Filling the hours....

[LucyImHome]

Slingshots...... hmmmm. This could be a bad thing, considering how annoyed I am with getting work done on my truck. 

 

[stinko]

We're more of the traveling type, but when we have time to kill we'll watch tv on the internet. &nbsp;Most networks have lots of free complete episodes on their websites. &nbsp;Wifi can picked up outside mcdonalds, starbucks, target, lowes, and staples as well as many other places I'm sure. &nbsp;You may want to consider one of these&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alfa-AWUS036H-802-11b-Wireless-network/dp/B002WCEWU8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Alfa-AWUS036H-802-11b-Wireless-network/dp/B002WCEWU8<br><br></a>

 

[Ziggy Moon]

Dazar, I am also interested in a form of quasi-taxidermy called articulated skeletons for a hobby - something to kill time, and as a benefit it could be a lucrative form of art, and all together, just plain cool.... IMO.<br><br>However, I find it hard to gather much information on the subject, I guess it's not that common of a hobby, or form of art (yet you see it in museums all the time). Anyway, that is why I started the following thread awhile back. It was my hope that someone knew something on the subject, or could at least lead me to more info to the subject;<br><br><a href="/post/Not-Your-Grandpas-Kinda-Taxidermy-6361445" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Not-Your-Grandpas-Kinda-Taxidermy-6361445</a>

 

[Kevin H]

Give volunteering a try. &nbsp;If you find a park that you like, go to the headquarters and ask if they could use a volunteer. &nbsp;I know the Texas State Parks are always looking for help. &nbsp;Help does not need to be specifically cleaning bathrooms. &nbsp;There is a lot of maintenance work to be done.<br><br>We spent a couple weeks at Skidaway Island State Park in Georgia as visitors. &nbsp;I ended up playing Santa Clause at their big Christmas celebration. &nbsp;We could have volunteered for a stint but we needed to hit the road. &nbsp;The HQ was ready to put us to work.<br><br>We have done the maintenance thing but last winter we spent it leading hikes into canyon shelters and presenting lectures on ancient rock art. &nbsp;Today we are in Yellowstone for the summer. This is a paid stint and we are having a ball. &nbsp;Living in Yellowstone is indescribable. &nbsp;All the national parks use seasonal help.<br><br>When we leave here we will roam for a few months before returning to Southwest Texas for a second stint in the canyons followed by interpretive work at Davis Mountains State Park.<br><br>The parks LOVE volunteers.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

@stinko:&nbsp; Incidentally i Have had one of those for years <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="bbc_img">&nbsp; Once i have an inverter to go with my batteries i will be able to use the laptop.&nbsp; For now it dies pretty quickly (need a fresh battery).&nbsp; <br><br>Well ive had a run in with the army corp people at the park near me i like to visit, i dont think volunteering will work out <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="bbc_img">&nbsp; There are other and probably bigger ones around but im trying to minimize my gas usage until my finances recover.&nbsp; Thanks for the suggestion, I definitely plan to expand my stomping grounds and explore my state more, might find some place i want to volunteer.<br><br><br>I dont know about skeleton taxidermy...i watched a documentary on a guy that collected massive amounts of them...and it just seemed creepy sorry <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; It also looked like it would take a lot of storage and preparation space.

 

[Ziggy Moon]

Ah, common - creepy!?.... lol <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[Cubey]

I am going to be joining Anytime Fitness next week for several reasons. I'm on the 7 day free trial right now so that's why I'm putting it off at all. But take note, you have to wait 30 days before you can use other clubs other than the one you join at... maybe. The lady told me that but then they have a sign that says you can check in manually before the 30 days at clubs other than your "home" one.<br><br>I like the idea of being able to exercise no matter the weather, having hot showers 24/7, plus entertainment. The cardio equipment, at least here, has TVs attached to each one with your own channel and volume controls (must use headphones). They also provide water fountains so you don't have to spend money on expensive drinks.<br><br>Also it gives you a legal place to park potentially all day if it's in a shared parking lot with other stores. That is important to me with my 8mpg city Class B motorhome. I can go in, do a few morning exercises, come out and have lunch, relax a bit, catch a nap if you like, go back in and do afternoon exercises. I might even get away with overnight parking once in a while depending on the location since the place is open 24/7 to members. But my home location is no longer staffed after 6pm so unless an individual calls the cops after that time, or they just drop by for a visit, I wouldn't have any problems. And then they'd just tell me to move on most likely.<br><br>My local club is offering free enrollment and the fee is $40/mo for a 1 year contract. That comes out to $1.33 a day roughly for hot showers and something to keep you busy and healthy.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Sounds good, i know a few people use them.&nbsp;&nbsp; I live in no where Appalachia though, only thing here is local gyms usually in some guys basement <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" class="bbc_img">&nbsp; I have thought about joining one though just to get in better shape and have something to do for a few hours.&nbsp; They are near my mom's house too so that is a plus.&nbsp;

