Living In A Van Down By The River… Maybe
Updated: Aug 3, 2020
A month ago, if you would have told me I would consider anything other than a very small Class C motorhome for my travels next year, I would have told you that you didn’t know me very well.
I keep my mind open to every option, but some just seem more realistic than others. The Universe however, sometimes leads you in a different direction. I don’t necessarily think every hint the Universe throws at you is a sign that you are going in the wrong direction, but perhaps a sign that you should open your mind to other ideas.
Before I begin I should say that nothing is set in stone until I make a purchase, and even then, things can change. However, I have had multiple things happen in the past month that have made me think a little more about how I want to travel.
3 weeks ago, a friend mentioned giving a van to his Mom, but noted she still wasn’t utilizing it. He mentioned in the chat that he thought about getting her a small trailer to tow behind it, so she could have a separate ‘house’ and vehicle. I’m not sure why, but the concept intrigued me so I began researching vans towing a trailer. I didn’t find much, so I stopped looking.
Later that day, or the next day, I watched this video of Bob Wells showing where everyone in his ‘community’ was settling in at Quartzsite, AZ. I can’t remember if my friend David sent me the link or if I just saw it since I am subscribed to the channel, but I again thought about the convenience of a camper van. I mean, I am just one human and 2 cats, and I’m doing quite well living in a 240 square foot studio at the moment.
A nicer camper van shower and bathroom.
I’ll stop here for a moment and explain that I love a roomy shower but have accepted, and can live with, not having one in my mobile house. However, the one thing I have said I will not sacrifice is a separate shower, doesn’t have to be roomy, just separate. No marine bathroom for me, thankyouverymuch indeed.
Unfortunately the only camper vans I have seen with a separate shower cost well over my price range. And realistically, a separate shower is even hard to come by in the 19 and 20 foot Class C’s I’ve looked at. (Although there was this 2005 22 foot BT Cruiser with a small separate shower that really seemed like it could be home to me, if it weren’t for that pesky slide out)
Since Veterans day, I have been ‘casually’ researching camper vans more than I am researching any other option. With curiosity getting the better of me, a few days ago I bought Bob Wells eBook “How to Live in a Car, Van, or RV – Get Out of Debt, Travel, and Find True Freedom”.
I have to admit, I am kind of feeling the van life right now.
I really like the idea of being more stealth in a van. The fact that I could go places I couldn’t in a Class C definitely goes in the plus column.
There would be no hitching and unhitching like there would be if I bought a truck and trailer, which is another plus. Honestly, there aren’t a lot of downsides other than the size and the shower, and they aren’t really major problems.
I’m not saying I’ve changed my mind, I’m just saying I’ve opened my mind, and I like feeling this confident about more than one option.
My friend David even began referring to me as De(van) yesterday, and suggested my name is a good indicator that I should probably be living a van life. lol I’m going to go with it at the moment and we’ll see what transpires between now and launch time.
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