Creation Museum

The Creation Museum was all that I expected and much more!  I spent hours browsing the exhibits, watching the video presentations and finally totally enjoyed the planetarium. It is an awesome and inspiring place. If you've never been there I would encourage you to put it on your bucket list as a must see destination.

Can You Say Roadtrip?

Well, it is almost time to head out on the road again.  The problem I'm having with that is that the weather seems to be bad all over the place and that makes me uncomfortable.  I already had to bail on my last trip and don't want to have to do it again anytime soon.

I have a few places in mind that I'd like to head to.  The first is the Creation Museum in Kentucky.  Second on my list is Dollywood (to see the crafters, not the rides.)  And finally I'd like to visit Silver Dollar City outside of Branson as they are said to have great crafters there also.

I'll keep you posted as to what the verdict will be and then of course will post photographs, videos and a few words here to top it all off.  I hope you'll join me in my travels even if it isn't with me up close and personal.

Steve

Wall Drug Store, Wall, South Dakota

It took me a little while to get this video composed and edited but it is finally done.  I think you'll find it interesting to see everything here.  Although I was early in the season and some of it was not yet opened up it was still interesting to re-visit this wonderful icon of South Dakota.  Wall Drug is a great place to visit and if you're ever heading out that way I'd encourage you to stop by and check it out.

Growing Wings With Which To Fly

Today I was listening and watching a few videos posted by other vandwellers.  One of the people, a single female living in her van, said something interesting that caught my attention.  She said "You'll never realize that you have wings with which to fly until you actually jump off the cliff (figuratively speaking)."

When you stop and think about it we never really discover what we are capable of doing because we're simply afraid to actually try something new.  I know that I've had many opportunities that offered themselves but because it was outside of my comfort zone I chose not to do them.  Sort of sad really as I could have had so many more experiences to share with people.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share that little observation and hope that it gets you thinking about spreading your own wings.  Please though, don't go jump off a building.  I'm thinking that would not be a good thing.  Best I think to just try new things that make you uncomfortable, uneasy or even perhaps a little bit scared.  Perhaps a zip line ride would be a good start.  I know the first time I did that I was scared silly but after the first time you couldn't keep me off of them.

Let me know what you decide to do.  I'd really enjoy hearing about your experiences.
Steve

Helpful Hints To Those Who Do Or Who Want To Eventually Vanabode

I am a member of several groups on Yahoo and recently I found this post.  It was so informative that I asked permission to republish it. If you're considering life on the road you'll be just a little better informed before you make the jump.  Here is the information.  I hope it helps.
Steve

In a few years you are going to look back at this time in one of two ways:

1) "Boy, it started out bad but I'm so glad I stuck with it, I love vandwelling!"
2) "Boy, that was awful! It turned out it wasn't for me but what a grand and wonderful adventure it was!! I'm so glad I tried!"

Either way, you win! You are expanding your world, comfort zone and self-confidence. That can only be good!! Just know it started out BAD for most of us and got steadily better.

But you want some practical advice so here is mine:

1) Invest in either a Coleman catalytic propane heater or a Mr. Buddy Portable Heater for warmth.
2) Dogs are very adaptable creatures. Make his life right now much better by committing to taking him for 2 walks every day in nature! he will be happier, AND SO WILL YOU!!
3) Plastic organizing drawers and totes are a life saver, get some. I especially like drawer units. You might look at thrift stores for used furniture like desks and dressers. They are cheap, instant organization in the van.
4) The easiest possible bed is to buy a bunch of milk crates or Rubbermaid totes and lay them on the floor so they are nearly solid, then go to Home Depot and have them cut a piece of plywood to fit over the top of them and just lay the plywood on top of the totes/milkcrates. It's inconvenient to have to lift the bed every time to get to your stuff, so later on you will want to find someone to attach legs to the plywood. But, it will get you started for now. Then go to Walmart and buy a 4 inch memory foam topper and cut it to fit the bed.
5) Go to Walmart and buy a wash tub for $3 and a few 1 gallon jugs for water. That's all you need for a sink. Get a quart spray bottle to wash dishes with and yourself. Indoor plumbing has only been around for a few hundred years, you don't need it to stay clean.

