tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37737428899476166172024-02-19T02:34:46.372-08:00The Barter VanTrading art and skills across the continentAngela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-87125070090887776122016-03-05T06:37:00.002-08:002016-03-05T06:37:15.652-08:00Welcome back!<h2>
New adventure and new blog.</h2>
We're back! I'm getting ready to launch a new blog which will talk about my next adventure living and working in a campground, amoungst other things. My relentless drive to find a way to live in my Boler full-time has lead me to the decision to sell everything AGAIN, quit my jobs AGAIN and take a leap into the unknown, AGAIN. If you want to join me and read about what it's like to be a "workamper", live in a 13 foot camper, and the pursuit of a life living on the road full time, follow the link to my new blog, "Retro Ramblin'". I sure will enjoy the company!<br />
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<a href="http://www.retroramblin.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Retro Ramblin' blog</a></h4>
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<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-87598950509168674052013-11-10T10:56:00.000-08:002013-11-10T10:56:54.615-08:00TO BE CONTINUED.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_qYrAxzbWm8lbJ69eKqg1vN-nRGk_pxvkUTMkDcJ0dEuYdjf7HSmAJdDIbWj7b_ngzwhJsWaDWFAqIPE0unHgnLKkw3qvhdCBLcKkOAi9J4rhWtGAChbEvXHggzUaFZb5s_OiS5SD9tT/s1600/Angela+and+Okie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_qYrAxzbWm8lbJ69eKqg1vN-nRGk_pxvkUTMkDcJ0dEuYdjf7HSmAJdDIbWj7b_ngzwhJsWaDWFAqIPE0unHgnLKkw3qvhdCBLcKkOAi9J4rhWtGAChbEvXHggzUaFZb5s_OiS5SD9tT/s320/Angela+and+Okie2.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
In order to avoid this blog becoming MORE of an online diary, I am going to retire it for the winter, along with the Boler. I still have plans to get back on the road in the spring/summer; destination Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah. In the meantime I am working my two jobs and focusing on paying off bills before I get down to saving. There may also be another show, or at least some new pieces, in the future. However, none of this makes for anything post-worthy so I think it's best to sign off now and come back when I've got myself and my trailer together and am ready to start the next road trip.<br />
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Okie & I are in Nova Scotia until further notice.....Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-81295557862251637742013-10-14T09:37:00.000-07:002013-10-14T09:37:21.136-07:00 Renovation compilations<br />
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The Boler is now at a stage where I can take my time and pick away at the interior renos. The exterior is almost completely done with just the wiring to redo. I don't have to work at such a frenzied pace now that it is sealed up for the winter. No more covering it with a tarp every time it rains!<br />
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Going through the photos I've taken along the way shows just how much work I have put into this thing and I thought it would be interesting to put together some montages; partly for myself and partly as a record of what's been done so, if/when I decide to sell it, the potential buyer can actually see for themselves what's been done. <br />
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It took me the better part of a month to sand off the 7 layers of paint coating the exterior. Everything was removed from the shell, and I mean EVERYTHING. Once it was sanded the shell was lifted off the frame which was then sandblasted, re-welded, undercoated and shell put back on. All the holes, cracks and damaged spots were then filled, sanded, filled and sanded again in preparation for painting. This includes a large area under the back window where I found a large crack after all the sanding. My guess is there was an accident at some point where the spare tire was hit and caused the bracket to smash in the back. That happened somewhere between layer 5 and 7 of the previous painters.Once the whole shell was painted white it was given a new life!<br />
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Once I had the door off and started sanding it I noticed some problems there as well. Fist, there was a large hole under a piece of old hardware on the front of the door. It had been filled in by a previous owner and at some point that patchwork gave away. Second, when I removed the window I found a crack in the interior of the door which I would have to re-fiberglass; something I was very intimidated to do. Fortunately both the hole and crack worked out well and I think you'd be hard-pressed to find the old damage now. I did away with the old hinges and bought new ones from Scamp trailers. The door still has some fitting problems but I know this is a very common thing with these trailers.<br />
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All the hardware on the outside of the trailer looked like they were aluminum but were actually also painted with 5-7 layers of paint. I went through a lot of paint remover and SOS pads to get them back to original. The vents are a bit pitted but I would rather that then peeling paint. The Boler logo, although also pitted, shines like new.</div>
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The two end plexi windows were replaced by brand new cut sheets of Lexan and installed with new rubber seals. Once again I was nervous to remove these but they come out easiest of all. Getting them back in would have been a frustrating task but luckily the guy who cut the new windows offered to come install them for me. Some things are better left to the professionals.<br />
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I don't have the money to replace the windows so I worked to restore
the original ones as best as possible. The two side windows, small one over the stove
and lever window in the door were all taken apart, stripped of paint
and scrubbed clean of dirt and mold. Many of the screws holding them
together had to be pried or drilled out and new screws sourced to
replace the old ones. The two side ones received new window cranks and
all of them brand new screens. They are so shiny and beautiful now. <br />
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So, now I have the inside to get to. The cabinetry will need to be painted, cupboard and closet doors made, floors done, back splash put up and shelves built. The inside walls have already been scrubbed down twice with TSP, once with bleach and painted with two coats of primer and one coat of mold and mildew paint. That alone made a HUGE difference.<br />
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Stay tuned.......Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-48913967473978950142013-09-24T16:41:00.005-07:002013-09-24T16:41:54.682-07:00Missed & Gained Opportunities.I can't tell you how many times I've opened my blog and watched the cursor blinking impatiently, head empty, intending to type something...anything. I wish I had of sooner. About two weeks ago, since returning to Atlantic Newsstand as a second job, I spoke with a customer who asked if I had bought a towing vehicle yet. He checks out my blog every now and again and I hadn't made an update in over a month he said. I told him I had finally purchased a Ford Escape after months and months of searching. His reply, "Ok good, well I have the same vehicle and I was going to offer to trade you for some of your artwork". Whaaaat?!! What an amazing and incredibly flattering offer!! I missed out on this opportunity but as one door closes more open, as they say.<br />
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Around the same time the owner of <a href="http://argylefineart.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Argyle Fine Art</a>, where I am represented, introduced me to Timeraiser and suggested I enter some work to the jury. If you aren't familiar with Timeraiser, as I wasn't, it is a "volunteer matching fair, a silent art auction, and a
night out on the town. The big Timeraiser twist is rather than bidding money
on artwork, participants bid volunteer hours". My work was accepted and I am extremely excited to be part of this. I have been thinking for a long time about how I can give back while still pursuing my art. This is an interesting event because their goal is to raise volunteer hours while supporting artists by purchasing the pieces directly from them. Take a minute to watch their video explaining how it all works.... then go buy a ticket for $10 and attend the event at 1055 Marginal Road on the evening of October 10th.<br />
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I am also excited to be part of another Halifax event, East Coast Living's <a href="http://eastcoastliving.ca/dinebydesign/" target="_blank">Dine by Design. </a>This is what East Coast Living has to say about it;<em> </em><span style="font-weight: normal;"><em></em>” a
dazzling event showcasing design luminaries and culinary giants from
Halifax in a spectacular feast for the senses." Each designer is given a 10x10 foot space to create a dining room and the chef they are paired with will create a menu inspired by the room. Where do I fit in this? Argyle Fine Art has a space in the upstairs of the Olympic Centre where they can showcase some work. Once again, I was asked if I would like to take part and display my Roadside America images, created for an exhibition this past April. Of course I jumped at the chance to reach a new audience. As it happens, three out of the four pieces left from that show sold in the last week so I got down to work and finished three new pieces I had been slowly working on. Here's a sneak peak at one.</span><br />
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So, all in all, I have been keeping very busy. Every waking minute not working for someone else is spent either renovating the Boler or making art. Can't complain. I will post next the progress with the trailer. You won't believe how different it looks now that it's been painted and mostly put back together...I can hardly believe it myself!<br /><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-79442158530895456752013-07-21T19:12:00.002-07:002013-07-21T19:13:25.748-07:00Boler updateIt's been so long since I've been on my blog I thought I should update the Boler progress. The list of things to do is long so I will spare you the details. Instead I have compiled some images I've been taking along the way. I will get a post together soon that talks more about what I've been doing, including thoughts and plans about the future.<br />
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Until then, here's this!<br />
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<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-5194667940607365022013-06-29T13:40:00.001-07:002013-06-29T13:40:28.662-07:00Lost perspective<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyYH2HQ9XWt2l5QB8uj3G6bCuEyattsfCYwHsYSeIy67A_qTzEUOqirZGtvV2hsKCvXNRaBClbJ05Y7dZNKdo_GimBDCYl8ZWxEwvauGpIzvS2q8j_ZOxoki5Iv7nan1dpNncPDNG5IP3/s1600/keep-calm-and-put-things-in-perspective.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyYH2HQ9XWt2l5QB8uj3G6bCuEyattsfCYwHsYSeIy67A_qTzEUOqirZGtvV2hsKCvXNRaBClbJ05Y7dZNKdo_GimBDCYl8ZWxEwvauGpIzvS2q8j_ZOxoki5Iv7nan1dpNncPDNG5IP3/s320/keep-calm-and-put-things-in-perspective.png" width="274" /></a><br />
If I wasn't a person who preaches about keeping things in perspective I wouldn't feel so humble right now. I have lost my own perspective.<br />
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Over the past couple of weeks, looking for a tow vehicle, I had become a little self-absorbed in this "problem", losing focus on the big picture and forgetting to enjoy the journey<b> <i>I</i></b> have<i> <b>chosen</b></i>. While being out on my road trip, and for months after returning, I had what I would consider a good outlook, a lot of gumption and an overall feeling I could conquer the world. People even commented on how my energy had changed; they could see my happiness written all over my face. This was the biggest compliment and accomplishment I had made; Inner <i>and</i> outer contentedness.<br />
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Where did that go? Yesterday, thinking while sanding, I came to some conclusions. I'm a little ashamed of how worked up I was getting over something I would consider a privileged persons problem. I often say, probably to some people's annoyance, that anything above food, shelter and clean drinking water is a privilege and here I am tying myself in knots about what kind of vehicle I need to tow my camper, another privileged item. It would seem I have not been taking my own advice. Yes, I'm allowed to have bad days. I allow myself one, then I must stand up, disband the pity party and get on with it! After all, I have chosen this path and I can change it when I want and go another way. I have this privilege. <br />
