#vanneryoconnor

[roaddude]

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

[roaddude]

Crossing Lake Charles . That was one hell of a water crossing. I barely made it. . No, I got my wheels dirty exploring down along the lake (second image), so backed the trailer down the boat landing into the lake to rinse off the heavy stuff. Might try to find a coin car wash today. . I like keeping van and trailer fairly clean; more for longevity than anything, but do like the looks of it all when good and clean, too. . Then it just begs to be driven fast down the highway, windows open, some classic tune blasting from the radio. . I’m a reckless teenager at heart. . Last pic: Is #MonsterMonday a thing? She looks like some giant amphibian climbing out of primordial waters for the first time, trying out new legs; a where-the-hell-am-I moment. . #mondaymusings . #idontknowwhatthefuckimsaying . #instamadness #amphibious #vanneryoconnor #vanlife #wherethehellami #vanlifediaries #nomadlife #homeiswhereyouparkit #rooftoptent #lifeontheroad #overlandtravel #laissezfaire #expedition #adventurist #explorer #overlander #lakecharles #lifeontheroad #rtt #rooftoptentliving #watercrossing #imfullofit #liveauthentic #ontheroad #exploreamerica #optoutside #getoutandexplore (at Lake Charles, Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsD7A5hBhp6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ec9nji0v70kd

[roaddude]

With the two triangle extensions that square off the diagonals on my kick-ass @bundutecusa #Bunduawn I have approx 250sq ft cover from rain or sun. Another 33 in the @roofnest and yet another 72 in #VanneryOconnor. So, about 350 sq feet under cover in Basecamp Roaddude. Not too shabby, and all super portable and easy-to-use. . Stay mobile, my friends! . . #staymobilemyfriends #vanlife #basecamp #lightestboatinthewoods #camplife #camping #campinglife #rainydays #undercover #liveauthentic #overlandgear #expeditiongear #adventuregear #letsgetlost #wanderlust #vagabonding #lakeside #wilderness #aloneinthewoods #woodsandwater #exploretocreate #explorenewengland #nomadlife #wandering #rainydaymusings #wildandfree #giantheart #ontheroad

[roaddude]

Waiting Patiently... . For snow to go, yes, but for her new bumper bull bar and winch and for me to get that process moving! #lazywinter #hibernation . . #gmc #vanneryoconnor #vanlife #vandweller #vanderlust #gmcsavana #savana #nomad #nomadlifestyle #traveler #travelblogger #frontendfriday #aluminess #warnwinch #165ti #overland #expedition #adventureawaits #explorer #letsgetlost #winter #wanderlust #idratherbecamping #longdistancetravel #soonsoon #offgridworkshops (at Portland, Maine)

[roaddude]

Vannery O’Connor Interior . This morning’s version of my interior setup; sideways bunk in the rear of the image with another few feet the other side of it, accessible from the side door or front seats. This gives me living space on either side of the bed while maximizing storage accessible from the rear doors. . All very modular and modifiable and can all be easily rearranged or removed entirely, leaving full width between the wheel wells by over twelve feet long, should I want to haul something large or a load of plywood or other building materials, for example. . I love this setup. Having had nothing but vans for extended adventures for almost twenty years (and a VW bus too, years before that), this has become my favorite and most flexible arrangement. No built-in cupboards or counters; bed can be set up as in this pic or down the length of either side or stowed away completely the other side of that half wall in the rear. . Though I’d secure things more if I was four wheel and doing extreme trails, this set up stays put even on bumpy desert roads with minimal movement or banging around. . Versatile, functional, efficient and ready to go no matter what my adventure or other need may be. . Even though I usually have it set up like this for long road trips and camping adventures, I still plan ways to make it better. . What would you do differently? How do you set up your rig for solo adventures? . . #soloadventure #solotravel #traveler #travelersnotebook #vanlife #realvanlife #vanlifediaries #vanbuild #homeiswhereyouparkit #campiswhereyouparkit #thedesertiscalling #nomadlifestyle #ontheroad #selfsufficient #vanliving #vagabonding #roadwarrior #roadwarriors360 #liveauthentically #homeoneheels #borntoroad #youradventure #myoutdoorlife #gmcsavana #vanneryoconnor #talesfromtheroad #optoutside #adventure #expedition #overland (at Townsend, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqsMao_h4tW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3nd79rgn9wkh

[roaddude]

