Hello to you all

[Lilac Girl]

I will be living in my van in Alaska from mid April to October. I've never lived in a van before but will be working there (just like last year), and don't want to spend so much money on rent this year. I am excited about the whole idea of living in my van and the place I'm going to seems pretty mellow and accepting of van dwellers. For safety and privacy reasons, I won't name the specific place, but it is in Alaska and I know there will be cold weather and rain, as well as some days of high heat so I've been reading in the website trying to figure out what I'll need to have to be comfortable. I am an older woman and single by the way.<br><br>

 

[Rob S.]

I hope it works out well for you! <BR><BR>Remember: for warmth...insulate with layers of wool is the way to go.

 

[Lilac Girl]

Thanks Rob, I don't have any wool blankets yet but I plan to get some before I leave. I know wool is great for warmth. I have a sleeping bag but it's not a great one so I know I'll need more than that to stay warm.&nbsp;

 

[bk2valve]

Hi Lilac girl....Welcome and glad to have you with us. A few of us have lived in vehicles&nbsp; in Alaska and as you say it is a great place to do it....<br><br>I don't recommend living in it in the winter in the interior as I have done a couple times but the time you will be doing it is perfect...<br><br>I know we have at least one tribe member living up their right now...I think she is in a cabin at the time but maybe she will jump in and say hi...watch for Rae....<br><br>Peace,<br>Bri

 

[c_hasbeen]

Even better than wool is Sasquatch&nbsp; fur!<br>trust me I got a big heavy coat from china that is lined with it!<br>weighs 20 pounds but it warm<br>true!<br>well I thinking's so?&nbsp; they cant sell it on eBay if it ain't true right?<br><br><br><br><br>

 

[akrvbob]

I lived in a van for 6 years in Anchorage, AK, so I know a little about it. You should miss the extreme low temps when you are going to be there, but the key to being comfortable is to buy an Olympian catalytic Wave 3 heater. I ran one night and day the whole winter and they are extremely safe. Highly recommended.<br>Bob

 

[longjohn]

Amazon has the Olympian wave 3 heater on for $204 with free shipping. Cheapest ebay price was $241&nbsp;including shipping. On amazon you can get the 12' hose and optional feet to point the wave heater upward for an additional $42 with free shipping and still be close to&nbsp;ebays heater only price.&nbsp;

 

[Lilac Girl]

Thanks Bri and c_hasbeen for the comments and welcome. I appreciate any and all suggestions.&nbsp;

 

[Lilac Girl]

Hello tank, and akrvbob, thank you for the tip on keeping warm. Since you've actually lived in Alaska, I figure you know what works there. I will be getting an Olympian catalytic wave 3 burner as soon as I can. &nbsp;longjohn, I appreciate the Amazon advice-the price seems reasonable to me, and the tip about getting the hose and optional feet for the heater is nice to know since I wouldn't have thought of that. I don't want to get there and have to order a bunch of things, prefer to get as much as I can before I leave. Once again thanks everyone for the warm welcome and advice. This van living newbie really needs all the help and advice I can get.

 

[swankiewheels]

Do you think the Olympian is needed during the summer season???

 

[yesican]

Welcome aboard Lilac Girl.&nbsp; Stop by for coffee if you're on the Kenai Peninsula.<br><br>Rae

 

[Bodhi]

Welcome! My plans for retirement involve Alaska and van-dwelling!&nbsp; Can't wait to hear more about your adventures.&nbsp;<br><br> You can get some really good extreme cold sleeping bags on eBay.&nbsp; <br><br>Good Luck... Be Safe... and have a BLAST!<br><br>Peace, Love and Natural Beauty!<br><br>Namaste,<br>Bodhi

 

[blkjak]

welcome .... blkjak

 

[Lilac Girl]

Hello to all. I did live in the same town I'm going to (in an apartment) last year. It got cold in the apartment at times, even with a good heater, during the time I was there so I'm thinking a heater will be a good thing to have for the van. Sure I could probably get by without one, but I like being warm.&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">&nbsp;I don't know if I'll have that many adventures, but I hope so! I'm getting a bike to ride around town, to save on gas and just because it's fun. I'm a little (ok a lot) out of practice riding a bike so that will be an adventure of sorts. I also want to do some of my hobbies, and wonder how people manage that in such a small space. I sew, knit, crochet, bead, work with driftwood creations, and write. All of these hobbies requires some space. A van isn't very big so I don't know how I'll make it all work yet. &nbsp;Any tips on what other people do about hobby "stuff"? &nbsp;Oh, my van is a Chevy Astro.

 

[ccbreder]

Turning the passenger seat to face the rear makes a fine seat to relax and read, knit, crochet, maybe write with a lap desk. Do fabric stores still offer sewing lesions? That would be a way to access a sewing machine.

 

[super duty]

How about a tiny trailer for your hobbies, or maybe a hitch rack with totes?