Hey all you wonderful van people!

[munchausen]

I am the new and proud owner of a van, soon to be home! I've been lurking the sites and forum for some months trying to figure out if I could swing mobile living. I ended up with the answer and here I am now writing this in my van. Reading some of these threads, I've seen you guys have some great knowledge I could gain advice from, as I am pretty unversed DIY projects (electronics... hmm). I have a lot of questions for you guys, so get ready!<br /><br />Something about me:<br />I'm a 23 year old guy who recently earned my bachelors degree and was being forced into the "real world." I became completely disheartened by the rat race of life. You know, the situation where everyone dresses the same, sits at the same desk, drives the same road, and watches the television programs everyday until they make enough money to do what they want. I don't want that to become my life. That's NOT my future!<br /><br />Thankfully, I have always felt that the rat race was a waste. I just never saw myself escaping it. I think that unconsciously I have been preparing to live in a van. My degree is in history and specifically public history (NPS and NFS here I come!) and I earned my Eagle camping, fishing, and surviving. I've traveled the USA more than many people my age have and I have a hunger for more. What better way of seeing the country than "in the comfort of your own home?" =)<br /><br />Peace, <br />Munch

 

[Unchained]

From one forum newbie to another, welcome! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />I sure wish I had taken the path that you are now on way back when I first graduated Uni. Good on you for recognizing the 'rat race' for what it is early on and doing what makes you happy instead. Stay safe and I hope we cross paths somewhere on the road!

 

[Pikachu711]

Welcome to the group! It's nice to see someone realizing what they really want out of life.<br /><br />I've only been active here for a short time. I didn't understand why I was a "lurker" for so long. Then it finally hit me. I want to become a van dweller! Now that I realize that I want to get more out of life I'm changing it while I can do so.<br /><br />I'll be starting the "van dweller" lifestyle sometime next year. Until then I'm getting as much knowledge as I can from this group. I've already planned some important aspects of my future van as well. Most of the input came from this group. You'll find quite a bit of useful information here on a great variety of subjects.<br /><br />Again, welcome to the group!<br /><br />

 

[Guest]

Welcome Munch,<br />Glad to have you with us...<br />I retired from a career in Public Lands...last was the USFWS as a mechanic. My wife still works for USFS managing a wildfire dispatch center. <br />I worked for NPS, USFS, USFWS as well as the federal DOT and DOD...I worked seasonally (about half a year at a time) most of that time and had tons of time to travel...great way of life and you know you are part of preserving natural resources and not part of an extractive industry.<br /><br />Best of luck to you and I think you are on to something...<br /><br />Bri

 

[peacetara]

Welcome!!! I'm brand new as well, today is day 3 (night 2) for me. &nbsp;Currently doing urban stealth van dwelling, till I get the kids settled into school and then I'll wander a bit more. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara<br /><br />

I am the new and proud owner of a van, soon to be home!

 

[sidat202]

I don't know what the cutoff point is for a newbie, but Im a month and a half into it. Welcome to the family.

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Welcome! You have a real advantage knowing what you want to do at a young age. So many people waste time and money chasing after things that will never make them happy.

 

[munchausen]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.<br /><br />bk2valve, that is right on the dot! I couldn't see myself working for a private enterprise that would fell forests. I want to keep them healthy and maintained for people in the future to enjoy. All I need to do is get in. Heh, now I don't have to pay rent and have mobility, seasonal work for the government sounds completely manageable.<br /><br />peacetara, I read about your first night and I gotta tell ya, you are brave! I've been kind of staying outside of a friends house in residential until I can build my bed and vent. Very different, I know, but I've been getting some interesting looks. I don't blame the neighbors, if I had children and there was a white van parked down the street I would be nervous too.