Mark and I owned Zesty the Westy, our home on wheels, for almost four years. This 19ft converted Sprinter Westfalia van was imported from Germany into the US by Airstream in 2005. Only a few remain. They are very sought after, because of their unique design, plethora of amenities in a tiny space, facilitating layout, and quality components. They keep their value and, at an average of 22mpg, have decent fuel economy for an RV (recreational vehicle). We loved our set-up and couldn’t have asked for a more versatile, manageable, all-in-one camper to live and travel North America in. You can find an introduction to our Zesty in my post “Welcome, Westy!” here.
Us with our Zesty in California (before Maya)
Summer 2020, New England, USA
“Now that the camper is empty and clean, we might as well take photos in case we want sell it at some point,” I suggest to Mark.
“Good idea,” he responds. “Whenever that might be. But let’s do it up in Maine, where the view is better.”
He and I – and Maya – are committed to spending the summer in our “room above the garage” at my in-laws in Massachusetts, because of the pandemic, Mark’s parents needing help, and my goal to finish my travel memoir in 2020.
For a couple of weeks, we move to Maine to help out family with home renovations. There, we remove (and wash) all the covers and spend a couple of hours turning Zesty inside out, opening cabinets, converting the dinette into a second bed, pulling our main bed out, swiveling chairs, and taking 300 photos of any set-up and conversion possible. I’m sure nobody here has seen the original interior of our van, since we kept every piece of cloth – even the arm rests – hidden and protected since the beginning!
Mid-October, the camper is loaded and organized, the photos are stored in a folder, and our threesome hits the road again, heading west.
By the way, here is the reason why I never posted a video of the inside of Zesty: two years ago, we met van guru and icon Bob Wells in Quartzsite, Arizona. He wanted to (and did) shoot a video of our van – and two extra ones about our frugal living. We filmed and interviewed for a couple of days, but the movies never went live on his incredibly popular YouTube channel. I so much looked forward being featured by him and sharing the footage here. When I inquired, he eventually admitted he “lost the videos.” I’m sure now he is too famous to care. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, read or watch Nomadland. 🙂
March 2021 – Loreto, Baja California, Mexico
“It’s too bad we can’t stay longer in Baja. I don’t want to return to Massachusetts yet. Plus, it’s still cold there in April,” I mope, after five weeks on the peninsula and two more to go.
“I know. We all like it here better. But I already postponed my appointments with three months,” Mark says. “I can fly and you and Maya can stay here or in Arizona.”
“No. I need to get my Covid-shots and you will need more than a few weeks to deal with your health issues this time…” I’m pretty sure all of us should make this trip back east.
“Flying with Maya and storing Zesty will be quite expensive. And I don’t want to drive the van all the way there and back again. That’s more than 7,000 miles!”
“I think it’s time to sell the camper,” I reply. “Zesty is in the best shape ever and still has less than 90K on the odometer. If we ever want a good price for the van… We know these Westies are desirable and keep their value.”
“True. I think it’s the right time for a change as well. I’m sure there is more interest in campers in the southwest of the US, so we should sell the van before we head east in three weeks,” he suggests.
Mark puts a listing together with photos and text (which he compiled over the last months), posts it on the Sprinter Forum, and links to it from the Westy forum, where he has been a main contributor these last four years.
Zesty at the campground in Loreto, where we did the video tour.
The following day, we conduct a two-hour video tour of Zesty with a guy from San Diego, California. Within 24 hours of listing our home on wheels, it is sold, for asking price. With three other interested parties in line. Comments on the forum include “We appreciate all your help over the years, Mark,” “Whoever buys your van will be thrilled with your meticulous upkeep,” and “We hope the new owner will become a part of our community as well.”
We research and book a one-way full-size rental car from Tucson, Arizona (where the transfer will take place) to Peabody, Massachusetts, 2,600 miles away. Without detours… We change our minds and pay a little bit extra for a smaller car, a mid-size one, counting on better fuel economy and money saved. For some reason, we “forgot” we have our entire lives stacked in the van.
I mentioned in a previous post that Mark and I were quite busy in Baja California, with three real estate ventures (saga #1) and another two-tiered occupation. Dealing with selling our van was the first tier. Looking for a new travel set-up was the second part.
From the moment the sale was a fact in Loreto, Mexico, Mark started researching and looking for a Ford F-150 short-bed 4WD pick-up truck with the heavy-duty payload package, so we could put a small but adequate hard-side truck camper in the back. (A travel method we favored for our one-year Mexico and Central America trip in 2006.) These trucks were tricky to find – back in March – and our car search would adjust over the weeks that followed. I won’t go into details yet, but this entire “switching gears” idea turned into another massive, frustrating, infinite saga (#2).
