhile now, proving to herself and anyone who cares to read her writings that both courage and fear are an integral part of us and part of life, and that the decisions we make have a huge impact on our lives.

I don’t advocate her site in the belief that everyone should run around the country with a motorcycle+sidecar combo or anything else. She does not appear to believe that either. I do so because Read more…

Posted in Camper Nirvana, Navel Gazing and tagged
21 May 2016
18 Comments

Wandering the Overland Expo 2016

When the weather goes bad, equipment choice and deployment make the difference between dependability and dumpster fodder. Sometimes it's best to learn from others' experiences.

When the weather goes bad, equipment choice and deployment make the difference between dependability and dumpster fodder. Sometimes it’s best to learn from others’ experiences!

As you may have guessed, the above scene was taken in the area I was camped in. The wind advisory yesterday was for gusts up to 50 MPH, and the tall trees blocked some of it, but not all. The one camper I’d talked with in the Expo camping area on Thursday was not aware of what was forecast, and when I returned to see the show on Friday, even the canopy used at the day pass sign-in checkpoint had been blown away. I’d assumed that they had taken it down as a precaution, but the volunteer there told me, “Nope, it took off.” Fortunately, the tight pack-together and a line of tall pines at one edge of the display area broke enough of the 25 MPH average that the vendors seemed to be doing well – even the awning people.

Biking further down towards town showed this classic overlanding combo.

Biking further down towards town showed this classic overlanding combo. it looks appealing, but considering the nightly lows in the high-30s, it’s for hardier stock than I am.

What follows is not at all a comprehensive overview of this year’s Expo. It’s just the few things that drew my attention. Read more…

Posted in Camper Nirvana, Mod Squad and tagged , , ,
16 Dec 2015
13 Comments

What Do You Dream?

The above video was made for the Overland Expo 2014, and nicely offers its alternate perception of what camping is to some people. Just for fun and because it’s well done, enjoy three minutes of sizzle.

Posted in Camper Nirvana, Navel Gazing and tagged
13 Nov 2015
6 Comments

Problems Solved!

Problem Solved

My good bud Matt sent me this photo as a tongue-in-cheek solution to the Defiant’s issues with getting into the rough stuff. After all, who needs a cramped truck camper when a truck and luxo-camper fix is so easily available? I’m Googling for tires, wheels and lift kits right now…

Posted in Camper Nirvana and tagged , ,
30 Sep 2015
10 Comments

It Hurts So Good Dept.

Care for some unique, anyone?

Care for some unique, anyone?

Reader David R sent in a couple of photos of his latest conquest, a 1965 Avion C-10, a ten-foot truck camper that fits in an eight-foot bed. He claims it’s “in surprisingly good condition for the age”, which is now fifty years! Who says they didn’t build ’em to last back then?

David is one of those gluttons for punishment who enjoys taking basket cases and refurbishing them, and then on to the next. But it’s possible that this old 1,700-pound beer can might stick around for awhile, since Read more…

Posted in Camper Nirvana
02 Jun 2015
10 Comments

Overland Expo 2015

The local horse riding place had a bunch of horses saddled up and ready, to tempt visitors into going for a ride.

The local horse riding place had a bunch of horses saddled up and ready, to tempt visitors into going for a ride.

[Caution: If you’re on a limited cellular data plan, you might prefer to abort and hold off on this post until you can get to a free WiFi source. It’s a big one, with lots of photos.]

My being out in Arizona’s drier parts for so long made the many days of overcast and frequent sprinkles of rain stand out. The rain actually got significant just before the Expo started, which turned the grounds into a bit of a mudpit, which was probably a first for this show. I felt sorry for the vendors, who had to find the driest spot available in their little preassigned slots to set up canopies that were commonly surrounded by moats of water. Attendees then had to snake their way around the mini-bogs and ponds to navigate a workable path in the gooshy mush. Even on the main paths through the show area, folks needed to use care to pick a path here and there.

I merely cruised around the camping area on my first day, since heavy rains were quickly due in. These visitors from Brazil had a Jeep that we are not offered: one with a diesel engine. Torquey when it counts, Jeep thinks they won't sell here. This one is making its way from coast to coast before moving on to another continent.

I merely cruised around the camping area on my first day, since heavy rains were quickly due in. These visitors from Brazil had a Jeep that we are not offered: one with a diesel engine. Torquey when it counts, Jeep thinks they won’t sell here. This one is making its way from coast to coast before moving on to another continent.

