Camping with Friends

We are camping with friends and you are invited! Join Suanne & Phyllis on BLM land in Pahrump from Sunday April 16 through Saturday April 22. (Although Suanne & Phyllis are Homes On Wheels Alliance (HOWA) staff, this is not a HOWA camp ... we're simply friends camping together on public land.)

This is truly casual camping, nothing will be organized. But, typically these get togethers end up with campfires, hiking, pot lucks, games, arts & crafts, a free pile, and lots of great camaraderie.

We will be "dispersed camping," aka "boondocking." Please arrive fully prepared and able to take care of your own needs. Nothing will be provided for bathroom facilities, water, trash disposal, food, etc. The town is an easy drive from camp with grocery stores, water kiosks, and a free land fill. Watch the weather forecast to know what to pack for clothing and bedding.

The camping area selected is spread out for about a half mile along Higley Rd, with center camp near the middle. We will be camping on the land east of Higley because it is public BLM land; the land to the west of Higley is private land.  

Unlike some desert areas, Pahrump's BLM land has an abundance of brush and washes. On the attached map, I put arrows at the locations with access to flat rocky areas (desert concrete) for our personal camps. Very large or long rigs may not be able to maneuver within the available camping areas.

Please be kind to the land and avoid driving through washes and over plant life. In fact, "to be kind" is what we ask everyone to be who chooses to camp with us ... focusing on what we have in common vs. what divides us.

Driving Directions: From NV Hwy 372 & NV Hwy 160 in Pahrump, NV, go north on Hwy 160 for 3 miles. Turn right (east) on E Mesquite Ave., go 2.5 miles to Higley Rd (aka Justin Rd) at this link https://goo.gl/maps/FRVwGAEKg6hZxAC7A. Turn left (north) on Higley. Between 1000 ft and .5 mile on Higley, will be multiple places to camp to the right/east on the rocky ground (see photo with arrows).

Camping area, north of Mesquite on Higley.  

The arrows show places to turn right to camp off of Higley.

Four areas to camp, near to Center Camp

Driving north on Higley at Mesquite. 3/2/23

Looking east at first camping area going north 

on Higley.  3/2/23

Looking east at second camping area going north

on Higley.  3/2/23

Looking east at third camping area, location of

center camping, going north on Higley.  3/2/23

Looking north from center camp.  3/2/23

Looking east from center camp.  3/2/23

Looking east at forth camping area going north

on Higley.  3/2/23

Looking east at fifth camping area going north

on Higley.  3/2/23

Looking east at sixth camping area going north 

on Higley.  3/2/23

For the latest updates, go to my public Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Suanne.Carlson.

Thanks.  See you there!

Cooking in the Van

Update on Construction

Before I share with you about cooking in the van.  I want to let you know that my van configuration remains the same, with no more progress on the floor.  I have lots going on with HOWA right now; so, I've chosen to wait on the van construction.

Cooking

I love to cook.  I love the challenge of making something yummy with what I have on hand.  I love researching what flavors and textures pair well.  Most of the time these creations are just okay.  Nothing I would repeat for company.  But, I really enjoyed tonight's experiment.

Keep in mind that I have one 2 Liter pot and no refrigeration.  I do, however, have lots of canned goods right now ... thanks to all of the pandemic preparation I did a few months back.  I have so many canned goods, in fact, I really need to get rid of some.  They are taking up too much room.

Because I have no refrigeration, I make sure that I eat my fresh foods before they spoil.  Right now, the only fresh food I have are 2 eggs.  Tomorrow I go shopping.  So, for tonight's dish I used a combination of canned goods, powdered ingredients, dried items, herbs and spices.

Please note, except for the canned goods, I've estimated how much I used of each of the ingredients in the recipe below.  If you prepare this dish yourself, please season to your own tastes.  And feel free to substitute, eliminate, or add ingredients however you desire.

