Author: Molly O'Rourke

Christmas Break Finale.

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Miscellaneous, Traveling as a family

The past three days have been a blur. The neighborhood kids descended on the street and yards. They played outside together through lunch and well past sunset. Some of us finally got in on the action with dinner and Euchre last night.

In a last ditch effort to have a productive Christmas break, I tore apart our master bathroom. The wall paper is mostly down and our tooth brushes are on my night stand.

Despite this, we hopped in the Sprinter for “Sunday Fun-Day”. We headed to the only hike we could think of that was on the way to Home Depot but far enough to justify driving the Sprinter and close enough that we usually don’t go there.

Jackson Frazier Wetlands. Sprinter DIY

I hadn’t been there in three years. It had changed. Much of it looked more like a farmer’s field than a wetland. There were signs explaining that a “emergency restoration” was in progress. Apparently this includes removing invasive species and modifying water drainage.

It was a nice day in Oregon for a hike on a boardwalk. We found two geo-caches, got plenty of mud on our boots, and had snacks in our van.

While I am on the topic of invasive species, I will pause to mention my current least favorite invasive species.

Have you heard of Phragmites? Have you seen the videos on our media page? Of all the invasive species that I have battled, these are by far the most impressive. Here is a quick video from Lake Huron. This was part of the lake but now it is a field of Phragmite.

Our favorite camping toilet.

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Sprinter DIY

Well, this isn’t really the most revolutionary topic but I decided to just tackle it head on!

The Luggable Loo, biodegradable bags, and Poo Powder are our current go-to-s!

Continue reading to learn a bit more about how we ended up loving the Loo. Don’t worry, I pretty much left out all of the dirty details!

By the way, you can click on the pictures to link for more information on the Loo and our favorite accessories!

Seriously, this isn’t a joke. We love these products!

Warning: If you are not used to driving through remote wilderness with two young kids that need to go potty, then you may find some of this information uncomfortable.

The right portable toilet and toilet accessories is a topic of great interest for any budget friendly DIY Sprinter conversions. CD and I agreed not to add plumbing to our Sprinter. This meant no toilet and no indoor kitchen.

In terms of toilet solutions, it seems like we have tried it all. Our kids outgrew their training potty somewhere between the midwest and a highway off-ramp in rural Oregon. We felt both lost and excited. It was time for an upgrade.

The first stop on our next road trip was Cabela’s camping section. Portable camping toilets are not only surprisingly pricey but also in high demand. 

It was mid-June and the selection was limited. We bought the Reliance Fold-to-Go. The whole thing folded flat and slid under the kids seat. I admit that this product and I got off on the wrong foot. I pinched my finger on its initial opening. It had three legs that needed to be unfolded and extended for use. If we were parked on a hill or using it on gravel, the toilet was tippy and unbalanced.

Picture a three year old on a three legged potty chair and you can imagine my feelings towards the Fold-to-Go. 

After much discussion and extensive consultation with strangers, we set our sights on the Luggable Loo. Once armed with our new Loo, we started the search for the perfect accessories. By accessories, I don’t mean toilet seat cushions or fancy toilet paper holders, I am referring to bags and powder. 

CD and I have half joked that future generations will be left with little plastic bags of dog poo time capsules. I wasn’t about to contribute to that situation. We jumped right into the world of biodegradable bags. 

These products aren’t terribly cheap and it is certainly in everyone’s best interest to use these products sparingly. With that being said, we also didn’t want to get stuck without a plan when the situation called for a plan! 

Some tips regarding biodegradable bags:

  • They breakdown if they are left in the sun, are wet, or are old. 
  • They work just as well as non-biodegradable bags
  • We use them because they work and we can tolerate ourselves better when using these than when using other bags 

Just to finish off the uncomfortable topic of camping toilets. Don’t forget the Poo Powder! Enjoy!

Child Carrier For Hiking: Our Recommendation

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in hiking, Miscellaneous, Products we love., Recreational equipment reviews, Traveling as a family

We have tried nearly every backpack child carrier on the market. Each one has pros and cons but mostly cons. My shoulders and back ache. Each one is bulky, awkward, and inconvenient to wear when the kids want to walk.

Then, one day we saw the <a href="http:// “>Piggyback Rider standing child carrier. In that moment our kid’s carrier hiking problems were solved!

Standing Child Carrier

Check it out!

