Building a little friend for Myrtle

I first became aware of the Valmobile Folding Scooter when I saw it listed in a Travco Brochure of Optional Equipment. If you'd like to learn more about them, I previously wrote a longer blog entry about these little gems. You can see a photo here:

Since I am not likely to find a Valmobile any time soon I have decided to build a bicycle in homage to the Valmobile, for Myrtle. I plan to use design elements from both vehicles as inspiration for my bicycle design. This week I started the bike frame building course via Bohemian Bicycles, along with my husband. Dave Bohm, the artisan and mastermind behind Bohemian Bicycles builds amazing custom bicycle frames as well as providing courses on his craft. My husband was the one initially drawn to the course as he has a keen interest in bicycles (and rebuilding motor homes) as well as heaps of mechanical and design skills. Since I am also smitten with bicycles, and willing to learn some new skills, I decided to take the course with him! Check out Bohemian Bicycles on Facebook

I am looking forward to learning the engineering behind bicycle mechanics, choosing component parts, and of course welding and fabrication! Truth be told I've had a not so secret interest in welding ever since watching one of my favorite eighties movies Flashdance. (I own the movie on DVD, and the soundtrack on cd, cassette tape and vinyl.) It's my Flashdance moment with hopefully more welding and less dancing in a leotard. Check back for future updates on my progress and for now check out a Flashdance trailer;

The Valmobile photo was used with permission and was photographed by Chuck Schutz as found posted on his Flickr stream.

Roof vent replacement deja vu

Awhile ago we replaced Myrtle's front roof vent when it was shattered by hail. We replaced it with a regular plastic crank vent from a RV supply store. In case it ever happened again we also ordered a galvanized metal vent from Vintage Trailer Supply.
Well as you can see from the photo, it happened again. Now Myrtle has a new metal roof vent just in time for tonight's hail storm.
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Myrtle as Muse, again!

You may have remembered that Myrtle was previously the subject of a lovely painting by the amazing painter, Kate Schutz.

Now Myrtle has been illustrated by the talented Fred Greiner and featured on his blog Van Full of Monkeys. Fred's other illustration work can be seen on his main website: http://www.fredgreiner.com/


Photo copyright Fred Greiner, used with permission. Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fredgreiner/7449633862/
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Biolite Campstove - Camping Innovation!

I was very excited to hear about the Biolite Campstove, and I have already preordered one. From the manufacturers website; "The BioLite CampStove, designed for outdoor adventure and emergency preparedness, makes cooking on wood as clean, safe and easy as petroleum fuels while powering electronics off-grid. Using BioLite's patent-pending thermoelectric technology, BioLite Stoves convert heat to electricity that powers a fan to make the fire ultra-efficient. Extra electricity can be used to charge small electronics like mobile phones and LED lights."

I am super excited about this development for both camping and disaster preparedness. If that wasn't neat enough they also manufacture a larger version called the Biolite Homestove for use in countries where people are cooking over open fires. From their website; "The Need: Half the planet cooks on smoky open fires, causing nearly 2 million premature deaths each year and contributing to climate change. Using our patent-pending technology, BioLite has created a low-cost biomass cookstove that, by converting waste heat into electricity, reduces smoke emissions by up to 95% while simultaneously providing users with the capability to charge mobile phones and LED lights.



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Myrtle featured on Inspired Camping

Did you know Myrtle has a fabulous solar power system? The system runs all her house lights, appliances, computer equipment and even an electric blanket.

Check out the system details and photos in her featured article on Inspired Camping



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Myrtle featured in RV West magazine

RV West is a free online magazine. They have interesting articles on camping destinations, fellow RVer's, maintenance, events and so on.

They did a fun article on Myrtle and our adventures in restoration and camping. Check it out here: http://www.rvwest.com/vintage_rv/article/glamping_with_myrtle


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Myrtle is on Facebook!

Myrtle, our mid century modern 1964 Dodge Travco Motorhome is on facebook! Her page will include entries from her blog, interesting links, vintage rv supplies and decorating, events etc.

If you'd like to stay in touch with Myrtle's adventure via Facebook, please like her page.
https://www.facebook.com/MyrtleAndMe



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