Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast

292 No Cook Eating, Skoolieswarm 66, Antarctica, Analog Meters

What if you wanted to hit the road, but without the need to refrigerate, cook, or clean up? It's possible, and we'll talk about how. We'll also talk about analog vs. digital multimeters, introduce you to Skoolieswarm Route 66, visit Antarctica (again), and talk about different travel goals. 
THIS thing awaits you at SkoolieSwarm Route 66
Nellie’s No Cook Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbn24P6yiBI
 
NEWS
Costo Standalone Gas Stationhttps://www.jalopnik.com/2130578/costco-open-standalone-gas-station
Safer Than Everhttps://counciloncj.org/state-of-the-union-why-is-crime-going-down/
Leaded Gas Theoryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead%E2%80%93crime_hypothesis
 
PRODUCT REVIEW
Pocket Pillowhttps://amzn.to/4sKJLbf
 
A PLACE TO VISIT
Skoolie Palooza Route 66https://skoolieswarm.com/route-66/
 
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Antarcticahttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1TYfsYKQ3h5AuGL6qF-VqUv07ciLt-yxYUfiwOop6byw/edit?usp=sharing
 
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

291 Gas Price, Turbo Fan, Content Ethics, Rick Steves, WIndmills

President Gas is President Gas again. Kudos to you who got that reference, and I hate to break it to you: you're old. But in addition to gas prices, we'll talk about free audio tours, why windmills won't help you, and a new fan that is my constant companion. We also have a talk with Sherm about the ethics of making content.PRODUCT REVIEW
Turbo Fanhttps://amzn.to/4sB2GoW
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Rick Steves Audio tourshttps://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours
Sherm's Socials:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@greenmachine.77/ Sherm is recreating a masterpiece here, and it's very, very green.
InstaGram: https://www.instagram.com/greenmachine.77
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greenmachine.77
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1U2fSTHzeg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
 

Bonus! Three Folks Living YOUR Dream

This is a recording of a conversation I had with three vanlifers, all "living the dream," and all doing it differently. Recorded at VanFest: Lift Off 2026, Bruce, Jon and Nellie all have tips and stories from the road, involving, in no particular order:FatwoodBearsProstitutesPutting on pantsWhere to go nextand why you shouldn't drive at night in Mexico. To check out Nellie's business at The Sassy Olive, use this link:http://www.thesassyolive.online/nellieinacan and this code might be of some use: Nellie10

290 Solar Awnings, Pet Sitting, Saw All, RMSS, SMart Car

You could have an awning that provides shade. But since it's blocking the sun anyway, why can't it generate power too? We investigate. We also take a look at an interesting opportunity to sleep under a roof, review a saw that does it all, look at some space junk, and get up close and personal with some major infrastructure.
Alloy? Annoy.
 
NEWS
Jalopnik: Vanlife Isn’t Cheaphttps://www.jalopnik.com/2111425/van-life-costs/
TECH TALK
Commercial Chef 0.6 Cu. Ft. 700W CHM660Whttps://amzn.to/4upataK
Panasonic 1.2 cu. ft. Inverter Microwave 1250W - NN-SN68QB (Renewed)https://amzn.to/3N9U9Kf
PRODUCT REVIEW
WORX Cordless Reciprocating Saw & Jigsaw, Battery and Charger Included, PowerSharehttps://amzn.to/47Eihvj
 
A PLACE TO VISIT
Rocky Mountain Star Starehttps://rmss.org
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Trusted Pet Sittershttps://www.trustedhousesitters.com/
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

289 An interview with RV Tech Sherm of the The Green Machine

Something special this week, an hour-long interview with Sherm, a fellow vanlifer who masquerades as an RV Tech during the day. We chat about a variety of topics, including the difference between an RV and a campervan, mice, greasy leather seats, the most essential tool, different oil leaks, and how to find someone to work on your rig. 
If you'd like more of Sherm, you're in luck: he'll be joining us on a future episode for a very different topic, but in the meantime, you can find him below:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@greenmachine.77/ Sherm is recreating a masterpiece here, and it's very, very green.
InstaGram: https://www.instagram.com/greenmachine.77
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greenmachine.77
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1U2fSTHzeg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
 
 

288 Which Vanlifer are You, Diesel Tank, Solar Panel Voltage, Bishops Castle

If you need help, do you ask for it? Or do you help yourself? Can you do both? We'll explore. We'll also take a trip to Bishops Castle, explore diesel heater tanks, find water everywhere, and hear a tale about an old friend
A tour of a 1977 Chinook, very similar to mine.
 
NEWS
Rocky Mountain Star Star (RMSS) June 10-14, 2026 in Gardner, COhttps://www.rmss.org
DEF Delete?https://www.truckinginfo.com/news/justice-department-pulls-back-on-criminal-prosecution-of-diesel-emissions-delete
PRODUCT REVIEW
Vevor 400 watt portable panels (They seem to be out of stock!)200 watt version: https://amzn.to/4seL6GP
A PLACE TO VISIT
Bishop's Castlehttps://www.bishopscastle.com
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

Bonus Again! A VanFest Conversation

Hello folks - I'm going to release all the VanFest content as "Bonus" episodes, which just means it doesn't follow the normal format. I've a few more interview episodes that will air in the coming weeks, and your feedback is always welcome! In this episode, I have a chat with three women who are all living on the road in their own way, and have different perspectives on why they're out there, and how solo vanlife meshes with gatherings like Vanfest.Links:
VanFestUSAhttps://www.vanfestusa.com
Skoolie Swarmhttps://www.skoolieswarm.com 
QueenKee Books by Lakeesha Martin: https://amzn.to/4rhRjl7IG: MakingQueenMoves

Bonus! Vanfest, and what to do when everything goes wrong.

Hello! Just a big long story this week as I recover from "things" that have been happening these past couple of weeks. 
 
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like "van."
Vanfesthttps://www.vanfestusa.com