VanLife | FindPenguins

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VanLife Traveler
Tidying Up with Backpack Covers
June 24, 2025 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
There has been a fair bit of "accumulation" on the back of the driver's seat since I started my adventure;
Ziplocs, scissors, and garbage bags in the seat pocket
The hanging Kitchen Supplies Bag
Empty backpacks and purses
and the divider curtain in day mode...

Clutter... All visible when the door is open... And I travel with birds... Who poop about every 12 minutes...

I ordered a bunch of these cheap backpack covers (easy clean & water proof) in various sizes - Temu - $1-$7. They are doing a great job as a steering wheel cover, basket covers, cage bottom catch alls, and who knows, I may even use one on a backpack some day...

But the extra large, as seat covers - this is the cream of the crop.

Everything is tucked away neatly, and poop wipes right off.

Couldn't have worked out better if I had actually planned it!Read more
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VanLife Traveler
The New Awning & Screen
June 8, 2025 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
I bought this simple awning from Temu for about $50. I wasn't expecting much, but I was looking at almost the same price for just a set of poles to add to my tarp/awning set up, so I figured, hey, why not?

Good deal. Easy set up. It snaps onto the roof racks, pop the poles in, tie it down. Works good. Better size and quality than I was expecting.

Nice, easy shade on a hot day. Except, little birds... Ragnar and Lagatha were not loving mom sitting in the shade without them. They had their tent, and their puppy playpen, but it's just not the same. They always want to be with me.

So, I bought this cheap umbrella screen, with a zipper doorway, and weighted tube at the bottom, and threw it over the awning. After a couple of days of wiggling things this way and that way, I started poking holes and cutting notches... and finally worked it into a functional screen room.

Now we can all go in and out of the van as we please, without the risk of getting lost in the big wide world.Read more
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VanLife Traveler
12 Volt Car Refrigerator
December 1, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ -2 °C
I bit the bullet.

I bought a BODEGACOOLER 12 Volt Car Refrigerator, 25L Car Fridge Portable Freezer (-4℉-68℉).
https://www.amazon.ca/BODEGACOOLER-Refrigerator…

On sale for Cyber Monday - $179.99. About half price.

It's huge! So much bigger than what I was planning. I just couldn't help myself, it was too good of a deal.

It has two compartments, though technically not dual zone. The smaller compartment does not get as cold as the larger one, but does not have separate temperature controls.

Cold drinks, no ice required, and no more wondering if my food stayed cool enough!
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June 10/25

I'm 2 weeks in to my first season with a fridge - and I can't say that I'm loving it. It doesn't fit where I had planned to put it, sucks power, and produces a ton of heat.

For a 5 day camping trip, I ended up only running it at night and setting it to freeze. I've been on the go since then, and only running it while driving. It's more like a self cooling cooler than a fridge. I'm not sure it's worth it for the space it takes up.Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Other VanLife Gear
June 27, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Car Seat Headrest Hook
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07SGBR7T8?ref=ppx_yo2…

Bluetooth Speaker, Wireless Portable Speaker
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B099ZQC5MV?ref=ppx_yo2…
Rechargeable, 12-Hour Playtime

Portable DVD Player
https://www.amazon.ca/Portable-Working-Speakers…
7.5" Swivel Screen, 4-6 Hours, Rechargeable
Thrift stores are the new video rental stores, lol. I pick up a couple of movies here and there, and drop off the ones I'm finished with as I go. Great when cell service is sketchy, and can't get netflix.Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Kitchen Gear and Gadgets
June 26, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Wireless Portable USB Charging Food Processor
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08LTQ7S1Z?ref=ppx_yo2…

Dash Mini Maker - Griddle (electric - 500W)
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01MTXBOA6?ref=ppx_yo2…

Camping Cookware
https://www.amazon.ca/BeGrit-Backpacking-Campin…

Cast Iron Skillet
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07V3F2T1M/ref…

Odoland Camp Butane Gas Stove
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D1Y9DYH1?ref=ppx_yo2…
7100 BTU, about 8"x5"Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Kitchen Unit
June 25, 2024 in Canada ⋅ 🌬 22 °C
2023 - The square table in the middle was planned as a set of kitchen drawers. It holds the weight of the bed when extended, so the empty box was part of the original build.

After living with 'stuff' for the first summer, plans changed a bit, and it was rebuilt.

