Energy Hogs

Van life is a whole different mindset! I've never in my life have I considered how many watts I use, or the voltage, or the amps. Honestly, although I sat in on a solar class at Quartzsite and these terms were explained, it all went right over my head! However, my life is now consumed by wattage!

Bluetti 

The Bluetti is Big Blue's power source and it gets its energy by one of three options: 1) being plugged into the cigarette lighter when Big Blue is running, 2) into a power outlet, or 3) solar-powered with portable solar panels. When I plug an electrical appliance, laptop, or cell phone (AC, DC or USB) into the Bluetti, I can see how many watts it is using. If the object uses too many watts, the Bluetti is drained in no time. The mantra of experienced van dwellers is "MAKE SURE IT IS 12 VOLTS! DO NOT GET 110!" I'm learning.

Heaters and air conditioners are problematic because they are energy hogs. The first one I bought was sucking about 800 watts. It was returned. The second one was given to me...1200 watts! The Bluetti was drained to only 20% in only 20 minutes! OK! Now I'm starting to understand. If my energy is drained, it's way more work to charge it back up and if I don't, I might have no access to power!  Most people get propane or butane-fueled heaters, but those are toxic to me so that is not an option. (I'm finding my only option to be warm might be Mexico....)

My standard, everyday lamp is low wattage and clocks in at about 30 watts. For a little ambient light, that's worth it. There are battery-operated and solar-powered lights, lanterns, and flashlights available, but I've been trying to use what I have to avoid spending too much money.

However, I've purchased strings of solar lights I call my "rat lights". For $9.99 at Harbor Freight they are well-worth the price. Two of the strands go under Big Blue at night to deter the destructive pack rats, but I had an extra strand that I use INSIDE the van. 

If I turn on their blinking function, it's like a disco! When the sun goes down, Big Blue becomes a disco van! 

My first cooking appliance was the rice cooker on the advice of a girl truck driver. "You can cook a ham in it!" I was sold. Not that I ever eat ham, but if it can cook a ham, its capabilities are endless! The rice cooker uses about 300 watts. Too much. A meal will delete the Bluetti about 30% which isn't bad. Again, most people prefer toxic propane or butane-fueled cooking appliances because the fuel is cheap, accessible and easy to use.

Then someone highly recommended an induction cooktop. They are not cheap, but I was craving real food. The Nuwave Flex Precision Induction Cooktop runs $108.68 with tax. I waffled (pun intended) when I was told it is an energy hog, but I threw all caution to the wind and bought one anyway. I didn't realize one needs special pro-induction pans or it won't work. I discovered cast iron pans are compatible! (I'm so glad I never got rid of my cast iron cookware!) OMG! This was a game changer! Here is my first meal on the induction cook top. It was the first time in months I felt like a real person eating real food!

Just as I was enjoying this tasty meal, sitting on the sidestep of my van, gazing upon the beautiful views of the Catalinas, a herd of javelinas came frolicking for my viewing pleasure. They (6?) were about fifty feet away, but still gave me a fright since I was told they can be vicious especially if they have babies. There were babies. They are definitely one of the ugliest creatures on the planet, big hairy hogs with fangs. (Is it any wonder the psychopathic landlady thought they were cute?) I was told normally one smells them first, but I received no stink warning. They stayed on the outskirts never crossing the cement. Had they started charging, I would have slammed my door shut faster than one could yell, "ENERGY HOG!" (You can barely see them in the center of the photo rummaging through some sticks. Sorry. My camera has a weak zoom in feature.) I had planned to go for a nice walk after dinner. Ah, no, not tonight!

Just as I was feeling a little disappointed the javelinas didn't charge across the cement and dive for my delicious dining experience, a loner javelina appeared not ten feet away from my van! Holy Mackerel!

He circled my van, always staying in the desert never walking on the cement, then disappeared off into the sunset. It was quite exciting. Yes, I closed my van door and worried he'd maul the towel I had drying outside.

The Adventures of Big Blue continue...

