Staying Warm in the Cold Desert

Boondocking in the desert during the winter can be a wonderful experience. For the most part, the days are sunny and beautiful and warm.  However, once the sun sets, the temperatures drop and nights can be quite chilly.  Here are some of the ways I stay warm.

For cold days, the key is to LAYER your clothes. A good pair of long-johns under some fleece will keep the wind off you. Cuddleduds are a good brand of long underwear and all you need is one or two pair. As far as fleece, I just ordered two pair of fleece pants for this winter's vanning and I'm in love with them both.

These are the THICKEST, warmest fleece pants I've ever owned. They will not win you a fashion contest, but who the heck cares in the desert? They will hold up and keep off the chilly wind.  They are roomy and comfortable. I've gained quite a bit of weight this year and so at 5'3" and 165, I ordered an XL. They are loose enough to be comfie but don't fall off. They have an elastic waist. I have to turn up the hem when I have time because they are a few inches too long. 

Here is a link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077D8MVJ2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also ordered a pair of these black fleece pants for times I wanted to "dress up" a bit. They are also very thick and warm, but have narrower legs so I don't look like a hobbit in them.

Again I ordered an XL and they fit comfortably. 

I don't know if clothes are running smaller these days

or if I'm just getting big as a barn in my old age,

but it hurts my heart to have to order an XL.

I will not have to hem these, as the cuffs are narrow 

and will stay above my shoes.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7A6FTT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered two tops.

This fleece tunic top is roomy, plush, and warm!

I'm in love with it.

I again ordered an XL.

I probably could have easily gotten by with a L,

but I wanted to be able to layer under it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G5YZX7T/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a heavy denim skirt that I'll sometimes put over my fleece pants if it's super cold. That really keeps my legs warm. I bought it at Goodwill for $6.99.

I went to Goodwill last year and found a really good DOWN jacket to wear over everything if it's REALLY chilly.  I also have a good wool hat to cover my head outside.  For inside the van and sleeping, I have a fleece beanie that is really comfie but warm.  Something like this one:

When it's super cold outside, I wear fleece lined mukluks like these.  The rest of the time, I'm in sandals or running shoes.

To keep warm at night, I went to Goodwill and bought a down comforter. It cost me $12 and was for a queen sized bed.  I doubled it and put it into a twin sized duvet - also purchased at Goodwill for $6.  With this double down blanket, it's lightweight and warm as heck! I've slept in 20 degree weather and kept toasty!  

You can find down comforters on Amazon for under $50. If you buy a large one and double it, they're awesome!  

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Down-Alternative-Comforter-Queen/dp/B071F2V3KT/ref=sr_1_4_acs_sk_pb_1_sl_2?s=bedbath&ie=UTF8&qid=1544366117&sr=1-4-acs&keywords=Down+comforter

At night I do not sleep in my clothes. I change into warm flannel pajamas. 

I wear my beanie.

If it's super cold, I wear wool socks to bed.

And if it's SUPER SUPER cold, which is rare, I'll wear gloves.

I do not run my heater except in the early mornings when I first get up.

In the desert there's not much to do once the sun goes down, 

so I usually hit the bed early and read, then sleep.

That way I'm up before sunrise and can make my coffee and watch the spectacular colors as the sun comes up.

I have a Buddy Heater and it keeps me really warm. It runs on a small propane tank I bought just for the heater. I turn it on when I get up and run it for 5 minutes and the van is nice and warm. I may turn it off and on several times before the sun comes up, ALWAYS leaving a front window cracked at least 1/2 inch.  I NEVER sleep with the heater running... NEVER.  Each year, there are people who die because they fell asleep with the heat running and were killed by the carbon monoxide.  Don't do it. Just don't.

The buddy heater is very inexpensive to use if you don't run it continuously.

Sometimes if I want to be outside to watch the sunrise, I'll sit on the edge of my open van door, take it out with me and keep it near my legs. You can use small green canisters for it, and I've tried both, but prefer the small propane tank, which lasts longer and is cheaper to use.

Once the sun is up, the desert warms up quickly. Unless a storm rolls in, you're likely to have beautiful blue skies and sunshine! And then you can take those layers off and wear shorts!

All the clothes I take in my van fit in two bins under my bed. 

I change underwear daily but might wear the same outer wear for up to a week.

And that's it. 

Keeping warm isn't so difficult.

Right now I'm in Portland, Oregon and the wind is so cold it cuts through you.

I've NEVER experienced this cold in Quartzsite. 

Even on the coldest days in the desert, it's warmer there.

So don't worry.

