3.16.2010

VW Rescue mission: Phase 1

We flew into Oakland, CA last week to rescue the V-Dub from storage... and since have been getting into all sorts of mayhem in in the past week here in beautiful California. We are doing our best to keep a photo-journal of our escapades. Without further ado...

The V-Dub shortly after rescue. Believe it or not this is a wall inside my storage facility. They call it the Oakland wall of fame and there is probably 100+ amazing pieces of graffiti art inside!

The Corn and I from atop a huge hill overlooking the Bay area.

A great example of the amazing vegetation California has to offer

Sun peeking between buildings in downtown San Francisco.

Corn looking super awkward amongst some shrubbery. 

Curly bark!!

Found this on the pier in the bay off Berkeley. 

Needless to say Corn had to wash his hair after this...

3.02.2010

Long Awaited Escape Pod Updates!


It has been a long time since I have posted and Escape Pod updates! The Nikon lens met tragedy and had to be replaced... $200 later and I am back up and running! 
I am still working slowly... waiting for warmer weather to really get back into the grind of working on her. New launch date is the end of July (destination Burning Man via Canada!!). By then we should be able to get everything trimmed out properly, wired up, and add overhead cabinets for more storage. 

Until then I need some instant adventure! Corn, Mr. Biz., and I shall head out to California soon to get the V-Dub that has been rotting in a storage unit in Oakland. A month or so on the road and then back to work! Summer should be quite busy between Escape Pod Construction and Summer Classes.

Keep checking back on the blog for Adventure Updates from the road.

Word. 

-B




The Sprinter logo in glistening brilliance




Storage boxes, rear bed panels in place. New (homemade) brushed aluminum bumper cover, and 5000lb trailer hitch installed.




The sprinter after a recent chicken attack.




Cooktop, cubbies, and countertops!



Sink module with safe bolted thru floor. Fridge and inverter / switches will be installed in here. 



Close-up of trim detail to come.




Weight-bearing piano hinges for rear storage box tops.





Cutting drop-in hole for the cooktop.




Hole cut thru sidewall for heater exhaust.





Cabinets under construction. Salvaged and old desk for the drawers and sliders.




Cubbies. Brushed aluminum face to come.





Finished pattern on aluminum panels.





We used various size sanding disks on the grinder to pattern the aluminum.





Rear boxes going in...




Solid steel framing for containers in rear for strength and safety. These will be bolted to the side walls and through the floor in multiple locations. I want to build this thing solid to last. No cheap construction that is usually found in most RV's. 




Initial design for rear storage case.  Has since been refined for the water fill on the outside of the vehicle to be above the water line.




1.08.2010

2009 and beyond...

It has been quite some time since I have written to the blog. I had to take some time off to spend time with fams in Myrtle Beach, NC. Had some great times, mostly drunk by myself on the beach. The family has become quite introverted (mostly due to the cold weather) and did not venture out much. I did get my poppy to head out to the beach a couple times and fly some kites around. I actually got pretty good at rippin’ trick kites!

Headed back to Raleigh at the moment, after getting a damn seatbelt ticket in South Carolina. It’s time to finish this damn escape pod and head out. Adventure is calling my name and I can no longer ignore it. I need to get the hell out of Raleigh ASAP. I plan on spending the next two solid weeks finishing the van, then on to warmer weather!

I have sold almost everything I own. There is still a small bulk of trinkets and such I can store over at Nana’s.

2009, you will be missed you dirty bastard.

I started the year in Berlin, Germany with a beautiful snow to ring in the new year. We then traveled back to Italy and then on to the US. The first few months of the year were quite mediocre. Not a great deal of business this year. I had jobs here and there, but no steady work.

I did pick up a job at a local newspaper called the Slammer that publishes weekly mug shots in an attempt to amuse people to others misfortune. I began in the office, but it has turned into a fully on-the-road job which is quite sweet. All I have to do is keep the website updated once a week with the latest editions and they pay me!

The real highlight of this year was my 2-month journey across the country. I never thought I had the balls to do it. Now I know I do and must do it again!!
 There is nothing better than waking up in a new beautiful place everyday.