Quartzsite, Rubber Tramp Rendezvous for Everyone! 2025

The Rubber Tramp Rendezvous continued the day after the Women's Rubber Tramp Rendezvous ended. There was definitely a different vibe and a lot more people! I wanted to hear the presentations on Alaska which covered driving through Canada, Mexico, and "Solar Basics". 

I spent the morning volunteering only because I woke up in the middle of the night and didn't have much to do. First they assigned me in the coffee shack, but it seems I was just an extra person in the way even though I was the only one cleaning the counters. 

Then they assigned me to help with the name buttons. Now that is more my style! I got to write names on buttons and meet a lot of people. This went well for about two hours until a stinker pushed her way up along side me and demanded to stand where I was standing. I find people bathed in stink to be self-centered and obnoxiously thoughtless anyway, but this was also her personality. I refused to move so she slithered up to the other side of me way too close. I didn't want to give up my awesome volunteer position. At one point she screwed up the button using 2024 instead of 2025 and the button makers gave it back to me. I gave it back to her. She screamed at me, "It's done!" and proceeded to give it to the button makers. I retrieved it, handed it to her and said, "Look at the date." I'd had it with her and I was starting to feel lousy so I asked the lead to place me somewhere else. I went to the free table. Not as fun, but I did get first look at the freebies coming in. I got two new pairs of pants and two beautiful plates that would fit perfectly in my kitchen storage bin. I was sick for the rest of the day and all night. 

The next day they had another Open House and I saw all kinds of amazing van builds with the most intricate storage and organizational systems!

I realized I was out of food. I could drive to Parker for more substandard junky-type gluten-free food, but I decided to leave. I really wanted to see the Mexico presentation, but that would mean hanging around for four more days until it was scheduled. I was hungry.

Quartzsite, Women's RTR, 2025, Day 2 and 3

 

Day two at the Quartzsite Women's Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (2025) had a glorious presentation on safety. I found out my stun gun is one of the best! To date I've never had an opportunity to test it so this is good to know. I also learned it's important to use a stun gun on bare skin for best effect and Canada doesn't allow stun guns over the border. What would I do with it? Hmmm...

That afternoon we were treated to an "Open House" of vans, cars, trucks and small living spaces less than 22 feet. It still amazes me the organization some women have to live in a car. One particular vehicle was owned by, Angie, a delightful Californian with a free-flowing positive energy. She has a small pickup truck and the back looks like a doll house! Again, incredibly organized, but her creative sensibilities make it look so inviting with a blue and aqua color scheme and her fiber art works. She uses magnets to hold everything down on the counters so they don't move during transportation. I crawled in there and felt right at home wanting to curl up and take a nap:

I asked Angie about not having a refridgerator and she explained she doesn't use one, she buys and eats mostly fresh foods, lives out of grocery stores, and she's lost 40 lbs in the last six months! This was inspirational to say the least. She also took a hula hooping class so she would have easy and fun exercise on the road and has lost several inches around her waist. She was happy to demonstrate her skills:

Then the wind began...I'd been warned about wind both online and my friends at the south camp. This clocked in at 24 mph throwing sand and dust all over everything. I wondered if my van would still be upright in the morning. It was really nasty and I vowed never to live in Quartzsite. It stopped by the next day, but this is normal for flat desert locations.

Day three included a presentation on Hygiene with a panel of experienced van-living women. After their talk audience members were welcomed to share their tips. There was a lot of laughter as they shared not-so-good experiences, mistakes, and a whole lot of embarrassment.

After one month living in my van, I felt pretty experienced on toilet procedures having learned the hard way in most cases. Many shared it is difficult to separate urine and feces especially for older women and some claimed you have to train yourself. I have not mastered this skill. It was shared pine pellets from feed stores are good to use. Since I have been unable to find small bags of pine chips at pet stores, and as we all know, they only come in large quantities (20-40lb bags), I was so grateful when one woman who had just bought a 40 lb. bag offered to share so I acquired a ziplock full of them. Several women shared they don't use toilet paper! Some used a cloth one can buy that can be washed. Hmmm...sounds messy, but perhaps once I evolve from a "newmad" into a more experienced van lifer, I'll consider this. It would be nice to eliminate the expense of toilet paper.

