Vardo Plans: Reading Caravan

Sunday, October 19, 2014Thursday, June 4, 2015 ~ George Crawford ~ 6 Comments

Many considerations concerning floor plans and general layout have come my way over the years. I am compiling as many as possible to post here. To start things off, here is the iconic Reading Waggon by Dunton’s (note: two “g’s” in the older British spelling).

This design is truly the classic. When one sees this, it cries of the open road and Gypsy Wagons. It is Henry David Thoreau’s Walden cabin on wheels. The wide rear axle and narrow front carriage was the best of compromise for agility, weight, and worthiness on and off road. This design is worth a potential builder scrutinizing in detail for it’s perfection of design. A mollycroft roof, high clearance, well-proportioned windows, and solid design make this ideal for the rolling home.

On the downside, kite walls (out-sloping) add some difficulty when working on interior shelves and cabinets. Also, as noted for over a hundred years, the mollycroft can weaken the roof and ultimately increase the chance of leaks. A small price to pay maybe but something to keep in consideration.

The classic caravan at this period included a full chest of drawers and a fairly large stove, limiting seating to a largish space on the stove side and a small dressing seat next to the dresser. Although we read of dozens of children being born and raise in this design, the real layout seems to be based on the couple. Kids will make due.

All images above are taken from The English Gypsy Caravan, currently out of print.

Screwbrake Mechanism

Saturday, October 18, 2014 ~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

In response to the inquiry about the little wheel on all the old wagons. They also had a drag brake to connect when going up hill to prevent back sliding. The precursor to the auto handbrake.

Here’s a guide to the basic parts of the Reading wagon. Borrowed from The English Gypsy Caravan. Sadly, long out of print.

Ramblings

Saturday, October 18, 2014 ~ George Crawford ~ 8 Comments

In an effort to make my mark, I’m working on a splash page image, a logo, and a flag. Something catchy and symbolic, but not already taken. Simple, smart, and understandable. This one about sums it up but I think it may already be in use. compasssquarelevel My personal image for the web page needs to be something as iconic as this pre-war “selfie” by J. Harris Stone. A travelling man like myself.

Also, in the spirit of the early caravanners of a century ago, I am attempting to create a logo, without restricted use, for kindred spirits to fly from their rigs when on the road. This idea struck me several years ago when seeing one of the simple logos from the Society of Primitive Technology on a car in the parking lot of a bookstore far from home.

I knew, when I saw it, there was likely a kindred spirit nearby. Probably someone I know or have very few degrees of separations from. In other words, a person I could probably trust in a pinch.This was reinforced on me this year while I was driving a thousand miles from home, someone recognized my rig and had his young son hold up an image he knew I would recognize. How cool is that? Icons work to let us know, in this overpopulated yet disjointed world community, who belongs to our tribe. Just as gang members have signs, symbols, and colors, so do law enforcement, military, and fraternal organizations. I’m not saying this is necessarily good, just that it is.

We are tribal at heart for good or ill. I want to put it to work for good.

This photo dates back to a time prior to the completion of my caravan but far enough along to travel across the country. Maybe not iconic, but a document in the life-history of my home.

As there are more and more of us in our circle of fellow travellers, sometimes we are readily recognized.

Sometimes we are not. Maybe we need a flag of our own to fly when we’re lost on the road and maybe not so recognizable. Something like the pennon of the Caravan Club in Europe before the Great War.

I welcome designs from fellow travellers but I hope to create something no matter what. Or maybe it’s just the Saturday evening cocktail talking.

After this ramble, it’s clearly time to get back to work on the bigger problems; seeking knowledge and trying to make my little world a better place.

On the Long Road

Saturday, October 18, 2014Tuesday, June 16, 2015 ~ George Crawford ~ 2 Comments

A great historic image of the long road ahead to start your weekend off right.

It’s always a good time to hit the road.

Mrs. Coucer Green and Other Great Old Photos

Friday, October 17, 2014Thursday, June 4, 2015 ~ George Crawford ~ 2 Comments

Three great and rare books have come to me in the very recent past. Each has it’s own merits and is full of great stuff. I am scanning, reading, and summing up some excellent stuff and will get it out as soon as I can. In the mean time, enjoy these great photos ca. 1911-1914 the Golden Age of Caravanning.

More and better details on the way, including plans and historic photos that have lots to show us about design.

Eclipse on the Vardo

Tuesday, October 7, 2014Thursday, June 4, 2015 ~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

Getting ready for the eclipse tomorrow? MAKEzine has again linked to our little Vardo. We were fortunate to get a really neat lighting effect during the 2012 eclipse playing over our camp.