Crystalized Lemon from Amazon at https://amzn.to/2O0ts8B

Rich Salmon Bisque for Dinner and Breakfast

1 - 26 oz can of condensed tomato soup
1 - 14.75 oz can of salmon and liquid (you can take out the skin and bones if you want to, I don't)
2 oz maple bacon jerky, chopped fine
1 T dried chopped onion
1 T dried parsley flakes
1 t black pepper
1 t crystalized lemon (https://amzn.to/2O0ts8B)
1 t garlic powder
1 small packet of red pepper flakes from pizza joint (about 1/2 t)
2 T butter powder (https://amzn.to/2YYXZd4)
10 T heavy cream powder (https://amzn.to/2ZEpN5H)

From Amazon at https://amzn.to/2YYXZd4

Combine tomato soup, canned salmon with its liquid, dried onion, dried parsley, black pepper, crystalized lemon, garlic powder and red pepper flakes in a 2 liter pot.  Break up the larger pieces of salmon while heating on the stove.  Just before simmer, turn off the heat and add butter powder.

From Amazon at https://amzn.to/2ZEpN5H

Mix in the heavy cream powder.  OR  If you are going up heat up leftovers (like me for breakfast) Serve about 1 cup of the bisque into your bowl then mix 2 T of heavy cream powder into the bisque that is in your bowl.  Store the remaining bisque in a cool spot (low 40's at night here) and have for breakfast the next morning.  This way, the cream in the leftover bisque won't burn on the bottom of the pan upon reheating.

The bisque before adding the heavy cream powder.

Bisque with heavy cream powder for brunch the next morning.

In Summary

I've really missed having the time to set up my outside camp kitchen in order to cook meals.   During these last several weeks, however, I've had my stove out most every day, making something inside my van.  It's mostly about the simple things, like enjoying a mug of steaming hot tea during the chilly morning hours.  I've even tried making my friend Silvianne's oatmeal recipe ... with no success as of yet.  But, I'm getting there, having just picked up some Cardamom.

Thank you for reading this rather mundane post about cooking.  Still, it's something that is giving me joy right now and I wanted to share it with you.

Two Weeks In

Copied over from a Facebook Post from June 18, 2020 (plus some additional pictures) --

Almost 2 weeks in the van. First, I made a 2-day drive from Pahrump, NV to Klamath Falls, OR. Got 16 MPG on first day, and 20 MPG on second day. Now, I'm camping with HOWA staff in the National Forest... always a treat. Spent the next week working. Then into Medford before coming back to camp and taking everything out of the van to finish the floor. Weather said sprinkles for a couple of hours over the two days planned to finish the job. So, tarped everything.

Everything out of the van and tarped for the rain.

Good thing because it rained for most of the 2 days ... and a couple of times it poured.

Damp and drizzle helped to take the bow out of the plywood.

I ended up doing what I could inside of the empty van. Thankfully, no more bow to the plywood in this damp weather.

Ended up using the inside of the van for shelter to work during the rain.

So, I got the underlayment mostly completed before I needed to load everything back into the van and get back to HOWA work. Now, next chance I get (in about 10 days), I'll install the sheet vinyl. It's slow going, but this pace and its many pauses is affording me opportunities to test out various configuations in my no-build build.

Kitchen Counter placed over wheelwell on passenger's side.

First, as you can see by my earlier post, my bed was across the side doors along the driver's side. I didn't especially like that my bed was front and center. Then I moved it to the back, still along the driver's side of the van. Better, but next I moved it along the passenger side of the van in the back. I like this configuration the best so far. See pic taken from the cab.

Latest configuration.

What I am enjoying most about the van so far -- the connection to and view of nature out of its many windows and open doors; making hot drinks and cooking inside; free power via solar generator/panel; and sitting up high when driving.

Love the windows.

What I miss about the Prius -- no hesitency to drive due to cost of gas; instant electricity by turning the car on; able to warm the smaller space quickly with auto-start while still in warm bed; everything was within arm's reach.

That's it so far. Stay tuned.

My New Partner

The Delay

My goal was to leave Pahrump on May 31st.  But, I didn't make it; today being June 4th.  Here I sit in Pahrump at 103F; so thankful for the AC in my Prius.  Tomorrow will be cooler ... only 100F ... but the next day is a true respite in the mid 80s.

Unfortunately, I can't physically work in heat much past the upper 80's.  So, I get up early, work on the van, then go into the Prius and do HOWA tasks until about 5 or 6pm when I typically do something relaxing ... like write a blog post :) ... before bed.

Headliner with heat and AC running through it, also side airbags from cab to back.

The Work to Date

I got the van in early March, a passenger van because windows are important to me.  I took the seats out and quickly discovered that removing the floor-rail infrastructure to which the seats were attached was beyond my capabilities.  Similarly, I needed to take the headliner off in preparation for a 16" fiberglass high top roof.  Because a heater/AC system ran through the headliner, as well as side airbags, I didn't have the skill set to do that removal either.  So, I hired a local shop.  Once completed, the back of my van now looks more like a cargo van than a passenger van.