Showers. I have grown accustomed to not bathing which is odd since I used to take up to four baths a day when living in a house. First, I'm warm so I'm not in a situation where I'm so cold I have to regulate my body temperature constantly. Second, the thought of bathing in a communal space gives me the creeps! Most of these women said they don't shower and they don't care! I loved the attitude! However, if one really needs to clean, aquatic centers and state parks are good options.

Laundry. Not much was mentioned about laundry. I was tempted to contribute to the chemical sensitivity challenges with laundry, but as a "newmad" I didn't feel that brave. Maybe next year.

That was the last day of the Women's Rubber Tramp Rendezvous. It was a day of sunshine and no wind! Tomorrow the all-inclusive Rubber Tramp Rendezvous starts.

Quartzsite: The Women's Rubber Tramp Roundup 2025, Day 1

Just over three hours from Tucson through Phoenix...

Phoenix in all its polluted glory...

...is Quartzsite, a dusty little nondescript town that doesn't make much of an impact on most people driving Interstate 10 until the winter when vehicle dwellers ascend to attend The Rubber Tramp Roundup in January which was exactly where I was heading. It's also a mecca for van dwellers to live during the winter fulltime since the town basks in sunshine and is surrounded by free BLM land (maximum stay of 14 days) or for-pay at a "long term visitor area" (LTVA) which costs about $40 for 14 days or $180 for seven months or anytime between September 15th and April 15th.

I've been reading about this event for years knowing it's the place to go to meet like-minded people, get help, get information, and have a great time. I was looking forward to the experience!

I rolled into town not knowing anything...where to go, where things were, where to shop. I dragged up and down Main Street like a teenager looking at the buildings and trying to orientate myself. Lots of businesses, novelty shops, small grocery stores, and gas stations. 

Millions of RVs, trailers, and vans of all kinds parked all over. Lots of desert. Lots of sun! The temperature was about ten degrees above Tucson, or around 60-70 degrees during the day and 50 degrees at night. However, there is wind that kicks up the desert dust and is relentless.

Not only am I a total newbie not only as a van dweller, but also as a RTR virgin. They call us "Newmads." I have been told it's a bit of a derogatory term as people are proud of their longevity. I am definitely a newmad and not afraid to admit it. I just met someone this morning who has been living in his van for thirty years.

The Women's RTR was first, and my goal on this first day in Quartzsite was to find the city park. This part of the RTR is just for women and takes place January 8th continuing through January 10th. Women ONLY! I love it. I arrived right when the volunteers were being oriented and met Susan. I asked her where she was planning to stay that night and she gave me GPS to the Dome Rock BLM which I found easily.

Dome Rock BLM with Big Blue

Dome Rock BLM 
View from the Bush

I texted my friends Michele and Pete who I met at the Tucson BLM. They were staying at one of the LTVA's and invited me for a visit. They paid for a six-month pass and with that comes some amenities: bathroom facilities, garbage disposal, and water, although some of these conveniences are located at other LTVA areas. Here are the views out my van windows at their LTVA...lots of space between RVs, campers, vans and cars, some foliage, and lots of rocky desert landscape.

I love how some created rock or stick walls, designs in the deserts, compasses, peace signs. My friends constructed a Christmas tree out of a branch using some ornaments they found. (They were here over Christmas.) The wind picked up blowing the dusty landscape all over. My friends informed me to keep my windows closed as their RV is covered in a thick layer of white dust. I was instructed not to park near bushes or trees as that is where the car-chomping pack rats live!

