Annnnd....we're done!

I started this project with a great deal of expectations.
If I've learned anything at all from it (and life up to now)
Its that expectations fail us.
Either life doesn't meet them, like due to their grandiosity,
Or life exceeds our expectations, humbling us & reminding us to keep going.
I imagined we would be done sooner than it was.
I imagined I documenting each step with detail & resulting in a stellar van blog.
I imagined we would be leaving sooner than we did.
I imagined we would be taking a route much longer than we will be.
Our imaginations, especially when we fail to strategically entertain it, can over take us
facilitating the creation of our own problems.

Throughout working on the van, I realized how much fun the process was.
Stoping production and development tasks just to document became a nuisance.
It started to clog our work flow. As the van slowly came together, we got more excited to keep working at finishing it than about having pictures of the process.

Upon us leaving Chicago, a few people asked that we document our travels.
Of course, we will be posting a few pictures here & there, but I find it to be exhaustive to maintain a blog in addition to random posts.

We are super grateful to all the support we've had in this little venture as we try out the West.
As promised, I will be releasing the total cost break down of the buildout to those interested!

To access the cost breakdown:

Click the link below
Provide name & email
Mark Simple Living

http://livefreewithdee.weebly.com/connect.html

Insulation Finish & WALLS!

I never thought I could be so excited about walls.

We learned a few lessons while finishing up insulation.

Patience and process matter.

All I could think about was walls, but there were still many steps until then.

As mentioned before we placed GT sound proofing mat everywhere we could.

Then we ran out, got more, and ran out again.

Luckily we found some foam/reflective duct insulation at Home Depot

decided it would do the job of covering the wheel wells. 

We then used insulation tape to cover all cracks and openings.

From there we purchased rigid foam with reflective backing.

We cut each one to size for the side panels and fixed them with adhesive spray and more tape.

The day finally came for walls!

I got so excited and so did Tom.

We cut the wood panel to fit over the tire well.

Lined everything up perfectly.

When to drill in the first screw....

then came to a halt.

It didn't go through (self drilling my ass..)

The day ended that way, with a kudos for progress and a bit of expectation hang over.

In the end it was a good thing it turned out this way.

After getting over expectation hangover, we realized we forgot to put single bubble insulation on the inside of the wall before drilling to the van!

Whew...it would have sucked to un-drill the whole wall to insulate it.

We had to pre-drill holes for the wall panels and scrounge around through the bajillion of washers that came with the van to prevent the screws from going through the panel.

Finally, one wall was up!

By this time, my problem solving brain was fatigued.

It began to feel like I was forcing it, Tom felt it, too. 

So we called it.

From here we plan to take a quick break from interior build.

We have a spare car to use for one more week, so it is a good time to finish up the rest of the mechanic work that needs done.

Rear brakes, steering arms, and a small transmission valve leak.

While waiting, I plan to sew the remaining window covers.

We also decided to change up our plan for the ceiling.

Originally, we projected to use the same wood paneling that was used for the walls.

Now, to simplify, we plan to sew felt fabric to the single bubble insulation and fix it to the roof with some type of adhesive. This will maximize headspace and be a little more flexible to work with.

A big theme presenting itself as we continue with this project;

TRUST THE PROCESS

Don't rush the process.

Here are pictures.

And a video :D 

Insulation Part 1

Spring is in the air people and we are FEELING IT! We have been so grateful and lucky to receive this warm weather right on time for our scheduled days to insulate the van.

It took us one day to come close to completing the first layer; a self-adhesive antivibration mat over all metal. The material was really easy to work with, is heavy, and makes a huge difference in the sound when driving. Unfortunately, I underestimated how much we would need, so we are on hold until a new shipment arrives this coming week.

Below are some photos taken during the process. In the meantime we will be tracing out a floor/door plan and buying out materials for the walls and the ceiling! Its coming together folks and my heart can barely contain itself!

Stay tuned for more updates.
I love you for reading this, and probably for other reasons, too.

Xoxo D & T

Sunshine rest breaks.

Best shoulder workout.

Measure twice, cut once.