Looks more like a cargo van with seat rails and carpet removed.

Although the heat/AC was removed from the headliner in the back, I had them keep it running to floor-level.  I suspect that will be a nice feature when I've been driving and want to heat or cool my living space before I get to camp.

I was hoping to have the Fiberine high top installed in May.  But, they had to close due to the virus and then got really backed up with work.  So, I'm waiting until the Fall.  In the meantime, I tacked the headliner back up for aesthetics and a bit of insulation.

Spare tire moved from underneath to back door. 
Also, hitch installed for towing.

In addition, I had the shop move the spare tire from underneath the back carriage, onto a back door.  I know changing a tire will be a challenge anyway; so, trying to make it as accessible as possible when/if needed seems prudent.  I also got some running boards.  Finally, I had a hitch put on so I could haul my 6'x10' cargo trailer.

The Bow Problem

I decided to put in a plywood floor to even out the bumps and ridges.  Gratefully my comrade and colleague Phyllis trekked back to Pahrump to help me.  We cut the ply and everything fit like a glove.  I was then going to attach the wood and lay some sheet vinyl.  BUT, the dry weather in Pahrump made the plywood bow something fierce.  A google search provided a solution: wetting the concave side and letting it sit overnight.   But, within a half hour outside, it would bow again.  Finally, I just gave up finishing the floor here in the desert.  I will finish in Oregon.

Bowed plywood from the dry desert air.

Today's Status

So, this morning I started setting up a living space in the van and packing everything up for my trip north.  I have many HOWA items to outfit a couple of HOWA minivans this summer.  So much so, I got a hitch carrier for the overflow.  So, bins, bins everywhere ... plus large rolls of floor vinyl, underlayment, and curtain fabric ... just like living in a house under renovation!

The Lament

I have living in my Prius down to a science.  I know where everything is; how to set up my devices for video conferences and live feeds.   I've got instant electrical power in the Prius ... a generator on wheels.  So many changes in the van.  Now I have solar panels to set up and move with the sun each day.  I need to figure out where to place cameras and sit with my laptop in the van for decent lighting and audio.  Everything will be a learning experience for a while.

So, Why?

Do you sense frustration?  Me too.  The thing is, I still like living out of my Prius.  I think this transition would be easier if I didn't.  All that said, the reasons for getting the van are still sound and wise.  I need to be able to stand up off and on while working inside on the computer.  I need to be able to easily cook inside instead of having to eat cold foods or go out to eat each day.  I need to be able to tow my cargo trailer.  These are the features I need because I want to continue doing the work of Homes On Wheels Alliance (HOWA).

Bed set in first in my new van, my Partner in all things good.

Onward and Upward

So, I'm keeping the Prius as my "cottage on wheels" for vacations and extended trips.  But, the Van, she is a working girl.  A dependable, go anywhere, climb any mountain kind of woman.  She will carry a load in style.  Her and I, we're partners.

New Wheels

Announcement: In March, I bought a van. Right now it’s at a local shop to remove the seat rails from the floor, and the headliner from the roof. This is necessary disassembly before I get it ready for camping.

Purchased from Pahrump Chevrolet on March 7, 2020.

Prius’ Future: I will keep my Prius because I really love it and will continue to use it as much as possible. The Prius will be my vacation “cottage” 😊.

Although the van is larger, I hope to maintain a minimalist lifestyle.

Reasons for a Van: I've always considered myself living out of the Prius except to drive, sleep, do personal hygiene, and for storage. Since I started my work with Homes On Wheels Alliance (HOWA), however, I'm inside a lot more to use the computer. So, I find myself not setting up my kitchen to cook, nor standing up and moving about as much. Plus, I have a cargo trailer that I can't tow. (Many thanks to my assistant Phyllis for pulling it when used for HOWA business.)

The headliner will be removed to put on a 16" fiberglass high top from
http://Fiberine.com  I'll be able to stand up inside to cook!

The Purchase: For those 3 reasons -- to cook, stand, and tow – I started looking for a van about a year ago. One of my search criteria was to find a van from a private party in NV to avoid dealer prices and sales tax. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t find one from a private seller. So, I finally broke down and got a van from the Pahrump Chevrolet dealer. Except for the higher costs, the buying experience was a positive one.

