Behind the scenes

The other night, the Beaver was used as a production office for Lydia and Colby of Proper Villian Productions for their 5th annual Masquerade Ball at Branx in SE Portland. I was stoked the Beaver was of service. I got some fun photos of Lydia getting ready and working at the same time.

Lydia getting Masquerade Ball ready in the Beaver which was the Production Office for the night

The Beaver parked behind the infamous VORTXX <3

Dawn Laderer taking charge

Lydia giving directions and answering questions in her bra

Since I've been dealing with the ongoing issue of leaking for the last week, I haven't been in the Beaver very much. I've been tarping it and getting as far away from it as possible. So having these guys using it made me pay some good attention to it. It gave me a great reason to clean it and put things back in order. It's amazing what a week of entropy can do to an old RV. 

A funny thing happened while on my way to drop it in place at Branx. I stopped to get some quick Thai food from a little cart on Stark and I accidentally locked my door with the keys still in the ignition. Right away I knew my only way in was through the side window that's been held locked by an 18" piece of stick. 

First, I had to get a step higher up (so I could crack the window and use the deer antler within reach to flick the stick out of the windows passage and lift myself self in). So I walked towards this guy, trying to get his attention, to lift me up, but he didn't hear me because he had headphones in. Instead I just followed him into the building he was going into. I was happy to see lots of chairs. I just grabbed one. Never mind the guy. 

The interesting thing about the building I followed him into that it was a plasma donation center. I've never been to one of those before and I know now I never want to find myself in one again. It gave me the willies. As judgmental as it sounds, I couldn't help but to wonder about the quality of blood. These people must have woken up, on a Saturday, and thought 'How can I make some cash and spend my Saturday?' Then they end up at the plasma donation center. But as I write this, I realize my address is currently a Beaver and then I feel bad for judging the blood people. 

Anyway, I nabbed a chair and walked out with it and proceeded to get into my RV. I returned the chair and was back on my way to Branx.

Thank God it was a dry weather night in Portland, which means no worries of a leaking Beaver and the event was a stunning, absolutely seamless, beautiful production.

Beaver scent

On a good day (when the moisture levels are down and the tanks are freshly, disposed of) the Beaver smells like Palo Santo, Sydney Hale Co. candle in Bluegrass and Juniper, and Meyer's Clean Day Room Freshener in lavender.

Keep a little green nearby at all times

What's in your fridge right now?

1. Flask
2. Almond Milk
3. Marley Coffee
4. Butter

Kitchen life in the Beaver

This little box is the actual fridge

This is the fridge, used a pantry instead.

Inside the Beaver pantry

Top shelf in the pantry. I keep my tea bags in the Irresponsabilidad Juvenil tin.

Compost bowl

The Italian Bialetti makes the strongest cup.

I found these vintage plastic cups on Hawthorne

Every day I'm trying to think of how to reduce unesscary things around me. I have noticed a huge growing awareness of products, before buying them at the store. Before I buy things I think of how easy it will be to dispose of them, how quickly can I eat/use all of it, what's recyclable or not. The last thing I want is a cluttered kitchen or lots of garbage to get rid of.

I've been using the fridge as a pantry. I have a small fridge I keep on the counter. It's small and perfect. I keep a big bowl on top for compost. I'm constantly parring down. There is no room for anything extraneous.

Plugged in

Tiki, chillin' in the Beaver

 Because of weather and the need for a consistent use of the heater, life is way easier to be plugged in. Thanks to Jake and Amanda we've worked out a deal to plug in when I'm at their place. This makes things so much easier and quieter (not running generator) not too mention being in one spot takes away the need to be on the move. It feels like a vacation. I think I may have a point here: Make things so hard and difficult for awhile that when they get a little bit easier it feels like bliss. Keep that up and you'll be in a constant state of gratitude and feeling of graciousness.

The Beaver might be making me a better person.

Below are some highlights of where the Beaver has been, when not parked at Jake and Amanda's.

This is the view from Alberta Park. Can you even see the Beaver?

This is where I stay in North Portland, at Yorra's place.

Old is the New New

This whole time hasn't been totally problems. I've had some fun ripping apart the bedroom area. I tore off the carpet on the wall and repainted it. I then placed the adhesive tile squares from Home Depot and layed some new carpet down. I'd rather this space be more living room like. The hanging bin for the laptop is a new addition as well.

It's funny how even though everything is newly placed it still looks old. Oh well! I have been making Beaver choices, like what would a Beaver want instead of trying to attempt to make things look modern. It's clear Beavers like green and brown, so I'm going with green and brown. This way things blend and I can get away with fixing most things, versus everything. Leaving room for error? Maybe. Better thought of as it's what the Beaver wants.

