January-April 2024 Build

January-April 2024

On January 1, 2024, Josh, Lucky, and I relocated to a short term rental in Bellingham, WA.  It was a small three bedroom, two bathroom house but the most appealing aspects were the fenced yards and the single car garage.  The owner didn't mind that we were going to finish building our van and needed designated space to do so. 

Over the course of four months we kept our noses to the grindstone and finished many of the features of the van. They included, but aren't limited to: 

• Painting and securing the upper cabinets in the rear of the van

• Installing our shower and composting toilet

• Completing the kitchen galley with pull-out drawers, Ruvati sink, Kraus faucet, water purifier, and backsplash

• Plumbing the shower and kitchen sink 

• Tons of electrical work for outlets and lighting 

• Installing security cameras inside and outside 

• 3D printing "pocket hole" cubbies for a narrow side panel between the pantry and shower 

• Measuring and cutting ceiling panels to size

• Trimming ceiling lattice to size, then applying polyurethane and stain to the lattice, and then gluing the lattice to the ceiling panel templates 

• Cutting and painting 1/2" wood to create a spice rack in the galley, then installing dowels in the cubbies of the rack 

• And much, much more

The evening of Tuesday, April 30th we pulled out of our rental house in Bellingham and headed to Bay View State Park. This was the start of our new mobile life!