What a view!
Hello and welcome! The time for a transition is near. Today I moved a few more things out of the house. The deep freeze (where you see Serena and Jesse perched) was polished up and went on Craigslist last night. Tomorrow the last possessions will be migrated to the van and to storage. After the house changes hands next week I will be on the road as a full-time vandweller. It’s both scary and exciting at the same time.
I plan to disappear for a few days after that. Upon returning from some spring camping and fishing, the plan is still to park at my friend’s farm for a few months. I spoke with him today and it’s a “GO”. There are still some kind people in the universe. Remember my colorful friend Johnnie? I’ll be staying at his cousin’s. Meeting their family has been a blessing.
The kennel you see pictured below will likely contain a kitty house (either wood or plastic) and there will be a plywood covering and plastic tarp to shade the sides of the kennel. This will help keep Serena safe when I’m not home at the farm.
But here is the sad news. Only one cat will be coming with me for now. Jesse James, the beloved, shrimp gobbling tomcat, will be spending the summer in northern Minnesota with a friend. Jesse will be happier and safer there. At least it is not forever – he will be coming back to live with me this fall.
After the new owners of Dad’s house take possession next week, Serena and I are going to hit the road with plenty of clothing and some provisions. After having slept and camped in the converted van for most of the last three years, the “bugs” have been shaken out of the process and there will be some new adventures.
There is more good news coming soon but I don’t want to give it away quite yet. The next couple of weeks will allow for time to work on my own little aspiration. Stay tuned!
One might notice that I have re-enabled a donation button. Money is pretty tight right now and anything helps greatly with food, camping fees, and gasoline while I’m trying to find some work. There’s no way Serena would stoop to street begging (like the cat on the right) and if I tried to play music we’d both get stoned to death.
Later in the year things will calm down. I’ve found a place to settle one day and it’s not in Decorah, believe it or not… But it’s not all that far away, either. (no surprise, right?) Just getting from here to there might be a little bouncy.
Stay tuned – the adventure is just beginning. As always, thanks for riding along. It’s been a bumpy road the last couple of years but life isn’t always easy. But each new day is a new adventure… and all the more reason to see what life has in store just around the next bend in the road.
Kindest wishes always,
Brad and Serena, “van trekking” in eastern Iowa.
Hey Brad
I’ve been swamped this month with work up the wazoo & Canoeing downstream from the Hoover dam with Captain Ahab. Decided my new 2nd hobby will be Kayaking. Looking at Malibu X Factor it holds 625 lbs – if I ever get the trailer done. Took 10,000+ pictures with GoPro camera on the Colorado will have to post some more when I get time. Did a quick stop in Vegas too. Check out my blog on the last ” fitbit.com & scales” might help to loose some weight & track your exercise. When I got the scales I saw I was 50+ more then my worst nightmare – problem is more work = Less exercise – more food in my face.
P.S. don’t worry about ragging on those poor JOBS ….thats half of what makes your blog fun to read…beside we all have crappie jobs so we can share in your pains about them. The guys with great Co jobs don’t blog about them for obvious reasons ;-))
See you latter buddy & take care
Jerry
Thanks for the kind words. I’ll never find a perfect job but at least a tolerable one would be a plus! 🙂 I’ll check out the blog. It sounds like you’ve been having a great time… and are living the dream! Good to hear from you Jerry!
Transition time can be exciting, enjoy what you can. Eager to hear about your full-time adventures for awhile. And, looking forward to the good news you have to share. Take care.
Thanks! Once the house is turned over (on Wednesday), I’m going to head out for an undetermined period of time. I’ve got some editing to do on a scaled back recipe collection. It’s going to get posted on the blog. I don’t want to give away the theme of what it will be about but one can only imagine…. LOL. — VT
Good news Brad
After jerking around for 3 weeks with some shop on Craigslist we scored a Malibu X Factor “fish & dive model”, brand new 2014 for $649 ….. List is $1,149 AMAZING DEAL. Best on internet was $999. Turns out since we don’t have any water in Calif – the little Kayak shops are desperate to make a few pennies, so now is time to wheel & deal- but come full summer – they will stick it to the folks. Now I just need to find a deal on a LiquidLogic white water Kayak – sooner or latter we will meet up for some white water fishing 🙂 I also scored 2 new Emotion Envy 11 for $339 each – normal list $599 at bas pro “OUCH”
So I gotta keep working to pay for the new toys !! But its better then wasting money on the other 4 EVIL’s men so easily fall into BGD&W
Cheers Jerry
That’s a heck of a deal, Jerry! It’s those toys that keep you and I and the economy working. I figured out the B, D, and W having dabbled a little in all three over the years. I don’t know what the G is though. For me it’s that four letter word that begins with “F” that gets me in trouble at work… F.I.S.H. 😀 Take care and thanks for popping in!
Brad
G= gambling
There is the old joke about a veteran who fought in 3 major wars. Alcoholism , Poverty & Drug Addiction.
LOL… Yeah, I gotta watch the “G”… Gambling wasn’t a problem when I was winning! I haven’t won for quite a while… Then again, I quit playing, too!