Stella got some outdoor time in the stroller. In the backyard. No, she did not freak out - in fact, she seemed to enjoy looking around...
Murphy had to check it out - "That was mine first."
A boy and his cat...
Well, two cats: one in the stroller, one lounging in the shade...
Look at that sweet little face...
While we have a campervan (RoadTrek Chase 50)...
The RV industry paints an ideal image of RVing - as you'd expect; they are in the business of selling RVs and the "RV lifestyle." They are intentionally turning a blind eye to a growing category of people in RVs: the homeless. I am not talking about "full-time" RVers, who are living in their choice of RV and getting out to enjoy a mobile lifestyle. I am talking about people who are living in a dilapidated RV that is parked on the street; it may or may not be in any kind of condition to move.
In the eyes of many community leaders, these are a blight. And, I understand why they think so: these rigs were never designed for full-time living, they have no means of getting this conveyance to a dump station, so they are most likely dumping their waste water out on the street. They are parked on a public street with the hope that they will go unnoticed and they will be left alone. Homeowners in these neighborhood DO notice. Most communities have local ordinances that allow up to 72 hours for an RV to be parked on the street, so that the owners can load or unload in front of their home. The ones I am talking about have no home... if not for this run-down RV, they would be living on the street.
I am not unsympathetic to the homeless issues. But, putting a ratty conveyance on a public street, in front of someone's home with the idea of living there, is going to be challenged. Homeowners will complain to their City Council and State Legislatures... new laws are being enacted.
The results of an internet search:
The "VanLife" culture has played a part in this. There are many vanlifers online who tout how "you can live in your RV and always find places to park (for the night or longer) that are free. Many modern Class B vans (ours included) are designed and advertised as being able to be used without being in a campground or RV park. That is due to large lithium battery systems, solar panels on top, underhood generators, and 3,000 watt inverters. They are somewhat self-contained for their energy needs. A relatively large freshwater tank (ours can hold 33 gallons of fresh water) for the size of the vehicle allows for showers, cooking, doing dishes, and flushing your toilet. But, at some point, the gray water and black water tanks are going to need to be dumped. At that point, you need to be in a campground or RV park, or stop at someplace like Loves or Flying J that will generally have a dump station.
Living "normally," we could go 3 days or so before needing to dump our tanks. We could definitely go longer with our previous motorhomes or 5th wheel, but they did not have the lithium battery systems. We are just fine with being in an RV park - we like to overnight somewhere safe.
That is not happening with the RVs I am referring to in this post. RVers used to be able to overnight in a Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lot - those options are getting fewer and fewer, as people who have taken advantage of the situation (staying more than one night, littering, dumping tanks, creating anxiety with shoppers or diners) have ruined it. And those living in a run-down RV that can't move have turned entire communities off on "the RV lifestyle." For full disclosure, those numbers above include people living in their cars or other vehicles.
For those who might ask, no, we have never had an issue with being lumped into any category while out in our van. In fact, it isn't unusual for people to ask about it... most often, they want to know what amenities we have and the cost... I generally give a "cost range," since manufactured Class Bs (different from self-converted or built by someone who does one at a time) can run from around $100k to well over $250k. Class Bs like this are a travel choice, not something that someone is living in as a last resort. But, a self-converted van, minivan, or SUV may also be something you see "stealth parked" on a public street... not just an old travel trailer or motorhome.
In the past, we have seen this in some RV parks - "liveaboards" who don't travel, but live in a campground full-time. Some communities are starting to go after this, as well: legislating how long an RV can be in a campground. State and National Parks generally have a 14 day limit. Most commercial campgrounds don't have a limit, although many offer weekly and monthly rates that are less expensive than the daily rate. These, also, are not what I am talking about.
Besides the sanitation issues of what some consider squatters, there is the matter of registration... licensing... insurance. What illegal activities are happening in and around these conveyances? How would you feel as a homeowner if a half-dozen of these parked in front of your home?
A lot of questions... answers to be determined. For sure, it isn't doing anything for the image of the RV industry.
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While we're talking about the van, we ran some errands this morning, then pulled the van out of storage. One of the things on my to-do list today was cleaning the van. It was grubby when we drove it to Fountain Hills on Monday. Well, mostly the front - in our covered storage area, if we get any weather (as in: rain) from the north, the front of the van gets it. It was mostly dusty, but I was up for a good bath. To do it right generally takes me 1 1/2 to 2 hours; right on schedule with that today. I finished in time for Murphy and Stella to get their noon meal.
It cleans up good...
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Yeah, I know: I'm the only one that gets fired up about the van... "Where's the cat content? That's the only reason we're here!" Wow, a bit demanding, don't ya think?
As you requested...
That's not very nice, Murphy. Stella has been with us for two months, as of yesterday... she is family. And to Murph's point, I will be taking her for a walk in the stroller at some point. Joan brought it in and put it in the living room yesterday, letting Stella get used to it. Baby steps. If you look close, you can see that Stella is wearing a harness - that's the first step in getting her comfortable with what it will take for her to be a traveling cat.