We tamed the Appalachians. We got harassed by cops and raged rooftops in Chicago. We flirted our way into the St. Louis arch. We partied with copious amounts of lesbians in KC. We emerged ourselves in the SLC punk scene for days. We rocked out in the Rockies. We ventured the lands of Northern California…

We went to BURNING MAN!!! Which although we did not plan for it (it was a random thought while in Boulder, CO), was one of the most inspiring experiences of my entire life. I had no idea what to expect and those 7days in the desert exceeded every expectation I ever had of the infamous festival.

After the burn we rolled 4 deep in my VW with gear for all. Evan and Paul, the hitchhikers w picked up at burning man are like brothers to me now. We had adventures that others dream of.

Finally California. I have been dreaming of you for so many years. Since I was 15 I have wanted to leave for Cali...and I finally made it! It also was everything I expected it to be and more. Beautiful scenery, interesting people, legal marijuana! I can’t wait to get back to you!!

This year brought me heartache and realization of true freedom, broken noses and dreams achieved. I wouldn’t want it any other way. This time I will see if we can up the ante and make 2010 baller as shit!!! Plan is to get the pod done and then straight to Florida, then wherever the road chooses to take us. I will be accompanied by my best buddy Mr. Biz and my homie Corn. 2010 Here we come!!!

12.12.2009

ePoD Construction Ninjas

The (e)Scape Pod is gettin pimped!

Ceiling and wall panels all fitted in place!! Should look quite fresh once I get some trim on them!! I acquired 8 hella marine LED's to fit into the ceiling panels.

 
 Good to go son!!

 
I had to fabricate support beams for the ceiling panels. This was not easy...alot of trial and error. i am still not satisfied with the finished product, but it will be tamed eventually.


 
 Frame for the interior structure picked up and ready to be painted!!

 
 Dometic 3-way refrigerator arrived! this baby runs on Propane, 12v and 120!!!










Fan-Tastic fans (with Thermostat, auto opening, reversibility, and rain sensor) installed. Oh how it hurt to cut through the roof of my beautiful sprinter!!

 
Upholstering Headliner Material to fabricated Panels.

 
Ceiling Panels all layed out and ready for covering.

 
Corn + Strofoam + Gasoline = Problems

 
All wired up.

 
 Running cables through the factory conduit.

 
 Plastic moisture Barrier and vinyl covered wall panel installed


 

 

Homemade iPhone Mount out of scrap phone and gps holders


 



12.05.2009

Escape Pod Preparation V. 178-420.1

Escape pod is well under way. Most of the appliances for the vehicle are on order and should be arriving by next week. We are now working tirelessly to get the interior finished in preparation for the installation of the interior structures. Following appliances have been ordered (Wholesale of course!)

Dometic 3-way refrigerator
Atwood Everest II furnace
2 Fantastic Vents
3000W Inverter
4 optima blue top deep cycle batteries

We sourced some great vinyl and headliner from a local fabric store for the interior coverings. Should look quite fresh!

Today we will see what the local Habitat for Humanity has to offer the escape pod!


Corn + Vinyl = Trouble



Sprayglue might be a bit toxic.


Corn workin the walls.. at least we got him off the corner.


Wall panels gettin' sawed up.


Molecular ghetto blaster in action.



Speaker Mounts



Immense amounts of planning is required for such intergalactic activities.


Cargo Wall removed. Looks like there is a stain on my drivers seat...oh wait that's just Corn.



All sub flooring in place and bolted down.

11.24.2009

Escape pod under construction.

So it has been a while since we have touched the blog. Chad is in Berkeley, and I am back in NC desperately trying to escape..so I am building an escape pod! I purchased a 2005 Sprinter and currently sourcing materials from the outer regions of the universe to fuel it's intergalactic voyages! Escape date is set for December 24. Then to Myrtle Beach, SC for Christmas. Then to Miami, FL for New Years! Keep checking back to see the progress!



Insulation and Flooring being installed



 New Speakers for the dash



Chu Know bout that shine son!!



Corn + Boxcutter + Beer = devastation

 

Yeah Boiiii!





All stripped down and dirty.