This area used to be the bedroom/bed area, but I felt a living/lounging room would be more useful. The bed area has been moved to above the cab.

That's the brakes

Now that the leaking issues are resolved for now, I can start thinking about the brake issue Blue Lake Repair informed me about. When I took it in to get the simple gas line and power steel line replaced, they stopped before starting because they noticed a much bigger problem. The brakes were worn to the metal. Everything brake related needed replaced. They estimated the job at $1,700. I was like, right now- no way. For that day I was depressed about it. I thought how the Beaver days must be over because this is getting ridiculous. I was about to start writing up the ad: BEAVER FOR SALE.

That night Pete stayed me and it was interesting how when I told him about that problem, he didn't flinch and just mentioned how his old RV in Mexico had to have to same things and it immediately made me realize that this is part of the deal. Brakes go out. So what, get them fixed. 

That didn't make me act fast on it though. Actually, haven't acted on it at all yet. I've driven in this metal to metal condition more than any normal person would. But I am going to wait to find the right place to have this done, $1,700 seems too high. 

Jake noticed my tire was flat, so I rolled the Beaver down the road to Tire Factory to get it fixed.

This opinion was confirmed when the other day I had to get the front flat tire fixed (people leave nails in the street?) I limped it down to Tire Factory (which they fixed for free) I asked about the brake repair, and they were confident they could do it for half the price. Stoked.

It is pretty funny how for the first few months I was anxious about the Beaver dying going up hills, now I hold my breathe trying to brake going down hills. 

Problem: Leaking

I'm pretty sure the cause of some leaking is from this storage box on top. It has a few pretty sizable holes in it and it's suspicious after it rains there is no water collected in the bottom of this thing. The water must be going somewhere. So with my $100 Dicor tape from Camping World, I patched the holes and with my other Dicor products I sealed up (globbed) over the screws. This has been done by a previous owner but their sealant was eroding and coming off on most of the screws. It needed a fresh coating. And they used a silicone sealant, which I just learned causes rusting. Tsk tsk.

Putting Dicor sealant on the screws felt putting frosting on a cupcake, which therefore made it fun. 

In addition to that, I also used the Dicor tape along the damaged area on the roof/side seam. The tape is extremely adhesive and it worked well to bring the edges back together. I then got a few pieces of metal flashing. I liked the idea of light weight angled metal, like a mini roof that water will drop off and away from the seam. I then used plenty of sealant that was made for metal to metal. This repair job is so janky I'm reluctant to show photos because at no angle do they look nice. But after I paint the flashing, I'll take a photo. Maybe.

I believe my water leaking problems are fixed for now... 

Beaver goes to Howl for Halloween

During Halloween, of course we went to HOWL. And this year the Beaver was parked near the venue. It worked perfectly as a place to get dressed, take a nap and have some friends over. Staying on location during a party is so convenient it's not even funny.

I actually love the gritty look of these dumpsters next to the Beaver

Pete and Chel-c

Me kissing Chel-c

Beaver Bonding

It's been awhile since I've spent some time in the Beaver. Partly, working out of state, spending time with Pete in the Bigfoot, and mostly because the Beaver had developed a deep, insatiable addiction to oil. I knew it had a little problem, but for some reason as soon as I got it back from Expertec (not insinuating anything) the problem got worse. Must be because I was driving it more, and the problem was becoming huge. A pool of oil in my place when I left any spot. I was buying quarts at a time, trying to please it's oil thirst. Quarts turned into gallons. Not good. Finally, after prompting from, everybody, I took it into Blue Lake RV Repair in Gresham. Essentially, rehab, to kick it's oil habit.

I just got it back, problem fixed but they had the nerve to warn me about another issue. The fuel line or tube is old (1983 old) and the gasoline these days is breaking the material down. They told me this can cause a fuel break/leak and potential make the beaver stop, and burst into flames. I'm like, Ok, fine, I'll take my chances. I thought about it for a few minutes... and then called to make the appointment to get that fixed. The appointment is next Tuesday.

But for now, I decided to take the chance and take it somewhere anyway, before I get that issue fixed. I was tired of not doing anything with this thing. I still don't know what it is I'm doing. I haven't spent enough time in it. So I gave my friend Jake my car keys and told him to not let me trade or have them back for awhile. He mentioned he was the biggest push over and surely all I had to do was to ask for them back, so we made the agreement that I would have to show him my tits and then I could have the keys back. Just something to cause me to pause before asking for the keys and that was something he could hold out for.