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<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-80310186081671353172013-06-24T18:23:00.004-07:002013-06-24T18:23:54.853-07:00Keep on keepin' on.I follow a blog called the Art of Non-Conformity and one of the latest posts, <a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/worth-it-all/?awt_l=C8lRQ&awt_m=Jj0N.S5L4snt7W" target="_blank">'worth it all'</a>, has me thinking. Judging from the comments after the post it would seem I'm not the only one with doubts. Author Chris Guillebeau writes about the internal struggle some of us have when we pursue a life that is out of the 'norm'. Is it worth going against the tide to achieve my goals? Do I really want to be out there, living on the road, more than anything else? The answer is always a resounding yes. Even on the bad, self-doubting days I'm still more scared to stay put than to follow my dreams.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXKoYiG2IiFYwd-D19eSWNWh_5kB_uOWbXSu2Tgbm4IcR2nKvWlRcRMcfHXCr3CImP8tn1eqknplBqYDISuPoA6KGG1jdXzavvb8Li6R6zfbuMO3ab0TOpE9Taupap4qmcz27RvCoqcUf/s1600/keep-on-keepin-on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXKoYiG2IiFYwd-D19eSWNWh_5kB_uOWbXSu2Tgbm4IcR2nKvWlRcRMcfHXCr3CImP8tn1eqknplBqYDISuPoA6KGG1jdXzavvb8Li6R6zfbuMO3ab0TOpE9Taupap4qmcz27RvCoqcUf/s320/keep-on-keepin-on.jpg" width="320" /></a>Some days I wonder what I've gotten myself into. I've invested too much money in a trailer, don't have a car to pull it, nor do I have the funds to travel. I am a 38 year old with no equity and no retirement savings. I guess I don't plan that far ahead, although I'm told it's wise to. What if I don't get to retirement age? Where's the guarantee that if I work a 9-5, Monday to Friday and save for travel after retirement that I'll actually make it there? There isn't one. I remember a story I was told of a man who worked every winter, saved, and spent every summer traveling. People thought he was nuts for wasting all his money and not planning for retirement. He died in his 60's; before retiring. He spent almost half of every year doing what he wanted and not waiting till later. I know this is just one story but I hang onto it. I think a lot of us put things off till "later" and they never happen. <br />
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So, as my van becomes un-driveable, my camper renos become more overwhelming and the search for an affordable towing vehicle disheartening I keep my chin up and keep on plowing along. Because the alternative is to give up my dreams and I'm sure not ready to do that any time soon. I made it happen once and I can do it again dammit!<br />
<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-79353637988452236342013-06-03T18:40:00.001-07:002013-06-03T18:42:13.911-07:00Sanding….wait, what is that?!I’m finally at the sanding stage of my Boler renovations!<br />
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I started by scraping all the loose chips off and I was happy to be able to get my scraper <i>way</i> under the layers of paint really easily. For once I was glad the people before me half-assed something. The layers and layers of paint on one side weren’t adhered at all and came off in big pieces. I thought I would be able to scrape the whole trailer and not have to sand off seven layers of paint. Not so. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdGsX-afaqbY68GF-M7KyXKX75bo7s9W3prNehfJhBi28Fj44cl25N7aaia4gOULG-tAGOvLxp7WFvFksfNHCC6q-Djvlkhmm6JTtwx5LHajAqtE8gbp2B2oHDN1CT3mPJ1TqO3fO46VV/s1600-h/paint%252520chips%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="paint chips" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf5ij2Q5PGziMGy3xp5xkC-egEIwHi2QASB6ueT06BUQPcmFX4qehrFrlUDJwx5pUvwd-KPSwwy6IDVAl5a_u8EpiYirD8lEBdRbkjPTpd3ozAbJwWhK1KukhWysEq9KDYWiNgIUh_Hsk/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="paint chips" width="161" /></a><br />
Working towards the back I came to a spot that was thick and definitely stuck to the body. Once I brought the sander to it I saw why; the back end had been smashed and repaired with some kind of filler. I have left it for now and will attend to it later.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiBRnRIpmOtHV_Rv1hO7gRuzkjtGIL4fH_YutroNXCt_cozhc2EgBYvIRni5TV54eMBWv7KwNmqxmlIXF-y2tuKlhkZD7pYwJsY0fuEfsB_enk-pQF78HvqN4Z9N0EcpBOhRqfuXXaJMf/s1600-h/damage%252520filler%252520closeup%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="damage filler closeup" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHmx-rDPVixakxVRiJAhc9k05osodZe0KSxmd-FeK_i4k9WFp5hFLZBIORy9b9AF0VZt2i_4rVOBnnjpPDKjZIKYICBtZjsjF9aWM9z9QltAA6C-wmbI2YC72GBvvJU6MICrShQplnheV/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="damage filler closeup" width="240" /></a><br />
I am a perfectionist, as I’ve said before, and want to get all the layers off in order to get the best paint job possible. A friend of a friend has offered to take it to his work and paint it professionally and even though he said I just need to scuff it up I can’t help but sand it down to the original gel coat. It’s a lot of work, and wear on the body, but once I switched from 100 grit to 60 and 80 grit for the first few layers it made a world of difference.<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="20" style="width: 400px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1LRnQ2gU5JQwL-wBa3DWVVN9iLn8APoyAg52tDeQy3h-Whyphenhyphenkf_lqDnMksUNeQXo7baJLi8iqRGLVbJCdhQpmiekoYRnhEH2M-dPbBx7-Ks3CNaRM0KwoxE1mnTDFEicmzCrdPKEtnLMk/s1600-h/bottom%252520colors%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="bottom colors" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0JTKuBDbXSzp-3rIS3FXd86cE6JXsn5OWpPvta50-mngxU4zHXO9WykIOx9n1a9U_ijqeCBazFEh8kwQRIF2SxCfFKiA7cFvjuwXkhu6UycytAAi_iKukxB9s5bg6PNWnc_zjJNRwrVw/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bottom colors" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layers on the bottom</td></tr>
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</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nKF_rV9CGrXBZBtTHWBtEtB35AJTKvV0xEwDk-HTgGnU2iuCis3rPRUvwbMGKLAvWYiH__b7hDJ5KReMcmvepH2IDOS_3GJYUnGadXdb1wMkIHsL-lyrxmqVL5mU5MPF9SBzaYQrCWPx/s1600-h/top%252520colors%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="top colors" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiNS2BkwWYMbksFsxSqFQmrmuX0oJrjLsFFhJ_ui2Hrh6vhgAbkhxyXkmo5D68pjhU-OxHEQCUyTnSCe56flCe8bru0R8K0KooLt75SIXk1BQX61mazJr0DfuSDmxkQwsiIfaJKdgASB1/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="top colors" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layers on the top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="20" style="width: 400px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YHtjFnKb_0ZpPWIZSDZieKe4tjwznkwL63vBHzi-RLdfujGaM_iskZB3HipCHvtbDw5JRIdrRe_vFb5uiyMqnE3_8yR_gGfRaJxU6cBo8Dg4zC5UlSc19t9GikHWdBVwurnBJYnvjioc/s1600-h/sanded%252520door%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sanded door" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RGXs4nbrG-mfUrwes7GqvqXtUXev9nAYMkEzX86lnUMuPf_RxpgOMXYqxdndNOXNqyZoh7NFMKsTkT-ToRYe76AsBmzexJ-sEo-AmAwJyVC94LzHE4O9hz1soZ8U4DZaBGcU2GKOmoEc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sanded door" width="240" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUhDFOLhbHJ0B2lg5xWtRgtByaQj7gHkfF2kqNt2j8bZUGZvrvBJQN5tqFEH5rwcb4_y_MeO50rrcqm687FuMscDG2MkrR9IECmDgTNr8Aok2wCXrkLF-jXqED4TKDvcyBErp2mKNn8QD/s1600-h/whole%252520sanded%252520side%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="whole sanded side" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlOL0xCKNg1sXXvnXyrEKt0niAZKzFslllroVOo3QcTcxY4oJCIK6XFxg9KNdDeRA8ytdxZzPHmwswc1aV2avhsc-N2XqIfRwBFz6yffEhF4gbRlR-_KouOMW0CT3uzljODeB8zlMrhuS/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="whole sanded side" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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I won’t bore you with all the nitty gritty details of sanding but to give you an idea, it took me four hours to sand both sides of the door down to the gel coat.<br />
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I did find one cool thing under the layers though; a Certified Recreational Vehicle sticker. I think it has the original serial number on it too! It reads; <br />
Certified Recreational Vehicle, <br />
Complies with applicable vehicular plumbing, gas,<br />
oil, electrical requirements of ? standard Z240 <br />
No 1834<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQ2nvq9kQfYJv_MK7ebE9CRZ1ugQLITw4z1vbBAQxV0eR-iePJBjNBH2_sV5G1IiS_GWH7kd2vdhj8VyemkCRP9xNJBY_EhbZY8v9lD-3Fhn0uMaei8iCIoCEkjfnVdPaTcqPwAga5xcF/s1600/cert+rec+vehicle+sticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQ2nvq9kQfYJv_MK7ebE9CRZ1ugQLITw4z1vbBAQxV0eR-iePJBjNBH2_sV5G1IiS_GWH7kd2vdhj8VyemkCRP9xNJBY_EhbZY8v9lD-3Fhn0uMaei8iCIoCEkjfnVdPaTcqPwAga5xcF/s320/cert+rec+vehicle+sticker.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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I see many days of sanding in my future as I plan to scuff up the gel coat inside as well to repaint. I would love to get it our for a trip before the summer is over but I am learning things take a lot longer than you think when taking on a project like this. Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-8636176038386600272013-05-27T17:10:00.000-07:002013-05-27T17:10:13.697-07:00Ode to a VanThe time has come to sell the van and buy a car to tow the Boler. Every morning when I get in my van to go to work the smell brings me right back to living on the road. It was my home and transportation for six months and although it served it’s purpose well I didn’t intend for it to be my regular, everyday vehicle for driving. A car will get much better mileage while working and saving to get back out there.<br />
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Through rain, dust storms and getting stuck in both gravel and sand, it never broke down or busted a tire. It pulled itself up mountains and stayed smooth on endless stretches of highway from Nova Scotia to California with barely a complaint. As you can imagine, I love my van, and former home, and hate to see it go. Because of that I rounded up all the photos I took of the Barter Van while on our journey and am posting an ode to her. May she find a loving home and more adventures in her future. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueCDUedaNEKO0X1mFvgGipC2xDa5KQ7HtVi_6jptsLNYt3Kk1zzMDY3ZhnCqK8nZVgcOiz4bhz7Dq1jc53TTybxVjK30Si74vYF9Vwb0Ae_cuyPL-iON6Jz29q-3wYBnmaNpJ332fWPn7/s1600-h/spencer%252520missouri%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="spencer missouri" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ydWRty8-nKZcKNFG0E_sZxpK3EUuUjfNbRIbjTWZJzmO45fFe6OtAeSjAid7Aks2Uxrej7YCyc0m9Pf9nsT4sYwN2iU1ry0XzG3kIlajbJHaWRavBerq7WB04UZIGZQvA8iQ8osWLfHo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="spencer missouri" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spencer, Missouri</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SbPshIhaCQOJC5n7IJE6f5eSJ_Mp6rRvZQupnVevbf4e6oyiy5zG4bWaGOa611wUUbHLi96BCBcwpgrhwd_YNpx0a5DCk85y_dkgjHrBrJ94SXsjfWVmMhpRDvquczMG59ihIBTs9309/s1600-h/lasso%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="lasso" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxLbUryjMyJLF9_CSiqbsOJBZOP8JECmRPxZ6fUL-BBTFAg8cv7wUZpdk3UqwG0LQJ4fB6P07n8L_UUk0V3G1iWjkCk9DtkLaM-1CnfE23VTW9U6_wg8tya0Seg-EF_C4bF4-xXdWysHU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="lasso" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVnBfnRCwUSioKx5SdQlVmeCOIymZRATZyWEjJVrKlSXrHLVukdps1iccFuGcLFkJPMZ7qXp5URgS1gdKAusrTvimsY-kHAeJuX1pICfj-Qu1h3R1M3CA-j0tp4onJw1WhA4HNYr0hdCO/s1600-h/Ozarkland%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ozarkland" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8G2nfRifq9gel9OprsoBJ9OsLh-xZLwc0m76YzeqNZaKB2ibFUTsi4uS3CRNVchej5uwhKtCJEYFST6c5ISqZKc_vGMArsedchfJH4pb9PSkSJrz2BQ10y0ur-kNU73kXqPgfuS2mREq/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Ozarkland" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ozarkland, Missouri</td></tr>
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</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCll4nZ8FZb3n8eQgxLkYbf_gMvQcLMBqJy2HrnfEQjTBz0lPNi0U0Lu-5eT7BqDncOro8r9HGG_STNpF-V1Tjh3lQ03kshBHRpPrkGcEHL9lGe7IozCeb096xTWdcrKsDVCL4VY3wEVJV/s1600-h/steak%252520n%252520shake%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="steak n shake" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC3Of1bP9BBNmGK_aPVIbeZsF-92l0GZxZe0G4NqdqD_iQmqd6RjuDNU1egfqOGUrScLqKFkUsKqeyimhWWmsY3qA81Qlxh1ML7gI8g-Anm6SU_bBluJXTn-7rC8FROzC4P1_NJYqsGbG/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="steak n shake" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak n Shake, Indiana</td></tr>
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</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmU9XXFhxQ8EJafJa9uOj8InJRrKKYUthhiMChGq_2ZcNErdUzj0wMQPO0Vf0ome2jicRvT4Kwhi391zoKfnsgMAU8RGv1nVZdvl8_N4DF2NOUMZ93jtPQzx5rJhp-OaIAQTXCBEIPhtX/s1600-h/arizona%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="arizona" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gqGzXgGos7hh_MoUkh6W7APm_4LmziVgWg-akfpyYcK4hkALkWgYdf8nrdgg7M_y2G6cAYEAV5alExgM1IfpIG9HH7Iw_P7m29-B2pewCVeGcOC4vkNArjy_xv1118nkaDNcYhpDQd7f/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="arizona" width="240" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ucqpvRbiWsA2-2YGgpnROD5DeUFp6i-CGEVgFfuJ4BbPP-XALQWjhzJay8VPVxZxyVOLI1iYMZvHFPEryjGkixklwiZ0dqNHTkGaCB1tQUvkbZnxiSYch2NShXRyDOVRTFqrLce_l0GB/s1600-h/palo%252520duro%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="palo duro" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ9AYfDrJ071MowjQ3FP3PYYoewXAZpeLlB8gVVCr3BH1ZN3oRRYnw3b_xzNJ7GefdCloObCBdN5XLjGY9qEbCUOlyXEQVo8KkqRoq1LImsnTtNSC_RPiTlHtaRADPTvkB6kq3uYAdwYM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="palo duro" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palo Duro, New Mexico</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeo3h7D8kdXAbmnHPBpU-__WMhVxyLU9R_G6gpO6GJhi_NAIJ4JvUqP5AaspSPbT5Tzj_lRQqJJ37OJTo_xw2rMRMUTXHG5Ryhxg6R0mCpV-hQSPx4Pt-d_uniKQmq0vECoFrIqFMoKk2/s1600-h/lucky%252520discount%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="lucky discount" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QTnILNW8TdQVDF6TXm0G4gbyViPHUtNvc1wTJ5mFua2vD2H01LYNYYuaBrsOWwPRFd8gkfat2fY9Az35M2vHShSvPIx0OaYkusiyp8ASleJfRtpGQqEzSERix_jaeq4OHZF-NalyY-ji/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="lucky discount" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unsure of location.