.happiness

A little help is all I need...

2010-08-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

I've just posted this ad on the local Craigslist. I'm hoping someone might be able to help me out a bit. I'm looking for a Diesel Cargo Vehicle to get me further off the grid and act as a place to live during graduate school.

(begin shameless appeal for a cheap / good vehicle)
First and Foremost, thank you for taking the time to read this posting. I am a graduate student starting at a very expensive private university and a veteran of the US Army. One of the things that I learned in the military that I think most people have forgotten (but not our grandparents) is the idea of thrift and living within ones means, while still saving a bit of money for a rainy day. With the high cost of my undergraduate student loans looming over my head, I am searching for a way to live as thriftily as possible. An idea came to my head and I've decided to give it a try. I am currently looking to take up residence in a Step Van, E350 or Sprinter with a diesel motor or a shipping container on a legitimate piece of land that I won't get hassled on. Now you make think that only shiftless lay-a-bouts live in vans but I'm here to change that misconception. My graduate degree is going to be in Engineering (Civil-Transportation) and my undergraduate degree is in Fine Art and Product Design. As a designer, I've learned to do a lot with a little. I have the skills to make this a wonderful space to live in rather than just a space that I live in because I have to.

The plans for the van or container are simple. Gut it, and put in a beautiful floor, kitchen and Murphy bed and desk situation then work out the logistics of the SVO/WVO recycling system that will become part of my counter top kitchen space and a good deal of income hopefully. The solar panels may take a while due to the costs. A windmill will probably take place before the panels just to get me off the grid. I plan to convert the Diesel to a WVO/SVO operating vehicle within the first six to eight months of ownership (Depending on costs and system , the fuel injection system is the key factor here).

If there is anyone out there that has an operational vehicle (Step van, E350 or Sprinter) that can get me ~2000 miles away from here by the first of September and they don't mind parting with it for cheap then I would love to hear from you! I will post all of my experiences on the internet at my blog and various Biodiesel, WVO and van living websites so that others can learn from my trials and mistakes! I hope also to give classes, seminars and talks about my experiences and how to do the same thing yourself!

Again, thank you for taking the time to check out my ad and please, if you can help please contact me as soon as possible.
(end shameless appeal for cheap / good vehicle)

I hope it works!

Testing out my new...

2010-06-18T14:17:00.001-07:00

So I've been testing out using my G1 (HTC Dream) out as a wifi only net tablet. Its working pretty well so far. I would love it if it had more RAM and was a little speedier but I have live with what I've got. The upside is that this new camera app I'm using is far superior to the one that comes standard with Android Cupcake. Perhaps someday soon we will be able to sell our desktops in exchange for highly mobile super high powered mini computers.

Continuing to Frugality of it all!

2010-06-03T05:10:00.001-07:00

So a while back I decided to work out the cheapest way to bank. Banking in this country has just gotten completely out of hand in terms of fees interest rates and general customer service. I feel banks do more time determining the best way to steal your money legally than determining how you could best build a tight little nest egg for the future. Enter ING Direct. A lovely little Dutch bank that offers online only, high interest bearing accounts of both checking and savings varieties at no cost to the account holder. Genius right? Their debit card works almost anywhere in the world and most ATMs are free to use as well! Oh did I mention the free billpay and other services like Person to Person digital payments and paper checks when you need them! Being I'm a proper cheapskate I couldn't wait to say goodbye to Citibanks purse pilfering and take up with ING Direct. No fees and better than that they pay me interest on my accounts! Good job guys!

Nathaniel's got a Peek how about you?

The Peek option

2010-06-03T04:27:00.001-07:00

Lately I have been lamenting the high cost of my mobile phone. I have already ditched my high priced T-Mobile plan for a much more cost ffective, though less glamourous, Cricket Wireless plan but i still hate spending the kind of money I was just to stay connected. Enter the peek in combination with Google Voice. I now have a number, very similar to my old number (if you replace 391 with 340 then you know the number, for those of you who want it) that anyone can text or leave a voicemail at, for the small cost of Peek service, which is currently at around $17 a month. This is an excellent option when one considers that if you receive a voicemail, GVoice will transcribe it and send it to my peek in plain text format! I can then reply with a text or an email regarding the call! I never have to touch a phone if I don't want to Awesome! Now if I could get it to make a voicemail from an email, that would be a perfect solution. I imagine this service exists somewhere for TDD users (telephony device for the deaf) but I doubt it's as seamless as the GV option could be.

Sent on the go from my Peek

The Promise of Citizenship

2010-02-02T12:35:00.000-08:00

Today is the primary election for Illinois. Have you voted yet? I have. It's a pretty amazing thing, when you think about it. The vote. I put some marks next to some peoples names. One of whom, I know and the rest are ambiguous mysteries with their public lives as open as Ubuntu and their private lives sequestered in the murky shadows of, well, privacy. Which is just as well because, I'm really not interested in their private lives. I just want them to perform the duties of their office well and with out totally destroying our rights as citizens of this nation.