The other option for camping are the free BLM campgrounds scattered all over. To the far north up highway 95 is Plomosa located at Plomosa Road. It's farther away which could account for it being not very populated:

Hi Jolly is located also on highway 95, but closer to town. It was very populated:

Roadrunner BML is located about 6.9 miles south on 95. I didn't visit. As I mentioned above, I stayed at Dome Rock BLM.

I checked Quartzsite grocery stores for healthy food options. Nothing. Not one item deemed organic or gluten-free. I brought enough food for the Women's RTR, but when I noticed the schedule for the regular RTR included some workshops I wanted to attend extending my stay, I wondered where I could get supplies.

There is a McDonalds, a Pilot gas station and a library (opens at 7am!) for free wifi! However, I was warned in advance due to all the people logging on it, it's very weak and not dependable. It kicks off without warning.

Day One of the Women's Rubber Tramp Roundup. They have free tables where people can bring the items they no longer want for others to take. I wish I would have known about this as I could have donated a whole lot of things from my storage unit. Next year! I gleaned about five blouses, toothbrushes, and dental floss. 

Many booths for bonding opportunities: games, crafts and even a booth for sewing if you need something stitched. Booths for nonprofits, t-shirts, name buttons, coffee and snacks. 

It's a shame there is no consideration for chemically sensitive people since so many are forced to live in vehicles. There is a smokers' section right next to the entrance/exit which I find poor planning as people who are chemically sensitive don't need that kind of exposure. There are air-freshened porta-potties that aren't too toxic, but there is a regular park bathroom they reserved for volunteers. It is not air freshened. Again, no consideration for MCSers who can't be exposed. At least most of us can go to the bathroom in our vans or RVs. Coffee and snacks are all conventional. No dietary restrictive options.

A majority of the participants were older women and many of them are living in cars. CARS! I watched a few during lunch from my van get their kitchen supplies out of the back. These ladies are ultra organized! This Smart Car below was on display at the "Open House". Yes! You can live out of a Smart Car!

Orientation was at 10:00am which gave us lots of tips and rules. Followed by instruction on how to camp on public land which was very informative.

Outside Quartzsite, I dump my garbage every day at a gas station, store or where there might be a bin. I wondered how we do it here...if every vehicle dweller dumps their garbage in Quartzsite, the little town would be overflowing. There is a transfer station and a dump north on highway 95 that is FREE! I'm hoping I can get my van weighed there.

After the speakers, I drove to Parker to check out the stores. There is a Safeway that has limited organic and gluten-free food. Walmart is across the street. Gas is cheaper in Parker.

That night I stayed at Dome Rock BLM right next to a group of solo women travelers: Susan, Valerie and Angela and as the sun went down, we howled like coyotes!

To be continued...

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2024: REVIEW AND RESOLUTION

This year was wild! It was an emotional rollercoaster, stressful, wonderful, horrifying, brilliant and, well, life at its finest. I survived to tell the tale!

 

AWESOME THINGS:

TAROT READING: Early in 2024 I had a tarot reading done. It was very informative and interesting. She said all kinds of incredibly accurate things, BUT then she said 2024 is the year I will MOVE! I started crying. Really! I started crying! She had no idea I was planning to put my house up for sale. Amazing.

MOVING: And I moved! "Moving" should also go under HORRIBLE things, too, due to the stress. But when all hope was lost, I kept chanting defiantly, “NO! AILENE SAID I WAS GOING TO MOVE THIS YEAR! NOT NEXT YEAR! NOT ANOTHER YEAR! THIS YEAR! I AM MOVING THIS YEAR!” And I did. As I drove away from Rathole in a Uhaul with what was left over of my worldly belongings, I had this odd sense of calm wash over me. I kept yelling at my friend who was in the co-pilot seat, “I FEEL SO CALM!” Nineteen years of anxiety, stress, and depression just melted away as I drove away!