Before we took all of the bench seats out.

Other Pros & Cons: Although I plan to keep my minimalist lifestyle, I will still incur additional costs with the van. Fuel usage will be much greater than the Prius. Plus, I'll need to purchase and install a solar power system to keep devices charged, loosing that benefit of the Prius as well. My insurance and registration costs increase, as does my carbon footprint. But, the van has much higher ground clearance to go further into the back country which I love. And, I now have room for a dog companion when the time is right.

The floor after taking out the bench seats, and before
 the rails (under carpet) are removed. 

The Build: I plan to do a no-build build by using furnishings I already have. I’ll try different configurations until I find the best set-up for me and my needs. Unfortunately, removing the bench seat attachments from the floor, and taking down the headliner with its air bags has been a challenge. Thankfully, I found a local shop to do that prep work for me.

Here are some details:

• 2016 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van RWD 2500 LT
• White, Regular Wheelbase, 36000 miles
• 6.0L V8 Vortec engine, 6-speed heavy-duty automatic transmission for towing
• Passenger van for windows all around, 6 of the 10 windows open
• Regular wheelbase for a tighter turning radius than an extended length
• Purchased with funds from my cashed-out Roth IRA, owned by myself (not HOWA)
• Plan to:
• Mount running boards,
• Install a hitch to tow my 6x10' cargo trailer,
• Keep all windows unobstructed to retain my view and connection to the outside,
• Make curtains and screens for privacy and airflow without bugs,
• Insulate interior plastic panels and trim, as possible,
• Have a plywood floor put in, secured to van floor, and covered with sheet vinyl,
• Do a no-build build with items purchased when I tried living in my cargo trailer,
• Attach furniture and other items to plywood floor for safety,
• Purchase a Fiberine 16" Aerodynamic High-Top, reinforced for storage, solar & roof vent,
• Get a 100W solar power system to charge 12v electronics (no fridge or 110v items), and
• Store my Prius in Pahrump for errands, and for long and/or fun trips.

In Closing:  I’ve camped in lots of different ways. I’ve been mobile living out of my Prius since 2009, full-time since 2017. In addition, I’ve camped under the stars, in tents, a teardrop trailer, Class C motorhome, and a converted cargo trailer. So far nothing has suited me like the Prius. Although well thought out, transitioning into this van still comes with some unknowns. So, I consider this new situation an exploration of possibilities and comfort. My hope is that it’ll be a good fit for me.

Life Remains Good

Since I haven't posted in almost a year, I thought I'd give you an update.

Bob and Suanne on a You Tube Video talking about 

Homes On Wheels Alliance's Emergency Fund for Nomads. 8/19

After 10 years of retirement, my good friend Bob Wells and I co-founded a nonprofit called Homes On Wheels Alliance (HOWA), which is a 501(c)3.  I am the Executive Director and Bob is the President.  We are building a Board of Trustees of eleven members.  We help those in need within the mobile community.  As with any start-up, the hours are long and work challenging.  Yet, the rewards have been great.  Not only do I love our mission, but I enjoy and admire the people I work with.  And, to top it off, I've been able to remain a nomad, spending lots of time in nature.

An amazing rock formation called "Feathers," hundreds of feet tall 

over a campground at Frenchman's Coulee in Washington State.  

Found while scouting for Caravan locations, 7/19.

HOWA's first birthday is in a week and I'm proud to say we have already helped several people and are currently accepting applications for three other fully-funded programs -- Nomad Emergencies, Minivan "Home On Wheels," and Solar Panel Kits.

In addition to the above efforts, HOWA has an active Caravan Program, where those in the mobile community can meet up and camp with others.  Furthermore, we are deep into the planning of the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, large gatherings where we expect at least 9,000 people who attend to learn and build community together in the Desert Southwest in January.

A dirt road in New Mexico, amazing views while scouting

Caravan locations, 3/19.

As you can tell, this is not my typical blog post from my retirement years.  One day I'll get back to the luxury of travel by whimsy.  Yet, for now, what I'm doing is equally fulfilling and liberating.  HOWA's work is truly important, my colleagues are a joy to be around, and the community connections have been amazing.  People are good.  Nature remains my solace.