Pros:

1. Kids like the Piggyback Rider Standing Child Carrier!

They feel engaged. We can talk to each other easily. They can see things, answer questions, ask questions, and feel more like a kid than a baby.

2. The Piggyback Rider Child Carrier is relaxing.

All of us can relax! My back and neck feel great. When they are young, there is a safety strap that prevents falling and when they are older, then can just hold onto the straps.

3. It packs small.

The Piggyback Rider stores either on a peg board in our garage or in our car. The size is minimal. It is light to carry and even the kids will carry it when we are not using it.

Piggyback Rider

4. The Piggyback Rider Child Carrier is easy to use.

Take it out of the carrying case and put it on. It is that simple. The safety strap is also easy to attach. Our kids hop on and off often in a single hike; the transition is quick and painless. Nobody cries.

Cons:

1. Price.

While just over $100, the price is in line with other similar hiking products.

2. The Piggyback Rider packs small.

It packs small enough that we have occasionally forgotten where we put it. This is really the our fault more than that of the carrier. I assure you that this never happens with a backpack carrier.

3. I sometimes get mud from shoes on my jacket.

This happens with every carrier and it is just part of going outside with kids I guess!

4. It doesn’t have the storage of backpack kids carriers.

I will gladly pack light, carry a shoulder bag, or do just about anything to avoid carrying a heavy backpack carrier, so this doesn’t bother me!

The Piggyback Rider Standing Child Carrier saved our hike many times. I envy their view from up there!

don’t forget your child carrier!

Disclosure: Please note that this post contains affiliate links. This means that we may get a small commission if you click a link and purchase something that we recommend. Clicking these links will not cost you extra money but will help us grow our website. Thank you for your support!

What is our favorite kid’s carrier for hiking?

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Recreational equipment reviews, Traveling as a family

Thankfully, we no longer need a full inventory of kids carriers. Due to having generous and adventurous friends, we have tried nearly every backpack kid carrier on the market.

It was too long ago for me to confidently compare and contrast each. I will say, however, that I never found one to love. I could take or leave any of them.

Three or four years ago we were out for a hike with the kids and came across a family with a standing child carrier. The parents looked so happy.

CD was inspired to build one. A few weeks later I got impatient and bought one. The kids are a bit big for it now and we have barely used it during the past year. For whatever reason, Grace asked to use it yesterday. So we did. It was great!

Check it out!

The Piggyback Rider Scout Carrier. The kids can see. My neck and back felt great! As long as the kiddo is awake, this is by far my favorite! Click on the pic above to find out more about the product.

Sprinter DIY
Sprinter DIY

Bring on a new year of Sprinter adventures. Sprinter DIY: Alsea Falls.

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Traveling as a family

Today was a good day. We jumped in our Sprinter and headed out for a hike. A few minutes into the drive, HB said: “It feels good to be in the Sprinter.” I couldn’t have said it better myself!

Alsea Falls was our destination. It is on BLM land in the southern part of the Willamette Valley. The scenery is classic for this part of Oregon. The trees are covered with lichen and moss. The ground is covered in mud.

The falls are a short walk from the parking lot. We ended our hike there.
The picture is fuzzy but so was the woods. Sprinter DIY
We don’t go anywhere without our Inter-agency pass. No camping at the day use area but there were plenty of campsites all around.

It was raining and not all that warm. Twenty minutes into the drive, I realized that I had forgotten our jackets. CD packed rain jackets and pants for the kids and himself but couldn’t find mine.

When we parked and headed out for our hike, he offered me a beach towel to keep me dry. I typically would have laughed and declined but recently the kids have made a point to let me know that I embarrass them. Wrapping myself in a beach towel while hiking seemed like a perfect opportunity to really be ridiculous. They laughed at first but soon forgot about it. I was stuck carrying a beach towel for the next hour or so.

Classic Willamette Valley sign. The weather is tough on signs and bridges and benches and houses.

We headed towards Green Peak Falls. The trail was nice and easy to follow. There were plenty of other hikers ringing in 2020. We got side tracked to the river and through the woods a few times and this ended up being our turn around point.

Another classic sign for this part of Oregon.
An amazing long table, obviously made from a single tree.

It seemed like McBee Park may have seen better days. There were outhouses but all seemed to be in a state of dis-repair. I expect that by the time the rainy season is over, things will be looking better again. There were tons of BLM campsites along the river here.