2024 - The unit now houses our power stations on the bottom, along with minimal cleaning supplies. On the shelf above rested a removable 'drawer', in which we kept the butane stove, fire blanket, and windscreen. The hanging kitchen organizer rested on top during travel.

Toward the end of the season, I reorganized again. The stove box works great to take out at campgrounds, but was a lot of work to get into place for use inside the van, and then put away. The hanging kitchen organizer was also a pain to maneuver when all I wanted was a knife or a spoon...

At this point I had not seen Dwayne for over a month, and had rearranged his side of the under bed storage for easier solo travel. The birds were semi permanently living over there, leaving easier access on my side.

So one day I maneuvered the box around under my side of the bed, used the stove there, and never put it away. Much easier. But the hanging kitchen organizer kept sliding out while driving. Hmmm.... I decided to hang it on the back of the driver's seat. Perfect. It's easy enough to flip around to the front of the driver's seat when he catches up with me, too.

So that just left the birds... Who had multiplied... Dwayne added Skipper, an Indian Ringneck, and Peanut, a cockatiel, to his flock. There wasn't enough room for 5 birds and 4 cages under the bed anyway. We made some adjustments, added more curtains, and birds now sleep on the dashboard and front seats when Dwayne comes along. No possibility of stealth, lol, but it works.

This also left the shelf in the kitchen unit empty, and the space behind free as well. I added some baskets to the shelf, and a milk crate behind for more storage.

Then I bought a new Odoland Butane Gas Stove, 7100 BTU Portable Camping Stove. We needed a new stove for the boat, so I bought this tiny one for the van, only about 8"x5", and I'll put the old one on the boat. This should free up more room in the kitchen box, so I can store my kettle upright!

Odoland Butane Gas Stove
https://www.amazon.ca/Odoland-Portable-Lightwei…Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Hanging Kitchen Supply Holder
June 24, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Bedside Hanging Storage converted to kitchen storage. Added cover fabric and elastic on back to hold tinfoil and plastic wrap.

Bedside Organizer
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B076J6M5KW?ref=ppx_yo2…Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Camping Gear
June 23, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Camping Shower Tent
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08SJ783GG?ref=ppx_yo2…
We use it as a changeroom when at campgrounds.

Pop Up Tent
https://www.amazon.ca/Abco-2-Person-Pop-Tent-Wa…
Was used as a decoy tent, and sometimes to free up space in the van, but now mostly for the birds to get out of their cages.

Pet Playpen
https://www.amazon.ca/30-7″×30-7″×22-4″-Portabl…
Also for the birds.

Camping Stove Windscreen
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B5WF2VH8?ref=ppx_yo2…

Camping Lights
https://www.amazon.ca/LETOUR-Rechargeable-Dimma…
USB Rechargeable 60W 4800Lumen
I have another, similar, from Temu - about $5. They last a week or so between charges. Bright enough for most activities.Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Cooler Box
June 22, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We don't carry much food when traveling. Grocery stores are abundant along the way. Our 'cooler' is actually the mid driver's side stow and go compartment. Being below the van floor, it stays relatively cool on its own. If we need ice for something cooler, we usually freeze a water bottle at home, or fill up a drink size bottle at a restaurant.

The first year, I divided the space only with lunchbox cooler bags. Items tended to roll around, get lost and messy.

During the winter I built a frame template from cardboard boxes, dividing the space into compartments for water, pop, and food. I covered the bottom and sides with pieces of foam, and covered the top with a couple of extra sunshades I already had. This was expected to be an improvement, and once tested, we would rebuild the frame with wood.

Yesterday, I ripped the template apart. It may just be this heat wave we've been having, but while drinks were comfortably cool last year without ice, this year they have been lukewarm. I had only intended to cut out the bottom of the boxes, but once I had them out, I discovered mold had started growing on the bottom and lower sides of the boxes. I'm not sure if it was caused by condensation, or if something was spilled through the floor. Either way, the boxes are out, and I am back to the drawing board.

First I'll give it a few days to see if the foam kept the cool outside air from entering the compartment, and I once again have cool drinks without ice. If that issue is resolved, I believe a small ice chest will be the next step.Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Phone Holder and Charging Station
February 12, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ -4 °C
I initially tried a variety of different phone holders, in different locations, but I wasn't happy with any of them.