Just do a bit of preparation and you'll be fine.

Happy Trails!
Annie

SHOWERS ON THE ROAD - Please add updates if you have them

I figured it would be nice to post the places I find showers. I'll add to this list as I find more and more places.

Planet Fitness:  Join for $10-20 per month, and you're able to shower at any Planet Fitness facility from what I understand. I used their showers once. They were clean. 

Along the West Coast and Hwy 101

Flint, Washington:   Showers in town at 2 of the town motels. One costs $3 per shower. The other costs $5 and includes towels, washcloth, soap and shampoo.  Can't remember the name of the motels, but will post it when I do.

Tillamook, Oregon: YMCA has $1 showers Monday-Friday 5:30 am - 10:30 am & 7 pm - 8:30 pm

Beverly Beach Oregon:  This state part and most other state parks in Oregon will allow you to buy a nice hot shower for $2.  If you're disabled, the disabled showers are larger and have a hose nozzle. The Disabled shower at Beverly Beach appears to be wheelchair accessible. Clean? Well, it's a beach so the floors were sandy and it's Oregon so there's always a bit of mold.

Grace Wins Haven, Newport, Oregon:  Showers for free on Tuesdays. Open at 9 am. Get in and sign up early. Address is 437 Northeast 1st Stree.

Rec Center Newport, Oregon:   Showers for $5.50 each

Rockaway Beach:    Arisana Tolomei from my Women's RTR Facebook page says: I was just camping at Barview Jetty Campground. We only had to put 2 quarters in to get the shower started. Never used more than 5 quarters per shower. 🙌 This campground is on the Oregon coast in Rockaway Beach.

Seaside: I found a hot shower outside the MEN's bathrooms at The Cove beach. A girl COULD wear a swimsuit and get a nice shower there.

Near Flagstaff - I-40

Flagstaff, AZ:  Little America Travel Center.  Suanne Carlson reports:  So on my way west on I-40, I knew I was going to be driving by Little America Travel Center, and planned to stop for a "spa" treat. I paid my $12 and $5 deposit, received two huge towels, a large wash cloth, a small bottle of shampoo, some fancy-dancy liquid soap, and a key to room 9. The bathrooms are huge for truck stop facilities -- a big shower, long counter/mirror with sink, a semi-private toilet area, and a big shower. But, what really sets this place apart are the large tubs.

Donna Rimmer shares:  Another place I take showers in Flagstaff....FLAGSTAFF AQUATIC CENTER.
ONLY $6.50 for a day pass.
I swim awhile, sit in HOT TUB, then take a long hot shower.
Covered parking.
Only 9.50 if you are not a senior.
My favorite place to go.

Route 66

Grand Canyon SOUTH Rim - Route 66:  I had a wonderful 8 minute HOT shower on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. I found showers at the Camper Services Building at the entrance to Mather Campground. 8 am – 6 pm core hours, last laundry wash 4:45 pm. The showers were $2 for 8 minutes, and the water was lovely and hot! Take quarters!

Kingman Arizona -
Kingman, AZ.Cornerstone Mission on Sycamore Street behind Motel 6.
FREE showers!!!!!
They have towels, soap and shampoo, also.
Nice "ladies" shower, toilet, sink, mirror.

Lake Havasu, Arizona
Lake Havasu Aquatic Center.

$5.00 day pass. Hot tub, pool, and showers available.

Ajo, Arizona
$3 showers at Shadow Ridge RV
behind the Shell station
50 cent showers at Belly Acres RV next to Npa
Shadow Ridge is nicer


Yuma, Arizona YWCA :  1917 West 32nd Street. Showers are $3 whenever facility is open. Sunday

9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Monday

5:00 am to 10:00 pm

Tuesday

5:00 am to 10:00 pm

Wednesday

5:00 am to 10:00 pm

Thursday

5:00 am to 10:00 pm

Friday

5:00 am to 8:00 pm

Saturday

8:00 am to 4:00 pm

More About Bathing in the Minivan

Bathing and hair washing is one issue van dwellers have to face and figure out. I've shown you my system for taking a bath in a previous post. But if I'm not boondocked, I often will use Starbucks or some other public bathroom where the main door can be locked (important) to clean up.

Here is what I take along:

I start with a pretty cloth bag. This one is new looking and holds a LOT!  To others, it could just be my purse, and in fact, I keep my change purse in here when I go into Starbucks, along with my laptop and cord, so they don't suspect anything.

I carry a microfiber washcloth in a ziplock bag.  When I get back to my van, I hang it on my main door bungie to dry out. The microfiber dries quickly.