April 3rd, 2021 – Tucson, Arizona, USA
We pick up the mid-size sedan rental at 9am. We have no time to lose today. We tried to upgrade the car the moment we realized we actually have belongings, but the fee was crazy. So, we thought “We will make it work!” The next surprise is that adding me to the policy for this week-long rental would cost and extra $15 a day. What? Since when can a spouse not share the same driving duties? Again, we would figure it out.
I command Zesty and Mark leads in the Nissan Sentra. By the time we arrive at our Walmart of choice, around 10am, the thermometer already reads 85 degrees (30˚C)! The sun beats down on us as I unpack the tubs and bags from our camper’s belly and Mark unloads the e-bikes and disassembles our sturdy swing-out bike rack. He picks up the new one (ordered earlier) inside the store: a flimsy rack that fits over the trunk of the sedan.
Then, a gargantuan task is upon us: fit everything we own – including the rack, the bikes, and the dog – in this new vehicle that’s less than half the size of Zesty. Luckily, I am an excellent packer and organizer. The only place our old bike rack fits is between the front and back seats. Not much else can go there. I manage to Tetris most of our gear, clothes, and the two tubs containing cookery and miscellaneous items into the trunk, filling air pockets with bedding. After an hour, I sigh with satisfaction. I close the hatch… It bounces back! There is no space for the hinges. That issue and two weird metal bars spanning the entire width of the trunk make me unpack most of the stuff again, reorganize, and remove three pieces. Stupid trunk. Stupid car. Stupid heat. A headache pops up.
Mark manages to assemble the new bike rack and, once I’m done with the trunk (containing items we wouldn’t need for a week. Ha!), attaches the new contraption to the back of the car. It takes us a while to figure out how both bikes fit. We use cloths between parts that touch and underneath the car attachments to not damage anything. Ha! Then, we cover the entire assembly with our bike bag.
Can we drive across the country like this?
We are running out of time and we are melting. It’s 90+ degrees out and the sun beats down on us. Maya is being good, lying in the shade. I organize the back seats. Half of the area contains a small cooler, a bag with food, Maya’s kibble in a tub, a carry-on suitcase, and our laptops. The other half is Maya’s space. Everything fits!
“Where does our lithium battery go?” Mark asks.
“We’ll figure it out tonight, when we pick it up at John’s place,” I say.
We quickly eat lunch under a shade cover, buy a bag of ice, move our fridge food into the cooler, and clean the kitchen, fridge, and floor in the camper.
The adequate fridge (no freezer)
“They’re early,” Mark says, looking up from his phone.
“Shit,” I mumble. We had hoped to move our entourage to a shady park for the transfer, but there is no time left. Mark takes an empty, clean Zesty to the airport, while I finish packing the car up and hang out with Maya.
The last three days have been mayhem. In frying temperatures, the hottest days of the year, we ran out of options to clean our camper. A carwash would have been cost-prohibitive and inconvenient as you pay not for the water use, but for a time period. We wanted to do a thorough job that would take hours. Plus, no room to pull out the awning and other extremities needing cleaning. The campground we arranged ended up being incredibly windy with dust and sand flying everywhere. We wouldn’t be able to clean the inside and then leave the windows open (in hot, hot weather) or everything would become grimy again. And, washing the car would turn it and our surroundings into a mud bath.
Washing the exterior – the haze you see in the background (left) is sand kicked up by heavy winds. Luckily, our new surroundings are gravel.
Our last resort – and one we should have pursued from the start – was the driveway from friends of friends where we stayed before. The problem: their well is dry, so we didn’t want to be a water burden, as they are trucking it in. We ended up cleaning Zesty’s exterior with just enough liquid to get the grime off (which left streaks and splatters because the water in Tucson is very hard) and paid our hosts a contribution for the water fund. Being with friends during the clean-up and packing was a nice bonus.
Mark returns with the couple from San Diego. Masked, he gives them an extensive tour of the van. I have to find shade often, to nurture my headache and take a breather, lifting my mask. The man scrutinizes every nook, cranny, corner, cupboard, system, and engine part. We run the generator, AC, fridge, stove, and heater to show everything works.
It takes three more hours of attention, focus, and sweat before we hand over the title of our van in exchange for a cashier check. The sun had moved across the sky from one end to the other, when Mark, Maya, and I leave the Walmart parking lot, six hours after we arrived. We wave goodbye to Zesty and her new owners and turn east, unfazed by a – what we anticpate – short transition period.
Why did we decide to sell Zesty?
If you read the ending of Plunge, you know that Mark and I have been talking about a South American journey for a while. This is still supposed to be our next adventure, whenever the pandemic is under control. However, our campervan was not the right vehicle for such a trip. We want a newer, more robust set-up with high clearance and 4WD, hence the decision to buy a truck camper again. We felt selling Zesty with no existing issues or imminent maintenance was a good idea. And, this decision would light a fire under our bums to finally change gears. Of course, we could not have expected what would happen in the car market within a few short weeks…
Zesty‘s old owners: homeless!