If you said, "Glenn Frey, 1984, from the album AllNighter, and used in the movie Beverly Hills Cop," you get 30 bonus point. If you thought that was Kenny Loggins, so did a lot of people.
A weather report? Yeah, pretty much. Today, the high is supposed to be 89ยบ, with 90s predicted for the next week. 90s in February? Yep, we are in record territory.
This isn't just about the weather - another music day today: the "big group" at Mark's house. We two guest musicians - Mark's half brother and his wife. And, whoever else shows up. I don't think there's enough room in Mark and Cindy's living room, so we will likely be in the garage again today. It's gonna be a hot one.
Two days in a row for music. I like making music, but I'm less enthralled with the drive. The "big group" days are more about having fun; not rehearsing for anything upcoming.
... referencing an audition. If you said, "John Lennon famously said, 'I'd like to thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves and hope we passed the audition.' He made this remark immediately following the final song of The Beatles' rooftop concert on January 30, 1969, at their Apple Corps headquarters in London," you get 15 bonus points.
The Hip Replacements auditioned for a gig in May today. It was kind of a rehearsal for us, as well. We were playing a song when the woman who was auditioning us came in - first thing out of her mouth: "You've got the job."
We did several other songs for her... 'cause, we were there. This one is not for an Alzheimer's group or charity, so this gig is paid. She is part of a women's chorale group and they are putting on a concert - they'd like us to back them on a few songs, a set of their own, and a set of ours. I asked a couple questions so we'd know what we need for PA equipment. She left happy and will be in touch for final arrangements.
The last time I did an "audition," it was for a band back in the mid-70s. I played with them for several years, until we moved to the Black Hills.
Out in the van today; the kitties got lunch early, with a bit extra to hold them. Joan suggested we go to Fountain Hills, northeast of Scottsdale. Maps and I worked out a route, and we were off; an hour or so enroute...
We drove to Fountain Hills, arriving at the park just as the fountain was going off (on the hour). We didn't try to time it that way. A drive-by with some video, and by the time we parked, the fountain was done until the next hour.
From there, it was onto McDowell Mountain Regional Park, one of the Regional Parks in the County system that we have an annual pass for. It is out there a ways, but as pretty as any of the other parks we've been to. Of course, I like to see what the camping is like, both with hookups (water and electricity) and without. Interesting; I have good intentions to get out there "one day."
Then, on to Rio Verde, another community north of Fountain Hills. Then, through Carefree, and into Cave Creek. I was surprised that Cave Creek was more "touristy" than upscale, like the other communities we checked out today. Almost like it was trying to be "old West(ish)"... it felt like a weekend biker destination.
We were looking for a lunch stop when Joan saw an Oregano's - "How does that sound to you?"
"Pizza? I'm in." Our waitress was great, the food was exactly what we expect from Oregano's (and that's a good thing."
Time to find a route home. Joan routed us to a Costco along the way so we could gas up for 50¢ per gallon less than everything around that area. Onto the Loop 101 and south on I-17. Not the pretty scenery we enjoyed on the way north, but I was happy to be out in the van.
Back to Laveen, we swapped the van for the Equinox and back home. The kitties seemed happy to see us. Well, happy to get treats and know we were back in time for supper.
And I have downloaded videos and will start working on that.
A test of a new logo...
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Here is the "unlisted" video I shot today. I didn't use wireless mics (intentionally), looking to keep this as simple as possible. I am still learning Final Cut Pro, so this is more about the editing than the video itself... thus, the reason the video is unlisted.
It's a big deal: the 74th Annual Laveen BBQ Festival - a couple dozen food vendors and at least 50 other booths, from banks to political candidates to other businesses (our vet was there - more on that in a bit) to a bunch of kid attractions (bounce house, giant slide, bungee jump swings, face painting, and others).
We rode our bikes to Caesar Chavez Park, where the festival is being held...
Shade shelters set up for eating the BBQ...
Entertainment on the stage...
And, yes, we had some BBQ - a good deal: a large pulled pork sandwich, a bag of chips, a chocolate chip cookie (from Chick-fil-A) and a soda... all for $10.
It was a good outing on the bikes and fun to see all the vendors and people at the park. Oh, and we met the owner of the Chick-fil-A that we go to - he thanked us for our business and gave us each a card for a free breakfast. I complimented him on the training they give their staff - always friendly and efficient. He said, "If you know of any great kids that are looking for their first job, we can give them training that will give them an advantage as they move on in life." No doubt about that.
Yeah, me neither.
Both kitties laid by Joan last night. For a good part of the evening...
Speaking of which, we have been giving then Churu treats at the same time. If we use the regular Churu holder, only one at a time can lick the treat, but they take turns. If we put it on a spatula, it is wide enough that they can both lick at the same time. Yeah, that's pretty darn sweet, too.
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