Heading down Roger Road to Gales Creek in the Tillamook Forest

I decided to take it to the Tillamook Forest for the night. I would test everything I got fixed on it thus far. If it breaks down, I'll smoke a cigarette watching it burn. At this point since I just got it back from Rehab, I was calling it the Big Beaver Burden Bitch. It just seemed like I would never get ahead. I knew I needed to spend some time with in it ( I call it 'it' when I'm mad at it) So I knew I had to take it on a mini trip. Since one of the things I got fixed was a new fuel pump ( recall how it wouldn't go up hills, and die) I knew this drive would be a good, real test. Also, a good time to watch the oil level, from the recent fix. So on my way to Tillamook Forest, up up up Hwy 26, across the North Plains, and uuup Hwy 6. I made it to Gales Creek, where it looked like a perfect place to stop, I noticed the season for camping was over but I parked anyway, near the creek and settled in for some major Beaver bonding. I sat with it. I slept in it. I woke before six, made coffee, and even drove the drive with the all Commuters. Up up up and all.

Everything is great with it for now. Except for the roof leak caused by some reckless upper right rear oversight. Some tree branch along some way caused some ripping to the top and side. On my list to fix.

Below are some highlights of some stays thanks to some pretty understanding friends within the past month.

Thanks to Jake and Amanda... they have helped so much in a lot of car/beaver hosting and shuffling around.

The Beaver is so convenient! I had a very early flight so I just stayed in the Beaver in the economy parking lot at the airport, got up at 4 am and bussed over to the airport. Smart smart smart!

My favorite daytime spot is next to the Laurelhurst Park.

Currently, enjoying a nice spot under an Evergreen in NE, thanks to Yorra!

The USPS does not deliver to Beavers

My address is The Beaver. Since the USPS doesn't deliver mail to Beaver RV's so I got a p.o. box #14728. My first p.o. box ever. I can already tell what a giant pain in the ass this is going to be to check this regularly.

Night 4

The Beaver 39th & Pine

This isn't the first night I've stayed in the Beaver, but it's technically the first since I started the blog. Last night I was exhausted and wanted to park before it got dark. Not all of my lights work. Another thing on my list. Now that the fuel injector was replaced, my new concern is lights. I wanted to be near Laurelhurst Park. I nestled into a spot facing the park on 39th and Pine. When picking a spot to land the Beaver, a few things come to mind. I don't look for dark and quiet homes because people just aren't home yet and I don't know if I'm taking up their spot or not. I look for driveways with cars already in them and if there is street parking nearby, I go there. I assume that they are parking in their driveway and don't need the street. That gives me a better chance of not making someone mad. I can imagine them pulling up to their house and going 'Oh Jesus now whose big green RV is that?.' While inside last night I was overly conscious of the noises outside. I was anticipating someone to knock on my door. I haven't parked this early before so it was leaving plenty of time for someone to grow curious or irritable. But as the night went on, no one knocked. The only sounds I heard the whole time was a neighbor cutting wood on his front lawn, a couple neighbors taking their recycling out and two very annoying barking dogs for a couple minutes, followed by an extremely annoyed dog owner bitching about them to himself. My biggest issue was not parking on a level spot. My bed angle was off kilter, creating a slant. I had to sleep nearly perpendicular to how you'd normally lay in a bed, trying to keep my head above my body at this slight angle. It was like sleeping on a little hill.

I woke up before 6a, and decided to go to the park like I planned, before I start my day.

How to fortify the Beaver Dam

When someone wishes to live in an RV in the city the issue of safety inevitably comes up. When you take away the padding of normal neighborhoods with normal people, eliminate the physical layer of sidewalks, stairs, bushes, porch lights, and neighbors dogs you have a rather exposed situation.

So during my week working on photo shoot for one of the most respected tactical companies, I took this perfect opportunity to ask a very qualified person about a simple and realistic strategy regarding fortifying the beaver.

Nate's having fun here illustrating that this gun is too big for the Beaver.

If anything, he gestures at a much smaller size.

Nate, is ex-military. He's been on nearly a hundred photo shoots with us, and I always like having a reason to talk to him. He's done and seen some things, so he's a perfect person to ask his advice on beaver security.

When he asked what was new with me I said "I got this RV called a Beaver and as an experiment I'm going to live in it, and I started a Beaver Blog." He blinked two blinks in one beat and in military flatness he says "Your Beaver has a Blog?" I nodded yes, totally glad he didn't act shocked I was going to live in an RV. Relieved he didn't think I was crazy.