Since I’m running a tad behind with my blog posts, I will cover our cross-country trip in my April 2021 expense post next week.
I’ve linked this post to Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share #19.
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May 13, 2021 at 22:55
I am so sad to see Zesty go. I hope that her new owners treat her well.
I look forward to your continuation to this story in her next post. I’ll definitely be staying tuned!
May 13, 2021 at 23:04
Thanks, Donna. We will miss Zesty – a bittersweet moment. Unfortunately, there is no happy ending to the story. Yet…
May 13, 2021 at 23:24
Hi Liesbet! Oh WOW! I really didn’t see that coming. I know you mentioned South America but I know you like traveling to all sorts of countries so I didn’t think of it as standing out. And Zesty! that was your home….of course just a few weeks ago you were talking about buying a place in Loreto so who knows? It seems to me you and Mark have been doing all sorts of thinking and planning and now who knows? I’m sure you took excellent care of Zesty so the new owners will be fortunate to have him/her. And I am looking forward to hearing what you both decide to do next! ~Kathy
May 14, 2021 at 14:50
Yes, Zesty was our home. And we loved it. But, at the time, it felt right to sell him and move on, even though that moving on proves quite difficult right now. Either way, it would have been helpful, beneficial, and oh-so nice if we could have bought a little house in Mulege back in March. That would have made life (and the stress and frustration at the moment) soooo much better. Again, these challenges will make us stronger in the end. As long as we find a solution soon! 🙂
Ideally, the post about properties in Mulege had a happy ending with us purchasing a home. This didn’t happen.
Ideally, this post was produced with a happy ending of finding a new set-up. This didn’t happen. So, instead of postponing all those updates and stories on my blog, I decided to go ahead and tell what happened and – like in Plunge (except now even I don’t know the outcome) – the reader can follow us in real time!
May 13, 2021 at 23:51
Man, I’m tired just reading all this. You two always have quite the balancing act going on making it all work, but you always seem to come up with a solution. You get an A+ in problem solving. I hope Zesty serves the new owners as well as it has you. I hope everything works out for your eventual plans to get to South America.
May 14, 2021 at 14:54
I’m sorry to wear you out, Pete. For being “irie” nomads who are supposed the be living the dream, we have heaps of stress and challenges in our chosen lifestyle. Always! This is another – unexpected – big one. We are just so good at putting ourselves in situations that are not easily solved! Except, this one is not entirely our fault. I guess it all provides good – but tiring – reading material. 🙂 South America isn’t even in the realm of possibilities at this stage. One step at the time and step one (finding a vehicle) is – unfortunately – not working out.
May 14, 2021 at 00:14
Liesbet we both were sweating bullets just reading this. Whew sounds so stressful especially with the heat and all. We pity your packing and unpacking and repacking in the ninety degree heat. So not fun and undue hardship…
We remain confused about the ending.. what happened to the car market? Maybe this is something most people know about, but we are in the dark.
Awaiting the next chapter of the saga…!!
However congratulations on the decision to move forward and on selling Zesty do quickly and at full price! Is there regret to this decision? Or just frustration with the implementation of the go forward plan?
Peta & Ben
May 14, 2021 at 15:06
Hi Peta & Ben,
Selling Zesty felt right to both of us and the fact it all went smoothly made us realize it was a good decision. At the time. But… now that we can’t find/buy a replacement set-up and pretty much nothing else has worked out for us this year, we are not so sure anymore. Yet, we do not (want to) regret selling our home. So, we won’t. Things have changed drastically since early April.
What happened is multiple-fold and many unfortunate things happening at once.
1) people (especially middle-class) realized they had a bunch of money to spend (they couldn’t spend it for a year on travel, dining out, gifts for parties, drinking, commuting, …) so, they started buying cars, RVs, and homes in the US and abroad, driving the prices up.
2) interest rates remain incredibly low, so people are buying cars, RVs, homes on credit.
3) spring is usually the worst time of the year to buy anything, especially cars, RVs, and homes with summer trips coming up.
4) because of Covid, companies couldn’t produce the same amount of parts (like computer chips) needed to assemble cars, especially trucks, especially Ford trucks – the kind we need – so there is a shortage of new trucks, driving prices up a lot, making wait times for new ones incredibly long (over six months instead of six weeks), and stocks are down.
5) because of the lack of trucks and the super high expense of the ones that are left, nobody is selling their own truck. There literally are no decent used trucks available anymore at the moment.
6) used trucks are now being sold for the same price they were bought – new – years ago! We are looking at $5,000 – $7,000 higher cost than normal on the truck we have in mind. Used!
