new & scared

[raysmom]

hello,

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was when I found this webpage, and then the forum, and ladies page! I've never looked at or read forum's before but I soo enjoy this one.

I"ll do my best not to write a novel. My boyfriend has built a camper van out of an econoline 1 ton van, that is self sufficient (it has water & electricity). He had plans of traveling and seeing the US by himself and then I came into the picture and absolutley loved the idea, so now we are going to travel together. I love the idea of not waking up with an alarm and seeing the beautiul areas that surround me, and doing it on my time and not having to rush back to work. We live in the west and plan on doing most of out travels in National Parks/Monuments/State parks ect. Our first stop will be Teton and Yellowstone and will probably be there for month (at least that's the idea for now). Does anybody know of any good free camping spots in those two areas??

The whole idea of vandwelling is soo new to me, I thought only bums and hippies lived in vans I will admit I have lived a pretty sheltered life, I live in Utah, and well Utah is a world of its own. So the vandwelling life is so exciting and scary to me. To leave behind the 'normal' life i've always known, to being completely free is scary. Does anybody have any encouraging words or suggestions to help me not be so scared or shelter shocked when I leave the 9-5 and bricks and mortar for the van life??

We have been doing some trial runs in the van, making sure everything works as we need it to and to get into the routine of being in such close quarters to each other. Are there any couples living in a van that have any suggestions as to how not to step on each others toes being in such close quarters??

Thanks for the help!!

 

[arizonatruck]

I would like to see some pictures and know more about the set up of the van. I have been setting up my truck and trailer to work and live out of. There are probably some pictures floating around of it. My trailer already has 120 volt electrical with lighting and outlets, but no ac, and in arizona ac is really nice. I may just put a shell on the truck and put the ac on it and have the trailer as the work area only.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Welcome
I'm sure you're going to have the time of your life and will enjoy all the wonders of our great country.
Members are always willing to answer questions, so feel free to ask.
As you're reading, you'll note many have blogs about their adventures, as well as tips on living the lifestyle comfortably.

You might like to check out Tony&Karen's boondocking page...
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=210711839070103512786.0004e039a19ec37a6a084&msa=0

You'll also enjoy their blog...
http://rollinginarv-wheelchairtraveling.blogspot.com/

Van-Tramp also has a good blog site with lots of pics and great info...
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/

And, let's not forget our site owners blog with all its helpful tips, how to projects, and other great info....
http://www.cheaprvliving.com/blog/

Enjoy

---

Don't forget pics are (unwritten law, LOL) are required.



Sometimes we even have visitors....

(wild burros at Beatty, Nv)

 

[Belinda2]

.............Welcome..., to Fantasy Island!

 

[Bela's Mom]

I agree, your going to have the time of your life! As far as not stepping on each other's toes: it helps to keep things you are not using at the time put away so that you are not moving things from one spot to get to something else all of the time. It also helps for one person to stay seated or go outside when the other is moving around, getting dressed, cooking or whatever. Shoes out of the aisle or floor so that you don't trip over them constantly. May seem like small things but in a small space, can become a BIG irritation! LOL.

Sorry, I don't know about free camping in those areas but if you are 62 years old, you can get a national parks pass that will enable you to camp in the national forests and parks for 1/2 price. Just outside Yellowstone's northern entrance, there is a federal campground on a hill (in the town of Yellowstone) where we paid $3.00 per night. You might check out the website for national parks for prices and locations.

You will have a wonderful time in Yellowstone and the Tetons! Enjoy!!

 

[akrvbob]

raysmom, thank you so much for sharing your story, we are very glad you are here! The first thing to remember is that feeling awkward and strange about your new life is totally normal!! Virtually all of us were afraid and felt like fish out of water when we first hit the road. It's normal and to be expected. I hated it when I first moved into a van but within 6 months I fell in love with it and now I wouldn't consider any other way of life.

Almost all National Forests are open to dispersed camping and the ones around the Grand Tetons will also have plenty of free camping. Just do a google search on "dispersed camping grand tetons" Here is one of the pages that popped up full of free camping:
http://freecampsites.net/#!Wyoming&query=region

On May 19 my girlfriend and I are going to move into her van and take a road trip to Alaska, so I am going to be blogging about how we do it in the next 6 months. To get to my blog just go to the top of the page and click on the "Blog" button.
Bob

 

[VanTrekker]

Welcome! It's okay to feel a little scared. I've lived in my van for close to three years now. After Dad died, we've now sold his house and I'll be without a homebase. It's a little scary.

If there is some advice I can give, don't sweat the little things. You won't have all the answers right away but will be able to "fine tune" all of the small details. It's a fun way of living and a great way to save money. This is a very supportive group of folks who will offer much useful advice.

Take care! Stay safe!

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the forums! Taking short trips is a good idea - just ease into living in a van until you're more comfortable. Pretty soon everything will become second nature.

Please ask questions about anything and everything. Somebody on the forums will have an answer and most likely very fast!

Thanks bindi&us for including the links to my blog on your post.

 

[Sameer]

Taking short trips is a good idea, and UTAH has 5 National Parks. That way you can test out what you need and don't need, what works and what doesn't work. I have been living in my Van for only a year and a half. My advice is not to carry what you don't need. Space is more important than 'stuff', especially when there are going to be two people. I have two modes. Moving mode and camping mode. I can live comfortably in both modes. I have included a picture of me in camping mode. Bob has given you the best site for free campsites. I use it all the time. Sign up for his blog! Plan on going to the RTR's so you can meet other people.
Don't be scared...you will find peace and happiness like you have never known. Good luck!

