21 Years in a 1973 Dodge Van

That's very kind and thoughtful of you. Thanks.

 

To tell you the truth...sometimes things can get less than comfortable, but I couldn't ask for a better life.

 

Now for some sunset shots.

 

amazing twodogs!

 

Ah, now that's the real desert gold.

Good job as usual, DoubleDogs

When are you getting down my way?

 

Thanks dude.

 

Good question. Usually Stanton/Congress is my southern limit. I'll be spending most of the winter there working the southern flank of the Bradshaws for gold. I've got about 5 pounds of summer laziness that I need to work off with a shovel. DAMN that unholy witch Little Debbie !!!

 

She's a temptress. You gotta be strong!

 

TwoDogs

Great looking burgers you've got cooking there, I copied the jalapeno and jack cheese one you showed us earlier (they were great), I'll have to try your current offering as well.

Those sunsets you shoot are fantastic, thank you for sharing them with everyone. You defiantly live in a beautiful area of the country, a little on the "warm" side, but beautiful.

Peace.

 

Wow, I had no idea that you could get cell phone reception out there.

Looks like you've got this thing down pat. Have you thought of writing a Boon Dockers manual on dealing with emergencies, what to have on hand, etc., in remote areas? With your experience, knowledge and great photos, it could be a great read.

If you did it as a PDF file, offered it for a few bucks and people paid for it via PayPal, you could generate a small income from it.

I know I'd purchase one from you.

 

Your life would not fit me, but I can see aspects of it that would kick ass.

I honestly, came here to tell you about a very harsh event that has a possibility of happening very soon with large impacts on your way.

Presently, Israel plans to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities and this could happen in the coming months(4-8). Iran has threatened that if this occurs, they would make the Persian gulf inaccessible for trade. This in turn would raise oil prices because the persian gulf is a major trading route for middle eastern oil.

However, this jump in oil prices could last much longer than just a few months AND if it happens, could potentially raise oil prices beyond your financial reach.

I would highly suggest you make your van a hybrid electric and increase your solar panel capacity, to stay mobile. Stock piling some lentils to make sprouted seeds and cans of food would also be important to you, because the economy would suffer and prices would soar all over. In fact, I would highly suggest sprouting legumes. They are very portable store amazingly long and all you need is a little water and some darkness and a plate, bowl or tray. They are highly nutritios though they do not taste very good. Loaded with everything you need to stay energized and can even repair some damages done by chemicals over the years.

bye

 

haha sucker.

 

I think double dogs can handle himself :cheers2:

 

I dont think I'll get a chance to do this. but its a dream for me! maybe one day I'll do it in a little More Luxury? with an all wheel drive deisel Sprinter...

 

Yeah, me too. He seems already tough enough, considering his experience. I dont think this was is huge and it might not even happen. It might just make life a little shittier for a short while, considering that a war between those countries is not said to last longer than a few months.

 

Twodogs.

I hope you are doing well in AZ.

I just wanted to invade your board real quick to let you know that I have read the entire thing, and so thank you. This was an amazing piece of inspiration and knowledge, and has been very helpful for a young dissatisfied member of society who craves the freedom and the skills to live simply and in harmony with the natural world.

Thank you, good work and safe travels.

 

Two Dogs
Much Respect for pulling this lifestyle off for so long. Way back in the mid 70,s I thought I was going to do the same.I figured I did 13 months in a fucking Jungle with no amenities a few years before, and would love the peace,quiet & solitude- -no scary light show every other night (or so it seemed)
My old VW micro-bus and myself lasted about 2 years though-out the Rockies - mostly in Colorado.
Finding odd jobs for a little cash wasnt too difficult,but eventually because I knew so little about mechanics the van started giving me big trouble so I sold it for much needed cash. It all started to fall apart soon after. I bought a tent and started staying on KOA campgrounds- it got so cold at night ,more than once they let me sleep in the office.
So- all the advise on this post is right on. Stay involved with the world,know some mechanics. You have your dogs and a nice welding gig going- important to keep your body,mind,and soul busy. Seems like you picked up a lot along the way,and used the knowledge wisely* This is stuff you cant take courses in * *
Know what your in for- have a way to earn some bucks. This lifestyle as hip as it sounds- comes with the good,the bad ,and the ugly** I now look at it as just another great experience (abiet a short one). The grandkids will hear some cool stories & I have some nice memories
waytofollowyourheart !
jjack :cheers2:

 

What you say is so true. It can play out in many different ways, too. One way is to "earn some bucks" before you even start. That's what I did. I don't live in a van, but I wander around the Western states during the summers, most of the time with no particular destination in mind. Sometimes I camp, sometimes I don't. I avoid big cities as much as possible, preferring instead to look for the empty spaces on the map.

The details of the wanderings are going to be different for a young man compared to a middle-aged woman like me, but I don't think the philosophy is different.

 

I agree too, yet I also believe it is wise Caliente, to never place yourself into any artificial category (age, sex, etc.), for kindred spirits truly transcend.

 

Two dogs, I take my hat off to yer. We had a change of life style due to similar circumstances (married to the grog) but both dealt with it in different ways. I went for security and a degree of social conformity, swapping one set of shackles for another. To your great credit, and a big nudge from a higher power, you cast off all shackles and blazed your own trail.

Reading your posts has inspired me and shamed me too. I know it's late in the day, but I think I'm going to get myself a van and say fuck it. Living in the UK won't work, but I can take the van down the south of France and eek a living. I've a small plot of land down there that I can plant up in the spring and come the fall I can pick grapes and later prune the vines for an income...well at least I'm thinking it's all a possibility now ;-)