When I decided to take the Executive Director's position, I knew my life would radically change.  I fully expected that I would get back into working long hours and take an active leadership role.  I also knew that this position would require me to become a public figure.  That's been a transition as an introvert who had previously preferred to lead an unobserved life.  Although I'll continue to grow in this role, I'm accepting its changes and challenges.

I love being in my Prius during a rain, the sound on my roof.

Here is the location of our last Minivan Build (across the way), 6/19.

Even though I'm an introvert, I've always liked to perform and teach.  So, the little bit I've shared the camera and stage with Bob (already a full-on public figure) has been kind of fun.  The challenges for me come from being recognized in public, which is kind of unsettling.  Typically people are truly appreciative.  The hardest part, as expected, is being openly critiqued, criticized, and hated on.  That hasn't happened too much; but, as with all negative comments, they take on a life in my head that becomes larger than the many positive comments put together.

My skin is growing thicker.  I'm ignoring the haters and listening to helpful critiques.  Most importantly, I'm focusing on those who I want to help.

Full-time nomading, aka vanlife, vandwelling, rving, is coming into its own in the media.  For example, Bob was recently interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning, a couple of documentary film makers are sharing a camp with a Caravan right now, and a major motion picture about this lifestyle is in post production.  Who would have thought!  I'm glad for the publicity.

Taking a nice break in a forest at sunset in Western Washington State, 7/19.

For all of the camping lifestyle's inconveniences, the benefits -- being in nature, traveling the backroads, sharing campfires among friends, and its affordability -- make it a way of living that I want to promote.   It's the antithesis experience to our society's consumerism, turmoil, distrust, and readiness to fight.   Here, I have the freedom to just to be.  Here, I've found like-minded others.  Here, I embrace myself.  And, if I don't like "here," I've got the wheels to move.

Like a Tall Glass of Water

Maple Bay State Forest, August 25, 2018

I'm calmer now -- sitting, surrounded, quiet.  Just a half hour ago I knew I had to get out, or get to.  I'm not sure which, maybe both.

What has happened to me?  I've changed.  Or, maybe I'm just now letting myself be myself, know myself.

For this past week, I've been in Small Town America visiting loved ones.   And I've been camping in a fairly upscale RV park next to a small patch of woods.  Yet ...

Yosemite National Park's Tunnel View, 2009 

A half hour ago every cell in my body was crying out to leave, to return to my home. Not a conventional home or place, but Primal Nature.  You may think I'm talking about "Nature" as something like the famous Tunnel View at Yosemite which is truly spectacular, awe inspiring, and primal.  But, I'm really talking about places that are much more ubiquitous.

Redwood National Park, 2011

  It's the "being" that I crave -- the "being with," "being in" nature, that feeling of smallness and completeness under a forest's canopy, within a desert's sprawling vastness, or beneath the Milky Way's arch in an intensely dark and bejeweled sky.

Joshua Tree National Park, 2010 

For right this minute, though, I've found an ancient forest.  A small patch this state has set aside.  I found it on my way to a possible dispersed camping spot.  I stopped on a whim after seeing signs on the highway.  I followed a rough, overgrown road to its end.  I don't have the required recreation pass to be here; so, I won't stay longer than it takes me to make this blog post.

Maple Bay State Forest, August 25, 2018

But, I'm calmer now, satiated.  This feeling is similar to when I've been dehydrated, drank a tall glass of water, and experienced that visceral sense of satisfaction -- meeting an exact need, exactly the way it needed to be met.  Every cell in my body says "thank you." 

Drinking it in.  August 25, 2018

The satiation is real, but temporary.  When I leave here, I know I'll need to spend more time in nature again, just as I'll need to drink water again.

Mice and Stuff

A mouse never got into my 2004 Prius during my 8 years of camping out of it.  But, I've had at least 5 mice in my 2015 Prius in less than a year.  I caught two, but the others exited on their own.  A good friend, with some space, allowed me to take the stuff out of my car in an attempt to find the mice's entry way.  I was also glad for the opportunity to do some deep spring cleaning.  I took everything out, including the donut spare and glove box.

Everything out of the Prius!  May 2018 

When I took the glove box out, I found insulation had been torn up for a nest.  And, there were mouse droppings, too ... BINGO, I found the mice's entry/exit point!  Behind the glove box is the cabin filter that was ready to be changed.