Despite the nearly constant winter rain of the Willamette, I really prefer dry campsites. I may come back and camp here in the spring when the rains slows but wasn’t tempted to camp there today. These campsites are likely popular in the summer as they are on the river, huge, and easily accessible from the road.

Back at the Sprinter, we took off our boots and settled in to some snacks. The kids didn’t waste any time getting comfortable on the bed. CD was happy to use his new gadget. The Camp Chef Mountain Series Striker was tasked with the job of whipping up hot cocoa. I was so proud of CD for moving beyond his back packing mind- set and getting excited about such a luxury. It really was much faster and easier than boiling a pan of water on our camp stove! It was so fast that the kids even had two cups each.

It worked! The kids and CD were happy. I have a feeling there will be a lot more Ramen, Cup of Soup, and Hot Cocoa in my future!

The mom in me asked CD to stop refilling propane bottles. He picked these up and we are all happy for now. He is just humoring me until we decide to start carrying a much larger propane tank and cut out these less earth friendly items.

Just as we were about the fire up the Little Buddy Heater, another family stopped by to chat. They had a Sprinter 170 passenger van camping conversion. They were well beyond us regarding the extent of their conversion.

They admired our idea of putting the kids in the third row instead of the second and were going to do that themselves in the future. That was about all we had to offer them. They gave us tons of tips regarding exchanging windows to improve air flow, adding insulation, and even removing the rear AC to make space for a large solar panel. They personally knew many of the people that CD had already spoken with on the phone regarding modifications and supplies. They gave us their number and invited to stop by and see their Sprinter.

They validated our path with our Sprinter so far. They were able to share our vision and bring back the “fun” in the Sprinter DIY dream.

In talking to them we felt hopeful, inspired, and energized! With that, we head into 2020! Cheers!

Sleeping 4 in a Sprinter: Budget Friendly Guide.

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Sprinter DIY

Sleeping 4 in a Sprinter 144 is our challenge. I knew that it could be done but we wondered if we could do within our budget.

Starting points:

  1. We need two beds.
  2. Our budget is a consideration.
  3. We can’t sleep on the van floor because then we have to move everything.
  4. Sprinter camping should be fun!

Our Plan for Sleeping 4 in our Sprinter

CD came up with a plan. I didn’t see his vision. He resorted to talking with neighbors. A short time later, and to my surprise, we had storage boxes and two beds!

The Final Product: High Roof Sprinter 144 with 2 Beds.

  1. The first bed is a fixed structure behind the third seat. It has storage underneath.
  2. Two mattresses are stored on the first bed during the day. One mattress was custom cut. The mattress measurements are as follows.

Bed #1: 54 x 72

Bed #2: 48 x 68

3. We remove the second and fourth rows and leave the third row in place.

4. Bed #2 gets built in front of the third row as needed.

5. Wooden storage cabinets are secured behind the driver’s and passenger’s seats. These are constructed in such a way as to support bed #2.

6. Bed #2’s platform pieces are stored next to the third seat. Directions to construct are below.

7. The second mattress gets pulled down from the first bed and placed on the newly constructed second bed.

To construct the Bed #2, follow these steps:

  1. Piece 1 goes under our cooler to add height to the cooler and allow it to be part of the support system.
  2. The next piece is a bridge between the two fixed storage boxes.
  3. Piece 3 is a 2 x 4 that pulls forward and attaches on the passenger side storage box.
  4. The final piece is a hinged piece that opens and covers the remaining space. It is supported by the storage box edges and the 2 x 4.

10 Reasons We Love Our Two Beds

  1. The total price tag was under $500. This includes two mattress, one of which was custom cut.
  2. Bed #2 is elevated off of the floor so that shoes and other items can be stored underneath.
  3. There was a steep but short assembly learning curve. We are quite proficient at assembly and can even assemble with the kids asleep in their seats.
  4. We can sleep two people per bed and not feel crowded.
  5. The mattresses are comfortable.
  6. Our <a href="http://Reliance Products 9881-03 Luggable Loo Snap-on Toilet Seat with Lid for 5-Gallon Bucket, Black, 13.0 Inch x 1.5 Inch x 14.0 Inch""“>luggable loo is easy to access.
  7. Our cooler is helpful rather than in the way.
  8. I can sleep head to toe or side to side. CD is a bit more limited in his choices, however.
  9. We can assemble the second bed in under 10 minutes and without stepping foot outside the van or opening the door. This is amazing news during a downpour.
  10. We wake up well rested!

