Another crisp fall season in Oceanside by the beach

So I made my update last March, and since then, many thing have changed in my life.  I moved my Mom to my place in April after her house sold.  I had to clear everything out and pack the moving van, load her car and cats and drive us both to San Diego.  We made the long trip more bearable by stopping in several towns of interest, the first being Marfa, Texas and the second, Silver City.  I enjoyed the quarky side of both of these towns.  Marfa had an inventive industrial flare as well as high art side to it with chic cafes, bookstores and happy hours.  Silver City was not trying to be something it wasn't, or didn't have some of the pretense I found in Marfa.  Silver City was scenic and had beautiful architecture, but I think I could grow tired of the town and seek other landscapes.

My Mom stayed in the downstairs apartment at my place for nearly 2 months before she picked a 55 and up community to try out.  She has a one year lease, so we're testing the waters on this option.

I kept a busy schedule between showing her assisted and independent care homes, getting her errands and putting the finishing touches on the classics.  I ended up selling two to a fellow who shipped them to the Netherlands.  The green one will likely be in an auto museum in Amsterdam.

So, with two vehicles sold, I was super excited to turn the crank of Vanlife.  At that moment, I was off turning my ideas into a reality while running wires, and water lines and building furniture for the van.  I worked a steady 7 days a week until the Beloved fest in Oregon which took place on the 2nd weekend of August pushed me out the door in order to make my entry date and setup camp for the long weekend.

Beloved was a good way for me to get out of my busy work like and get some time away from all the demands of life.  I enjoyed the music, especially Femi Kuti, and the many smiling people that attended the fest.

I continued to hover around the northwest in Casper until my Boosted Mini arrived, of which I tested out and then began to drive south.  While in Oregon I did my usual maintenance on the old church which meant pressure washing the roof, fixed a rotting roof by the entry gate and upgraded the kitchen cabinets drawer slides.  I also added a plumbing trap to the upstairs bathroom.  All in all, the place looked good and I enjoyed touring around that lovely part of the world.

I spent a weekend at Mike and Pam's and blew a couple cups that fit the cup holders in Casper, so that was a treat to have some down time with old friends.

I returned home just before labor day weekend and felt the need to rest after many less than adequate nights in the van trying to get a good night sleep.  I slowly started going through everything and decided to take on minimalism.

So, as I write this there are boxes strewn across my front yard, many listings on ebay, craigslist, and thesamba.  I'm unloading stuff left and right and packing it tight for later use or losing it.  I'm amazed at how many items I've put in the alley that disappear overnight.  I love that!  So, the reward is immense as I've always wanted to experience vanlife for real...and Floyd just wasn't the long distance machine, but Casper goes great.  I am using this as an incentive to get rid of everything required to rent the entire house and get on the road.

Things left to do...paint and assemble Floyd.

Restore or sell the EV Rat bug.

Lessen my load down to what can be stored on my property, and let go of the rest, minus the tools.

Make sure Mom is happy where she is or assist in her next step along her journey.

I'm very excited and focused on the road that lies ahead.

Here are a few photos from my recent times.

 At the damn at Cougar Reservoir, just past the Terwilliger Hot Springs

 Olallie Lake

Just outside the general store at Olallie Lake

Near a meadow at Olallie Lake.