Solo Recovery . More in today’s 4 part story. . Managed to get Vannery stuck deep just before sundown last night. Was backing up in line with the awning after running into town, on hard packed sand I’d driven on already, and the right rear found a soft spot. Ended up being an old buried campfire. I mired the ol’ gal pretty good, rear bumper in the sand, trailer hitch riser peeking out, axle and diff both hung up. . She was leaning to starboard pretty hard, like a beached schooner with one side dug in and her top pointing about one o’clock. My left rear was up on hardpack. . I figured I’d get some digging and clearing done before morning to make it easier to get yanked out by a passing fisherman with 4wd. . Dug a shelf platform just to be able to get down there far enough to get my shovel under. . Long story short, a couple of beers later and enough sand removed to fill a grave, I freed the axle and diff and cleared a track long enough for recovery boards. I positioned a @maxtraxhq and a @tractionjack down in there and after an adjustment or two, was able to climb out on my own. . Not a big deal in the bigger scope of things, and not really much of a story at all, but does show what a little planning, patience, and proper gear can do when the only one you have to depend on is yourself. . The @tractionjack really helped in that it hinges in the middle, which not only makes it smaller to stow and longer than other recovery boards when folded out, but helped in not having to dig a longer straight incline on which to place my boards. . I’m no recovery expert and can’t even say I’m experienced, but was tickled to be able to extract my van on my own. . I celebrated with another Shiner Bock. . . #recovery #recoverygear #teamtractionjack #tractionjack #maxtrax #stuckinthesand #sugarsand #stuckdeep #vanlife #realvanlife #adventure #adventurerig #adventuremobile #homeonwheels #tinyliving #gmcsavana #gulfofmexico #nomadlife #beachlife #nationalseashore #myoutdoorlife #liveauthentically #vannery #vanneryoconnor #expedition #overland #overlander #realife #roadwarrior #cestlavie (at Padre Island National Seashore) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsYU-cpBW5t/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=451i72w81523

[roaddude]

Vannery O’Connor? - Answer right and receive a free enamelware mug! . I’ve had this diesel GMC van for about seven years and am continually impressed with its rugged and steady capabilities. . Even more so over the last year of hauling my off-road camping rig around. The XV-2 Severe Duty Trailer weighs in at 1125 empty and has a cargo capacity of 2375 —yeah, like a one ton pickup on steroids—for a GVW of 3500 lbs. I keep it pretty well loaded but need to get it and the van on the scales to see how much I’m actually hauling. . Vannery O’Connor tows it with ease though, even over rough terrain and up and down steep inclines. The cargo capacity of the van is nothing to sneeze at either. . I think I’m going to lighten the camp gear load, though, and leave the ground tents and cots behind for awhile and see how that is to pack. Been itchy to do more photo shoots and some interview and product vids and want to haul more lighting and other photography gear. . Anyway, back on topic: who thinks they know who Vannery O’Connor is named after? . I was calling the ol’ gal Savana Vandana (she’s a GMC Savana van) for awhile but that name felt a tad too glib and like it came from a game or comedy show. . Vannery O’Connor is more apropos of her steadfast capabilities and ability to draw stories from people as I wander ‘round in her. . First correct answer in the comments below will receive one of my enamel Let’s Get Lost mugs from @unitedbyblue and purchased through @wanderwonderys in Yellow Springs Ohio. Wander & Wonder is a cool outdoor adventure shop full of sustainable goodness. Swipe for mug pic. . So, who knows the answer and wants a mug? . I’m headed back to the woods for more camping but will check back next time I have service for a bit. . . #vanneryoconnor #freemug #prizes #gmc #gmcsavana #offroad #adventuretrailer #adventuretravel #getoutandexplore #nomadlifestyle #travelblog #outinthewoods #livinitlovinit #offroadrig #overland #expedition #optoutside #myoutdoors #camplife #campvibes #trail #offroadtrailer #vanlife #offroadrig #rooftoptent #tentlife #liveauthentic #staymobilemyfriends #letsgetlost #overlandrig

[roaddude]

Getting On Sunset . The desert at dusk fills me up. What fav places do you seek out? . . #desertsunset #sunset #desert #desertvibes #bbnp #gmcsavana #vanneryoconnor #xv2 #offroadtrailer #nomad #xventuring #americansunset #sunsets #offgrid #travel #travelblogger #vanlife #vandweller #campvibes #vandering #wanderlust #letsgetlost #getoutandexplore #outfitandexplore #overland #expedition #adventuring #explorer #ontheroad #camping (at Panther Junction, Texas)

[roaddude]

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