At this point it doesn't feel like many of us has a say in the way things work around here. I don't feel like I have a say in whether our army goes to war or not. So the best I can do is try to elect and get elected people who will act in the same manner or better than I would if I was in their situation.

If you haven't already, you should go vote, it's fun and you get to feel like you've had a say in something.

A new goal.

2010-01-14T09:30:00.000-08:00

http://www.panamericantour.net/

I'm going to do the Panamerican Trail! It's about 16 to 18 months long from the tippy top of Alaska to the bitty bottom of Argentina! Sounds like fun. I'm going get my grant and proposal writing skills up to snuff. Also, I need a new bike for this one. Something a bit more rugged. Possibly a Mountain Bike. I wonder if any bicycle companies sponsor touring riders...

Bicycle Accident

2010-01-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

On the 2nd of January I was hit by a taxi while riding home from a movie. I can't make any other statements other than that because of potential legal repercussions. I'm alive and that is good.

Back in the CHI

2009-09-05T16:04:00.001-07:00

After an amazing time in Denver, CO with my friend Amy and pretty much her entire building (thanks guys and gals)! Denver rawks!

I'm in the CHI. One more time.

Jonathan and I

2009-09-02T20:01:00.001-07:00

This is me and my friend Jonathan from Moscow, ID. We're standing in front of the best gear shop in town! He happens to work there and that's where we met!

No help from the VA...

2009-08-31T09:51:00.001-07:00

For those of you who don't know. I'm a veteran of our United States
Army. I have a health care related issue and I'm not surprised at all
that I can't get any help from the VA for this tooth of mine.

If you feel so inclined. Please write your congressman and/or senator
and express the need for a better health care system in this country.
Especially for people who've given something up for it.

My damn tooth.

2009-08-31T08:11:00.000-07:00

I've been having some problems with one of my teeth. The same one that I've had worked on several times. I figured it would be ok if I just left it alone and stopped eating on that side of my mouth. Well, last night I woke up around 11pm with the most intense pain in my tooth. It eventually subsided and I was able to get a wonderful nights sleep. I woke up this morning and while taking stock of my body, noticed that my gum was incredibly swollen! My tooth is now loosy goosy and I think I may loose it. Which means that I will have a gap in my mouth!

I have an appointment today for a cursery exam of my tooth that will probably cost me around $100! If indeed I do lose my tooth. You will find me taking a little trip down to Mexico or India or some other place and having an implant done for a quarter of the cost. The prices here are rediculous! Of course I am in one of the poshest cities in the US. Steamboat Springs, CO where a simple breakfast of one single egg and nothing else will cost you six bucks. That doesn't include toast or coffee.

It's a good thing I stealth camped last night! Free is the only way to stay!

I love my teeth, but I love to eat more. Come on national health care plan!

Craig to Steamboat, CO

2009-08-30T14:33:00.001-07:00

Back in the saddle. Craig, CO to Steamboat Springs, CO 42 miles. No problem. Taking US-40. No comment.

Glacier National Park

2009-08-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

Taken by a tourist from texas who was kind enough to send it to me via email!

Montana left behind.

2009-08-29T15:33:00.001-07:00

I'm done with Montana for now. She hurt me pretty bad towards the end. Its time to move on to Wyoming. I don't feel like riding anymore. Some folks offered me a ride and for the first time I'm taking it. Will be picking my tour up again in the near future but right now I am simply another petrochemical passenger.

The folks that picked me up are lovely. A retired english teacher and her husband. Its remarkable to be able to talk politics and religion with such level headed folks. They are some of the best people I've met on the road to date.

Off to Three Forks

2009-08-28T07:15:00.001-07:00

I'm off on 287 south to see the Lewis and Clark Caverns state park. 22 miles west of Three Forks on US-2 actually. See you all in pictures!

The numbskull in Helena Montana

2009-08-27T13:22:00.001-07:00

102 miles. What the crap was I thinking? I did it but I think I'm stuck taking another rest day. I've decided I have way too much food with me. I don't need more than two days food at any given time. On my other route, the one I'm not doing anymore I would need two weeks worth of food. But now I don't.

I'll keep carrying it but for now, just know how pissed about it I am.

Yesterday was hell, today has been awesome. I've meet at least one 'Prophet of Helena' who has explained to me exactly why Helena is the best town in the world. I'm inclined to agree, except...I see no evidence of a symphony orchestra nor do I see an opera. Two major requirements for homesteading. That and everyone here seems to be married. Not that its necessarily a bad thing if you're married but you can't expect the young single guys to flock to a town full of married folk.

On the other side it has a pretty sweet bakery called the Park Avenue Bakery. The breads and other vittles to be had there are top notch, on par with Germany in my opinion (home of the best bread I've ever had).

I'm about to have a bit of a look around the Blackfeet River Brewery and drink what I can see. Hopefully I will be sober enough to ride the 68 miles I want to do today and not spend another 50 bucks on a hotel room. Two bike shops, one gear shop and two breweries. I think this place has its priorities in the right place. More on Helena later. Right now its time to drink some beer!