Be creative and adaptable. Think like your great-great-grandparents when they crossed the prairie in their covered wagons. How did they do it?

YOU ARE MADE OUT OF THE SAME "STUFF". IF THEY COULD DO IT, SO CAN YOU! IT IS AN ADVENTURE, AND IF THERE ISN'T ANY HARDSHIP, IT'S NO GOOD!

There is a long learning curve ahead of you so be patient. Just address the most critical things first and then keep improving.

Living Little In A Big Way

Tiny or Small houses are all the rage these days it seems.  I'd actually consider living in one if I owned property on which I could put it.  However, for now anyway, I'll just continue on in my very comfortable van.

If you've considered building or buying a small home you might be interested in this great little site that I found online.  It solves the problem of creating your own blueprint for a building project of small home scale.  Take a look.  I think you just might enjoy it and perhaps even learn something in the process.  I did.

Good Times in the Badlands of South Dakota

As I noted in an earlier post I recently took a trip to the badlands of South Dakota.  I've now finally been able to post a short video on youtube so you can see just how beautiful this area really is.  I hope you enjoy watching it...don't worry, it is only a little over 5 minutes long but in that time you'll be spellbound by the beauty you see there.

Here is another LINK that gives more information about how and when the Badlands were established as a national park.

South Dakota Arrival

I made it safely to South Dakota and my first stop was in Wall, SD.  Here is the famous and really huge landmark called Wall Drug.  I've been here before but didn't really have time to fully explore it so I'm excited to be back to give it more time.  If you've never been there I would encourage you to do so.  The city in which it is located is very small and at this time of year, not yet tourist season, there are few people and great prices.  Even the motel in which I decided to stay was less than fifty dollars for the night and gas prices are now at $3.33 per gallon.

The people that run Wall Drug are still friendly and offer an atmosphere of a small-town.  Fact is, this place is so big you could give it it's own zip code.  Regardless of what you're looking for you'll find it here.

Beware of Snakes!

Made it through Minnesota with no problems.  Pretty warm temperatures and here too good roads on which to drive.  Traffic was light early in the morning and lots of Mcdonalds restaurants to stop at for some rich brewed, and much needed, coffee.

The first rest stop I stopped at in South Dakota offered an interesting sign.  It also warned that "camping, in rest areas is a violation so if your plan to do that, don't!

I'm thinking that if you are traveling with a pet it would be best to use extra caution.  What do you think?

Iowa first night staying in my van

Beautiful clear skies spelled really cold temperatures and I nearly froze my cookies off last night.  I'm thinking Wal-Mart for a little portable heater will be one of next stops.  No fun to be cold regardless of how exciting your trip is.

Next stop will be South Dakota.  Taking 35 North to Minnesota and then West to the Bad Lands.  Can't wait!

One nice thing about Iowa is that they really take good care of their roads.  I haven't seen a pot hole and the roads are so smooth it is like driving on glass.  Thank you Iowa Road Commission!

Can You Say Roadtrip?

Along with Spring comes the required road trip.  And, as I'm not one to break tradition, I have embarked on my first trip of the year.  Left today for South Dakota.  On my list of things to see are the Badlands, Blackhills, Mount Rushmore and hopefully Sturgis before it gets crazy there.

My first stop is always the I80 Truckstop just into Iowa.  It is advertised as the world's largest truck stop and, as I have no way to prove otherwise, I'll accept that claim and take a closer look.

Since I visited here over 15 years ago it has changed a lot...and not necessarily for the better.  Before the people were friendly and it had a small-town atmosphere.  Not so much anymore.  It has gone the route of "big."  Now it is filled with the normal other-truck-stop stuff that costs way too much for what you get.  Before it had great food at a reasonable price.  Now the food buffet costs $12.95 and looked like death warmed over...No thank you very much.

Can you tell I didn't care much for this place?  The only good part was the fact that gas prices were actually lower than Michigan by twenty cents per gallon so I filled up and moved on.  Next stop will be North of Des Moines Iowa for the night.