I carry a microfiber towel.  

It is super absorbent and dries very quickly 

when hung up in the van on my bungie.

I've tried terrycloth towels, but they take forever to dry 

unless you're in nice hot weather.

This is the brand of microfiber towel I bought. A little spendy, but worth every cent. I've had trouble with microfiber towels not being absorbent enough.  This one is great!  I love it! I carry it with me on the Camino when backpacking also.
Small, but powerful!

I picked up this men's shaving kit at Goodwill, brand new, for $2.99.

It holds all my necessities, 

such as deodorant, toothbrush and paste,

soap (in a plastic travel soapdish),

face cream, etc.

The yellow thing is a scrubber washcloth 

I bought at an asian store. 

I love that thing!

I also carry a small empty plastic cup for pouring water over my head.

I put a clean pair of panties and bra, if needed,

into the bag.

I wear my clean clothes including socks, into the facility.

I just saunter into Starbucks,

order a coffee,

then ask for the bathroom code.

I go in and enjoy their nice hot water.

I wash my hair first,

in the sink.

Using the cup I get my head wet,

soap up with my DOVE soap

(my hairdresser said it will help my hair grow in thicker)

then rinse using my cup.

Then I just take a bath from the top down,

using my soapy washcloth,

then rinsing.

I take off my shoes and stand on 2 paper towels.

Feet go into the sink last

(I'm flexible).

Then I wash out my cloth real good

and put it back into the plastic bag.

It can hang out to dry when I'm back at the van.

All of this takes less than 7-8 minutes,

and that's no longer than some folks use the bathroom

for a BM, so I don't worry too much about it.

I do tend to get into Starbucks early,

around 5:30 am when they open,

so they're usually not busy at all.

That's it!

Bathing on the Run.

By the way, you CAN check out various places for showers.

YMCA will often have cheap shower hours.

At Tillamook, showers at YMCA are only $1.

Some tourist town hotels will offer showers.

Up in Washington, I found showers for $3 and $5.

Public swimming pools will have showers.

Community Centers sometimes have showers.

And then there's always the gym...

Planet Fitness is inexpensive to join

if they have facilities in your area.

Truck stops will have showers,

but they can be spendy at $12-$15.

The nice thing is there's no time limit.

Your senior center might know of a place,

as may a local church.

Go check out what's available near you.

And remember, it never hurts to ask.

Happy Trails,

Annie

Organizing my 2003 Toyota Sienna Mini Van for Van Dwelling

In the past year I've organized and reorganized my 2002 Toyota Sienna a few times.  Each time it gets a little better, and a little easier to live out of.  Here are my latest photos.

 This is my office.  It is a sturdy woven plastic picnic basket. I think I paid about $3.99 for it at Goodwill.

Inside, I keep my iPads, books I'm reading, pens, pencils, tape, correction fluid, pencil sharpener, and pretty much everything I'd keep in a desk.

During the day if I'm driving, 

this "office" lives in the passenger seat.

Inside the white bag are all my cords.

Under my bed I have 3 cubby holes that hold large storage bins.

Two of the bins hold clothing.

One holds art supplies and first aid.

In front of Bin #1,  which holds my jeans and shirts,

I keep another small basket that I picked up at Goodwill.

Inside that basket, 

I keep items I use nearly every day;

lotion, make-up bag with fingernail files, clippers, 

a bit of makeup, nose spray, foot powder, q-tips, etc.

In front of Clothing Bin #2, which holds panties, bras,

swimsuit, hair dryer, towels and washclothes (2 each),

is a small cloth bag.  Inside that is my jetboil, for the mornings I don't want to drag out my table and coleman stove for coffee.  I also keep my DoTerra essential oils in that bag so I can get to them easily.

Also fitting in that space, is my pee pot.

I bought a snap-lock container for my pee pot. 

I keep it in a cloth basket with packages of baby wipes.

The wipes, by the way, are from Walmart.

They are plush and fragrance free

and only cost $5 for 3 large packages.

The pee pot is as tall as a regular cereal container, but half as long.

It's "just the right size" to use and avoid spillage. 

The two of those fit perfectly side by side in front of the clothing bin.

Cubby #3 holds my art supplies and my first aid box.

One half-sized bin holds all my watercolor supplies.

One holds all of my first aid supplies along with a few other items

that haven't found a home, 

like my wind up radio and wind up flashlight.

Sitting sideways is a box that holds my acrylic paints.

One of the boxes, you'll notice, does not have a lid. 

There wasn't enough space to get it in with the lid,

but it sits so close to the bottom of the bed,

that it really doesn't need a lid.