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MRDjwM_Uum4x0IFoSbEAS4Ejx3c6alSIln-2K1cm428ySg1BPmBIf0H-ahzUF_af23zQKCItMWl6lXWQNFFYBDsVg6nsZQlB1CH8r4dZBdyYbBLE557hsSr3ue1TWnVHufrBI666sNmE/s1600-h/texola%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="texola" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nFAj6F7SrbUxMf5ExgcihI0zVC1pVSqsjBSHgosYDOjl-TfihqDBy6xrO16J-SXklDzpEoSpqJ56srJ0hmUWQnDxIpdVlZtfDEdvPvFxctswqoyLK9cdom4fsFNTyS7KbBkhn9YRoroU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="texola" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texola, Texas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJTS2JUfnqD8-oXSrUP1DqvVugEWrIZWg4ovZEVfzYEKcraOi1AgOMmr7rlXq480R0lgBOBzzf60ZEoErpc_ps2Hvvx5RXjP1t25swMBcMTztj5bGIJC6i5DDdOV-sQhaFC03mtnYchnI/s1600-h/New%252520Mexico%252520grave%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New Mexico grave" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kdcNYLSF8EbVz3DlVQje7LhpV7ZbO3ruQB2ciQ5hFtgMOf1tuySGQb_PgyD4KIJQIucvdoGX5mLOk1TjkgvQCk4Stwtb0pR2w47HknxE0Jo-rSTJDy5vfJGmFsSvFAhZJv6qtr-3Yvlo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="New Mexico grave" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graveyard somewhere in NM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAV9kzevhrzq1U0gIK1PQSp0FCE0tn5NK7do989aE0uupnuEfXBF6zRiaeVsfe5kaktJ_6Q0dQ5d3tD_u6bWFJjsf3uABd8dmFm23nYmRTmr_vlCL7H1FmYZbCUKChD3UlI5aCK-vTPuHF/s1600-h/painted%252520desert%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="painted desert 1" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep_cqxxhvm6Uh2yfLFUr2NeCQV9OjEqbq9_Pl3sjHcmm1IbmeqVNJqAW8UuP7bWhXmijYDhfWZXPRUsqBpM6kT4jIjnK56U-CroI3LV3rIbcXhQ281YXkqGQAmQxzK70ESMOORRaG2cAD/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="painted desert 1" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Desert, Arizona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAbPapSPfYjRrIbEWtITGJ7IFhhpSeUoJLof73_FWIpZmYuqMr83Nt9Ig1Ot-I5shvxj_P5mcqhoBaoYvEAOcSZJOi64SJTIfnwW3zJPj3ZoRxFqVfrqYYN54YlOP-8yZFUu_Yxg-n9RE/s1600-h/painted%252520desert%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="painted desert 2" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9GT7DFKMr_5w6HPu4pr17XFzZmQxgLdCH_aY25HwHQo6Z46o4tIXLojw6XZfgHN6Ve9qbiUNJ5VFHl8NAZfgdbGYOJgNOcW5iUhUvcBZQO94cEHOsAY2KUYBT8poNw5LsBhWDsaf9u4M/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="painted desert 2" width="240" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg_d8i702NAJJMxIPqxY3MeSj4AbeeEIbT9NU540DQMigjaTB6mHwEQjas21sGlddnSuR-OJ2PhceF2DfM4MAOPrsVp1_CaXiPrpQYdsMVelcDl1nvyPTLvf9G_5GqMo0GdnRH3fv-7uW/s1600-h/sunset%252520crater%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sunset crater" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjIy3_cNs67MVdDa9W5j3XZbeTC2XPfjbVO5yPWGLWgZvFE4iWzeCdaGJ4R1F7xefTuzUBzfiBaNGKgFgnSdpX_3UkPmSQkPg35SEVN3k3WEOM0YL3NuhY1-11Iiw8WXdQ_aCrdxGEnIq/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sunset crater" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset Crater, Arizona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCVV2O3qGCh_SQTEV9L00Kb1JosYcUY0Zjxhj-7wZcxusS8tm0-M-FLQ-Uu89ix-l_4ti2qqpg7nEX5ZM4qTl4GyRcU8CmXKqDHA9PKtSIIeejxAa5Jncohhy-_qf7Taqd-OPmZMW0iUN/s1600-h/Sky%252520city%252520dinner%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sky city dinner" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3OuKRZAexYS8H4WqtXTAO0jfBzCd9ClGTAbYphMay0PLft0g3g_h6Cox8DSIOyTBuSPDNCgX5HRckAPUihcxvaFq_6t-dxe4JryYd3pA4sc04m9YIDVKQlhdgUa4l9EjzDSef9oa5j_R/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sky city dinner" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside Sky City, New Mexico</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIGEESWXNvpXwuhABteMGvJQH9cSTJHagFt0w5NjbhoLN6BpB0BceVp7mej3IkYB1cJH4IfQiIm6ErpkSrw2Nv5roZN5pDuiEPOBmb_vIwSZGOmYkFJf5CC3Ql81WD-1PHZ5XGNc4PCPQ/s1600-h/desert%252520inn%252520Holbrook%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="desert inn Holbrook" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJDoeHmhXTRPkNOTvZmtonf9-tAkSwOfrrLwJFe0GQYi8NUxIv70qt1r2Hp04KuClGzIejMNlOkYQ6o-p9iHHLbykvmJMfS4TyX5hG5W9vYfyfI1RP2Fy9QbGElfM1vXi74TjaFniD91A/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="desert inn Holbrook" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holbrook, Arizona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwdgyz2ndI6Yr0z9tDM8JiUN4u4h7O1D87Os5eWzTDgjtzfx8RaRYRh9iZfp2-LHiZhDU_sZbDeWdEKgllh9nZiQt3efV2lzApYNCVT2BpyPyEFGYSI9cgtVS6tnwhU8KfZjTVMRrXEow/s1600-h/houma%252520louisiana%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="houma louisiana" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyl7ikhysQ8OTAsgOGbEHHaBhQQ_THsNLccYniZ3K9IVusb4Lqhu4_N0k6HxlDHQoe4bkKZcvQUEV7BpEI99qSedOQWfgG5c3C3fC4cuLShllOzpOZLhzcotueygyiJ0dzK_m7zYBm__h/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="houma louisiana" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Houma, Louisiana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZO5GPpx2gDvrATJeYyrimjraF4Rj5NTNM1DCqGRgaQKDnwFNL7zwtTHdVVm7p-5ocm8WW7GN50KgnAt3TyLDxkznrkH9_VyCF_JcKbV2r2CetlMxcInp5NoAYH3lzWAF-fpng4XlAvqx/s1600-h/stuck%252520in%252520sand%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="stuck in sand" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmNGaEIbcWEyYPYPTet_G4A9gmDTKMpEpCsuRBFO4zTMH2p0RRX_vvK43IzMmBLZ4SDWe9FE7xA1QV8Oe2BTYPhAOG3r1bHZ3kfMK9H-ys4RsY9VeE8_1WOwG8P7eE8REH1nslfbN19SI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="stuck in sand" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imperial Sand Dunes, California</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4EBJydegSRSvNTAOHpI6zTcvcy8rfEtjSrlN4QoXtxdP79Vtcn0kt_JwpV23qhMIgkFE5WJeDD0Li19jPShM1lT_WiujKrHBgy6WWo2RlHZ41z1NvjbdTpyjVQUczpzbU3NZCJySmxdt/s1600-h/monument%252520lake%252520copy%25255B9%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="monument lake copy" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQk1s6hDDfpwDIdwu_vHoqZhU3Ao32EEvmWiLenz-HFSgxwua6TFkMl-ZxZftmuSo7YgQ3tpAG88Bow6L-yHtbFAnvrKGS0DURxYk5n3DBr1TkT61w45c47NeMiLZWmn-qi9Emh4djMix/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="monument lake copy" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everglades, Florida</td></tr>
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</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeXtJpKB_Ot8mV6dU5ypr2RDUUzcNWr4sV0u8gM_Xg76mDrhtQD4y22DLJlBDSZ5J1nKtN1mWZb3ZANV7PmOzMy_lTROLOZ3TEKPdCnBb1DPL3261TMsmVw6SBtuVJQ95AIJrTHEIZKYk/s1600-h/Zion%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Zion" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AV0jLD9X73wRsWVNjtp8-RytSh59dNjOqmq7ZrQib0NPT32hCQ7GYlNltnJE11ksx47nKgRMCs4uBnltY1nmpvFuDsjgf0H_JuzfkeqSWNHpJKDRBFJuOp1H2ThyphenhyphenDIi38KiYUr-uhsLh/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Zion" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zion National Park, Utah.</td></tr>
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-18315954611620811492013-05-23T09:07:00.000-07:002013-05-23T09:07:54.584-07:00The Embassy Towers.Last night I was invited to show and talk about my work at Embassy Towers in Halifax, NS. The condominium building was built in the 1960s as apartments and became condos in the 1980s. I have the feeling that that place has a million stories behind its security-manned door.<br />
<br />
There are four large pieces remaining from my most recent exhibition, Roadside America, and Argyle Fine Art was invited to showcase some of their artists this month. She asked me if I'd be interested in having a small show there and of course I said yes. I would say a good 30 people came to listen to me talk a little about my trip and how the work came to be. I admit I'm <i>always </i>nervous whenever I have to talk in public. My knees get a bit shaky and my temperature rises a bazillion degrees but I often get the chance to talk to some great people when I 'm done rambling. I've been told I seem calm and natural when I do an interview or talk so I must be a better actress than I thought. As I was rambling, ahem, talking, I found myself telling the story about <a href="http://thebartervan.blogspot.ca/2012/10/this-day-made-tearsin-best-ways.html" target="_blank">Bob</a><a href="http://thebartervan.blogspot.ca/2012/10/this-day-made-tearsin-best-ways.html" target="_blank"> at the Skyliner Motel</a>. I ended up getting teary-eyed and had to stop. I have only told it once before and I teared up that time as well. I don't know if I've always been like this but, although it can be embarrassing, I'm not ashamed of my empathy. I think if we all had more compassion and empathy for our fellow humans our lives would be that much richer. I'm so thankful for who I am and where I am in life. I will just have to embrace the fact that I'm a stereotypical cry-y girl if it means I get to stay an empathetic and compassionate person.<br />
<br />
After my talk I met some wonderful people and had more emotional conversations. The demographic at this opening was completely different than at my other shows. The age range was much older and I'm convinced something happens when you reach 50; you no longer care about pretensions and just are who you are. At one point I was talking to three ladies at once about racism, creationism, raising children, and of course travel. It's times like these I don't want to talk about myself at all and would rather listen to their stories. The best thing about this group is they actually remember Route 66 and what it was like to travel, slowly, on the old highways. They could relate to my pieces the way people my age, including myself, can't.<br />
<br />
At the very end of the evening I talked to a husband and wife for quite some time. They had done it all, pursuing all their interests, and were very inspiring. The man, who's name escapes me, is a folk musician and historian who has been able to make a living following his passions and I always find these type of people magnetic. He said he was thankful every day for the way his career was 'handed to him'. Because I often skip the small talk and head for the meat of the conversation, I propositioned him a deep question. <em>How do you deal with what I call artists guilt? </em>By that I mean, I often struggle with the fact I am so privileged in that I am able to pursue a life in the arts when others are struggling for food and shelter. It often feels like a very selfish pursuit. His answer was, <em>you never know how you're going to affect someone, and you may never know. </em>He told me of a story where someone approached him and told him a song he wrote back in the 70s changed their life. He said, as long as I stay true to myself it's bound to make an impact somewhere. I guess I'll just have to hope something I do affects someone, somewhere, even if I never know about it. <br />
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So, as an end note, I'd like to direct people to this article from the <a href="http://m.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying" target="_blank">Guardian UK</a> newspaper. If you've been following me from the beginning you'll remember what motivated me to get on the road in the first place. It's what continues to motivate me to get back out there; having regrets when I'm elderly about what I didn't do. I'm more fearful of staying still and not taking the risks.<br />
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<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-17035002882584112712013-05-20T17:54:00.000-07:002013-05-21T04:26:14.943-07:00More renos. Sanding comes next.It seems I do nothing these days but work on the Boler, which consequently I am perfectly happy doing. The “problem” is I hadn’t intended on being in Nova Scotia for this long before heading back out on the road. I put the word <i>problem</i> in quotations because I can hardly complain about my situation. I have the luxury of living with friends, paying low rent and working for my sister while keeping my trailer in their backyard to pick away at whenever I want. I didn’t, however, plan on investing all the money I made from my last exhibit on my new home without having a car to tow it or money to travel with…but all in good time. There’s no way I can complain about any of this. Instead I just keep moving forward towards my goal.<br />
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The question now is when do I stop ripping it apart? These trailers can be stripped down to nothing and then rebuilt again. The more I take out the more I want to take out. One thing leads to another and then another….and so on. I have to say, I am enjoying feeling like a handyman, even though things are usually much harder than they first appear to be. There’s barely a screw or rivet that comes out without a fight. Most need to be drilled, ground or pounded out to be removed, but I guess that’s what happens when you buy a trailer that’s as old as you are! Here are some photos of the progress:<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="20" style="width: 400px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkZ2xHvMD4Vv1mi26JZt-Vexu6wFpU8nXl0xoxThEctt2yuyk1GC4y6xP4AHdo9pvOB2TnVq_4kZg-4KNxSzaWL1HGEow-0te9d0ouE0Z-zJoblAXAFccgAk5WACEsVUripJPzj681snV/s1600-h/side%252520vents%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="side vents" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEzRipZkuQiiXqmHPcA34pbxVfa1sAKmJw3OPoCIu7Q4g19-LoUTiIhVK_EBU8_vMj3JgAYrtqyoLMZhFQl2CymM0QG9vzfY-tCkt694UI31k7xxhZzIQXlPIlj5H5tNfVWRiqhgY0egm/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="side vents" width="240" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8R37aY7GqQOhi_XvxjtVsJPGqzME_mYYcdkNDTkNn9RAoqPePyhJAqeGMjlbbfAm51x7Zm8WIbOLEer0rp_Eqd4DLH6C3F8HQry_A9DqTBzGiB7wuan3Gt3lfnQHor0a4lsKrFCz7Dxt8/s1600-h/side%252520vents%252520removed%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="side vents removed" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTvoyH_iOuikfhskwaK7vdEZ5eUalccnOFZV87u8nj2-UQh0n71aX6C_y8E2NEh4oAwr1OS8Sqris8x723PugbceAwa0C2RZLmHTBC-LGQo11DGTEOzILxIoCrhUoBvu2AVyHQLSHFxMX/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="side vents removed" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGciIlHDuZniKPlJjRGZpN1ObCsIppm3V8oqVBWwDvRGdrjYMCTJG6YfSntrah7pzMFTMIAF0IMurmByMFmNL_-5HAO1Asjk-ihZKNB2E2SdgwInoamrDaSlYfQ3CROINsQbhs2IGMf-h/s1600-h/furnace%252520pipe%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="furnace pipe" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhGw7yxzRD0Nx48Vw3_7CzCMu6Rfkzqb28aR4EHz4nyBu6Ou2gmcFDRR30WQ1qMOhbWUJ-LELceH1_5C2SSa2ValOrTj0gUfC0UlmzD2SCg0LaUeu_Anlqni9Ng4e9KbVcViSdnKY-AUj/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="furnace pipe" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old propane furnace