If you asked my kids for a dad quote, I’m sure that “There are no emergencies for those who are prepared” would be in their top five.  They have heard me say that hundreds of times over the years, and they have taken it to heart. 

I’m not saying that all problems are solvable. Instead, that quote conforms to my belief that many emergencies are entirely avoidable with a little planning and thought. Case in point, this weekend.

Julie and I had planned a long weekend getaway for the last few months.  Originally, we were going to go to Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. Still, those plans were dashed with the government shutdown and the knowledge that everything, including the bathrooms, would be closed.

Julie had just read the book James, which reimagined The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, telling the story from the enslaved man James’s perspective. Hannibal, Missouri, is only about four and a half hours from our home, so going there to see the caves, the town, and the birthplace of Samuel Clemens, AKA Mark Twain, seemed like a good idea. 

We would travel and camp in Violet, my adventure van, a vehicle designed to handle whatever obstacle that came her way.

I bought Violet in 2018 as an empty Promaster high-top van and initially camped in her using an air mattress on her bare steel floor. Later that first year, I drove out to Colorado Springs and had Wayfarer Vans install basic camper structures, including a laminate floor, ceiling, and bed platform.  However, the real work on Violet has been ongoing, and a project shared with my friend, Tom, who is an expert builder. 

The idea was to create something more functional than a typical RV.  The plan was to design a vehicle that could be independent of society’s infrastructure. Violet is just that.  Every year, she has been modified as I learn more about her strengths and weaknesses.  

Here are some of the things that we have changed. In 2018, we installed 400 watts of solar panels on Violet’s roof. This year, I purchased and installed a much higher power alternator as a backup to charge Violet’s house batteries on cloudy days when the solar panels are insufficient. I installed a much more sophisticated navigation system and sound system.  Tom and I installed cruise control, and I installed a center console for more storage and to create space for atlases and camping directories.  We installed 12-volt lights in the ceiling.  I installed an advanced 4KW battery system to power everything in the cabin, along with a 2KW DC-to-AC inverter as a backup.  Tom and I installed a Wabasto heater that connects to Violet’s gas tank and can keep the cabin warm on wintery days.  Tom and I built an elaborate storage system under the bed that holds a fridge, pantry, storage boxes, and even a secret compartment.  We built a newly designed all-electric kitchen with a built-in induction cooktop and microwave oven.  The kitchen also sports a three-quart Instant Pot, a small air fryer, and an electric coffee pot, all powered by Violet’s solar panels/battery bank.  The kitchen countertop was made from wood we harvested from a fallen tree. We even installed a turntable so the front passenger seat can rotate to face the cabin, which adds extra seating.  And, by the way, when I mention “we,”  when talking about construction, I need to emphasize that I’m just the assistant, as my friend Tom is the man with the tools and knowledge.

Violet is designed to function off-grid.  Cooking, refrigeration, heating/cooling, lighting, and entertainment systems are all powered by the roof’s solar panels combined with Violet’s 4KW house battery system. She carries water, but she can also purify stream water if needed.  She carries tools and emergency supplies.  She carries electronic test equipment and has advanced two-way radio gear, and she can even communicate via satellite in an emergency. She is built for adventure, and she has camped everywhere from a Walmart parking lot out east to a National Forest in Wyoming to the desert plains of Arizona. She has taken me to all parts of the eastern, southern, northern, and western states.

I have upgraded her mattress, and sleeping in her is almost as comfortable as my home bed. The bed is very comfy for one, and acceptable for two due to space constraints. Violet even has a toilet, although the preferred option is to use external facilities. 

Despite all my preparation, things can still go wrong on any trip, and the journey to Hannibal was no exception. 

I usually borrow a sturdy ladder from Tom to wash off Violet’s solar panels before a trip. I did this two days before the Hannibal trip, and my roof inspection looked fine. The day before the trip, I was loading up Violet’s refrigerator with supplies. The fridge is right below Violet’s vent fan.  Then, too, everything looked fine.

We drove to the Mark Twain Cave campground, which was 2 miles outside Hannibal. By the time we got there, I was tired.  I told Julie that I was going to lie down on the bed for a few minutes and did so.  I looked up at Violet’s vent fan in the ceiling and saw that the Lexan plastic cover over the fan had been shattered.  This had to have happened on the day of the trip —how? The broken cover was a disaster as the fan is directly over the bed, and any rain would destroy the mattress.  I have a genuine fear of heights, and Violet is over 8 feet tall, but I needed to get up to the roof and fix the problem.  What to do?

In 2018, I bought a collapsible ladder that was buried in one of Violet’s side compartments.  I can’t tell you how much junk I store in that spot, but it all had to come out so I could wiggle out the ladder. Without the ladder, there would be no way to patch the broken fan cover. Luckily, I had also stored some plastic sheeting and tape just in case of an unknown emergency. That would also come in handy.  I placed one piece of plastic over the fan base and closed the cover. I then put another piece of plastic over the cover and tapped it liberally. I did this standing on a fairly rickety ladder. I was grateful to be prepared to handle the emergency, but getting up high on a ladder was frightening.  However, I had no other options.  Survival tops fear in my book, so I just did it. I told myself that I could be afraid after the job was done.

A few other disasters occurred over the weekend, but they were minor compared to the shattered fan dome.  I’ll try to correct them today. Because we were prepared, we were able to complete our mini-trip and had a great time.  My favorite event was touring Mark Twain’s cave, which is very different from the other caves I have been in.  

We decided to drive side roads along the Mississippi and started back on Sunday morning after we toured Mark Twain’s boyhood home.  We planned to stop for breakfast, but we could not find a restaurant along the way.  Planning once again came to the rescue. We got gas for the car and bought some coffee at the gas station.  We still had plenty of food left in the fridge, so we had a little in-van picnic at the gas station.  Our preparation paid off.

The rest of the trip was uneventful, and we arrived home around 7:30 PM.  I brought in the refrigerated foods and settled in. However,  within 10 minutes of being home, the power went out and stayed out for hours. 

It had been cold, and the weather was not suitable for going to the unheated bathhouse to take a shower, so a hot shower was a top priority on our return.  No power equals no lights.  What to do?  I keep battery-operated lanterns on every floor of the house, and one came in handy to illuminate our bathroom. We got our showers!  Then Julie told me her phone was almost dead, so I went back into the camper and bought her a large battery bank to charge it.  Additionally, I have a battery-operated radio, which we used for information and entertainment, so the whole situation became an event rather than an emergency.  

All of these things could have been “emergencies,” but they were not because of a little planning. There are so many simple steps anyone can take to plan for unforeseen events.  Have some emergency food and supplies on hand to stay safe during a winter storm. Make sure you have a light source and a portable radio with batteries. Consider your individual needs. Do you have infants?  Buy an emergency pack of diapers.  On medication?  A little extra supply wouldn’t hurt. Think about what problems you may face and have a plan of action.  Do you know how to turn off the main power to your house? Do you know where your house water valve is? 

Have basic tools in your car.  Have an alternate way to charge your phone both at home and in your vehicle.  Keep several simple first-aid kits: one for the house and one for the car. Wear appropriate clothing when driving so you are prepared if you get stuck. Keep a winter kit in your vehicle with some non-perishable food, a blanket, hat/gloves, jumper cables, and a flashlight.  Make sure you take your cell phone with you when you are out and about.. 

Run scenarios through your mind and come up with solutions to the problems they raise.  Your situation and place of residence will determine your needs.  You may not need an emergency winter kit in Florida, but you might need some hurricane supplies. 

Be prepared and turn emergencies into inconveniences. Remember, there are no emergencies for those who are prepared!

Cheers

Mike