Tales of the Painted Desert

The trip starts in a 1973 GMC Painted Desert Motorhome, 26 feet long, 12,000 pounds of rolling fiberglass, aluminum, glass, and steel; 455 cubic inches of Oldsmobile V-8 front wheel driver POWER.

A monogrammed, DMG, upon the glove box, this vehicle was bought for $5,500. Siblings of this very coach have graced the big screen, about 7,000 are currently owned and mostly roadworthy. We have put about $7,000 in and 30 man-hours into it. 

...So, imagine driving this retro special along the highway, stopping at every tourist gift shop and gas station, from here to there. Stalling after buying, 

Fire on brakes to get tags, 

Winter test camping, 

Gas flooding on the way to a summer event and the heat.

Spending many months at mechanics for...

...And say you get past all that, we asked ourselves what we would have done different? We didn't realise that in an interstate travel town, that no one would be able to efficiently work on our over-fed baby. Yes, two tanks, each 25 gallons, refill every 400 miles. We just wanted more efficient mechanic shops.

In the imaginary world this thing would resemble a space vehicle, a travel shuttle for the whole family if you will! Indeed, this compact travel pod has four beds, six seatbelts, refrigerator, stove, burners, kitchen wash basin, full lavatory, some storage, and converted to solar!

In the real world we live in the middle of nowhere, limiting our inclination toward completion. We go  out once a day during winter to chill out for a bit while the dog happily sits outside, barking at trucks a few miles away. But it's still camping, if we are out there cleaning and stuff, we will even eat or drink out there.

Imagine driving up and down the coast of California, camping at every beach. Buying solely tourist items to use in the rv, getting fresh food from roadside stands to prepare and eat, and the pictures, maybe even audio recordings so trips can be re-lived in the rv while in the driveway.

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Imagine turning it into a specific cave. Place all projects, games, and outdoor activities in there, jukebox-type music system. A book nook, audio books on speaker selection, book shelves, chess and other games built into the glass dining table

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Imagine it as a guest house for anyone who drank by. Family member from out of town makes surprise visit or there is too much drinking at a late gathering. Clean bedding, note that they can use anything, include some beverages, muffins, and breakfast bowl, change of towels and clothes.

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Imagine it as a food cafe truck-only one party can dine at a time, but there is seating room for a few others to grab togo portions, also imagine it is free to homeless people, anyone else paying is only paying the cost to run it. Food cooked fresh on the spot, using donations. Fresh drinks, bread, condiments, hot food, cold sandwiches, soup options, and juicy salads for the summer.

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A spook-about camp vehicle for rent. Park it in the middle of the new moon dark desert area. Include food appropriate to the ghostly story rattled through the rv-wide speakers, provide bedding for the pleasant night sleep, greet them in the cold morning with beverage, food and grins.

 Damn Good Machine,