Tag: Sprinter DIY

Throwback Blog Series: Our First Camper Van Adventure.

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Throwback Travel Series

This is a story about the first camper van that we loved. It was a remarkable pink and white van from Wicked Campers in Australia. It’s name was “Kill Bunny.” We didn’t name it. The name was painted all over it.

Wicked Campers can’t be mistaken for anything else. If you have seen one, you remember it. We reserved the least expensive option. When we arrived to pick it up, they pointed us to what I considered to be quite an offensive camper. It was painted with a giant bunny holding an automatic weapon. The word “kill” was painted on my door. The back door was painted with the following words: You aren’t drunk if you can lay on the floor without holding on.

Wicked Camper’s front entrance proudly displayed van’s painted with John Lennon’s “Imagine”, The Beatles, flowers, and jelly beans. Even Fat Albert looked good to me! I suggested that CD go in and ask if we could trade for “Imagine.” It turns out that less offensive graphics were considered an upgrade. Well, Kill Bunny it was! Over time, I saw Wicked campers painted with Kamasutra, even more shocking sexual references, and down right offensive sayings. With progressively more off color graphics, I came to love the Kill Bunny more and more.

The camper came with all of the basics. This included a table that converted to a bed, a single propane burner, two camping chairs, and clear instructions. The instructions were given in the form of stickers. The stickers said things like the following: If you swerve to avoid a kangeroo you will likely roll over.

Kill Bunny was a wild ride! It bounced like crazy at the slightest bump or cross wind. CD remarked that the speed limits signs were now more like aspirations than limits. Our driving days were short as it was easy to believe that hitting any animal would be a disaster. Our headlights weren’t really up to par and the shocks were crazy!

We started by heading West from Melbourne towards the Twelve Apostles. Inspired by Point Break, we stopped at Bell’s Beach and admired the view. From the Twelve Apostles we headed North towards Falls Creek Ski Resort.

Vincent at the Twelve Apostles
Falls Creek: Skiing, snow shoeing, hiking all on the same slope.

We hiked through the woods to the golf course in Mount Beauty in order to see our first Kangaroos of the trip. From there we headed East again.

Just as Kill Bunny was starting to feel like home, it started to squeak louder than ever before. It turned out that we threw out a throw out bearing. Who knew?! Wicked Vans took care of the repairs and we were back on the road in no time.

We got to see the power of Kill Bunny first hand when CD turned around on this country road. The back wheels dipped from the shoulder of the road down an incline that was at least 1-2 feet. Kill Bunny was stuck! The combination of grass and a slight incline was too much for the Bunny to over come. Don’t worry, I rolled up my sleeves and pushed it out. That was the last time we turned around a gentle slope.

Stayed tuned for our next blog post, titled: “Peeing with Amphibians”.

Not your average dresser.

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Sprinter DIY

We tried suitcases, duffel bags, and plastic tubs. None of these solved our family of four’s clothing organization problem.

Along with our second van came a second chance to improve our clothing work flow. The priority was easy clothing access for two children and two adults.
CD came up with a plan and put it into action. It worked! I couldn’t be happier.

It is simple. The bed has a hinge and folds up from the front. Two pieces of wood hold it in place. We each have a sturdy cloth basket full of clothes. Additional space is filled by the curtains to one end and a dirty clothes box to the other. Even the kids can lift the bed up to reach inside. I stand in front of the seat and prop the bed up until everyone is dressed and ready for the day. This was a simple change that made a huge difference in our lives!

Sprinter DIY. The bed is folded up and held up with wood. We each have a red bin for clothes. It is amazing!
Sprinter DIY

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Social distancing and disconnecting on a bluebird day.

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

The insulation is mostly installed but the paneling has not been put back.

I requested the day off. The kids are out of school and today is “Thrifty Thursday” at our nearest ski area. I really needed to clear my mind and couldn’t think of a better way than heading over the pass and making some turns.

