So many brains to pick!!!

[yesican]

<p>I came across this site a few days ago and can't seem to leave.&nbsp; I have learned so much about what it will take to live without chains.&nbsp; My whole life has been spent learning everything from someone else.&nbsp; After my divorce and with two young kids in tow, I built a small house in Michigan according to all those permits that are required even for the smallest of dwellings.&nbsp;I picked every brain I could find because&nbsp;I couldn't even pound a nail when I started.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fast forward 15 years and kids are grown and now I'm in Alaska building a cabin.&nbsp; I live without water and septic so boondocking without ammenities is NO BIG DEAL. I work as a nurse so cleanliness and working according to the clock is a must in my life.&nbsp; One thing about nurses is there's a job almost anywhere for them.&nbsp; Also, travel nursing is great.&nbsp; I've done it in the passed and it is demanding if you have to work full time.&nbsp; I need time to balance my life and that is why vandwelling is so appealing to me.&nbsp; I'm a wilderness nut (my other net name is "wilderness1 and wilderness99").&nbsp; I'm nearly debt free but it won't be till next year till I can head out.&nbsp; I hope you all don't mind...I plan on pickin some&nbsp;brains...Thanks in advance for all your wisdom!!!</p>

 

[Les H]

Hi , Yesican, welcome to the forum. A cabin in Alaska sounds like a challenge too. I lived a few years in a converted 3 season cabin on a lake in upstate Ny.
Having a good solid marketable skill is a big help too.

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Rae, (aka yesican)</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Welcome again. Your pioneer spirit will serve you well as you prepare for the next page in your life. <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">There is a lot of information and good people here that share it freely.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Keep us posted on your progress.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob (aka stude53)</p>

 

[yesican]

<p>Thanks for all your support and eventually I'll get some pics up.&nbsp; My family's been askin for them too...See ya all on the boards...</p>

 

[Guest]

sounds awesome!!! pics please<br>

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p>Instead of my brains, you may use my guitar.</p><p>Good luck!</p><p><br></p><p>Van.</p>

 

[yesican]

<p>Yup...never felt comfortable in large dwellings. I'd rather have a large garage to tinker in and the outdoors to play in; doesn't leave much need for a big house.&nbsp; Where was your cabin?</p>

 

[yesican]

<p>That's a beautiful place, Myakka River area. My cabin is on the Kenai Penninsula of Alaska about 200 miles south of Anchorage.&nbsp; Salmon runs all summer, moose galore, brown bear, black bear and had a carribou that ran through my yard a few years back.&nbsp; We've had tremendous snow amounts this year and it started to snow heavily again about 3 minutes ago...I just walked into the house and it's been nice out all day.&nbsp; Wished I'd pay myself for shoveling the drive and path to the outhouse; I'd be rich!!!</p>

 

[yesican]

<p>I don't mind winters for a month...but this 6 months of snow and cold gets old.&nbsp; Winters are beautiful here but when its 30 below its hard to enjoy anything.&nbsp; One thing...Its nice to have a reprieve from bugs!&nbsp; That I like a lot!!!</p>

 

[yesican]

<p>That's the plan.&nbsp; March through Aug in Alaska; Sept thru Feb in warm country.&nbsp; </p>

 

[Guest]

Hi yesican, <br>Where on the Kenai? We lived for 10 years in Sterling on a sweet little acre with a 20x30 cabin and 12x 30 two story shop/studio we built. I lived in Alaska 22 years and my wife lived there 14.<br><br>Good for you and best of fortune in all your endeavors....if you run into a woman by the name of Tara on the forums somewhere, she is living in a cabin up there somewhere...she also goes by Hobostripper.<br><br>I am thinking by what you indicated mileage wise you are more toward Seward or Homer than I was....maybe Anchor Point or Homer?<br><br>Anyhoo I retired from the USFWS in Soldotna and my wife was a fire dispatcher for State Forestry the last few years we were there....We know a ton of folks up there.<br><br>Be well and happy trails,<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[yesican]

<p>Hi Bri...I am 5 miles south of Soldotna.&nbsp; I did live at mile 23 of the Seward for 2 years and had a blast there but financially couldn't cut it so moved back to my cabin and got my old job back.&nbsp; Financially, I should be ready to hit the road by early next year.&nbsp; We probably have at least some mutural acquaintances because I work as a home care nurse and have had the opportunity to get to know many many people on the Kenai from Cooper Landing to Anchor Point and North to Nikiski.&nbsp; Its been a long hard winter here...Lots of snow and severe cold for Dec, Jan, and good part of Feb.&nbsp; Cold this week too; 15 below in the AM.&nbsp; Glad to hear from some others from this neck of the woods.&nbsp; I'm amazed there are so many people doing what I've always dreamt of doing....Always thought I was an odd ball...guess I'm not that odd!</p>

 

[yesican]

<p style="margin: 0px;">BlkJk, </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I've never been to the Cherokee Mt's or to SW Florida.&nbsp; I have siblings in NC and Georgia and nieces and nephews in Florida...When my rig is ready to roll, I plan on catching up with family and will be heading down to the SE.&nbsp; It's beautiful country and so much history.&nbsp; </p>

 

[swankiewheels]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Yesican... I am kayaking all 50 states (not a big deal unless you consider I could barely walk in 2005)... have 8 lower 48 left to do, then AK next.&nbsp; I'm gonna drive the Al-Can 'cause I always wanted to.&nbsp; I've been self-contained in a home-rigged camper van for more than two years now.&nbsp; March-Aug... best time to come?&nbsp; Are there misquitos all the time?&nbsp; Or is one month more bug free???</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Hope I get to meet you.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">SwankieWheels (<a href="http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/" target=_blank>http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/</a>)</p>

 

[yesican]

<p>Big Kayaking area are in Seward and Prince William Sound. BEAUTIFUL but can be chilly and rain a lot. Lots of whales, dolphins, sea otters, bears (brown and and black), and just plain beauty. You would not be disappointed. There's always Homer too which has calmer waters than Seward. Seward is at the end of a narrow 20 mile long inlet with mountains on 3 sides and open to the Atlantic on the other. I'd take my jetski out to bear glacier and on the way back have 5-6 ft waves--at least almost always a 2 ft chop in the afternoon--early mornin can be smooth as glass though. There were times in March I'd have to break thin ice to get out of the harbor. I miss livin near Seward</p>

 

[yesican]

<p>Best&nbsp; time to come to Seward is June, July, August.&nbsp; July 4th is Mt Marathon run..thousands of people in a small space, no camping avail.&nbsp; You can also Kayak Kenai Lake.&nbsp; Great free camping area at mile 23 where I lived, but its near the train tracks and has about 3 trains/day go through.&nbsp; I miss that sound too.&nbsp; Keep in touch and I'll try to give you as many pointers as I can if you choose the Seward area.&nbsp; </p>