SELLING: I started my marathon of downsizing last year and I just kept on going through 2024! I sold a four-bedroom house packed to the rafters worth of junk. I sold childhood memories, accumulated free junk, furniture, and about one hundred and fifty art history books plus another fifty or so non-art books! I still have the ads and photos and when I look through them, I am in disbelief! Near the end, I was giving things away, donating, and just chucking it in the garbage. I still ended up with too much: eighty boxes, two tables, five chairs that go with those tables, a bike, a bunch of art, and a twin bed frame. The leftovers are still being sold little by little to empty out the storage unit. I only cried twice. Once when I sold my rabbit statue that reminded me of my bunny and when I sold Kitty, the doll I had since I was four years old....But I was happy she got a new home instead of ending up in the garbage or worse, buried in the woods (as one friend suggested).

MAJOR SELLING: I sold my house! It almost didn't happen. It was close. All spring and summer - high season for real estate sales - and nothing. When I put it up for sale in May there were few houses in my area on the market and I was very happy and hopeful with the lack of competition. When June came around, everyone had their house up for sale! It was very discouraging watching my neighbors’ houses sell and mine just sit there. Actually, it was incredibly stressful. Would I be forced to stay another winter in rainy cold Rathole? Would I be responsible for financially maintaining both a house and an apartment? If you have seen photos I have posted, my house was a little unusual with bright walls, painted walls, floors and ceilings, painted switchplates and furniture, and all manner of crazy creativity. It’s not for everyone. However, many people, including some I didn’t even know, would approach me and ask, “Is your house the creative, colorful one being sold? Oh, I wish I could buy it!” I don’t know if they were just being polite, but it gave me hope. 

But still no offers. I found out of the three agents in my area, two of them weren’t showing it because there was a request to be fragrance-free and they couldn’t be bothered to go without stink in order to show it. Prospective buyers still showed up stinking of laundry detergent or shampoo. What a nightmare! I lowered the price. Nothing. I lowered the price again drastically and I got ONE offer in the fall. These people had inspections done on three other houses and deemed them not well-cared for enough. I had no hope since my house is over 100 years old, but they bought it! I am still amazed and thankful! I feel so free! No more house maintenance. No more cleaning gutters and windows. I don't care if the fence falls apart every winter or if the trees blow over onto the roof! Most importantly, no more bad neighbors. If I wasn’t so excited, relieved and thrilled it sold, I would put it under HORRIBLE for the nervous breakdown experience.

THE VAN!!!:  I finally bought a van! After searching for a van for nearly a year, buying Big Blue was sudden, easy, and comfortably meant to be. I was not prepared to move into a van and live in one, but I did, mostly out of necessity. The very steep learning curved adventure commenced! I really should put this under the SO-SO category since the adjustment was anything but awesome, but after two years of researching and planning, I finally did it and that is awesome! I renamed her Bluega, like beluga only blue, because she's a whale when trying to park! No more rent costs or utility payments. Free to travel and explore. The adventure begins!

 

TRAVEL: I haven't ventured out much yet with Bluega as I'm trying to get her outfitted for independence and waiting for winter to be over, but I have explored a lot of Arizona and New Mexico! So fun being nomadic!

FRAGRANCE-FREE MCS FRIENDS! I finally found my tribe! It’s amazing going to social functions with these people and not have to worry about being poisoned!

FRIENDS: I made more friends here in Tucson in the first two weeks than I did in Rathole in nineteen years!

CYCLING: Tucson has cycling clubs, cycling paths, cycling shops, cycling swap meets (the biggest in the country), and cyclists. Lots of cycling! It's amazing to be able to ride my bike again after it's been stored in a closet for nearly twenty years. The first time I got teary-eyed. I have found an older women's group to ride with...more my speed! Excellent.

PEN PALS: I love my pen pals! Not only is letter writing good entertainment, but with this move it provided much needed stability and support. One of my pen friends sent me a collaged card she made in honor of my move that I received my first day in Tucson! I love it! I felt so honored.

