#vanneryoconnor

Can You Tell She’s Happy? . When I was a kid and cleaned the family car and washed all the windows, I’d just have to take it out for a fast spin around the neighborhood. . It was a ‘68 Ford Fairlane with a 289 V8; light blue with a black vinyl top. That thing was a *rocket*! . I swear that car liked the attention and drove better, happy to be out and about just for the hell of it. . My van, #vanneryoconnor, is the same way. I swear she’s excited to know we’re headed out again so soon. I haven’t changed the oil and fuel filters yet or reset the living/work space for the particulars of this adventure, but she’s grinning and ready to roll, anxious as a puppy to roam and explore. Swipe for images of her empty and of a typical interior setup. . In the oft over/blinged world of backcountry travel, camping, and ‘overlanding,’ most folks prefer Toyotas and Jeeps and Land Rovers and such. . For the way I like to travel, living on the road and out there longer and for more miles than most, my choice in vehicles has evolved to preferring long wheelbase American vans with diesel engines. . I’ll write about why and what the advantages and disadvantages are of my Savana van lifestyle, and how I set things up for long distance travel in a future blog post. . Right now, though, time to get my ass in gear and get the ol’ girl clean, organized, and ready for the road! We both can’t wait to get back out there. . There’s nowhere I’d rather be than going somewhere. . Who else has a vehicle that loves the open road? . . #openroad #vanlife #vanlifeexplorers #ontheroad #adventure #explore #expeditionvehicle #theopenroad #headingout #solotravel #adventurist #overlander #longdistance #wheretonow #getoutstayout #exploremore #gmcsavana #savana #vanneryoconnor #diesel #duramax #theroadlesstraveled #neverstopexploring #letsgetlost #letsgosomewhere #road #roadtrip #liveyouradventure #gypsy #adventuretime (at United States) https://www.instagram.com/p/BomOkBDn4A9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g89xd2aill4g

You Can Always Find Me . You can pretty much bet, if looking for me, I’ll be somewhere near my van and trailer. . This was driven home yesterday when my grandkid’s boyfriend said “you really love that van, don’t ya?” and even more, later, when my kid came out to say “love you Dad, good night!” I was sitting in the dark behind the wheel with the door open, sipping a beer and checking my phone. . Even if I’m sleeping in the house, you’re more likely to find me out standing near the van and making plans or sitting behind the wheel scheming a new dash layout or simply just hanging out, smelling the breeze for changes in the weather or checking the night sky. . It’s like the way folks used to stand at their fireplace when they wanted to make a point; one’s hearth is the place to do it. It’s the place of power and attention in a home. That’s been replaced, unfortunately, by television in most homes; an electronic hearth that just about eliminates making a point instead of encouraging it, but that’s a whole different conversation. . My point is that my van—Vannery O’Connor I call her—and my off-road trailer are my hearth, my place of power. . It’s been like that for years; getting out and standing near my van when traveling to check the night air or make a phone call. In my quest for tweaking basecamp and workshop set-ups to teach off-grid living and to promote low-impact land use and responsible recreation, it’s even more like that. . That’s where you’ll find me, most always, within shouting distance of my road rig. . Where’s your place of power, your hearth, the place you feel most comfortable and most yourself? . I’m honestly interested. I find it all fascinating. Leave comments below. . #whereyoullfindme #vanneryoconnor #placeofpower #hearth #electronichearth #vanlife #vandweller #ontheroad #nomadlifestyle #offgrid #offgridliving # (at Back Cove, Portland, Maine) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmEojZ8nTbW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fszz69sa03he