Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast (Jeff Wagg)

Welcome! In this episode we do some necessary introductions. My name is Jeff Wagg and I converted a 2014 Nissan NV200 SV into a stealth camper van. Though I'm not living in it full time, I've traveled coast to coast over the past year and have learned quite a lot through the process. My hope is that this podcast will be your companion as you work on your rig, travel, or just wish for a little bit of #vanlife while you're doing things outside of your van.

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: Sevier Lake I visited Sevier Dry Lake in West Central Utah and discovered some odd and unexpected (creepy) things. - Campsite: https://goo.gl/maps/1yxof3j239yWn5VK8 - Boat location: https://goo.gl/maps/2sxFnyhEVV8chn3cA  
• TECH TALK: Backup Batteries Do you have one? I do, and it's saved my butt a couple of times. Here are many to choose from- Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/2S13Prs
• A PLACE TO VISIT: Lunar Lake Want to drive on a dry lake bed without fear of getting stuck or getting salt all over everything? This is the place.  - Directions to Lunar Lake: https://goo.gl/maps/15MGGGLgRVrWpdVYA
• RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION: Vansformation Only 20 episodes long, this British podcast is full of interesting information and suggestions for your build. http://vansformation.com/category/podcast/

Welcome! In this episode, we talk about surviving the Wisconsin winter, van style. We'll discuss diesel parking heaters, and how Hot Hands can be a good friend on a cold night. Also, we encounter a night-time parking hazard we didn't anticipate. 

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: This whole episode is one big tale from the road.  

• TECH TALK: Diesel Parking Heaters

  •  For the price, these are the best way to heat your van. They do require some serious installation chops, but once there, you'll have dry heat whenever you need it. 

  • Hide anywhere model: https://amzn.to/3cbLwri

  • All in one, easy install model: https://amzn.to/32wOUZq  
• PRODUCT REVIEW: Hot Hands!
  • • Not just for hands anymore, toss these guys in your sleeping bag for a toasty night. 
    • Box of 40: https://amzn.to/2TdE71S

Can you make money from social media? YES. But there are things you need to know, and nothing's guaranteed. We'll also review the BlueDriver OBDII scanner, take a look at Nomadic News, visit Great Falls, and hear a story about more bees! 

Photo by Wendy Seltzer

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Product Review - Razor UB1
  • Slow, short-lived and uncomfortable. But hey, at least it's small. 
  • https://amzn.to/3dUNwpL

• A Place to Visit - The Lost Coast
  • A pristine bit of California with some odd shaped giant trees.
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Coast

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Yep, it's time to talk about Insulation. Flames accepted. We'll also discuss tapping into fuse blocks, review a USB monitor, visit a famous movie site, plug FarOutRide.com and hear a "hot" tale. 

• AD: Robinhood

  • I’ve found an app that makes it dead simple to buy and sell stocks, even if you don’t know what you’re doing. And that app, is Robinhood.

    I’ve used it for years without a hitch. No contracts, no hidden fees, no gotchas.

    When you open your account, they’ll give you a free stock. That’s right, one share of a publicly traded company will be yours. It could be a big name like Apple or Google, but more likely it will be a smaller stock, like Zynga or Sirius.

    You will have to enter your bank’s information. But if you’re willing to do that, there’s literally a free stock waiting for you. And for me - and that helps keep the show going.

    Give it a try is join.robinhood.com/jeffw118 If you decide it’s not for you, sell the stock, keep the money and close your account. Easy peasy.

    I promise to only promote products that I use and trust, and Robinhood is one. If you have a different experience, please let me know. And thanks for giving it a look.

• TALES FROM THE ROAD - WE WANT YOURS!
  • Send us your Tales From the Road and if we use the on the air, you'll receive a College of Curiosity SWAG bag, including some things appropriate for #vanlife. We'd prefer audio, but text could work and we'll help get it done for you. Send it to: jeff@builttogo.com. Thanks!
• A Place to Visit: Chain of Rocks Bridge
  • Route 66's crossing of the Mississippi River
  • Filming location of Escape from New York
  • Creepy murder site
  • Visit Chain of Rocks Bridge
• Product Review
  • AOC 16-Inch Ultra Slim USB Monitor
  • Plug it in and you have an instant 2nd monitor, now power needed!
  • About $85 at the time of publishing. 
  • https://amzn.to/3lxCmZD
  • Mac instructions
• Resource Recommendation
  • Far Out Ride
    • A great resource of all things #vanlife 
    • https://faroutride.com/

This podcast is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TTxiNRSZwcU

Are you ready to start Vanlife? How can you be sure? There's ONE things that's essential. We'll also take a look at why 12v kettles might not be a good idea, visit a Subaru Factory in Indiana, and talk about how some religious organizations help in times of disaster. 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@CollegeOfCuriosity)

If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit BuyMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo

Mega-Skookie in Pontiac, IL

• A Place to Visit
  • Subaru lets you tour their Indiana plant
  • https://web.subaru-sia.com/Tour/
• Resource Recommendation
  • Like factory tours? This list is out of date, but still has some good stuff. 
  • https://factorytoursusa.com/
• Product Review
  • Stryker Sage Bath Cloths These are great for cleanup, but have a few quirks.
  • https://homecare.stryker.com/sage-essential-bath-cloths-7800-7803

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Wow, it’s been hard to get connected! I’m back in Ushuaia now, and I’ll do one more Antarctica episode before returning to our regularly scheduled programming. And as promised, here is a picture from my cabin window.

What does AI have to say about Vanlife? Turns out, quite a bit, but can we trust it? Let's see. We'll also explore gas generators, and unique vending machine in Texas, encounter some powerful critters, and review CarMax. 

Travel with us on the Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic! Details at: bit.ly/CofCDanube24

If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit BuyMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo

A jackal in the wild. 

NEWS

• Motor 1 VW Says There's No Market for an ID.Buzz Camper Van https://www.motor1.com/news/713335/vw-no-market-id-buzz-camper/
• Vanfest New England is On! https://vanfestusa.com/
• WSJ - RV Stocks Drop After Airstream Parent Flashes Demand Warning https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-jones-03-06-2024/card/rv-stocks-drop-after-airstream-parent-flashes-demand-warning-ADgKFLMUqnmGoQDQv48t

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Seriously, don't look at the eclipse without protection! Here's some advice. 
• https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Berdoll Squirrel Vending Machine
• https://berdollsquirrel.com/index.php?cID=127

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Is it safe to visit the USA? We'll take an honest look. We'll also play with a USB tester, find some remote jobs, look at places that offer Digital Nomad Visas, and hear a tale of kindness.

If you're looking for my personal articles, you can find them at https://peregrinus.ghost.io

Is it safe?

NEWS

• iOverlander 2.0 Fails https://www.abqjournal.com/lifestyle/article_cba62748-fd02-11ef-997f-cbd0f6a86ea2.html

•  New Documents https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/nbc-5-responds/new-us-uk-european-travel-requirements/3783511/

• eVito Longer Range https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/mercedes-has-almost-doubled-evito-vans-range-298-miles

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Countries With Digital Nomad Visas https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/countries-with-digital-nomad-visas

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Drok USB Tester https://amzn.to/4j6zHUW

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

4. We Work Remotely – One of the largest platforms for remote jobs across tech, marketing, design, and more. https://lnkd.in/gT2Fz-aF
5. FlexJobs – Curated, scam-free remote job listings, but requires a paid subscription. https://www.flexjobs.com/
6. Remote OK – A remote job board with salaries listed upfront and job filters for easy searching. https://remoteok.com/
7. Remote.co – Focuses on fully remote companies that have a strong remote culture. https://remote.co/
8. Jobspresso – High-quality remote jobs in tech, marketing, and customer support. https://jobspresso.co/

6. Remotive – A remote job board with company reviews and job categories that pay well. https://remotive.io/

7. JustRemote – Helps you find fully remote jobs with visibility on international opportunities. https://justremote.co/

8. Virtual Vocations – A U.S.-focused site with telecommuting job opportunities. https://lnkd.in/gbuQdW38

10. Outsourcely – Connects job seekers with startups looking for remote talent. https://lnkd.in/ghyKHcbb
11. SkipTheDrive – Offers remote jobs across industries with easy filtering. https://lnkd.in/gJv_actq
12. AngelList – Great for landing high-paying remote jobs at startups. https://angel.co/jobs

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

Have AAA? What if when you call they say "NO." It can happen. We'll also take a look at vinegar and what it is and isn't good for, recommend you check out Bob Wells, get stared down by a doggo, have a a first look at cheap "solar generators," and see how locks work. Not that kind!

We now have a Discord Server! What’s that? It’s a place to share and ask questions with the host of Built to GO and other listeners. It’s a new community, so it will take some time to get to size, but you can be part of that! This link will take you to a video that explains the concept. Join us!

New Videos! The Aurora Project Vlog # 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZnlPYaUquo

The Aurora Project Intro & FAQ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWhS_wox6s0

• A Place to Visit - Illinois Waterways Visitors Center
  • Watch how massive locks work on the Illinois River.
  • https://www.illinoisriverroad.org/places/united-states/illinois/ottawa/nature-outdoor-recreation/illinois-waterway-visitors-center/
• Product Review - Wakyme and Awanfi Power Stations
  • • I haven't done full testing yet, but the Awanfi seems to be the winner for size and price, though they're only $25 apart. Wakyme has USB C. 
    • Pricing fluctuates almost daily - watch for a good deal.
    • Wakyme 500 https://amzn.to/3b6Gr4m
    • Awanfi 500 https://amzn.to/3eYEIze
• Resource Recommendation - Bob Wells & Cheap RV Living
  • If you're considering #vanlife, especially on the smaller scale of things, this is a must.
  • CheapRVLiving
  • Bob's charity: Homes on Wheels Alliance

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in anyway. 

A cocktail and a bone to pick with an article AGAINST travel, and then we discuss the pitfalls of your TPMS system, not one but TWO angry Argentines and an incredibly in-depth look at cyclopentane compressor refrigerators.  

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

Walking to Crestone Crater 

• The Case Against Travel by Agnes by Agnes Callard
  • From the New Yorker Magazine: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/the-case-against-travel
• A Place to Visit - Crestone Colorado
  • A "new spiritual center" in the land of Mexican Land Grants in central Colorado. A good place to leave the rest of the world behind. 
  • https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/crestone
• Resource Recommendation - This goofy fridge has a really clever design. It's also kinda terrible.
  • Alec from Technology Connections spends a good long time exploring the depths of a refrigerator that's exactly the same as the one that's probably in your van. Lots to learn!  
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PTjPzw9VhY

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Propane, Butane or Electric? What's best for heat and cooking? YES! We'll also play with a new lighting idea, visit an iconic fountain, take a rid in Africa and find an easy way to check the weather. 

Travel with us on the Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic! Details at: bit.ly/CofCDanube24

If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit BuyMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo

The Toyota Quantum. 

NEWS

• WSJ - No Showers, No Sleep: Van Life Isn’t as Cool as Instagram Makes it Seem https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/van-life-living-96f4e986
• British Readers Digest How embracing the van life helped me beat the cost-of-living https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/inspire/life/embracing-the-van-life-helped-me-beat-the-cost-of-living
• Business Insider: I spent years considering van life and finally embarked on a 2-week trip last fall. 5 months later, I'm still dreaming of the lifestyle. https://www.businessinsider.com/van-life-road-trip-convinced-nomadic-lifestyle-is-for-me-2024-3

PRODUCT REVIEW

• NiLight 60 LED Light https://amzn.to/3U3axN
• Dual Fuel GasOne Stove (mentioned in main segment) https://amzn.to/3U2QAWK

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Buckingham Fountain https://loopchicago.com/listings/buckingham-fountain

TALES FROM THE ROAD

• African Bus Plunge https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68690454

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Winter is coming, but that's no reason to stop #vanlife. We'll visit some of the gods living in Illinois, talk about solar shower bags, OBDII port scanners, and listen to an odd tale of physics. 