SO-SO THINGS:

TUCSON: I moved to Tucson. I don't know. Initially I was really excited. Then I encountered the worst human on earth (see below under REALLY, REALLY HORRIBLE EXPERIENCES...) which greatly affected my feelings for Tucson It should have been great. This city has a multiple chemical sensitivity community, an art community, sunshine and dry weather most of the time, a lot of health- oriented grocery stores, lots of friendly people, and the whole city is one big bike lane! What could go wrong?  I now see the bad roads, bad drivers, constant congestion, expensive food, and Republicans. It's definitely not warm here in the winter at night dipping into the 30s, but it's not raining.  I was hoping my health would improve as so many have claimed, but it has only seemed to get worse. I wrote a summary post on Tucson.

ART: I tried joining some art groups: plein art and watercolor, but 1) the artist-members were really talented which made me feel stupid, and 2) when life got stressful, I stopped going. Maybe I’ll try again in the future.

UHAULING: I feel really proud I packed up what was left of my house into a Uhaul truck and drove all the way across four states. Driving 9 hours one day, then 15 hours, then 12 hours, then 3 hours was exhausting. My friend came with for company and that was fun. The truck was on the verge of breaking down the whole trip and we couldn't remove the key out of the ignition unless we wanted to be stranded. We slept at rest stops and truck stops. Then I unpacked the truck myself. Did I really do that? At my age?

REALLY, REALLY HORRIBLE EXPERIENCES:

THE PSYCHOPATHIC LANDLADY PIECE OF GARBAGE: I rented a tiny apartment from an elderly, possessive, self-centered, egocentric, obsessive psychopath who was in my face everyday criticizing, questioning, demanding and compulsively pathologically lying every step of the way. I was so incredibly stressed out and unable to function, tiptoeing around in my own home and afraid to touch silverware for fear she’d hear me, and paranoid as hell. When she'd hear me open my door on arrival, she's show up on my patio demanding to discuss some imaginary issue or demanded to know what I might be doing that she didn't like. She instructed me on requirements for cleaning the apartment and even what products to use, what I was allowed to do, what I can bring into the apartment, when I could use the patio at my door, threatened me if I left the gate unlocked, on and on and on. If I asked her a question or informed her of anything, she perceived it as a personal attack and would become vengefully defensive. Then she began wafting scented something through the HVAC system and that was my breaking point. I saw a lawyer and started defending myself. She eventually agreed with me this wasn’t working for either of us and let me out of my one-year lease. Thank god for small miracles! I can't believe I survived that. I will never in my life rent again.

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: How does that happen? What is the point of voting if my vote doesn’t count because of this idiotic electoral college? It was rigged. Men with money who have friends with money can get away with nearly anything. Money and male dominance is the American way. I've heard about some of the voting statistics and how they aren't making sense. But this is our political system. I’m sick to my stomach. But at one point I told a friend if voting for the buffoon would make this psychopathic witch disappear out of my life, I would in a heartbeat!

RENTAL SEARCH: I was so stressed out knowing if someone bought my house, and I only had thirty days to move, would I be able to find a safe place to live? I made two trips to Tucson and couldn't find much. I finally settle on a tiny apartment owned by a woman who claimed to be fragrance-free who ended up to be a raving psychopath (see above). The stress of it all was unimaginable. I don't ever want to do that again ever!

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION FOR 2025: I don't have one. I told a friend I have had so many things happen in the last year, so many goals met, so many dreams fulfilled, I've had enough resolutions come true in 2024 to last me at least five or ten years. Maybe my resolution is to be calm, stress-free, and happy?

 

 

 

 

HOLY SHIT, or The Fine Art of Elimination

I write this blog anonymously so I can be honest and not worry about being censored or censoring myself in fear of being censored. I might discuss controversial ideas, scary subjects, or disgusting topics that might cause judgment or concern among friends, acquaintances, or even strangers. I once had a total stranger threaten to call the police because she thought I was in danger. The same stranger thought it would be appropriate to tell me to delete a post because she didn't think it was nice. Although I appreciated her concern, I wanted to scream MIND YOUR OWN FUCKING BUSINESS! THIS IS MY BLOG! WRITE YOUR OWN BLOG!

