Blog
Campervan!
October 23 2006
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Out with the old, in with the older. The same day I sold the motorcycle (the same transaction, in fact), I became the proud new owner of a dilapitated but solid 1977 Chevrolet camper van. It has an extended roof, and I can walk it’s length inside without touching my head.
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It was a straight trade for the bike, Or rather, officially, I bought the van for the same sum of money the previous owner bought my motorcycle for. I don’t know what he was thinking. This van has twice as many wheels, and certainly will be worth more in the scrap metal market.
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It is a little rough around the edges, and after I took these photos I spent half a day scrubbing it (and left it with plenty more to do) but it was funner than fun. I also replaced the pasenger side triangle window - which, two owners ago, had been broken and patched up with duct tape. I had some harrowing moments - the entire window rolling mechanism came apart within the door and had to be rebuilt by my big awkward hands twisting in funny angles while I peered down the slit the window usually disappears into, but I reigned supreme in the end.
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I love that kind of stuff (at least, the times I don’t break something worse than when I started). The last time I felt this kind of high was when I replaced the clutch on the motorcycle (sigh).
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The propane regulator has to be replaced. I don’t think it’ll be any problem firing up the stove once that’s done, but I worry a little about the furnace and the fridge. I almost hope they don’t work - then I get to fix’em!
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When we moved here, we decided we wanted to take advantage of the fact we’re now on Vancouver Island.
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There are a lot of cool places to go in a van like this, all within the confines of our fair isle. The day after I acquired the van, we drove it to French Beach. It was beautiful.
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Julie found a giant mushroom - at least a foot across.
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The driftwood the surf had pushed up a little creek was steaming in the waning daylight.
So, nomorcycle, but come next summer, we’ll be in camping heaven!
Brother:
Congratulations - it’s beautiful. Now we’re camper van buddies.
By Paul Lathrop on October 23 2006
Mike,
Careful you don’t blow the tranny in your new van. Best of luck!
Jamie
By Jamie Foulger on October 24 2006
Thanks for the great photos and the report on your “doings”.
By Grandma on October 25 2006
Hello,
We are enjoying your blog. The Van is awesome. We can’t wait to see it & go camping with you.
Love,
Kate & Cara & friends
By mary on December 03 2006