In this episode, we ask some hard questions about the ethics of #vanlife, explore Bishop Castle in Colorado, explain why you put in the floor first, recommend Fakestop and discuss electric heat in a van. 

• A Place to Visit
  • Garden of the Gods, Illinois
    • Nope, not the one in Colorado or even the one in Hawaii!
    • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area in Herod, Illinois.
• Resource Recommendation
  • Vanly.app
  • It's an "Air BnB" for van parking spaces.
• Product Review:
  • Solar Shower Bags
  • They work, but they're better for heating water than taking showers. 
  • https://amzn.to/32T7BYM
• Tech Talk:
  • On Board Diagnostics II (OBDII) ports can save you money. Consider carrying a scanner.
  • Cheap option: Hyper Tough HT309 OBD2 Code Reader
  • Full-featured option: Autel AutoLink AL609P Pro OBD2 Scanner

Some links (Amazon) are affiliate links, and the podcast will receive a small payment if you order from them. Anything provided by a manufacturer for review will be fully disclosed. All reviews are the opinion of the Podcast Host. 

Welcome! In this episode, we discuss storing food, what to cover walls with, a place that smells bad but tastes good, and a disappointing visit to an interesting place.

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: Aurora, Indiana and a strange museum

• TECH TALK: Wall coverings 
  • Is wood the only option? Hell, no.
  • A source for wall coverings, https://www.albrightssupply.com/
• PRODUCT REVIEW: Alpicool 12v Compressor Fridge
  • • I love this thing, and i think it's a bargain. 
    • https://amzn.to/2TZrtWr
• A PLACE TO VISIT: 
  • Luling, TX
    • Bad smells
    • Good food

Thanks for helping us get to 50 episodes! This time, we're taking a break from our normal format and presenting you with 50 #vanlife tips, and some news. Thanks for listening, and here's to another 50! 

• TALES FROM THE ROAD - WE WANT YOURS!
  • Send us your Tales From the Road and if we use the on the air, you'll receive a College of Curiosity SWAG bag, including some things appropriate for #vanlife. We'd prefer audio, but text could work and we'll help get it done for you. Send it to: jeff@builttogo.com. Thanks!

Time for a listicle! 10 tips you may not have seen before.  We'll also visit Thoreau's favorite spot in New England, review the Brita Stream, tell a tale of car mechanics and endagered kids, and explain the relationship between Fuses and Wires. 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• 10 Weird Things (Links)
  • 512GB USB Mini Stick
    • Cheapest: https://amzn.to/2TYv34P
    • Faster (the one I use): https://amzn.to/35OGi2o
  • Mosquito Net: https://amzn.to/3iYEhJ0
• A Place to Visit - The Basin
  • An easy access natural swimming pool carved by a river over the course of 15,000 years.
  • NH State Parks Site
• Product Review - Brita Stream Ultramax
  • It's different: it only filters water as you dispense it, not as you fill it. 
  • https://amzn.to/2SPEN1o
• #Vanlife News
  • Ford Transit Connects have been recalled. Click here to check if yours needs a new transmission cable.

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in anyway. 

In which I breakdown... twice! And what I did to get back on the road. We'll also review Harvest Host, discuss a way that VSR gives you MORE battery capacity, stay at the Sacramento Pass BLM area, and learn about Lies Across America. 

Hawthorne, Nevada AKA "Boom Town."

• Breaking Down - OBDII Scanners
  • The one I just got, Innova 3170: https://amzn.to/3fJhEGw
  • ScanGuage II (permanent installation): https://www.scangauge.com/products/scangauge-ii/
• A Place to Visit - Sacramento Pass BLM Camping 
  • Really nice, free place to camp on the Utah/Nevada border.
  • https://www.blm.gov/visit/sacramento-pass-rec-area
• Product Review - Harvest Hosts
  • $99 a year (coupon JUNE saves 15%) gives you access to overnight parking at wineries, farms and museums across the US.
  • Pros - for folks who like a B&B-style experience, this can be a great thing
  • Cons - Must call to reserve, show up during business hours, and you're expected to buy something. Also: strange vehicle restrictions. 
  • https://harvesthosts.com/
• Resource Recommendation - Lies Across America
  • Those "Historic" Markers are great, but are they accurate? Well, maybe. Dr. James Loewen's myth-busting history book which focuses on the inaccuracies, myths, and lies that can be found at national landmarks and historical sites all across America
  • https://amzn.to/3wVGLM3

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in anyway. 

Can you have a rig with just electric and no propane? Sure! But do you want to? We look at the pros and cons of electric and LPG and make a recommendation. We'll also visit Cawker City, KS, home of a few odd things, take power from the dome light, explore the least icky toilet, review the American 8-gang switch block, and take "Tales" to the mattresses.

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

A gas station motel in Cawker City, KS

• A Place to Visit - Cawker City, Kansas
  • Worlds Largest Ball of Twine! (One of many)
  • Sleep in a gas station! On purpose!
  • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/54850
• Product Review - Amarine 8-gang Switch Block
  • I like it. It has advantage over other systems.
  • Amarine Made 8 Gang Aluminium LED Rocker & Circuit Breaker Waterproof Marine Boat Rv Switch Panel AM62-PN-LB8Z
  • https://amzn.to/2VGkapo

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in anyway. 

Let's take a look at what you should look at when you're looking at a used van. We'll also dig deep into power stations and diesel heaters, try some pink treats, give up on privacy, and see some wee vehicles. 

Join us at VanFestUSA! February, 6-9 on Florida' Space Coast! Hundreds of rigs, parties, tours, classes, vendors and activities. More information at http://vanfestusa.com. 

PRODUCT REVIEW:

• Musk Sticks https://amzn.to/3OSbkwZ

A PLACE TO VISIT:

• Dwarf Car Museum https://www.dwarfcarmuseum.com/

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Crossroads App iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crossroads-nomadic-community/id6469199440 Android: can't find one! Let me know if you do and I'll put the link here. 

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

This week, we're going to take a broad look at ways to heat your van. What's important? What isn't? We're also going to look at AAA again, visit with some bees, stop at the world's largest truck stop, and explain serpentine belts.  For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link! 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

Sigh.

• Hot Hands
  • Little packets that make heat for hours
  • https://amzn.to/3SUYQoF
• A Place to Visit: I-80 Truckstop
  • It's the world's largest truckstop, and you should visit. https://iowa80truckstop.com/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

There are an awful lot of negative videos and posts about #vanlife lately. But they're missing one big thing: it's not about the van, it's about living life on your terms. We'll FINALLY review bar shampoo, visit The Archway, invite you NOT to visit Honey Hollow, and talk about Emergency Exits.  For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link! 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

The Archway. Photo by Rochkind

Watch THIS video for some uplifting vanlife moments:

• A Place to Visit - The Archway, Kearney, NB
  • It's a tourist trap, but it's a nice place to stop and has a unique view. 
  • https://archway.org/
• Resource Recommendation - Square Mouth
  • Strange name, good product - search for all types of travel insurance. 
  • http://www.squaremouth.com
• Product Review - San Francisco Soap Company Bar Shampoo
  • Well, I'm not a big fan. But maybe you will be?
  • https://amzn.to/3CG9Lg4

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Which is the most reliable van? It's not a brand, but more of a philosophy. We'll discuss. We'll also look at a regulated power supply, flexible solar panels, how to tell USB cables a part and a story involving a bulldozer.

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

A view from Aurora, Utah

• Product Review: Regulated DC Power Supply
  • This thing has been very useful for testing, charging, and observing rates of power usage on a variety of devices.
  • https://amzn.to/3Osm5Dr
• Resource Recommendation: USB Guide
  • USB is still a nightmare of different connectors and adapters. This guide will help sort it all out.

  • https://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=ideas-and-advice/usb-cable-guide

• A Place to Visit: Devils Icebox
  • A nice series of hikes and caves where the temperature is significantly lower than on a hot summer's day.
  • https://mostateparks.com/location/55460/devils-icebox-entrance

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Hey, I know the sound is terrible. I did this podcast as a video - and I REALLY need to work on the audio if this is going to work. But - here are 10 things they don't tell you about #vanlife, a death truck, some sandhill cranes, a cheap way to monitor power, a way to make icecubes while rolling, and a resource for tracking Wildfires. 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Product Review - Bayite DC 5-120V 100A Mini Digital Current Voltage Amp Meter Ammeter Gauge with Hall Effect Sensor Transformer  
  • Simple, non-invasive way to see your power draw
  • https://amzn.to/3BtBi14
• A Place to Visit: Sandhill Crane Viewing
  • See 10s of the thousands of Sandhill Cranes come in for a landing in Northwestern Indiana
  • Indiana Department of the Interior
• Resource Recommendation: Track Wildfires
  • This handy website can help you plan to avoid wildfires
  • https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
• Tech Talk - Making Ice while rolling
  • Kinda works, but fiddly
    • Alladinbox
    • https://amzn.to/3gQGpR6
  • Works well!
    • Ice Cube Bags
    • https://amzn.to/3gUo59A

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Welcome! In this episode, we discuss using Ikea in your van, solar vs. split charge relays, and dogbowl sinks. 

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: A twin at Lowes
  • What do you do when you see a near copy of your van in the Lowes parking lot? You make a connection. 

• TECH TALK: Solar vs. Split Charge Relay
  • Which should you install first? The answer is: you shouldn't do what I did. 

• A PLACE TO VISIT: Bangor, ME
  • If you're a Stephen King fan, it's a no brainer that this should be on your list. But it should also be on your list if you want to experience some authentic New England.

Pagurus at the Thomas Hill Standpipe, inspiration for IT.

• RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION: Kombi Life on YouTube
  • Kombi Life tells the story of Ben Jamin and his amazing van adventure traveling literally around the world in Volkswagen Vans. You really want to watch this. https://www.youtube.com/user/kombilife

Choose the adventure! Tell me where to go and what to do, and I'll comply. 

New Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/339664633746373/

In this episode, we ask some hard questions about the ethics of #vanlife, explore Bishop Castle in Colorado, explain why you put in the floor first, recommend Fakestop and discuss electric heat in a van. 

• A Place to Visit
  • Bishop Castle
    • Wear sturdy shoes and be careful!
    • http://www.bishopcastle.org/
• Resource Recommendation
  • Fakespot, a tool that helps you find deceptive product reviews. 
  • http://www.fakespot.com
• Electric Heat?
  • Just as with AC, it draws so much power that it's usually impractical for battery living.
  • It can be very handy if you have a plugin.
  • What I have: https://amzn.to/2ZCceEK

Ok, you've given up on household air conditioning, what about those "AS SEEN ON TV" solutions? We discuss. We'll also visit an alien's grave, a ghost town, talk about black water, review a toaster, and tell you about Informed Delivery.

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus   
• Alternative AC
  • • None of these are Earth-shattering, but in some cases, they might be useful
      • The "sponge and a fan" solution. https://amzn.to/2Edke7r
      • The IcyBreeze - a cooler with ice and fans. Pricey! https://amzn.to/30FrobN
      • A 5 Gallon Bucket solution https://amzn.to/3hupVMC
      • The infamous Zero Breeze https://amzn.to/2WKsBh9
• Tales From the Road
  • Currant, NV
    • A modern ghost town on US 6 in Nevada.
    • Drone footage, showing the complex and the air strip that I forgot to mention: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diXiNmLE9pk

       

• A Place to Visit
  • Cemetery in Aurora, NV
    • The complete story: Skeptoid: An Alien Buried in Texas

• Product Review: Coughlan's Camping Toaster
  • https://amzn.to/2WPGY3M
• Resource Recommendation: Informed Delivery

  • The United States Postal Service will scan the outside of your mail and email it to you. Could be useful while you're on the road!

  • https://informeddelivery.usps.com/

What's the best Microvan to convert? We have answers! We'll also have a frank talk about mold, visit some historic ships in Philadelphia, review CHEAP LED flares, and make a big mistake driving in the desert.

And we've launched our YouTube Channel! Built to GO! A Vanlife Channel is live.