pipe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO52eyBsLgTOqX_-ZZY6ooffaAj3T8puE6Do71Y6yFYDWwWu2ZKTZWcJ4Crmxlu-E2VXZ3lePSIy0qLfIm6ttat_fVlFspZlNWGe26OH1FuI3dIPeYYudE2JnzqksnsprzAb8T8CQARA9X/s1600-h/furnace%252520pipe%252520removed%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="furnace pipe removed" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvg5EQkG9jJtUb0LUucwotesWHq8OH43LW_Xwxj5hfeW45wIvr_8ja2S7JgVqlMxXHDfs-s_OJd1SC5c9s1jiadakd-IsNNf7HqtnwMQggHgOVJXlFuQCq9a3fREAsLWPuXiNMi2Mxv70/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="furnace pipe removed" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6q_BSZbhkXckAPVdceHSZvp8sx0lf4GVj7SaV6S3agXiEJmFZQn9J8mkRnlp9YAoOcBKLqgvLuN_qgpbHu2CWJNcEUnLUlO-ePO5Xc7yqcFXCUg4q6Nu-A-ou6XNZfiw1UigQkM1FF3c/s1600-h/cupboard%252520and%252520vents%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="cupboard and vents" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6BC2pzgizzW4FdTllxb2s_JJS3tDhHDzgjxUfufv_yx__Wt6PGRmhv5Kahu7ACS93n4qal7CR-czoiEP4CVRLUsdG6ibw4__WMzuGpSDd_ifSciei_NOaRanxOpmAXQAktClVzvyU5o9/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cupboard and vents" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre clean-up and vent removal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLdQ9mfjkGhF2eKkSQAwAezusar9SRxvHgkJMsVayK2uhh3sITqedvuTUZsG2qn-4KPhx-qD85k_uaHVzMb-0mDNjTOHsc9tBm9SVZ_UBxcRAA-Yql-zxllbp3-Dgu67kxzKfItXiXJUm/s1600-h/cupboard%252520and%252520vents%252520done%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="cupboard and vents done" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAg2mZuG2GpzQkV9R3Tz3_qYA5OL2tehNcB6OGA_dHFd0XAE7QhkOC6VnAqLYVAp2ZymQm5bSwvmglkyPLWshyDGe-fu6CSVHlEkp5aS-E67GO767nhe1EEsG8VVimvToMQHrXaEDMXI1/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cupboard and vents done" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post clean-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihraDdNE_uhsIL018W9cu-Q6vi2DjKXiWPkbyRb2-u2agrIhlBlDaM7SBCIG1Xg0EY39lySZ4sA0RQgLP8pviZkju8JIIDw_fpjZuVUWdMZFeDOr5Iyx0zHYLgj3jZl1fGp6z8Bbp0083W/s1600-h/boler%252520logo%252520removed%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="boler logo removed" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIpAwDOZTc9Sqdjn5ilP5glgT4Dr6tHKBb5BglDqpRnsK0LJn7sfANKzyv1JB7RF8-ivYdQ10_sUTnGIzAvg4ksBsgT7epUhuCp0sW7CXIlF3ssns_FvlHDG8vPfi2U6LoYFfQACBcWJA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="boler logo removed" width="240" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6eA43hjdf9_bg_M95gc41LrCbZrKmmg4ZEhjArGPzND8yUJMJA_6CaccyQSCMuQMIKg-1GaB5A6R6fMmXSr6zXOTScjgqu3HRkFGNaM1aOge47zfMSV1HYpEFmP3ssjSMLQ3qCPKF0l2/s1600-h/boler%252520logo%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="boler logo" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgRe7mbsV4Pfz42I6Fzbpay3jX-E1MY7QPAAtHt2yNXIynomEiDZjFS_NFYa0yMkDq0UjgS1PrDQ3y8PkUn8JirLrc37WTfUhDguwHwPJB_GJXC17rekIuRKye0cEdaP0Y3CxQaQCyeVR/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="boler logo" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the Boler sign has layers of paint on it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm3F15g34ySndGzWpSdqznIBn0JEa5VcLZV_8ey8FNR-miKlDd7C3y84PDi1RuqGiraKEBkI6OxTnoZ8Zy_qU86mv_e0ER5lnE2mfwkhuu1TQ7UJLhu0lBPFIpLFX5oMLUnjs0mRNZXMN/s1600-h/removing%252520lockstrip%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="removing lockstrip" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysHkzOeubJJYwITUMFOEL48BlGNgIvz7kEmEQ8kJ1WRkx3hxw_1pCWvUu7xkJBBtve9G87LNZIxlvj_dusCnIPTMf9QSpC6et-xYH6gng3oe-gs5gdqM110p3Fdi9jEIY63TT2dZlyXGZ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="removing lockstrip" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing the lock strip to get the window out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nE_mLDM78IFgBV93xd41tjE1Gyi_WxUCD_M8k_PryJZQRdMU_YIog1VlUCRuovihzVhSz3CajSj7nvTibTD_a3kLVV66NySf8TIEnYUHv9_2qu43RkqeuzB-agNuGeIzuB1e_KSPzeja/s1600-h/removing%252520plexi%252520window%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="removing plexi window" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlTQjBsUDsylDptPz5p_lU9AZBRfGGkgSnWuXdy1FCYjvvENGKRE66mc5L13GqnEkIVI-6hSM95jsEiHHWnZeB0iOtfgvEpTTzOWvkkAdvxzBFFmHwYOa6_hFJ-VnuOdT2pCdjZI3iDrJ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="removing plexi window" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing the plexi window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0oUZVuOclgVLn0VVdzYDIgKyjCxpSs3VOteaJjwwY7bYpyLHnhJPce_tA5qc40vxLuhUbNGdi7VD6ua6_-K3VIjlDIOnJosihK1c0gA8fxROtMhtl3fVfl4HWeTh313Q5bKSDjLRftiP/s1600-h/roof%252520vent%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="roof vent" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRan33yw-y4MFF1EGaim0YdJA79xrzYHH2KIrAoY9Me4u6mXR-svs5b8ifTbKb8JF72W4Yc5x0vymHuTWTbADiJ1Tx4XuK2hyphenhyphenwDvQL6rNWFrFJzQCjw2CbaWG98w0ZGI09EgDNLT-K22r/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="roof vent" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roof vent mess.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUXTnDHvXPIkygLdPp6n30nWBIZW7n1WTYsAWM3zJBz9-utJVNIioD1BiMw9yeKU3CZSsSIthI3v4oXMEfwlaxfIiOal8aqfjpStph_GFyRs2j0yl9JRNYCEyEZZS4QmYSVF7LpauFhnn/s1600-h/roof%252520vent%252520out%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="roof vent out" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQtqP5eSNI8Ef41nHZneJV1p2iO_N8m_4YnXd6gXv_mlX_UODTe7Fc_AuMKl92eZxFg0oczFgoVnNCeZFE1loS5up6SQX6Zo3U5nqV5r9HBnnqxTOfbrlPR_rL53AJYh0Vi8h8TqqIyAj/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="roof vent out" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roof vent removed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuIESlgqbSCEZY6iszXvFj78LCi0aLSO5GUrSJxrF-9u74wIm1ITbZZ3xHg1VdLdJrStmAxVxjgpNJbFNCCLkptAFHxwxlb56_eXJxzkW7xHZs-HjwUAEZPgSaP2DVJv4sdvVweHXHRLE/s1600-h/curtains%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="curtains" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kW6Vhg8CFKu4TQfCAjCeVjnq-yieZ32vy-FTIWkV7Vx2ODx6Yl3p0FE3gBoeLVMWBGh0vNEL8BxWkbTytU03BphYKgaLTgR6P9gxmQzRtPo8D11W_Zo90a5Nl1iiMIzG3DH3Ki3aab0n/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="curtains" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AND CURTAINS!!! (because I'm nowhere near ready to put curtains up)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-6317315864881307422013-05-02T15:55:00.003-07:002013-05-02T15:55:47.479-07:00The Boler RollercoasterThese past couple of days I've been excited, overwhelmed, furious and about ready to throw in the towel on my Boler renovations. I'm not entirely sure what made me think I could buy an old camper and renovate it; I don't even know my way around the tool shed. Working with a drill, to remove rivets, almost drove me over the edge. I thought I could just pick one up and start using it like a pro, not so. However, with some perseverance I became a rivet-drilling fiend and am now comfortable with the drill. Phew.<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="20" style="width: 400px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguilI2pST1QhZaIUP3qsWngAL0QTHOi5dED2fyolHdNlzF-2ycjqD2c5WhR5BokvMmR6jfb0pXgWYUi7KpGoevd2pn2tfrhPkwzyJGb_m9CSCRxMRRoS3J_yUHPYlPI0MTnZYgfyiJlVAJ/s1600-h/window%252520outside%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="window outside" border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIBBCZIut0u8uZF-8qZfbh0t-EbZEKxlgPn8Vzl8-6FYyYQf_4RJbSL_eXZXKWcmOczC4CR5sxOVbFX5mT0gO2hH0CD_5ZJrHXo22jsk_Sr6MAru388_lKn8KoCqay8jQ746iB1dd22QK/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="window outside" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window with rivet covers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeZRjiL5qNHRO3QGKOSlKvq9ENAN4QFblTxLWfpSCE8MO4yUQjYY085ryyOjjf-PSOXVeSsnxCRtIZEd7P5z5Og2D5wmaNHsFN7uFs-RGSCK8FU5ZGZnUYHJZ6M-opssJRZnNklI5Bxx2/s1600-h/window%252520outside%252520rivets%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="window outside rivets" border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHMjCfr87SavpT4aS5zM7PuC3dyCQiDExrWxJdAoYw4Ay5kFvgLdr4kp6UtAiJXN9scl3303RKx_lCVFYjX0vFCiZAeWe3QMW9pLWrZ51KHng6ycWa7hHUkqz4jOqDu9BJrWxcN7_DRZV/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="window outside rivets" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivet covers removed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lfJwMbcr7QezntMglvwbOMtBC8eO-sWD3exsqeD94oIdBiUxggXvz0MFvX6TR_1wOfoRwz4OLbpjnv1Kcxoz1-2UCw5kjMJ4uRSqOgSdjfhyphenhyphenZi9FnYaiV1XoKPUE7LH5OUv0Cj728lv-/s1600-h/window%252520detail%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="window detail" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYIi4RN3HDAJJ9Vd2rWeMANm4OIsE6-EX5mO6MKBAHn0MwUWMFbn4j07WXjdG3lXl5urPFAGt7sCWW5WNlWQ10XITVU0IQznGPKGXJrsWzIGETGif0l2PmZxy-jUAE3yppbrSZyF7yZ3G/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="window detail" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="window rivets detail" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq613jpCCASAC3dro5kxMzqNk8y6d55W5oGWl1hODTb80geLot0FrHdG0Ni1tGA-wujOSfbrMcxUM3wbMFRl8WSZ0cNAqPH3qlV0QN8KbxPiiUJgOyRO7EgAJTwkL8UmJRjTk4GE5gxvEZ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="window rivets detail" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivet detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5nWEnmNGcbslCtyQdJyjAHmxpVuDMQjWJx9PC0S_BbaMy8oJ1BNXKj4ZWg4MLHKHPujhGD2RHGHvl-Tz3EAb3wYKbhUDmu4SuTbdMvMvykyV4HJN94F__6M7hHoCpl_lInH-v7JmgnD-/s1600-h/window%252520rivets%252520detail%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><br /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Three of the windows need to be removed to fix the cranks and leaks. I started taking the first one out with much trepidation. The first photo above is the window without the rivet coverings removed. Silly me thought there were only four rivets to drill out, until I removed those plastic covers. Once off I was faced with 30+ rivets for each window. Having to remove that many rivets was bound to either make me give up or turn me into a pro. Thank heavens I managed to get a hang of the drill. <br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="20" style="width: 400px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8c6zzy2ELQ7RFuus1ovQjDBruCF10qg5uank5jNUEA7XXCPJF0LgpMyLf-FAlf3PvZCN8fP8ZBy0bfeqwMCWf6Sz0AUgBsOJj30TxLtsAxHne7X5-RREu7PbHFZYsZ2YffKApwUJLbcf/s1600-h/removed%252520window%252520whole%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="removed window whole" border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZTYL6K8ci3iQ0tKJ9mIuVSZx3lcsIC1XaLhNgmk58FA-mc1e7mTXf1JaJBBlHpKdtW1H-Ju9UUt7paPrHHoYPHqBTNZ9pzaFXj6_PhYuq2DakMLbJaXMG9-XVVbziGdVggZrM_NbAhXq/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="removed window whole" width="244" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFwD8jFwL9usXzu35LOrbzUKCi084xAUWKhMkr3eysa6PyyI0kD6rV4VsYlTZHAGTeL4hb5aIDXOG7AbUY84OYPTZODDb4BbCDMxd8wnz2aKEfdz8EGa_R6XruqVYBxh7QWgJ-Rl9lNQM/s1600-h/removed%252520window%252520apart%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="removed window apart" border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NXelZbtAfBzOQB_9C1QFVYedD1AbGTgpQX8XMobtKgT81sVqII8HlGjsvi5gIF9gYfmLHfA3NDre2-2VCB6i3vT088sBfjY1zvUDhy7b1gFxh_w4siREWyhkxk1ASdNeqZsBkn69blIu/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="removed window apart" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once I managed to get the window out I had the task of taking it apart. The screws holding the frame together were so old and and rusty I ended up breaking the heads off two, leaving the shank stuck way down in the canal, making it impossible to use those canals to put the window back together. But, that’s another problem for another time. I still have the rest of the window and accessories to remove from the shell before it gets painted. Here’s some images of what I’ve done to the outside thus far.<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="20" style="width: 400px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCimKbAq-2776uCQpA5NjCS4ZAwU_cWYA1W2jfNobTXmT1jQmhNBEsVszQqV05AsDqAqc5zSAiALtZBhRWYsyljSdF1Do9iBmD-k0Ubpj1doMqdjz9KV2reUj_lOa3peUwRKxS7QtsnaW_/s1600-h/awning%252520rail%252520whole%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="awning rail whole" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc_OdUG6rTyIC3OiX7t8dkb-BXf9lXD8cOZ5Vy4XNTEGOUoL1VcxM8Al56ha-W89-VlzS5-eTEptl6zliQn_855VKBK270Ktj-xrzlFnq4ggRPBR-Jms0mTy08R0bRGhEfBzAbz3xnyPp/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="awning rail whole" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-i9nWV4VF7Ki_IlO-bRhxIEoGxgTtCwGuvmDJbrv-irw0-2Ej1T1PcofbDuqq1DJ98WwLyKalSn9jYEK2RlFlgSPLsqRuBAWLUZkTO2EGKIIw4dlvKQtoV1bjZhBbL0jAUTtTdOgYfxi/s1600-h/awning%252520rail%252520detail%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="awning rail detail" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRl1q4JrlXMwf6PEBj2fy1_29vk0TmV2SRckrWPyLlvAiMXHTdgoo-gPZ_uRAg636RnfDA6ZU0utz7KmDBF4WQhYfY1gzablRjnKDIukbyDaJOBn5qxn2ibWwKRLpiPhGsXgkw7dnpEDh9/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="awning rail detail" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awning rivet detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XJrSL3o0aTs6xiI7fpvV-KfAcgIKK4ac82IIX2cG1LH7GvY_EGH12HJp3-Q_y6ZSI5xWsjRdUmvRklAEWl2BCCGQmM0cSmUW0NlYx8PLKoQpx40OEgHimrcZ26-mCgOuZGeYKvfS4F1f/s1600-h/plugs%252520caulking%252520rmoved%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="plugs caulking rmoved" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1bQAXhFH13QQjb92rRxBwr_H_3WQqqHVFECaNf0kjrbaGfc1jZQmekr1iGllgee-g9-WaLBko4Nvsp663x1bg5QftTyt9jGgv-3LSIcRFZQh7W-ujplRPTC8jiVmmOXW5gdwRIJM5VeV/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="plugs caulking rmoved" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caulking removed reveals all the colors it has been. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRBeuGtybvI3C989YFRubDX7HNH8N1NGu01HUt42xVZNXkk8ez6Zrw8cfqYOkW2My-HGPUJ_KMjRVeanYPQMfuCOc_ML-8xH_OCCQCkL6x7SNFipZCDB6eJr9C70BDgAcbhZZeHviGoPS/s1600-h/outside%252520stripped%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="outside stripped" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJ9C6i5Uw4NAg4JZU8bHdLHuB_-pVgHqkguBJWXYmUTJ2vX5b-itEDMfk-Seqcfe6EpV6N0VdD4dnyhUSpauyaDBFlQamVJrb_WdVgB3meht7Gg2kYycO9as719gHjHHRYTQ7tDY9AW6I/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="outside stripped" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window, awning rail, table rail and rain guard over door removed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjQWMMSLm4r7WuI-qOEJ93hLPKD1WXmMocKvFhsPfh3lntcn_uLPZJ6W5wdIVEM5mgKfGiEOyYeU2YlOrFXg8XhfGpSsXNOawBe19GkBL11_yTq6HiVz-GeskVcT3GH0M0wCaYmdZllk5/s1600-h/removed%252520aluminum%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="removed aluminum" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ky6-24JENqChVJ0GTlN6fjw_oQArBt7THelUB2mddlD5I__EP_6_OhOZ6M-aFtg_2vWR9SUP2UHxNsbq151lz9MDxxXte5EhcMm048vaXoov3AmSs-84KgfO9EN9f7eAd5z8vUJbXtTF/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="removed aluminum" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removed pieces that need to be stripped of layers of paint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvpi9TF9_FaMkZfiAoIKDwMCnpCY3X-nJtQSR2S4U3Cj4WbZ7jTCdRsP7m5WSISiPB7lEPM1dojAOgvUQoDlaQrnfHk0604nGVmpT4jciTNuXJ_LOJNMIYTPQgBg8ycESDKqKWS8vfL4U/s1600-h/tools%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="tools" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilZi1x1Gy-SmLpqtfALn2APH8XCp-rmdeUozPEwbhlm_slwJCfL25jkm5jgkQcAoUgwmYbMbZCT7aOaWhXPmqCkKbdhnGGx91qRuHJb2z5vCM3GWoxh382JmfhKSzHjB-IBqPbcA30iO8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="tools" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tool box, so far.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-44716900458555900422013-04-28T06:40:00.002-07:002013-04-28T06:40:18.070-07:00My nemisis, the floor.Someone said to me recently, <i>I could never do what you are doing. I wouldn't know the first thing about renovating a trailer.</i> My answer,<i> I <b>don't</b> have a clue what I'm doing. I'm making it up as I go.</i><br />
