Set up

Be ready to move when one wakes up. It is of no use to set up inside. Most of the time is used in securing everything. So, drive to the bathroom and then set up for breakfast.

When I got running I went to get an alignment. It drives well but it is obviously running on the inside of the front tires. Guess what? No camber adjustment. I wanted more caster too, but no caster, just tow. What a waste. I had loaded up with cinder blocks to mimic two people up front. I did check the spare tire and added air to the front while I was there. There is more weight up there than a stock van with a small motor so I will try 65 instead of 55 in the front. I question 80 in the back. It feels lighter in the back than the front. However the bulge now is the same front and back.

So it took all day to clean it, wash windows, and yes vacuum once again. Lazy, I went to Subway and just drove to the beach and ate there. As I looked out at the clouds I knew I should have flown. The water was calm so I could have gone rowing, but instead I was the van's slave. I will take a bike ride and try tonight on battery only. With only one coach battery I have reservations because the fridge is 12V, not propane.

camp gear prep

Inside kitchen so I can be ready to move in the morning. Today was time consuming, but I was still able to row and go for a bike ride. An acceptable day of vacation I suppose  However I never broke camp and one point of the van is it can be camper and car so breaking camp fast is important.

First impressions might get lost as I fight through them. One is why in heck would one use carpet in a van? Vacuuming twice a day is a problem by itself, but with power in limited supply... The computer thing will never work with an ipad. I can't just hook up the camera to the ipad and download. I am not getting a smart phone or 4g dongle. The plan is to ovoid as many bills as possible so free wifi is the task at hand. Not to mention I am too old to type with my thumbs. Netbook is in my future.

camp gear

I can use Picassa for the pic. So my first fail is the single burner needs a wind shield. I did plan everything outside. It was noon by the time breakfast was done. This must improve. I am cramped just by myself. God help me with two. I had to open the bed for just myself. I thought I would be ok with it in couch mode. Two may be more of a problem than I thought.

I have to start somewhere. Camping in the driveway seems to be the safest place to find out what I forgot. This has to look funny to the neighbors. But what a great place. Tahoe is less than a mile away. My favorite bike trails start from here. The water is the best, Chateau Tahoe. Cable, Wifi and Electric hook ups for free. Let us see if any place will ever match up.

Blogging is new to me. I tried this on the ipad I will use on the road and guess what? ipads suck. Maybe there is some app but for now Safari can't do the pictures. Well what it can't do is paste a copied dropbox link to a picture.