Where was the first place you went in your van/RV?

[Jack]

Where was the first place you drove to when you took off for the first time?  And I'm not talking about the gas station!  What was the first thing on your travel itinerary?!  And, if you're so inclined, why did you choose the van/RV life?

Personally, I'm choosing it to take back the freedom of my time.  I'm not choosing it for the challenge of it, or to prove anything, or even to "be green."  I want time to myself to discover who I am again.  I've allowed myself to get beaten down to the point that I've been a hermit for 15+ years and forgot how to dream or dare to have any goals!  15+ years of just existing like wallpaper, there for the benefit of others.  My time has always been at the mercy of others and I've reached my limit.  I'm exhausted.

I discovered van life when I was searching the internet for ways to get free rent.  I'm the caretaker of my apartment complex, which covers my rent.  But the building is for sale and there's a chance the new owners may not keep me on, depending on their plans.  If that happens, I have nowhere else to go.  That's why I was searching for ways to get free rent.  In my search on Bing, one of Bob's YouTube videos came up.  I forget which one but it was just him and he was talking about freedom vs. comfort.  I had no idea folks did this!  I found video after video and couldn't stop watching them!  I. was. hooked!  No doubts whatsoever in my mind.  Each day that passes only strengthens my excitement and my resolve to live the van life!  I actually have more opportunities available to me living the van life than I do as a 52 year old man trapped in the system!  The simple act of deciding to do this made me happy and gave me a reason to get up the next morning!  So, if I use a lot of exclamation points on this forum, or post too much, it's my enthusiasm for having a new lease on life!  And I promise, my long posts will soon get shorter.  You gotta remember.  I've been a hermit for so long, with nothing to look forward to, no one to relate to, and hardly anyone to talk to!  So I hope you'll forgive my TL;DR indulgences for now. If you've even read this far into this post, bless you.

I plan to use my first year to travel the country and enjoy myself!  The first place I am longing to see is Yellowstone Park!  First in Wyoming and then up through Montana until I get to Glacier National Park!  Then I want to see Coeur d'Alene Idaho!  From there, a pit stop in Washington and Oregon to see and hear the ocean again.  I'd like to see a desert, too.  I've never seen one, and I lived in Zambia, Africa for a time.  Other places high on my list are Alaska, Canada, and Maine.

I want to attend gatherings and meet other people living this life and hear their stories!  

After a time, I'll continue to chase 70°F around the country because I'm the world's biggest heat wimp. :blush:

Look, I realize that van life isn't glamorous.  I'm smart enough to know that social media shows van life in the same way that people show their own lives -- the photoshopped, exaggerated version of it.  I'm okay with that.  I'm not looking for glamor.  I'll be pooping in a bucket for gosh sake!  But that first night I can fall asleep looking at the stars, knowing that I don't have any obligations the next day... that's the stuff!  (I'm in Minneapolis.  My night sky consists of seven satellites.)  I can enjoy a cup of coffee at 5pm because it doesn't matter if it keeps me awake until 3am.  It's the little things.  

In full disclosure, my biggest "fear" about van life is spending my first night in the van and waking up that first morning.  That's my least favorite thing about every time I've ever moved.  I have a lot to learn but I'm teachable.  I'm not thin-skinned.  I appreciate honesty and don't require false encouragement.  Most of all, I'm very grateful.

 

[lenny flank]

Technically, the first place I went to was the Walmart near my apartment. I spent a week there just to make sure all the systems were doing what they should be doing.

The first place I traveled to was Pennsylvania to visit my sister.

The first place I really went to tour was Columbus Ohio. Best zoo in the world.

Why do I vandwell? Because it's a big country. I wanna see all of it, and vandwelling is the most flexible and most interesting way to do that.