 

[Delta223]

Hi, look into clearwire internet (www.clear.com). Their WiMAX wireless internet technology works really well if they operate in your city.&nbsp;

 

[zemio]

Pick up a cheapo acoustic guitar and learn 6 chords. By the time you have 6 nailed, you'll discover there is are 20 more closely related and you'll be laughing for the rest of your life. Travel and music go together like bacon and eggs. Or, if you want much quicker results and a truly historic sound, buy or build a basic CBG (cigarbox guitar) and learn some slide blues. www.shanespeal.com and www.tedcrocker.com both have some really beautiful examples for sale starting at USD$99&nbsp; or, like me, you can learn to build them yourself for an ongoing (and sometimes paying) hobby. CBG's can be played slide only, so no sore fingers and nearly instant gratification. Easily made with the most basic of hand tools if you want to go that way, I'm sure I could build one with just a Swiss Army Knife and mainly found/recycled materials.<br><br>

 

[Unchained]

That is TOO cool, zemio! *looks for 'guitar space' in her TT*&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[zemio]

DISCLAIMER: That isnt me. This is <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>

 

[user 423]

Very cool zemio. Looks like a street performer op for some folks. Have you tried that?<br><br><br><br>

 

[nomadz]

thats awesome zemio.. i want to build one <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>by the way.. thanks for the link to shanespeal.com.. love their sound

 

[Cubey]

If you get to a town and want to find something to do, go to the city hall and ask about parks, museums, etc if you can't find any yourself. What I am going to do is find a well maintained city park or free public parking lot, unload my scooter and tour the town.<br><br>One town about 60 miles from here (I will be leaving out from at the beginning of October full timing) on my way out west has a museum in the library. It has several parks around town where I can park during the day as well. At sundown, I can make the short drive to Wal-Mart for my overnight stay. The day, I can move on to the next town with a Wal-Mart I can stay at. Plus they have an Anytime Fitness where I can work out and shower which kills at least 2 hours a day spent there.<br><br>Almost every town, no matter how small, has stuff to see and do.<br><br>If you travel in this way, you can keep busy, save some scratch by staying out of RV parks/campgrounds and keep on the move.

 

[accrete]

... I have a question. I am not looking to go adventuring around the US. I am trying to eliminate costs of life but stay in the Bay area because I am in classes. Does anyone doing the van dwelling thing not go on constant quests for new places?...

I know i'm late to the game on this thread (just going through the forum) but in context to the above question though i'd share my experience in the S.F.Bay many years ago (1980-1982). I understand times have changed but here is what i did and luved it!

I lived full time in an unmarked while chevy high-cube van while running a record shop in a mall located in San Bruno (south of SF). At the time the cops and city didn't give a hoot to peeps staying overnight in rigs so the mall-cops would sometimes even stop by in the mornings for coffee and yes...donuts! They also kept an eye out while doing the night rounds. Those were the days! So i was in one place full time. Same mall parking lot each night pretty much. I would go camping in the Redwoods or flying my radio controlled gliders at Fort Funston just south of SF. The lifestyle was amazing as a young single adult and i gave up quite a bit by leaving that life to move into a regular dwelling. Now, 30+ years later, i'm back to living full time in a rig with wheels and no _permanent_ address even though we've (my wife of 30 years) been at the same RV park for a couple years due to still having enjoyable employment locally here on the Oregon Coast.

Cheers,
Thom

 

[owl]

I'm currently on the northern Cali coast. One of the things I have done to enjoy my time is to get a scateboard. A longboard. I scate down to the paths that run along the ocean and proceed into heaven. The crash of the surf, the smell of the ocean and the beach. Everyone I pass smiles and waves. The idea of an older guy scateing blows them away. I hope it makes some stop and think, I should do some of those things I used to enjoy and thought I was too old for. I never scated, always wanted to, life got in the way. Bought my first board at age 66. I am having a BLAST!

 

[WanderingRain]

Dazar: I haven't had that problem since I rarely spent time in my van. I was either at work or doing my usual social life --meeting friends, etc. Is there any impediment why you can't get online and play video games? The libraries have free internet, I'd think if you wore headphones, you'd be fine playing online games. At least that's what I would do.

joncart3r: I (raises hand). I stayed put in ONE place. Literally one place --my office. Now, luckily, my office is a 24-7 operation so there's always vehicles in the parking lot. So to see a van there was not a problem. I cleared it with security and office management. I said I work nights. Haven't had a problem. The only freaky thing was I would wake up to a lot full of cars. You wonder if anyone pulled close and heard me snore inside as I was a late riser. But the van was fully curtained and tinted. Black as night in there even during the day. I reckon the noise of the intersection where my office was would drown out my sleeping sounds. But yeah... you have one here who did not go anywhere. (well, I took off on weekends sometimes)