<br />
The truth is I have never done anything like this before. It's a lot of work and a lot of learning but it's also very rewarding. I've always been able to look at something and envision what it would look like with some TLC and hard work. Luckily there is a large Boler community out there and they are more than happy to help. Two sites I've joined that are proving to be unbelievable resources are the <a href="http://www.fiberglassrv.com/" target="_blank">Fiberglass RV Forum</a> and the Facebook group, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2344319156/" target="_blank">I Own a Boler.</a> I can ask any silly old question and people are there to help.<br />
<br />
While waiting for mother nature to help find the leaks (by raining for 3 days) I tackled the floor. The two linoleum floors didn't match so I wanted to redo them. I was originally going to leave the black and white checkers down, laid by the previous owner, but once I got the first old floor up I decided to rip that out too. (Sorry Amber). I figured it's easier to replace both at the same time rather than trying to find the exact match. Wow, was I in for a lot of work!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3XFiobvVR5Ti4O94mZLfN3Z9GeecMv7PG9sI05YzF2TyIvDtcA9jXyNT0VO2N9aEPHI_1fE600RPhyphenhyphenTPyiz0ZxgRvHTVdaQ1B5EPR6s-anzOpYl5XVYS6CHXztbWdX1_HWClmAECIexN/s1600/unmatched+floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3XFiobvVR5Ti4O94mZLfN3Z9GeecMv7PG9sI05YzF2TyIvDtcA9jXyNT0VO2N9aEPHI_1fE600RPhyphenhyphenTPyiz0ZxgRvHTVdaQ1B5EPR6s-anzOpYl5XVYS6CHXztbWdX1_HWClmAECIexN/s320/unmatched+floor.jpg" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZnMaCmWB9T6TuQRxrs5YUpZoYbvxml_eMwrNA3YH1VFHGsCoEsENY_0xIteww828Q6c2juLVIZWcce5p3FVaHDyKqSIh8iRsmpxGZOspBbbU5eQUbkV4Nh4DaJ_5O_guVWADTTghfe9u/s1600/stripped+whole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZnMaCmWB9T6TuQRxrs5YUpZoYbvxml_eMwrNA3YH1VFHGsCoEsENY_0xIteww828Q6c2juLVIZWcce5p3FVaHDyKqSIh8iRsmpxGZOspBbbU5eQUbkV4Nh4DaJ_5O_guVWADTTghfe9u/s320/stripped+whole.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0a4P6UTbWAq11JBydONMW-qU1XEtVxifU2ELSCnJjmSfeGK3V3sbg1SlugxRl_idkxR_3Y1j_GYV_MBRTPSR6Qcbat2lKrHlfb-05-GjSo-RmApK_NGsNti86iXhF4oROXhyUlse-zOPc/s1600/detail+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0a4P6UTbWAq11JBydONMW-qU1XEtVxifU2ELSCnJjmSfeGK3V3sbg1SlugxRl_idkxR_3Y1j_GYV_MBRTPSR6Qcbat2lKrHlfb-05-GjSo-RmApK_NGsNti86iXhF4oROXhyUlse-zOPc/s320/detail+1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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I used a heat gun and scraper to lift off the linoleum. The upper, older floor came up pretty easily even though at the time I thought it was a disaster. The newer checkered floor however proved to be the real pain as it left
all the paper backing behind. I boiled water and soaked the paper, repeatedly,
scraping it off with a putty knife. It took a lot of water, a couple of days, and intense
scraping to get it all off. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFr3mViU5vavH7eGmPvccxyn8ggdnks2yxyiP8zXpL75jVtqzZSlaZCd09BZQiywhflMBN4lNNJOXAdNr3lbsNj9dnAQkXrLhL86cPGepYp4rYL83OnfthDzOegf1kyeLgd67e63IchxV/s1600/scraping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFr3mViU5vavH7eGmPvccxyn8ggdnks2yxyiP8zXpL75jVtqzZSlaZCd09BZQiywhflMBN4lNNJOXAdNr3lbsNj9dnAQkXrLhL86cPGepYp4rYL83OnfthDzOegf1kyeLgd67e63IchxV/s320/scraping.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Then I was left with two layers of glue; the
old, hard yellow stuff and the newer, gooey glue. It was off to the hardware store to find out what to use to remove it. I bought some water-soluble floor glue remover which I applied liberally over and over again. Although it doesn't say it in the directions I used water and a scrubbing brush, the same one I used to clean the interior walls and ceiling, to work the gooey glue into a lather. The foaming glue remover basically liquefied the top glue but the older yellow glue wouldn't budge. It didn't even soften up. <br />
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I would guess you're wondering why I would bother trying t get the old glue off when I'm just going to lay down more vinyl flooring? The answer is I'm a bit of a perfectionist. The yellow glue seemed to stain its way through the white squares of the lino leaving a yellow marbled effect. I'm hoping to put down more black and white checkers but I don't want the yellow to come through again. After all the work put into laying the floor I would be really annoyed if I saw the yellow seeping through again. <br />
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As of right now I still have no solution to getting the old glue up. I have to sand and repaint the whole interior so I may see if painting the floor would seal in that glue while being suitable to apply new glue over. My concern is that the paint in between the fiberglass floor and the glue for the lino would prevent the floor from adhering properly. Again, I have a lot to research and learn but I know this is going to be one sweet little camper when I'm done!<br />
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Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-38707796390055549632013-04-16T17:10:00.000-07:002013-04-16T17:10:23.510-07:00A list, a lot of time and some elbow grease.<br />
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I’m so fortunate to be able to keep the Boler at my sisters place while I work on it. Since I’m working for her and my brother-in-law’s moving company, <a href="http://www.shortnoticemovers.ca/" target="_blank">Short Notice Movers</a>, I am near the camper every day and able to pick away at it. Turns out this is both good and bad. The good being that John has every tool under the sun for me to use and connections with people in the know about fiberglass and such. The bad is I get to know all the nooks and crannies of it therefore finding all the little problems; ie leaks, missing rivets and broken window cranks. In the end it’s actually a good thing since I want to fix it up as best I can anyways. I might as well know all of it so I can do it up properly.<br />
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<br />The first two days I had it in my possession I scrubbed the inside walls and ceiling with an RV cleaner bought at the local<br />
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hardware store. I used a hard brush and all the muscles I have over 8+ hours to get all the mildew out. The interior is insulated with a material used in aeroplanes in the 70s. After scrubbing it I don’t think I need to tear it out (thanks heavens) but I do need to find a way to hide the seams and it will need to painted. A previous owner filled them with some kind of putty and it was a mess so I pulled that all out in preparation for sealing. I have a connection with someone who works in the marine industry and is hooking me up with some industrial, paintable, flexible caulking. Hopefully this will do the trick. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsk2IkIrQ7dFst1MROkQ4NOA3oRCN4Fqp4DOilWU_YRTLkQjy-z79uumvXH4tnk27s0s52snXUcNt3zKXmSxD_41yOv9BiNNrJbs2p2WHqBMzml4H1nkY4JMcOs-PL6N5675CNnJ6arUHG/s1600/seams+without+putty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsk2IkIrQ7dFst1MROkQ4NOA3oRCN4Fqp4DOilWU_YRTLkQjy-z79uumvXH4tnk27s0s52snXUcNt3zKXmSxD_41yOv9BiNNrJbs2p2WHqBMzml4H1nkY4JMcOs-PL6N5675CNnJ6arUHG/s320/seams+without+putty.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seams with putty removed.</td></tr>
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Before I start caulking the inside however, I have to focus on the outside. Next I will locate the leaks by laying a garden hose on the roof and watching for water inside. When I have found them I have to drill out the rivets holding in the curtain rod brackets and take out the windows that need repairing. Then the sanding will begin. I've been told it's a nasty job but there are already too many layers of paint on it and in order to get a proper paint job I want to start at the base. All the holes will get filled in and all the rivets/screws will get sealed and then the trailer can be painted. After the painting is done then I can begin to reassemble the camper. Sounds simple hey?<br />
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I would say lots of what I want to fix can be done cheaply if I do it myself. Luckily the internet is filled with resources for renovating vintage fiberglass trailers. I’ve also been introduced to someone through my brother-in-law who is not only willing, but actually WANTS to help me restore the trailer. <br />
It will be a big learning curve but I have time on my side, especially since I still don’t have a vehicle to tow it and have no idea when I will. One thing at a time.<br />
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So, Here’s a picture list of bits that need to be fixed in case anyone out there has tips or is hiding parts away somewhere....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUfy5OnyaAUdYRYnXn8qeo6iCBY6-2zT1mxNVsTedjyb0E3Ee1Wyn3yeBqqvJjSHy10kL3UIvd-Yw8KwPR8rMGssJ-P0TsJztXSdxOWr-o2kkA9Bv8D-mMoVDSl0-EaL-EENyIf5XdZ2Y/s1600/Rottwn+board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUfy5OnyaAUdYRYnXn8qeo6iCBY6-2zT1mxNVsTedjyb0E3Ee1Wyn3yeBqqvJjSHy10kL3UIvd-Yw8KwPR8rMGssJ-P0TsJztXSdxOWr-o2kkA9Bv8D-mMoVDSl0-EaL-EENyIf5XdZ2Y/s320/Rottwn+board.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Board for attaching bunk bed is soaked from leaking window.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plexiglass window leaks and is VERY scratched.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curtain brackets are rusted so rivets will have to be drilled out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuqPeJs0GDN9-iQ63DJh0jd87YlkxdCtU-Z5TrIvyf08eGrzv1-WsasV6-Ex9yKVhUrUWT6rm0xs6Odl02_tSKrGMXAC8vKw6VEDRstXbut9Mk0w26QUGqlNb75fMqKKaEsRBuP3Rq4aH/s1600/door+hinge+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuqPeJs0GDN9-iQ63DJh0jd87YlkxdCtU-Z5TrIvyf08eGrzv1-WsasV6-Ex9yKVhUrUWT6rm0xs6Odl02_tSKrGMXAC8vKw6VEDRstXbut9Mk0w26QUGqlNb75fMqKKaEsRBuP3Rq4aH/s320/door+hinge+1.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top hinge on the door</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3a7KEwX26g08fMNLckKXJnzmnX1g51YxU_aAYPjtmLcfIsyXyR7J7EAGzrALE6ads78bHobq-4L7CW5UoED7c9xjW_VUAfiuQ4E-VarK2TmkoaHe9FhhlDUViavzNYCnlY3TqLzR8vgf/s1600/door+hinge+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3a7KEwX26g08fMNLckKXJnzmnX1g51YxU_aAYPjtmLcfIsyXyR7J7EAGzrALE6ads78bHobq-4L7CW5UoED7c9xjW_VUAfiuQ4E-VarK2TmkoaHe9FhhlDUViavzNYCnlY3TqLzR8vgf/s320/door+hinge+2.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom hinge on the door</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VDLAM2VifHsACeWfXLvyBZAfaEUogiXDy69Zu-9MfcWGET5MqtNk5qtD2NsCi4q26b-Un4yJpRR0GdEcKIAV-N_0ARhC8lkLF8PqXVq9d5SJfMCCtxUAprk340Dy3F3uOn57qoWE2GR8/s1600/door+seal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VDLAM2VifHsACeWfXLvyBZAfaEUogiXDy69Zu-9MfcWGET5MqtNk5qtD2NsCi4q26b-Un4yJpRR0GdEcKIAV-N_0ARhC8lkLF8PqXVq9d5SJfMCCtxUAprk340Dy3F3uOn57qoWE2GR8/s320/door+seal.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replace seal in door frame.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JT-azXu4vJ9FHeDRHJuItUF1-RH7_T5YVg-PUWuyv8KUfHUzTjLIfJPF_Y5wgaj48Yx95HZlfdLBcE5Vj5mK6y8D0z5IgfIyrsoz-o0AwIUyiOj1wJy-ucJQzcLyoe3KqL8uy0r3hP3y/s1600/sagging+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JT-azXu4vJ9FHeDRHJuItUF1-RH7_T5YVg-PUWuyv8KUfHUzTjLIfJPF_Y5wgaj48Yx95HZlfdLBcE5Vj5mK6y8D0z5IgfIyrsoz-o0AwIUyiOj1wJy-ucJQzcLyoe3KqL8uy0r3hP3y/s320/sagging+door.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door is sagging</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUTR3sCJNH7-KQX9ubWoeLa08TCDe0xbmVPKMhXodcPHqFGv_Mg5a9j9SSwwlap_qUtZ6n1mUZq0AUhNzxrmMzS-8tFw6F_yen2u76meLx4RceQEENVBf03-sjDzjpBxabOenTWMPQgzs/s1600/door+stopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUTR3sCJNH7-KQX9ubWoeLa08TCDe0xbmVPKMhXodcPHqFGv_Mg5a9j9SSwwlap_qUtZ6n1mUZq0AUhNzxrmMzS-8tFw6F_yen2u76meLx4RceQEENVBf03-sjDzjpBxabOenTWMPQgzs/s320/door+stopper.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think this is part of a gadget to lock the door open (?) It's on the front of the door.