 

[MrNoodly]

Five years ago next week I pulled out of my friend's place in South Carolina, where I had finished setting up my van, and headed to Rapid City SD to finalize things with my mail forwarder and establish residency. Now I wander the West

As Lenny wrote above, "Why do I vandwell? Because it's a big country. I wanna see all of it, and vandwelling is the most flexible and most interesting way to do that."

<img src="https://image.ibb.co/hVd2q9/oc1crvl.jpg" alt="oc1crvl" border="0" />

 

[rvwandering]

We pulled out of our driveway right after the blizzard of 1993 (almost slid off of the road yikes!) and drove south to Florida. Because we still had property to sell we really weren't totally free until late summer so the first place on our planned itinerary was Yellowstone.

I agree with Lenny too - "Why do I vandwell? Because it's a big country. I wanna see all of it, and vandwelling is the most flexible and most interesting way to do that"

From the sound of it vandwelling will be a good fit for you.  Good luck with planning and getting on the road! Hope to see you at the RTR someday!

 

[QinReno]

... I actually have more opportunities available to me living the van life than I do as a 52 year old man trapped in the system!

Your body is trapped but your mind is free - or should be. To be a rock, and not to roll.

Today's quiz - who said this? (no fair looking it up on google).
"There are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, 
there's still time to change the road you're on".

 

[lenny flank]

^^^ I remember when DJs would play that song specifically so they could take a bathroom break.



EDIT:

PS---"Free your mind, and your ass will follow."

 

[QinReno]

^^^ I remember when DJs would play that song specifically so they could take a bathroom break.

That song, plus a civil case that went on for the past year, got me to buying my van, and hitting the road at least part time. So I've spent 14-weeks on the road this year, and working on upping the percentage. It's really neat waking up in the desert in the morning and taking a walk. My first trip was to Death Valley in November, and now I stop there every time I go past.

 

[Jack]

Lenny:  I think that was a smart idea and one I'm taking note of.  Stay somewhere close until I know all systems are go.  And the Columbus Zoo was just added to my list of places to visit.

Mr. Noodly:  What a great picture!  South Dakota is on my list of likely places to register my residence, too.  

Tony and Karen:  Instant love for you because of Yellowstone being top of your list!  Thanks for the encouragement.  It's the honest truth when I say that my passion for it grows each day without any doubts.  RTR is definitely on my itinerary.

QinReno:  That's exactly how I feel, nicely said!  I'm sure the van might feel tight from time to time but, for the most part, I like small places.  My 445 sq.ft. efficiency apartment is too big for me.  I still have a lot of unused space in here.  If the van starts feeling small, that just means I need to get out of it more often.  (I tend to be a homebody who loves to read and study.)

 

[Jack]

It's really neat waking up in the desert in the morning and taking a walk. My first trip was to Death Valley in November, and now I stop there every time I go past.

Not only have I put Death Valley on my itinerary because of your post, but I want this experience, too.  I'm a massive heat wimp but still want to feel what it's like.  The reason your experience appeals to me is because I know deserts can get cold at night, so first thing in the morning, especially in all that quiet... that must be something!

 

[QinReno]

I'm sure the van might feel tight from time to time but, for the most part, I like small places.

Standard white GMC cargo van. In my first "temporary" van arrangement, I had the bed lengthwise front-to-back, and this left only 3'x3' free floorspace after putting in a table and small cabinet for solar stuff. Could barely turn around in there. 

Then I discovered there was room to stuff the 75" (foam) mattress crosswise in the back, and this gives 3'x6' of floorspace now, and it feels like a warehouse inside there. I can sit in the folding chair and work at the table, and still have room to turn around. Most people put paneling on the walls and this leaves only 68" across the back. Then they keep adding cabinets and stuff, and their floor space grows tiny. I opted for total minimalism. Matress, table, and small cabinet for solar. Most of the storage is under the bed.

