What's in the van

Here's a list of what I'll carry with me in the van:

• Koolatron fridge
• Solar shower + shower curtain
• Hot water dispenser*
• Mini-clothes washer*
• 5000 BTU air conditioner*
• Heater*
• Solar panel
• Power box to recharge cell, laptop
• 4 man tent
• 4 sleeping bags
• Adult potty
• Camp cot
• Cat litter box
• Step stool
• Mail box
• Screen room
• Screens for front windows
• Pillows
• Microwave*
• Toaster oven*
• Electric skillet/dutch oven*
• Solar/windup radio
• 13" TV + antenna*
• Laptop and printer
• Personal shredder*
• Tools
• Cell phone
• Magic Jack powered by laptop
• Laptop desk/podium
• Stool (for speaking)
• Furniture dolly
• Bundle buggy (shopping cart)
• Cable modem*
• Wireless router*
• Dog crate (for cat)
• Tarps + Tie downs
• Pots, pans, dishes
• Office supplies
• Paper supplies
• Privacy curtains
• Mop, broom, shovel for cleaning van
• Camping stove
• Non-perishable foods
• Golf umbrella
• Sun glasses
• First aid kit
• Road maps
• Compass
• Solar lights
• CD player
• DVDs and CDs
• Back up software
• Binder of important documents
• 100 foot outdoor utility cord
• 50 foot garden hose
• Drinking water jug
• Washing water + sink
• Gas can
• Flashlights, batteries

*These items require electricity and can't run off the solar panel/power box.

The Itinerary

Your invitations will determine my itinerary.

I hope to head in the direction of North Carolina and Tennessee in March, Texas and New Mexico in April and May, and then start heading north again to spend the summer in Ontario, Canada. After that, who knows?

If you live in one of those states (or province) or along the way, I'd love to receive a personal and private invitation to spend a night or three... or more outside your home.

If you'd like me - a former bed and breakfast host/owner - to house-sit or business-sit for you for a week or a few months, please just ask. I'll look after customers, plants, pets, as if they were my own.

What makes a good host

Ideally, a great parking spot would have shade in the hot weather, some kind of buffer from winter winds, access to an outside water faucet/spigot, and access to an outside electric outlet to power a small box heater or 5,000 BTU window air conditioner when they are necessary. Electricity will also power cooking appliances like a small microwave and toaster oven, water heater, small TV, night lights, a power box that supplies power to a small fridge, and a tiny clothes washer.

While it's not absolutely necessary, a great host might allow me to take a hot shower, do laundry, put up a screen room or tent in a secluded spot to sleep and write, invite me to share conversation over a meal, re-freeze my freezer packs, and invite the neighbors to come meet me. I'll even show them my van.

The Plan

I've been in Erie Pennsylvania since early September 2008 because my 90 year old father has been having some medical issues. I aborted my travels to do this, but Erie offers me little human contact, no stimulating conversation, no income, and a lot of personal rejection. As much as I feel an obligation to be my father's health advocate and chauffeur, I am losing myself and my physical health is deteriorating. I need to find soft places to land where I feel acceptance and inclusion by kind people.

Not wanting to intrude on other people's privacy, I prefer living in my van in safe places than taking up space in people's homes. A fan of tiny houses, I actually feel more peaceful living inside my van than anywhere else, but I'd like to house-sit or business-sit for absent owners. Additionally, I'd be happy to act as "night watchman" in parking lots owned by churches, doctor's offices, veterinarians offices if I can have access to an outside electric outlet.

So, toward this end I am selling as much of my heavy, bulky items for much needed cash and so I don't have to put them in storage, and giving away what doesn't sell and what I absolutely don't want to keep or take with me in my 2002 Ford Econoline 250. (More about the van later.)

My apartment lease expires at the end of February so I intend to be out of the apartment and living full-time with my cat in my primitively outfitted van by Feb. 28, although it may be March 30 if the weather isn't conducive to moving (by myself) and living in the van. A blizzard will slow me down considerably.

This blog will update you on my progress. I hope you will become a follower.