lb@large

Yep, it’s quite a change. Despite our older age, our comfort level is sinking. We down-graded one more step in the way we are living, and I think we’re about at the bottom now. We went from Mark’s apartment in California, to a 36-foot boat, to an 11-foot truck camper, to a car and a tent, two and half years later…

Our Toyota Tacoma is doing her job. Weighed down in the back, because of all of our gear, she steadily covers all the distances we travel. Every night she manages to bring us to a certain camping spot, or the occasional cheap hotel that allows dogs. Then it’s time for a break, while we unpack some bags and tubs, her butt lifts up and we all settle in for the night.

The campgrounds range from primitive forests without facilities (free) to national or state park ones that have picnic tables, fire rings and hot showers, to an unmowed grassy field on a farm. We always try to park the car next to our site, to have easy access to our stuff. Everything is stored under the camper shell, packed high in the back, so each time we want to get something, things get moved around. When we set up camp, extra room becomes available… the best time to do some grocery shopping and fill up the holes.

Our recent house is a three person dome (igloo) tent from the late nineties. Each time we “build” her, she becomes more tight and shows more rips. But, a couple of minutes later, we have a roof above our head and we make the interior cozy with pillows, blankets and sleeping bags. That’s about all that fits, if you add two dogs, one Mark and a Liesbet to the equation. Oh, and we do use an air mattress now. After two weeks of hard “floors” and painful backs, we invested in a big hand pump to blow the thing up. What an improvement! If there’s rain in the forecast (and we were able to find that out and the weathermen are right for a chance), we fabricate an extra roof with a tarp. With all these improvements, there is no excuse anymore to stay in a motel!

When we’re ready for bed, the four of us get inside and take our positions. The people finagle themselves into their sleeping bag, while the dogs get pushed and shoved to one side of the tent. From then on there is only one rule: do not move or move in synchrony!

So, we are tugging along, repeating the camping rituals wherever we stop. Mark and I go through the movements that are becoming a habit. Kali and Darwin enjoy being with us and protect our belongings. More than once we wished we still had the truck camper, though. A little bit of comfort is mostly appreciated and we miss having a fridge. Buying two slices of lunch meat and a tomato a day, is getting old. Not to mention having to “cook” canned food on a one burner stove every night… Soon enough, this lifestyle will be over, though, and after two days in a normal house, all the comfort will be taken for granted again!