Light coming through the trees created a pinhole effect focusing the eclipse in dozens of images as we were packing to leave.

se2014oct23p — Click the image for more information.

As we slide around the sun for yet another year we can experience a little science and scale and think about our place in the solar system. If you are interested in learning more, check out NASA’s Eclipse Page by clicking the banner below:

…and HEY KIDS, don’t look directly into the sun. You Makers can get out the welding goggles (with a rating of 15 or higher) and have a look.

Interesting Homebuilt

Tuesday, September 23, 2014Monday, September 22, 2014 ~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

I know nothing about this but like it a lot.

Further Evolution of the Little Vardo

Monday, September 22, 2014Thursday, June 4, 2015 ~ George Crawford ~ 2 Comments

We just put another couple thousand miles on the Little Green Vardo. It’s always an adventure when you are pulling something like this around the country and it makes for some interesting conversations.

Most of the people we meet are great but the comments are sometimes a little difficult. Of course, the number one question from most people is “what does it weigh?” Not that the numbers mean much to them but it just sounds like something to ask. Another favorite is “does it leak a lot?” I guess this is a reasonable question for someone. If my house leaked, I hope I would remedy it pretty quickly.

snail2 — What we look like going down the road.

It’s great to get all the smiles, nods, and waves from other travelers. It must say something that out of the thousands of vehicles you might see on a trip, only a few evoke any real response. It’s hard to get gas or take a break without having a real conversation about it with someone. While getting coffee in a small Colorado town a watched a woman burst out of an office door across the road and sprint across a busy four-lane road just to have a peak. It was flattering when she said “I know you from the Internet! I’m a huge fan of tiny homes and little campers!”

Another fun interaction happen in Monticello, Utah when an elderly man came running out from a house to talk about Sheep Wagons. His wife grew up in one and wanted to have her own after they retired. As this was a tall order, he built her this beautiful scale model sheep camp complete with tiny dutch oven, pans, tools, a broom, and even a tiny fried egg.

Maybe, not too long from now, I’ll be able to take to the road for a longer adventure.

Coming home to Purgatory, New Mexico with a list of improvements and a slew of minor changes to the Vardo. I can’t wait for the cooler weather to make this happen.

Vardo – Topper Makeover

Wednesday, September 10, 2014 ~ George Crawford ~ 2 Comments

Because there’s always room for improvement. In my case, a lot of improvement.
Rehung siding, new paint, fresh varnish, little fixes, and lots of cleaning. We’re hooked up to get out of town for a bit.

Dietz lanterns, Kelly kettle, fuel, and lamp oil packed away in the pan box. The steel disk serves as a heat shield to minimize ground scarring under the fire.

A view from the bed. Still more to pack up but things are looking good and nearly ready to go.

The new windows are great and really perk the place up. Bright and airy makes for a pleasant space.

Still, the little Snail is far from perfect; made on a shoestring budget during snatches of time between work and bad weather. Although I don’t live in it full-time currently I have come to see this as my home.

Photographer – Nukshi Alice

Monday, August 25, 2014Monday, August 25, 2014 ~ George Crawford ~ 1 Comment

From her ABOUT Page: Nukshi is a documentary and portrait photographer and an artist living and working in Nottinghamshire.
Her sensitivity to situations, culture and people, has allowed her to adapt well to new challenges and environments. She captures her images by getting involved with people, their culture and lifestyle, which motivates her to preserve those times and moments. Knowledge and empathy with her subjects is the key to her image success, especially when intimate portraits are involved.

With an open mind and a quest to explore extreme situations, places, cultures, people and learn from that interaction. She intend to travel more, in doing so broaden her abilities. Often able to impart new skills to individuals in an exchange for their confidence in her, which has allowed her to bond with them easily.

When a friend sent a link to her website I was, of course, immediately interested in the vardo. Looking beyond the structure, there is wonderful documentation of life on the road. An exterior wash stand tripod, pragmatic stairs, cooking tripod, and the ubiquitous tea kettle extend the home.

A homey interior, with an eye for beauty is shown in this “typical” vardo.

A rare site where I live. Nomads and Travellers are not often welcome in the modern world. I’m glad this couple can live as they wish.

More details are documented on her website. I picked a few of my favorites for this post.

And let’s not forget the people who keep this tradition alive. It’s all well to look at the staged “gypsy” wagons across the web, but it’s important to remember that these are truly home, made complete by their inhabitants.

A way to make a living. I still remember the knife grinder who made his way around the city in St. Louis many years ago. His was not quite this flashy but had the housewives scurrying out with handfuls of knives and scissors when he came around. I suspect that’s a rare job in America today.