Off Grid Living - EcoNeato.org

I'm traveling full-time in a 20' innovative, (relatively) minimalist custom innovative campervan.
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Focus Summary

Eco, off grid, minimalism technology and lifestyle
Innovations, problem solving, customization, DIY | Innovative Campervan Main Features
Safety and security

Travel Schedule

Northern California as of 11/2020
I lost my service dog of 15 years and am having a very hard time finding a qualified replacement.

What I Need Help With

Finding a mid-size young dog or puppy to train as service dog (must pass temperament tests).
Overnight parking: Fairly level, clean (minimal mud, sand and loose dirt), fairly quiet. I do not need any hookups, just a parking spot.
Willing to pay up to $15/day for high roof shop for about three months to build out new campervan.
How to fasten drawers and chair so don't fly around due to g-forces when driving, but still be able to easily move them.

FAQs

What's in the boxes on the back and how are they mounted? See details on my storage page
Am I willing to meet strangers? Yes, but not to eat or drink out because I do not trust cooks regarding cleanliness and ingredients even if they claim to offer healthy options. Also tipping is a bad idea. I only eat food I buy from a grocery store and prepare myself or from a trusted friend, so a picnic is preferred. No smoking, heavy drinking or controlled substances. I try to restrict myself to like-minded people who are well educated and thus share the same concerns about environmental issues. If you are like a hyper "valley girl" who like speaks SoCal or with a hyper masculine vocal fry tic, I would not be a match even for a friend and recommend you join Toastmasters.
Why do I post my personal life on the Internet? Isn't that dangerous? See my privacy statement here
Are you safe living on the streets?
Why don't I travel overseas? I want to, but there are too many significant cons: Shipping van: High cost, risk of van and personal property theft and/or damage, shipping takes 10 days one way, customs and border inspections and interviews are likely to be extreme hassles, very limited availability of VA healthcare, language barriers, high fuel costs. Here is what I do as a more practical alternative: Tour cultural museums and watch travel videos. I've already been to Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Canada (vastly) and Alaska.
Where are my favorite places? Sedona, Arizona, Westminster, Colorado, Yellowstone National Park.
How is driving a diesel powered van eco friendly? See explanation here
What engine and MPG? Mercedes Benz 6 cylinder turbo diesel - 17 to 23 MPG; have a very heavy load around 8,000 lbs.
What does Eco Neato mean? It simply sends the message that being eco/green is neat.
Is my van stealthy? My van looks extremely unusual and gets a lot of attention. This was not my intention. Everything on the outside has a utilitarian purpose and is not placed there to get attention, especially since I prefer to be stealthy; however I obviously prefer purpose over stealth. Nonetheless, many would consider the utility items stealthy because the vehicle looks like it has a utility purpose (research, utility work, etc.).
Will I go crazy in small space? No. By far most van dwellers and even couples who live in smaller vans are very happy. I installed many windows for good views of nature - much better than most offices. My van is tall enough to allow me, 6'4", to stand. I am outside quite a lot walking, etc. The things that drive me crazy are not so much related to space, but rather dumb things other people do in public and cheap made in China products, especially electronics and how difficult it is to find enough USB ports as well as keeping USB port connections from going bad. At first I blame China, but realize we are the enemy by fueling the demand for cheapest price vs. quality. We can and should make our own electronics better, but not cheaper.
Do I get bored? No. What do I do for entertainment and with my free time? I go to dog parks and interact with others and their dogs since losing mine. I spend a lot of time watching science, etc. videos online. It takes a lot of time to maintain and keep the van clean inside and out.
Will I get another pet? I'm trying to get one. ADI service dogs take years to obtain.
Do I get lonely? Yes, especially since losing my service dog; only interested in rare like minded, smart and clean friends. As a Gen-X, I was an extreme "latchkey" kid who was left at home and at school alone and unsupervised with minimal nurturing most of my childhood.
How Do I Entertain / Keep Guests Comfortable?
A night guest could sleep across the front seats with a pad in the middle. All front windows can be covered well. There is a privacy curtain separating livings spaces. Or set up a tent, etc.