This post is of the latter category of disgusting topics. Hey, but this is something so natural it is part of our everyday human existence, and it shouldn't be considered disgusting...until it is. How does one go to the "bathroom" when living in the van? I've been asked this a lot, specifically, "Suppose you need to potty in the middle of the night?" I have never in my life not needed to get up in the middle of the night to pee...unfortunately.

There are all kinds of tricks of the toilet in a van. Some people splurge on fancy composting toilets which are expensive and huge. Nice if you have the money and space, but my space is valuable in this tiny "home." In addition, they still need to be eventually emptied and that's the inconvenience.

Many use large five-gallon buckets with or without special seat attachments lined with plastic bags designed for this purpose. With smaller sized buckets, it's often difficult to squat so low especially for us older folks whose knees, hips, and backs do not like the stress. It has been suggested if using buckets and plastic bags to separate the urine from the fecal matter as mixing creates more smell. Also, use metal buckets as plastic just sucks up the smell and holds it regardless of how many times one tries to sanitize the container. And, also, use pine wood chips (the kind one buys for small pets) with the fecal matter, again to eliminate smell. The problem with wood chips is they are most commonly sold in 20lb. bags. I don't have room in a small van for such a large item. Any old plastic bag, for instance, those you might get from a grocery store (for FREE!) are not advised because they leak. This is never good. I have lined a bucket with three different plastic bags and the urine still seeps through to the bucket. Again, these need to be emptied. Urine if separated, can be dumped at a rest stop restroom. Feces in plastic bags goes right in a garbage can. (Eeeww....)

Most people living or traveling in vans or other vehicles try to time it right when near a rest stop, at a restaurant, or in a store so they are able to use the facilities, but that's not always convenient.

In my former van, during my first road trips. I used a small bucket with plastic bags. Never really had a problem, but I was always emptying the bucket as soon as I found a rest stop. It's a lot of work to constantly have to stop and empty.

I started using a bucket and plastic bags with this van and still have one ready for emergencies. A friend suggested I use a coffee can! 

Folger's...newly sterilized.

They aren't metal cans anymore, but plastic with tight fitting lids and a little carry indentation. She informed me, you can do the business in the van or a car (she travels with her car), then carry it into a rest stop bathroom as if no one knows what you have. Maybe. I think anyone living in a vehicle knows exactly what I'd be doing! It's not like I'm planning to make coffee in the toilet stall! I really like Target plastic bags as they are (sometimes) thick, sturdy plastic.

I supplemented this idea with a female urinal that someone on a women's van life group suggested. It looks like a fancy, purple pitcher, shaped just so to fit the lady parts. 

It's a little daunting peeing standing up, but it works especially in the middle of the night. I just chant, "If a man can do this, so can I!" No deep knee bends or squatting necessary! Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a lid so I'm always afraid it'll fall over, and I'll have urine all over the rug. (Eewww!) After I do the business, I then dump it in the coffee can my friend donated, snap the coffee can lid in place. In the morning, I empty and clean both vessels and store them in a plastic bag in a bucket.

This has been so convenient even if I'm in a parking lot, on the side of the road, in a picnic area or anywhere I need to pee and don't want to leave the van. The walls of the van are high enough for privacy or I can cover the windows with my window covers. Very convenient. Inconvenient to constantly have to dump, clean, dry, and store, but it is what it is.

There is a reason they call this area "Oro Valley".

However, I have been caught off guard. A few nights ago, right at dusk I was in a campground parked in the back thinking I had privacy. The side doors of the van were opened to nature with views of the mountains in the background. I needed to pee. OK! I dropped my drawers around my ankles, placed the urinal just so and with my ass facing to the mountains, I started my business. Just then two horseback riders rode by. I didn't know there was a trail right there! I'm sure they got a good look at my naked butt shining like a setting sun!

