Welcome to my life! Check out my van build progress, adventures, and shenanigans! My rig is a Ford Transit, 350 HD, 148" wheelbase, with a high roof. The build started on August 20, 2024.
As the build comes together, I'll be posting videos of the progress. But I don't want to wait until the build is complete to have some experiences, so I'll be boondocking and adventuring around Central Oregon and sharing that here, too. I'll be living in a sticks-and-bricks while building out the van. When the build is complete, I'll be on the road full-time.
Thanks! We're having a helluva fire season this year up this way...actually raining ash down. I'm not doing much distant travel yet, but looking forward to a couple weeks in Arizona at the top of 2025.
It was a beautiful, smoke-free day - I couldn't ask for more. I've been to this spot a handful of times, but never hiked in very far. I had no idea there was anything more than the big falls, so it was kind of like doing it for the first time all over again.
It gets everywhere. There's no need for air conditioning, so that's not an issue right now. If I was driving in it much, I'd probably change (or at least clean) the air filter in my rig.
Im from the same area, but I would treat ash as if pollen and glass had a baby. Don’t use your windshield wipers or anything like that on it, but honestly most will probably blow off as you drive/before you get to a car wash. Just don’t rub or wipe when cleaning as you could scratch the glass or paint. Now let’s just hope they get this out soon 🥵😰🫣
Great video! I really enjoyed the longer video. You were able to see some cool stuff during your outing! I too chuckled at the bobblehead and sexy beast comment.😄
Thanks, Rachel! I heard a few comments regarding my shorter videos and have taken it to heart. It does mean I'll have to more carefully plan, mostly because this simple 13 minute video took 8+ hours to upload over my throttled connection, making it late for my Sunday upload schedule. Glad you got a couple laughs - my weird sense of humor sneaks into everything I do.
That road sure isn't good for you back pain! Or, maybe stretching it with each movement actually is? lol Job as a Bobble Head, ha-ha, I chuckled! OMG! The reflection is simply amazing! That lake is like glass! Aah, it was Sparks Lake that I am referring to. Oo-oo, I love how you took the camera through the path of water to the lake! Very interesting concept! Good job!
Yeah, I didn't think that totally through. 😆 In actuality, though, because I very rarely take any kind of painkillers, a simple generic Ibuprofen does compete wonders for me in the moment. I was definitely sore afterward...but it was kind of worth it! Glad you got a laugh!
Not exactly. It's due to Ford's weird ordering process. Here's how that works... When you order a van via the Ford website, the order isn't sent to the Ford factory, it gets sent to a dealer... so you actually have to go into the dealership and the salesperson prints out your order and then manually inputs it into the build system. Frankly, it's a completely archaic way to handle orders. Anyway, I didn't notice at the time that there was no "EL" designation on the order he input. Until the van arrived. So, it was their mistake, but I have to take the blame because I okayed it without realizing.
@@NomadicPride Oh wow that sucks! Sorry to hear that. Well the shorter wheel base will allow better clearance in the back country. When I looked for my van it was impossible to find one. I eventually got a good (or reasonable) deal on a used one.
Wow! Your brother is awesome to have around! He cut those rails really well!! I'm impressed with how good it actually looks. I'll be curious to know how you fix the front portion, because I'm looking at that same roof rack. You are moving right along in your build! Great job!
Thanks!! And congrats to you on your big exciting news! I _figured_ I could do a decent job on the cut, but I _knew_ he could do it perfectly. For the faring up front, I'll get a piece of hard neoprene (something UV resistant) about 6"L x 1"W x 0.5"H and put a little silicone on the underside to make sure it doesn't move, and just place it similarto how I did the styrofoam in the video - and centered. 😅
@@RachelinRealLife When you use the Dremel bit, even with the best of precautions, it's easy for micro bits of metal to fall down into the hole. Those bits of metal are basically rust seeds. Using the tin snips, the metal can come out in one neat piece and avoid all that.
So sad , are there Dangerous people in the woods? Homeless camp area? Usually people who camp don’t drink to get drunk. Drinking and driving is very wrong but also getting drunk in general is self sabotage. I hope he wasn’t hurt badly and learns to not drink like that. Thanks for sharing.
In my opinion, there are dangerous people virtually anywhere you go - sometimes they're just not this blatantly obvious. I could be wrong. The city recently did a sweep and removed lots of dilapidated trailers and vehicles that had taken over some city streets for a very long time, and it appears that those people may have gone out to this area instead. One guy out there recently was in a vehicular police chase that ended up totaling his vehicle and probably bringing a handful of charges. The tree he hit is now diagonal. And when he finally moved from his spot, he left a complete garbage dump behind, ruining the spot entirely. That's not to say everyone out there is homeless or dangerous or trashing the place - most of the people I've seen seem friendly and just kind of minding their own business. I've only seen people fully drunk a few times out there, but this situation did leave a bad taste about camping there again.
@@NomadicPride I’m sorry you witnessed those things .. so stressful. When I was out there I camped at the trail head , there were others car camping but they were most likely gonna hike on the trail in the morning too. I have a northwest forest pass to park at trail heads but also a 4 wheel drive to get up those bumpy , rocky pot hole ridden forest roads , lol. Stay safe . Ps. I like your high quality videos. You are a pro :)
Swell !! Now question about your head-room -- I see you can stand up, but it looks like a "tight-fit" (or is it camera angle?). So what happens when you get some ceiling panelling or similar. Will you still be able to stand up ?
It's the camera angle. The cargo space is 81" high and I'm 72" tall, so I'll have just enough room for a good floor and ceiling, and still be able to walk upright with a couple inches to spare.
Hello John, I'm Ann Marie from Daytona Beach. I follow Adventuring with Amanda and she recommended checking out your channel. So here I am! I did all the things you requested, so it looks like you have a new subscriber! 😊 ☮️💜
Hi John! It’s good to see your face after all these years. My dream is a van conversion so I’m looking forward to seeing your progress. I’ll get your cousins and uncle to subscribe as well. - Your aunt Terry
Thanks!! Yes, Kilmat makes a really big difference and is a good expenditure for the benefit it provides. Doing the roof rack (and maybe solar) today!!
