The Gypsy In Me

parked on the farm

I have come to one of those moments in my life that change needed to happen, and this is often preceded by events that lead to change. I have decided to sell the Gypsy Wagon and move into a bachelor suite on the Gorge. I already know I can live in a smaller space, so a bachelor sounded perfect. 

I loved the Gypsy Wagon and it feels like home in here, but the cons started to add up for me the pros fell behind. It was my haven in the storm that followed my return to Canada as I recovered, rested, and found my footing again. I had begun that time with my VW Westfalia Vanagon, but it was soon clear I did not want to depend on someone else for my bathroom. Or power. So along came the Gypsy Wagon, bought in Nanaimo. She was a total beige and brown fest inside when I bought her. It wasn’t long before I started painting things out and adding my flavour. I put out all of my many souvenirs from world travels and photos of adventures, artwork collected, license plates and so on. Nash came to live with me in the Gypsy Wagon. For years, it worked well in here. I liked being mobile and being able to travel wherever I wanted to go and stay as long as I needed, and to live off the grid. I did just that when I wasn’t hard at work. I drove this old girl to California and back, to northern BC, twice to Edmonton, and dozens of trips to Salt Spring and all over Vanouver Island. She is still running well, just dripping some oil like an old girl parked for months does. All of the appliances still work very well, no issues, and the roof is tight and there are no leaks (a huge deal in winters here).

my purple velvet couch

Nashpad and doorway out

kitchen

I dodged tickets for years when I couldn’t find good parking and ended up paying just a few. I parked all over the island, and most recently in a couple of driveways of friends. I am thankful for the home support I received in all those years I boon-docked, housesat, petsitting, etc. I appreciated your electricity when I could plug in, your water when I needed a fill, your showers when I was filthy enough to need a scrub, laundry when I needed to catch up with my load. I enjoyed every visit as we gathered in/on/around your homes, debriefed about our days, shared meals together, and treated me like family. I hope to continue to enjoy our visits, just without my house dragging behind me. I have my RAV4 now and you just never know where I will be scooting around to once our travel restrictions have eased and the pandemic is behind us. 

The issues that began to arise for me in the Gypsy Wagon were mostly physical. I am parked on a bit of a slant, and it makes it tricky getting out of my bunk. I struggle every day and sometimes wonder if this is the day I will just not be able to crawl out of bed. My bunk has access only at the bottom right corner. I also struggle to get in and out of the RV now too through the main cabin doorway steps. My hips and knees are protesting and I agree with them. I isn’t that I can’t do stairs - I can’t do these ones. They are a bit steep and I have to shift weight to get up and over them. 

Nash

I am SO OVER dealing with RV chores. Filling the water tank and then having to tightly monitor every single drop I tap out because I also have to very closely monitor the grey water tank level. The more water I use and send down, the sooner I have to pack up the RV and take it to dump the tanks. Getting in and out of this hill driveway is a real challenge for me and it gives me anxiety for days until I finally just do it. Then when issues happen with the tanks, well lets just say things can get ugly. Very ugly. Very fast. So I am looking forward to having a proper flush toilet where I no longer must monitor how much I use it. 

kitchen and dining

parked at a friend's hosue

I have a shower in here but because it uses so much space and water plus space for grey water, I just do not use it and have always showered in a friend’s house, or campground, public showers, and whatnot. It will be nice to just roll out of bed and into the shower without having to give thought to what time of day it is and who might already be in the shower, or if anyone is up, or if I will wake someone up. 

I have a shower in here but because it uses so much space and water plus space for grey water, I just do not use it and have always showered in a friend’s house, or campground, public showers, and whatnot. It will be nice to just roll out of bed and into the shower without having to give thought to what time of day it is and who might already be in the shower, or if anyone is up, or if I will wake someone up.

 

 

I will very much appreciate having more space. I would like to set up a small kitchen island with a couple of stools instead of a table and chairs, and then a separate table in the living area a bit of a studio. I have missed having a separate space for arts and crafts. I am surrounded by my paints and supplies at my only table in here. 

 Then I will have my twin mattress which I love, on a platform as my couch, and am so looking forward to a double bed again. I have been in a single bunk for 6 years now. It has been rather cozy at times, and enjoyable as I snuggled with the cat, but also feels too confined at times, like a coffin. The apartment I am hoping to get has a Murphy Bed, which is very exciting to me. I have always wanted a Murphy Bed so I put it away when I need the room, and otherwise can have a nice big bed. I also want to have a bookcase. A tall one, full of books. All of my things are packed away here in cabinets and I have to say, I miss having books on shelves to look at, and inspire me. 

The complex where I applied for the bachelor apartment is a former Comfort Inn. They renovated many of the rooms into either bachelor, 1 bedroom, or 1 bedroom plus den. There is an outdoor pool, a coffee shop, laundry, gym, and gorge access with a dock. The gorge is a beautiful waterway that I have driven by for years, often in the Gypsy Wagon as I drove to the RV park to do the chores. It has very calm waters most days, and I recently bought a paddleboard, the kind you stand up on. They are a popular item these days so I treated myself to one last week. I had been trying to decide for awhile which to buy for water play - canoe, kayak or paddleboard. I came across an inflatable paddleboard so that is what I bought. No roof rack needed, and I feel like it will be much more graceful to get on and off than my kayak has been in the past. 

There is ample and free parking for my car there and for any folks who want to visit. My friend that I have known for years also lives there so that is exciting for me. We are going to hit the gorge to paddle this summer! The complex is also very pet friendly which means I can bring Nash happily to the new place. 

So I really hope my application is accepted. I had heard there is a waiting list but their website listed 15 units, mostly bachelor so there is a good chance I will get one. I think they just opened up the wing with the bachelor apartments in, so that might be why there are 15 units all of a sudden as rental occupancy is high here, often very little to rent and always competition to do so. 

The gorge from the dock at the complex

I am ready for this big change in my life. I have a good job now, steady income, steady benefits, and convenient workplace. The new digs, should I be able to rent there is about the same distance from my office. Less than a 10 minute drive. I hope to hear this week about the apartment. I want to list the RV as soon as possible and move in as soon as possible and start the next chapter in my life. Home number 51 coming right up, fingers crossed...