I made a cardboard template of a small platform to hold my phone below the radio controls, but above the heat vents. I started with a large platform, with 3 cupholder slots on the end. When testing, I bashed my arm on it when switching gears, and the whole thing had to be removed to move from the driver's seat into the back of the van. I cut off the cupholders, and trimmed away until I was happy with the size and shape. Then Dwayne built a wooden version, which I covered with contact paper.

It's held in place by a wooden block wedged into a small storage slot in the dashboard.

I added a multi head cigarette lighter power adapter, and created a charging station for small accessories. A car seat side organizer hangs to the passenger side of the dash to hold battery packs, lights, etc, while charging.

Finally, a clip on phone holder, which Dwayne screwed in place, holds my phone at just the right height and angle for GPS navigation.

3 Socket Cigarette Lighter Splitter
https://www.amazon.ca/Cigarette-Lighter-Splitte…Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Cup Holder
February 3, 2024 in Canada ⋅ 🌙 -3 °C
The original cup holder in the van sat too low for comfort, and only held 2 cups. I've been working on a template to improve the situation for awhile.

First, I tried adding cup holders to the phone and charging dock template above. They were too high, in the way of the phone, and stuck out too far.

I looked at a variety of extension options on amazon, but couldn't find anything I really liked.

I started with a small cardboard box, cutting 3 circles into the top. I added a flap on one end to slide into a storage compartment built into the dash. And then I went for coffee.

The first version was too tall to hold a medium coffee cup. I cut it open and took a couple of inches off the height. Good for large and extra large, but still awkward for a medium, or a pop can.

I didn't want to make it any shorter, so I decided to add a small cardboard platform to the inside of the box, under the right side cup hole.

Once I was happy with how it all worked, I covered it with contact paper.

After further testing, I found that more often than not, I was using one slot to hold cigarettes, candy, or pocket change. I annoyed myself whenever I needed to empty it to hold a cup. I had these self adhesive pockets I bought from temu that never worked where I had intended, but turned out to be a perfect fit here. Problem solved.Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Winter Camping Set Up
December 20, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
Insulation - wool blankets on floor & ceiling, window covers and curtains, blanket or curtain over rear hatch - helps keep the ambient temp up in the van. I've only camped down to about -12°C so far, but I've kept the interior up to at least 4°C overnight, and reasonably comfortable through the day.

Window covers - mine are foamboard, but you can use reflectix, cardboard, etc. Lots of how to videos on youtube.

Curtains over the rear hatch, side doors and rear windows. Divider curtain between front seats and cargo area.

Emergency blankets/reflectix - pinned to ceiling and/or curtains to reflect heat back to you.

Cover over lower trunk in both rear and middle of van.

Lined floor with wool blankets. Wool blanket glued to ceiling. Wool blanket under mattress.

Park facing where the sun will rise in the morning - letting the sun/window/greenhouse effect warm the cab.

Modified "pop can solar heater" in front window.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XemVuvaOgqg
I actually just used dryer vent hose, running it from the floor in the cargo area to the dashboard, across the dash and back to the top of the cargo area.

I sometimes start the van and blast the heat for about 15 minutes before bed, and sometimes if I wake up to pee through the night, and again in the morning.

Candles - Sometimes I light a candle before I get out of bed just to take the chill off. Sometimes I keep a candle burning throughout the day.

I boil water with my butane stove in the morning for tea or coffee, which spreads the warmth.

Rechargeable Hand Warmers - used in bottom of sleeping bags to warm feet, inside a thin mitten so I don't burn my toes. Used on sides of cages to warm birds.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CGKY9PLV?ref=ppx_yo2…

USB Heated Blankets - only 10 Watts, take the chill off on cold nights
https://www.amazon.ca/Heated-Blanket-Operated-P…

Electric Heater Pads - meant to sew into clothing, but I just tuck them under the sleeping bags.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08JH3Y8V6?ref=ppx_yo2…

USB Seat Heater - 10 Watts - I move it to wherever I want to sit throughout the day.
https://www.amazon.ca/Automobile-Universal-Brea…

Electric Foot Warmer -
https://www.amazon.ca/Electric-Heated-Foot-Warm…

Window Defroster/Heater - 150W - ok for small spaces, but it does drain the battery faster than anything else I use.
https://www.amazon.ca/Portable-Defroster-Defogg…

Night Light - 4W incandescent bulb -keeps the ambient temp up, as well as for light.
I'm also considering this 7W night light;
https://www.amazon.ca/The-Porcelain-Garden-Rota…

Camping Wood Stove - I use it as a candle holder inside the van,
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BPXRC45W?ref=ppx_yo2…
also added a sand/copper heater (tongue scraper).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp66vawuYQcRead more
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VanLife Traveler
Front Seat Storage
December 9, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
Two amazon boxes, another small box, and an old laptop case...