7) there is NO negotiation possible on any truck – new or used – at dealerships. And then there are fees and taxes on top.
8) new trucks are being sold for sticker price. No deals, no discounts, no incentives.
Yeah…
May 20, 2021 at 13:34
Thank you for the detailed informative response Liesbet. Interesting the variety of Covid consequences.
May 21, 2021 at 09:49
It’s a crazy post-Covid world, Peta. We can’t wait to get back to Mexico. Whenever we have that truck…
May 14, 2021 at 01:26
Hey, I’m sad, too! That van was a definite persona in your story????
May 14, 2021 at 15:07
Thanks for the sympathy, anonymous. Yes, Zesty was part of the family and brought us everywhere!
May 14, 2021 at 01:50
What was the asking price?
May 14, 2021 at 17:06
US$60K.
May 15, 2021 at 01:47
Wow, that’s crazy. Good for you guys. Of course I’m assuming you paid a lot for it as well. We just paid the equivalent of $64k for our brand new motorhome in Germany!
May 16, 2021 at 14:52
Hi Kevin! Prices in Europe (and the choices and layouts) are so much better in Europe than in the US for some reason. Whenever we go on our European/Asian RV adventure, we will most likely buy a used camper in Europe and start from there. What kind of motorhome did you buy? Do you have a photo of it on your Facebook page?
May 16, 2021 at 22:21
Sorry for butting in but yes, 64k for a camper sounds just about right in the US. I am curious, how would prices in the Europe cost?
May 17, 2021 at 12:43
Hi Julie!
My understanding is that there is way more choice in smaller RVs in Europe and that they are cheaper than in the US. The European-built ones anyway. I know that the Westfalia Sprinter van we had costs between 45K-65K in the US (depending on their condition, ours was fully intact with all the original systems still in working order!) and 45K or less in Europe. Plus, they are still making and updating this van in Europe while in the US they only imported them one year (2005), so they are more desirable here.
The cost for RVs greatly depends on what you are buying and whether they are new or used. Prices range immensely, especially when you compare a used travel travel with a new Class A bus with slide-outs! 65K is somewhere in the middle.
May 14, 2021 at 03:22
I am sad to see Zesty going, but I guess it was time for a new venture. I can’t believe the guy who filmed Nomadland has also made a film about you guys? I am looking forward to hearing about what happens next ????
May 14, 2021 at 17:08
Hi Gilda! To clarify, the woman who filmed Nomadland (the producer) wasn’t Bob Wells. Bob was a real-life character in the movie and the book. 🙂 He and his assistant did make three videos of us for his YouTube channel, which never went live, unfortunately. So far, what happens next is quite uninspiring!
May 14, 2021 at 03:49
Wow! The simple life can be quite complicated sometimes.
May 14, 2021 at 17:11
You hit the nail on the head, Anabel. Unfortunately, our simple live is often complicated. I think Mark and I attract that for some reason. We can’t just relax and let the world go by… When life gets too easy, we apply for a crazy job, get sick, adopt a dog, change transportation, or cross borders. Can’t say I ever get bored. 🙂
May 14, 2021 at 07:38
Wow, no more Zesty! I don’t know how you got all of that stuff into that tiny car either.
Yeah, vehicles are stupid expensive right now. Parts are scarce.
May 14, 2021 at 17:12
Yep, Alex. The vehicle market, like the housing and RV and boat markets are insane right now. The worst time in decades to buy a pick-up truck!! I’m so happy I have a talent: packing! 🙂
May 14, 2021 at 07:58
Your heading made me jump here right away. I’m sad. Zesty – may your new owners be as kind and loving and amazing as LIesbet and Mark. Two months ago I had to sell my 2007 SUV with 140,000 miles. I LOVED that car and loved all the memories within her. But, she needed a lot of work ($$$) to keep going, and it made more sense to buy a new car. I shed tears as I said goodbye to the amazing “machine” that took care of me and my passengers for so many years. So believe me, I know how difficult it must have been to say goodbye to Zesty. I’ve named my new car (Iris) to help me feel more comfortable with her. That helps. And change is good, Liesbet. Challenging, but good. xo
May 14, 2021 at 17:16
Wow, Pam. You and your SUV really bonded! Good memories, indeed. Do you have photos of her as well? I think that would be good story material as well. 🙂
We were worried that Zesty’s age would bring more issues and expenses in the near future as well, which was one of the reasons we were ready to let him go. Say hi to Iris! I agree that change is good, as long as that change actually arrives sooner than later.
May 14, 2021 at 08:00
Liesbet, I have to admit to scrolling ahead on this post with anticipation and a bit of angst. Wow, you guys are masterful at making a quick-change. We decided a month ago to list our house and still don’t have it on the market. It’s a shame Bob Wells LOST your video. Makes me think a little less of him, but you are probably right – too famous to care. The van looks new inside. I’m sure the new owners will treat it with love. Can’t wait to read the next installment.