Swivel bucket seat. Small tables. Outdoor chairs, one that rocks. High quality hammock.
Unlimited internet WiFi with cellular signal booster, outside charge ports for USB and 110V.
Hydraulic sit-stand desk, 24" TV with side vision and even a printer.
Commercial free music, front and rear bluetooth high quality speakers.
Two long range radios for communication where no cellular.
Deep tissue powered kneading massager and rolling wood foot massager.
Comfortable diesel heat and solar powered air conditioning; many fans and vents. HEPA air filter.
Throw toys to play catch anywhere. Dog to pet, but too old to play with.
Healthy treats and meals. Lots of refrigerator room. Filtered drinking water. Induction stove.
Safety: 24/7 outside surveillance recording. Self-defense weapon options.
The interior is beautifully decorated for a relaxing feel. There are many high-mount privacy windows.
What do I eat and cook? Mostly raw health food: I heat or cook veggies, etc. lightly in olive. I eat a lot of organic apples. I eat nuts. I pick wild food when available and practical (usually in Washington and Oregon). I take many supplements. I distrust the food industry, especially restaurants.
Where do I shower or use the toilet? I shower mainly at Anytime Fitness (preferred), campgrounds and few other places. I have a flushing and dry chemical toilet option in my van. I have an outside shower for use when in forest / BLM land a longer time (extremely rare).
How much stuff do I own or travel with? I donated most to thrift stores and relatives. Everything I own fits in this 20.5' long van! I do now have a storage unit and hate them. I'm a true minimalist.
What are my monthly costs?: Ranges from $1,000 to $4,000 depending on campgrounds, maintenance, etc. I do not itemize or keep close track of my budget. I simply buy what I want and need.
Can I afford a House? Yes. I choose this lifestyle until I find the right house at the right price. I don't want to buy during record high prices.
Where do I want to live / buy a house?: Unknown. Significant pros & cons everywhere. Requirements: Safe, quiet, shaded walking trail.
Would I Consider Buying a Larger RV? No because I plan to buy a house by age 56 and want to use this class B as every day commute and for travel.
What if No Sun for Solar? Even when rainy or cloudy there is usually sometime during the day my batteries charge via solar, but on rare days of extreme rain, shade or clouds where I run out, I seek an EV charging station or 110V outlet to charge. I'd rather do that every rare once in a while than lug around and deal with a generator like I used to.
Am I a Full Time Nomad? Yes; I live in the campervan full time. I avoid hotels / B-Bs due to cost, germs, bed bugs, filth, smells, noise, break-ins / staff thefts, hidden cameras! and reservation inconveniences.
Why Spend so Much Time in California? California has a lot of problems: Expensive, crowded, crime, fires, drought, floods, earthquakes, etc. I am there a lot because of the ocean beaches, amenities, warmer and drier winters, diverse culture and tourist attractions. It's conveniently straight south from my summer hang-outs of Oregon and Washington. I can hang around the most expensive and beautiful areas cheap. There are filthy and evil people everywhere. There is no perfect place for me.
Where do I camp?: About 95% stealth urban camping to achieve "glamping" (glamorous camping) as much as possible. I try to avoid noise and dirt. It's very rare I camp in a typical private campground anymore (I used to a lot) or RV park due to extreme costs, tight sites and rules. I made a large effort to shop for one or more campsites to buy, but the HOA fees and restrictions are deal killers. The type of place I choose to hang out has most of these:
Anytime Fitness (for workout and showers) and Planet Fitness (for workout and massages)
Mild climate (at the time I'm there) and free J1772 EV charging station if cloudy (if minimal solar charging); usually in the winter
Excellent stealth overnight parking spots
Excellent day use park (quiet, level parking, green, shaded trail)
Amenities such as Trader Joes, Grocery Bargain Outlet, VA hospital, Mercedes Sprinter service, etc.
Where all have I traveled in the USA?: All states including Alaska, but not yet Hawaii; Foreign: Belgium, Germany, Canada, Mexico
Where are my favorite places? Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Benson Sculpture Garden, Colorado, Sedona, Arizona, Mount Rainier, Washington, Olympic National Park, Washington, Hunter Springs Park, Florida
How long have I lived on the road full time? Since July, 2015 when I was tired of living in an overpriced extended stay hotel in Austin, Texas with my service dog Tippy II. Tippy was OK with it, but I wasn't.