Our Inaugural Sprinter Van, Sleeping 4 Conversion

We drove 8528 miles with a trip timer of 190 hours, 55 minutes and we slept at campgrounds, friends’ driveways, gas stations, Walmart, rest areas, and parks. No matter where we slept, we woke up well rested and ready to go!

CD’s second bed conversion is pure genius as far as I am concerned.

Sleeping 4 in a 144 and how it can be done! Sprinter van conversions can be fun, too
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Sleeping 4 in a Sprinter 144. Sprinter DIY camping conversion.

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Sprinter DIY

It didn’t take long for us to agree that we need at least two full size beds.

CD came up with a plan. He described it in detail. Despite his best efforts, I just couldn’t see his vision.

He disappeared into the driveway. Neighbors stopped by on and off. A few days later, we had storage boxes and two beds.

I started a YouTube channel to document our camping conversion. It turns out that my video production skills are seriously lacking. This blog was born.

I will do my best to describe in words and pictures our current two bed conversion. I will even show a video below; it has already been established that my video skills are sub-par at best.

Initial camping conversation priorities:

  1. Two comfortable, readily accessible beds: Each large enough for two adults or one average size adult and one sideways sleeping child
  2. Storage for food, cooking supplies, miscellaneous daily – use items

CD combined our storage and our sleeping conversion needs. I honestly could not be more impressed. This is truly a budget-friendly conversion that works!

The inaugural trip in our high roof Sprinter was 8528 miles and 190 hours and 55 minutes. We slept in the Sprinter each night that we were on the road. The kids fell asleep during a crazy rain storm after fourth of July fireworks and we converted the beds without opening the door, moving them from their seats, or waking them. This may have been one of the most successful moments of our marriage.

How is our seating arranged?

We removed the second row of seats and put the kids in the third row. During the day, we use the space where the second row was for having lunch, changing clothes, doing stretches, or using the Luggage Loo. At night it becomes our second bed.

In our first Sprinter, I slept on a camping pad in this space. The challenge was moving the cooler, food, stove, Loo, shoes, and clutter from the floor in order to make the bed. This did not work.

What about clutter?

Decreasing and controlling clutter was also high on our to-do list. Storage was the obvious starting place. CD built and secured two wooden storage boxes. This was life changing!

How did we build two beds for four people?

  • The first bed was built with a wooden frame behind the kids seats. Not only is it great for sleeping but it is needed to build the second bed. It holds two mattresses. The second mattress is stored on top of the first and pulled down to build the second bed.
  • The second bed is assembled using wooden storage boxes that CD built and secured to the van. The bed is constructed like a puzzle using pieces that are stored to either side of the kids seats. There are three pieces. The 1st piece goes under the cooler just to bring it up to the right height. Someday we will likely upgrade our cooler and this won’t be necessary but for now it works great. A 2nd piece goes between the front end of the storage boxes. A 3rd piece of wood has a hinge and is supported by the storage boxes and a 2 x 4 extending from behind the third seat and anchoring at the passenger side storage box.
  • The mattress for this second bed is then moved off of the first mattress and placed on the second bed platform. The first bed’s mattress measures 54 x 72 and the second is 48 x 68.

After 1 or 2 days of getting used to the second bed conversion, it was a breeze. I traveled well rested and contented. The total price tag of this two bed conversion was less than $500. This included two mattresses, one of which was custom cut to size.

As far as I am concerned, CD is a genius!

For more details about the bed conversion build, feel free to ask! Again, I am sorry for the video quality but will add better quality video once we have some to share!

Sprinter DIY. Sleeping 4 in a 144. Sprinter van conversion. #vanlife

Happy New Year!

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Miscellaneous, Traveling as a family

On the eve of 2020, I think back to New Year’s Eve 2000. A few of us headed out on the second annual trip to Tom’s Lake Cabin.

Our destination was North of Manistique and South of Munising at a forest service cabin in Hiawatha National Forest. The road to the cabin was not plowed but we could get fairly close by truck, if I remember correctly.

We came prepared with nordic skis, snow shoes, a camping stove, headlamps, propane lamps, food for days, and plenty to drink.

Occasionally we would hear a snowmobile buzz by but otherwise the woods were quiet. The nights were dark. We didn’t have running water but I couldn’t tell you how far it was to the outhouse. I assume it wasn’t far. I think there was a moon some nights but can’t remember for sure.