I am happy to report that despite the exposed insulation and last minute packing, the Sprinter’s first ski trip was a huge success!

Not only did we use the Sprinter as a dressing room for changing our clothes but we also used it as a gym for stretching, a cafeteria for snacking, a restroom for washing our hands, a laundromat for drying our gloves, and an apres ski lodge for putting up our feet.

Bluebird days with spring snow conditions are some of my favorite days. Today did not disappoint!

For five hours, I didn’t have a cell signal. I didn’t get phone calls, emails, or see the news. As a health care provider, I feel that we acted responsibly in the face of the Covid-19.

This was social distancing at its best! We didn’t get closer than six feet to anyone; we wore PPE (gloves and eye shields) the entire time! My kids washed their hands like they have a million times before and they didn’t mention scary rumors from school or tales of a virus.

I wish them clear minds. I wish them minds that are free from fear and anxiety that is even difficult for adults to process.

I hope our next few weeks are filled more Sprinter assisted social distancing.

We made it! Hoo Doo, Oregon. – and a great parking spot! Sprinter DIY
The insulation progress. Sprinter DIY
Spring conditions at Hoo Doo. A bluebird day.

Sprinter Conversion: Back at it.

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Sprinter DIY

CD decided its time for insulation. I was so happy that I drove to Hood River to pick up Thinsulate. If you are anywhere near Hood River we recommend heading over to DIY Van. They are the best!

Here is a short picture documentary of the insulation project.

Removing the head liner.
Putting in the insulation and getting into every crack.
More insulation stuffing.

For our 144 passenger van, we purchased 39 linear feet of insulation. CD is not quite done yet but agrees that we have about the right amount. Our only other expense was a new pair of scissors.

While CD was busy wrestling Thinsulate, the kids and their friends practiced their camping skills. As you can see, they are ready!

Sprinter Conversion: Insulation

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Old Posts

CD decided its time to put insulation in our Sprinter. I gladly drove from the Willamette Valley to Hood River, Oregon to pick up Thinsulate at DIY Van.

Here is a short picture documentary of the insulation project.

Removing the head liner.
Putting in the insulation and getting into every crack.
More insulation stuffing.

For our 144 passenger van, we purchased 39 linear feet of insulation. CD is not quite done yet but agrees that we have about the right amount. Our only other expense was a new pair of scissors.

While CD was busy wrestling Thinsulate, the kids and their friends practiced their camping skills. As you can see, they are ready!

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Cape Perpetua. A sunny Oregon day.

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

The Oregon coast offers beautiful views and an occasional picture perfect sun shiny day. Today was one of those days.

I packed hats, gloves, rain pants, spare clothes, winter jackets, hot chocolate, sunglasses, and rain jackets. We took the long way between the Willamette Valley and Waldport.

We stopped for a snack at Mill Creek Park in Alsea. There were fisherman and empty boat trailers everywhere. It turns out that the Steelhead fishing was hot. I filed this away for next weekend and we continued on our way.

Cape Perpetua is a must – see when driving the coast South from Yachats. It offers a trail system, visitor’s center, interpretive programs, and awesome views. Bring your inter-agency pass and settle in for the day.

Visitor’s Center view. Sprinter DIY.

A paved trail, including a tunnel under 101, leads from the visitor’s center to places with names like Devil’s churn and Thor’s well.

Sprinter DIY
The approach down to the Devil’s Churn.
Sprinter DIY
Sprinter DIY

These tide pools offer far fewer treasures than the ones at Yaquina Head but, none the less, the kids were thrilled to find barnacles, anemones, and one small sea star. We spent at least two hours there but we could have spent much more.

We dragged the kids back to the visitor’s center with promises of Junior Ranger badges and a hot lunch.

As far as picnic locations go, we hit the jackpot. A mile or so South is a parking lot with sandy beach access. Neptune South.

The pictures don’t do it justice but I will leave them here for you to enjoy.