General Personal Info

What I'm looking forward to the most: What we will learn a year or so after the James Webb telescope is launched around 2021.
How I contribute to society: Self-guided non-profit environmental advocacy; Diverse educational media productions; innovations such as a vehicle brake patent, solar powered air conditioner, EV charging, etc.
My business experience: Extremely diverse, but short lived due to traumas. About 30 jobs.
Adverse records: None. I am of exceptional honesty and integrity. I have passed extensive background checks in the Army, etc.
Formal education: B.A. in Communication, 1995 - Univ. of Arkansas | Paralegal Cert., 1998 | Web Design and e-commerce, 2014 - Peninsula College, Port Angeles, Washington.
Status: Single, always straight, clean-cut, never married, no children. Never formally engaged.
Where I'm originally rrom: Born in Findlay, Ohio, raised in Texarkana, Texas / Ashdown, Arkansas area until 18.
Age: Born in early 1969
Religion: Agnostic (not atheist). Non-denominational. Spiritual.
Extended Bio

Off Grid Living
Main reason I do it: To live many different lives (experience different places and people) rather than just one life in one place and a one culture.

Lifestyle Pros
Lowest carbon footprint (barely) allowed in the USA except tiny home / Earthship; No generator or shore power required despite using diesel fuel to move or heat; Governments won't allow sustainable, off grid tiny home or RV where want to live close to amenities
Live many lives / explore many cultural areas; beautiful campsite settings without dealing with nasty, inconvenient and expensive hotels
Meet new people
Nimble motorhome allows me to have all my stuff, take nap, cook, etc. anywhere I go; no worry about other place or vehicle
Save money by finding cheap or free overnight parking and campgrounds
Don't impose on anybody, have my own dwelling, need only small parking spot
Always had problems with neighbors; couldn't afford home in suitable neighborhood; hate apartments and landlords
Explore before things get even more crowded and expensive, especially regarding California
Usually don't have to make reservations when traveling; many overnight options
Survivalist; bug-out vehicle; quickly escape problem areas and natural disasters
Easily migrate to good weather

Lifestyle Cons
Toxic neighbor campfire smoke and other sources of air and noise pollution from generators, etc.
In free camp or parking areas, any jerk can pull right up to your vehicle and do what they want.
Filthy, crowded, expensive, inconvenient laundromats often located in ghetto areas.
People call police for parking near their residence, etc. during the day and evening. They lie, claiming I spent nights there. I tell the police to go interrogate the complainer for wasting police resources.
Logistics
Campgrounds are often full, inaccurate and incomplete online campsite, etc. info; can't practically book ahead due to other issues:
Medical appointments far apart in space and time
Incompetent postal service (all carriers); Amazon won't let me know carrier until shipped. About 20% of all mail is extremely! difficult to receive and requires strategic, detailed planning. There have been many cases where the mail was attempted to be delivered, but somebody made a mistake, didn't understand "general delivery", required a signature, etc.
Incompetent vehicle service centers, especially regarding a Mercedes diesel
Almost everywhere I park or camp is very unlevel / uncomfortable lean; often have to build up levels to an extreme; It's very annoying that I often go to parks, etc. and am restricted to park in certain spots that are unlevel, filthy or no solar and I see a great place to park that is level, I can get better solar, has grass for my dog, etc. but the rules won't allow me to park there. It's often the case I'm assigned to a campsite with a bad neighbor (noisy, smoking, etc.) and I see a better place, but rangers won't let me move there. Many places I am restricted to park all I see out my windows are reflections from vehicles, filthy people, etc.
Tiny living space; extremely limited storage (but also nice to have everything in reach, easy clean)
No DSL internet; some areas no service at all; most areas have 4G which is good enough, but get throttled down after using so much data; throttle down is often very crippling until the billing cycle resets.
Earthquake conditions while driving; have to super secure everything
Everything / everywhere is getting more crowded, competitive and expensive.
No yard for dog; have to spend much time finding grassy area and waiting on the leashed dog.