All my acrylics fit nicely in this snap-lock box I picked up at Joann's.

Behind the acrylics are two small wooden boxes.
One holds my ritual supplies, like incense, charcoal, censor, etc.
One holds my tarot cards.
The backside of my kitchen is my headboard.
On the left of my headboard, I hung part of a shoe holder.
It keeps my carbon monoxide detector right next to my head.
It also holds things I use every day,
or may need quickly,
like toilet paper, nose spray, ibuprofen and Gaviscon.

Beneath that you see my purple shower bag,

and under it is my small propane tank that I use for my Buddy Heater,
when I need it.

To the passenger side of my bed I put a small container

that holds my night lights.

These are simply solar lights that you stick out in your yard.

I got them at Walmart, 10 for $10.

To use them as night lights, you simply unscrew them

from the pointy sticks.

I turn them upside down and charge them each day.

They burn for a couple of hours.

Under the night lights is a little bin that holds my scissors

needles, and other sharp things.

I decided to bring my guitar with me again this winter.

During the day when I'm driving or hanging out, 

it lives on the bed.

I keep my solar panel and yoga mat on the driver side of my bed.

They fit nicely between the sliding door and the bed.

Under the passenger seat, I keep a few books and files,

along with my yoga strap and level and house slippers.

The passenger seat in my van is turned around facing the rear.

So "behind" it I keep my extra battery

and a bucket I use to do laundry.

I keep my dirty clothes in the bucket until it is full,

and then either go to a laundromat or

wash them in the bucket

with my plunger washing machine (see previous post).

You can see my buddy heater in this photo.

It lives beween the two front seats when I'm not using it.

I don't usually keep ice,

but I keep an ice chest for extra food storage,

like salads, eggs, and yogurt.

It lives on top of the battery until I'm parked,

at which point I take it out and keep it in the shade.

In the back of the van is my kitchen. 

There is an entire blog post on that with photos if you're interested.

Last, I paid $49 for Eclipse shades for the front window.

These are made specifically for your van and I am in love with them.

They save me from having to deal with those stupid sunshades 

you have to fold up and figure out a home for. 

They were simple to install.

My cousin has had them in their car for 7 years and she suggested them.

They just pull closed and fasten with super strong velcro.

When you open them, they are hardly noticeable.

Here are some photos from the website:

Easy to open and close.

From the inside.

From the outside

From the inside when open, hardly noticeable

Well, I guess that's it.

All my extras are kept in the Thule cartop carrier up top; tent, archause, chair, levelers, washing machine, shade tent, extra table, tools, bungies.

Please feel free to add comments or questions.

Happy Trails!

Annie

Curtains Round 1

Only 6 days until I leave for the California desert 

in my van.

I've been sleeping in my van, 

in my driveway, 

every night, 

and each night has been better than the night before. I'm amazed what a good night's sleep I get!

If you are planning on van-dwelling, 

I strongly suggest you sleep at least a week 

in your own driveway, if possible.  

You learn a lot of things 

that are much easily corrected 

when you have tools at your disposal. 

You learn what works and what does not work.  

You also learn what you DO and DO NOT need.

Here is an update 

on some of the things I've changed 

in the past few days:

1) Reflectix.  I've read several blogs that say reflectix does not help with cold. I disagree. Last night I tried sleeping with only the curtains up, and no reflectix in the window. I got up about 10 minutes later and put in the reflectix. It made a HUGE difference in the amount of cold air flowing down from the windows.

2) Covering the reflectix. The first time, I spray painted vinyl flat black onto some old reflectix window inserts I had made a few years ago for my Mercury Tracer. It flaked off continually and drove me nuts. My friend, however, says hers does not flake and I think it's because the reflectix I used was old and maybe had oils or whatever on it. Or maybe I got hold of an old can of vinyl spray.  

At any rate, I went to Joann's and bought some vinyl fabric in their drapery department. I got vinyl because it does not absorb water. I used no glue. I simply cut the vinyl to fit the reflectix ON ONE SIDE and used black duct tape to tape the edges.  Upon finishing, I wondered if maybe a person couldn't just use black duct tape and forget buying the vinyl?  The only difference is that tiny space between the reflectix and vinyl is dead air space and good insulation.   I didn't bother putting the tape on the backsides except for around the edges. I want to be able to put the silver side OUT during hot weather to reflect the sun 

(hence the name "reflectix.")

Here is what those inserts look like:

Note:  In the end, these did not work for me. They were WAY too heavy I ended up peeling it all off and now, almost 2 years later, just simply use reflectix. I don't have a need to be stealthy - so I just don't worry about it.

