Category: #vanlife (Page 2 of 2)

general things about living in a Van

These signs mean something…

February 22, 2021 / samuraif16

Enroute from Tetons to Big Sky. On country road 32 north of Tetonia — Send-IT! and driver came to this sign just put down by the snow plow. We noticed a few cars going around…big mistake when we decided to go around.

Image result for image of road closed sign due to snow covering road

Route we were trying to take…

This road got progressively worse (after looking pretty good)…eventually complete white out / multiple foot high drifts. I checked on two trucks stuck in drift…both ok. One of them called for search and rescue and rescue snowmobiles were coming to extract them the other was sitting in his truck with his little buddy heater waiting for snowplows.

This was the road right after the closed sign..doesn’t look too bad…right? Well 10 miles later road disappeared like a white abyss…

I decided to reverse (along with a fellow car who has been following Send-IT)…well we made it back. Barely — really pissed at myself for a shitty decision. After going back around..had to speak to a sheriff. Told them about 2 trucks 13 miles up and also had to take an appropriate lecture on the meaning of “CLOSED” signs.

The driver of the subaru followed me to a gas station…he thanked me and Send-IT for helping him and his pup get out of a real crappy situation. We are now buds…Ben Hamilton along with his companion Jasper (a beautiful blue heeler). Both Ben and his girlfriend Julia (via facetime) thanked me…I told them to thank Send-IT! for getting us out. Ben and I are skiing some lines today at Big Sky!

Ben (Subaru), Send-IT! and driver. After the drive from hell!

Lesson learned…511 (every state has one) is your friend. If I would have checked here is what DOT was saying about the road I was trying to pass!

Not exactly roughing it at Jackson Hole (Wilson).

February 20, 2021 / samuraif16

Thanks to my friend JJ Healy, Send-IT! had a very nice “campground” for a few days while skiing Jackson and the Pass. Also got some ski pointers from his ripper 13 year old Cormac.

View a few feet from Send-IT! (compliments of JJ Healy)

Send-IT! had first class accommodations in Wilson WY. I know real tough…

JJ Healy is a wonderful host…awesome Dad (Cormac 13 and Sawyer 10?…today birthday!) and knows how to Ski!

Thoughts on van life from McCall ID

February 13, 2021 / samuraif16

Lots of smaller, indy ski areas in ID (I have an “Indy” ski pass, along with epic and ikon)…blue markers are ski areas where you can camp in parking lot. I am hanging out in McCall and today skied Brundage.

Fun to see the rigs…this is the parking lot at Brundage Ski area (near McCall) — super fun small ski area.

A very cool Skoolie and #Send-IT!. The skoolie is definitely cool — comes with a wood burning stove!

Since it is a busy weekend (even in the smaller ID ski areas)…couldn’t park in the ski lot. So am camping in a nearby campground. Looks like lots of people are living here (they rent seasonal spots). Probably lots of stories…hard to talk with people, most are working are in their campers. Weird vibe. Super quiet.

Today i was super aware of a few things skiing…cool watch my slough (boot high powder) keep up with me down the steep sections, the sound of my skis clicking together, and my tails kind playing down the moguls as I controlled speed… Tried to let my thoughts be my ski partner today :).

Tomorrow I am going to skip the crowds — and pull down my nordic skis and do some skating at https://payettelakesskiclub.org/bearbasinnordiccenter/ and Sunday heading to meet my buddy at Grand Targhee.

#Send-IT!

Brian

B-lot Crystal Mountain

February 3, 2021 / samuraif16

Made it yesterday to the iconic B-Lot at Crystal Mountain (about 90 min from Seattle). Pretty amazing lengths people go pulling up trailers / driving RVs up the 45 minute mountain road…Love it! Crystal mountain has a very cool ski vibe…right up there with Alta, A-basin, Crested Butte…

Send-IT! after long drive from Deer Valley UT

Hooked up with my buddy (Heywood Zablocki — we flew Jets together in Japan — the 14 FS Samurai). What a fun reunion so far…fun that our love for skiing was the catalyst we both needed to get together. Awesome it was a powder day!

Day 1/2

January 11, 2021 / samuraif16

455 AM launch from Hudson WI. 17 Hour drive via my buddy Dusty and his sheep farm 🙂

Day 1 … berthoud pass closed. Audible to hiking up the flat irons to Top of Amphitheater.

Big conversation on trip Day 1 w/ Kristian. He challenged us…are we wolves or are we becoming pugs? More to come on this topic. Important..

The language of wolves: study finds howling 'dialects' - SlashGear

New Van Mods…more prep for trip!

November 17, 2020 / samuraif16

Small shelf in cargo area, which can double outside as a table, seat and a place to put on ski boots 🙂

5 gallon jug, with manual water pump (figure I will keep Send-It! winterized — even though it is suppose to be 4 seasons).

Insulate rear windows…with board insulation (w/zip tie to make it easy to pull out)

Other little things..place to hang towels (use less paper towel), raised headliner shelf (storage), black outs for urban camping (just some foam sheets I got from walmart), extra shelf in pantry, some self-stick mirrors to help me put in my contacts :), bringing extra diesel (4 gallons — more for use of the diesel furnace), can fit generator and 2 gallons of fuel in rear box..

Also took out the old electric water heater switch…that has been pissing me off (couldn’t tell if on or off) and replaced. A bit scary cutting a bigger hole in a very visible portion to fit the bigger switch box!