 

[raysmom]

Thanks for the welcomes, advice and links to great websites and blogs.

Bela's Mom--I agree that everything needs to have it's place and always get put back there, and it seems like we will have one person outside while the other is getting dressed or moving around. we've noticed in our few short trail runs if we don't put stuff back into its place, the counter gets cluttered very quickly.

Sameer--i really like the picture of your rig and set up. It gives me some ideas. We have been trying to figure out an awning and it looks like your set up works well. Is that a shower/bathroom off to the left of the picture?

it's wonderful to hear and learn that so many people are living the van/RV life and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

 

[Sameer]

The awning was 50 bucks at Wal-Mart....it is 9 by 9 feet at the top and works perfect for shade. I usually don't park in the shade because of the solar panel. The tent is my bathroom and shower. I got it for free at the last RTR. It is wonderful. I always set up a kitchen outside when I camp so I have more lounging room inside the van when I am camping. We are at the Grand Canyon right now! Me and my dog! I would rather cook outside. I put a tarp down and sweep it to keep the van clean. All this creates an outdoor room. The illusion of more space. Everything packs in the storage area under the bed. I have a permanent place for the stove when I am traveling so I can cook. Good Luck! I am having the best times of my life!

 

[Belinda2]

Bob,
The Energizer Solar lantern that you have a link to on Amazon, if you compared it on max to a light bulb, how many watts bright do you think it is? Can you read by that light?

 

[Lucky mike]

Belinda if you are talking about the energizer with the fold up led light , I have 2 of them , they work real good for reading if they are close by....I keep one at my reading chair with a mirror underneath it to reflect the light around and it works good.....have another for overhead on the bed for reading it also is great...

have a rack built for them in the windshield for charging and normally dont have to charge them but once a month and Im not sure if they needed it...they use very little power!!

 

[akrvbob]

The Energizer solar lantern I have is enough to read by. I like a lot of light to read by and so I want more. But I have several friends with them an they say they can read by them no problem so I think it's just my old eyes.
http://www.amazon.com/ENERGIZER-BATTERIES-SOLRE35BP-FOLDING-LANTERN-BATTERIES/dp/B00E2U3YZW/

I can't recomend that lantern enough. If you can't afford a solar power system, you can still have free light from the sun.
Bob

 

[Belinda2]

Bob,
I also like a lot of light to read by and my eyes are old. What else, then would you recommend?

 

[wagoneer]

Mrnoodly kindly gave me one at the last RTR, It works really well. Welcome aboard

 

[sassypickins]

@Belinda ~ Bob's latest blog post has a lot of good info on lighting and this site has a thorough review of headlamps -

Outdoor Gear

 

[Starlight]

@rays mom

Hi -- I'm fairly new to the forum myself, and have found solid information here and some good people. If you visit some of the linked blogs of people that post here, you may well see a list of other blogs that they follow. There is such a variety of full-timers. There are women who travel solo in small cars or large RVs. There are couples of all ages who travel -- some who work -- some are travel photographers -- some workkamp in national parks or have concessions at events -- some retired on budgets.

I started out thinking that I would just relocate to Colorado when I retired. I did a lot of research on what area I'd like. And, I'd been researching survivalist and minimalist lifestyles and learning DIY skills for several years. Well... one of the towns I'd liked had this huge microwave communications antenna right in the middle of town. When I began researching the hazards of this... well... I didn't want to live anywhere near this stuff.

So... I happened upon van dwelling videos on youtube -- and one of them was Bob Wells, inviting people to see this blog and forum. This forum has been a really good resource for understanding the "full-timer" lifestyle. I'm finding that I'm not as attached to my "things" as I thought -- that I can let go of my cute knick-knacks and artwork without suffering too much separation anxiety. Basically -- the choice to live full time in a van has combined all of my skills and interests and opens up a whole new world for me. I will not miss living in a cityfied cage.

Here's one blog I've been following:
http://rvsueandcrew.net/
If you click on her page title you get the comments section.
Sue had never camped before, but when she retired she made the move to full-time rv-ing and is having the time of her life. Some things she's learned as she went. She uses her long van for the possessions she's kept, and lives out of her small trailer.

Good travels to ya.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Wanna light up your life??
My today's Youtube email had link for a gravity light. Not compact enough of van use, but kinda cool....


Also got several tiny house links.
One link on those living in RV parks had a short, positive presentation from that side of the lifestyle...

 

[Starlight]

Watching bindy&us's video link about rving reminded me of something.

At some point people decide what level of comfort they hope to achieve while living full time in an RV. Some people want to take the city with them, and plug into electric, sewer, and water. Some want nature to be the backdrop and will do nothing but boondocking with neighbors who are nice enough to park at a friendly distance. It's one thing to develop relationship skills with your partner, it's another to deal with 50 neighbors and their dogs and un-ending generators.

Personally, I'm finding that I can provide all the comforts that I need with very little. Like Sameer's setup, I will expand the living space to the outside by having a screenhouse tied on to the van. I only need one burner for cooking, and may well just cook on a small hibachi outdoors or a make-shift DIY cook stove. I will carry water in gallon jugs and learn to be efficient with it. I can shower in a gallon or less of water -- that was heated on the dashboard of the van. There are minimalist solutions for things that do not compromise your comfort level at all.