Husband and Wife Starting our van dwelling adventure!

[Frankenwife]

Hello Everyone!!!

We are a dynamic duo ready to give up everything to live a fuller, happier life. I'm Nikki and my husband is Dj. We have a furry daughter named Ellie. We live in the Tampa Bay Area in Florida. We are currently downsizing and saving for our van. We have lots and lots and lots of things to figure out still, but we are slowly coming up with solutions!!
If there is anyone on the area we would love to meet and get tips and advice! We plan on van dwelling while working for a year or so. Pay off our debts and save some money. We work at the same place so it makes it easy for us. Then we want to travel!! And see EVERYTHING!! We are both very excited to see where this journey takes us. In the next month we should be able to purchase our van and starting building it out!! Wish us luck!!! Lol

 

[Vic.]

Welcome to the forum.

Everything is a lot! But I reckon exploration is a matter of wanting to see it all.

 

[blkjak]

welcome....blkjak

 

[akrvbob]

Welcome! We are genuinely glad you are here and honestly want to help you start your new life in any way we can! Most of us love to share the joy we've found in mobile living. Questions are the life blood of any forum so we want you to ask lots!

One word of advice though, when you ask something give us as much background information as you can, that way the answer will be tailored to you and not a broad generality. Also, it's better to ask multiple specific questions than one question with many parts. Chances are only a few of the questions will be answered.

By the way! I love your user name!
Bob

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Welcome
As an older couple, we enjoy the van life. I had experience as a solo, but Margie took to it right away.
We're always glad to share our experiences.

 

[LongInTheTooth]

Hi Ellie!!!

Congrats on making the decision to live in freedom! What part if Tsmia are you in? I was born and raised right off Bayshore Blvd between Gandy blvd and Euclid ave. Spent every day of my life fishing from the sea wall at the end of my street....geeeeeez I miss that so much!!! Is the Colonnade restaurant still there I wonder?

 

[Patrick46]

Tsmia??? Whaaaaaa????
(is this some 'locals only' inside humor??)


Hello from Oregon!!

 

[anm]

Welcome Frankenwife and... Franken?? If you want to bail out you've come to the right place! You can get advice on practically anything to do with a mobile abode here...

 

[DC Fuse]

Hi Nikki & DJ, Great to see you both here! I too live in Tampa Bay area. New Port Richey to be exact. You two are about to embark on the time of your life. It is so much fun. You both will grow individually and as a couple. Just a suggestion but if you're looking for a van to do this maybe seek a auction or try finding a hi-top wheelchair van what with all the elderly here in the sunshine state. Craigs List is good too.
Lots of good people here so yes they love questions and pictures.... don't forget the pics!

Also look in all the archives here as your questions may have been previously answered. Lots of great ideas and info.

I myself will help anyway i can. Ask away.You'll see this as a inherant trait of rvers once you hit the road. They love to help. Proof of this i learned early when i had the hood up but had no problems - maybe just checking fluids - and there they were stopping and offering help. Good Times!

Their is so much to see and do - you'll have a blast.

Good luck on your search!

Happy Trails.

 

[DC Fuse]

Nikki & DJ, Me again, just wanted to say some things..................

I've just joined here too on the 26th but had been reading the site.
Several people asked about my experiences so it brought back many memories.
The White squirrels in Brevard, N.C. These are"nt albinos. They were brought here by a Russian carnival co. and the truck carrying them overturned and two escaped, Fate proved one male,one female. they're everywhere now. Check out the white squirrel festival every summer. Good Time.

Or imagine early dusk and you notice the general landscape is changing. you round a corner and WOW the Painted Desert. Bright yellows,reds,shades of blue, and rock formations.

Or you pick-up one of those deli chickens and put the scraps about 200 ft. away from your rig and wait. you will hear a bunch of coyotes wailing and howling as they fight for it.

California- Miss it terribly- The great state parks, the Redwoods, the mountains. I had business in Ukiah, Ca. and parked at their Walmart ' til I got settled. Next town down is Hopland where I stopped at Real Goods, a solar co. and then went west in the Anderson Valley for 20 miles or so driving thru redwoods and boutique wineries 'til i came to a small grade and a sharp turn and WHAMO, the Pacific Ocean. Just gorgeous. 10 years ago I was staying on the Pacific Ocean in State pullouts for $7 bucks a nite w/ i think a seven day stay was allowed and then you just went up the road to the next one. This is the PCH, Hwy. 1. Took a chance when i saw the "Shelter Cove"sign. Small town. Saw a jet black mountain very high and it was as smooth as a mirror. Amazing. Saw that huge Redwood tree you can drive thru...................
Washington State has every climate type their is Desert, Rainforest, Temperate, Glacial

I'll shudup now.But I have more. We all do here.

 

[Dragonfly]

Welcome from the mountains of N. California..I wish you the greatest luck and happiness in your venture.

I used to say that the saddest words were 'I used to live on the road' and now I have to say I used to live on the road..but we're getting ready to go back.
Our van is pretty much packed with what we need, but we have to wait for passports so we can dip down into Algadones Mexico on our trip. Mine came immediately; husband's was held up for a recording glitch that cost us a lot extra..

We're launching in the middle of December...
Maybe we'll see you along the way.
Head west ...the road life is much easier out here than in the East.

Oz

 

[akrvbob]

OZ, be sure to drop by and see us on the way down. I'll be in the Yuma-Quartzsite area by the end of November. I'll be headed to Algodones the first part of December.

My camp is always open!
Bob