Want to see Jeff's NV200? Here it is!

• Resource Recommendation - Nomadland, the Book
  • A must read for those considering vandwelling.
  • AudioBook on Audible.com.

• Tech Talk - Mold
  • Is mold dangerous?
    • CDC Mold FAQ
• A Place to Visit - Philadelphia's Delaware River Waterfront
  • See and tour historic vessels from the 19th and 20th century. 
  • Philadelphia's Delware River Waterfront
• Product Review - CHEAP Twinkle Star Lights
  • Three for $14, almost as good as the expensive ones!
  • AAA batteries need attention. 
  • Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uNE3I3\
• Van News
  • Volkswagen's long-awaited revival of microbus goes autonomous: ID.Buzz electric van on its way
  • Richmond chooses Civic Plaza parking lot as vehicle parking site for homeless Hilltop Mall rejected as site after neighbors complained
  • USPS Chooses Oshkosh Defense to Replace Its Mail-Delivery Trucks

A Boondocking build makes a lot of sense, whether you plan to use campgrounds or not. And we'll take a look at USB lighting, visit some lost luggage, and nearly displace over 200 people into the cold Chicago air. 

If you're looking for my personal articles, you can find them at https://peregrinus.ghost.io

My first fully self-contained rig. 

NEWS 

• South Dakota Threatens Residency https://rvmiles.com/south-dakota-legislation-threatens-residency-for-full-time-rvers/
• Chaos at National Parks https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2025/02/dirty-toilets-grumpy-visitors-and-vandalism-get-ready-summer-parks
• Fuel Prices https://news.google.com/search?q=fuel%20prices&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Hanging Safe https://news.google.com/search?q=fuel%20prices&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Unclaimed Baggage https://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/pages/contact

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Unclaimed Baggage Site https://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

We need to have a chat about recycling, and why in many cases recycling LESS is MORE. We’ll also visit Baja California, try out a “too good to be true” charging cable, find a way to sort though all the different COVID restrictions, and take a look at recirculating showers. 

Your host investigating a New Holland in Mazatlán

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Product Review - MulitCordIt does what it says
  • No brand name, but this one actually seems to work!
  • Great for emergencies. 
  • https://amzn.to/3ofFzjL
• Resource Recommendation - COVID Restrictions
  • This one-stop shop is as up-to-date as anything
  • https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php
• Tech Talk - Recirculating Showers
  • 15 minute showers sound great, but there's a price to pay
  • Wanderful Revolution has an honest and complete review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eTBfi9uo4M

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Yes, you can cook with household electric appliances if you're careful! Some are better than others. We'll visit LL Bean, talk about Kelly Blue Book, get chased by a Tow Truck, discuss van weight, and review the Sea Eagle 370. 

• A Place to Visit

   

  • LL Bean is open 24 hours and has been for over 100 years! Part museum, part catalog store - it's a fun place to hang out at 3AM. 
  • LL Bean Flagship Store
• Resource Recommendation
  • Kelly Blue Book
  • A time-honored way to find out how much a vehicle is worth. 
• Product Review:
  • Sea Eagle 370

  • A large, inflatable kayak that allows you to take your #vanlife onto open water (up to Class 3 rapids!)

  • SeaEagle.com
• Electric Cooking Products:
  • Portable Induction Cooktop
  • Mini Instant Pot
  • Panasonic Inverter Microwave
  • Pure Sine Wave Inverters
  • 12v Microwave

Some links (Amazon) are affiliate links, and the podcast will receive a small payment if you order from them. Anything provided by a manufacturer for review will be fully disclosed. All reviews are the opinion of the Podcast Host. 

We’ve reviewed a lot of things, but how have they held up? We’ll take a look at a bunch of them. We’ll also visit a strange desert spot, reivew the Setpower AJ30 (sponsored), talk about how to wire solar panels, and discuss why State Farm is special. 

What happened here? 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Reviewed Items
  •  200ah Chin Battery https://amzn.to/32AaLDF 
    • Better Choice https://amzn.to/3KLV4uf
  • GasOne Butane/Propane Stove https://amzn.to/3o2UVc1
  • Shower in ANY Van - Two ways to take a shower in any van, car, or while camping. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbC_KTmckDc
  • BOSS Audio Systems BCPA10RC Apple CarPlay Android Auto Car Multimedia Player https://amzn.to/3o3qOBc
  • Olympian Wave 3 Catalytic Heater https://amzn.to/35r33Nc
• Product Review - Setpower AJ30 Refrigerator
  • A really nice size with two different zones (one for veggies, one for sodas), removable wheels and hardware, and low draw.  
  • Use code Built to GO for at least 12% off!
  • https://www.setpowerusa.com/discount/Built%2520to%2520GO

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

This week, I ask you to indulge me as I discuss my "Aurora" project, and plans for its future. It's a bit more personal than usual. We'll also review bamboo paper towels, visit some old trees, find out what's at the next exit, and deliver a pizza somewhere unusual. 

We now have a Discord Server! What’s that? It’s a place to share and ask questions with the host of Built to GO and other listeners. It’s a new community, so it will take some time to get to size, but you can be part of that! This link will take you to a video that explains the concept. Join us!

• A Place to Visit - Cathedral State Park, Aurora WV
  • The state's largest old growth forest. 
  • https://wvstateparks.com/park/cathedral-state-park/
• Product Review - Bamboo Paper Towels
  • They come in a roll like regular paper towels, but they're washable!
  • https://amzn.to/3weoMAG
• Resource Recommendation - Next Exit
  • A classic resource for finding out where to go (so to speak). Good for emergencies! 
  • https://thenextexit.com/

Fire extinguishers may sound boring, but they're essential. Get one! Then we'll visit Bermuda, try out a space blanket, visit a unique store, make some custom badges, and compare gasoline heaters to diesel heaters. 

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• A good choice https://amzn.to/4d60OMo

NEWS

• BLM Hikes Fees https://www.rvtravel.com/blm-wants-to-raise-ltva-fees-up-to-5-times-current-rate-9n-r1/

• Gas Prices Plummet https://abcnews.go.com/Business/gas-prices-plummeting-experts-explain/story?id=113751441

• Except in California https://abc30.com/post/california-gas-prices-skyrocket-national-average-drops/15311721/

• Remote Jobs in Peril https://www.newsweek.com/remote-workers-get-bad-news-1953541

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Space Blankets https://amzn.to/47tNYq5

   

TECH TALK

• Gasoline Parking Heater https://amzn.to/4da0ufI

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Custom Badges

  https://amzn.to/4da0ufI

A PLACE TO VISIT

• The Royal Male https://www.royalmale.com/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

Welcome! In this episode, we discuss ways to how to choose the right van, how to build your floor, Echo Auto, a weird thing I discovered one sleepy day, Meow Wolf and a few other things...

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: A strange way to learn a neat trick
  • It turns out that you can't be sleepy and embarrassed at the same time. 

My beloved Wendigo

• TECH TALK: Floors
  • Boring? Maybe, but your floor is the literal foundation of your van. You might want to pay attention.

• PRODUCT REVIEW: Echo Auto
  • • Love Alexa? Want to listen to any radio station in the world on the road, or play voice games while driving? NOTE: Since i recorded this, the price has gone up to $49. Sorry about that! Still worth it.
    • https://amzn.to/37N6GZB

     

• A PLACE TO VISIT: Meow Wolf
  • ANOTHER true pilgrimage for any curious person. It defies description. Just go, and become a better person for it.

     Meow Wolf -https://meowwolf.com/

• RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION: Divine on the Road's Solo Female Van Live

  • Sidney lives in a Ford Transit and shares her #vanlife adventures in a frank and honest way. If you'd like to hear the reality of the #vanlife community that Instagram promotes, this podcast is for you. 

  • https://divineontheroad.com/

Top 10? Who knows - but here are some myths about #vanlife that need to go away. A moving highway? Yes, it exists and it's called the "Badger." How do the pros do laundry? Infrequently. And we'll explain the difference between solar charge controllers, tell a story of a storm and recommend Travels with Charley.  

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus   
• Top 10 Myths
  • #vanlife is gaining popularity and so are the stereotypes. Don't buy them.
• Tales From the Road
  • What can a storm teach us about perspective?

• Q&A - Laundry? 
  • • Use the laundromat?
    • The Scrubba promises to let you do your laundry in a bag. For a price. https://amzn.to/3bQRegx
    • A mini washing machine. https://amzn.to/3cOJo8v
    • A fine salad spinner washing machine. https://amzn.to/3e6ehp9
• Resource Recommendation
  • Perhaps the very first "#vanlife" book, Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck. 
• Tech Talk: Solar Charge Controllers
  • Will Prowse is the god of solar. Here's is explanation, which is a lot more thorough than mine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB6zojol9o0
• A Place to Visit: SS Badger
  • The last coal-fired steamship running the United States today.
  • https://www.ssbadger.com/

Apologies, but I need to take a week off and focus on some other things. I’ll be back next week with more #vanlife goodness!

In the meantime, you may be interested in this episode of Pantophobia, a podcast I produced a few years ago, that deals with people’s fears and how they overcome them. 

See you next week!

Averil is afraid of stepping on fish—especially fish that jump out of aquariums unexpectedly. It happened to her sister-in-law once!

Jeff Wagg

Jeff is the Curator of the College of Curiosity. He spends his days looking for curious people, things and points of view to share through words, audio and travel.

You can reach him at jeff@collegeofcuriosity.com.

Aubrey Henretty

Aubrey is a writer and storyteller in Chicago. She has a lot of questions.

You can reach her at aubrey@collegeofcuriosity.com.

Mark Graunke

Mark is a pipefitter by trade and a mystery seeker by inclination. His hobbies include challenging his own fears and anxieties.

You can reach him at mark@collegeofcuriosity.com.

Meijer, the grocery store chain with aquariums: Meijer.

Herald Times Reporter (Manitowoc) article about dead fish on the beach: Huge alewife die-off a sign of life for the lake.

Thanks to Averil for sharing her story with us.

Logo design by Beth Voigt.

Produced with Audacity for Mac.

How can you secure your van? Not personal security, but keeping people out of your van! The Amazon Fire HD 8 has a cool secret, and Salvage One is an interesting place to visit in Chicago. Would like a free water pump? We tell you how. And FINALLY, and explanation for all the Aurora references. And we try Rock Auto and report back. 

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus   
• Van Security
  • • Keep your stuff out of site, hide small things, and learn a couple of tricks like kill switches, locking swivel seats, and chained steering wheels.
• Tales From the Road
  • The Auroras explained, finally. What does it mean? You'll have to listen to find out.  
• Resource Recommendation
  • Rock Auto - more than just an annoying commercial. It's actually pretty great! 

• Tech Talk: Free Water Pump!

  • Ok, we'll spill the secret - your free water pump is... gravity. But it can be all you need. 

• Product Review: Amazon Fire HD 8
  • Not really a review, but rather an interesting way to use it as an Alexa hub. 
  • Amazon Fire HD tablets. https://amzn.to/3ftHSts

Welcome back! In this episode, we discuss lavatory possibilities, the necessity of sound deadening, and unwelcome encounter on I-70, the Ventline Vanair and Sanibel's causeway islands. 

Some toilet solutions:

1. What I have: DOMETIC 1223.0154 Gray 301097206 970 Series Portable Toilet-2.6 Gallon - https://amzn.to/37q2e2M
2. A simple solution: Camco Portable Toilet Bucket with Seat and Lid Attachment - https://amzn.to/2MLsVXZ
3. Most popular composting toilet: Nature's Head Self Contained Composting Toilet  - https://amzn.to/2MNSBDd
4. The She Wee, a solution for women: https://amzn.to/37wLSWh

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: Encounter on I-70
  • You know those perfect moments of vanlife you've dreamed of? Here's one that went wrong.

• TECH TALK: Sound Deadening
  • Do you need sound deadening for your van? Maybe not.

