Easy Cheesy Skillet Breakfast

Cooking well in a van with no fridge requires a bit of imagination.

This skillet meal is tasty and healthy. It makes up in less than ten minutes in one cast iron skillet.

Start with some grease in cast iron skillet, I use lard.

Sauté the garlic,canned meat & green beans. Add cooked rice. Stir well. Add peppers. Stir well. Add chunks of pineapple.

Sauté for several minutes. Take off the fire. Top with some cheese slices. Fold cheese in and let set about 3 minutes.

Put in your camping plate and add some teriyaki sauce or soy sauces. This Hawaiian influenced breakfast will put some heart into you.

Van Essentials For Newbies

I've watched many newbies way over pack. So I created this list of what I consider essential for boondocking in a van or vehicle . This is not an exact science. This is just what I believe it takes to live comfortably.

-two burner propane stove (I use Ozark Trails, about $35)
-small can, bottle of isopropal alcohol, 2 bricks
-coffee pot (stove top or campfire)
-cast iron skillet
-6 qt pressure cooker
-coffee cup
-beverage glass (old small glass instant coffee jar works great)
-camping dish (old aluminum pie plate makes both a good plate and bowl)
-P-38 can opener
-1 fork, 1 teaspoon, 1 Big spoon, pocket knife, pkg of pocket lighters
-good flashlight (I use tactical flashlight from AutoZone. about $4)
-water jug (Aquatainer 7 gallon, Walmart $15)
-sleeping bag
-Mr Heater Buddy Heater
-propane adapter hose (use on both propane stove and buddy heater)
-20# propane tank
-crate of dried foods (rice, beans, split peas, lentils, and such)
-crate of canned goods
-deep cell battery
-USB/female DC plug unit
-jumper cables
-bungee cords
-ratchet tie down straps
-tow rope with hook ends
-cotton clothesline
-clothespins
-camp chair
-foldable TV tray
-one pair shoes, one pair sandals
-one bag (5 outfits)  clothes
-spray bottle
-apple cider vinegar
-ebook reader full of books
-tools including
     -12v compressor tire pump
     -set of screwdrivers
      -pliers
      -vice grips
       -ratchet and sockets
-at least 2 heavy duty tarps (shade and shelter from elements
-5 gallon bucket
-one jug laundry soap
-spade or camp shovel

This list is by no means the last word, but with these items you will be at least comfortable.

Traveling Slowly, Stopping Longer

I'm on no particular time table. There is no place I have to be at any certain time.

Learning to live this way has been incredibly freeing. Stress drops off. I no longer deal with traffic or bad weather. If it's windy or raining, I just find a safe place to park. I route my driving through busy cities at off peak times or find a base to park and explore that city.

Often I'll spend all day at a park. Pull out my propane stove, cook a simple meal. Watch the birds fly and the squirrels run around. Take time to just breathe and enjoy.

No television in my van. I can stream videos, watch "tv" on hulu or cbs.com i might watch ten hours of "tv" a week.

I love listening to audio books, or enjoying a real book.

Since I travel with two small dogs, I take walks. Rarely do I have time to be bored.

While my living space may seem small to some, in a sense the whole world outside becomes my front yard.

This lifestyle has improved my health, my disposition, and my attitude. It's also much more affordable than many cheap apartments. In a sense, I've come into my own, discovering both the world around me and who I've always been meant to be.

Travel is broadening.

The Perfect Van

Every newbie researches trying to find the perfect van. The van you currently have is the perfect van to start with.

There's a learning curve on vandwelling. No-one is exempt. Vans are highly individualistic and there really isn't any way other than living in one to decide which style is perfect for you.

Some prefer an extended cargo van all kitted out as if it's a RV with sink, shower, and toilet. Some prefer a camper van that comes with these features, others prefer to do their own.

Others want just a conversion van. You just throw some clothes and a camp stove in and take off on adventures.

Do you prefer boondocking in the desert? Or parked by a lake in the woods? The site freecampsites.net shows where you can park legally.

There is no one size fits all perfect van. It's truly about your preferences and your lifestyle. This is the chance to live how you like, rather than conforming to someone else's dream.

I've found the perfect van for me and my lifestyle. I hope you find yours.

See you on the road somewhere...

Digital Parking Meters

Today I used my first credit card parking meter. It's much easier than you think.

You simply put your credit or debit card in the meter, remove it quickly. The meter will tell you how long you can park and the cost. You hit ok, and the time goes on the meter.

The convenience of paying without hunting for change is amazing.

I can also see where logistically it would be much more cost effective. With digital pay, there is less need for someone to physically empty meters.

A Van Life...What To Wear

This particular post is directed mainly at women. As a woman, I may have opinions on men's wardrobe but no real experience.

Every single vandwelling woman almost always packs too many choices in clothes and footwear.

I've been traveling off and on for decades. I've been full-time in a van again for about 3 years, before that 2 years in a compact car.

So I've gained some experience and insights on clothing.

Tip #1
Get rid of that suitcase. They are awkward to pack in the vehicle. They also make you look homeless.

I currently use a plastic 3 drawer unit.

Tip #2
Roll your clothes.
I roll my clothes right after i wash and dry them. They have fewer wrinkles (there is a learning curve to rolling clothes), and take up much less space.

Generally I never have clothes hanging in my van. They are apt to fall in transit. I do hang one sweater and my coat.

Tip #3
Build a wardrobe around a concept and a few compatible colors. Definitely look at comfort and ease of care when selecting items.

Tip #3
Footwear.

Less is more. In Michigan winter I had one pair of boots, one pair of tennis shoes. I recommend pull on boots and tennis shoes with Velcro fastening. Zippers either break or become hard to close when they get wet or dirty.  Shoelaces in a wet snowy winter become a tangled nightmare.

In the warm southwest I wear either sandals or Crocs. Sandals should have a hard bottom. You learn that as soon as you step on thorny seeds or a rock.

I keep a pair of dark slingback heels in a drawer with a black cocktail dress but I've really never had an occasion to wear it.

I have about 5 skirts, 4 long jean sleeveless dresses i wear over a t-shirt, a couple long sleeve t shirts, several short sleeve t shirts, a few tank tops. I add leggings under the dresses or skirts in cooler weather.  Almost every piece can be worn with each other.

I currently have a wide plastic three drawer unit for my clothes. I'm really thinking of downsizing yet again.

See you on the road somewhere.

Hankering To Travel Again

I am currently in Louisiana, about two miles from the Mississippi River. It is a beautiful area with many new experiences for me.

But I have found myself making lists of what I want and need in my vehicle to travel. I like to see what's down the road and learn how people live, play, and enjoy life. I recognize the call of the open road.

I have just laid out a lot of money on items for flea marketing. I also have my trusty Clark's Guide that lists many of the flea markets all over the United States. I have sorted through my clothes and have one large bin of jeans. Jeans are a good seller in almost any flea market. I have many other things that are useful in a RV, but not so useful when you downsize.

I have been clarifying my thoughts on what is necessary to me and my life. I have yet to be convinced that electrical appliances and electric is a necessity. 

On my last road trip (camping), I had two small led flashlights powered by batteries, a small led headlamp, a grill converted from gas to wood, some food, a tent, and a bunch of blankets. This time, I am thinning down the items I carry. I have also upgraded flashlights and chargeable items.

I have almost the perfect computer and internet setup for what I need and want to do. I have recently switched my internet to a usb broadband stick with Millinicom as the provider. I am impressed by how easy it is to use and how reasonable it is in price. Add to that a monthly fee for netflix and huluplus, and I have a world of entertainment as well as information at my fingertips.