The Van-Part I

          Well its getting down to the wire now with only ten days before departure. I've bought myself a 2005 Ford Econoline Van, 5.6 liter V-8 Cargo Van to be exact. This pre-owned beast has just under one hundred thousand carefully driven highway miles according to the kind, honest and assuring used car salesman who sold it to me. I think a paid a little on the high side, but its exactly what I was looking for and with fresh tires, brake pads and rotors to sweeten the deal how could I have passed this one up?
           A funny little tidbit of information I so blatantly forgot to consider before buying the van is that it takes up to three weeks to receive the validated title from the CA DMV after the purchase of a used vehicle. Under normal circumstances this would be no inconvenience, however you need a copy of your title to enter Mexico. This unfortunate fact was going to invariably delay my departure. Upon sharing my dilemma with the used car guy he assured me that for an extra fifty bucks I would have the title in a week or less.... I'll have to see it to believe it.
           All in all its just what we need, stealthy and aerodynamic with a no frills approach to interior styling. I took it down to Watsonville today to have the windows tinted by some enterprising Latino guys who seemed to be running quite a profitable little tinting business, the phone was ringing of the hook the whole time. Jose, the owner, asked me how dark I wanted it, so I told him a little about my upcoming trip to see if he could chime in. Knowing that most states regulate window tinting I consulted him about how dark to go. He assured me that even if it was a problem down there its nothing a few greenbacks couldn't take care off. After some deliberation we decided on a 5% tint, which means it blocks out 95% of the light. I might have overdone it, its really dark, but hey, if all else fails I could start a Limo service, right?
            Here's a picture of the stripped out van ready for me to begin designing our home away from home for the next few months. This vacant 10'x6'x5' cubical sheet metal canvas will soon be transformed into our traveling chariot equipped with all the appurtenant makings of an epic surf adventure while simultaneously devoid of all excessive and frivolous possessions. Beauty and happiness often accompanies simplicity....this is our mantra.