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Monday, September 30, 2019

The Season of Making Do



My lovely wife and I got really good at van life. The converted ambulance was working really well for us. Sadly, it needed expensive repairs we could not afford so we sold it. Then there’s sailing, the other thing we love to do. We could not afford a bigger sailboat this year. In fact, I refused a free sailboat just because we couldn’t pay the dockage fees.

Instead of a van, we’ll be camping in a tent this winter. To a lot of people that may seem like a big step backwards. It’s not for us, as we never completely gave up tenting. Last year we picked up a really nice L. L. Bean Alpine 6 tent at a half price sale. We tented instead of renting a hotel in Rhode Island last fall and the cost savings paid for the tent already.

Instead of buying another sailboat we are hauling our Oday 19 trailer sailer with us. The upgrades to the boat and trailer haven’t been very expensive. The Oday gets along just fine using free wind and the sun. The gas motor was replaced with an electric on charged by solar panels. It’s super cheap to run.

The one thing we did buy was a 2004 Chevy Blazer to tow the boat. We don’t have a lot money into that vehicle, but so far it does the job.

I was able to salvage a lot of stuff off the van before selling it, like the solar electric system, small fridge, inverters, 12 volt fan, and other odds and ends. We will be able to camp in cheap National Park sites that lack electricity and be very comfortable.

People ask me what we’ll do if it rains all the time while we are tenting. First of all, it’s a really good tent and can handle a certain amount of rain. However, if the rain goes on long enough it stops being fun. At that point we can always spend a few nights in a hotel. We save enough money tenting that we can afford a hotel now and then if we want to.

A winter of camping and sailing is cheaper than spending the winter in our house. We are turning the heat and electricity off. The Internet is being suspended until we return. More importantly, it’s a lot healthier for us.

In a year or two, if all goes well, we’ll look for a bigger boat. If that doesn’t happen we’ll figure something out. We always do.

-Sixbears

14 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good plan to me! Go for it, buddy!

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  2. Miss winter tenting.

    Found the absolute perfect way to do it. Wool blankets. Since I'm allergic to wool, nice flannel between me and the wool.

    Nothing can hold heat in while dampish like wool. Lucked into some army blankets and some nice tartan ones 34 years ago and I still use them.

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    1. Winter tenting down south is a whole different experience from winter camping up north. I've done both, and it's a lot easier in Florida. :)

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    2. Oh, there was one winter where the temp dropped so quickly that our breaths froze on the inside of the tent, literally sealing us in with our own breath.

      And it also froze squirrels out of the tree.

      Windy, cold and high humidity suuuuucks.

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    3. I've had my water jug freeze in northern FL . . . then we pulled up stakes and headed to Key Largo.

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  3. The only uncomfortable part of "winter" camping is getting out of the sack! I well remember my Army days at Fort Drum in upper State New York! Once up, that little propane gas stove warms things up quickly! 11 days to departure!!

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    1. You'll be leaving before me. We are shutting down the house during the last week of October.

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  4. Ahh, you crazy madcap kids have all the fun . . . sounds like a real adventure. Have an awesome time !

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  5. I have been doing my camping in the hospital after my third heart attack.

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    1. Be well Dizzy. Hope you make a good recovery.

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  6. We camp quite a bit in Florida (Ginny Springs area), and one thing we always do, if the trees support it, and they usually do, is spread a 20 ft sq tarp over our tent site. Keeps us free from falling detritus, and keeps us much dryer if (when) heavy rains come. With a roof over our camp we can sit and talk, cook, hang out, and only have to retreat to the tent for sleeping.

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    1. Good idea. Not every place allows a large tarp, but I'm bringing one along for the places that do. Good tip.

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