• A PLACE TO VISIT: Sanibel Causeway Islands
  • Sanibel is a special island just off the coast of Ft. Myers, Florida. But the journey there reveals a special place of its own. https://www.leegov.com/parks/beaches/causeway

• PRODUCT REVIEW: Ventline Vanair
  • Here's a powered fan solution for those with limited roof space - https://amzn.to/2suOfKt

• RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION: Insulation Advice on YouTube
  • How to Insulate your Van: Greg Virgoe from Camp Quirky. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6eWGp14TL4

IT HAS BEEN DECIDED: There is a "best" van, at least if you're looking to get the most miles for your money. We'll also visit Alligator Alley, stay in an underwater van, review a tiny backpack, and explain Kei vans. For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link! 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

The Western End of Alligator Alley, circa 1972.

• CNBC Article on Best Used Vehicles for the Money
  • https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/here-are-the-10-best-used-cars-for-the-money.html
• Product Review: 4Monster Collapsible Backpack
  • Super handy little backpack to have
  • https://amzn.to/3WBRRlY

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

There's a LOT going on, and it's important to remember what we're doing here—VANLIFE! We'll also talk about hitting the road with an unfinished rig, review the Ring Stickup Cam, visit Tinker Creek, Bigfoot, and learn to survive in the woods. 

NEWS

• Why Are We So Annoyed by Remote Workers in Sprinter Vans?

  https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/opinion/vanlife-remote-work-criticism/

   

• Nebraska Attack

  https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/man-72-killed-woman-hurt-knife-attack-nebraska-111254837

   

• Foster Huntington Out of the Box

  https://www.ispo.com/en/people/me-vanlife-associated-activity

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Amazon Ring Stickup Cam https://amzn.to/4crvjg2

A PLACE TO VISIT

• International Cryptozoology Museum https://cryptozoologymuseum.com/

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• How to Survive in the Woods https://amzn.to/3LvaWTH

TALES FROM THE ROAD

• Pilgrim at Tinker Creek https://amzn.to/3LvaWTH

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

COVID-19 is growing stronger, but we can still travel! We just need to do a few things different. We'll also discuss the important of ground wires, review a Dometic toilet, joyously recommend commercialtrucktrader.com, visit the Timberline Lodge and tell a boat ramp story. 

COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus 

CONTEST!!!! If you live in the US and e-mail me before July 7th, 2020 with a story or other item of interest that I can put in the podcast, you'll be entered to win a brand new PWM Solar Charge controller. Every entry will receive a Hook Waka Bang sticker. Your privacy will be respected - nothing shared, stored, folded, spindled or mutilated.

• Travel during COVID-19?

  • You can do it, but set your expectations and be a lot more self-contained. 

• Tales From the Road
  • Playing stupid games on abandoned coast guard bases isn't the smartest thing to do.   
• Resource Recommendation
  • Commercial Truck Trader:  The BEST place to search for vans online. Truly an astounding display of vannage. 

• Tech Talk: Ground Wires
  • Ground wires are just as important as the power wires. Take care of them. 
• Product Review: Dometic 970 Camping Toilet
  • Not quite like being in a house, but a perfectly reasonable solution. 
  • https://amzn.to/3eVepZC

Winter is nearly here - are you ready? Here are some things you may not have thought of. We'll also visit the Timberline Lodge (Shining Hotel), try out some great shoes, visit the "Witch City" and deal with those troublesome windshield cracks. 

Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood in Oregon

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Product Review - Duluth Trading Company Wild Boar Mocs 
  • This basic style of shoe is great for vanlife! 
  • Duluth Trading Company
• A Place to Visit: Timberline Lodge
  • Stay in a bit of hand-crafted history and heck, you can even ski if you'd like!
  • Timberline Lodge

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

This is an unedited podcast produced by narcotics and sheer will.  Now is the time to build your van and hit the road! Really! We'll also talk about rust converters, moose watching, a simple sink solution, creative helps, and a strange woman with a plate of bacon. 

If you're looking for my personal articles, you can find them at https://peregrinus.ghost.io

Version 1. Good enough, but Version 2 was better. 

NEWS

• Canada Ends Permits for Pacific Crest Trail https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/canada-pacific-crest-trail-border-ban-united-states/
• Hiring Freeze at National Parks https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/03/trump-hiring-freeze-national-park-service-00202098
• Higher Prices for Cheap Chinese Goods https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/shein-temu-amazon-haul-set-price-hikes-us-shuts-trade-loophole-2025-02-04/

TECH TALK

• Seymour 16-45 Rust Converter, Black https://amzn.to/40KmF7R

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Boxio https://myboxio.com/products/portable-sink

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Moose Tours https://www.neoc.com/moose-and-wildlife-tours-in-maine/

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Ways to Stay Creative https://www.startofhappiness.com/26-ways-to-stay-creative/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

A bit of rule breaking this week, as I talk about RELIGION (!) in a certain context, cooking with electricity, visiting Salem during "Spooky Season," abandoning friends, and a book recommendation that isn't for everyone. 

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Red LED USB-A Dongle https://amzn.to/4gHQUUl

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Behind the Mormon Curtain: Selling Sex in America's Holy City https://amzn.to/3N7nX6u

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

This podcast is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/P0X4NlML_1s

The perfect stealth van isn't a white cargo van, it's a MINIVAN! And they're great for camping anyway. We'll also walk through a giant stained glass globe, desulfate our batteries, hear a tale about kids playing soccer, and make some toast. 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@CollegeOfCuriosity) Travel with us on the Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic! Details at: bit.ly/CofCDanube24

If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit BuyMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo

A child walks home from school in Jerusalem in 2011.

• Vanlife News

  • California to Soon Allow Church Parking Lots for Homeless

    • https://www.kcra.com/article/newsom-signs-laws-fast-track-housing-churches-lands-streamline-housing-permitting-process/45521090

  • National Parks for Watching the Eclipse

    • https://www.forbes.com/sites/brittanyanas/2023/10/10/ring-of-fire-eclipse-2023-path-a-list-of-national-parks-where-you-can-see-the-rare-event/?sh=7fe8fc6c105c

  • Colorado Opens Recycling for Propane Bottles ($)

    • https://www.denverpost.com/2023/10/12/where-to-recycle-propane-camping-containers-denver/

• Tech Talk
  • Desulfation can help save your battery
    • https://amzn.to/46qnVih
• Product Review
  • Simple toaster makes toast simple! 
    • https://amzn.to/3FcP2Bi
• A Place to Visit
  • The Mapparium is a unique way to see the world.
    • https://www.christianscience.com/find-us/visit-the-mother-church/visit-the-christian-science-plaza/how-do-you-see-the-world-experience
• Resource Recommendation
  • Consumer Reports can steer you right.
    • http://www.consumerreports.org

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Charge without Solar or DC to DC? It's possible! But advisable? Well... We'll also visit the French Riviera, brew up a home grown WiFi network replacement, explore a WEIRD device, and take a look at Campendium.

If you're looking for my personal articles, you can find them at https://peregrinus.ghost.io

A very strange and yet interesting device. 

NEWS

• Best Security Items for Vanlife https://tech.yahoo.com/cybersecurity/articles/best-security-tech-van-life-110000515.html

• Cracker Barrel Banning Overnight Camping?  https://www.rvtravel.com/cracker-barrel-banning-overnight-camping/

• Know Your Rights at Immigration Check Points https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/border-zone

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Galvanox Battery Voltage Tester (Cannot be used to check AA, AAA, etc batteries!) https://amzn.to/4ire8NO

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Campendium https://www.campendium.com

TECH TALK

• Meshtastic https://meshtastic.org/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

Do you leave no trace? Let's talk about it. We'll also visit the Hotel California, look at Android Trackers, and find a place to buy vans. Oh, and there's a t-shirt. 

If you're looking for my personal articles, you can find them at https://peregrinus.ghost.io

I've always been remarkably goofy. 

NEWS

• Canadian Snowbirds Face Border Hurdles https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2025/02/28/canadian-snowbirds-could-face-headache-at-border-following-executive-order

• Crackdown on Egg Smuggling https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/28/americas/egg-smuggling-bird-flu-mexico-border-int-latam/index.html
• Urgent warning after Aussies lose $175,000 caravan in 'devastating' fire https://au.news.yahoo.com/urgent-warning-after-aussies-lose-175000-caravan-in-devastating-fire-213244230.html

TECH TALK

• Android Trackers https://www.androidauthority.com/tested-google-find-my-device-android-airtag-alternatives-3510305/

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Lap Desk https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ4JSJ32?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

Want to build but have no garage or even a driveway? It can be done, we'll talk about how. We'll also explain the history of why 12v sockets are terrible, visit a ghost town, and hear a tale about strangers helping out. And we'll look at a map of springs, nationwide. 

We now have a Discord Server! What’s that? It’s a place to share and ask questions with the host of Built to GO and other listeners. It’s a new community, so it will take some time to get to size, but you can be part of that! This link will take you to a video that explains the concept. Join us!

Aurora, NV in the 1930s

• A Place to Visit - Aurora N
  • Only one wall still stands, but the landscape and cemetery are interesting.  
  • Wikipedia has information and directions - Hawthorne, NV side is MUCH easier, and can be done with any 2WD vehicle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora,_Nevada
• Product Review - Folding Wind Shield
  • These tiny things save you fuel and time when cooking outdoors or in a breeze. 
  • https://amzn.to/2OrAGWT
• Resource Recommendation - FindASpring.com
  • A crowd sourced directory of hot and cold springs in North America. Fill your tanks and have a soak!
  • http://findaspring.com

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in anyway. 

Lots of new vans are coming, but will they be good for #vanlife? We'll discuss. We'll also try out some Separatec underwear, have TWO "good" landings, talk about diesel heaters while driving, and talk seriously about a life-saving maneuver.  For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link! 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

Photo: Separatec. I sure can't make that stuff up.

• Product Review: Separatec Men's Underwear
  • Great for fast drying, but the configuration is a bit... odd. 
  • https://separatec.com/
• Resource Recommendation: Envato
  • Learn this. It could save your life. 

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

I attended the Project Vanlife Summit last week and have a full report. We'll also play with some Coroplast, visit a dead man's skull, fly on a very old plane, try out a 12v heated blanket, and talk about Hip Camp. 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

Our DC-3, built in 1942.

• Project Van Life Summit
  • I have mixed feelings about this event, but have a look for yourself
  • https://projectvanlife.com/vanlife-summit/
• A Place to Visit - Harvey Morgan's Head
  • https://fremontcountymuseums.com/the-lander-museum/
  • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/79641
• Product Review - iHealthComfort 12v Electric Blanket
  • Seems to be a good one!
  • https://amzn.to/3EECqmN
• Tech Talk - Coroplast
  • This corrugated plastic product is great for building things and covering windows.
  • https://www.instructables.com/Corrugated-Plastic-Collection-Coroplast-and-Correx/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

You've got your empty van. Now what? We're here to help - here's a method for getting things going and staying the course. We'll also visit Saguaro National Park, check out UCO Candles, learn how to charge laptop computers, figure out which octane to use, and hear a scary story. 

• AD: Robinhood

  • I’ve found an app that makes it dead simple to buy and sell stocks, even if you don’t know what you’re doing. And that app, is Robinhood. I’ve used it for years without a hitch. No contracts, no hidden fees, no gotchas. When you open your account, they’ll give you a free stock. That’s right, one share of a publicly traded company will be yours. It could be a big name like Apple or Google, but more likely it will be a smaller stock, like Zynga or Sirius.

    You will have to enter your bank’s information. But if you’re willing to do that, there’s literally a free stock waiting for you. And for me - and that helps keep the show going. Give it a try is join.robinhood.com/jeffw118 If you decide it’s not for you, sell the stock, keep the money and close your account. Easy peasy. I promise to only promote products that I use and trust, and Robinhood is one. If you have a different experience, please let me know. And thanks for giving it a look.

