I spent my second night on the street (in the van!) and learned a bit more about how ‘stealth camping’ works:
- Sleeping in a hammock means that parking off-level, like right next to a curb, is no big deal as far as comfort is concerned. This is a big problem for people who stealth camp with beds or cots in their vans. My hammock just naturally hangs level. Ahhh…
- Condensation on the windows is always a concern when you’re trying to avoid being noticed. I discovered by accident that hanging a big towel between the front seats and the back helped to absorb some of the moisture from my breath. But then, it rained both nights so I can’t really be sure it works until we have a dry night.
- I’m taking advice from my fave vandwelling blog, Cheap RV Living, about how best to avoid notice: a) Choose a parking space for the night earlier in the day. b) Go there only when you’re ready to sleep. (c) Go right to sleep — don’t turn your lights on or do anything to draw attention. d) Wake up early and drive away.
Photo credit: UTSandiego.com
Said advice seems to be working well. Yesterday after packing up and leaving the apartment early in the afternoon, I went to Lake Murray, a lovely park a couple of miles away. I worked on making my side windows more light-proof while enjoying the scenery, ducks and geese, and the quiet. After dark, I headed over to my chosen parking space closer to home, and snuggled up with my comforter in the hammock. This morning, I woke up and I drove straight back to the park, where I straightened up my little house on wheels, brushed my teeth, and such.
Ate celery for breakfast because I hadn’t planned on staying ‘out’ overnight, so I’d only brought a few snacks. No matter, I’m not far from the apartment or a supermarket, and will get food when I need it. (Plus, this lifestyle should be good for my waistline!)
I’m starting to ‘get’ what this freedom vandwellers talk about means: I just decided on the spur of the moment not to go back to the apartment to follow what had become a routine: fix food, shower, do laundry if necessary, then go out to sleep in the van. Showers and laundry will take some creativity (I don’t use laundromats because I can’t tolerate the detergents and softeners used) but that’s what this is all about: creative living.
Hmm… thinking that celery isn’t going to do the job. Time to find some food.
Talk soon!
(Sorry I can’t share my photos yet. My Mac is in the shop and I can’t figure out how to access them with my new Chromebook — but the Mac should be back tomorrow.)
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sounds good LaVonne. I recently saw a very creative washing “machine” made of a tall bucket and plunger. I’ll dig up the link if you’re interested. I think I found my vehicle! I’ll know for sure in a couple of weeks. I’m SO excited! Are you going to Quartzsite?
Happy Trails!
Thanks, Yolanda – I’ve seen those bucket/plunger things too but the real problem is getting the clothes dry in the city where you can’t hang them outside. That’s why I will keep coming back to the apartment until the Jan. RTR (of COURSE, I’m going! Are you?) Good luck on the new vehicle… but sure to send pics when you get it!
Thanks LaVonne, I do plan on going to the RTR in Jan if all goes as planned. Still waiting on this rig, keeping my fingers crossed!
LOVE all these details & how-to’s!! Living vicariously through you.
Maybe a weird question: could sleeping in a hammock for long periods be bad for your back/circulation/health/etc. I don’t know why, but I find the idea of hammock-sleeping (for more than a night ot two) disturbing, somehow. =)
Laila, I had the same concerns until I found out you’re supposed to lie diagonally across the hammock, which means you lie more or less flat. I decided to try it because my back was really hurting and I’d heard hammocks can help. And boy, did it. I no longer have any back pain at all — which is kind of mind boggling because I’d come to accept the pain as part of getting older. And because the pain is gone, I’m sleeping better and longer now… getting much more restful sleep. Win-win!
p.s. In practice I don’t actually wind up lying flat. I just scoot around and adjust until I’m comfy, which usually turns out to be sprawled all over the place, lol.
Fascinating … and awesome! WTH? You set out to be a Wanderer for a While, and end up inadvertently addressing chronic back pain, too? Which leads to much more restful sleep. Which probably leads to better health and feeling much better mood-wise (pardon all my assumptions). Love it. I’ve been having some lower back pain so maybe I need a hammock, too.
Could be, Laila, could be. And a nice van to hang it in while you go traipsing around the country. :p
If you want to hang in a hammock while not in a van, there are a couple of cheap-ish ways to make home made stands. You can go to HammockFormus.net and search for either Turtle Dog Stands or Turtle Lady Bamboo stands. Here is one thread: https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=51787&highlight=turtle+stands
That site will tell you more about hammocks and how to make one very cheaply than anyone ever thought there was to know about the subjects. 🙂
Hi LaVonne just read that you’re going to head for Q. soon…instead of practice camp. You GO Girl!!! it’s all learn as you go anyway Stock up on food in CA….Blythe is 17 miles from Q. w/ less expensive food…AZ has cheaper gas. but you probably knew that. Happy travels!
Thanks Judy! I’ll probably go in early December. Good tips, thanks – can’t wait to see you again. 🙂