We Do Like a Challenge!

Don't worry we haven't forgotten about you all!! We've been a bit busy! We'll get into the habit and flow of writing once we're on the road. Promise!

We've been getting lots of questions lately. The questions we've been asked the most during this project is "How do you guys know how to do all this?" and "Where did you learn to do all that?" The answer isn't a simple one, but isn't isn't difficult either...

Trying something NEW! taking a silversmithing class in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia - Dec, 2011

Steering Soren Larsen into a safe anchorage... with my feets.
Vanuatu 2011

As for myself, I was lucky enough to be raised by parents who let me "help" during those home improvement projects. Whether it was helping to paint or hang blinds or using a hammer while building a new deck, I was able to learn to use simple tools and to question things when I wanted to know how things worked. I was then fortunate enough to get into  sailing on Tall Ships where everything is done by hand and tradition is held in very high regards. Most things I accomplished while sailing was really just trial and error and then practice under the guidance of some very knowledgable Captains and Mates. (I'll never forget the day that Captain Moreland came over from the Picton Castle and a) knew my name and b) complimented me on my seizing after tuning the rig. I was terrified!!)

Geoff at the helm of Picton Castle as the pass Gibraltar
and enter the Mediterranean at dawn. - 2008

Geoff was one of those kids who took everything apart to see how they worked. And from my understanding, sometimes wasn't able to put them back together... He went on to graduate as a Mechanical Engineer from WSU and is infinitely better at maths and physics than I can ever hope to be. Geoff then traded in his job at Boeing (the first time 'round) for the high seas and he too took up Tall Ship sailing. He learned a lot about maintenance but ended up taking to the engine room where he learned about every possible system onboard. Electrical and power supplies, plumbing and water making, diesel engines and drive shafts, generators and steering systems, to name a few.

Learning how to stitch sails aboard Bluenose II.
I've since become quite good at stitching sails by hand.
-Somewhere in the Gulf of Maine 2009

Now that we're home owners, and boat owners, we've applied the confidence and knowledge we obtained through sailing into our home and sailboat. Luckily in the age of the internet you can find "How To" videos and instructions on just about anything. Like how to cut tiles or how to build a chalkboard wall... or how to turn a van into a camper.

The biggest obstacle is fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of fucking up.

But once you get over that you can do pretty much anything. Like learn how to install solar panels or install a ceiling vent. (both of which require you to cut holes in the roof of your perfectly non leaking van... which is really, REALLY scary by the way) Go on! Try something new!!

Geoff in his engine room aboard the
cargo ship KWAI. Check out that beard!!
- South Pacific 2010

We've both learned some new skills so far in this crazy endeavor. I've learned to install insulation and put in floors, walls and ceilings! I've become far more confident in my measuring and sawing skills.   -Side-note: I still think the Metric system is WAAYYYYY easier. This whole 5/8th of an inch crap is bullshit. Seriously America WTF?! -   And I've become far more proficient with a drill and impact driver (aka: a fancy cordless screwdriver) Geoff even let me play with his grinder today (get your minds out of the gutter!!)  Meanwhile, Geoff perfected his soldering skills while wiring up our new radio and is learning everything you could want to know about solar power and electrical systems. His engineering background is coming in extremely handy while designing the layout to maximize the useable space we have while still be comfy and to our tastes. It's like a weird game of Tetris but we have to build it all.

Our Wedding - Port Ludlow, WA, USA - July 2013
Photo by Capturing Life Photography

This has also been a great test of our relationship and so far we've done really well. We help each other, teach each other, we've both had great ideas on how to accomplish things and we actually problem solve together. We've adjusted our plans and dreams of what we thought some things should be to work and fit better with the overall space. We've added in some new elements and taken out some as well. So far it's been mostly fun! There have been a few frustrating moments but being able to see the progress and knowing what our goal and outcome is has made the whole thing really rewarding.

Our Wedding - Port Ludlow, WA, USA - July 2013
Photo by Capturing Life Photography
(See we DO love each other!)

So! With all that said. What the hell is going on!?! We're currently running about a week behind where we want to be. And where is that? Well... gone.

We're still in the building stages. Set back by unexpected visits from family, long days at work and school, celebrating birthdays and probably being way too overly ambitious. All of which were really amazing reasons to be behind in our project so we're perfectly happy with that! We've made a lot of progress since I've finished up at work and Geoff has finished up with school. Now that we have full days to work with and sunlight from 5:00am (who are we kidding I don't get out of bed till like 9am... sometimes 10am) to 9:30pm we are able to start and finish a lot of the more intense projects all in the same day. We're hoping to leave early next week which is about 5 days later than we had hoped but that's just fine.

What? Ohhhh you were expecting some pictures of the van? That's weird. Sorry no pictures till we're done! But since you've all been so patient I'll give you two pictures. One of the outside and one of the inside when it was a blank slate. This way you can see what we started with. It's not much to look at but she's got good bones. Kinda curvy bones... but good none the less. Now, try to imagine the two of us living in here with a Queen size bed, all our stuff and a kitchen and NOT killing each other while enjoying the road and all this cast country has to offer! 

Till next time: Fair winds my friends!

Marsha (and Geoff)

Look at this majestic steed!! Would ya look at that?! Just look at it!!!

And this. is her insides. Slightly scary. But she's got good bones.
Kinda curvy bones... but good none the less.
Now; can you imagine the two of us living in here with a Queen size bed, all our stuff and a kitchen???