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zRGbO-C2MrrQEALDx_Q7v-me3DkRqH8CWBxvdwXCnoiFVCEeUQPTf86gepFNdHoP1Fow2ycZ241s_Xm6RltAzrq074o5qVUyjmzLSQEkNM7qWgTXU9b3o10yjDUfiZmb8tIioXXYRIaU/s1600/door+window+crank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zRGbO-C2MrrQEALDx_Q7v-me3DkRqH8CWBxvdwXCnoiFVCEeUQPTf86gepFNdHoP1Fow2ycZ241s_Xm6RltAzrq074o5qVUyjmzLSQEkNM7qWgTXU9b3o10yjDUfiZmb8tIioXXYRIaU/s320/door+window+crank.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door window crank is broken</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcgNsWicLaxpwIzlJG_gzh8M0Npp42yFVZQpfXGdFp8c-DiX06swRPHKN19ijQ1ad4W2OmM7IQmBlrmDLTxbu0sNcnQx8ROIuK2uF8j5zrbzuoTZhNp0AiL1AgnPn610dxWf7rhV6r9M9/s1600/kitchen+window.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcgNsWicLaxpwIzlJG_gzh8M0Npp42yFVZQpfXGdFp8c-DiX06swRPHKN19ijQ1ad4W2OmM7IQmBlrmDLTxbu0sNcnQx8ROIuK2uF8j5zrbzuoTZhNp0AiL1AgnPn610dxWf7rhV6r9M9/s320/kitchen+window.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window over stove needs to be riveted back in</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1vy_l9SFmCnPqEzYMsuGARiFpOGafs3Vh7M43tBNLOx0_NeN1AfzU7-eE7kgS9oaGGuFqldP5S08N9ANg1KAnpoOvAP4htnMGhkxovI9Sy78RhyphenhyphenfbyPdLnR5q6Tc6LpWSqOLZobEbG4N/s1600/window+crank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1vy_l9SFmCnPqEzYMsuGARiFpOGafs3Vh7M43tBNLOx0_NeN1AfzU7-eE7kgS9oaGGuFqldP5S08N9ANg1KAnpoOvAP4htnMGhkxovI9Sy78RhyphenhyphenfbyPdLnR5q6Tc6LpWSqOLZobEbG4N/s320/window+crank.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window #2 goes up but not down.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoFHb3v1iFMUB7Ip5cdpHNS7Z59GC9OKBAagKywGEANiClSJKL2uvJuWeMrbHQmLKbi1-EKP8P-dm9G27-SSsyTILs_aL4u_-Jl2o6TEC-eSiAB0nJvKkk0pv6vKkgBKr9jPsFy5Fdxr5/s1600/window+wont+stay+shut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoFHb3v1iFMUB7Ip5cdpHNS7Z59GC9OKBAagKywGEANiClSJKL2uvJuWeMrbHQmLKbi1-EKP8P-dm9G27-SSsyTILs_aL4u_-Jl2o6TEC-eSiAB0nJvKkk0pv6vKkgBKr9jPsFy5Fdxr5/s320/window+wont+stay+shut.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">window #1 won't stay shut</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_PhsSP-VehiBj-fwdOoNVm9CBbmNxDrFZVyNOQA9gReVRqDbH5HqgBcmt_T0Z4c6heMsEtF9GGXjKx4fYRyEOIWucFww4o9NXZ_NC68uJzmRm23JaeOPh5kLvwlvDeh1CzYfwXb0O8gZ/s1600/faucet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_PhsSP-VehiBj-fwdOoNVm9CBbmNxDrFZVyNOQA9gReVRqDbH5HqgBcmt_T0Z4c6heMsEtF9GGXjKx4fYRyEOIWucFww4o9NXZ_NC68uJzmRm23JaeOPh5kLvwlvDeh1CzYfwXb0O8gZ/s320/faucet.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fix tap</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz3dKhHzNq-wN7Rq5mcH2k_ZReScqxS8LAQTunYDtccpq4nwdlC8V6wGNHUE-08UDWFBcGbv08SNf1EYIVkzywDBjBzShPsY-HkqXs7lVMZOZ_n_IyOWN4mRkHLKl6pP_0zzQ7KUXw9EZ/s1600/unmatched+floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz3dKhHzNq-wN7Rq5mcH2k_ZReScqxS8LAQTunYDtccpq4nwdlC8V6wGNHUE-08UDWFBcGbv08SNf1EYIVkzywDBjBzShPsY-HkqXs7lVMZOZ_n_IyOWN4mRkHLKl6pP_0zzQ7KUXw9EZ/s320/unmatched+floor.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Match floors.</td></tr>
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Seems a bit overwhelming right now but I KNOW it's going to be an awesome home/studio when it's done!! Stay tuned......<br />
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<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-78303253605040392552013-04-13T05:05:00.001-07:002013-04-13T06:36:50.515-07:00The Barter Van will become the BARTER BOLER!! <br />
I am beyond excited to announce I purchased a camper to replace the van. The fact that it's a 1976 Boler is the most exciting part! I've always loved these little 'eggs', as they are lovingly nicknamed, and can hardly believe I own one. <br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="20" style="width: 433px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6erNbA32JmfIXCYrk16H_JFu8-2Dv3wXNggvKa0IEYlQL7lxXUxFix0vtdY_90qsS09BmwrfpDe21qat1G-Js1u34GBzEmUkXrY4X6bochJU7XSKam0j4eooyP1wMSV_0J7Y05y0imQ7-/s1600-h/side%252520door%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="side door" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4BvVamNvjixIIg2fAcUGQfijacZ7w6KyVZdYUbQ1AcrkwopZudPJ4YiY6QmOjp1KUwfyeHCvvb52KQTCes-3AbPh1qhti0Y6p9Cr0jzOfnlLS6rY-UlLYHMI6iJqrsGAb0V-tc7V4TfR/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="side door" width="240" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="171"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkjxv4w9Hf3kvTAwgUpsO6K8d28gFaMi6rlN1zbSOsIvWFslySDjTrIJn8_BY_rrLmsOprq7UhuLfdVR0QeHuVfnqmQEBjm5GXieQ49JMPZ4cdfABG9p9LUg7NoMoPmbnyqt0FmQHmebM/s1600-h/outside%252520front%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="outside front" border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBvZUCpVXVk2BfxTvnp6BvQG6kSuIbf4A9fxaXL6YERtqk7ZbY3UHwcq6xKEN9rBR0FrSNQiWNQkUDRNAfM48Ow_sGqy5_xtaCOqnJAd0SNIXw9pYPNNJSaY6BrXMSTW__wm4AZw2Xqmo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="outside front" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8McV85ZyLnx-I9xI07LPuErR9qA3cZoEGRDUkGyryCsW15uA-s519UajSx8z8TbzUIf4kXUdXzh6hnL_y-td0O5um53flAM54yiqG1Qtjk3vkEszGyZhNfYqaGoixX4GkCVCiqw2jMKDB/s1600-h/outside%252520back%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="outside back" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DxiNQqVN0hgD17OW6Y8TMO5EG7PIpFYLQN3JAICpz1zAjIEjwA-ovyBXs6llWLj22ZPKaSHf5EXYIQrwMvsS_x8gjtdYvGFxn3YLG49VU6gQG85qUZYc8ceZh0njefyRXLgfpjk8KRaQ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="outside back" width="192" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="171"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUer4xjApAHs35X0zV8DEufqyJe_7T7ZgjwWtm3PF7Etavnu-aSiJqWZK7Q-pVZ_b8-oVYZBFo8KNH9XTdIsm8rNEzvoO0XPIWgxGSfmMJSNlWohveAEsL95Tso1t2jZsTRb8xIPxYpfwY/s1600-h/side%252520door%252520open%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="side door open" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEE_X0rgvzlEvUWLvcj1nspOmMuMrieMnx1EQjUdaDrAZdaxO7xYP_F_qXsN4qPi8CA7ajkjsP2cHNUN8wlDjMsR_VZNAvSI3EPdwY5wdVU8RuQlQMvC9fjD92yGkgp0KIY03jaUfQXbIC/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="side door open" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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Despite my excitement now, it wasn't an easy decision. My original plan in acquiring a camper was to try and find one for under a grand and fix it up with my father. After doing research and reading about other people's ventures I realized I may end up getting in over my head. Many old trailers have problems with rust and/or leaking not to mention the weight of them would require me to get a truck to pull it. This kind of goes against what I am aiming to do; buy a car to tow a lightweight camper so I can park it and have a home base while I drive a vehicle that isn't a gas- guzzler like my current van. So, when a friend texted me about a Boler she saw for sale up the road from me I jumped in the van and off I drove to see it. The thing about these sweet little campers is they are made of fiberglass and weigh in at about 1000lbs; easily towed with a four cylinder car. They have also become highly collectable so the resale value won't go down and will hopefully go up after my renovations. <br />
After a couple sleepless nights and some math I decided to nab it. You may wonder how the hell I can afford to buy a camper. The answer is I can't, but sometimes you just have to jump in head first. I also don't have a car to pull it yet and have no idea how I will pay for one but I have faith once again things will come together if I just keep trudging along. It may just take longer for me to get back on the road but I feel it’s worth it in order to do it the way I want. I found it difficult to make work while traveling in the van and have been dreaming about having a studio space so I can truly focus on bartering my art, this time with artists. <br />
I’m a girl who likes to get down to business right away so as soon as the trailer was in my possession I began to tear it down. There are a lot of things I need to do to it but I love envisioning something and then working to make it happen. Luckily I have family members who have the tools and the know-how to help me along. I want to do the whole thing myself and my brother-in-law is happy to guide me and teach me, while letting me go at ‘er. Thank heavens for family and friends! <br />
I will be scrubbing, painting, making new cupboards, curtains, and deciding how to configure the closet. Eventually the outside will get sand-blasted and repainted as well; color to be decided. Here is the first look at what I’ve done. <br />
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<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgJKhxBNL7r5g_DC4-m7Enwe-ZYQrquMW2jbBpyn5eY-BKUYw4cbNBHX5nk_bo8yQLNra_ADhOC6JsHFEx0ezycTOdsCo6yBxHR9gS8w5aTQI950tgp5EIacPkm6uysrd5qqryVavwmCL/s1600-h/dining%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dining" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8JzQO19-bi9SJWd3qHd-HXJaUwCvMZwNVyqR0iXzn29BUWhnGJKIjjE6f3zle3yNK169BHJCAsmedd-A6FDMWJr5VOz4QMVeeceYGVjODv-JGpptRxsK5RzIt0DrcxAGzTA64toxcag9/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="dining" width="240" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ8d3cVQCh6_8Cr0v1PaxdVArEPY57QeFq431TOJVtrIjDMEyAMsRioSkvqVHYenaCruTiawrW01jS0JR-cBS1mBXOXcuKk_ehFz33fClIoxKqhj-Hj2vpQ_QoIN5ftEJxXk1PSIDhOh-/s1600-h/dining%252520stripped%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dining stripped" border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QzdKYOferDznfwahO9TRyarAxboM7MX48DV1Mb5yM2xlILvfhD4ju_pkRjG6KI1gJfsbp0Z9BSQNAsLdSJaCa91I1em4s8qbNZ8RU8mTIZL0G7kq6l0cPIUudY4eNyLmmUvlOP9CLGwC/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="dining stripped" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hQHouFmKd-T8JgbOwu4qcupj1fSPmHezCzCrEmcEh5o87nU9XYxDrEtclfv8ohwfgUAS23kfUaXzSi_ZovyL8cX4BM0hd_tW4sdAkj_XTBrOcO07J3ZqMyojJ1IorUgUHUPk4x2DSMx0/s1600-h/bench%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bench" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIDAUWsin1HegeHicV4LegxJPw06IQtngUpVmL51pZSIME3gLI1iSrdJN9dGjnAUWy0Zfq9g04sXcWueKPOu2jZpS2peRh0nc5o2CKXFAB0wZb_ry4Cel11fKsYtVgsAqdDSz_8mHfZ9o/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bench" width="161" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd4gwAFh6GCoT8hSiNC_Kpd4RGve6N5SWHwMpoMo4pQiox6BXHcjkuRvpMClFqoXMfBDKKuWIid9F3TdY1fqsQoZvAmHOlGruUd-WlK8pYaLP9zyMbUJw5Fcq3xNzm8P3hM0eCiuLRAPm/s1600-h/bench%252520stripped%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bench stripped" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZq_E8Fn1j4cYfKo5yB_cBPTuhYgVq-u3UIyvO9m3t7iNWfD6yZoA-eSqlLcaEqLEd5qAGpFDGpMX9sRKZmZbJPRsmo8ex9VDEA4EXCcTet_JJxIIfbeFDCg588H-9qTeZ4FpQLfS8bUWH/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bench stripped" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphpzygHCPtanWiWnG0SiQF9KedaUJmdtXTxmSbhqzaiEXI1C8jPbRJGzhOerpNPyrrOXnArCc-3JN6cTuGpkwnWoWWPDOg6_ZNZIT42JIW97nyxImOYjH9939J5bAJ9fDNgb3-mbVko6p/s1600-h/kitchen%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kitchen" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiGtpWXiAzt_dxEhvfdGRFEaapdmVzqhb85n0C1vumjyidtmRltqCXM0z8bgjZLsXxcyNA0v6KIvyOyypMWIJHfVQmOjqDUe3yrf-86YdQ8cTWwaGfG3B8oHf_ZLdvRDg64MZUyRD43Wv/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="kitchen" width="161" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWai6v-9HglKEmUfsEdGCrjStiWZIhvKKO0Dzb-6AbKU0o2ZTTo9aUH8D6OspkKwNUKDheRBa2uxbT0rJ0aj0r0BmmtN_WGu3EcS5V7cHMdNjhUK3Benhpn3nsNWa-MCLZEqbQn5p4C1B2/s1600-h/kitchen%252520stripped%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kitchen stripped" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuCK8nc2HcgiIe4XP_Q5qrTSKw_iinTsopXD2A-2FM1d1K7iYzJGvDDxQ0OHyG2id5ZneO_gJmTeBtLIl-jndqiMIdAYkAze7HCRw3fLEl5Uf0QvoMaBR4obnef1s7Xm77UQaAdgCa9-M/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="kitchen stripped" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
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Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-69008944614906164202013-03-27T06:34:00.003-07:002013-04-07T07:09:31.924-07:00My Angel.I have written about the kindness of people over and over since I started this adventure. Every time I'm on the receiving end of a random act of kindness from a stranger it confirms my suspicions that the world is made up of amazing individuals; it's not the scary world we see on TV.<br />
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If you've been with me since the beginning you may remember the mystery man who appeared at my last yard sale and handed me an envelope with a donation for my trip. To refresh, a gentleman approached me, I introduced myself and he replied by saying who he was was not important. We talked about travel and he briefly shared some of his own experiences. He handed me an envelope, told me to put it in a safe place and wished me well on my travels. He was not someone I knew and was very clear on remaining anonymous. Rarely do you see someone make such a gesture and absolutely refuse any kind of praise or recognition. My father says there's a name for someone who secretly gives (it appears in his crosswords a lot); angel.<br />
