Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast

174 The BEST Van, Secret Compact Van, Bacon!, SPAM Museum, Roller Paint Your Van

This podcast is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VN8zFEPBrv4
This week, we're going to look at what vans you can buy new, and which one is the best! It turns out, it's a different answer depending on what you want. We'll also review pre-cooked bacon, visit SPAM, and learn about painting your van with a roller.
FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram
If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit ButMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo
A little moment of vanlife. 
 
Comparison of Vans
I found this blog post helpful.
https://flatlinevanco.com/blogs/news/sprinter-vs-transit-vs-promaster-van
A Place to Visit
It's a museum. For SPAM. You should go.
https://www.spam.com/museum
Resource Recommendation
You can paint your van with a paint roller. Really.
https://axleaddict.com/trucks-vans/Roller-painting-your-van
Product Review
It's bacon. Easy bacon. Good bacon.
https://amzn.to/44ZM3am 
Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

BONUS! AMA about a whole bunch of things

This podcast is also available on YouTube: https://studio.youtube.com/video/T3c_cjJ27AM
This AMA is two hours of me yapping about upcoming trips, with LOTS of stories and other bits and pieces. 
FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram
If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit ButMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo
Panama Canal 2023
Details for our trip leaving Nov 7, 2023.
https://www.collegeofcuriosity.com/canal
Antarctica 2025
This is probably the trip we're going to do in 2025. The link is to Royal Caribbean's listing. Do not book without talking to me!
https://www.celebritycruises.com/itinerary-details/14-night-antarctica-from-buenos-aires-argentina?packageID=EQ14F111&sDT=2025-02-01&cCD=CO
Salem 2024
Still planning this one - no links to show.
Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

173 Beat the HEAT, Rock Wool is OK, Folding Brackets, Hannah Dustin, PRONOUNCIATION

This podcast is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zr3vfS8hCkc
For must of us, Air Conditioning is not an option. So let's look at what ELSE we can do. We'll also review a nice little folding shelf bracket, visit a controversial spot, and you'll find out why I pronounce it "tour" and "composting." 
FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)
Hannah Duston (Dustin) collects her pay
If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit ButMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo
Staying Cool
How to travel the US and stay at 70ºF
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-30/mapping-a-road-trip-with-the-perfect-70-degree-weather
Big Rob reviews a "miracle" portable Air Conditioner (and a decent fan.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rid-JnVOwvI&t=633s
Product Review - Folding Bracket
Horizontal space is huge, and this thing helps a lot.  
https://amzn.to/3rD3xe0
A Place to Visit - Hannah Duston Statue
Read up on the story before you go. And if it seems simple, read a different one. 
https://www.nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/hannah-duston-memorial-historic-site
Resource Recommendation - Stuck 4x4 Sprinter
4x4 Sprinters are STILL VANS. If you want to rock crawl, find another ride. Matt's Off Road Recovery shows why. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLVae7-N_Vs&t=306s=
Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

172 Keeping Tidy, AC vs. DC Switches, Road Gator Attack, Don’t Go Here

This podcast is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BSYrW1SYCPI
Vans are small, so why is it so hard to keep them clean? We have some tips. We'll also review a miraculous laptop case/cover, visit a burning highway (and tell you why you can't), and make Alexa cook dinner. Sorta. 
FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)
Pagurus at the stand pipe that inspired the book "It.". 
If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit ButMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo
Product Review - Finite Computer Cover
PROVEN to protect you computer. Thankfully. 
https://amzn.to/46J5yFH
Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

171 Killing Our Parks, Gas One Dual Fuel Stove, Building With Foam, Classic Cars

I'm not saying DON'T visit a national park, but maybe help with the crowds a bit? Here are some ideas. We'll also take a look at the Gas One Dual Fuel portable stove, visit some classic cars in Maine, discuss how you can build your rig out of foam panels, and we'll have an awkward moment with a famous magician.   
FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)
 
Photo by Sheila Dee. Adam Savage, Hal Bidlack and myself presenting a Mythbusters Prop (A piece of Lead Balloon). 
 
Product Review - Gas One Dual Fuel Stove
I love this thing. Flexible, reliable and inexpensive. An essential piece of kit
https://amzn.to/44dw9sH
A Place to Visit - Motorland America
A classic car dealer with an amazing collection of classic cars that you can visit.  
https://www.mainecarmuseum.com/
Resource Recommendation - NØMAD Builds with Foam
If you haven't thought about building the bones of your rig with foam panels, have a look at this channel. The dude makes a lot of good points!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWkTqKjxKNg
Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

170 The Case AGAINST Travel, TPMS, Crestone Colorado, Angry Argentine Women

A cocktail and a bone to pick with an article AGAINST travel, and then we discuss the pitfalls of your TPMS system, not one but TWO angry Argentines and an incredibly in-depth look at cyclopentane compressor refrigerators.  
FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)
 
Walking to Crestone Crater 
The Case Against Travel by Agnes by Agnes Callard
From the New Yorker Magazine: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/the-case-against-travel
A Place to Visit - Crestone Colorado
A "new spiritual center" in the land of Mexican Land Grants in central Colorado. A good place to leave the rest of the world behind. 
https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/crestone
Resource Recommendation - This goofy fridge has a really clever design. It's also kinda terrible.
Alec from Technology Connections spends a good long time exploring the depths of a refrigerator that's exactly the same as the one that's probably in your van. Lots to learn!  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PTjPzw9VhY
Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

169 Lessons from Starry Meadows, Battery Electric Blanket, A Flower, Rocky Mountain Star Stare

I've returned from the Rocky Mountain Star Stare and a shake-down of the rig. Lots of stuff to share, including the revelation that you can have an electric blanket ANYWHERE, and lots of tips and tricks for making things just a little bit better.  
FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)
 
Saved! 
Lessons from Starry Meadows
12v Electric Blanket
Washable, and a good performer. Not full size, but none of them are. Cover with a traditional blanket. 
https://amzn.to/3pdpOOV
Product Review - WeBoost Drive Sleek
This is the cheapest of the cellphone repeaters, but for $169 (refurbished), it works really well for ONE device. 
https://amzn.to/3ph2tvD
A Place to Visit - Rocky Mountain Star Stare
Arguably the best star party in the US. This year is over, but there's always next year!
https://rmss.org/
Resource Recommendation - Foresty Forest: Is This the Secret to Longterm Vanlife?
He's Foresty Forest. He lives in a van. And this video is a must-watch for anyone considering full-timing. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eflGslo_LpM
Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

168 10 Places to Hide Things, Li Jump Starts, Stacked Rocks, Chromebooks

This week, we wade into the troubled waters of recycling, and you may not like the conclusion. We'll also review an amazing portable fan, visit a mule, and go ghost hunting. 
This episode will also be a YouTube video
FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)
 
And it hasn't left since. 
Hiding Things
Can Safes: https://amzn.to/45Oeqtf
Some other hidey holes: https://amzn.to/3MSrp4o
Product Review - Chromebooks
In some ways, they're perfect for vanlife - for some folks.
https://amzn.to/3qvBNYo
A Place to Visit - "Shanghai Tunnels" in Portland, OR
The story isn't actually true, but it's still interesting
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/shanghai_tunnels_myth/
Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.