(Mini) Van Life

Before buying a new car we thought long and hard about what to get. We'd been without a car for nearly two years while living on our boat in Mexico so it was a big decision. We like to go on long road trips but hotels every night are out of the question. We wanted a car we could sleep in comfortably, but it also had to have good gas mileage and space for toys like our SUP and inflatable kayak.

Our old 4Runnner had just enough space to sleep in but we couldn't even sit up in bed and it had no floor space or room for our things. For the big move south we had a Ford E350 van that had lots of space but it was a gas guzzler. A VW camper van would have been nice but we wanted something reliable and cheap to maintain or repair.

About a year ago we had to fly up to California from Mexico and rented a mini van for a month to run errands and do some exploring. With the seats folded down we squeezed in an air-mattress, and it made a great little camper van. Plenty of headroom, space for our stuff and decent gas mileage. So we decided a mini van would  be the best compromise. We chose the Toyota Sienna and it had be newer than 2004 because prior to this the rear seats didn't fold down flat. The Sienna boasts 20-27 miles per gallon but we get 22 mpg. Always. Not as good as a sedan but good enough.

I know a lot of people think a car is a status symbol and should be big and flashy, but I feel a car is merely a utilitarian tool that should be functional. Who cares what it looks like as long as it serves its purpose. I would rather have an older useful car than go into debt and appear hip. Of course, with an SUP on top even a minivan can look pretty hip.

Building the platform for the bed

Storage under the bed platform holds my kayak (this is the space the backseats usually fold into)

Foam under full size memory foam mattress

Lots of floor space when bins are moved to the front seats while parked.

Comfortable ride.

Cranberry Bogs and Desserts

After a week of visiting with friends near Portland, Oregon we are back on the road. Driving south along the Oregon coast on Highway 101 we saw a 'U-Pick Cranberries' sign. Having just gotten a new recipe for cranberries and never having seen a cranberry bog we made a quick stop. 

I was expecting to be wading through standing water but apparently they only flood the bog when it's time to harvest so the berries will float to the top while the machine pulls them off the plants.

This dessert is amazing! Give it a shot. It's easy and you will love it. The original recipe calls for walnuts but I think it's much better with almonds.

Cranberry Nut Dessert

• 1 1/4 cups cranberries
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup almonds
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 Teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• Powdered sugar

1. Butter a 9-inch pie dish and cover bottom generously with cranberries. Sprinkle with brown sugar and nuts.
2. Beat egg into a small mixing bowl. Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar. Beat in flour. Slowly beat in melted butter. Pour batter over berries.
3. Bake at 325 for about 40-45 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

Close Encounters

We're still in Denver enjoying the comforts of living on shore. Last week we took a little trip up to South Dakota to see "the heads" and some amazing wildlife. On our way back we nearly had a close encounter of a third kind in Wyoming...

Buffalo in Custer State Park

Devil's Tower (featured in the movie: Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 1977)

Prayer-flags at Devil's Tower

Mount Rushmore at night

At Bear Country

From the Ocean to the Prairies

After over a week on the road we just made it to our destination of Denver, Colorado where we are visiting with Mike's family. 

We've been camping out of our mini van, for which Mike built a platform-bed after removing the two rows of back seats. All of our clothes and most gear is stored in under-bed storage bins below the platform. Even my inflatable kayak is under there! 

We visited Utah's national parks from Arches to Zion, but the highlight so far was a 10 mile paddle down the Colorado River from below the Glen Canyon dam to Lees Ferry (where the Grand Canyon begins). 

On a side note, my folks are still in Mexico on their sailboat where they just finished the fifth installment of their TV documentary series Travel Secrets Mexico. The episode about La Paz is currently airing on TV or you can watch it (and all other episodes) here.

Cooking dinner

Kayak Storage

Bryce Canyon National Park

Raven

Picking apples in Fruita

Capitol Reef National Park

Rocky Mountains

Aspen

Even more photos...

America's Cup

We just returned from a 5-day trip up to San Francisco to see the America's Cup boats. Right now is the Louis Vuitton Cup, the races that decide who goes to the America's Cup which starts in September. Long gone is the big helm to stand behind - these boats are steered with the push of a botton and are so fast the sailors have to wear helmets. 

On the way home we drove back via Highway 1. If you have not made this drive I would highly recommend it. We've made it several times and never tire of the views.

The swedish boat sliding into the finish line

San Francisco's China Town

McWay Falls in Big Sur

Mike in the waterfall at Limekiln State Park 

Our new camper van - yes it's a mini van, no we don't have any kids

California

After spending the entire month of October in California we are finally on our way back to Camille in Mexico.  We made the trip up to renew our captain's licenses and while waiting for Mike to be able to take his sailing endorsement test we took a bit of a tour of California. Even though I lived in California on and off for over 15 years there is always something new to see. What an amazingly diverse state.

There were a ton of hoops to jump and endless paperwork to complete but I'm proud to announce that both of our captain's licenses have been upgraded to 100 ton near coastal masters (from 50 tons)! So, who's coming out for a sail with us!?

Update November 1: We are back on the boat and I just added October's budget our expenses page. It is not cheap to travel California during record gas prices!

Mike after SUP surfing some "epic" waves in San Diego.

Cholla Teddy Bear Cactus in the Anza Borrego Desert. Don't they look cuddly?

Joshua Tree in National Park of the same name. See our photo album for our version of the U2 album cover. :-)

Camp fire under a starry sky in Kings Canyon National Park

Mike on a Sequoia Tree in Sequoia National Park (yes, that is a life-size Mike)

Our rented "camper" van (just add air mattress and down comforter) in Agua Caliente Hot Springs

Bee hive and Sequoia tree

Yosemite's Half Dome at sunset

Mono Lake

Buckeye Hot Springs

Wild Animal Park (now called San Diego Zoo's Safari Park). Thanks for a fun day Sandy!

Riding bikes in Venice Beach.

Tons more photos of our trip to California...