• TALES FROM THE ROAD - WE WANT YOURS!
  • Send us your Tales From the Road and if we use the on the air, you'll receive a College of Curiosity SWAG bag, including some things appropriate for #vanlife. We'd prefer audio, but text could work and we'll help get it done for you. Send it to: jeff@builttogo.com. Thanks!
• A Place to Visit: Saguaro National Park
  • An overlooked and otherworldly wonderland near Tucson.
  • https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm
• Product Review
  • UCO Candle Lanterns
  • Probably the best candle for #vanlife, but not really a heating solution
  • https://amzn.to/3moCP1n

Top 10 ways to save money in your van! Plus, a visit to the NV desert, a review of dog bowl sinks, a GREAT idea for saving your left arm, and a mystery tale in Cumberland, Maryland.

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus 
• We've been named #1 #vanlife Podcast by Feedspot! Click here for the full list of excellent podcasts.   
• Top 10 Money-Saving Tips
  • • Yeah, no idea what makes these the "top," but they might actually save you some money, and they're a list, so why not? 
    • EZPass
    • Amazon Credit Card
    • Exxon Card ($.06 off every gallon of gas.)
• A Place to Visit
  • Aurora, NV

     

    • A mid-19th century ghost town where Mark Twain first started writing.
    • All these buildings are gone except one wall, but the cemetery remains. 
    • Aurora History

       

One of many spots I never planned on. This is a hill in Bangor, ME, former home of Stephen King. In this episode we talk about:

• Dust pans
• Chevy Brightdrop
• Enchanted Highway
• Window Lubricant
• No builds
• Electric Parking Brakes
• 12v Air Conditioners
• YouTube
• Nomad Life Wiki
• Remote Jobs
• Finding Vans

And more! Thanks for being here for over 250 episodes! 

The Tikibago has landed, and the journey was as educational as it was arduous. Let's see what we can use from it. We'll also talk about a trick to keep you driving if your alternator dies, a Kohree toilet review, and Manything, a free security camera system.

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• A Place to Visit - Tribune Tower
  • Treasures of the world cemented to a 100 year-old sky scraper.
  • https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/world-artifacts-on-the-tribune-tower-walls
• Product Review - Kohree Casette Toilet
  • Feature rich and a nice size. 
  • https://amzn.to/3JghbXF
• Resource Recommendation - Manything
  • An app that turns your old phone into a security camera
  • https://videoloft.com/manything

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Pagurus is sold! Here's how I did it, and how you can do it too. We'll also review FlexSeal, Remove bolts we can't reach, visit a Howard Hughes Retreat, and find bargains at IKEA.

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

New Video:

• Product Review - FlexSeal Spray 
  • It's very liquid, which is great for things like oversealing, preventing rust, and emergency leaks. 
  • https://amzn.to/3AMMGVJ
• Tech Talk - Vise Grips for Removing Bolts You Can't Reach
  • Clamp the Vise Grips to the nut, and use a socket on the bolt. 
  • Locking pliers: https://amzn.to/2X8iEwP
• A Place to Visit: Spring Mountain Ranch
  • A Howard Hughes retreat is still a peaceful break from the Vegas chaos. 
  • Spring Mountain Ranch State Park

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Are you part of "REAL" #vanlife? We have the answer. We'll also visit a place with no vans, find a place for shoes, build a van without insulation, review wainscoting paneling and take a trip through Radio Garden.

• A Place to Visit - Sacha Lodge
  • • A van-free paradise in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.
    • sachalodge.com 

One of many comfy spots in the lodge. 

• Resource Recommendation - Radio Garden
  • A lovely way to experience the radio of the world, and perhaps find a radio station at your haunt for the night. 
  • radio.garden

If you are in need of Domestic Violence assistance, help is available here: https://www.thehotline.org/ With the recent news coverage, some folks have come to think of #vanlife as dangerous. Is it really? We explore. We also find a FANTASTIC video about 12v wiring, visit a laundromat with secrets, talk about loneliness and review an all-in-one charger that might just be your ticket to power.

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Product Review - ATEM Power Charger 
  • An all-in-one unit that does DC to DC charging as well as MTTP solar charging. 
  • https://amzn.to/3ky3Voo
• A Place to Visit: Chicago Magic Lounge
  • Enter a laundromat. Exit enchanted. 
  • http://chicagomagiclounge.com
• Resource Recommendation: Scott_PDX 12v Video
  • EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH THIS
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzVhXG4pmNA

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Better sound, I hope? Should you consider an RV? Yes, but that doesn't mean you should get one. And we review the MyJo manual Keurig, look into Microwaves, extol Roadside America and float a van without a boat!

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Product Review - MyJo 
  • It's a Keurig, but requires no power. Decent coffee, and no need for pods! And only $19
  • https://amzn.to/3E1wx0L
• Tech Talk: Microwave?
  • Probably the best microwave for vanlife, the Commercial Chef
  • https://amzn.to/3hc36iI
• A Place to Visit: Float Bridge
  • It's a bridge. That floats. And it's near other cool stuff in Vermont.
  • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/1375
  • And don't miss this!
  • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/22092
• Resource Recommendation: Roadside America
  • The best source of interesting places to visit, IMO
  • roadsideamerica.com

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

This week, we're going back to episode 1 and re-doing some things, but we're also going to talk about VanFest: LiftOFF where I'll be attending and presenting! Join us! We'll also talk about some dry lake adventures, and use a tool in a different way than intended.

Join us at VanFestUSA! February, 6-9 on Florida' Space Coast! Hundreds of rigs, parties, tours, classes, vendors and activities. More information at http://vanfestusa.com. 

NEWS

• Drivers Over 70 Banned from Driving RVs?  https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1961668/older-driver-banned-motorhome-dvla-driving-licence

•  

  Light-trapping trick offers ultrathin solar cells with 28.2% high photocurrent https://interestingengineering.com/energy/perovskite-solar-cells-gain-higher-efficiency

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Minutiae Anti-Social App https://minutiae-app.org/

PRODUCT REVIEW

• RV Winterizing Kit https://amzn.to/4dJvrYg

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Lunar Lake https://maps.app.goo.gl/paYogUBStyRzBHWN6

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

You hope it will never happen, but what if it does? You have to plan for a crash, and maybe having knives on a magnetic strip isn't a great idea. Also, we'll visit the Drive-In, talk about Command Strips, stay warm without heat, and catch up some news as well. 

Not my actual rig, but pretty close

• Crashing your Rig
  • Watch this video to gain understanding of what happens during a crash
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cibwyhcLEwc (no sound). 
  • Really. Watch it.
• A Place to Visit
  • Drive-Ins are a thing you can do in your van! If you're heading to Florida for the cold season, check out this gem!
  • Silver Moon Drive-In
• Resource Recommendation
  • There's a junk yard or RV salvage yard near you. How do you know? Because you clicked below.
  • http://junkyardsnearme.com/
• Product Review:
  • Command hooks are a great temporary (or maybe permanent!) solution for van life. 
  • https://amzn.to/35KRJI2
• NEWS
  • BBC: Traveller families win court battle over living on land they own
  • CBS 4: More Americans willing to try the van life due to pandemic survey finds
  • Fodors: Here's what vanlife is really like
  • Insider: A British man spent over 1,000 hours transforming a jet engine into a camper trailer for family road trips

• Q&A:
  • How can you stay warm in winter without heat?
  • Best thing: a good sleeping bag
    • Remember that the rating isn't for comfort, it's for survivability. 
  • Good info on sleeping bags from Section Hiker. 
  • A good selection: https://amzn.to/35FBiwS

Some links (Amazon) are affiliate links, and the podcast will receive a small payment if you order from them. Anything provided by a manufacturer for review will be fully disclosed. All reviews are the opinion of the Podcast Host. 

BLACK Friday is upon us, and I have things to suggest. We'll also visit a concentration camp, some beautiful roads and learn why firelogs are bad for cooking. We'll also find a whole new community. 

Join us at VanFestUSA! February, 6-9 on Florida' Space Coast! Hundreds of rigs, parties, tours, classes, vendors and activities. More information at http://vanfestusa.com. 

BLACK FRIDAY SUGGESTIONS

1. SUPERONE Retractable Car Charger 4 in 1 https://amzn.to/4g8ttCv
2. HYGIENJOY No Rinse Bathing Wipes\(25 pack) https://amzn.to/3ZnMzyF
3. Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station(2024 New) https://amzn.to/4963XeN
4. DIBMS 1-Pack Camping String Light w/Lamp, 32.8FT Rechargeable Waterproof LED Hanging Light https://amzn.to/3ZaPSYG
5. 4PCS Car Door Open Warning Reflective Stickers https://amzn.to/4eUjaRk
6. Auto Wide Angle Lens https://amzn.to/4g3OrSX
7. COGHLAN'S 9961 Multi-Spice, Multicolor Paprika, Curry, Cayenne, Garlic Salt, Black Pepper, and Salt https://amzn.to/4115scb
8. Rechargeable Window Vac, Window Vacuum Squeegee Cordless https://amzn.to/4i9Qs1C
9. LuminAID Solar Camping Lantern - Inflatable LED Lamp https://amzn.to/3AW9wQn

Kitchen Gadgets Set 5 Pieces, Stackable Cooking Tools Space Saving for Small Kitchen https://amzn.to/3ZpChyc

NEWS

• From Al, Crazy Toll https://wapo.st/3Clgkr0

• CA Diesel RV Ban https://rvbusiness.com/californias-ban-on-motorhomes-what-you-need-to-know/
• Autoblog: Best Roads in US https://www.autoblog.com/news/which-states-have-the-best-and-worst-roads-in-the-united-states

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• #vanlife Community Discord Server https://discord.gg/vanlife-community-559847675714076692

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

I've just about done renovating the Scamp, and I've learned some things that might help your build. We'll also explore the potential of bidets, try out a small water pump, drive through at tree, and find the ultimate list of vanlife meetups. 

NEWS

• VanFestUSA Cancels One Event, Adds Another https://vanfestusa.com
• New Chinese Tariffs Could Impact Vanlife https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/experts-react/what-to-know-about-bidens-new-tariffs-on-chinese-evs-solar-cells-and-more/
• Mitsubishi Delica Coming to US? https://www.motortrend.com/news/next-gen-mitsubishi-delica-phev-overlander-camper-van-teaser-preview/

TECH TALK

• Bidets! Electric Version https://amzn.to/3wIupfM Manual Version (pink or blue!) https://amzn.to/3Kbpjf1

PRODUCT REVIEW

• 12v Diaphragm Pump https://amzn.to/3yufQgf

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Drive through a tree! http://famousredwoods.com/tour_thru/

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• US Road Construction https://explorevanx.com/van-life-gatherings-events/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

5v Van? We’re getting to the point where it’s possible for “light” builds. It’s a great option for no builds! And you can add CarPlay Android Auto to just about any radio, why should you avoid gluing flooring, a quick geologic trip to Morocco, and a visit with some mermaids! 

Travel with us on the Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic! Details at:
bit.ly/CofCDanube24 If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit BuyMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo Alas... 5V VAN ◦ Lights https://amzn.to/3Ij4I7q ◦ Vents Fan https://amzn.to/3IcH6Bp 
 ◦ Heating pads https://amzn.to/48tYtZq ◦ Cooking https://amzn.to/3UToKNC ◦ Hand Warmer https://amzn.to/3TbGWk5 NEWS • e-Sprinter  • https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/electric-mercedes-benz-esprinter-a-small-step-for-van-a-giant-leap-for-van-kind/ PRODUCT REVIEW • Jensen JDASHCP adds CarPlay and Android Auto to most stock stereos • https://amzn.to/3SSY8cP TECH TALK • Solar Security Lights - these work fine, but there are many choices • https://amzn.to/4bUqiNb A PLACE TO VISIT • Mermaid Museum! • https://www.mermaidmuseum.org/   RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION   • Simple Enough Explores Gig Work • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Eo2mvBqau8 Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

What is OODA? A way to get yourself out of trouble, that's what. We'll also review a pop-up table stool thing, visit Vanfest, check out Prepper Survival Guide and hear a tale of the very stupid.

Travel with us on the Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic! Details at: bit.ly/CofCDanube24

Join me in Florida next weekend! 