Sprinter DIY
Sprinter DIY.
Sprinter DIY
This is crazy multi-colored sand. Sprinter DIY

It had been a while since I had cooked beside the van. This was a good day to get back at it!

There was hardly a breath of wind. The stove was just where I had left it. The dry food was also where I had left it. It was fun to sort through and decide what to cook. I went with a rice dish with fresh fruit and Valentine’s Day candy on the side.

The kids were soaked and gladly changed in to dry clothes before dinner. HB took a rest up on the bed and Grace sat on the step to wash the sand off of her feet.

Even in mid-February, #vanlife was like riding a bike.

The day left me with a smile, a feeling of excitement, and also a bit of self-recognized impatience with the profoundly slow pace of our Sprinter camping conversion. I could have really used some additional storage today. With that being said, if additional storage never comes, a day with the Sprinter is still better than many other days!

Sprinter DIY

Sunny February Weekend: Van Stay-cation.

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

Here we are. The first weekend in February. The sun is shining. It is nearly fifty degrees. We are waist deep in home projects and paperwork.

Despite all of that, we squeezed in small scale van adventures.

Saturday afternoon and evening was spent celebrating a 50th birthday at our friend’s farm. It is 10 miles from town and we have threatened to sleep there in our van more than once.

We didn’t sleep there this time either but we enjoyed the ride. Our after dinner hike ended up with wet pants and socks so we took advantage of the van changing room option.

Sunday morning started off lazily but the sun was too tempting. We dashed out to the forest before the Superbowl.

McDonald – Dunn Forest Lewisburg Saddle is a fifteen minute drive from our house. I packed a light lunch and spare socks.

Sitting in the van is like a breath of fresh air. There is something comfortable and simple and wonderful about it. I think we all feel it.

We took the Vineyard loop and enjoyed the view from the old cement foundation at the top. The kids pretended to be planning a Superbowl party for cats and dogs. They walked and talked the whole way.

We spent ninety minutes walking and thirty minutes sitting the van.

They took theirs shoes off and hopped up on the bed. With the door open, the sun was shining right in. I got the snacks out but they didn’t eat. CD and I finished the cheese and crackers and eventually let them know that it was time to go. I think they would have stayed up there looking out the window all day.

The Sprinter requires a different life pace. It is good to be reminded that a slower pace is just fine too.

Sprinter DIY
Sprinter DIY
Sprinter DIY
Sprinter DIY
Sprinter DIY
Sprinter DIY
Sprinter DIY

Sprinter Camping Conversion: Our stagnant progress.

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

I imagined our biggest debate would be which color wood to install or where to put the overhead lighting.

We planned to begin the next phase of our camping conversation in January. It is January. Our progress has stalled.

CD was halfway to Eugene to pick up the roof rails when he changed course. He dropped by to chat with the fellow Sprinter owner that we met a few weeks ago. They shared thier visions and ideas.

CD turned around and drove home. His hesitated to spend money on factory roof rails. Our friend endorsed a much less expensive option.

So here we are, along with many other Sprinter owners. Part of our dream is financial sustainability.

When should we get the factory products? When should we improvise? How much extra work and time are we willing to put in to each step in order to save a few dollars?

It wasn’t hard for us to answer these questions. We are on board to save money if the alternate plan provides the same result in the end.

What is holding us up now?

Our Sprinter works well for us. We are happy. In just a few weeks last spring, CD pounded together a camping conversion far superior to any other way we have traveled.

In order to move forward, the current conversion needs to be dismantled. Not only will we not be able to camp in our Sprinter, we will not be able to use our Sprinter.

Our garage will be full of dismantled food boxes and beds.

Nothing in an Oregon winter is free of rain and mud. I can’t guarentee the wood will be safe.

So, here we are. I anticipate that one day we will just get up and start tearing the Sprinter apart. It will be both sad and exciting. I will be impatient and restless. It will be worth it.