May 15, 2021 at 11:10
Hi Suzanne!
Big decisions like these – selling our homes (whether stationary or moving) are never easy. In our case, it felt right to both of us as we were ready for a change. Unfortunately, it’s biting us in the butt now.
It seems like you both have made a similar decision. What is holding you back from putting it on the market? I’m sure you’ll get a premium for your home, but, on the flip side, if you haven’t found a new place yet, you’ll pay a premium for that as well… It’s such a seller’s market right now.
I wish I could share the next installment of our lives, but nothing promising is on the horizon. In the meantime, I’ll catch up with what happened to this point and share the “struggles” of a nomadic life.
May 14, 2021 at 08:09
As others have said, this seemed to come out of nowhere (to us – obviously, you two had been considering a change for a while). The van is more gorgeous than I knew, and a teeny part of me wishes I’d had a crack at buying it! We are not ready for a long trip yet, though – have to wait until full-time work is done. Hope the next phase works out well!
May 15, 2021 at 11:14
Hi Lexie. Unfortunately, the next phase is not working out well and it might be time for a plan B or C… We are extremely unlucky right now to NEED a particular truck, as nothing decent and “affordable” is available anymore. Not even in Texas. Whatever is being sold – used or new – costs approximately $10,000 more than before this crisis.
May 14, 2021 at 08:24
I miss Zesty! I know you had to sell her but we had some good times with her! She was such a good rig for company. So glad we got to hang out and ride with you, Mark, and Maya in Zesty!
I’ve been wondering about the lithium battery – whether you sold it or took it with you. We are still interested in building our own.
Being a good packer is a great skill to have. I and my two dogs drove across the country (from AZ to SC) with everything I own in a little truck camper – including a futon bed i had sold to a friend in Huston. I had spent days packing the truck. Parts of the futon were strapped to the top. When I got to Huston i off loaded the futon but then my friend wanted to use my truck to pick up someusic gear. We unloaded everything into his apartment. When it came time to leave i had less time to pack and couldn’t fit everything back into the truck. I just abandoned stuff with my friend.
I know this abrupt change of gears will push you into a new interesting direction. Looking forward to what happens next.
May 15, 2021 at 11:19
Hi Duwan!
We will make sure that our next set-up allows for entertaining inside as well. If we ever find something. You’re right about that direction. At some point, we will have to go somewhere.
I know you are a good packer! Funny about everything fitting in your truck at some point and then not anymore. I have faced this as well!
Have you ever played with the idea of working at the check-put counter in a grocery store to bag groceries. I know this sounds funny, but I have. 🙂 And, I’d rather pack my own groceries than let whoever else do it. But, after Covid, I was never allowed to do this anymore at the local grocery store here. Also, they hire challenged people to do this job, so I don’t interfere.
Mark has built his Lithium battery at this point. The idea is to use it in our next camper. We will show it to you when you get here!
May 14, 2021 at 10:10
I travel through you, Liesbet. What a wonderful story. You are a nomad in spirit and reality. Love being your friend.
May 15, 2021 at 11:20
Such a sweet sentiment, Jacqui. Thank you. Happy to be your friend, too! Not much (virtual) travel for you to come on these weeks. But we will figure out something. Hopefully in the near future!
May 17, 2021 at 10:52
Well, knowing you as I do, your spirit is nomadic so you’re going to come up with enticing posts.
May 17, 2021 at 13:20
Thank you, Jacqui! You are right, I never run out of topics to share, talk, or write about. That is a fact! A little break from real-life adventure might encourage me to touch on a few different topics I’m also passionate about. 🙂
May 14, 2021 at 11:16
Wow Liesbet you have had so much going on! Farewell Zesty and on to new adventures. Bravo to you and Mark for being so adaptable. Hoping his appointments went well.
May 15, 2021 at 11:22
Hi Sue! Still more appointments to go and more results to wait for. For some reason, we always have a lot going on. Not much has changed with that compared to the contents of Plunge…
May 14, 2021 at 15:10
Of course you miss Zesty too, but life goes on, as [they] say, with tears streaming down your cheeks. Your post explains SO much about the vague angst I detected in your comments lately.
Anyway, I should be thankful I’m one of the few readers who has actually seen and stepped into your pristine RV just a little over a year ago. You are gathering memories here and keeping your readers on the edge of our seats. Soon, it will be “Hello . . .!)
Admiring your extreme adaptability and wishing you ALL. THE. BEST! ((( )))
May 15, 2021 at 11:27
Hi Marian,
The only reason we miss Zesty now is because we are unsuccessful (and will be for months) finding our alternative. Covid is finally biting us in the butt and the effects of lack of parts and trucks are strongly affecting us, on top of health issues.
