So far, the van project has been pretty technical. You may know that I have a limited understanding of things like heating systems and plumbing, due perhaps to the fact that when it’s explained to me, my mind wanders off somewhere, so by the end of the explanation I discover that my knowledge has advanced not at all. Maybe you can sympathize.
So I’ve been focusing my efforts on the design of the living space. I have strong opinions, which makes it easy. The first step is establishing priorities:
- The image that really sold me on this whole van project was the view of the ocean from a cozy bed or dining booth at the back of a van, rear doors wide open, delicate curtains billowing in the salt breeze, sun shining on the distant water. Therefore, in our build, the bed has to be in the back, and so does the table and benches. Therefore, the bed has to convert to a living/dining area.
- I am not (excuse the TMI) pooping in a bucket; nor am I leaving the van when I wake up in the middle of the night. Also, there’s a limit on togetherness. Therefore, our van must have a private bathroom inside.
- Speaking of limiting togetherness: one vanlife video I watched featured a young couple who exclaimed, “The best part of living in our van is that we get to be together all day, every day!” [Pausing so that idea can sink in a little.] It’s not even worth making a comment starting “When you’ve been married as long as we have…” because at no point in my entire life have I ever wanted to be with ANYONE all day, every day. And Henry’s the same way. Therefore, the van has to have a way for us to be apart from each other—not including the bathroom.
- I like cooking and we both like eating. Therefore, a way to prepare real food is important. Our kitchen here in our old 1900 four-square house is tiny, so it’s not going to be difficult to work in a constrained space. I’m currently testing out alternatives for cooking appliances and will report on that later.
- There must be room for dogs. If you know us I don’t think I need to explain further.
Although we live in a big house chock full of stuff, there isn’t really a need for a lot of storage. We did pretty well in our little van on our Central America adventure. In fact, I found it refreshing to have limited wardrobe choices every day—so easy to get dressed in the morning! Of course that’s only feasible when the weather is entirely predictable, which it isn’t, ever, here in Michigan.
I’ll post a plan of the layout once I get it translated from Post-It notes to a digital file.
Elizabeth
Henry