I’ve done numerous nomadic variations throughout my life. Now, I’m working toward (AKA downsizing and putting stuff in storage) a small apartment as Base Camp within 4-24 hours of my desired trails. It’s easier to write, coach and manage gear. You are correct in that the road can be great or frustrating; and often expensive.
It’s great that you’ve been able to experiences so many adventures! I think having a home base with the opportunity to explore amazing places within a days drive is a great way to go.
The challenges are part of the adventure and sometimes fun. In two mpnths we will have spent a year building out our new camper van. It has been difficult at times but so rewarding when everything comes together. I can't wait to be camping in the wilderness again. I mean some of those picture perfect views are real. But someone who wants or thinks ir is like that all the time just doesn't understand traveling.
I agree that the challenges are part of the adventure. Life is not supposed to be easy all the time. That’s what makes us stronger and gives us a deeper appreciation for it all.
In this phase of life I am single, but I would like to do that with the right partner someday. Even for a short period to see how it feels in real. I am happy for you guys!
I like the honesty in this. Van life gets romanticized so much that people mostly show the sunsets and the freedom, but not the parts where things are cramped, plans change, or the day just feels complicated.
We have a camper as well, and I recognize that balance. Some mornings feel incredible. You wake up somewhere beautiful and the whole day is open. Other days it is just logistics, weather, parking, or a dozen small things that do not go smoothly.
That mix is actually what makes the whole thing real. The freedom only feels meaningful because it comes with a bit of friction.
Thanks, Mat. So I see you understand it all then! 😀 There is a mix to this lifestyle and we have to accept it all. Nothing is perfect, and more often than not, it isn't.
Great post! We are waiting for delivery of our van next month. We were fortunate to be able to invest in a large, fully built out model with a wet bath. We are eager to hit the road but are going into it with eyes wide open. We know there will be struggles and decision fatigue but having your home and belongings with you at all times seems comforting. I never really relax in hotels. I’m sure there is a learning curve but we pledge to remain positive and take the slow road. Safe travels…live free!
That's exciting news. I wish you many awesome adventures in the new vehicle. What will you be driving, if you don't mind me asking? Everything has a learning curve for sure.
We enjoyed hotels and resorts most of the time because we learned where to stay and how to avoid the shitshows, but when you're around people who don't care about anyone else, the trouble is bound to happen.
We ordered a 2026 Coachmen Beyond 22c model. After months of looking at different brands and layouts, we felt the quality superior to many others plus we liked the Ford Transit chassis best.
We had originally looked at B+ and C and saw some nice ones. But, we wanted more flexibility out of the gate and more outdoor than indoor living so the B will a a good fit. We may trade up in a few years though. It seems like makers are upgrading features on the regular and, as we age, we may value more space down the road.
I thought the Coachmen Beyond was a Class C! My bad. I like the additional space the Cs offer, but vans are much easier to park and to fit into tighter spaces. If your goal is to be outdoors most of the time, you'll find that most of the features in a camper van you won't need. In fact, some of it is overkill. I like ours because it's basic and simple, requiring less worry about mechanical issues. You gotta share pics of the new van when you get it. 😊
Do you share thoughts or plans? Our family is thinking about a RV trip around Portland to Seattle to the San Juan islands and a national park or 2. Maybe? We have 10 days to 2 weeks. Wife, 2 kids (young adults). Thoughts? So 4 of us.
Hey Chris! We have shared our plans at times, hoping to meet up with others or to host community events.
Donetta planned a big loop of adventures out west for this summer, with the San Juan Islands on our list, though it's now contingent on my mother's cancer treatment happening soon. I'll see what the plan is and give you a sense of the dates, but that would be really cool. Though I wouldn't park anywhere in Seattle. LOL!
My love for Seattle was tainted when we parked there for a cruise a couple of years ago in a "safe and secure" lot and came back to find our window smashed. What pissed me off was that there was nothing to take, so it was all for nothing, and leaving us to spend two days in a pricey hotel to get it fixed. But our insurance company took care of it all, so that was good.
Thank you. I appreciate it. It's her third time, and at age 86, it's not as easy to overcome, but she's a warrior, so I think she will.
Ha! We have a truck canopy with a popup tent and sort of heater. Can't imagine living in it full time though because it's not very comfortable. Since a van isn't in my budget, guess I'm living a conventional life which doesn't suck! I think after being a national park nomad for all of my 20s and then moving around a lot in my 30s and esrly 40s, I started craving community. Friends who dtop by, people I can randomly call and say, hey, let's....but I do admit to a twinge of wistfulness for those footloose times. Nothing is perfect!
