Ready to roll + pics of the rig

[Madding]

I am a 20-something female street performer about to get on the freeway going east! I'm in Northern California at the moment, leaving next week to go backpacking in Nevada. After that--who knows? I'm headed for the East Coast (driving through the Midwest to get there and moving south as the weather gets really cold). I'm trying to hit a balance of big cities to busk in and national parks to explore.

If you have any must-sees along that route that you think I should check out I'd love to hear!



Without further ado, here is le rig!
2003 Honda Element, 130,000 miles, in great condition once I get brakes and tires done. The only thing that's left is to troubleshoot some curtains, which I'm doing right now.

Aside from a few boxes at a friend's house this is most of my belongings. Living small--the only way to be.

 

[VanDwellerMod]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, Madding! Your rig looks very functional.

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.

 

[highdesertranger]

it would help if we knew what route you are planning on taking. I80 maybe. highdesertranger

 

[Patrick46]

Hi Madding!!

What kinda performance art do you do?? (got anything on video??)

Nice Element, and a great car to use.

just don't drive like you're from California, and all should be well.


Hello from the Oregon Coastline!

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Hammock?

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!!

 

[Milk Hauler]

MEOW AND HELLO

 

[towhee]

Hammock?

It looks like a hammock would fit quite well with your current layout. I am still sleeping in a hammock in my previa van. It fits. Barely but that's good enough. 

Towhee

 

[Madding]

Thank you all for the welcomes! I have been lurking for a while and am ever so grateful for this informational gold mine.

it would help if we knew what route you are planning on taking.  I80 maybe.  highdesertranger

Yeah, I'm thinking I80 at least through Salt Lake then either continuing on to Wyoming or taking I70 through Colorado? I'm going to make it up as I go.

Hi Madding!!

What kinda performance art do you do?? (got anything on video??)

Nice Element, and a great car to use.

just don't drive like you're from California, and all should be well.


Hello from the Oregon Coastline!

I do music--a combination of violin, guitar, and ukulele. It has made me some good money and is something that I love doing so I basically have it made. No video, unfortunately, or fortunately because I am still working out the kinks in my act.   (And don't worry, I hate California drivers as much as everybody else!)

Hammock?

It looks like a hammock would fit quite well with your current layout. I am still sleeping in a hammock in my previa van. It fits. Barely but that's good enough. 

Towhee

Big hammock enthusiast here! Thanks for the inspiration, I will definitely look into setting one up!!!

 

[WriterMs]

You wrote:

I am a 20-something female street performer about to get on the freeway going east! I'm in Northern California at the moment, leaving next week to go backpacking in Nevada. After that--who knows?


I used to make the drive from Mesquite, NV, to Albuquerque at least twice a year. So if your backpacking in NV leaves you anywhere near St. George, I would highly recommend taking the "backway" through to northern AZ and the NORTH rim of the Grand Canyon. The south rim gets most of the tourists but the north rim is so very dramatic -- not nearly so many overlooks but what is there is, to me, like the "best of" Grand Canyon views. And you come out going east to the Vermilion Cliffs and Marble Canyon.

It is very much backcountry... and frankly the drive from Marble Canyon down to Flagstaff (rejoining I-40) is boring after a while. But you asked for special places and the north rim is one in my book. I'll see if I can post a pic of one small overlook near the north rim's lodge.

 

[cargovanconversion]

Welcome to the forum!

adding to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, a little to the East in Southern Utah, but north-west of Mexican Hat is the Cedar Mesa area. Great hiking or backpacking area with lots of Native American artifacts. Goosenecks State parks offers beautiful views of the Colorado river and is a nice stopover.

Van Williams

 

[eDJ_]

If you are interested in hammocks, there is some discussion of them in this thread.

These special hammocks can have side curtains of light canvas sewn to them so they can be
used in breezy or rainy conditions.  These curtains can have small windows made of clear
plastic sewn in such that you can easily see outside when resting inside it.

With this you can rest outside of your vehicle if you wish while enjoying fresh air.

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Bikes?page=3&highlight=Jungle+Hammock