Spotted another van dweller today at Carl's Jr. and approached him...

[66788]

While driving through the local Carl's Jr. today I spotted an F350 Power Stroke box van with solar on top. An older gentleman was sitting in the front seat reading a book while parked under a tree.

I knew instantly that this guy was one of us. I approached him and smiled and introduced myself and said "I see from the solar on your roof that you are a van dweller." He was surprised and said, "Yes, I am."

His name is Dave and he is 67. He is living on social security and traveling between California and Oregon in his box van. I asked him if he might be on cheaprvliving.com as a member and he admitted that he knows nothing of computers, so unfortunately no.

Dave has built a nice home and done everything the hard way. He has discovered by trial and error how to boondock, what solar setups work, and where to park in the city. He was unfamiliar with the term "stealth", but very familiar with how to do it. His box van has been tagged by vandals, he has been ordered on the ground spread eagle by police, and dreads the midnight knock on the van.

All in all we talked for about a half an hour and it was a very enjoyable experience for both of us. He was surprised to have someone approach him and be friendly.

We do meet interesting people who think as we do once in a while.

 

[Fearnoevil]

That's cool that you made the effort to talk with him, I know when I've been in similar situations I tend to feel a little awkward about "intruding" on someone's space and so I've let a lot of such opportunities pass. But when you think about it, in most cases the average person will most likely welcome the chance to chat a bit, and I know there's probably a lot of lonely people just wishing that someone would do just that, share a little human companionship, make them feel connected with the rest of us, and a little less lonely for a while. IMO we should all take those opportunities when they come our way ;?D

 

[akrvbob]

Like Fearnoevil, I also admire your boldness and wish I could be more like you. You are my latest hero!
Bob

 

[Bela's Mom]

You probably made his day! I would bet that he feels less alone knowing that there are many others in the world like him. I admire you also for being willing to make that connection. I'm sure that it was a wonderful experience for you both!

 

[light trip]

Great story, thanks for posting it. We are so lucky to have Internet, cell phones and GPS during this time, and so we don't have to figure out this stuff on our own.

 

[Patrick46]

I'm a 'chatter' by nature (kinda drives my wife nuts sometimes)...but I've introduced mysself to quite a few vandwellers and fulltimers, and have had some great experiences!

Oftentimes, once they get over the initial shock of your friendly greeting, they'll find a 'kindred spirit' in you, and losing their fear, start chatting back with you much longer then ever expected!!
Some almost seem starved for a good conversation...but rarely get the chance.


(I was 'going to' introduce myself to some 'full-timers' I saw parked awhile back, but when I came back down to meet them...they were gone!!!! Turns out it was our own Bindi&us!!!) :s

 

[accrete]

I'm a bit of a "Chatter" also. I think i'm like that because at heart (?) i'm actually a Happy Hermit. I have a lot of time to ponder life's bigger questions and so when i do get a chance to interact i've been known to kind of be the "Party" It is a side of me my wife loves, but at the same time...

I recall a gathering of small trailers. We actually had a line of people wanting to have a tour of our rig. Of course i thought this was wonderful and it fit with my like-to-share & tell personality. By the time the afternoon was over i was full of even more energy, my wife just wanted a nap!

It's funny how we all see the same opportunity a bit differently.

Cheers,
Thom

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Awesome. I had a similar experience twice now, one was an old retired guy at the park. His wife had left him and he decided to travel around in his minivan. Another was a car dweller who was down on his luck and just found work on a paper route, hoping to find a home and get visitation with his six kids. They broke the ice with me both times though (older fella asked about the showers, other one seen me working on van) i am pretty reclusive myself but i enjoy talking to nice people when engaged.

I had a guy who was living in a tent in the woods near off ramp approach me at the truck stop, but i got a bad vibe from him. he had been sitting on the bench behind my van for long tracks of time for days, and as i was leaving he pretty forcefully flagged me down one day. He started off asking me where i was going, he sees me leave there around that time each day, was i going to work etc. I didn't like that. I kinda grunted thru the conversation and drove off. Luckily he moved on after a day or two.

 

[Silver]

Yeaa I get uncomfortable wen people
approach me in public after they d
been watchin me awhile.

I usualy ignor them or say I hav to
get back to my readin now.
Important to hav at least two things
to read in your vehicle.

Like magazine n books.
Sometimes I meet nice folks in public.

Sorry I dont work for the Welcome
Wagon .

If som one asked if I was a Van Dweller
I would be suspicios unless I knew
the person better

 

[Silver]

Another good Ice Breaker is:
Hey ! Is your Daughter 19 ?

J / K

or Wow what an awesome Rig you got
there !  Where can I get some thing like
that?  
I m drivin in that blank right now.
Point to your vehicle

 

[MikeRuth]

Another good Ice Breaker is:
Hey ! Is your Daughter 19 ?

J / K

or Wow what an awesome Rig you got
there !  Where can I get some thing like
that?  
I m drivin in that blank right now.
Point to your vehicle

Love your sense of humor. 
Mike R

 

[mockturtle]

or Wow what an awesome Rig you got

there !  Where can I get some thing like
that? 

I hear this all the time.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I talk to anyone that happens to be beside me, super market, gas station, at the urinal, it would be a bonus if they happen to be next to a van with a solar panel on the roof.  My wife often grabs my arm and tells me I am staring but I am just interested in what everyone is doing especially if it is a little different, interesting or out there, of course I don't stare at the urinal you perverts

 

[GrantRobertson]

of course I don't stare at the urinal you perverts

It's not the urinal we were concerned that you stare at. 

 

[GotSmart]

The smiles I get when I tell my story to another van dweller is always priceless. (I took my cat and ran away from home!) Even the LEO's.

Most random dwellers seem to welcome a friendly conversation. I have found some great information by approaching others as strange as I am. Where to stay, where to avoid, low cost laundry and showers...