Tag: Toyota dolphin

Goodbye Dolphin, Hello Sienna Van

Bye, bye Dolphin, hello Toyota Sienna. I kept loving the Dolphin and wishing it to be what I wanted it to be. But alas, a cylinder went and it needs an entire new engine. That’s when I faced reality! It’s been sold to a Toyota mechanic. In it’s place, I have a Toyota Sienna van.
The Sienna will be perfect for weekend camping trips. I’ll remove back seats, set up a bed, pack camping stove, all camping supplies (bear spray) and off we’ll go. The ability to be in solitude in nature is my saving grace.
Just so happens, I have a friend looking at Siennas for camping purposes. She has sent me links to some great companies that do conversions. ie:  Contravans
I probably won’t get all fancy, start small, put in a roof vent for sure. It’s always fun to look at websites and Youtube to see what can be done.

The Sienna was perfect for bringing a load of my stuff from Montana to Oregon. Will have to go back for one more load.

Happy Camper
Thanks for reading!

Someone to tell it to

Not headed out yet. The dolphin has problems, basically needs a new engine. I’ve been taking this news in stride. Now I know it’s time to say goodbye to her. I’m a member of a Dolphin group on Facebook. Someone on there is interested in buying her. He and I should be having a conversation today to discuss details and if that can be a reality. Plan B is to rent a U haul in order to move the rest of my stuff to Eugene. The bright side is that I have no time commitments, otherwise I would be much more rattled. I am tired though and look forward to being settled when that happens.
Today I’ve been listening to too much news, which makes for a heavy heart. Also,  my body seems to be recognizing that my daughter has a birthday a week from today. I’m only a block away from the house I brought her home to after her birth, where she took her first steps and celebrated her first birthday. I miss her.
The Sun magazine
“Someone to tell it to is one of the fundamental needs of human beings.”— Miles Franklin, Sunbeams, July 2020
So thanks for reading. Frances

No Rush

Well of course the Dolphin is in the shop, getting the oil pan replaced due to an oil leak. It’s old, I love it. Should get it this afternoon and then be good to go. Since this weekend is 4th of July (another holiday I don’t care for, many dogs and war veterans don’t love it either)  I’ll wait to start my journey back to Oregon next week. I plan to stock up on food, etc so the only stops I need to make are for gas and camping. It feels really important right now to social distance as much as possible. There are so many more people in Montana I’d love to see but socializing is just not a good idea.

The outdoors is undoubtably the best medicine for me. I do hope to take my time and enjoy it. There is no rush to get anywhere at this time.

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Good time to give blood, etc

Good time to donate blood.
Yesterday I donated blood. For a month, the Red Cross is testing for Covid-19 antibodies. It’s been a week, so for 3 more weeks they will do the test. I was told I should hear back in about 7-10 days. I also got a t-shirt and a $5 gift card to Amazon, woohoo. Of course, masks are required and sanitation is on going.
Montana is at it’s best in beauty right now. Perfect temperatures, wild flowers blooming and opportunities to be outside and not around people. With the Covid numbers on the rise, staying away from people and crowds will only serve us, along with mask wearing and washing hands.

Dolphin update: she has an oil leak. That will be taken care of next week. More money into her. Still determined to get her to Eugene and make decision on how far I will go on repairs. She will serve as my moving van. Of course, I have too much stuff. Several bins of old pictures and memorabilia. Not sure what I’m saving them for. Yesterday, I passed a fellow dolphinite. We waved as if we were long lost friends with a mutual love.

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Forgive

Sometimes, I fall asleep crying and wake up crying. I’ve come to accept that and move through it, knowing in another moment I won’t be.
I cry for missed opportunities, family gatherings, my grandchildren turning 6, hearing them call me Gaga, the comfort of family checking in on each other during a pandemic, sisters, nephews, daughter and grandchildren calling to wish me a happy 61st birthday, planning the next gathering, and laughing together.
For reasons, some of my own doing and some I’m not sure of, those opportunities have passed.
I do believe, if we all listened, really listened with the empathy to put ourselves in each other’s shoes, we could grow to understand and forgive. I believe there is a story to be told, one of love and redemption. Fear  is erased, holds on control and the need to be right are loosened, and hearts are opened.

But for today, I’m off to Black Lives Matter Rally in Missoula. Black Lives Matter Rally
Showing up to show support, listen and learn.

Side note: the dolphin is running good. I took it to have oil changed at Lube It. The guys there loved it. I love it when whoever is working on it, loves it. Taking it into RV shop on Wednesday to have a few things taken care of.  I love it and it needs so much work!

Quick check-in

Made it to Montana. Wendy picked me up at the airport. She and I picked up where we left off and then some.
Montana is so green right now. Can’t wait to get out and enjoy it.
Now to give the dolphin some attention and love. Just made an appointment to have her looked over at the RV place next Wednesday. Guess the receptionist thinks I’m a sweetheart, since she called me that numerous times.

Saw this event for Tuesday, June 16th with Stacey Abrams. I know I’d love to hear what she has to say.
Our Time is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America
Stacey Abrams, author event

Thinking ahead

Some of you know I have a Toyota Dolphin motorhome. I love it, it needs a lot of work. During downtime, youtube has been a source of entertainment. I came across this Renovated Toyota Dolphin 

Aubrey, who redid this Dolphin is living the life I’d love to live. And she has a dog. I found her on instagram, Adventures in huck phinn. She has put some miles on Huck Phinn. Presently, she is in Baja.

Little roamer , lives, travels and works in her dolphin. Her dolphin is the same layout as mine.

These two have got me dreaming about this lifestyle. It could be my tiny home for when I am not house/pet sitting. Kevin, here in Eugene, does restoration on campers. He did some work on Finny, my dolphin. We’ve chatted. Finny has dry rot and other issues. May not be worth the time and money to fix her up. Meantime, Finny and my stuff, are in Montana. Thinking I’ll at least use Finny to get my stuff to Eugene, then assess the situation.

This is once everything opens up a bit. Presently, travelers who arrive in Montana, must quarantine for 14 days.

Comments, suggestions are encouraged and welcome. Know anyone who does camper repair?

Happy camping!