Hello Friends!
Heatwave!
Hope you all are doing ok in this heatwave. It usually doesn’t get this hot till July and August. What’s up with that?? Global warming? I’m sitting here now with a Cool Rag around my neck, making a mental note to put it on the packing list for my next adventure coming soon. They really do work!
The Cool Rag really does work!
This weather reminds me of a Girl Camper trip last August when it was very hot…but we had so much fun, and surprisingly, the evenings were comfortable. I will be posting that video on the YouTube channel soon. Here’s a post I wrote a couple years ago about ways to cool down while you’re outside during extreme heat. https://galgonecamping.com/2019/07/27/hot-hot-hot-16-tips-to-keep-cool-while-boondocking-living-off-grid/
I promised to post more frequently, and realized in order to do so, I need to cut down the length of each blog post. Oh, the woes of a writer! That’s the plan, so I’ll bring you up to speed on the latest happenings, but will break it up into shorter posts. I’ll be able to get caught up like that and stay current moving forward.
Divine Intervention!
In preparation for an earlier trip, I took the ‘Mini-Ett,’ my mini-van micro camper, for an oil change and check-up. They got done and I started to leave…but the van wouldn’t start. The battery was dead! Turns out it had not been changed since I bought the vehicle in 2017! What better place for it to die than at a garage?! Shout out to Fast Change Oil Change! They replaced the battery and I was on my way in no time! (no labor cost) An even bigger shout out to the Lord above who is always looking out for me. I’m so grateful this didn’t happen on the road!
Check your battery!
Storage Idea
While shopping for my gift basket biz https://www.facebook.com/Basket-Attractions-105621945349220 at Michaels, I found a utility cart I thought would also work perfect in the van. I tried it when I had a different set up, and ended up not using it in the van at this time, but it may work for some of you. For now, I’m just using it in my studio to hold my supplies. This one was around $30 with a coupon. It’s very sturdy, easy to assemble, and can be used with or without rollers. They had several colors and sizes to choose from.
Great storage solution
“Annie Get Your Gun!”
Back in March, I attended a Girl Camper event titled “Annie Get Your Gun!” Appropriate; as we tested our target shooting skills at Premier Shooting & Training Center in West Chester, OH. Included in this event was an awesome catered lunch by Alabama Que, and a smorgasbord of AMAZING donuts from the Butler County Donut Trail! https://www.gettothebc.com/donut-trail
Just a few of the trail’s incredible donuts!
Premier Shooting & Training Center, Westchester, OH
Love target shooting!
What a fun day that was! I love to target shoot and Annie Oakley is one of my heroes! Be sure to watch the 2-part video where I traveled to her hometown last year to attend an annual festival dedicated to the wild west sharpshooting gal. Her story is nothing short of amazing! See those videos here: Part 1: https://youtu.be/IYV6XPA0VbY Part 2: https://youtu.be/9bKJ3Gsc0jI
Though this GC event was just a daytime activity, I knew I wanted to explore that region a little more. While researching the area, I came across a company nearby called Elevation Road, just outside Cincinnati, in Amelia. They build out van campers and tiny homes! I contacted them to see if they would be interested in doing a video interview. Sure enough, they were. I got to tour the facility and see some of their products. What a great company! If you’re thinking about a professionally built camper van, check this place out! See video here: https://youtu.be/ALxPJ8mDrtk
Stealth Camping
I guess you could count this trip as my first time stealth camping, although I did stay overnight in an airport parking lot a couple years ago before an early morning flight. No one knew I was there, but I can assure you that night was not free…it was an extra night on my parking bill, but totally worth it not to have to get up at a ridiculous early hour to drive to the airport!
On this trip, I stayed in an industrial parking lot. It was a safe area and I actually did have permission. I loved it! So satisfying to know I wasn’t spending money on an overpriced hotel for just one night. While tucked away in the Mini-Ett, I tested a few products and did some video editing on the computer. I do work as much as I play y’all! I slept great, woke up to a beautiful sunrise, and was only about 30 minutes away from my next destination. See video here: https://youtu.be/ouMH61WH1_0
Different view everyday on the road!
Coming Up…
OK, I’m gonna stop here for now. See, I CAN shorten these posts! This is shorter right?? Is this shorter?… short enough? Help me please! Comment and let me know! I get in a zone…need someone to pull me out!
Coming up…Minivan bed makeover, searching for a lost path, tick overload, I’ll also discuss proper clothing for trail blazing–which is much different than hiking y’all! Also, a suspicious track that led to a Bigfoot adventure!
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Stay cool!
Please be safe in this extreme heat. Try to stay as cool as possible and keep yourself hydrated. I hope y’all enjoy the summer season. Hopefully, temps will be back within a normal range soon.
Until next time, remember…Don’t Wait To Live!
See ya down the road,
Catrina