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Yesterday the mystery man struck again, this time in the form of a mystery woman. She walked into Argyle Fine Art and handed over an envelope with my name on it while keeping her lips sealed. When asked if the envelop should be passed on to me she replied simply, yes. When asked if she's like to say who it is from she said nothing, quietly slipping out the door. Inside was a donation and another vintage postcard with a similar message as the first; "for your next trip, vaya con dios".<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FHvA4ARoA2F650KlbWCy0a6yJxAkWfoojPNRliFJoN6CGXoiCmmCbFxctbHeSMKxuOsBeUyHWxLei6Jvpskl_gGPD0w8kA0RdjolFooeS9tUQ_k-Yd0UNzhC_vbUkkixM4okYALaxNlC/s1600/postcards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FHvA4ARoA2F650KlbWCy0a6yJxAkWfoojPNRliFJoN6CGXoiCmmCbFxctbHeSMKxuOsBeUyHWxLei6Jvpskl_gGPD0w8kA0RdjolFooeS9tUQ_k-Yd0UNzhC_vbUkkixM4okYALaxNlC/s320/postcards.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(I hope by publishing images of the postcards I'm not risking the anonymity of my donators.)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGMckLbqR9ZiLzrdanAnIptas7hUfYxk7VNOfIS1YG2RhO5Y-52NqzKdBVVhhDa9vAqj538q-g-1x_EVIMGv0Y5z4DMrZzHENz-VNl2B9bLm91aZ2tHr7xroFOmQWIfg4PmCytGnuHgpk/s1600/postcard+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGMckLbqR9ZiLzrdanAnIptas7hUfYxk7VNOfIS1YG2RhO5Y-52NqzKdBVVhhDa9vAqj538q-g-1x_EVIMGv0Y5z4DMrZzHENz-VNl2B9bLm91aZ2tHr7xroFOmQWIfg4PmCytGnuHgpk/s320/postcard+back.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm still in a state of shock. Yes, the donation will be put to good use but it really is the gesture that brings me to tears. There must be something about what I originally considered a selfish venture that has struck a cord with these two individuals. I know from emails I have received that what people are relating to is the idea of freedom. People's letters talk about how they traveled when they were younger or they always wanted to travel but 'life got in the way'. The barter van blog is a way for them to live vicariously through me. I had no idea starting out how many people have similar dreams of the open road and how few actually get the opportunity to do it. I thank my lucky stars every day and never forget those who support me and cheer me on as I get ready for the next adventure.<br />
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Whoever and wherever you are I hope you are reading this. Thank you isn't near a strong enough sentiment for what you have done.<br />
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You are my angels.<br />
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<b>Do you have an angel in your life or have you been one to someone else? </b><br />
<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-45566194399126991482013-03-26T06:17:00.001-07:002013-03-27T06:37:59.177-07:00A look at the showYesterday I had a couple interviews at the Gallery about my exhibition. I will be sure to post both interviews when I see them. One was with the Chronicle Herald newspaper and the other was with CTV. In the meantime, to the left under "In the News" is a blog post about my opening by journalist Nicole Trask for Halifax Magazine.<br />
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While there I took the opportunity to document my show and thought I would share what a wonderful job they did displaying my work. I love being represented by Argyle Fine Art. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EKL164sMhkZ8nrpPsIi34p_cxM5bOWDq4PXZPW3_5mYnKfv1NlX47O6Tm8mKlikGOue_H9xf9za9KEwe1sMc72Dq1fXDAO3nio9iztuQi1tsAXq7sAz0kmom1W5xHTD4HOFqxY_ZRIgU/s1600/elissa+interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EKL164sMhkZ8nrpPsIi34p_cxM5bOWDq4PXZPW3_5mYnKfv1NlX47O6Tm8mKlikGOue_H9xf9za9KEwe1sMc72Dq1fXDAO3nio9iztuQi1tsAXq7sAz0kmom1W5xHTD4HOFqxY_ZRIgU/s320/elissa+interview.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interview by Arts Reporter Elissa Barnard. Photo by Adriana Afford.</td></tr>
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<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-23067217780264407912013-03-24T06:56:00.002-07:002013-03-27T06:38:33.959-07:00Opening night and other ramblings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup3V4nl4BwXr3uy4qBKez5wJV4XcG_HzPrZcbKgUWLQuhl-os0xwSc4nP1d7JY2DmCbXcvize0xLM2N1dIO5oOYRBqM2MM6va5us4zboQyINomkGc3maM_BWi93qtS0diH9G77Dd7Ghke/s1600/show+pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup3V4nl4BwXr3uy4qBKez5wJV4XcG_HzPrZcbKgUWLQuhl-os0xwSc4nP1d7JY2DmCbXcvize0xLM2N1dIO5oOYRBqM2MM6va5us4zboQyINomkGc3maM_BWi93qtS0diH9G77Dd7Ghke/s400/show+pano.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panoramic photo by Crystal Ross</td></tr>
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It's a few days after the opening reception of my show and I have the all so familiar feelings I get after all the excitement is over. I am someone who always needs a project so after months and months of working towards making this exhibition happen I am now kind of projectless; for now. I get a bit of a post opening blues but don't get me wrong, it's nothing serious. It's almost like when an adrenaline-inducing roller coaster slowly comes to an end. Or like raising children and then sending them off into the world to see what happens. (ok, not <i>actually</i>, but I think you get the gist of the metaphor) It is both exciting and makes one vulnerable. I wouldn't trade any of this roller coaster though and will most definitely be doing it as long as I'm able.<br />
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The reception was wonderful and I am so fortunate to have support and interest in what I'm doing. I saw lots of familiar faces and had the opportunity to meet some new people who are very involved in the arts here. Sometimes a simple conversation can bring about some new ideas and I will be working on some new things very soon. The most important being revisiting the Barter Van concept and gearing it towards trading with artists of all genres instead of the general public who need to pay their bills and aren't necessarily interested in art. As much of a loner as I am I'm beginning to understand how important it is to have people to bounce ideas off of and I think interacting with creative people will make my next venture out all that much more inspiring. But more on that later.<br />
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One of my favorite things about my travels and this show is the stories other people tell me of their own past adventures or future plans. My choice to give up my belongings and comforts have inspired people to follow their own dreams. This, in particular, is a wonderful feeling since I have been inspired by so many myself. Sometimes I have to pinch myself. I'm still floored when someone likes
what I've made enough to purchase it and have it in their lives. I don't
think I will ever get used to that. It's surprising and flattering
every time. There's nothing quite like actually living out your biggest
dream. It can be done. <br />
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Next up in my plans is to put this hide-a-way house back to it's cozy self. I have to start packing up all my materials and load the van back up for this coming weekend when I will be moving in with some friends for a while. I'll be starting work with my sister's moving company and in my spare time revamping the barter van concept. I would love to get back on the road for June but I think that's quite optimistic. Even so, it's important for me to set a date and work towards it. Someone asked me at the reception if I'm panicked or worried about my future. The answer is no. You would think being homeless with an empty bank account would cause some panic but it doesn't. My answer is that I'm lucky enough to have the support of my friends and family and no matter what happens I won't end up on the street. That's all I need to know to have the confidence to keep pushing forward. Plus, I'm just getting started!!<br />
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<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-2692015000337625852013-03-07T16:28:00.004-08:002013-03-27T06:39:09.292-07:00Two weeks till show time.It's been quite a while since I've popped by my blog. As you can imagine I've been spending all my time putting together my exhibition, which I titled Roadside America. Working away today, I had the realization this is the first time I've had the luxury of preparing a show without having to work a day job. No wonder my stress level has been low. Well, relatively low. There's always numerous silly little technical difficulties that happen to make you slightly panicky but to be able to deal with each issue immediately is a gift.<br />
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Along with working on the exhibition pieces I've put together a map showing my route across America and back. I photographed the actual maps I used and pieced them together in Photoshop, lining up the highlighted drive. While traveling I encountered many people who were shocked that I didn't have a GPS. They couldn't believe I wasn't getting lost but the truth was I did get lost, quite a bit, but it often lead to me seeing something cool or talking to someone interesting. So, I became much better at reading maps and knowing my north from my south and east from west. A handy thing to know.<br />
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I thought it would be interesting to use the compiled maps to indicate where I took the original photographs used in the final pieces. (In the map above the images are blurred. A good friend of mine has been doing her best not to see any of the images beforehand. I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise for her now would I?) The map will be on display during the length of the show to highlight my route and to lend context to the work. Looking at the map now all I see are the places I haven't been yet; so much left to explore. Soon. Fingers crossed..<br />
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I hope people have the time to come say hi to me during the opening reception of American Roadside. It will be at <a href="http://argylefineart.blogspot.ca/p/upcoming-shows-submissions.html" target="_blank">Argyle Fine Art</a>, 1559 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia from 7-9pm on Friday, March 22nd. Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-70833513768647058912013-02-21T08:07:00.002-08:002013-03-27T06:40:18.024-07:00Reviews and a Comic Strip.The Barter Van and I have been getting some attention lately so I thought I'd write a quick post to share. My story has been published in three magazines; <i>Halifax</i>, <i>This</i> and <i>Broken Pencil</i>.<br />
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I was in contact with all three publications while on the road and it was wonderful to see what was written when I returned to Nova Scotia. I feel very lucky to have so many people interested in what I've chosen to do. It's also a great reminder of the last six months as it feels a bit like a dream now.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
(Hopefully you can read these articles. My scanner is packed somewhere so I had to photograph them)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halifax Magazine, December 2012. Written by Nicole Trask.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanIxZm6aW91fMYhNihr09KW1des7WXGASo_wVagC415KYllUFVRZs19qIidBZczmolzSzI1bUslQcllVPN6X5W7Qfe9nAk_7fDtnWIGjgBYoEYXXZz-Wtt6gehNVeAIFAKLqrUWYq7wVl/s1600/broken+pencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanIxZm6aW91fMYhNihr09KW1des7WXGASo_wVagC415KYllUFVRZs19qIidBZczmolzSzI1bUslQcllVPN6X5W7Qfe9nAk_7fDtnWIGjgBYoEYXXZz-Wtt6gehNVeAIFAKLqrUWYq7wVl/s400/broken+pencil.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken Pencil Magazine, Issue 58. Illustrated by Patrick Burgomaster.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Magazine, Jan/Feb 2013. Written by Matthew Ritchie.</td></tr>
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<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-78010389984812673842013-02-08T05:28:00.002-08:002013-03-27T06:41:07.020-07:00From the city to a van to the country.One thing about hibernating and being on my own for a long time is I have oodles of time to think about things, something I spend a lot of time doing anyway. First, I wonder if I should keep writing this blog when I'm not actually traveling or living in my van. I feel like I'm still on the journey though so I figure I'll touch base when I have something I want to share. After all, I am still in the midst of working through the realities of my life long dream to travel and make art. <br />
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I've been thinking about adaptability. This past year of my life has been a lot about adapting to situations and being happy to do so. I have gone from being a 40 hour a week, bachelor apartment dweller in the city, to living and traveling in a van with a dog, to hibernating on the wintry shore of Nova Scotia in a quiet little village. I have stayed with strangers, close friends and family and have felt at ease in all places. Now, in this wonderful little house, I am feeling right at home. <br />
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This part of the journey feels like a test run for how I envisioned my future. I have dreamed about living away from the city, but close enough to commute, and working solely on my own art. For the past week that's exactly what I've been doing. My routine has been get up, make coffee, work for a couple hours, take Okie for a walk (if it's not bloody freezing out), work some more, make a big pot of something, work till bed then read. I treat my own work like a regular job. I put in at least an 8 hour day and most often times much more than that. I have chores which are new to me here. There is a lovely wood stove so I have to bring in fire wood and kindling from the basement as well as pile wet wood from the outside into the basement to dry. The wind here can be quite brutal so I've learned quickly when I get a calm day I get outside. It's my first time doing this kind of thing and it makes me feel good to get off my lazy but and do something physical.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuOsBWlTtqmKnahQZQrn7TTel50_408CTUgKXEZVKiilYXXEjsIFV8al-lz7kPlReIHIrAvhgsnAWohnfry2pSmvlgHKCUr52J1BAH-vDu3GUSRrlJ9JpiVhqdm3QzOfapzBYYVLytJFf/s1600/micheles+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuOsBWlTtqmKnahQZQrn7TTel50_408CTUgKXEZVKiilYXXEjsIFV8al-lz7kPlReIHIrAvhgsnAWohnfry2pSmvlgHKCUr52J1BAH-vDu3GUSRrlJ9JpiVhqdm3QzOfapzBYYVLytJFf/s320/micheles+house.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House I'm renting</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nanny's watching.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful walk/break.</td></tr>
