Packing. Re-packing. Making it all fit in...

[herveus]

We've finally gotten around to changing how we load up the van. The second bench has come out, pretty much for good. I made some more pieces to extend the deck in the van up to right behind the front bench. This allows us to slide the tables further forward and clear of the jack. Another new piece of decking covers the jack, both protecting it and giving more flat surface. This last bit of shelf also pins the tables in place.

In addition, I turned a length of ash into two posts that stick up behind the bench. They are there to provide mounting points for a (not yet obtained) cargo net thingy to restrain stuff from flying forward. The one post is already doing service keeping some of the shorter tables from being able to slide forward.

Yesterday, we mostly loaded the van up. The old long box (with the lid that was collapsing a bit) is out of service. We put the books into two, smaller tubs. Megan can now lift them, if only barely, and she wants her back brace on. The old book box got the garters and the small rack put in it, and the phoenix box got all the favors and card-woven belts.

Losing the bench seat freed up a useful amount of cubage!

Of course, the canvas will still be going on the shelf in the hitch receiver...

We go to Ymir this weekend, which is "on our way" to Estrella. It just means that our plans to make Phoenix by noonish on Monday will involve a moderately insane drive. Last year, with a third driver, we made Flagstaff at the crack of dawn Monday. With only two drivers, we may have to stop along the way at some point to let us both rest. Once we get there, we erect the tent, vomit the contents of the van into the tent, do some preliminary organization and setup (energy permitting), and go to the nearby Motel 6 where we have a room laid on. Real shower is the principal attraction...

Comments

[dr-zrfq.livejournal.com]

Woohoo for the new spatial arrangements! (And as Megan pointed out to me Wed. evening, you hadn't used that bench for seating people any time recently.)

I didn't manage to talk to Ursula on Saturday (she was at U-of-A as well), but if [a] I manage to get to Gulf Wars and [b] she's willing to hawk your merchandise, then I'm willing to schlep said merchandise down there. (Also assuming that my ride is willing and has space, but as I'd be going down in [The Van The Size Of] France, I doubt that'd be a problem.)

[wanderingpixie.livejournal.com]

I have a recollection of being told that they tend to fill the van with the stuff they take to Gulf Wars (or close to it, anyway), so you might wanna check that.

[dr-zrfq.livejournal.com]

Been talking to them, as recently as this morning, about it. L sez he's not likely to be filling the van completely even if K *can* go, which is still up in the air. So taking some merchandise should be all right... but of course I'll ask first.