2014-1: The Beginning—the "MRV"
Are we there yet?
Actually we haven't even left, yet the realization of a 3-month trek around the perimeter of the country is beginning to grow. But first, we have to get the MRV (pronounced “merv," short for “Marilyn’s RV”) a 20-foot Pleasure-Way Excel TS Class B motor home. It is basically a Ford van on steroids, complete with bathroom and king-size bed.
Before you imagine your master bathroom at home, I have to paint the real picture: the MRV'S interior is a 3-foot x 3-foot room including a full functioning bathroom: toilet, sink, shower.
I have to digress from the MRV’s luxuries. The trek was initially planned to be in my trusty 1986 Volkswagon Westfalia, a vehicle that GoWesty specializes in resurrecting. My lovely partner’s spine surgery 7 months ago necessitates a larger bed and a bathroom instead of the trusty port-a-potty. So thanks to a former Navy flying buddy, the Pleasure-Way came our way, as he upgraded to a larger Class C to accommodate his upcoming full-time RVer status.
First though, we have to get the fool thing. As I write, it is sitting on Whidbey Island, WA, ready for us. We fly up there in a few days. The goal is to leisurely drive it down the WA, OR, and CA coasts, getting used to its many features.
Now Marilyn, once realizing the complexity of the MRV, said, “I never wanted a second home.” Well that is exactly what we have. Yet it is a home on wheels and almost small enough that I can navigate any area, be it downtown San Francisco or the boonies out of Moab, UT.
I have to learn different lingo: When I and other Westy owners elect to avoid the price of camping for the night and just park anywhere we call it “Stealth Camping.” RVers call it “Boondocking.” Either way, it is what we will do as much as possible. Be it spending the night in a parking lot or just in a residential area, we are small enough to be able to park off the grid and not alarm the local police.
In keeping with staying off the grid, we will travel the Blue Highways. William Least Heat-Moon in his 1982 book Blue Highways: A Journey Into America coined the phrase for driving the 2-lane roads—the roads that used to be blue in road atlases—keeping away from the fast-paced freeway system.
Our goal is to savor each community, to stop at local diners, read the local papers, and interact with the regulars. Granted, the journey will be a bit longer and slower, but being retired means that time is something we have.
Stayed tuned for our first adventure in the MRV.
—Doug
Introducing the "MRV."
Before you imagine your master bathroom at home, I have to paint the real picture: the MRV'S interior is a 3-foot x 3-foot room including a full functioning bathroom: toilet, sink, shower.
MRV's bathroom: close the door to shower with the hose/shower head attached to the sink. There's even a window!
I have to digress from the MRV’s luxuries. The trek was initially planned to be in my trusty 1986 Volkswagon Westfalia, a vehicle that GoWesty specializes in resurrecting. My lovely partner’s spine surgery 7 months ago necessitates a larger bed and a bathroom instead of the trusty port-a-potty. So thanks to a former Navy flying buddy, the Pleasure-Way came our way, as he upgraded to a larger Class C to accommodate his upcoming full-time RVer status.
Our travel before & after Marilyn's surgery: VW vs MRV.
First though, we have to get the fool thing. As I write, it is sitting on Whidbey Island, WA, ready for us. We fly up there in a few days. The goal is to leisurely drive it down the WA, OR, and CA coasts, getting used to its many features.
The MRV's other "luxuries": rear seating & a table.
Now Marilyn, once realizing the complexity of the MRV, said, “I never wanted a second home.” Well that is exactly what we have. Yet it is a home on wheels and almost small enough that I can navigate any area, be it downtown San Francisco or the boonies out of Moab, UT.
Kitchen: sink, 2-burner stove, fridge, drawers, cabinets.
I have to learn different lingo: When I and other Westy owners elect to avoid the price of camping for the night and just park anywhere we call it “Stealth Camping.” RVers call it “Boondocking.” Either way, it is what we will do as much as possible. Be it spending the night in a parking lot or just in a residential area, we are small enough to be able to park off the grid and not alarm the local police.
Looking forward: bathroom & storage on left, kitchen on right. We took the microwave out.
In keeping with staying off the grid, we will travel the Blue Highways. William Least Heat-Moon in his 1982 book Blue Highways: A Journey Into America coined the phrase for driving the 2-lane roads—the roads that used to be blue in road atlases—keeping away from the fast-paced freeway system.
We also took out the TV & VCR.
Our goal is to savor each community, to stop at local diners, read the local papers, and interact with the regulars. Granted, the journey will be a bit longer and slower, but being retired means that time is something we have.
The MRV.
Stayed tuned for our first adventure in the MRV.
—Doug
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