We’ve reviewed a lot of things, but how have they held up? We’ll take a look at a bunch of them. We’ll also visit a strange desert spot, reivew the Setpower AJ30 (sponsored), talk about how to wire solar panels, and discuss why State Farm is special. 

What happened here? 

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.)

• Reviewed Items

•  200ah Chin Battery https://amzn.to/32AaLDF 

• Better Choice https://amzn.to/3KLV4uf

• A really nice size with two different zones (one for veggies, one for sodas), removable wheels and hardware, and low draw.  

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. 

BONUS INTERVIEW: Digital Nomad Phoebe Milward

Phoeobe off for an adventure (from her Instagram).

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.)

• Links to Phoebe:
  

• Her main site, where you can learn about her high-end affiliate marketing program:

• http://phoebesfootsteps.com

• https://www.instagram.com/phoebes_footsteps/

• Amazon Affiliate Marketing
  

• Preply - tutor language students online

• https://preply.com/en/teach

• https://teach.italki.com/application

• https://www.verbalplanet.com/tutorhome.asp

• https://www.cambly.com/en/tutors?lang=en

• Upwork - find jobs that let you work remote

• https://www.upwork.com/hire/

• https://www.fiverr.com/start_selling

• https://solidgigs.com/

• https://www.flexjobs.com/

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. 

I am vanless! My van is at the dealer, and I don’t know when it’s coming back. This could be a whiny episode. BUT - we do review Apple AirTags, visit Bora Bora, talk about C-rate and play with some birds. 

Sigh.

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.)

• Product Review - Apple AirTags

• Great little things to help track your keys, your van, or anything else really. Apple only, sad to say. 

•  Resource Recommendation - Merlin Bird ID

• The best app for figuring out what bird you're staring at. Or is staring at you. 

• Birds. They eat out of your hand. Bring black oil sunflower seeds!

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. 

So many myths about heating your van! Let's debunk a few. And then we'll talk about putting IKEA Kallax in your van, jumping to your death, a great place for planespotting, jumps starting your van with your leisure battery, and using Podbean for podcasting. 

Some of the options for Kallax

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.)

• Electric Blankets

• This 12v blanket only draws about 4amps, so you can use it without too much worry about killing your leisure battery.

• Strong, light, versatile and inexpensive - this could be the start of your build. 

•  Resource Recommendation -  Podbean

• Is this the year you start a podcast? I've been using Podbean and find it simple, affordable, and supportive. Click the link below and receive up to $100 free advertising when you open your account. 

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. 

Drones are great! But boy, are they a hassle. We explain. We'll also drink from an aluminum cup, visit a plant museum that's neither, find something odd on a beach, and play with What3Words.

The Henry B. Plant Museum 

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.)

• A Place to Visit

• The Henry B. Plant Museum is a historic hotel that takes you back to the Gilded Age in style. 

• Pricey, but fun and useful. 

• Tech Talk - What3Words

• A better way to navigate to a specific spot on Earth using just 3 words. 

• Matt's Off-Road Recovery - A YouTube channel about rescuing vehicles stuck in the Utah desert. 

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. 

Are you in a race? No! Let's help each other get where we're going! And then we can visit places like the mysterious cairns in Coventry Rhode Island. We can also fight condensation with bubble wrap, find out what to do when alligator has its eyes on you, and review the "perfect" cooktop for a van.

The fleet. For about a month. 

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.)

• A Place to Visit

• Coventry, Rhode Island has mysterious rock structures in its woods. Vikings? Aliens? Probably not. But still an interesting place to visit!

• This is a great permanently-mounted cooktop for many builds, especially because it has a D-cell battery powering its electric igniter.

• Tech Talk - Bubblewrap for Condensation

• The folks at the Life's Too Short YouTube channel have a good solution for fighting condensation. And they're nice as well! Give it a watch...

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. 

How do you stay warm in a van without a heater? Here are some ways… we’ll also review the Oculus Quest 2, visit Vermont… and a cave, in a hole, in the South Pacific. And we’ll have frank discussion about propane safety. 

Photo by Trapp Family Lodge

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.)

• Staying Warm

• Some links to things mentioned in case you can't find them

• Hand Warmers

• https://amzn.to/3srtGuM

• https://amzn.to/3sxqXjt
  

• Seems crazy, but this is a compact, power friendly to enjoy playing video games and watch movies in a van. 

• Tech Talk - Propane Safety

• A good place to start your journey to a safe propane system

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. 

Can you make money from social media? YES. But there are things you need to know, and nothing's guaranteed. We'll also review the BlueDriver OBDII scanner, take a look at Nomadic News, visit Great Falls, and hear a story about more bees! 

Photo by Wendy Seltzer

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.)

• Product Review - Razor UB1

• Slow, short-lived and uncomfortable. But hey, at least it's small. 

• A Place to Visit - The Lost Coast

• A pristine bit of California with some odd shaped giant trees.

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. 

Can you make money from social media? YES. But there are things you need to know, and nothing's guaranteed. We'll also review the BlueDriver OBDII scanner, take a look at Nomadic News, visit Great Falls, and hear a story about more bees! 

For more information on the cruise, visit http://j.mp/CofCAlaska We'd love to have you!

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.)

• Product Review - BlueDriver OBDII Scanner

• It's a diagnostic scanner that displays data and live information on your phone. 

• A Place to Visit - Great Falls, VA

• A stunning bit of history and scenery just outside DC

• It's Nomadic News! It says it's about RVs, but they report on issues that affect anyone living and traveling on the road. 

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. 

10 bits of GOOD NEWS for Vanlife! A visit to the New England Aquarium, a review of a nice ladder, an encounter with The Lady in Black, and a serious iOverlander Problem

This episode has NEW MUSIC. If you'd like to hear what Simon Wagg made for Season 2, listen past the credits for the full suite! 

A tank at The New England Aquarium

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.)

• Good News!

• Rubber Tramp Rendezvous is ON!

• https://amzn.to/3rt3hMv

• Inexpensive, strong, and fairly easy to install. 

• Tech Talk - Redarc 25 amp DC Battery Charger

• If you want a combo MPPT and DC to DC (Battery to Battery) charger, this one should work. 

• Old, but very well run with a focus on animal comfort and ecology. 

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.