3) Curtains.

In addition to the reflectix inserts 

(which live under my mattress during the day), 

I made curtains. 

I bought a set of insulated curtains for $12 

at Goodwill and used my serger to cut them to size. For the two side windows where I sleep, 

I tried various ways of hanging them, 

none of which were comfortable. 

Finally, I went to the hardware store 

and told the guy my problem. 

He suggested I use crown molding hooks.

Crown molding is the molding that people hang around the top of their walls for decoration:

The hooks look like this:

They're also known as steel picture rail hooks.

I bought 3 packages and used 10 hooks 

(5 for each curtain).

When I began I simply sewed rings onto my curtains. 

I wanted to use regular plastic curtain rings 

but I could not find them 

without making a long drive back to Joann's.

So I bought 10 key ring hooks!

They worked great!

I sewed them on.

I began by putting the hooks in the ditch 

between the cloth headliner

and the plastic molded car body.

Then I simply hung the curtains on the hooks 

using the rings.

That worked fine the first night,

but it bugged me 

that the curtains would fall off the hooks

if I touched them wrong.

So last night, I took a pair of pliers

and I bent the hooks CLOSED onto the rings.

I also bent the hooks tighter on the end 

that inserts into the ditch.

Now, I just have to put them in and they stay.

In the morning, I take down the curtains and 

fold them up, rings, hooks, and all.

It's much more convenient.

I use a bungie cord 

across the bottom of the curtains on the bed side,

so the curtains don't touch me while I sleep.

I hung a bungie between the cab 

and the sleeping area,

using the hook in the ditch method again,

and strung a curtain onto it.

I can separate them and tuck them

into the backs of the seats when I'm driving 

Using the same method,

I hung a curtain across the back a few days ago,

but have discovered I do not need it.

Instead, I covered the back window 

with window film,

so nobody can see inside.

With my pillows stacked up at night,

it pretty much covers the back window.

If I DO want complete privacy,

I can still hang those curtains.

My Luci Lamp hangs from the handhold 

toward the back of the van,

where it also gets charged during the daylight hours.

4) Window Film

I took the darker stained glass film out of the passenger slide door window

and replaced it with the clear rainbow film.

It allows more daylight and I love it.

I put that same film in the back window:

I kept the darker stained glass in the window next to my bed:

5) Cab Windows

I bought reflectix and made covers 

for the driver and passenger window.

I bought a windshield sunshade for $10 

at the auto store.

It covers the entire windshield.

With that and the side windows covered, 

I have total privacy.

6) Lighting

I returned the fairy lights that didn't work,

bought a new brand,

and hung them.

I love them!

They give just enough light at night 

that I can undress and see my way around.

7)  Heat

My propane Buddy Heater works GREAT 

in that small space!

I only have to run it about 5 minutes 

to make the entire place toasty!

I ALWAYS crack the front windows 

when I run the heater.

8)  Carbon Monoxide

I bought a Carbon Monoxide detector/alarm

and mounted it near the floor.

9) Toilet

I've used the toilet the past week,

and learned that really,

all I need are double bags in the loo,

with a piece of paper toweling to collect

the liquids.

No need to take cat litter,

puppy pads,

or wood shavings.

I did buy some diaper pail bags

so I could double bag the loo remains

before disposing.

They have tight snap closures,

so should work pretty well.

10) Washing Clothes.

I bought a new washing machine.

I'll report back! 

11) Cooking.

The only thing I have NOT done in my van

is cook.

I do have both a propane and a butane stove,

but I'll save the cooking experimentation 

for when I get settled in the desert.

I've camped all my life, 

so I'm pretty sure I have taken what I need.

If not, Quartzsite is a camper's shopping paradise,

so I'm not too worried.

All in all, I'm very happy with my van!

Today I go pick up the Carfax 

so I have maintenance records,

and I pick up the registration.

Tomorrow, I will go through the kitchen at the back,

and rethink what I do and do not need to take.

I originally planned to use a car top carrier.

However, I got creative, and managed to store 

a folding table for cooking,

a folding table that sits next to my camp chair,

my camp chair,

and two poles for making a shade tarp

inside the van 

with hardly any noticeable loss of space.

I want to take a tent,

and most likely will put it

 in the passenger seat floorboard

while traveling. 

If necessary, I'll put an extra bin of groceries 

on the passenger seat.

And that should do it.

I just can't think of anything else.

Looking forward to being on the road again.

Love,

Annie

PS:  There have been some updates since writing this. Keep reading!