If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit BuyMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo

OODA

• • A link to the military explanation of OODA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj0fgjMdzU0

TECH TALK

• • Diesel MIGHT be a better buy than gasoline. Maybe.
    • https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a31515330/diesel-vs-gasoline/

PRODUCT REVIEW

• • Popup Table Stool
    • https://amzn.to/4aZ2s2m
  • Just the stool part
    • https://amzn.to/48GBJ9l

A PLACE TO VISIT

• • Vanfest 2024 in Viera, FL. Jan 26-28, 2024
  • https://vanfestusa.com/

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• • A very dense and useful magazine about all sorts of skills that are useful in vanlife. 
  • https://amzn.to/3tYJCYM

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Looking for a self-defense device that's not a firearm? Consider these... carefully. We'll also try a new shelf stable food, listen to a singing tree, and learn about the Achille's heel of power stations. 

Join us at VanFestUSA! February, 6-9 on Florida' Space Coast! Hundreds of rigs, parties, tours, classes, vendors and activities. More information at http://vanfestusa.com. 

LESS-LETHAL DEVICES

• Byrna LE https://amzn.to/4grsHAX
• Hero Weapons https://shop.hero.us.com/
• Joel Persinger on Less Lethal Weapons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXMt36eT4BQ

NEWS

• European Starlink Rival https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/16/24322358/iris2-starlink-rival-europe-date-cost
• Ford Transit Still #1 https://fordauthority.com/2024/12/ford-transit-numbers-figures-results-third-quarter-2024-q3/
• Solar Price Expected to Rise https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/12/donald-trump-tarrrifs-affect-prices-cost-increases-electric-cars-solar-panels-heat-pumps/

PRODUCT REVIEW:

• Bens Original Street Food https://amzn.to/3VMLUEO

A PLACE TO VISIT:

• • The Singing Oak of New Orleans https://matadornetwork.com/read/the-singing-oak/

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Personal Safety from UCDC https://www.ucdc.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/Other/Personal%20Safety.pdf

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

In this episode, we explain how to find places to park, talk about a 12v microwave oven, review Apple CarPlay, take a trip down the Enchanted Highway and invite you to visit YMCA of the Rockies

• Parking Apps and Ideas
  • Park n Ride - found in many towns
  • Free Campsites - some towns have free camping to attract tourists
  • BLM - Bureau of Land Management has land you can camp on
  • Walmart - Legendary parking spot, but there are cautions
  • Cracker Barrel - Have some food, stay the night
  • Cabellas - Dump stations with purchase, and parking
  • Camping World - some even provide free power
  • Casinos - all different, but they want you
  • Military sites -  if you're military, you have a lot of options
  • APPs
    • AllStays
      • Highly rated
      • Nice maps, hybrid, satellite
      • Each aspect costs more money
      • Dump Stations
      • Military
      • Rest Stops
      • Walmart
    • iOverlander
    • Some great spots
    • Out of date app
    • Missing some obvious places
  • Park4Night
    • Very nice app
    • Very little content for US - much better in UK
  • freecampsites.net
    • No app needed
    • Requires internet
    • Missing some places
  • Campendium
    • Professional app
    • Many different sites of interest
    • Annoying log in requirement, not free
  • RV Parky
    • Good quantity of reviews
    • Nice interface
    • Does trip planning
  • Wikicamps
    • $1.99
    • Different app for different countries (Australia, New Zealand)
    • Download maps to work offline
    • Doesn’t include Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Rest Areas

• TALES FROM THE ROAD: North Dakota has an "Enchanted Highway." We take a trip down it and find what's at the end. 
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchanted_Highway

• PRODUCT REVIEW: Apple CarPlay
  • Want to text and drive safely? Apple CarPlay can help, and do a whole lot more.  
• PRODUCT REVIEW: Power Hunt 12v Microwave Oven
  • • This microwave is designed to work well in vehicles.
    • http://www.roadtrucker.com/12-volt-microwave-wavebox/12-volt-microwave.htm
• A PLACE TO VISIT: YMCA of the Rockies
  • It may say "Y," but you'll say "Wow!"
  • https://ymcarockies.org/

This week, we're focussing on safety tips that DON'T involve someone messing with you and your van. You know, the ones that are much more likely to kill you. We'll also try to keep mouse rats out of our rigs, visit Atlas Obscura, take a look at door steps for roof access, discuss 12v kettles and hear some more on how the penis-free can urinate in comfort. 

Is your load secure? (Photo by Ildar Sagdejev)

• AD: Team Rubicon

  • I've been a volunteer with Team Rubicon for years now. If you're looking for a way to travel and do REAL good for communities around the world, this organization can help you get there. 

  • Right now, there is a real need for food supportive services. If you have a day, a week, or a month to give to help get food to people, Team Rubicon is one of many organizations that can help you get the job done. 
  • Though the organization is closely allied with veterans, you do not need to have been in the military to participate. 
• TALES FROM THE ROAD - WE WANT YOURS!
  • Send us your Tales From the Road and if we use the on the air, you'll receive a College of Curiosity SWAG bag, including some things appropriate for #vanlife. We'd prefer audio, but text could work and we'll help get it done for you. Send it to: jeff@builttogo.com. Thanks!
• Female Urination Devices
  • Some love them, some hate them.
  • https://amzn.to/2WICxqO
• Resource Recommendation - Atlas Obscura
  • A comprehensive guide to the world's most interesting places
• Product Review - Door Steps
  • A quick and easy way to gain access to your roof for solar panel cleaning, packing, or whatever.
  • https://amzn.to/2KNX7U4
• Q&A - 12v Kettles
  • Before you buy a kettle, figure out how you're going to power it and how you're going to recharge your battery.
  • I use mine only when I'm driving.
  • Look for one that has a light, is completely enclosed, and doesn't have a removable base.
  • https://amzn.to/3hf7U5H

Bob Wells is the Godfather of Vanlife. Why happened? We'll also expose and LED myth, review some fun string lights, and visit an old place with an unexpected twist. 

Join us at VanFestUSA! February, 6-9 on Florida' Space Coast! Hundreds of rigs, parties, tours, classes, vendors and activities. More information at http://vanfestusa.com. 

NEWS

• RVs Continue to Explode https://news.google.com/search?q=rv%20propane%20explosion

• 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz https://motorweek.org/this-just-in/2025-volkswagen-id-buzz-starts-at-61545/
• Instant, Affordable, Lightweight Home https://www.theautopian.com/this-tiny-190-pound-pod-turns-a-pickup-truck-or-utility-trailer-into-a-hard-sided-camper-for-just-2750/

TECH TALK

• LED Lights Myth Busting https://www.stouchlighting.com/blog/are-led-lights-safe-myth-busting-health-risks

PRODUCT REVIEW:

• DIBMS LED Rope Light https://amzn.to/4ggr2xE

A PLACE TO VISIT:

• Melk Abbey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melk_Abbey

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

It doesn't have to cost a lot to outfit your van. We'll talk about ways to get the stuff you need for cheap. We'll also discuss the importance of E-brakes, visit the "center of the United States," play with Alfred Cam, and recommend a great vanlife book.  For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link! 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

Photo from Alfred Cam alerting me that my flamingo lights had turned on

• Stanley Cook Products I use:
  • Stanley Adventure All-in-One 2 Bowl Cook Set
  • https://amzn.to/3HQShAF
  • Stanley 24oz Kettle with Mugs
  • https://amzn.to/3XN8jAZ
• A Place to Visit - Center of US

  • The trick is to define WHICH center you want...

  • Read the first paragraph: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_geographic_centers_of_the_United_States
• Resource Recommendation - Alfred Cam
  • A great way to find new use for old phones and to add some security to your van.
  • https://alfred.camera/
• Product Review - Daydream to Dream Life: Quit your 9-5 job to live in a van down by the river
  • A great introduction to Vanlife by the folks at FnA Vanlife
  • https://amzn.to/3jnIfxs

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

You should carefully vet a used vehicle before you buy it, including research and inspection. But even then, we have a cautionary tale... We'll also play with plastic razor blades, get disappointed by Goof Off, visit the strange things in Canton South Dakota, and find a place to stock up on all those clips you're going to break.

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

Names of those buried in the "Insane Indian Asylum" Cemetery

A gas station motel in Cawker City, KS

• A Place to Visit - Canton, South Dakota
  • Buried Treasure in Newton Hills!
    • TreasureNet
  • Hiawatha Insane Asylum
    • Rootsweb.com
• Tech Talk - Plastic Razor Blades
  • They're good for things too fragile for steel razor blades
  • https://amzn.to/3iwYeEL
• Product Review - Goof Off
  • Not the last word in adhesive removal, but good for some things
  • https://amzn.to/2UCM5WV

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in anyway. 

How about a few YouTube channels to check out? And after that, why not visit some dinosaur footprints while keeping your battery warm enough to charge. And then you can use your compass app find your bumper step.  For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link! 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

Beneath this dome lie the ages...

• YouTube Channels:
  • TABI-IE-Quietnight
    • https://www.youtube.com/@tabi-ie-quietnight-
    • No words, just watch a Japanese man in his converted box truck. Peaceful and immersive. 
  • David McLuckie
    • https://www.youtube.com/@DavidMcLuckie
    • THE man for Chinese Diesel Heaters. Very Scottish. 
  • Rainman Ray
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lANwRQ0vJGE
    • A quirky master mechanic shows you how he fixes just about everything
  • Matt's Off Road Recovery
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KR3uwo1b4w
    • Matt's hugely popular channel shows his adventures rescuing people who strayed a bit too far into the Utah wilderness.
  • Greg Virgoe
    • https://www.youtube.com/@GregVirgoe
    • Greg's channel is often held up as the best source of information on how to build out a van. 
  • Catlady Van
    • https://www.youtube.com/@ThecatladyVAN
    • She travels Canada in a van with her cat, and let's us go with her.
  • Eric Enjoys Earth
    • https://www.youtube.com/@ericenjoysearth2756
    • Eric does things differently, and that's good for us.
• A Place to Visit - Dinosaur State Park
  • YES! You can find dinosaurs in New England
  • http://dinosaurstatepark.org/
• Product Review - Receiver Hitch Bumper Step
  • This thing is strong, tough, and fairly affordable.  
    • https://amzn.to/3JV9Xws

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

It's like vans ought to come with a dog, but what about a cat? Or bird? Let's take a look so you know what you're getting into. We'll also take a look at two cute portable grills, visit a desert in Maine, and take a look at Chromebooks as well as Google Docs (after we survive a crash landing). 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

No more fence!

• Tech Talk - Portable Grills
  • Cuisinart Venture
    • Cute! 
    • https://amzn.to/3KlzVpq
  • Coleman Fold N Go
    • A lot cheaper and possibly easier to store
    • https://amzn.to/36WLPIE
• A Place to Visit - Desert of Maine
  • The new owner sound like they're really doing this right - I can't wait to get back!
  • Desert of Maine
• Product Review - Chromebooks
  • A good, cheap, always backed up computing solution
  • https://amzn.to/3khJuuG
• Resource Recommendation - Google Docs
  • Try it! It's free and powerful!
  • drive.google.com

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Whew. This is a heavy one, and I break a big rule here. This might be the last episode you listen to. But it has elephants, things that catch on fire, hidden art and crazy radios. 

Join us at VanFestUSA! February, 6-9 on Florida' Space Coast! Hundreds of rigs, parties, tours, classes, vendors and activities. More information at http://vanfestusa.com. 

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Candle Heaters are BAD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RonGRvfX0LM

TECH TALK

• Snow Socks - they work! https://amzn.to/49672eH

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Baofeng UV-5RM Radios https://amzn.to/4fohsIT

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Hidden Statues of Budapest https://budapestflow.com/hidden-mini-statues-budapest/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

Extreme weather affects folks living in vehicles more than most—what do you do? We'll explore. We'll also visit Iceland! Land of the vanlife test drive, and figure out what to do when you have the wrong fuel in your rig. Monkey Magnets and Ventusky are both fun to say! 

