Now here’s something I’m going to have to add to my Promaster van build: a front-mounted veggie garden. When we’re out camping in the boonies, the one thing we miss is the fresh produce from our back yard garden. No more. These folks eat their spinach and kale no matter where they are. And yes, they’ve though about the aerodynamic effects on the greens.
They’ve re-purposed various discarded items into effective guards to keep the wind from blowing the plants away. Who wants to see the arugula stuck in the windshield wiper arms?
Now all they need is a roof-top chicken coop like these folks have on their converted camper school bus. BTW, I still see that bus from time to time, and you’ll be happy to know the chickens are doing just fine.
So do you feel like you’re getting to know Eugene?
Great setup. It needs a goat tethered to the back bumper, it can graze to keep the weeds down on the boondock site and you can have goat cheese with your arugula.
I don’t know if this lifelong, uptight, East Coast type can handle Eugene! How did you make the transformation from Towson, Paul?
I couldn’t wait to get the hell out of Towson soon enough. I rather hated the place after we moved there from mellow university town Iowa City in 1965. So conservative, preppy and uptight. Never mind racist (Sorry, but it’s true).
About two weeks after I turned 18 in 1971, I packed a backpack and hitchhiked in the direction…west. Never looked back. Not for me.
This is Paul’s “Parallel Universe Version” of how he got from Towson to Eugene, Kevin.
One of the best reads ever here….
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/auto-biography/van-of-a-lifetime-1971-ford-econoline-e100-what-might-have-been/
Thanks, Rick. Very enlightening!
Paul: As a former life-long resident of Maryland, and currently enjoying his 20th year of exile in Southside Virginia, I can concur with all of your observations.
Let me add that I did spend several chunks of time in Baltimore again in the years 1972-1974. And I came to appreciate its many great qualities too, including excellent food, and a lot of wonderful individuals. I lived with some other kids in the heart of Fells Point for a few months, and another time with some (white) kids who had purposefully rented a row house off Greenmount in a totally black neighborhood. That was a good experience; we got along great with the neighbors (who were a bit wary at first) and made some new friends.
My first comment is of course a crude generalization. But when you’re 12 or a young teenager, the world does tend to be a bit black and white. I did not mean to hurt anyone’s feelings. And please note: those were my impressions of the time (1965-1971). Obviously many things have changed; others not.
I miss bar-hopping in Fells Point. Then again, I’m getting too old for that stuff!
Nope, totally know what you’re talking about. My butthole blue collar town in western PA. 40 miles NW of Pittsburgh, was the same. During that same time period. 60’s and ’70’s and I am certain waaaay before that. I am white guy and didn’t experience people who didn’t judge others by race until moving away as soon as I had the chance. Very glad I got away from it. Became a nurse and have recently retired. You CAN NOT be a racist or judgemental about anyone, and be a nurse. If you are, you need to find other work!
My kind of people. The upshot is you can just keep moving the van as needed to get more sunlight on the produce.
Looks like they have some potential on the roof, too. It certainly appears flat enough.
Self watering too, just stab a pitchfork thru the radiator.
Wow, I can’t believe I’ve never seen this in Santa Cruz! Curbside RV’s and home gardens are everywhere here, but not yet combined. Once again, Eugene takes the win! On the ProMaster, this could help winter traction … kind of like sandbags in the trunk, but winter veggies in front.
A bumper crop if ever I’ve seen one.
I am pretty sure this wouldn’t work in England. The police would consider it a dangerous vehicle. Your insurance company wouldn’t be amused either. A roof garden might be more discreet.
I hope they don’t try growing corn.
Just 2 stalks – 1 on the right front, and the other on the left front. That way you know where the corners of the box are so you won’t squash your squash while parking.
Now that is creative!