First he mentioned to always park in a well lit spot. When I started to roll my eyes as if to express duh, he reminded me that most people don't think about that. He also mentioned to not leave anything in sight that was slightly appealing. "Maybe put something that would belong to a guy in plain sight." He wasn't trying to be particularly protective (and I liked that because it reinforced my confidence that he wasn't even the slightest 'unsure' or felt like he needed to dissuade me) but of course anyone would address the fact that I'm alone in there. He suggested I put a mag on the dash. Although somehow I'm not sure someone breaking into an RV would be that discerning. Maybe loose ammo though? "Make them wonder who is in there, and be discouraged." He says.

I was curious what he'd say about what weapons I should have.

"Baseball bat?" I suggest, liking the idea of having a metal bat (because they are so much lighter than wood ones) just leaning against my front door, all tough like.

"Mm no, not enough room to swing it."

"Mace?" I threw it out there.

"Too confined of space."

"Hmm. Knife." I say already settling on it.

"Yeah, a knife. That way you can get someone off you." He nods. Then he made a joke about a flashlight first to see what the person looked like and then a knife if I didn't like what I saw. Again, I was glad that there was not much concern and could make a light hearted comment like that.

We came to the conclusion that a fog horn type dealio would also be a good idea. Something to instantly create a loud attention getting noise that didn't require contact. It actually may be preventive. That, and a knife would be realistic.

All of this reminds of what an old friend who was very into Martial arts once explained to me: to not allow your enemy to see the range of your weapon. He described having a big stick at your side but holding it in such a way that doesn't allow your opponent to see the full length of it. Your opponent shouldn't know what you have or won't you don't have. They should not be able to sum you up.

Part of me is like oh my god I don't want to have to think about this! However, considering that I'm sleeping on the streets basically, it doesn't hurt to have a plan.

Getting Experteched

The beaver is at Expertec in Hood River while I'm working in North Carolina this week. It's been running well around town and back and forth from Portland to the Gorge, but it has died on hills three seperate times (on the Fremont Bridge once) and so this issue is being looked at now. Finally!

I'm waiting to hear what they think the issue is. 

Beaver Bush

What RV? I don't see an RV. 

Beaver goes green

It starts with a very thorough taping off job.

This weekend I drove the Beaver to the Gorge so I can work on it. I want to paint the whole thing green, eventually painting a variety of Doug Fir, Fern and general leaf patterns. A sort of urban/nature camo. I'd like it to look like a beaver's bush. The idea is to look nice in a neighborhood. I think it'll go over better if it looks more charming and artful, than just a big brown RV.

Yes, I'm using a combo of spray paint and exterior latex paint for the job. I imagine it will be amazing when I done.

Back from the dust

I'm back from Burning Man and SO ready to live in The Beaver!

While on the Playa, a man came up to us and asked us to select a tarot card. How strange that the card I pull, was about a stable home. When I look at this card, I think, a stable home- WEIRD. Places of dwelling have always been temporary for me, and I'm OK with that.

The Beaver Muse

Earlier this month, my friend Jennifer included The Beaver in her photo shoot on Sauvie Island.

Thank you for including us on your photo shoot Jennifer! Take a look at Jennifer's photography portfolio here. Beautiful work.

photo by Jennifer Alyse Rogers

photo by Jennifer Alyse Rogers

photo by Jennifer Alyse Rogers

photo by Jennifer Alyse Rogers

Life in the Beaver

After Burning Man, I want to live in The Beaver for a couple months. Each day I feel differently about it.

Monday: Excited.
Tuesday: Overwhelmed.
Wednesday: Wait, what does it mean that I live in an RV?
Thursday: Ok, I got this.
Friday: Ok, I'm losing it.
Saturday: Remind me why I'm doing this?
Sunday: Wait, I've always wanted to do something like this.

How much space does a person need?

As I make plans to live in The Beaver it means that everything I own will fit in approximately 293 sq. ft. Interesting thing to think about, that everything I own can fit in such a small space.

The Beaver: 200 sq. ft
Storage space: 25 sq. ft
Volvo: 48 sq. ft
Couch/Bed storage at Yorra's house: appox. 20 sq. ft

This evening I was stoked to hear LifeEdited.com on NPR. They discussed editing one's possessions and clearing space. Designing one's life to include more money, health and happiness with less stuff, space and energy.

Encouraging.  

These Beaver Hands

These hands have dumped over 50 gallons of other people's shit (from Airbnb) in the past couple months.

Cost & Benefit

I don't want to forget what I spent/made on the Beaver so far. I think it'll be fun to keep track of this.

The Beaver was listed on CL for $2,100. The guy then lowered it to $1,800. 