I’m glad you and Cliff managed to have a peak inside our wonderful van. We are sure the new owners will have amazing adventures in it. I so hope you are right with the “Hello…” post arriving soon, but only a miracle will make this happen within the next three months. I’m not kidding.
Thank you for the wishes! We can use them. 🙂
May 14, 2021 at 15:44
Zesty did right by you all these years, Liesbet. A wonderful home and precious memories made. It is indeed difficult to buy trucks and RVs now. My BIL is trying to replace his 91 Jeep and prices for what few trucks are available are ridiculous. Once summer is over I think things level out for all this. In a weird turn, there is a concrete shortage just as our pole barn us being constructed. Hang in there, my friend, things happen for a reason!
May 15, 2021 at 11:32
Hi Terry!
While a bit pricey at times (parts, maintenance, fuel), Zesty did serve us right, indeed. She was an amazing van to travel and live in. Irreplaceable, really. But we had high hopes (and no worries) finding our new set-up when we sold her. Recent times have taught us to never have too much confidence…
It is crazy how the ripple effect of Covid is now making purchases of trucks, homes, and other things so hard with insane prices. Being frugal people, this really won’t work for us. We just can’t pay $10,000 extra for over-valued trucks right now. And, the ones that are still available will soon be gone as well, because someone won’t care about the inflation and just suck it up.
Happy to find out what “the reason” of all our bad luck is at some point!
May 14, 2021 at 17:14
You two are full of surprises… You are lucky to have a place to regroup and recharge, and decide what your next steps will be. Prices for a lot of things are out of control right now but I hope they will get back to normal as things get better. In the meantime, you have a roof over your heads and generous, understanding landlords 🙂 so things – although frustrating – aren’t too bad. Even though you won’t be traveling for a while, I hope you keep us updated.
May 15, 2021 at 11:38
Hi Janis!
We should have our own reality show with all the twists and turns going on in our lives on a daily basis. Not really fun to live through half the time, but it all makes for a good story afterwards. I can’t wait for a happy ending to this chapter, because we sure are ready for it.
Yes, we are happy about having a place to stay. For now, anyway, because they are changes abreast with that, too. As well as health issues all around me. Thing is that we would be fine if we’d know this “financial crisis” and unavailability of items is temporary, as in for three months or so. But, we don’t, and predictions float around that the truck market won’t restore until next year. That’s a long time to be stuck, without a plan. Or a vehicle. As you know, we wouldn’t “survive” a winter in New England. So, my brain is busy trying to figure out what’s next, as well as being a caregiver, support person, and trying to fit my work in.
May 14, 2021 at 22:05
Liesbet, That was a quick sale of Zesty. You and Mark are like McGyver when you need to make things work, including some serious packing. I hope Mark’s appointments and your vaccines go well, and you get the truck you want soon. Thank you for linking to #WeekendCoffeeShare.
May 15, 2021 at 11:42
Hi Natalie,
I’d like to believe that everything works out in the end. Of course, health is a different beast altogether. So much is out of our hands with that. Finding that truck is not happening, unfortunately. But, hopefully something can be figured out by the time we really need to leave here and hit the road again. The positive news is that I am fully vaccinated now, so I can go to Belgium this summer! 🙂
May 14, 2021 at 23:25
I’m new to your site Liesbet (thanks to Donna from Retirement Reflections for the recommendation). Packing all your stuff into that smaller vehicle looked like quite the tetris challenge. It amazes me too how rental companies change so much for an extra driver. After all, it’s not as though their risk increases exponentially. #weekendcoffeeshare
May 15, 2021 at 11:48
Hello, Jo! And welcome to Roaming About!
Donna is the best. I’m so glad I can call her a friend and that I met her in real life. 🙂 Your comment made me realize it’s Tetris and not Tetrix (which is what we called it in Dutch when playing the game). I immediately changed the typo in my blog. Thank you for that!
No sense arguing with a rental car company – or any company for that matter – about their policies. You never get anywhere. Common sense or not, they make the rules and you either agree (and go ahead with the “service”), or you don’t and start all over again somewhere else. This is what we have often done (in general), because we have principles. In this case, Mark just drove the entire distance ($3,000 miles) himself…
May 15, 2021 at 05:46
Goodness me, this was a long, uphill and down dale read…and I was not familiar with your story before this. I hope things work out for you both. It’s been such a weird time living with and around Covid. I hope that you stay well and upbeat after these massive changes. It’s a lot for sure. Denyse #weekendcoffeeshare
May 16, 2021 at 14:55
Hi Denyse!