Nomadic Lifestyle Surprises and Rants
Extremely difficult to make new, like-minded friends anywhere (in my case). They are too busy and distracted these days.
Extremely challenging, often impossible to find legal, free, long term overnight parking
All levels of government are very anti nomad; all land is tightly restricted by governments and private ownership
Many unimpressive (not in a scenic park, noisy area, crowded, no utilities, etc.) campgrounds are expensive
At least half of all campsites are terribly sloped; no effort to level them
Nobody makes levels large enough to accommodate many sloped campsites and parking areas
Upon reserving and marking a campsite, if not occupied by around 6pm, others try to steal the site almost every time
At least half of all campgrounds unsuitably located close to train tracks, highways and slopes (unlevel). The more expensive, private "RV Parks" are almost always lacking in privacy and located in noisy areas.
Places that are rated by credible sources as being environmentally friendly are far, far from it in reality.
Everywhere I see trash in recycling bins and recyclables in trash bins.
It's astonishing how much product (over) packaging and shipping boxes with bubble wrap, etc. I have tossed in recycling bins or trash bins if no recycling available nearby (which is common).
No manufacturer or distributor of products I use for innovative installations are interested in sponsoring, etc. Example: Solar powered air conditioner (Frigidaire, Grape Solar have been contacted; no response)
The amount of trash I, one person, generates is astonishing due to how most products are over-packaged. Recycling is neglected due to how people put trash in recycle bins and recyclables in trash bins.
There are some very expensive bridge and road tolls that don't make sense and somebody is filthy rich from
Southern CA, etc. claims to have indefinite severe water shortages. They should not allow new construction then! Also would help to fix the millions of plumbing leaks!
I have lived on the west coast and Alaska for many years and never yet felt an earthquake. I am very aware the west coast is overdue for a devastating earthquake likely worse than anything recorded before. Since I live in a portable all-in-one survival box on wheels that can sustain shaking, I would most likely be much better off than those in houses; it would depend on where exactly I am during the event, road damage near me and whether there are dangerous people near me.

Biggest Changes in Nomadic Lifestyle
Started by living in a Prius for a few weeks, then a minivan a half year, now the Sprinter van since Feb. 2016.
Before freshwater holding tank, lugged around 5 gallon jugs and went to Walmart, etc. to refill. Now have large holding tank and built in filtration.
Before the solar air conditioner:
I would drive around a lot looking for a shaded place to park with the consequence of less solar charging and annoying tree sap, bird droppings, leaves and twigs on my paint, solar panels and windshield. Now I seek the sun for free air conditioning and less vehicle washing and sap removal.
At first I used a generator frequently; now I don't have a generator
Used to drive around for long periods of time trying to find a self serve car wash this tall van would fit in. Now I have my own 50' hose on a reel in a rear door box attached to my plumbing.
First two years focused on avoiding campgrounds and overnight parked in Walmart, etc. instead. Thereafter reverse trend: Try to avoid Walmart and find good campsites.

Personal Titles
Adventurer
Alternative Lifestyle
Boondocker
Bum / Beach Bum (derogatory)
Camper
Counter-Culture
Drifter (derogatory)
e-Beggar (derogatory)
Explorer
Freedom Traveler
Gypsy (derogatory)
Happy Camper
Hobo (derogatory)
Homeless (derogatory)
Living Free
Minimalist
Nomad / Nomadic / Digital Nomad
Off Grid
OTR (on the road)
Prepper (bug-out vehicle)
Rambler (derogatory)
Roamer (derogatory)
Retired / Retiree
Road Warrior
Rubber Tramp (rubber tires)
RVer
Snowbird (usually synonymous with retired)
Survivalist (bug-out vehicle)
Transient (derogatory)
Traveler
Vagabond
Vagrant (derogatory)
Van Dweller / Vehicle Dweller (derogatory)
Wanderer / Wanderlust
Wheeled Wonder (derogatory)

Vehicle Titles
Adventure Van
Bug-out Vehicle (prepper / survivalist)
Camper / Camper Trailer (Fifth Wheel, Bumper Pull / Pull Behind, Pop-up, Toy hauler)
Camper Van / Sleeper Van
Caravan
Class A, B, C or E RV or Motorhome
Coach
Compact Class C (similar to Class B+)
Fast House (humor)
Home on Wheels / House on Wheels (rarely used)
Mobile Dwelling
Motorhome (see Vehicular Home)
Off Grid Van / Vehicle / Trailer (rarely used)
Rig (just about anything)
Rolling Earthship / Mobile Earthship
RV (Class A, B+, B & C, Slide in, Travel Trailer)
May be certified by RVIA, NRVIA, QAI
Wrongly implies recreation use only - See VH "Vehicular Home"
Skoolie (converted school bus)
Stealth CamperVan / Vehicle
Supervan (rarely used)
Tiny Home
Travel Van / Travel Trailer
Truck camper / slide-in
Vehicle Dwelling / Van Dwelling
Vehicular Home / House "VH"
Recommend as a better alternative to "RV"
Wheel Estate
Wheeled Home / Wheeled House
Camping Terms
Boondocking (free and rural)
Camping (set out lawn chair, etc.)
Driveway Surfing (friends)
Lot Docking / Surfing (Walmart, etc.)
Overnight Parking (no slide-out, grill, etc.)
Sleeping in Vehicle
Stealth Camping / overnight parking