p.s.
Especially in the beginning, it would be a good thing to hang around with other (normal-looking and acting) people, like at an RTR, or where some of the other people from this forum are. This will allow you to feel your way around van camping, wilderness areas, depending on yourself, etc. Face it, you probably have quite a bit to learn, but you can do it.
You're not leaving what currently passes for civilization -- there are people out there who know how to change oil and tires and how to fix things. But keeping up with your vehicle maintenance is important. Check your fluids frequently to avoid expensive surprises. Keep extra water, oil, coolant, transmission fluid (etc) in the rig. Buy the big bottle of each and a funnel. If you never need it, it was cheap insurance. If someone else desperately needs it, you'll be a heroine.
If you need a repair and have access to the web, check the online reviews for the businesses in that area that do that kind of work. Personally, I would avoid Les Schwab unless you have plenty of money. Schwab's motto is "If We Can't Guarantee It, We Won't Sell It." It sounds good, but here's the translation: "We will replace every single part remotely associated with the repair (even if there wasn't anything wrong with it) and drive the bill sky-high." IMPO.
You intuition/subconscious is the most valuable resource you have. It never sleeps, and is paying attention all the time, but its warnings are subtle. YOU need to pay attention to IT. Many women tend to override a bad feeling for fear of insulting someone -- that's why they sometimes end up in multiple garbage bags and shallow graves.
Read the book The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker. It will help you trust your intuition by showing you how it works. If something seems wrong, it probably is; leaving a paid-for camp site can be the cheapest deal you ever make.
Learn to think for yourself -- and don't mimic others until you think about it for a bit. Many fools will get out of their cars and walk up wild bears and bison for photographs -- DON'T. Many people think hot springs and hot tubs are the same thing (there's often a difference of a hundred degrees).
Don't take any one person's word as gospel -- just like the web is full of misinformation, so are some people.
Fix up a decent first aid kit - the stuff that will get the most use will be for punctures, cuts and burns. And get a tetanus booster before you leave home.
Learn about lightning -- where to park, what not to do -- did you know it can travel sideways, and it can strike more than 15 miles from its source?
Never forget: learning is fun if you do it before you need it. Afterward... well, not so much.