But...then there is diarrhea. I think everyone in their lifetime has experienced diarrhea so this shouldn't be a surprise topic. Living in a van has caused me to be preoccupied with surviving. I don't exercise as much as I should and I am not sticking to my diet, especially the low histamine diet. Eating too many high histamine foods I have discovered creates a whole lot of gastrointestinal misery.

One morning I am up at the crack of dawn, and I have to go the "Number Two". I thought, No, problem. I can wait twenty minutes to get into town. I prep the van for travel, start driving, and as soon as I'm on the darkened highway in the middle of New Mexico, my colon starts screaming. OMG! What do I do? The pain intensifies. I don't have a choice. Pull to the side of the highway, in the dark, and figure out how to get the deed done without a passing semi-truck lights shining on my business or getting bit by a rattlesnake lurking in the grass. The pain is screaming through my intestines so I threw all caution to the wind, jump out the side door, squat, and do the business. It's fast and furious. I had no idea my body could hold that much shit and it SMELLS to high heaven!  I'm absolutely convinced this is exactly why the term "taking a dump" came to be. As I prepare to drive away, I wonder if I'll run over it. I worry someone else might pull over and encounter it. I wonder if there are any cameras that caught the whole thing on video? Will I be arrested? Good god. Being human is hard!

I don't know what kind of food this is, but it makes a good illustration...

A few days later, again, I wake up and the Number Two is gurgling. Again, I don't think anything of it...until it refused to stay in my body, uncontrollably demanding to be released. OMG! Thankfully the coffee can was right in front of me, but I still didn't have enough time. I spent the morning cleaning liquid shit off everything! (Eewww!) So nasty! I really miss not having a real bathroom.

And you were thinking van life is adventurous!

New Mexico Part II

Smooth with no potholes as far as the eye can see!

I stopped into the first Starbucks I've seen since first crossing the Arizona-New Mexico border. There are very few here! I asked the cashier and she said it's because the population is so low. They might be found in Albuquerque, but not in outlying areas. 

I'm finding this to be true. It's amazing how much bare land there is here. I tend to be attracted to the smaller highways due to less traffic, less semis, and thinking there might be interesting landscape to see. Not really. Miles and miles of flat semi-desert land sometimes with mountains in the distance. Once up in the hills which are considered mountains here, one finds more shrubs and then taller trees and it becomes scenic and beautiful. At least all the roads, highways, and freeways are drivably maintained. 

Yesterday after leaving the Albuquerque food co-op, I headed east and then south to Fort Sumner. Tiny little town. I had hoped some remnant of the fort was there, but only the cemetery now exists. With Billy the Kid's grave! I love Wild West history and as I drive some of these tiny highways, I imagine what it was like to ride a horse and be a cowboy back in the 1800s. It might take hours to drive to Fort Sumner, but it must have taken weeks on a horse!

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There was also a Billy the Kid Museum in the middle of town capitalizing on the tourism brought to the area by the gravesite. I asked the cashier what was in it thinking maybe (probably not) there was anything historic of Billy the Kid's. She said there were all kinds of wonderful things, including cars. CARS? Billy the Kid didn't drive a car! I didn't bother to pay $8 to see a car not driven by Billy the Kid. I know from reading biographies there isn't much on Billy the Kid except one photo and legend.

Next I headed to Roswell on my tourist loop. Main Street is filled with alien stores...and lots of tourists. I stopped into one that wasn't swamped with people just too look and bought a postcard for a pen pal that said "Ask me about my butthole. Alien probed in Roswell." LOL! I couldn't help myself. Too many tourists on the sidewalks and not a whole lot of places to park a giant van so I left.

Next drove to Cloudcroft which is up in the mountains and encountered SNOW on the sides of the highway. Camped in the Lincoln National Park at the James Canyon campground right on Highway 82. Very beautiful and quiet in the mountains. And cold! Did I say cold? Only 25 degrees in the morning! I really need a little mini heater for the van!

Heading back to Arizona where it was 79 degrees during the day and 60 at night. My test-traveling adventure is over just in time for Christmas!

Where should I head next?