But I’ve downsized. Considerably.
Meet Bella:
Bella was difficult to acquire. I got her back in September 2020, after determining the pandemic supply chains were a bit more reliable for outfitting a truck than a van, and after realizing that, well, I don’t actually much like vans, anyway. Half of that turned out to be true. Maybe vans will grow on me and I’ll have to eat all my words.
I debated going to Idaho to pick her up, but after being reassured that “We don’t bother with all that pandemic stuff over here”, I opted for delivery. The truck truck driver showed up, sized me up, and immediately asked “What’s a little lady like you gonna do with a big truck like this?” Enough said.
The first step was acquiring some kind of canopy. After finding an awesome local company that would help me out, it looked like the wait would be only a couple of months. Try ten.
Meet Bella with a Super Pacific hat on:
You might think I’m being sarcastic, but Super Pacific actually is awesome. Great folks work there and they make a solid rooftop tent/canopy that so far seems to make a lot of people envious. They’ve also spent quite a few additional hours helping me modify the canopy. (But more on that later.) Supply chains really are just fucked. Emphasis on the present tense.
Because, you know, wishing and being tired doesn’t make the pandemic actually over.
Next stops: modifying the canopy, electrical, an awning adventure, and finally waving goodbye to Portland. Turns out moving to a place just before a global pandemic doesn’t suit.