It's a good night. I don't mind washing dishes at all. I hesitate to say that I like it. I might as well not like it, because I know this type of work gets old. When the music is my choice, and there's a steady flow of dishes without getting too wild: it's kinda fun. I'm still outta here.
I continue to not have any friends here. That's normal enough, but I'm constantly frustrated by my own shyness. By "constantly," I mean constantly. I wasn't always like this, was I? Didn't I used to be way awesomer? I realize that I probably was always like this. Maybe saying weird shit had more leverage in the past.
Here's some pictures:
Here's one kind of spot that I really enjoy. Hidden in plain sight. There are no houses to the right - it's a steep hill with a big tree, located behind a nice hotel. This is one block from the very center of downtown Ashland. This is where I slept after I went to the theater.
This is the view going down the hill toward downtown. This is behind the van in the previous picture, turned 90 degrees and facing east.
This is a picture showing my DIY van conversion skillz. I'm a whiz with a... a bungee cord... and a... sleeping bag. I'm as stealth as a bunch of shit thrown in the back of a van.
This is a view looking toward the front. Notice how cavernous a van is with no cabinets or raised beds. This is an option to be considered. That's the arm of the life-is-easy chair to the left, facing the doors. Those "curtains" are K-Mart "table cloths." That's my awesome foot.
This is my spot right next to the creek. It's a good place to cook, read books, or take a nap in the shade. If you stay late, you might get cops banging on your van. But to be fair, I slept around here multiple times before that happened. I was begging for a visit.
That's my roommate. That's the KHS Professional bicycle. 531 tubing, Phil hubs, 32c Pasela tires, Brooks, Nitto 177 bars, Kelly Take-offs with Rivendell 'Silver' shifters, and more. Phew. I like it.
Ok... I hear you bro. Tone it down a little? People are trying to sleep around here, and don't need you yelling. To be fair: I think everyone should do whatever they want - so okay.
This photo does not fit with the others. This scene occurred in Bar Harbor, and that's me being as dirty as dirt itself. On the left.
5 comments:
Cool pics man!! Loving it!!
Man, I've seen your van before, but I forgot how nice it looked. No one looks at that van and thinks there's someone living in it.
I always wondered if you kept the bike inside the van, I can't believe I didn't think of attaching it to the back. Do you have to lock it on there?
How's the weather been in Ashland? Last time I went, I expected rain (which I enjoy) but it stayed dry the entire time I was there.
What is a better touring shoe? LookBindings or Birkenstocks?
I have been following your blog for awhile... I do have to say your van is quite cozy looking. I love the pics.
Responses to comments:
Lori - Thanks!
Chris - It has rained ONE time since I got here. Fine with me. The weather is van-perfect. Warm days, and cold nights. Best vandwelling weather possible. I lock the front wheel of the ladder-racked bicycle to the ladder. The front wheel can be removed with a 5mm allen wrench. I feel like it's more than safe enough for Ashland's crime rate. $2k bicycle here are typically locked with dental floss. Thanks for boosting my already-strong confidence in my stealthiness.
Joe - wear sandals with stiff soles. I don't like clips, but once again, I must realize that I'm the oddball there. Grant Petersen wears sandals with wool socks. Not that I always want to just defer to his preference, but he's no idiot.
Hippie - Thank you. Cozy describes it pretty well. I'm planning to clean it all up soon, so maybe I'll post pics when it looks a little less bum-status.
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