Michigan UP Lurker surfaces and waves.

[DougV]

Hi I'm Doug, I've been lurking for a few months and am finally getting around to introducing myself.

19 months ago at the age of 60 I woke up and realized I was marking time until I died. My wife and I separated (and later divorced) and I moved 350 miles north to an island in the eastern UP of Michigan. We had bought the 40A of vacation property 15 years prior. It had a leaky 25+ yr old 16 ft travel trailer, an expensive 450 ft driveway and a clearing and fill to build a small cottage. We then wisely decided not to build a second home.

With only a minuscule pension and very small nest egg my adventure began. I spent the winter of 2014 in the trailer and moved into my little 320 sq ft off grid house the next summer. This winter I have wonderful heat from a Pacific Energy Neo 1.6 woodstove and lots of insulation. I'm warm, I have a comfortable bed and I have a 6 month pup that keeps me smiling. Life is grand.  

I discovered CRVL while doing a search for composting toilets, a spark was stuck and the fire lit. I've been shopping vans and making plans to spend my winters in warmer climes. I was looking at Ford Transit Connects but they lost the head room vs floor space battle and now I'm shopping Chevy Astros.

The belief in minimization and simplification and finding a community of like minded folks is what caught my attention and keeps me coming back. Thanks for being here.      

 

[SoulRaven]

If you are coming to Florida for the winter you really don’t need a van.

With so many free 7-8 day stay limit campgrounds across the state you can get by in a $49 13x9 walmart screen tent with a 6x8 tent with a cot inside the screen tent and a folding table with a folding chair.

 

[Wabbit]

Hi DougV, the U.P has some great areas! I spent almost 10 years boppin' around up there. That lil house you have there looks great, and your puppy is adorable! Best of luck on your travels!

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Doug! We're glad you decided to join. Your home base looks great! Can you post more pictures? Having a home base and traveling during the winter months is the dream of many of our members so anything that you can contribute would be very welcome!

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[jimindenver]

Hi Doug, welcome!

I grew up in the LP and spent many a summer in the UP. 40a on a island up there sounds perfect to me.

 

[helinwheels]

Hi I'm Doug, I've been lurking for a few months and am finally getting around to introducing myself.

19 months ago at the age of 60 I woke up and realized I was marking time until I died. My wife and I separated (and later divorced) and I moved 350 miles north to an island in the eastern UP of Michigan. We had bought the 40A of vacation property 15 years prior. It had a leaky 25+ yr old 16 ft travel trailer, an expensive 450 ft driveway and a clearing and fill to build a small cottage. We then wisely decided not to build a second home.

With only a minuscule pension and very small nest egg my adventure began. I spent the winter of 2014 in the trailer and moved into my little 320 sq ft off grid house the next summer. This winter I have wonderful heat from a Pacific Energy Neo 1.6 woodstove and lots of insulation. I'm warm, I have a comfortable bed and I have a 6 month pup that keeps me smiling. Life is grand.  

I discovered CRVL while doing a search for composting toilets, a spark was stuck and the fire lit. I've been shopping vans and making plans to spend my winters in warmer climes. I was looking at Ford Transit Connects but they lost the head room vs floor space battle and now I'm shopping Chevy Astros.

The belief in minimization and simplification and finding a community of like minded folks is what caught my attention and keeps me coming back. Thanks for being here.      

 

[JannaB]

Hi I'm Doug, I've been lurking for a few months and am finally getting around to introducing myself.

19 months ago at the age of 60 I woke up and realized I was marking time until I died. My wife and I separated (and later divorced) and I moved 350 miles north to an island in the eastern UP of Michigan. We had bought the 40A of vacation property 15 years prior. It had a leaky 25+ yr old 16 ft travel trailer, an expensive 450 ft driveway and a clearing and fill to build a small cottage. We then wisely decided not to build a second home.

With only a minuscule pension and very small nest egg my adventure began. I spent the winter of 2014 in the trailer and moved into my little 320 sq ft off grid house the next summer. This winter I have wonderful heat from a Pacific Energy Neo 1.6 woodstove and lots of insulation. I'm warm, I have a comfortable bed and I have a 6 month pup that keeps me smiling. Life is grand.  

I discovered CRVL while doing a search for composting toilets, a spark was stuck and the fire lit. I've been shopping vans and making plans to spend my winters in warmer climes. I was looking at Ford Transit Connects but they lost the head room vs floor space battle and now I'm shopping Chevy Astros.

The belief in minimization and simplification and finding a community of like minded folks is what caught my attention and keeps me coming back. Thanks for being here.      

Hi Doug, I have recently gone through life change/retirement, and your quote "marking time until I die" made me think if that's where I am. And after much thought decided I better get on with life, cause it's not over yet.
Great build on your house and cute pup. Janna B

 

[Baloo]

G'day Doug!
I love your dwelling, looks like the views must be impressive. I have a Jack Russell for all my adventures, I am sure the pup keeps good company. The astro vans are great platforms and easy to work on despite the small hood opening (I have fixed many of them). The biggest issue I have found with those vans are the battery location, if they leak, the tray rots out and the headlight wiring fails, so look under the battery before buying. Not to mention, I would look for a western or southern van (much less rust!) I grew up in Rhode Island, and hate rust, my 25 year old Bronco II has very little surface rust here in Tennessee.

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!! What a cute pup you got there, and nice cabin!

 

[offroad]

If you are coming to Florida for the winter you really don’t need a van.

With so many free 7-8 day stay limit campgrounds across the state you can get by in a $49 13x9 walmart screen tent with a 6x8 tent with a cot inside the screen tent and a folding table with a folding chair.

Just love this comment. So clear and simple.

 

[helinwheels]

Doug, 

I was thinking about posting, deleted it and there it was, a blank reply, with my signature! 

So I will say what I was going to say: Your phrase "marking time til I die" probably sings to a lot of sixty-somethings, and younger. I have a relative and I can see him in your situation so much that I didn't know if I should laugh or cry when I read your post. I wish he would have made the choice to separate and remove himself like you did. I wish he would have gotten the Lab puppy especially. He's a Lab kinda guy who was in a lifestyle not conducive to having a goofy lovable Lab by his side as he did as a younger man. At sixty he spent a lot of time being unhappy until he got caught having an affair and booted out by the woman who is now his ex wife and used to be his best friend. But the good thing in the end is that he may get a Lab puppy. 

Good on you that you realized you could choose something different and then took the risk. I imagine you are an inspiration for a lot of people. 

Helen

 

[Seraphim]

Welcome to the group Doug. We love the UP, just don't get there often enough.