rank-order of the features I need

In typical 80-20 fashion, the first four (well, let’s make five) items give me at least 80% of my joy, and everything else is expensive gravy.

1. shelter – It is a cold, rainy day here in the Columbia Gorge.  Shocking, I know.  In my truck, I would be having a miserable time, or more likely I would have chickened out and would be watching cable tv on a motel bed.  One can spend only so much time huddled in a camper shell.  A spacious, well-cushioned interior space in which I can stand up is the number one thing I’m glad to have every day.
2. power – That is, functionally endless electricity, from my marine battery powered by my solar panel.  Being able to do what I’m doing right now (typing this post) is the cherry on the sundae of my hanging in the wilds on a rainy day.
3. solar panel – Without this I would be wedded to annoying campground RV hookups every couple of days.  With this adequate power is always there … providing I remember to turn everything off when I should (see my post on lists).
4. heat – When you need it you need it.   The fan on my propane heater is very noisy and wakes me up every time it kicks in, but if it’s 30’s or less outside it’s a big comfort feature.  It got down into the high 30’s in Sisters the other night, and it was pretty sweet to just set the thermostat on the heater to take the edge off of it.
5. running the sound system off the aux battery – A small thing, but listening to NPR or a Giants game at the campsite without worrying about running the battery down is pretty nice.  I’ve lately taken to leaving the radio on when I’m running errands around town – why?  because I can!
6. refrigerator – I would be ok with good ole cooler technology for keeping things cold, but the fridge is pretty darn user-friendly.  Because of the battery and solar panel, I just turn the fridge on when I start a trip and turn it off when I get home, and that’s as complicated as it gets.
7. microwave – It’s quite a drain on the battery, and it’s a pretty wimpy nuker compared to my home model, but it’s awfully handy for the leftovers a thrifty guy like me accumulates.
8. stove – So far all I’ve used it for is boiling water, but hot tea at night and hot coffee in the morning are essential to quality civilized living, yes?
9. sink + hot water – this is the first night I’ve had a functioning sink.  I think it will be handy – brushing teeth, rinsing plates, and face it, grimy hands are a bore after a hard night of tending the campfire, so washing them in hot water is nice.
10. rest of the water system (shower), rest of the propane system (outside bbq hookup) – have not used these yet
11. awning – just used it today for the first time because it’s raining, to give myself a little dry area.  I’m missing something on it because the struts done fit into their brackets the way they did at the shop, but if I ever do use this for festival going, Burning Man or Coachella or such things, I will be glad I have it.

oh yeah, today’s camping report:

Campsite #1 here offers a really choice panorama of the Columbia River through the trees, and at the back end of the campground is a spur trail to access the extensive web of trails (including PCT) that run along the gorge.  And it’s only $10, which is a pretty good deal for right on the Gorge, I think.  But despite all the ingredients for happiness being present, something is missing.  Whether it is me or it is unclear (Edgefield hangover?), but I am not very charmed by the place and not real excited to be here … I think it’s the rain …

day 7 – meet Erik and start the exhausting process of configuring my van.  After months of thinking about Sprinters and looking for Sprinters to buy on the web, setting Carfax alerts and such, here is the van that is to be mine!  Big and blue, and already nicknamed “Papa Smurf” … it’s fate!  Erik gives every van a code name – makes sense to me, I imagine it helps with their internal tracking.  Papa Smurf seems perfect for it … and for me :).  I love the smurfs, I love blue … I could do a lot worse than being Papa Smurf!

1. We agree on a set of features, he comes up with a number, we waffle and wrangle and annoy each other for a while, but in the end come to an agreement.
2. He drives me to the dealer through which he sells the vans. I write a big fat check to buy the van outright.  woo hoo … I guess … I am now the proud owner of a pickup truck and a delivery van.
3. We drive back to the shop and talk details some more.
4. I write a smaller, but still pretty large check for 1/2 of the customizations we agreed upon.
5. I loved my McMenamin’s experience so much that I am going to stay at Edgefield tonight.  As part of the plan for going there I get in the my truck and follow Erik to StereoKing, where Dave the Stereo guy pleasures me with electronic fantasies about all the expensive electronics things he can do for me, then I come to my senses and buy about 1/3 of what we talked about.
6. I write my third and final hefty check of the day, for 1/2 of the electronics.  I have spent $48K-ish today, no wonder I am stressed.
7. I follow Erik around the Portland beltway, right on the Columbia Gorge freeway to Troutdale, where he guides me to Edgefield.

night 7 – ahh Edgefield!  There are so many fun things to do I can’t do them fast enough.  I don’t remember the details, but I drink beer, hit the soaking pools, hit that fatal late night happy hour, then pass out after my busy day.

morning 8 – vile hangover, ameliorated somewhat by free coffee and a very tasty danish on the veranda.

day 8 – On Erik’s suggestion I take the Mt Hood loop as the long way to get to Hood River, where I am to meet him tomorrow for yet more hashing out of details.   so many details … propane heat or diesel heat?  microwave?  toilet?  water filter?  sideways sofa bed or cross-ways sofa bed?  swivel seat?  removable table?  what size refrigerator? awning?

But I jump ahead … The Hood River loop was quite enjoyable.  I drove to the end of the road to the CCC-era ski lodge.  By the time I got there I was feeling almost human again, and took my time enjoying the amazing stonework and woodwork.  Then around the corner I stopped for a nice 3-4 mile hike up the creek to a waterfall.

evening 8 – meet Erik, eat pizza and drink beer and find a motel (the Vagabond Lodge) and crash.

day 9 – go to Erik’s house and meed Sonja, the other half of the Outsidevan team.  One more day of yakking about the details, and I am off to Portland!