June through August
Cost & benefit analysis

COST:
The Beaver: $1,800
Parking violation: $82
1st Towing: Dad's AAA ( $0 )
Painting supplies: Had everything already ($0)
Kitchen/Bathroom/cleaning supplies: $190
Fabric for curtains: $10
2nd towing Beaver Towing: $160 ( Costs more because an Officer called it in )
Vacuum: $60
Propane: $9
Gas: $100
Quart of 5W30 Oil: $6
Fremont Bridge 3rd towing: $80 ( got a deal )
Mechanic Jeff: $60
Mechanic Bob: $50
12 gal black water tank holder on wheels: $120
* Title Transfer and Registration

PROFIT:
1st Airbnb Reservation: $247
2nd ": $165
3rd ": -$80 ( Remember the ones that couldn't handle staying in an RV, this cost me some fees etc )
4th ": $165
5th ": $192
6th: $319

COST TOTAL (so far) $2,727
PROFIT TOTAL (so far) $1,388

* I have yet to register and transfer the title! ( Looking at appox. $300 ) Will do after this last set of Airbnb guests. 

It Actually All Started on June 6th of 2014

In all captial letters on Craigslist, read the ad: 1983 FORD BEAVER. It was the first RV I ever looked at. I could barely wait one day to buy it.

The first month ( June '14 ) was all about fixing the Beaver up and finding out where is the best place to park it. It went to the Gorge a couple of times, it's been towed from Hwy 35 once ( fuel pressure issue, got it kind of fixed ) and got one Portland parking violation. I was a little paranoid of it getting towed and wasn't ready to overcome the obstacles parking directly in my driveway would entail. ( There's a telephone wire hanging too low from the houses,  it's a little wide for the spot,  I didn't know if my neighbors would mind an RV directly behind their bedroom windows ) So I drove it to my friends Jake's and Amanda's, on 181 St. to park it and sometimes I would just move it around my neighborhood, a night there, a night here.

I spent a couple hours a day in it, painting the cupboards white, cleaning, driving it around, buying just-the-right pillows, and in general spent a lot of time fantasizing about Beaver camping, photo shoots (so many ideas), listing it on airbnb (how fun would it be to host people, putting coconut water in the fridge, and have the Beaver make money!) and I started to play with the idea of living in it for awhile (how cool would it be to sleep in a different neighborhood every night! To have coffee at a new shop everyday!) Swollen with romantic ideas.

Within the second month ( July '14 ) of Beaver ownership it was ready to be posted on Airbnb. I did manage to park into my driveway. ( Ended up just slicing right through that old telephone cord while pulling in one day, and managed to lobby with the neighbors successfully) I had no idea how Airbnb would turn out. All I knew was I got all my cupboards painted white, and it felt ready. Surely, there has to be people out there who get the charm of staying in an RV called The Beaver. You can see the Airbnb listing here.

The first Airbnb guests was a lovely family of four from Peru. I think the daughter talked her family into staying in it. Thank god they liked it and had a good time, first review on Airbnb and it's a super positive one. The second set of guests were a couple girls from Quebec, again, sweet and they left a lovely thank you note. Third set of guests were the first couple that did not appreciate the Beaver. They were not happy with anything about the RV. They got a full refund. The fourth set of guests were two girls, one from North Carolina and the other from Eugene. They loved the Beaver. They were the guests that later texted 'We forgot our vibrator in the bed!' So cute.

I like who the Beaver seems to attract. The Beaver seems to attract women. And not just women, but women who like women. The ladies who have stayed here are clean, friendly and smell particularly good. Their shit actually doesn't stink. I would know, because I dump it.

I want to do lots of photo shoots using the Beaver. The first one I had the concept of Urban Camping. I wanted to show what it would look like if totally independent, edgy, hot Portland girls ( are there any other kind? ) camped around the city in the Beaver. I asked my friends Vivian and Christa to be the models for it. We went down to SE Industrial area and started to take photos. Although, only a couple of them ended up being appropriate for the Beav's Airbnb profile.

Christa is wearing lace leggings from The Local Animal

Vivian is wearing leggings from The Local Animal

The second photos shoot was produced and shot by my talented photographer friend Jennifer Rogers. She wanted to do a vintage, fresh, summery cool-kid's-going-surfing-shoot. She thought the Beaver would be a perfect prop. We went out to Sauvie's Island. I took some quick iPhone behind-the-scene photos. The real set of photos are coming soon.

After that shoot, because of the same damn fuel pressure issue- it had to get towed off the FREMONT FUCKING BRIDGE.

The Beaver getting towed off the Fremont Bridge