Thank you for swinging by and leaving a comment. My husband and I have gone through a lot of ups and downs – mentally, physically, and logistically – being nomads for almost twenty years. In general, things work out in the end. But, sometimes, like in our current situation, the end might take a while to come around! 🙂
While 2020 wasn’t too bad for us, other than changing our plans and destinations, it’s the aftermath of Covid that has been affecting us hugely this year and made us miss out on life-changing opportunities and finding a new set-up.
May 15, 2021 at 10:30
Wow, it is hard to know what to say. Breathless reading and will continue to follow the journey. Hoping for the best and praying too. Michele
May 16, 2021 at 14:57
Hi Michele! Thank you so much for thinking about us. The nomadic lifestyle is always a tad challenging and often unpredictable, but usually we do have somewhat of a vague idea about what’s next. Except now… Stay tuned!
May 15, 2021 at 18:39
Wow…what memories. It will be fun to see what memories you make from here on out.
May 16, 2021 at 14:59
Hi Kirstin! We have some fantastic memories of our four years in Zesty. Now, it’s time for something new. We know what we want (usually a challenge in itself :)), but don’t manage to find it. Hopefully, we get a break-through one of these weeks…
May 17, 2021 at 00:29
Hi Liesbet, I fully understand the feelings associated with Zesty. More importantly fingers crossed regarding the health issues. I do believe there is a reason why good/bad things happen in our lives, though sometimes it takes a while to sort out the “why”. Kia kaha and I am sure you both will shine through till the next adventure.
May 17, 2021 at 13:16
Hi Suzanne! I know you understand both hiccups – the RV one and the healthcare one. We realized seven years ago that health should be our first priority, after a drastic situation that changed our lives forever. Since then, it has been, but you sometimes “forget” about it when other pressing issues take over. Or when you’re feeling fine and your husband has been suffering silently. Can’t wait for that next adventure, but first, some stars will have to miraculously line up. Or, we have to be bold, change direction (house sitting with Maya?), and come up with another alternative. 🙂
May 18, 2021 at 07:33
Incredibly sad to hear the news that Zesty has been sold, Liesbet. Given all the adventures you’ve had in her, I can only compare it to moving from a home which produces love, happiness and fun. You documented the whole process so well. I was there with you, even in that sweltering heat. I bet you’re great at packing suitcases and making the most of every inch of space.
I dread to think what happens with the ‘Ha’s!’ you mentioned in the post. It must have all been a stressful experience, but I hope it produces a lovely future for you all. I’m just pleased that you are all safe while living in Newburyport.
May 18, 2021 at 13:20
Hi Hugh!
Yes, selling Zesty was bittersweet, especially since we couldn’t have predicted in April how the car market would change “overnight”, by the time we drove here. It’s like selling your house, moving out, and not having an alternative at the ready. It’s been quite stressful as a transition has not been reached yet. Luckily, we can spend as much time as we want in our “room above the garage” in Newburyport.
I LOVE packing suitcases and look forward to doing this soon. Fresh from the press: I just booked a plane ticket to Belgium for three weeks, but all I can take is one carry-on bag. (I bought the cheap ticket, of course.) My packing skills will come in handy again. 🙂
It would be nice to have a tiny indication of this lovely future, one of these days… Fingers crossed we find a truck soon and that it doesn’t set us back financially too much more than expected.
May 20, 2021 at 07:00
Well, there you go, Liesbet? Had you not sold Zesty, would have booked a flight to Belgium now? Your future is panning out in front of you and (I believe) we have the choice to make use of it. At least there is also the challenge of packing a carryon bag. Of course, you can always buy some clothes (you can’t pack) while in Belgium, but I don’t know if fashion tends to be cheaper there compared to the States. I always remember buying 501 jeans in the USA because they were usually half the cost compared to what you could buy them for in the UK. Same goes for men’s underwear, but let’s not go there.
May 20, 2021 at 10:29
Hi Hugh!
Actually, I would have made a trip to Belgium happen this summer as I haven’t been back and seen my friends and family in three years. And, I prefer to fly there from Massachusetts as it’s one of the shortest hops across the ocean. 🙂
When my parents still had their house, with my childhood bedroom, I used to keep a few clothes there. Now, this is not the case anymore. But, I don’t despair. I love a good challenge and I’m not fond of owning (and carrying) a lot of stuff. I’m sure there will be washers and dryers I can use to make my few pieces of clothing last.
I do believe clothing is cheaper in the US than in Europe. But, speaking of men’s underwear (no taboos for this lady :-), my ex-boyfriend, the one from the story I submitted to your blog, whom I’m still friends with, found the perfect underwear on a Belgian outdoor market one time, many years ago. Since then, he’s asked me to find them again when I’m in Belgium and send him new pairs of those particular boxer shorts. True story!