 

[QinReno]

Death Valley is really great, in the right season. See my post #15 in this other thread about where to camp there,
https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=30827

and post #29 about temperatures in Feb/March. You just have to find the right places in the west in regards temperatures. High elevations in summer, low elevations in winter, but sometimes you just have to keep moving and looking.
https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=32146

 

[Jack]

Standard white GMC cargo van... Most people put paneling on the walls and this leaves only 68" across the back. Then they keep adding cabinets and stuff, and their floor space grows tiny. I opted for total minimalism. Matress, table, and small cabinet for solar. Most of the storage is under the bed.

The standard cargo van is one of my options.  I like the stealth advantages of it.  Funnily enough, my friend works as a carpet cleaner and has a 1998 Chevy Express 2500 as a work vehicle and I've gone out with him many times.    Weird how I now might be living in one!

While my possessions will be kept pretty minimally, minimalism isn't my goal.  If it's possible, I'd like a van I can stand up in to be more comfortable.  Only time will tell what I get because it depends on which vehicles come available when I'm ready to buy one.  I can't picture buying a brand new van because I'm debt free and have every intention of staying that way.  But I do like the style of Dodge ProMasters and Ford Transits.  (Although I've been hearing bad things about Ford.)  I like Sprinters, too, but I hear they're expensive and difficult to fix.  
Right now I'm just dreaming and researching vehicles so I can be more knowledgable about them when the time comes.  Who knows?  I may end up in a converted ambulance or Toyota Prius for all I know!

 

[QinReno]

It's only minimalism in terms of how much stuff I "built" in, but I have all of the same basic comforts as the rest of van dwellers. I do have minimal solar, only 100W, and a lot of people go for 300-500W so they can have the usual electrical conveniences, frig, TV, etc. As many people say "with a van you sleep inside, but you 'live' outside". People who really want to live in their RVs usually get something larger.

A high top would be nice. You may be interested in following the latest exploits of CamperVanKevin, who just downsized from a Class-C to a Promaster, because he was beating up the Class-C too much on BLM roads, which do tend to be nasty. It's always a tradeoff.
https://www.youtube.com/user/gotmildew/videos

 

[Jack]

It's only minimalism in terms of how much stuff I "built" in, but I have all of the same basic comforts as the rest of van dwellers. I do have minimal solar, only 100W, and a lot of people go for 300-500W so they can have the usual electrical conveniences, frig, TV, etc. As many people say "with a van you sleep inside, but you 'live' outside". People who really want to live in their RVs usually get something larger.

I see what you're saying now.  I admire that, actually.  It lessens your reliance on convenience and comfort in a big way and makes you more skilled and prepared to survive under a lot of difficult circumstances.  I'll be putting a few of my decisions through that filter and see how they come out.  

While I wouldn't be surprised if I end up there myself because I find every aspect of my life continually minimizing and simplifying with each passing year, I'm not ashamed to want some comfort and convenience in my van life.  I'm one of those looking at the higher end of solar power.  It doesn't hurt anything to have it available.  In fact, it could come in handy to help another van dweller, a camper, etc., even if it's just to let them charge their phone.  But I know I will, without fail, have A/C, fans, my laptop, and lights above everything else.  I consider those bare essentials and I want the power to use them freely.

A high top would be nice. You may be interested in following the latest exploits of CamperVanKevin, who just downsized from a Class-C to a Promaster, because he was beating up the Class-C too much on BLM roads, which do tend to be nasty. It's always a tradeoff.
https://www.youtube.com/user/gotmildew/videos

I subscribed to Kevin recently but haven't caught up on his videos simply because there aren't enough hours in the day for me right now.  I very quickly eliminated RVs from my list.  Class Bs held on for some time and, truthfully, aren't completely off the list.  I learned that RVs simply aren't made well, depreciate rapidly, are expensive to maintain, and, as you said, take a beating... even on smooth roads.  

While I want comfort, I also want stealth and the ability to go as rural, and off the paved path, as possible.

