21 Years in a 1973 Dodge Van

It's nearly 2am here in Albuquerque, NM, as I compose this reply. I've just finished all 90 pages of this thread and hardly know where to begin...

TwoDogs, I know you haven't posted since May this year and I hope you're doing as well as ever. So many people, including me, have been impressed, inspired, and encouraged by your lifestyle and personality. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself here on the forums over these past few years.

Just before I turned 50 (earlier this year) I set out for the first time to do what you've been doing for a quarter century. I didn't plan so well and the journey was nothing like what I'd imagined (I mean that in a not-so-good way). I didn't have a van, but a car. And I didn't have a financial cushion, either, so when a major car repair needing immediate attention manifested just 2 weeks into the journey, I spent more time car-camping in various Wal-Mart parking lots than I did anyplace as wonderfully remote as you journey depicts.

Even so, it's not the lifestyle that caused me angst, but rather my lack of sensible planning combined with a series of unfortunate circumstances. I still hear the call to nature loud and clear, and though I'm sorta caught between a rock and a hard place right now, I refuse to surrender my dreams to the challenge of some inconvenient occurrences. Part of the strength to refuse said surrender comes from the past couple hours reading all that's been shared in this thread. Again, I thank you and so many others who've contribued to the amazingly helpful and interesting thread here.

One thing I've learned is that there's no use in me making plans for the future because I'm as likely to change them on a whim as not. That said, I'm interested to visit the slabs and some of the LTVA areas between Blythe and Yuma. Along the way, I intend to pass near Prescott Valley. I'd really enjoy meeting you if time and opportunity grant such favor.

I'll be traveling out that way mid-late November. If I should find a personal message from you showing any willingness/interest to meet-up then I'll be quite pleased indeed. But, if you're not interested in such things at this time, or you happen to find my message after I've passed by your general area, please know that I'll always hold you in high regard for what you've already shared.

Best regards, TwoDogs! I'm looking forward to your next series of posts, either here or on your jayeffcee web site.

 

Welcome to the site my friend

 

Hi ZenRouge

I can't pm you because you're new so I thought I'd post here. I'm a mechanic and I always like to help fellow rubber tramps out if I can so if you can get to Camp Verde on your way to Prescott and you need any help with your car, either post a bunch so you can pm me or just post in this thread: http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showthread.php?t=449968&f=57

Best of luck,
Danny

 

Man, your living the life, I can only imagine!! I just wished, you would of picked me up,,21 years ago. and took me with you!?? I came down south,25 years ago from Detroit, it was the. Best thing i ever done!! If your. Ever down in Mississippi,, holla at me??

 

Always great when you check in- - -so try and put up with the phone once and awhile to say "hello"

Hope you and the hounds had a great Holiday

home on the Jersey Shore is a disaster- - Im waiting on a FEMA check to help with repairs- -
Living in CT with the upper crust, just outside of Darian $$$$$

I think Im a step away from living in my subaru so you might have to move over :---Im sure something will work out

again much love"""""""":sunny:

 

Just read all 91 pages. Congratz on great lifestile! Good suff

 

Heh i doubt you went thru all 91 pages! (Even i havent (take too long))

 

I've read all of TwoDogs posts
There are many pictures as well.

 

Was a good read, Two Dogs might be able to get a book out of these post, take some editing/time.

 

Starsrainbow, what did you think about the pic i made for 2 dogs on page 62 ? has his dog that passed to watch over him and his " indian name" too. can you find them ?

 

You mean the post #589 pic
His old indian name ..... #611 ?

 

I read them all!!

So you accusing some one else that there is no way they read this from start to finish just goes to show that you are illiterate!:afro:

It's a very good read on a rainy ass day, TD's is a dying bread of what america is and should be about, self self sufficient and not a burden on society like so many 0bama drones are in todays world!:sunny:

 