The e-bike proved invaluable here just to gain entry! I was able to idle it right through a couple of deep troughs of water, pedals up, and park it against a perimeter fence or tree to walk at leisure. That was handy, because folks faced congested paths in and through by foot, plus the Aurora carried a big bottle of water for me. People didn’t seem to mind the sloppy ground or resent the occasional Read more…

Posted in Camper Nirvana, E-Bike Pack Mule, Tourista! and tagged , , ,
08 Mar 2015
11 Comments

Richard’s Van

How would you like to be able to stand up straight in your van camper?

How would you like to be able to stand up straight in your van camper?

I often spot interesting little rigs while I’m biking around campsites. Then I get distracted by some ongoing situation and either I or they have to leave before I can get to them. This one was a squeaker, with my returning, camera and voice recorder in hand, one day before Richard’s departure.

Big door, and that step in is deep, making for a secure step that requires no dancing around. It technically robs floor space, but does so in an area that it would rarely be needed.

Big door, and that step in is deep, making for a secure step that requires no dancing around. It technically robs floor space, but does so in an area that it would rarely be needed.

What got my attention was his van’s tall roof, and the fact that it was not attached to a Sprinter van. Sprinters have become commonplace as the basis for conversion campers because of their high roof option, relatively high fuel mileage, and their prodigious towing and weight-carrying capabilities. Offered by Mercedes and Freightliner, the Sprinter’s former link with Dodge has apparently been severed when Chrysler’s Mercedes overlord changed to Fiat, which now offers Fiat’s version as the Ram ProMaster Cargo Van. Whether good or bad, the ProMaster is not even a distant cousin to the Sprinter.

That IS a large door! Richard mentioned a balky catch that seems to pervade this model, but it works, and notice the RV-style window he added.

That IS a large door! Richard mentioned a balky catch that seems to pervade this model, but it works, and notice the RV-style window he added.

Richard identified his van as a Nissan NV2500, one of several variations that Nissan has offered for awhile to tradesmen and other commercial users. I find that interesting because Nissan once had plans to go head-to-head with Read more…

Posted in Camper Nirvana and tagged
29 Dec 2014
5 Comments

Unicell Aerocell SRW

Trade van turned camper.

Trade van turned camper.

While I was getting propane last week in Quartzsite, a cargo van rolled into a Family Dollar across the street. With an add-on body that was both bulbous and sleek, I’d never seen anything like it and was impatient to get out and across there to check it out before it left. No need to fret, since the owner promptly climbed back in, came over, and got into line for propane too!

With its rounded, bulging sides and roof, this add-on to a Chevy cutaway van presents an oddly organic profile. It struck me as a promising way to boost usable space and get Read more…

Posted in Camper Nirvana and tagged
12 Feb 2014
14 Comments

The Return of Spartan Luxury

At one time, The American Dream was being free to live in the way you wanted to, rather than being the opportunity to go from rags to riches.

At one time, The American Dream was being free to live in the way you wanted to, rather than having the opportunity to go from rags to riches.

You asked for it, and here it is: the sequel to Spartan Luxury and Update to Spartan Luxury, with additional detail provided from interviewing Charles, the owner of this surprising little rig that’s built to boondock in more remote areas. I have to admit, I figured that this quirky little trailer, being not much over six feet square, would be akin to a broom closet inside, as far as living space goes. I figured that a converted cargo van would be a mansion in comparison.

I initially thought it must be too small to do any more than weekend in.

I initially thought it must be too small to do any more than weekend in.

Wrong again. It’s quite the other way around. Yep, the exterior has a kind of ramshackle practicality that doesn’t build much expectation for the interior. Yet once the door to the inside is opened, the aura of Read more…

Posted in Camper Nirvana and tagged , ,
25 Jan 2014
15 Comments

Adventures in RVing!

The mighty Defiant in Marengo, Illinois last summer.

The mighty Defiant in Marengo, Illinois last summer.

This isn’t about my adventure. It’s about Dave’s Adventure. See, Dave is this guy in a mid-sized older motorhome, a real nice guy just out to see what RVing is all about, same as me. He was parked directly in back of my TT, and the photo above doesn’t show that because it was taken just before he arrived. Otherwise, it’d be in the photo because it was no more than ten feet away. There were a few trees and a powerline close by, too. I left Sept 3rd to head for the Bonneville Salt Flats, and he stayed behind for awhile.

Before you ask “so what”, I’ll tell you. Sometimes, what doesn’t happen to you is as important as what does happen. I got the “doesn’t”, he got the “does”. I’ll let Dave tell you:

“…Looks like you have had your trials and tribulations but have succeeded in your quest so far.  As for me, since you left I have had my own trials and tribulations.
First off, shortly after you left I took a direct lightning strike Read more…

Posted in Camper Nirvana, Campsites and tagged , , , ,

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