Domestic Life

I have finally come to believe that it is legitimately fine for me to be parking out on the side of the road, here there and everywhere. No one cares. I still expect to be shooed away, but as long as there is no sign saying “no camping,” and I am not obviously on someone’s private property, or blocking any access road, it’s completely fine. I guess more people don’t do this because they need hookups or want fancy things like showers and toilets. While most campers are huge affairs, mine is a tidy little van that tucks well into corners and despite the branding, isn’t super obtrusive. My favorite spots are off of secondary roads, tucked out of sight, preferably near a stream. The last for the sound buffering, and for washing dishes. These spots are super easy to find.

My van is a two bedroom flat, complete with kitchen, sitting room, and dining room. At the end of each day, I find my spot, usually very close to the trailhead for the next day. I park, open up the top, put my hiking boots into the sun, and see about making dinner. I have a little two burner stove inside the camper. I have lots of outdoor equipment; chairs, table, awning, yoga mat, but I haven’t used any of it because it’s been wet a lot in the evenings, and I rarely have that kind of space or a view. I spend a lot of time sitting inside the van with the big door open until it gets too cold.

Then, I have to decide where to sleep. If it is cold, or if I want to be as inconspicuous as possible, I sleep in the downstairs bedroom. If it is warmer, and I am unconcerned, I sleep in the upper bedroom. It’s been about half half. There are shades on all the windows, so when I want the sun to go down, I close the shades, and when I want the sun to come up, I open them!

I am out of the mountains and fully in the fjords. Got a gorgeous hike today, all in the pastures but up high, astounding views of water in every direction.