If you're looking for my personal articles, you can find them at https://peregrinus.ghost.io

Imagine the force needed to do this.

NEWS

• PA Promotes State Parks Amid Federal Campground Closures https://www.newhopefreepress.com/2025/04/07/pa-promotes-state-parks-amid-federal-campground-closures
• Top Digital Nomad Destinations in 2025 Ranked by Data, Visas, and Living Costs https://culture.org/travel/top-digital-nomad-destinations-in-2025/

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Iceland https://outofnowheretravel.com/2023/12/vanlife-iceland-for-9-days-what-its-really-like/

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Monkey Magnets https://amzn.to/4j91Mvg

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Ventusky https://www.ventusky.com

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

The #Tikibago and I are heading to Illinois, but it's been a rough road! We'll also talk about a great 12v fan, an odd greywater solution, of lovely FREE place to camp, and which apps will help you get out of the weather.

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• A Place to Visit - Pelican Fishing Access
  • A really nice free spot to stay for up to seven days. Right on the Yellowstone River.
  • https://myfwp.mt.gov/fishMT/fas/39753866
• Product Review - Roadpro Turbo Fan
  • A great, VERY directional fan that just plugs into the cigarette lighter. It's actually cheaper at truck stops. 
  • https://amzn.to/3wLdvuz
• Resource Recommendation - Highway Weather Apps
  • Highway Weather - great, but burdened by ads and expensive subscription
    • https://www.weatherroute.io/
  • On The Way - A nice balance between price and features
    • http://ontheway.appganesha.com/
  • Drive Weather - Pretty, but a little too simple. 
    • https://driveweatherapp.com/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Yep. Record gas prices. Feh. Here are some things you can do to enjoy your vanlife without breaking the bank. We’ll also visit the heights of Kotor, talk about carpet for your walls, stay cool with a neat fan, and give you a place to find meetups. 

The Pillars of Manitoba

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Pump system I didn't talk about last week...
  • USB pumps
  • Demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbC_KTmckDc
• Tech Talk - Four Way Stretch Carpet
  • It's not really carpet but more a stiff moldable fabric. Still, it's a good solution. 
  • One place I know you can get it: https://www.albrightssupply.com/
• Product Review - O2 Cool T
  • A great portable fan with a dozen uses. 
  • https://amzn.to/3IrGA0Q
• A Place to Visit - Concrete Henge
  • Yep. It's proof of Aliens. Or something. 
  • https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/people-refer-to-them-as-stonehenge-abandoned-concrete-plant-in-manitoba-turns-into-photo-destination-1.5760679
• Resource Recommendation - Vacay Vans Event List
  • So far, I haven't found a better list of #vanlife events. Still looking!
  • https://www.vacayvans.com/blog/your-complete-2022-guide-to-vanlife-rv-tiny-house-events/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Should you buy land for you van? Maybe! We’ll also discuss unusually placed vents, visit Starved Rock, review the Kohree Dual Zone Fridge-Freezer, and hear a tale about a Magician’s last stand. 

Old Starved Rock Postcard, but it's all still there.

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Product Review - Kohree 53 Qt Dual Zone Fridge/Freezer
  • Works well, but big and mostly freezer.
  • https://amzn.to/3pz010t
• A Place to Visit - Starved Rock State Park
  • About 90 minutes from Chicago, lies a land of cliffs and canyons. 
  • https://www.starvedrocklodge.com/starved-rock-state-park/
• Resource Recommendation - Vanlife Outfitters Events Page
  • Biggest list of #vanlife events I've found! Add yours!
  • https://www.vanlifeoutfitters.com/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

What a crazy week! It’s time to remember what the most important thing in #vanlife is! And no, it’s not fuel prices. We’ll also visit a FREE place that everyone can see, talk about old Toyota Motorhomes, review a mobility scooter, and tell some tales that make you think. 

The BIG Sky, by Kate Bush.

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Product Review - ATTO Mobility Scooter
  • A great, portable solution for mobility issues. Support seems weak. 
  • https://amzn.to/3vUl3L0
• Tech Talk -Old Toyota Motorhomes
  • Nice "vans" with decent fuel economy, but watch out for some gotchas.
  • Scotty Kilmer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSU7d0LFBHE
• Resource Recommendation - Flattest Route
  • The name pretty much says it all - calculate the flattest route between two places.
  • https://www.flattestroute.com/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Do you believe these myths? It's OK if you do-but here's why I don't. We'll also look at a really comfortable sleeping pad, visit a geologic wonder, explain LPG vs. Propane vs. Butane vs. Natural Gas, and spend some time with Wheelie Yellow

If you're looking for my personal articles, you can find them at https://peregrinus.ghost.io

I wish I had the Elegear pad when I owned this setup.

TECH TALK

• Seymour 16-45 Rust Converter, Black https://amzn.to/40KmF7R

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Elegear Pad https://amzn.to/4hzjRBT

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Kelleys Island Glacial Grooves https://www.kelleysislandchamber.com/directory/places/glacial-grooves/

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Wheelie Yellow https://www.youtube.com/@WheelieYellow

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

We live in uncertain times! What to do? Here's a list of 10 things that might help. We'll also fix our frozen van, explore a winter wonderland, give Amazon Haul a try, and find some ambience. 

If you're looking for my personal articles, you can find them at https://peregrinus.ghost.io

I miss that van

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Amazon Haul https://amzn.to/3E6CE8D

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Parc Omega https://www.parcomega.ca/en/

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Calm Ambience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7OWZuP--94

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

Which is better? Big van or little van? BOTH - we'll explain. We'll also review Nokian's Outpost Tires, talk about the tragic fire at Walmart, Tripodomters as fuel guages, and a way to walk through town from your couch.  For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link! 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

GRRRRR.... mean looking, yet has soft hands.

• Product Review: Nokian Outpost A/T
  • I like 'em! Make sure you get the LT rated ones. 
  • https://www.nokiantires.com/all-terrain-tires/nokian-tyres-outpost-at/
• Resource Recommendation: Wander 
  • Walk around places you've never been before, and even travel through time!
  • https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2078376005587859/
• Walmart Fire Case
  • https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article264410476.html

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

So many negative articles about Vanlife! But you know what? Vanlife is GREAT! Let's celebrate that this week. We'lll also visit two spooky places, explain washboard roads, and revisit small step stools that might hurt you! For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link! 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

Not a witch, and that's actually a church. :) Photo by Jim McAllister

• Tech Talk: Washboard Roads
  • They're no fun, but there's not much you can do but understand why they exist.
  • https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4822
• Product Review: Folding Step
  • • You'll find many uses for this. Just get it. 
    • https://amzn.to/3SCj5Xd
• A Place to Visit: Winchester Mystery House
  • The real story is more interesting than the legend, but regardless, it's a fun place to visit. 
  • https://winchestermysteryhouse.com/
• Resource Recommendation: Envato
  • An easy to use, relatively affordable solution for your stock footage needs
  • https://1.envato.market/mgQ1MD

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

More info on "composting" toilets, we have mice in the Tikibago!, a strange bathroom encounter, visit Wizard Island, find a unique microwave, and consider what is the most important thing you're going to do in your van? For information on the Panama Canal cruise, please follow this link! 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

Wizard Island. 

• Composting Toilets:
  • These are the two specifically mentioned:
    • Nature's Head - a favorite, but requires medium.
      • https://amzn.to/3dAwDUH
    • Separett - the best choice, in my opinion:
      • https://amzn.to/3f8DtBc
• Product Review: Whirlpool Countertop Microwave
  • Expensive, but low power and a unique shape that might just be the perfect thing for your build. Price went up since I recorded the episode. :(   
  • https://amzn.to/3LApgJM
• Resource Recommendation: Luke Bland and Van Uses 
  • Luke gave me a nice shout out so I'm returning the favor. Watch this video and consider - what is the MAIN thing you're using your van for? Maybe that should be the focus of your build. 
  • https://youtu.be/KwB4zEekSmI
• A Place to Visit: Wizard Island 
  • It's a pirate hotel in the Bahamas. What more do you need?
  • http://www.graycliff.com

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Can you make money from social media? YES. But there are things you need to know, and nothing's guaranteed. We'll also review the BlueDriver OBDII scanner, take a look at Nomadic News, visit Great Falls, and hear a story about more bees! 

For more information on the cruise, visit http://j.mp/CofCAlaska We'd love to have you!

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Product Review - BlueDriver OBDII Scanner
  • It's a diagnostic scanner that displays data and live information on your phone. 
  • https://amzn.to/3dvHdJ4

• A Place to Visit - Great Falls, VA
  • A stunning bit of history and scenery just outside DC
  • https://www.fxva.com/great-falls/
• Resource Recommendation
  • It's Nomadic News! It says it's about RVs, but they report on issues that affect anyone living and traveling on the road. 
  • https://www.nomadicnews.com/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Prepare for your shakedown! Your first trip will reveal all the flaws in your rig. It's OK! It's part of it. We also find some cheap and good tools, visit a few different planets, use chicken broth instead of beer, and watch a magician get free money at a casino. 

PRODUCT REVIEW

• North Tech Tools at Menards.  https://www.menards.com/main/search.html?search=North+Tech

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Meow Wolf Denver: visit three planets all at once.  https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/fireflies.htm

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Recipe Substitions https://www.allrecipes.com/article/common-ingredient-substitutions/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

Is it Time to Ditch Diesel? I think it might be! We'll also visit some waterfalls, see some horrible nature, talk about radiators, ship spotting, tolls and wallets... but not in that order. 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

Nature red in tooth and claw

• A Place to Visit - Columbia River Gorge
  • Everything you need to know to visit this bucket list location.
  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa
• Product Review - Big Skinny Wallets
  • Quite possibly the last wallet you'll ever own.  
  • https://amzn.to/3FXatWt
• Resource Recommendation - Marine Traffic
  • What ship is that? This app will tell you. 
  • http://www.marinetraffic.com

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Drones are great! But boy, are they a hassle. We explain. We'll also drink from an aluminum cup, visit a plant museum that's neither, find something odd on a beach, and play with What3Words.

The Henry B. Plant Museum 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• A Place to Visit
  • The Henry B. Plant Museum is a historic hotel that takes you back to the Gilded Age in style. 
  • Henry B. Plant Museum
• Product Review - Ball Aluminum Cups
  • Pricey, but fun and useful. 
  • https://amzn.to/34qKWGE

• Tech Talk - What3Words
  • A better way to navigate to a specific spot on Earth using just 3 words. 
  • what3words.com
•  Resource Recommendation
  • Matt's Off-Road Recovery - A YouTube channel about rescuing vehicles stuck in the Utah desert. 
  • https://www.youtube.com/c/MattsOffRoadRecovery

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

For whom the toll bells? It's YOU. We need to have a talk about this. We'll also explore Arco, Idaho, sleep in a casino parking lot, burn some wood artistically, and review some magnentic shades. 

NEWS

• Homeless Camping Ban https://crosscut.com/news/2024/06/after-scotus-decision-wa-homeless-camping-bans-may-gain-traction
• Solid State Batteries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AZRPItAsfA
• Sprinter Recall https://www.autoevolution.com/news/mercedes-benz-sprinter-vans-recalled-over-rear-axle-issue-237010.html

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Zatooto Magnetic Curtains https://amzn.to/3Se32lb

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Arco, Idaho https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/arco-idaho

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Shou Sugi Ban or Yakisugi Wood Burning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGu0x1WOyWk

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

How should you insure your rig? I don't have an answer, but I lay out the framework so you can find the best solution for you. We'll also visit the Devil's Icebox, check out Blue Highways, experience "danger" in Tangier, and test out some floor mats. 

New YouTube Video WHERE IS JEFF WRAPUP? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ7vEVq8_qc Travel with us on the Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic! Details at: bit.ly/CofCDanube24

This places is dangerous! Or so they want me to believe...