Choteau, MT to Helena,Mt

2009-08-26T08:20:00.001-07:00

102 miles. No problem. At least that's what I keep telling myself. Yesterday was hilly and hard. Today should be better. Choteau is nice and I highly suggest staying the ultra cheap city park campground should you have a chance.

Good times. Helena, here I come!

Glacier.

2009-08-24T18:35:00.001-07:00

I will miss the Glacier area immensely. For some reason I feel this incredible melancholy coming over me as I ride further away. I may stay the night in the park again. I have already made it to Saint Mary and I find that I have more ride in me if I wanted. I am thinking of Kalispell, MT and all of the amazing people that I have met there. What a great little town. I lift my fork full of strawberry-rhubarb pie to you my dear friends. I am sitting at the Park Cafe in Saint Mary. Their pies taste as close to Mom's pies. They're here all the time and Mom only makes them every once in a while. I really think I could live in Montana for a minute but not for the rest of my life.

It looks a lot like the pacific northwest actually. The weather is so much more extreme though. Although today its pretty mellow and yesterday was down right chilly.

I think I need to find a place to nap for a couple of hours or so and then I guess I'll ride down to Browning in order to keep things rolling along. This will probably post just before I get there. I'll most likely motel it when I get there because there do not appear to be any campgrounds in that area.

Alive and well

2009-08-24T07:39:00.001-07:00

Still in glacier. What an amazing place. Leaving the west today and crossing the divide. Will be in st mary tonight.

Ah the long ride.

2009-08-21T00:21:00.001-07:00

I'm I Kalispell,MT. Rode 96.34 miles to get here. Someone immediately offered me food and beer and someone else immediately offered me shelter. I love this town.

I need to plan...

2009-08-19T16:03:00.001-07:00

So glacier fills up their camp sites so I'm most likely going to be stuck in some nasty hotel for a day or so in kalispell. Or maybe even 2 days. I guess I have to take my time but I have mail waiting there so I have be there by friday,,, or show up real early...

We'll see. Feeling better now. Its amazing what hydration will do for ya!

St. Regis.

2009-08-19T15:29:00.001-07:00

Oh Montana why are you so hot! And I don't mean like 'hubba hubba' I mean like 'damn its hot out here!'

Any way I crossed over to Montana today from idaho traveling through many many scary black tunnels including the 8000+ ft (not meters as I was previously told) one and lived to tell about it. I'm kind of beat at the moment. Its hot and I waiting out the heat under an awning on the road to MT200.

I'm changing my rout again. The route is rubbish and is taking me too many places I don't want to go, including some pretty nasty roads. Which have all been fine but who wants to have their but kicked by their saddle for 15 miles? That ain't me.

From St. Regis, MT I am taking MT135 to MT200.

East on MT200 to Local 382 to MT28.

Mt28 to Elmo and FEDERAL 93 North

FED93 to Kalispell where I will get lost I'm sure.

Kalispell to FED 2 east or north or whatever into West Glacier.

Tah dah!

Looks like two days ride so I'm lucky enough to make it for the annoying weekend crowd!

Yah!

Tour route change

2009-08-17T13:30:00.001-07:00

From taft I will follow I90 frontage roads to ST Regis, MT. Then take 135 to 200 east to 212 to federal 93 to state 35 north to local 206 north to federal 2 to the going to the sun road.

The road to reovery.

2009-08-16T17:57:00.001-07:00

Moscow, ID,
This place is awesome. It has an awesome bike shop, called Paradise Creek. The owner TJ helped me out with my cleat adjustment and some other minor stuff. Which is good because I woke up this morning with terrible pain in my back, hip and knee. I think my IT band has finally atrophied on me. I've spent the day stretching and enjoying the immense hospitality. My new friend Johnathan has offered to put me up for another night. He's one of the most awesome dudes in town and works for the most awesome gear shop in town called Hyperspud! For some reason I thought there would be more potato references in Idaho but I guess there are more in Washington than here now anyway. At the very least, the locals are awesome. Went to the local co-op to buy some dehydrated foods. I'm over the pressure cooker. It weighs too much and I will be sending it home tomorrow when the Post Office opens. spent some time at a little place called Sisters Brew writing letters and such. A lazy sunday to be sure. I am lightening my load by only carrying what I'll need from now on. I am about to climb in to the rockies.

NOTE: I AM CHANGING MY ROUTE SLIGHTLY.

I am taking dirt forest service road 301 to Avery and then dirt county road 456 to Pearson and then the Haiwatha trail through the St Paul Pass Tunnel and will end up in Taft, Montana.

I will post more on where to from Taft tomorrow when I have a better map in front of me.

AAA maps are good as long as you don't want to leave the pavement.

Having an awesome trip and I hope you enjoy reading about it!

Rudolph!?

2009-08-15T14:51:00.001-07:00

I can't tell if the pic looks good or not but this is just outside Colfax, WA!