The two boxes were exactly the same size. I cut one like a tray for the top. The other I opened from one end, and cut the flap off at about two inches, so it can pop in and out. The bottom one will hold two cutlery trays that I use as drawers for odds and ends that I don't need often. It's easiest to access it from outside. I added some extra cardboard to double the top tray sides, then glued it all together and covered it with contact paper. I added a couple of plastic trays inside which work great for dividers.

The third box was just trimmed and covered with contact paper. It's my snack box, so chips don't get squished.

I used the laptop case for a while, hanging from the headrest, but I found it bulky and awkward, so I removed it.Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Divider Curtain
December 2, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
I bought a set of extra long blackout curtains, and cut them to size to fit behind the front seats.

They're hung on a light rope, which is held in place by a couple squares of corrugated plastic.

I removed the side airbag access covers, drilled holes through the corrugated plastic, and knotted the ropes behind it. Then I stuck the corrugated plastic squares into the airbag access holes, strung the curtains, and tied the ropes together.

I used some of the excess curtain material to make a valance above the curtain. It's held in place with a combination of glue, pins, and cubicle hooks. I roll it up and hold it in place with velcro straps when driving.

I used the remaining curtain material to make a curtain to cover the entire rear hatch. That one is screwed to the plastic roof edging at the back of the van.

Blackout Curtains
https://www.amazon.ca/Deconovo-Blackout-Curtain…

Metal Cubicle Hooks
https://www.amazon.ca/Cubicle-Cubicle-Hangers-H…Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Bug Screens
August 3, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
I had bought a few boxes of magic screens at the dollar store for another project, and had a couple left over. I sewed the panels together and added a curtain rod slot for each side of the van. Magnets hold them in place, though I found clip on magnets work better than the ones they came with. A second curtain rod running from the rear seat belt to the mid grab bar keeps the screens from leaning or blowing into the van.

I bought a couple more sets and sewed them together for the rear hatch. It's held in place with thin sewing elastic - a giant rubber band.Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Fans
July 30, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
We set computer/solar fans up on boards for our previous car camping (kia niro) build. One of each for each board. They were transferred to the van as is.

They were intended to fit between the front seats and the doors, pulling cool air in from the slightly open front windows, but most often they were being juggled around while driving.

We kept the passenger side fan in place, as it needed to move less often, and moved the other board to the passenger side mid door, beside the bed.

The USB fans run off of our power stations. The solar fans can run off of either the power station or the small solar panel they come with. I love that I can leave them plugged into the solar panel, on all the time, and they will shut themselves off without costing us power at night. They turn back on in the morning as soon as the sun hits the panel, allowing me to sleep a bit longer, before it gets too hot.

We bought two additional USB rechargeable fans (Walmart - $12), which sit on the cubbies, pulling in cool air from the rear windows.

A rechargeable mini swamp cooler completes the set, providing cool relief on the hottest days.

Solar Panel Fan Kit
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B82CN85L?ref=ppx_yo2…

USB Computer Fan Black
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B081SW238D?ref=ppx_yo2…

Portable Swamp Cooler
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BX8W5L5T?ref=ppx_yo2…Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Power
July 29, 2023 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 23 °C
30W Solar Panel Kit 12V
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C6XMSMX4?ref=ppx_yo2…
I use these all the time! So easy to toss on the dashboard, on the front seat, or out the side door. They can keep me going for several days before I need to camp out and set up the bigger panel.

X-DRAGON 140W Foldable Solar Panel
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08SM876L8?ref=ppx_yo2…
Works great. I bought cable extensions so I can set it up in the sun and park in the shade. I prefer to park facing the sun, and put it up over the windshield. I added some rope and carabiners to wrap around the mirrors to hold it in place.