If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit BuyMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo

NEWS

• • Kia Van Concept
    • https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/8/24028828/kia-platform-beyond-vehicle-pbv-modular-ev-ces
  • AAA Fuel Prices Falling, diesel still high
    • https://gasprices.aaa.com/
  • Lithium Nickel and Cobalt Prices Falling
    • https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-09/ev-batteries-plunge-in-lithium-nickel-and-cobalt-prices-is-killing-deals

TECH TALK

• • ShurFlo 94-009-10 Electric Faucet (for submersible pumps)
    • https://amzn.to/48LpYy7
  • Submersible Water Pump
    • https://amzn.to/47DyIpa
  • Pressure Switch Pump that I have
    • https://amzn.to/3O2jgf5

PRODUCT REVIEW

• • Weathertech Floor Mats
    • https://amzn.to/47ApXfk

A PLACE TO VISIT

• • Cool caves that are easy to access and are, well... cool! 
  • https://mostateparks.com/location/55460/devils-icebox-entrance

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Play WHERE IS JEFF? https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0iC-g2r6yt/

This podcast is also available on YouTube.

Winnebago has an eRV prototype - can you build your own? We'll discuss. We'll also revisit the idea of having battery powered devices instead of one big battery, visit a place where they worship wood, and complain about clay pot heaters once again. 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@CollegeOfCuriosity) Travel with us on the Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic! Details at: bit.ly/CofCDanube24

If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit BuyMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo

Snow!

• PRODUCT REVIEW
  • This INIU is one of many decent powerbanks available with PD charging.
    • https://amzn.to/3RrQ6IC
• A PLACE TO VISIT
  • The wooden cross relic in Huatulco has quite an amazing story 
  • https://en.travelbymexico.com/huatulco/places-to-visit/?nom=khuacapillastacruz
• RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
  • Candle heaters don't work and are dangerous! Please read this! 
  • https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/plant-pot-candle-heater-tiktok-safe-do-they-work/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

BONUS INTERVIEW: Digital Nomad Phoebe Milward Phoebe Milward is a bold digital nomad who's not afraid to pursue her dreams. At just 23, she's found a way to sustain her traveling lifetsytle through multiple revenue streams and a passion for passive income created on your schedule. 

In this interview, we discuss some of her travels and her plan for how anyone can fund their travels though a bit of work online.  Is this the year you start a podcast? I've been using Podbean and find it simple, affordable, and supportive. Click the link below and receive up to $100 free advertising when you open your account.  https://www.podbean.com/BTGPB

Phoeobe off for an adventure (from her Instagram).

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Links to Phoebe:
  • Her main site, where you can learn about her high-end affiliate marketing program:
    • http://phoebesfootsteps.com
  • Her Instagram, the best place to link up with her:
    • https://www.instagram.com/phoebes_footsteps/
• Language Tutoring Links:
  • Amazon Affiliate Marketing https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/

• • Preply - tutor language students online
    • https://preply.com/en/teach
  • iTalki - another tutoring site
    • https://teach.italki.com/application
  • Verbal Planet - yet another tutoring site
    • https://www.verbalplanet.com/tutorhome.asp
  • Camby - you guessed it, another one
    • https://www.cambly.com/en/tutors?lang=en
  • My Lingo Trip - YES! Another! https://mylingotrip.com/register-teacher/
• Other links:
  • Upwork - find jobs that let you work remote
    • https://www.upwork.com/hire/
  • Fivver - sell your skills as small, simple transactions.
    • https://www.fiverr.com/start_selling
  • Solid Gigs - find work tailored to your skills
    • https://solidgigs.com/
  • FlexJobs - find jobs that are flexible, just like you!
    • https://www.flexjobs.com/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Consider your Total Cost of Ownership when buying a van! We'll also explore a great camping spot in New England, how to get out of a mental rut, whether you should allow your van to warm up, and we'll hear the tale of a well-traveled doll. 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

Randi, or Darwin?

• A Place to Visit
  • Winter Island - Salem, Massachusetts
  • https://www.salemma.gov/winter-island-park
• Resource Recommendation
  • Oblique Strategies - Brian Eno
  • http://stoney.sb.org/eno/oblique.html
• Product Review
  • Voltemeter plus dual USB sockets
  • https://amzn.to/43XCxou

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

Do you want THE BEST? Are you sure? We'll talk about the "cult of the best" and other ways to look at things. We'll also explore belt dressings, visit the last buffalo hunt, hear a tale about guns at the border, and learn about Peregrinus.

If you're looking for my personal articles, you can find them at https://peregrinus.ghost.io

The Tikibago could use some belt dressing

TALES FROM THE ROAD

• Be sure to visit Big Rob's channel on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bigrobsvan

NEWS

• Are you ready for Wildfires? https://www.latimes.com/california/live/pacific-palisades-fire-updates-los-angeles
• Mercedes: No User Servicible Parts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg0kibsndMQ
• NYC Congestion Pricing https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/06/nyregion/congestion-pricing-nyc-new-jersey

PRODUCT REVIEW:

• Zeerboo 12v 100ah LiFePO4  https://amzn.to/4264ADz

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Last Buffalo Hunt https://www.visitdickinson.com/business/last-great-buffalo-hunt-site

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

I am vanless! My van is at the dealer, and I don’t know when it’s coming back. This could be a whiny episode. BUT - we do review Apple AirTags, visit Bora Bora, talk about C-rate and play with some birds.  Is this the year you start a podcast? I've been using Podbean and find it simple, affordable, and supportive. Click the link below and receive up to $100 free advertising when you open your account.  https://www.podbean.com/BTGPB

Sigh.

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)

• Product Review - Apple AirTags
  • Great little things to help track your keys, your van, or anything else really. Apple only, sad to say. 
  • https://amzn.to/3GKgDZP

•  Resource Recommendation - Merlin Bird ID
  • The best app for figuring out what bird you're staring at. Or is staring at you. 
  • https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
• White Cedar Peninsula Natur Center
  • Birds. They eat out of your hand. Bring black oil sunflower seeds!
  • https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/peninsula/naturecenter

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

How a goldfish teaches us what's important about the #vanlife community, can you have a plastic-free van?, review of the Camco Flexible Camper Drain, getting over the fear of wires, a visit to a cool archaeological site, and a story of a van with no driver. 

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus   
• The Goldfish Metaphor
  • Someone wants advice on how to have a pet goldfish in their van. What's your response? It can teach us a lot about #vanlife and ourselves.

     

• TECH TALK: Fear of Wires
  • I talk though an experiment in wiring designed to get you beyond you fear of electricity and cutting wires. 

• • A PLACE TO VISIT: Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village

    • When in South Dakota, skip the Corn Palace. Go here: Mitchel Prehistoric Indian Village

  • PRODUCT REVIEW: Camco Flexible Camper Drain 37420

    •  This thing is great - I don't know why people use anything else!

    • https://amzn.to/2VOCWHn
  • Q&A - Single Use Plastics?
    • Seanna wants to live without single use plastic. Can this be done in a van?
  • Tales From the Road: What happens when you're in a van going down the highway and no one's driving?

Is Vanlife just RVing in smaller vehicles? Not really! Let's take a look at what's the same and what's different. We'll also play with some new "tire screws," 

Travel with us on the Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic! Details at: bit.ly/CofCDanube24

If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit BuyMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo

LOTS of vans waiting for repair at the Mercedes Benz dealer

TECH TALK

• Undermount 12v Air Conditioning https://undermountac.com/collections/aconly/products/12v-undermount-air-conditioner-for-class-b-van-or-rv-a-c-only-ducted

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Screw Tire Repair Thingys https://amzn.to/4a3SGdL

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Gates of the Arctic National Park https://www.nps.gov/gaar/

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Great video on repairing tires https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onf5xiFnIJs

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

Can you work while living and traveling in a van? Of course you can! And there are more opportunities than you might imagine. I tell tales from the light and dark sides of Moon, Oklahoma, and spend a lot of time talking about insurance matters you need to consider. 

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus   
• Working From the Road
  • You don't need a #vanlife job
  • You need a job you can do remotely
  • RV folks have some answers for us
  • Great place to start: http://www.workamper.com 
  • Divine on the Road's Earning a Remote Income | Van Life Facebook Group.
• Tales From the Road
  • An alien visits Moon, Oklahoma and makes brief contact with the beings living there. 
  • Google Maps: Moon, OK

• Q&A - How Do I Get Insurance?
  • • VIN determines if your vehicle is commercial or not
    • Concentrate on liability insurance
    • State Farm often comes up as the best 

An article claims there are 20 Reasons to NOT do Van Life, but are there really? Let's take a look. We'll also explore some new electric vans, talk about condiment packets, visit Arco, Idaho, and use Wikipedia to learn about our vans. And some gift ideas!

• A Place to Visit
  • Arco, Idaho
    • EBR-1 - First Nuclear Reactor
    • The Devil Boat
• Resource Recommendation
  • Wikipedia
  • Yeah - you know this, but did you know that they have extensive details on your van, where it was built, what other models share components, and the history of the engine? Take a look!
• Product Review:
  • Restaurant condiments may seem like a good idea for #vanlife, but make sure you rotate the stock.
• Q&A:
  • Gift ideas for vanners?
    • Redbox Gift Cards - https://www.redbox.com/gifts
    • Multitools (a MUST!)
    • Interesting dried foods
    • USB Fan
    • Nylon Bags

Some links (Amazon) are affiliate links, and the podcast will receive a small payment if you order from them. Anything provided by a manufacturer for review will be fully disclosed. All reviews are the opinion of the Podcast Host. 

Minimalism is more than just "less stuff." It's more freedom. We'll also spend some time in the Wild Wonderful, listen to Nellie extol the virtues of her Zero Breeze, confuse people with electrical terms and try to replace iOverlander

If you're looking for my personal articles, you can find them at https://peregrinus.ghost.io

Yes, this is a form of minimalism.

NEWS

• Idaho Outlaws Stealth Vanlife https://boisedev.com/news/2025/03/25/homeless-camping-ban-little
• Crater Lake Closing https://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/crater-lake-national-park-trail-closing-20246200.php
• Outside Van Baseline https://outsidevan.com/baseline/https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/mercedes-has-almost-doubled-evito-vans-range-298-miles

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Harpers Ferry, WV https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpers_Ferry_National_Historical_Park

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Zero Breeze Portable Air Conditioner https://www.zerobreeze.com/products/zero-breeze-mark-2?ref=oxcismqj

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Free Campsites https://www.freecampsites.net

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

Changes are a-comin' and I lay them all out here. I also visit an amazing restaurant in the Canary Islands and talk about my experiences with a handy travel router.  

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@CollegeOfCuriosity), and Discord (https://discord.gg/dRADjsvJEX) Travel with us on the Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic! Details at: bit.ly/CofCDanube24

Mars base? Or a restaurant? 

If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit BuyMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo

• PRODUCT REVIEW
  • The TP-LINK AC750 Travel Router.
    • https://amzn.to/3S6EKd2
• A PLACE TO VISIT
  • Located on van-friendly Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, this is not a spot you'll soon forget. They cook on a volcano!
  • https://cactlanzarote.com/en/menus/el-diablo-restaurant/
• NEWS
  • VanLab has kits for Econolines now! This is a great way to build your own van with a minimum of hassles.
  • https://wearevanlab.com/

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

This podcast is also available on YouTube: (coming soon)

Everyone talks about what they did RIGHT, but we can learn more from what someone did WRONG! Here's a list from me. We'll also talk about Subfloors, review a portable projector, visit a very historic place, have some Christmas joy, and find a cheaper way to buy electronics. 

FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@CollegeOfCuriosity) Travel with us on the Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic! Details at: bit.ly/CofCDanube24

If you'd like to support this podcast, please visit BuyMeACoffee.com/BuiltToGo

Fort New Salem, in Salem, WV.

• Product Review
  • Anker NEBULA Mars II Pro Projector - it works!  
    • https://amzn.to/46ytV8p
• A Place to Visit
  • Seneca Oil Spring - Unimpressive History
    • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/16757
• Resource Recommendation
  • Amazon refurbished stuff for less.
    • https://amzn.to/3S52JtU

Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.