Until then, here is a bit about Sprinter life in Oregon in the winter.

The Hackleman Old Growth forest is easy to drive past. It can be found on the South side of Highway 20 between Corvallis and Sisters. The parking lot is paved and easy to access. A sign marks the trail.

After driving past it dozens of times, stopping there this year was an obvious choice. When driving the Sprinter, it seems like trail heads and parks pop up everywhere!

Short trails or boardswalks are an excuse to make hot chocolate and play a game of cards or two.

It is about the journey; we stop often

Our afternoon base camp at the old growth. It is raining but we were warm and happy
This is a slug. The slugs are one of a handful of things that I found amazing when I moved here. This isn’t the biggest we have seen.

Are you looking for a hike in the high country? Colorado Winter Hikes.

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

Some places are so great that it doesn’t seem right to put them out there on the internet for everyone to see.

Most places are already fully accessible online. They are all likely more crowded than before the internet existed. The crowds are not because of my little blog. In the interest of sharing some great spots, I will start will a great one.

Mayflower Gulch is the sort of hike that you see in magazines or on television. It is picturesque.

It was a weekday afternoon type of hike for us when we lived in Summit County. According to the internet it is a 5.9 mile loop. It didn’t seem that far. The trail head is less than 10 miles towards Leadville from I-70. The road is well traveled.

As with many hikes in the high country, I recommend it in the winter. With snow it is quiet and light. There will likely be a few other people there but they will all be smiling.

Skis with climbing skins, Nordic skis, snow shoes, or boots will all typically work well for this trek. Old mining cabins mark the end of the trail and offer a good place for lunch with a side of inspiration.

The stops that were soon forgotten. I-80 Westbound to the Manitou Incline. Sprinter DIY.

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

I was flipping through my phone when I found a series of brief videos chronicling last years mad-dash for Colorado.

As per our usual, we hit the road at a moment’s notice. Our goal was Colorado by afternoon the next day in order to cross paths with a cousin that CD hadn’t seen in years.

Here are a few videos from Sprinter stops soon forgotten.

We conquered I-80 again. CD’s cousin was still there and this was the reward.

If you haven’t heard of the Manitou Incline, this is for you. Here is a picture from the top.

The incline: Manitou Springs, CO. Sprinter DIY

Back in the day the challenge was to hike to the top in the same number of minutes as your age. I was thirty something. My record time was 42 minutes and that was before they improved the steps. I like to think I would have easily broken 40 minutes if it was like it is today but who knows.

This year I forgot to start my watch. I have had the same watch for fifteen years and I have never forgotten to start it.

It turns out that in 2019 I still made it to the top. It was not as pretty and not as fast. I still felt successful and healthy and tired and thirsty.

In my younger days, it had been said that one of my main motivations for exercising and recreating was to “apres”. I still believe that “apres” is meant for more than just skiing.

We hiked down and headed to town. After a light lunch and a cold cocktail, I almost felt thirty again!

Manitou Incline Info and Stats:

The Incline is made from the remains of a narrow gauge railway that was built in 1907. It was destroyed in a rock slide in 1990. The rails were removed and the rail road ties remain.

Until 2013 locals and fitness enthusiasts would walk past “no trespassing” signs to hike up the disorganized and unmaintained remains. CD and I were among the people that had the privilege of doing so. I am happy to report that we did so without injury.

It has since been repaired and opened to the public. The obvious results of this have been fees for parking, greater crowds, and evenly spaced railway ties without raged metal edges. We still love it.

  • Altitude at the base: 6600 ft
  • Ascent: 2011 ft
  • Distance: 0.88 miles
  • Steps: 2744
  • Grade: up to 68%

What to bring:

  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Hiking poles (Seriously – you will thank me later!)
  • Water (Enough water to dump some on your head if you need; Shade is sparse)
  • Snacks
  • A friendly smile (To encourage other hikers and let them know you are doing okay.)
  • Hiking poles (Trust me on this!)