So I’ve needed to do a status update on here for a long time, but here we go:
Camper
When I bought the camper, it was dirty to say the least, but ready to go in warm weather, with no rain. The guy I bought it from had kept it in a garage so he wasn’t sure of the waterproofing.
After getting into it, I realized that I needed to move some things around in order to make it work for me, namely moving the bulkhead back by about a foot, and installing some shelves.
My uncle and I had to cut away the bulkhead due to how it was constructed, and now I’ve got a lot of intricate cutting to do to remove the back end of the shelves. I was stuck on tools for awhile, as I wasn’t sure of the tools I needed and if I should borrow or buy them. After a week of looking at how to videos and sales, I was able to have my BIL get me a deal on a compact sawzall and oscillating tool.
They should be in next week, and I’ll be able to get out there and start all my work on the actual camper. I’ve charged the battery, but I still need to wire up the system to test it. To be honest, it’s been too cold and my fingers don’t work well in the cold to do anything, even with the kerosene heater. Next week is supposed to be in the 50’s and I am chomping at the bit to get out there and do some work.
Vehicle
There were multiple things that needed to be done to my Escape before I could take it on the road. I needed to get a hitch installed, a new windshield, and I wanted a complete inspection from someone I trusted not to bullshit me. But these were just the big things, I had wants too.
Music can totally set me in a mood. It’s so important to me when I’m driving, and I wanted to upgrade the experience for myself. A 12 year old car, would it really be that much? I priced it out, and yikes, it was going to cost me $900 to update the whole radio in dash and all new speakers. Too steep for me. I did some thinking about why I wanted the new stereo, and what my actual needs were. I wanted to be able to control the navigation without it being on my phone, I wanted a different place to mount my phone, but I also just listened to Spotify…maybe I could do this.
I’ve watched numerous youtube videos, and I think I can handle installing new speakers. They are the things that are really going to make a difference when I’m on the road. So I’m keeping my eyes open for a pair or two on Marketplace, that I’ll buy and install myself.
As for the radio and other issues? I’ve decided to make myself a passenger seat workstation. Less about work, and more about just having the things I need at hand when I’m going to be in the car for a long time. I talked to Matt about how to build it, and discovered that I had some pieces that would work perfectly. I’ll set up docks for my phone and my tablet. Oh yes, I found my old tablet from Verizon and it is the final piece of the setup. I can use the 10″ screen for navigation and music while my phone is securely mounted away from my eyes. Using a backseat organizer turned around, I will have pockets for everything I might need for each section of the trip.
Camping
This section has been pretty fun so far! I took the time I do some visualization of what I wanted my campsite to feel like when I’m out there, and I made a list of all the things I would need to make that happen. I began searching in earnest on Marketplace (which has been amazing) for the things I knew I could get used that still had life in them.
I’ve purchased a propane stove, an electric cooler (no ice!), a large screened in canopy, a large outdoor rug, a dash camera, and some other miscellaneous items. I’m anxious to get these things out and test them to see if they’re ready for the trip!
Packing
Packing up my old life seemed like it was going to be the hardest thing of all.
It turns out, healing changes you.
I don’t find it difficult to throw things away anymore. I realized that these little things I saved for so long don’t really have the same sentimental value that I originally assigned to them. I used to save so many weird little trinkets because I thought I’d need them someday…
I see trauma and untreated adhd when I think about that, and I’m so proud of how far I have come in my 38 years.