Here we are in Bellingham Washington. We love it here. The long sunny summer is finally punctuated by the gray cool days I was expecting sooner. I'm working at another St. Joe's ER. The work is standard nights in the ER, but with some notable exceptions: thanks to the union (I assume), nurses get an hour and 15 lunch break for a 12.5 hour shift. While the homeless population in B'ham is large, I see very few of them in the ED - perhaps there are other better options here? There's a separate psych unit that holds all psych admissions. One of the greater challenges for me in the ER is having patients who need help but for whom I don't have the right tools, and here I am able to (more so than any other place I've been) focus on my "medical" patients.
Our time off is spent exploring Bellingham and Seattle, the Cascades and BC. A few trips to Squamish, Leavenworth and Mnt Baker. There's a great 24 bouldering gym here.
The van conversion is at an acceptable plateau, with Hesse (her name, short for Hestia) being cozy and fairly organized. We started with a new'ish 2014 Ram Promaster 2500. Windows and FanTastic Fan/vent installed by Van Works in Ft Collins. Tiffany and I did the rest with a great deal of technical support from her dad with a cameo from my dad as well as my sister Kim. Unistrut and recycled 1/2" ply from our platform bed that we had built forms a full size bed platform with storage underneath. There are some bookshelves in the front. The cabinets were from Ikea - a dubious decision driven by time constraints - but they've held up reasonably well. Kitchen Counter and desk with Unistrut and more recycled bed wood. Tiffany hemmed our old black out curtains which divide the front and Interior lighting is LED lighting, all battery powered, some charged by USB, some by disposable but long lasting D cells. We have a battery powered jump starter / 12v & USB power supply that charges via the 12v as we drive, and a GoalZero Nomad 7 that we picked up at the REI Garage Sale for 30 bucks. We have a 14 gallon water capacity with Jugs.
Got to go work but I guess a video would be the clearest description of van for those interested.
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| A wild Tiffany in her natural habitat. |
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| Free vamping at the Chief in Squamish. |
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| Don't even try to pay retail |
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| Mt Baker Wilderness |
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| Laurabee Park |
OMG you are so close to me!!! I am so glad you made it! Welcome to the Pacific Northwest! Hope you plan on staying for a bit! Maybe we can grab some food when I'm in your area sometime soon! Congrats on the job placement and all the hikes!
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