ALLPOWERS 606Wh Portable Power Station
700W inverter (Peak 1400W)
MPPT Backup Battery with 2 AC Outlets PD 100W USB-C
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08H1TFVRR?ref=ppx_yo2…

CTECHI Portable Power Station, 240Wh LiFePo4 Battery Backup Power Supply, 200W inverter
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09VKHZ276?ref=ppx_yo2…
Will run my laptop from dead for over 9 hours.

Portable Charger 10000mAh, Slim Power Bank
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C8161WBT?ref=ppx_yo2…
I have a few of these. Perfect for my phone, rear fans, lights... Easy to stick in my purse and recharge on the go, wherever I find an outlet. Easy to recharge while driving.

YiYLunneo 30000mAh 12V UltraSafe Portable Lithium Car Jump Starter
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CB9VM7KK?ref=ppx_yo2…
While intended to jump start a vehicle, it can also be used to recharge phones in a pinch.Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Sitting Area
July 28, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We left sitting room between the bed and front seats. We built wooden lids for the milk crates so they could be used for storage and seats. Dwayne still uses his that way. I prefer the floor, with my crate as a side table for mouse/drinks/etc.

The end of the bed becomes our tables/desks/workspace when the mattress is folded back in day mode.

Crates fit under the bed when extended, leaving the floor clear at night.Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Mini Awnings
July 25, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
I cut corrugated plastic to fit around the roof racks and hang over the open door on each side. They provided a little shade, and will keep a light rain out.

They were awkward to store under the bed, and constantly snagged on the bed extensions. I left them at home for year two.Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Cubbies
July 25, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Cubbies built into rear armrests for clothing storage, with flat tops to serve as bedside tables.

They're cardboard covered with foam board. Eventually we'll redo them with wood.
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VanLife Traveler
Bed Build
July 17, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
We started the bed build at 15" above the rear stow and go storage compartment - the trunk. The height would comfortably accommodate the items we intended to store in the trunk, as well as fit our birds' travel cages beneath the bed in the middle of the van.

At the rear, the frame is solid across the 48" width, to just beyond the stow and go compartment, about 40". Support beams (2x4) extend on each side of the van to the mid doors. Plywood pieces extend the bed, resting on these supports, and supported in the centre by the 'kitchen unit'. Fully extended, the bed is 60" on my side, 72" on his. This was intended to accommodate a small commode in the mid passenger side stow and go. In practice, we found his and her receptacles tucked under the bed more convenient.

We used the full size 4" memory gel mattress topper, previously purchased and cut for our car. To fit the car, we had to trim about 3"x3' from each side. This left a gap on each side in the van. Conveniently, the gap is perfect for bulkier clothing storage - pants and sweaters. The mattress is flexible, and easily folds in half when we want to contract the bed. Overall, it's quite comfortable, but another inch would have been better for the hip bones. A blanket below the mattress resolves the issue. After a few trips, we decided to cut the mattress in half lengthwise, so that either side of the bed could be extended on it's own, making it more convenient for solo trips, naps, and early riser's.

With the mattress folded in half, the bed extensions serve double duty as tables or desks. I covered them with self adhesive contact paper for easy clean up.

BedStory Memory Foam Mattress Topper
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B6HSQ96Q?ref=ppx_yo2…Read more
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VanLife Traveler
Picked Up the Van
July 15, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
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Van Life
December 7, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ -4 °C
I got lost every where I went in my younger days... Always terrified I'd end up stranded somewhere, buying paper maps, stopping to check them constantly, trying to memorize the route back to wherever I messed up without messing it up again.

The world's a whole new place nowadays. Me and Phone B*tch (Google maps) hit the road in the spring, and don't look back 'til fall. I tell her to keep me out of the cities and off of the highways, and she sends me down the loveliest windy roads and into adorable small towns. If I turn the wrong way (like out of damn near every parking lot... why can't she say turn left instead of east? You'd think by now she'd know I don't know which way is east...) she figures it out and gets me back on track.

I go nowhere in a hurry. If I need to be somewhere on a specific day, I generally start heading that direction 5 days to a week in advance. I stop and enjoy small town museums, swim in the lakes, nap in rest areas, hang out in parks, shop in thrift stores, visit roadside attractions... I rarely drive more than three hours/day. Sometimes I spend two or three days in a pretty little town, just soaking up the atmosphere.

I'm seasonal, so I loosely plan next summer's adventures through the winter, using findpenguins.com to make notes of festivals, events, attractions, etc., along the way. Getting there is the adventure.Read more
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Trip start
July 15, 2023