We wore our nordic ski boots to the local snowmobile restaurant and bar. We didn’t exactly fit in but everyone was nice and it seems like the chili was especially good.

Most of our time was spent mulling around in the snow, drinking blackberry brandy, and stoking the fire. By this time, I don’t remember thinking much about Y2K.

We stopped by a bar in Munising on New Year’s Eve. While I had spent a fair amount of time exploring small town bars around the country, this was the first time I walked in to a pot luck. Even without a dish to pass, they welcomed us. They gave us homemade food, party blowers, hats, and champagne. We joined in the singing and hugging at midnight.

The next morning, back at Tom’s cabin, we still didn’t have indoor plumbing, electricity, or gas. We stoked the fire. As we packed up to leave, I wondered if any computers out there had been devastated by Y2K. We hadn’t noticed any problems.

That was the last time our group went to Tom’s Lake Cabin. I hadn’t thought much about it until right now.

A favorite quote hangs in the spare bedroom of some of our kindest Colorado friends. It reads:

“Travel light in life

Take only what you need:

A loving family, good friends, simple pleasures, someone to love and someone to love you, something to eat, enough to wear, and a little more than enough to drink for thirst is a dangerous thing.”

On the eve of a new decade, I wish everyone simplicity and peace.

Happy New Year and all the best adventures in 2020.

Part II: We went on a road trip without the Sprinter and …

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Traveling as a family

We went on a road trip without the Sprinter and it was enlightening.

We drove from Oregon to Big White to Whistler and back.

Would the Sprinter have made it? Yes.

Would I have been nervous? Maybe. Abbotsford to Kelowna on the way there was dark and snowy. Visibility wasn’t great. I was a bit nervous anyway. The Sprinter would have done fine.

What was it like traveling in a minivan again?

  • Dramatic. With two kids that have been spoiled by The Luggable Loo, this was a good reminder that most people think ahead when traveling. On several occasions, we drove five miles away from a gas station or restaurant to hear Grace say: “I have to go potty”! Her usual announcement goes like this: “I have to go. Its an emergency. I have to go in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, …”
  • Combative. The kids feet and arms could reach each other. Enough said.
  • Wet. We didn’t have anywhere to hang our clothesline.
  • Cross fit for an out-of-shape mom. I pick up a kid while CD pulls the boots off, puts snow pants on, and puts the boots back on. Repeat.
  • Spendy and Gluttonous. Snacks started out fine but after ten days on the road, the food situation regressed. Here is the common scenario: The kids are desperately hungry and can’t possibly wait to eat. None of the available snacks are acceptable. We look for restaurants. We don’t have cell service or chose not to use cellular data. We drive around. We find one but it is just a brewery with frozen pizzas. We drive around more. We find another one. We run in and order $40 worth of food. The kids color in coloring books. We ask them to eat. They get up and walk around the table. We tell them to eat. They eat two bites each. CD and I eat two meals each. We get in the car. The kids say they are hungry. They eat popcorn. *Repeat every 2-4 hours.
“The Zephyr” in Squamish. CD and I ate a Zephyr salad, a bowl of veggie chili, a cup of Mexican Chicken soup, a falafel wrap, and a bunch of corn chips. It was good. It may be worth mentioning that this was a bit after brunch where CD and I ate 2 eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, 2 orders of hashbrowns, and eggs benny. The kids ate popcorn in the car.
  • Confusing. I couldn’t find anything in the back seat or front seat. CD was in charge of the back door and seemed to keep everything in its place. The kids and I didn’t do as well.
I should be too embarrassed to post this but just in case anyone feels like their car is a mess, this should help you feel better! Here is the scene in our back seat as we rolled back into Oregon. Yikes!

CD’s take on the situation: “20 days on the road comes much sooner in a mini-van than a Sprinter”. Shortly after CD said this, the mini-van alert popped up and asked: “Would you like to take a break?” Ha!

Advice? Get a 4 x 4 Sprinter if you can. If not, stay true to your rear wheel drive Sprinter. Invest in good winter tires, be flexible with your schedule, and stay committed to #vanlife.

If you have to take your mini-van, stay positive. Its not that bad. In fact, it is probably helpful in providing perspective and reminding everyone how to wait patiently while looking for a restaurant, a hotel, or a potty.