 

[QinReno]

You just have to keep researching things, and zero in on what will work for you. CamperVanKevin talked about getting a 4x4 pickup with a popup camper in the back, but decided they will leak and not be very warm in the winter. A regular cabover truck camper will weigh 3,000 pounds and even on a 4x4 pickup will probably be difficult to drive up really bad roads.

Being stealth in a van and having 400-500W of solar aren't totally compatible. You will have to put the solar panels on the roof for that, and then they will be obvious. No one will have that much solar unless they very likely live inside. With only 100W of solar, I just put the panel outside in the daytime, so otherwise the van is totally stock on the outside. I was also terrified about drilling a hole in the roof for a fan, .

It's all tradeoffs. The best approach is to start with something, try it out on a few trips, and then go from there. It's all fun.

 

[QinReno]

While I want comfort, I also want stealth and the ability to go as rural, and off the paved path, as possible.

All the time, I am also thinking about what might be my ideal rig ... I am just a part-timer, but if I were going to go "full" time and had $25,000-40,000, and wanted the ability to go anywheres, I think I would get a V8 4x4 pickup with a topper, plus a 16-18' trailer like a Casita or Scamp. You could pull the trailer in a ways and make camp, and then have the 4x4 to go in to the ends of the roads.

 

[bonnieE350van]

first stop was Eisenhower State Park, Denison Tx...stayed two weeks there non electric site...set up a 9x12 Kodiak canvas tent with air matress for me and cot for the ex traveling companion...cooked on 2 burner propane stove...weather was cool, dreary most of the time, but we survived...then got on road and drove cross-country to Maine...don't recommend Maine in April in a tent...Too cold and can still find snow on the ground...that was april 2013...5 years later I am still on the road, solo now, as travel companion decided he wanted to stop travelling and has settled in Maine...Me I still like the freedom of the open road, so I go it alone...now I travel and live out of my E-350 Ford 15 passenger van...2 bench seats removed to have room for camping gear and food etc...I sleep on one of the two remaining bench seats...just barely long enough for me to stretch out on...I'm 4'11...no longer use the tent as it is too much work for me to set up and take down by myself, especially if I'm only going to stay somewhere for just a few nights...so the van is big enough for the moment, but I do miss using the tent...
had a life changing car wreck in 2009 which made me realize how short life can be, and developed a Major case of wanderlust...took 3 years to recuperate from my injuries but used that time to research living on the road full-time and reading other folk's blogs about the RV life..
didn't find or read this site until after being on the road for a few years I think...but read every chance I get how folks on here live...have gotten more than a few ideas from here that I want to incorporate into my setup as I can afford them...I can't picture myself living in a house or S&B any time in the near future, I like seeing new places on a regular bases...

 

[Jack]

BonnieE350van:  Wow, Bonnie, great post.  Jenkies!  What a van!  I know nothing about the mechanical reliability, or reputation, of any vehicles but, by appearance, that could be built out nicely.  Personally, I'd be worried about driving/parking in cities.  I'm not experienced enough to have the confidence to go in reverse in a van that long.  

I've never heard of Eisenhower State Park so I'll check into that.  I'm glad you came through your accident well and with life lessons realized.  (If you don't learn from the hard times they're only that - hard times!)  As far as tents go, I'm not sure how I feel about them just yet.  I like camping and I can see how having a good set of camping equipment would be handy, but, wise or unwise, it's a bit lower on my list of considerations right now.

QinReno wrote:  Being stealth in a van and having 400-500W of solar aren't totally compatible.

 I'm learning that, too.  It's not impossible, but not easy.  That's why I'm glad I'm researching everything now instead of when I get out on the road.  Sometimes foresight is better than hindsight.

 

[allofJules]

RTR 2018. . . . two days after I bought my minivan.

 

[Jack]

RTR 2018. . . . two days after I bought my minivan.

That was great timing.  I can imagine how proud and excited you were to have just got it and head right to an RTR!  Do you have pictures/video of your set-up, Jules?