May 20, 2021 at 10:59
I love the true story in your last comment to me. It made me smile. Thank you. ☀️
May 21, 2021 at 09:49
I’m happy to put a smile on your face, Hugh!
May 19, 2021 at 22:03
Sad to hear about Zesty. It seems like you just got her, four years already wow! Well, I think you will be on to bigger and better adventures. Who knows what awaits you next! xx
May 20, 2021 at 10:12
It’s time for a new chapter, Debby! Hopefully before summer is over. 🙂 We are doing our best to change gears, but the times are against us. The car market – especially the truck market – is berserk! Another consequence of the pandemic. Question is: Do we have the time, patience, and mindset to wait it out? By winter, things should settle down, but… winter in New England??? Yeah.
May 20, 2021 at 10:13
I cannot even vision you guys hanging around for winter there, lol. No doubts, things will come together. But June will be a rocky month for many with this new mercury retrograde, so hang on to your hat for a bit. <3
May 20, 2021 at 10:30
Oh no, another mercury retrograde??? Good to know. I hope my flight to Belgium won’t get into jeopardy… Take care, my friend!!!
May 20, 2021 at 20:48
Liesbet, You and Mark were mulling and researching new transportation for awhile. Selling Zesty with no issues seems like the right choice. Unfortunately, the market is volatile. The new owners seem very thorough and will continue to take care of Zesty. I cannot imagine how exceptionally difficult to work in the heat. Good grief about the videos. And, yes, I did watch Nomadland. I will be reading your expense report next. ????
May 21, 2021 at 09:52
I have a question for you, Erica. How do you leave comments to these (and other people’s) posts? Do you make notes as you read? Do you start the comment and add to it while you read? I’m always so impressed with how you touch on many different topics in these posts and leave such a thorough comment. Every time I read a blog post, I have heaps of thoughts going through my heads about what I’d like to say/contribute and then by the time I write my comment, I have forgotten most of it!
May 21, 2021 at 15:23
Hi Liesbet, My comments ‘system’ can vary depending on what is going on in my life. Overall, I have learned to compartmentalize and allocate dedicated reading and comment time. It is fun for me and I learn a great deal. I know you are very generous with your reading and responding, Liesbet.???? Often I may be a few days late or even more than a week late when commenting. We are sometimes off the grid, camping and then I play catch up.
Early on, I saw how comments can disappear. I don’t know why? Into a random spam folder? Bloggers moderate and then never check? May depend on the browser and certain blogs are easier to navigate in specific browsers. I type on my ipad “notes app” as I am reading my laptop. Then I copy/paste the comment. Only works if you have access to wifi. I think the Cloud keeps the same “notes” on all the devices. Once in awhile I will directly type my comment in the comment section. Especially, if it is a short post resulting in a short comment.
This may be a confusing response. Not sure if I explained it okay. There is often more than one way to tackle anything. I always enjoy reading your posts, Liesbet! ????
May 22, 2021 at 07:43
Using two devices… That’s a good tip! I sometimes start the comment and then keep scrolling up and down to keep reading and keep making notes. For long posts, this is not the right approach. 🙂 Like you, I have learned a long time ago that comments can get lost. For me, this mostly happens in a moving car, when all of the sudden, the connection drops. I always copy and paste my comments before hitting the “reply” button.
Thank you for the explanation, Erica. I appreciate it as I keep trying to figure out how to tackle putting my own thoughts down as I read people’s posts. 🙂
May 26, 2021 at 16:17
What an ordeal for you! Selling anything of that magnitude is always a chore.
I’m late with my reading, so now I’ll hurry over to your next post to find out “what happened”. 🙂
May 28, 2021 at 10:28
Hi Diane! Selling Zesty was a big deal for us, a big change, but we both felt it was time and the right thing to do. If only our alternative means of transportation would show up soon, so we can pick up our life on the road again…
July 3, 2021 at 18:54
Liesbet, once again you have surprised me! I remembered you talking about a trip to South America, but for some reason I thought it was way off in the future. I’m sorry to hear about all the frustrations with trying to buy that certain type of truck. The vehicle market is doing the same thing here in Canada. The local GM dealership called Rob up to see if he wanted to sell his truck to them. It’s 6 years old, in great shape, and he has no intentions of selling it. I had been planning to buy an electric car, but COVID, and now the jump in prices have put that on hold indefinitely.
Jude
July 8, 2021 at 11:54
It’s crazy what’s going on in the truck market these months. You’re not the first one who told me about dealers calling truck owners up with the request of selling them (back) to the dealerships. They are desperate. And, because they have more money and are more desperate than us, we can’t compete. We have to let our search rest, which means we are stuck until conditions improve…
We’ve been talking about a South America adventure since we bought Zesty. You might remember my book (the epilogue) ended on that note. 🙂 We still haven’t gone and aren’t even close right now. Unfortunately.