It's not a freaking marvel in & of itself. It's what you have to show for it. Yeah, I just completed 7-1/2 years as a van dweller. I knew thousands of people who were doing the same. My bottom line is: What did you accomplish while living in a van? Why the sacrifice? Was it just to save rent? I dropped out (again) & wound up doing over 2,000 paintings. To some of the career drunks I had to meet each day, they would wince & say I was bragging. Them's the facts, Nancy. It's no use to take a back seat when you should have a front seat. I gained more respect from ordinary four-wallers than the typical 'livin in a van down by the river eating a steady diet of government cheese' guys —because of the fact I was not just a 'career drunk' or chronically stoned. There were people I knew doing it 20 years plus. ie.: "Handout Jerry" But to me it's not about years. I accomplished something. And it wasn't just sand 'sculpture' that washed away with the tide. I am looking at an incredible body of work that I did en plein air each day, while talking to people & selling. I just broke off a couple of months ago because of a stalker hassling me. But I am recalibrating my next venue while enjoying the lovely indoors. It's nice to sleep in a bed for a change & eat hot meals, food you like to cook. Beats dodgin' cops for a spell. :bobby:

"What did you accomplish today that you won't have to do again tomorrow. What permanent progress did you make?"

 

You sound angry skycanvas and I wonder why, but then that's a story for a thread of your own perhaps.

The story of TwoDogs is the story of his rather unique and imaginative style of life, and it is in this thread that he chooses to share his life's story with folks like you and I.

TwoDogs describes his experiences, his trials and tribulations in such an earthy and honest manner that it is easy to drift into the realm of imagination where the vividness of his sunsets and the tears of his sorrows become almost our own.

I'm not here to judge -- I'm here to enjoy the adventures of TwoDogs, and that's enough for me.

 

I respect people who live mobile lives. It can be a way to add a lot of diversity and beauty to your life.
My uncle does this to some extent. But he said it can be a bit confining unless you have a way to spread out once you get to your new place. His answer: have a canvas and netting porch that expands his living area. It can fold up in stormy weather or when they are on the road. If the weather is good and the bugs are not too bad, you can do it even simpler, just find some shade and open up the lawn furniture and enjoy the good life outdoors wherever you land. Boaters are the same way. The boat is the center of your world, but not ALL your world. You might have a canoe or dingy to explore your surroundings or just jump off for a swim. The important thing is not thinking of travelers as always confined to their little mobile residences.

 

Bless your uncle dude & thanks for gathering. Your thoughts. As I pointed out before, you get the van to sleep in & get to places but the 'be-all & end-all' is negative to just existing. You must accomplish something in life or you will be the forgotten people. And to compliment your existence & dating life, to have accomplished only life in a van. Plus, my uncle was a Chrysler Design Engineer so I hate Dodges.

 

Well God bless your uncle... Thank you for sharing this story

 

No not angry, I just get the existential itch sometimes. I only say it for the aspiring hippie youth out there. Get a gig that effects change.

I obviously only read the title of this lengthy thread & it now sounds like 2dogs must be the guy living in his Dodge for 21 years. Oops. (I only have something against buying Dodges) I dwelt in my Fords & Chevy's for about half that much time in the proximity of retirees 'living in a van down by the river' who were quite busy doing nothing but smoking weed all day & wondered how they justified the use of their time in just breathing on Earth, folks whom the cops affably referred to as 'the leisure people'. (Also puzzled me how anybody could smoke that much Cali & still be functional) There has to be some quantitive substance to your journey, some measurable & tangible accomplishment towards changing the world in which you live in order to be considered successful. What did fighting the Battle change?

Don't take me as a butcher, but a surgeon.

I, meanwhile, live in a van because as a working artist I never make enough money to live indoors year around. But the end justifies the means. It makes people happy; gives them a memory; takes them back to their happy place; they seemed entertained; didn't cause them to wonder what I thought I was accomplishing while I was living in a van... i dunno...maybe I think too much...

To reiterate, I think a lifestyle in itself does not make one a candidate for heroism, but why one lives the lifestyle he lives & what he accomplishes through it.

 

Forgotten by who? ...and what's exactly the big deal about that?

 

What does it mean to "accomplish something"?
The Goat Man inspired and amused people.
Johnny Appleseed helped people create income with apple cider.
I met a guy named Hobo Bill who was a great story teller and taught me how to make cool fire starters from old newspaper.
I met a retired couple who roam the western parks and serve as campground hosts for the summer.
I know a guy who cooks awesome carnival food in the Rockies in summer and does the same in Florida in the winter.
My uncle and aunt are just loving members of their winter and summer communities.
Is a lifetime of showing love and building community enough of a legacy? Perhaps.