Today was a momentous day at Camp Cordray, the stationary Mississippi River version. Two kind and considerate young wrecker drivers came to get Erik Van Home. They were solidly impressed by the solar panels, add on a/c unit, the hand built kitchen and bed, fridge, and other perks as they loaded him up. That made up for the fact that he is an 8000 pound beast that took some jiggling to extract.
Our traveling coach rolled over 304,000 miles, spanning more than 10 years of travel for a mere four thousand dollar initial investment. This road warrior rolled out today with most of his pieces-parts, as Dan would say, and brand new tires all around. No matter what, he deserved those new shoes that he got as he carried us to Memphis. He sure earned them.
We thought of so many vandweller friends who would have loved to live in our chariot after us. With a big oil leak to chase and lots of wear, we couldn't give it to anyone with limited funds with good conscience knowing it would take a lot to keep it rolling. We decided to donate it to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
We spent some time over the holidays hanging out inside and reminiscing. We had a lot of bits and pieces to remove before we could make the call for pick up. Dan cycled through the flu and with him working extended hours immediately afterwards, it took a bit to complete the task. We made the appointment for pickup on Friday, and today they came and wheeled him away.
I didn't expect to bawl like a baby as they worked to hitch the van up to pull it backwards to a larger section of the parking lot where they could drop it and load it up on the flatbed facing forward. I just wanted a picture or two, and of course, my lurking around waiting with a soggy face led to questions and comments about how this was surely the superior way to travel. Cheaper and better than any RV, the young man said. I didn't share that we had grown into an RV situation because I loved the light in his eyes.
I loved that he stepped inside and allowed himself to dream a little dream, just like Dan had done when he found our chariot, shortly after we met but before we left out on the road together. Like my van and his old van, this van joins the vehicle timeline of our nomadic story.
On this day, I was crying in gratitude for the synchronicities and the memories, for the bucket list checks and how two sets of two became four, including the pups. How it never seemed impossible because we were both already living van life, to varying degrees, when we had that fateful cup of coffee.
I was feeling in my core the blessing of a conversation Dan had with a co-worker about wanting to buy the van, but being short just yet. He had been through a rough divorce and had a van already, the one he owned when we met. But this one was special. He could do so much with it if he had it.
The same mutual friend who introduced us, Linda Barton, had looked at this van first and didn't leap. Dan let her know that if she didn't, he would, if he could figure out how to pull it off. All hail Linda Barton, who decided against the van so it could be his, and then ours. You brought us together, and you also led us to Erik, our van home. We owe you a lot. Thank you, friend!
That coworker believed in Dan's dream and pledged the money to buy that van, happy to wait as long as necessary for him to repay the loan. Of course he did, asap. Earning freedom in all of its levels and layers means sandwiches for lots of dinners and sacrifices that bring rewards in the end. Neither of us have shied away from putting in the work to do what we love to do, and have what we need and want to have.
Dan had his old van, and was slowly building out Erik, and I had my own van when we met. He also had a get-around car for work. We have seen a few vehicles roll away in our years together.
I will admit to a teary goodbye when another coworker of his bought my van. So many memories! It was the place where I birthed my nomadic self. Erik was Dan’s van upgrade, but also our little nest-home, where we did lots of trial runs on the accumulated PTO he had accrued while he served out his last year of work. We also built a good portion of Erik out together, when he chose me and added a bench seat where he had planned to build a credenza. Whew! So far I have never lost out to furniture.
Eight years ago yesterday Dan “officially” retired. As we all know, he has worked here and there since then, to fund our dream of continuing to both build a sturdy foundation and to also continue a life lived traveling by the seat of our pants. Erik Van Home showed us that we have what it takes to show up for that adventure and to make it a sustainable lifestyle choice. He also showed us that we were cut from the same scrap of burlap, rough, ready, and resourceful. Two of a kind, working on a rolling house.
No matter what lies ahead, we earned our stripes in our early days of freedom and carry those lessons and experiences forward as we redefine the next version of the rolling Camp Cordray. We can't wait to get back out there!
So there's the story, Morning Glory. I have another tale to tell, but I will save it for another post. This story deserves its own post. Plus, the next one already has too many pictures (sigh) but I will spiffy it up and shoot it on out soonly. Since the Instacart grocery order landed at the same time the van rolled out, I have stuff to put away and dinner to prep. Soon, though. It's great news!
Take it easy, and lighten up while you still can.
I so look forward to whipping out the above status update once again. With that, I will launch from my armchair as I am late for the kitchen. Dinner's next.
Blessings and bottle rockets, and a nice cup of tea…
Brenda Cordray
The Desert Rose
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