The old cabin filter with evidence of mouse chews.  A ball of the mice's tore-up
insulation.  The back of the glove box with insulation pulled off by the mice.
(Inside of the glove box is the new cabin filter that I installed.)  May 2018 

Unfortunately, behind the glove box is full of wires, the filter, and other parts.  There is no way to get behind it all to find the mice's entry/exit point. 

Wires, filter and parts behind the glove box. The mice's foyer.  May 2018 

So, I researched and discovered that mint and original Simple Green deter mice.  So, Simple Green got sprayed in the engine compartment against the back wall by the glove box.  And cotton balls with peppermint oil were placed inside.  I also have mouse traps if/when another one joins me inside.

In addition to finding the mouse door, I thought you all would be interested in seeing all the stuff that came out of, and went back into the Prius.

10'x10' tarp with all of the stuff emptied from the Prius, including
a couple of chairs at the bottom left.  May 2018 

It's even hard for me to believe that all of that stuff came out of my car.  For more detail, here's a one-minute video of everything.

I have 3 main storage areas in the Prius: 1) Under back hatch, 2) On front passenger seat and floor, and 3) Behind front passenger seat.  But, first the bed gets made up.

I use a REI 3.5" Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad  (25"x72")
and many layers of bedding to cover me if cold,
or peel off when warm.  May 2018 

Under the bed and above the donut spare tire is a storage area where I keep rarely used items (oil, antifreeze, compressor, extra sleeping bag, etc.).

With some covers turned down on the bed on the right, the left-side is
packed and strapped down, ready for travel.

To the left of the bed and under the hatch I store camp furniture (chairs, table), tent, tarp, cooking utensils, stove, bags of bags (zip lock, grocery, nylon duffles), water storage bladders, office supplies, small fan, window cover, broom (without handle).

What's left on the tarp after packing most of the areas under the hatch.  May 2018 

Also, under the hatch, I store cleaning supplies (Simple Green, liquid soap, vinegar, baking soda, rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, corn starch) in a cubby to the right back of the bed.

Containers of cleaning supplies are in a cubby at the foot of the bed.  May 2018 

Next I packed the front passenger seat area.  My goal is to keep everything below window height.  Here is where I keep my food, toiletries, out-of-season clothes, step stool, front window covers, mouse traps, mosquito repellent, and electronics.

Front passenger seat all packed.  May 2018 

After packing the cleaning supplies in the back, and the loading up the front passenger seat, the tarp is looking almost empty now.

After loading the Prius with the cleaning supplies, food, toiletries, electronics,
etc., most of the tarp is visible.  In the right front are tools, adhesives, and
car items that need to be organized.  May 2018 

After re-organizing the containers that hold my tools and car maintenance items, they were packed behind the front passenger seat, along with butane, propane, fire extinguisher, an umbrella, and bathroom and laundry supplies.

Behind front seat all packed.  May 2018 

Every space is used in the Prius.  Under the driver's seat is a fanny pack and my shoes.

The shoes I'm wearing are also stored here while sleeping.   May 2018 

The tarp is almost empty.

Clothing, an insulated lunch box.  What's that in the far left corner?  May 2018 

MSR Dromeday Bags (water bladders) are great for small areas because they take up very little space when empty.

Three of my 4 water bladders.  Two are full, one almost empty.  May 2018 

The items that remain on the tarp are stored in different places depending on if I'm in camping mode or travel mode.

Camping Mode:  Bags of clothing are in the
driver's seat.  Insulated lunch box of food
on the floor where it's coolest.  May 2018 

Travel Mode: Bags of clothing on passenger seat,
 and insulated lunch box of food on the
floor where it's coolest.  May 2018 

If the Dromedary Bags have water in them, I carry them at the foot of my bed in travel mode.

Travel Mode:  Full water bladders are placed on the foot of the bed and
strapped down during travel.  They are covered with the white material
to the right to keep them from heating up due to direct sun exposure. When
in Camping Mode, they are either outside or on the dash.  May 2018 

To the casual observer, the packed Prius doesn't look very organized.  But, in fact, it's extremely organized.  Likes are with likes; a place for everything, and everything in its place.  I know what color bag contains which items.  Things I rarely use are at the bottom, and things I use frequently are toward the top.  When in camping mode, I can reach everything from the driver's-side passenger seat.

I've been called a minimalist.  But, when I look at everything I have and carry, I'm not sure that term fits.

Off the tarp and in the Prius. May 2018