Brian D. Shawley
Member
At 21 years old, My wife and I (accompanied by our blue heeler) are under way on our first van build.
Back Story:
After separating from the Air Force early this year and regaining many of my freedoms, a change needed to be made. Living with roommates in and around Boise ID, (where we moved after being stationed in Idaho) we headed into resumes and began weighing our options. Just getting by while trying to maintain a healthy, active and adventurous life was alright, and it became apparent that we did not need a lot to be happy. In fact, the happiest times we have had were the times when we had the least. We had realized that what we needed more of, was time, along the uncertainty of true adventure. Our carefully selected jobs are the only things loosely holding us anywhere. June had arrived and the Idaho sun had set up camp above us for the season. With it, an opportunity to leave the conforms of society. We both possess a very broad range of particularly odd but useful skills. Two strong minds with a drive to move and live free.
On June 16th, with the encouragement of the most random people we talked to, we purchased our new home. A 2001 Dodge B3500 extended van was to be the focal point of our lives, purchased from a beautiful church in the hills of McCall Idaho. We removed the seats and moved in the very next day.
It has been 1 week since we moved in and quality of life is at an all time high. We have nothing but our phones, camera, cloths, dog and van. We've slept in lots and parks and have had more fun than we had originally expected. At the moment, our van is nothing more than a really hot storage box/sleeping apparatus. However all of that is going to change very soon. Plans are being made and our bank account is filling up.
The Plan:
Fully renovate our van to comfortably accommodate the life we chose to live; however and where ever that may be. I will be posting here as progress is made, as well as asking questions and learning as much as I can along the way and hopefully being of some use to help others with the same goal. Any thoughts, ideas, info and suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Back Story:
After separating from the Air Force early this year and regaining many of my freedoms, a change needed to be made. Living with roommates in and around Boise ID, (where we moved after being stationed in Idaho) we headed into resumes and began weighing our options. Just getting by while trying to maintain a healthy, active and adventurous life was alright, and it became apparent that we did not need a lot to be happy. In fact, the happiest times we have had were the times when we had the least. We had realized that what we needed more of, was time, along the uncertainty of true adventure. Our carefully selected jobs are the only things loosely holding us anywhere. June had arrived and the Idaho sun had set up camp above us for the season. With it, an opportunity to leave the conforms of society. We both possess a very broad range of particularly odd but useful skills. Two strong minds with a drive to move and live free.
On June 16th, with the encouragement of the most random people we talked to, we purchased our new home. A 2001 Dodge B3500 extended van was to be the focal point of our lives, purchased from a beautiful church in the hills of McCall Idaho. We removed the seats and moved in the very next day.
It has been 1 week since we moved in and quality of life is at an all time high. We have nothing but our phones, camera, cloths, dog and van. We've slept in lots and parks and have had more fun than we had originally expected. At the moment, our van is nothing more than a really hot storage box/sleeping apparatus. However all of that is going to change very soon. Plans are being made and our bank account is filling up.
The Plan:
Fully renovate our van to comfortably accommodate the life we chose to live; however and where ever that may be. I will be posting here as progress is made, as well as asking questions and learning as much as I can along the way and hopefully being of some use to help others with the same goal. Any thoughts, ideas, info and suggestions are greatly appreciated!