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When I dreamed about living like this I questioned whether I would be disciplined enough to put in the hours like a regular job. Apparently I have the opposite problem where I don't get away from my computer enough. Okie has taken to sitting at my feet and lightly growling for me to take her for a walk or play. Life is boring here for a little dog who's used to being on the move. (not that she's not spoiled with toys, it looks like a daycare in here).<br />
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Having a deadline for my work helps motivate me a lot. I am a
perfectionist so knowing I have a timeline forces me to complete things. I've picked a corner of the house to set up a work space where there's lots of light and a big table. I'm the luckiest person alive to be able to do what I've been doing and if I can make the rest of my life resemble the last six months I've achieved my dream.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Studio nook.</td></tr>
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<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-30323035392146567942013-01-30T07:07:00.001-08:002013-03-27T06:45:20.901-07:00What I've learned part three.I arrived home this past Saturday evening. It feels like I've been gone for a long time and no time at all. It's going to take some time before I can fully understand the impact of what I've experienced but people's questions are helping me to process everything.<br />
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The main change I notice in my outlook on life is the way I think about my future. I have anxiety and used to constantly get worked up asking myself, <i>what do I want to do with my life?</i> That was the big question and the most pressing one I had before deciding to go on the road. I now realize, and I mean truly understand, that it's a question with an impossible answer. The question for me now is what do I want to do next? Traveling and having to live day to day, in the moment, taught me to make more short term goals. Right now I can only plan the next four months of my life. In the past I would have found it incredibly stressful to have such a vague plan for my future but now I find it liberating. I have short term deadlines and goals and all I can do is work towards them. If they don't work out things will be re-evaluated then. So far I feel no anxiety about where I will be in four months. My van may rust out and fall apart and my exhibition may bomb making my goal of heading back out on the road in June an impossibility. Any number of things can happen to change my planned trajectory and I have no control over any of it. This new acceptance doesn't make me feel helpless. It gives me power, knowing I can only put my best foot forward and the rest will happen as it will. I do, however, realize this way of living is a luxury because I only have myself to think about and plan for.<br />
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A close friend of of mine asked me what I learned about myself. It's so much easier to talk about the bad qualities one has than to recognize the good ones. I am well aware of my faults but the one good quality I realize about myself is that people respond well to me. As someone who is consistently self-conscious about what I'm saying, whether I sound stupid or look socially awkward, I have come to realize what I see in myself is not what I project. Perfect strangers have told me I'm inspiring, brave, strong and non-judgmental. An East Indian man, who owned a motel, thanked me for taking the time to talk to him, stating most white folks don't give him the time of day. I've been thanked for not judging a neighbor at a motel and for being open-minded and accepting of people. My old boss told me she liked that I would talk to anyone and everyone the same way. Obviously I travel to see the different landscapes but I find the people I meet are what makes the journey. Everyone has a story and I think because I'm a good listener it bring people to me. I prefer to listen to other people talk than to talk about myself.<br />
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Working towards what I thought was an unattainable or crazy goal and actually making it happen has given me confidence and a more peaceful mind. I have seen what I can accomplish and with my new less anxious and more patient outlook on life I feel like I'm on the right track. Next, I move into the house in the country, set up a studio space there and get down to business making the new pieces for my exhibition in March. I'm beyond excited.Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-79127879673055008472013-01-24T18:01:00.000-08:002013-03-27T06:48:16.997-07:00Almost home.I knew when I woke up and saw Okie's water frozen in her dish we had to start sleeping in motels. Despite my father lending me a heater it is too cold for me to keep sleeping in my van now. My cooking fuel doesn't work under freezing temperatures (no making coffee in the morning) and the majority of campgrounds and state parks are closed for the season. It was time to give up the fight and fork out the cash.<br />
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Maybe I should have spent more time in the southern states but sometimes I just keep driving. I really do enjoy driving and I'm doing a lot of it. The last campground I stayed at was on the outskirts of Culpeper, Virginia and it was quite the place. It looked like most of the trailers there had been parked for a long time; a lot of permanent residents. The maintenance man, Kevin, who is in charge of 16 acres all by himself (so he kept telling me) provided me with the space and lifted the rusty barrel off the power box so I could plug in. About a half hour later another burly man in a hunting jacket comes to collect my $25 and tells me if it gets too cold I can "come on up to the house and sleep on the couch". Southern hospitality hey?!<br />
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The first motel was Granny's Motel in Frackville, PA. I chose to sleep there because the statues on the outside caught my attention. In it's heyday I'm sure it was quite the place but it looks to me like it has been passed by the interstate, leaving it to fall into less than stellar condition. I like places like this though and it's cheap so it was our home for the night. You may not be able to tell but their eyes are quite vapid and the kid is holding a headless doll.<br />
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Tonight I am at a Motel 6 in Massachusetts somewhere. As I heat up my dinner of beans and rice I see my reflection in the mirror. I'm definitely looking a little worse for wear. I drove all day without taking enough breaks. Okie and I aren't as inspired to go for long walks as we used to be. She doesn't seem to like the cold any more than I do. Am I complaining? Maybe a little but I'm coming home for all great reasons and with a new goal. I'm excited about the way things are looking for the next four months. Plus, the closer I get the more excited I am to be seeing my friends and family. Let the next chapter begin.<br />
<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-38951464315694293242013-01-20T16:45:00.001-08:002013-03-27T06:54:33.726-07:00Savannah. Two nights for $12.The first great thing about Savannah, Georgia, is I can park my van at the Visitors Center for 48 hours to the tune of $12. The building is next door to the art college's gallery as well as 10 blocks to the historic river front downtown. I love being able to leave my van in a safe place, call it home, and go out for walks in a new city. <br />
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At one point while driving there I had to come onto the breaks, hard, sending the items stored under my bed flying through the hatch and crashing forward between the seats. I thought, 'well, this can't happen', so I stopped at an Ace Hardware to buy a hinge. What started out as a simple fix became an hour long back and forth with one of the employees. But, we did figured it out and I felt better having fixed the problem.<br />
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I also stopped at "Artistic Taxidermy Shop and Museum" to look around and take some photos. I made the mistake of getting into a conversation with the owner about hunting, consequently keeping me stuck there for 15 minutes longer than I wanted to be. I should probably learn to keep my mouth shut sometimes.<br />
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On arriving in Savannah, I parked the van and we toured the southern historic district on foot. It is similar to New Orleans' French Quarter but smaller and cleaner. You can buy a drink, daiquiris are the specialty, and take it along for the walk. The same as in New Orleans. This also produces drunk, loud puking people, however on a much smaller, more tolerable scale. It's a very pretty place and I feel quite safe everywhere I've walked. I've been very good at keeping a low budget. I've been doing as many free activities as possible. So far I've managed to spend about $10 on beverages, including the $5 coffee I treated myself to at the coffee/wi-fi spot I'm writing from. The rest of the time is spent walking, sitting in a park or window shopping.<br />
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Today we took a little road trip to Tybee Island which is toted as an artistic island with a 3.5 mile length. We took an illegal stroll a short ways on the beach; dogs aren't allowed anywhere there it seems. I meandered along the shop-lined streets but didn't feel too inspired to shop. The one place I found that I did browse in was just on the outskirts of downtown, on my way back. They had pile of stuff to go through and I was very tempted to but a an old neon sign letter but I restrained myself. It was a red letter C and it was lovely. Alas, there is no shopping for unnecessary things when you live in a van. Sigh. Back into Savannah I took Okie to the big park and sat in the sun with her tied to a long lead so she could explore and eat things. Just before we get up to go, a photo student and her friends come over and ask if they can photograph Okie. She's using a film camera and shooting black and white and developing it herself! Hallelujah!! I didn't think schools taught film anymore. I'm thrilled and of course Okie hams it up for them.<br />
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I like it here. The east coast of Georgia is full of swampy lands, island, rivers and bridges. The city is easy to navigate. Either I'm getting better at this or it's really well planned. Back on the road tomorrow. South Carolina bound.<br />
<br />Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3773742889947616617.post-71688240936820870232013-01-16T07:23:00.001-08:002013-03-27T06:58:42.341-07:00Coincidences?I have talked before about coincidences and the universe, or whatever it is, providing me with what I need, even when I don't realize what I'm asking for. Remember the cabin at the Grand Canyon I was given just when I was starting to feel a bit lost on the road? Or Okie showing up in my life after I had to give up the dog I adopted to join me for my journey? There are countless examples of this...and here's another one.<br />
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My original plan was to stay with my good friends and their family from February until I was ready to head back out on the road. Three days ago I received an email from my ex-boss asking where I was going to stay when I return home. Her house was available to rent if I needed it. I thanked her for the offer but told her I had already made arrangements. The next day Adriana, the owner of Argyle Fine Art, emailed and informed me three of my pieces at the gallery sold. Great news, I thought, knowing I could use that money during my stay. Not to mention it's always very flattering when someone likes something I've made enough to purchase it and hang it on their wall.<br />
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So, yesterday I was feeling a bit restless and decided to take Okie and I on a hike. There are tons of bird trails here so I didn't have to go far. During our walk I reflected on what I was told about meditating recently. I have never invested much time in meditation even though I know someone like me could sure benefit from it. This person put it to me a different way which I could relate to more. Instead of sitting in silence and trying to let your mind go, she takes time during whatever she's doing, say, during a conversation, and reminds herself she is in the moment; ie, my foot is moving, the air smells flowery, I'm holding a cup of coffee, and so on. For her, it brings her into the exact moment she is living in and helps her feel more connected to the now. As I walked, I tried her technique and it works well for me. Knowing I'm leaving so soon has made me wish I had this practice earlier. I believe it helped me realize my new plan.<br />
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As I walked all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Why hadn't I thought of this already? The money from my recent sales at the gallery could pay for renting the house. This would give me a studio space to work, so to speak, and all the quiet I could handle in order to create the type of work I want. After my exhibition opening in March I will move into my friends place for two months with a clear head and no distractions. I can simply enjoy their company and hopefully pick up some paid work. Adding to this amazing conclusion is the fact my boss' tenants were originally going to stay until March but recently decided to leave the end of January, just in time for me to arrive.<br />
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I can't begin to tell you how amazing it all is that this has come together. It's another example of how envisioning what you want and working towards it helps make it happen. I didn't know I needed a place all to myself for a couple months while putting the show together but now that it has been offered it's EXACTLY what I need. Thanks again Universe. I won't let you down.Angela Carlsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00296129967543035462noreply@blogger.com4