Welcome! In this episode, we pre-empt our scheduled topic and talk about the current COVID-19 scare. (Wash your hands!) We'll also discuss wire gauges, a cool table, heater woes and the idyllic Smugglers Notch.

• COVID-19: While the virus is headed our way, there are some interesting issues for those living vanlife. We take a look.

• TECH TALK: What thickness of wire should you use? A brief overview of why bigger is better, and how not to make the same mistake I did.
  

• https://amzn.to/3cH4p5E
  

• One of the "great drives" of the Northeast with hiking, waterfalls, and a bit of the arctic

• A much better explanation than I give in the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mldGGxAVIs

Welcome! In this episode, we talk about surviving the Wisconsin winter, van style. We'll discuss diesel parking heaters, and how Hot Hands can be a good friend on a cold night. Also, we encounter a night-time parking hazard we didn't anticipate. 

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: This whole episode is one big tale from the road.  

• TECH TALK: Diesel Parking Heaters

 For the price, these are the best way to heat your van. They do require some serious installation chops, but once there, you'll have dry heat whenever you need it. 

Hide anywhere model: https://amzn.to/3cbLwri

• Not just for hands anymore, toss these guys in your sleeping bag for a toasty night. 

In this episode, we explain how to find places to park, talk about a 12v microwave oven, review Apple CarPlay, take a trip down the Enchanted Highway and invite you to visit YMCA of the Rockies

• Parking Apps and Ideas

• Park n Ride - found in many towns

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: North Dakota has an "Enchanted Highway." We take a trip down it and find what's at the end. 

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchanted_Highway

• PRODUCT REVIEW: Apple CarPlay

• Want to text and drive safely? Apple CarPlay can help, and do a whole lot more.  
  

• This microwave is designed to work well in vehicles.

• It may say "Y," but you'll say "Wow!"

Welcome! In this episode, we discuss realties and myths of "Stealth Vans," the ins and outs of ventilation, a crazy place to visit in Texarkana, a really useful dashboard device, and a great place to find used furniture. 

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: Can you find the ark inside Texarkana? I did, and I'll share the secret with you:

• Ace of Clubs House. 

• TECH TALK: Ventilation. You don't just want it, you need it. Really. 

 MaxxAir Fan with Rain Shield (Manual)

Welcome! In this episode, we discuss security in your rig, why you should have a multitool, the ShurFlo electric faucet, how to be stupid in the desert, and Racetrack Playa

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: Don't do this - a solo trip on rough desert "roads."

• TECH TALK: Multitools 

• Leatherman Wingman: https://amzn.to/2vStcmh (I got it cheaper at Menards).

• If you use a submersed pump, this is a great solution.

• A long drive on dirt roads in Death Valley, California

Photo by Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith

Welcome! In this episode, we discuss COFFEE, which detectors you should have, a review of the Camco Olympian Wave 3, and a discussion of pet plants.

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: A break down, a good Samaritan, and a difficult decision

• TECH TALK: Which detectors should you have? 

• Smoke: https://amzn.to/3aSc1kH

• Slow to warm, but an economical way of keeping you van warm all night.  

• Aurora, NC Fossil Museum

• A fossil museum that delivers - dig your own without too much work.

Welcome! In this episode, we discuss storing food, what to cover walls with, a place that smells bad but tastes good, and a disappointing visit to an interesting place.

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: Aurora, Indiana and a strange museum

• TECH TALK: Wall coverings 

• Is wood the only option? Hell, no.

• I love this thing, and i think it's a bargain. 

• Luling, TX

• Bad smells

Welcome! In this episode, we discuss loneliness, if you really need an inverter, Sunstone Mining and a review of Window Deflectors

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: Aurora Maine, land of blueberries (and where our title image was taken) 

• TECH TALK: Inverters

• Do you really need an inverter? Really really? Let's talk about it. 

• PRODUCT REVIEW: Wind Deflectors

• I though for sure the cheap wind deflectors I bought would rip off, but a few thousand miles later, and they're just fine. 

• Sunstone Mining in Southeast Oregon

• No need to tunnel, they're right on the surface!

• RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION: eTrailer

• Wouldn't it be nice if there was a site that sold stuff that you can't find anywhere else?

Welcome! In this episode, we discuss ways to how to choose the right van, how to build your floor, Echo Auto, a weird thing I discovered one sleepy day, Meow Wolf and a few other things...

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: A strange way to learn a neat trick

• It turns out that you can't be sleepy and embarrassed at the same time. 

• TECH TALK: Floors

• Boring? Maybe, but your floor is the literal foundation of your van. You might want to pay attention.

• PRODUCT REVIEW: Echo Auto

• Love Alexa? Want to listen to any radio station in the world on the road, or play voice games while driving? NOTE: Since i recorded this, the price has gone up to $49. Sorry about that! Still worth it.

• ANOTHER true pilgrimage for any curious person. It defies description. Just go, and become a better person for it.

 Meow Wolf -https://meowwolf.com/

• RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION: Divine on the Road's Solo Female Van Live

Sidney lives in a Ford Transit and shares her #vanlife adventures in a frank and honest way. If you'd like to hear the reality of the #vanlife community that Instagram promotes, this podcast is for you. 

Welcome! In this episode, we discuss ways to keep clean, peep holes, ottoman beds, the City Museum, and an app to help you stay away from bad weather while you're driving. 

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: Montreal Parking Lot

• A PERFECT parking spot has a hidden problem, and what it taught me about the realities of vanlife. 

• TECH TALK: Peep Holes 

• Want to see what's going outside your van without being seen? Consider peep holes! 

• PRODUCT REVIEW: Ottoman Bed

• An ottoman that turns into a bed: https://amzn.to/39ycTug

• A PLACE TO VISIT: City Museum

• A true pilgrimage for any curious person. It defies description. Just go, and become a better person for it.

• The City Museum - https://www.citymuseum.org/

• RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION: Highway Weather app

A great app for predicting the weather as you proceed on your route. It combines your planned GPS route with the weather forecast. Very useful! http://www.weatherroute.io/