LOL! The conventional life for us is being stuck in an apartment in a concrete jungle, but others love that, so I shouldn't judge. 🤷♂️ However, I certainly hear what you are saying because there are days when having a home base (in or near the mountains or at least wilderness) seems very appealing. And I agree that having a community is awesome, though we lived in one place for 14 years and rarely saw friends or family because they were always busy. Or maybe they just didn't like us. 😜
The pop-up tent is nice for a week-long event or two, but not for full-time. While I liked our RTT, it got old, too. It wasn't comfortable, was cold or hot, and sucked in the wind even though it was hardshell. So yeah, nothing is perfect!!
I’ve done numerous nomadic variations throughout my life. Now, I’m working toward (AKA downsizing and putting stuff in storage) a small apartment as Base Camp within 4-24 hours of my desired trails. It’s easier to write, coach and manage gear. You are correct in that the road can be great or frustrating; and often expensive.
It’s great that you’ve been able to experiences so many adventures! I think having a home base with the opportunity to explore amazing places within a days drive is a great way to go.
The challenges are part of the adventure and sometimes fun. In two mpnths we will have spent a year building out our new camper van. It has been difficult at times but so rewarding when everything comes together. I can't wait to be camping in the wilderness again. I mean some of those picture perfect views are real. But someone who wants or thinks ir is like that all the time just doesn't understand traveling.
I agree that the challenges are part of the adventure. Life is not supposed to be easy all the time. That’s what makes us stronger and gives us a deeper appreciation for it all.
In this phase of life I am single, but I would like to do that with the right partner someday. Even for a short period to see how it feels in real. I am happy for you guys!
Thank you, Eva! I hope you find the happiness you are looking for as well. Safe travels.
I like the honesty in this. Van life gets romanticized so much that people mostly show the sunsets and the freedom, but not the parts where things are cramped, plans change, or the day just feels complicated.
We have a camper as well, and I recognize that balance. Some mornings feel incredible. You wake up somewhere beautiful and the whole day is open. Other days it is just logistics, weather, parking, or a dozen small things that do not go smoothly.
That mix is actually what makes the whole thing real. The freedom only feels meaningful because it comes with a bit of friction.
So well said! Some days are definitely amazing and some days just suck. lol!
Thanks, Mat. So I see you understand it all then! 😀 There is a mix to this lifestyle and we have to accept it all. Nothing is perfect, and more often than not, it isn't.
Great post! We are waiting for delivery of our van next month. We were fortunate to be able to invest in a large, fully built out model with a wet bath. We are eager to hit the road but are going into it with eyes wide open. We know there will be struggles and decision fatigue but having your home and belongings with you at all times seems comforting. I never really relax in hotels. I’m sure there is a learning curve but we pledge to remain positive and take the slow road. Safe travels…live free!
Thanks, Brian! Appreciate you being here.
That's exciting news. I wish you many awesome adventures in the new vehicle. What will you be driving, if you don't mind me asking? Everything has a learning curve for sure.
We enjoyed hotels and resorts most of the time because we learned where to stay and how to avoid the shitshows, but when you're around people who don't care about anyone else, the trouble is bound to happen.
We ordered a 2026 Coachmen Beyond 22c model. After months of looking at different brands and layouts, we felt the quality superior to many others plus we liked the Ford Transit chassis best.
That will be awesome! We recently attended an RV show, and after looking at the Class Cs, we wondered why we hadn't considered them more. 🤷♂️
We had originally looked at B+ and C and saw some nice ones. But, we wanted more flexibility out of the gate and more outdoor than indoor living so the B will a a good fit. We may trade up in a few years though. It seems like makers are upgrading features on the regular and, as we age, we may value more space down the road.
I thought the Coachmen Beyond was a Class C! My bad. I like the additional space the Cs offer, but vans are much easier to park and to fit into tighter spaces. If your goal is to be outdoors most of the time, you'll find that most of the features in a camper van you won't need. In fact, some of it is overkill. I like ours because it's basic and simple, requiring less worry about mechanical issues. You gotta share pics of the new van when you get it. 😊
Do you share thoughts or plans? Our family is thinking about a RV trip around Portland to Seattle to the San Juan islands and a national park or 2. Maybe? We have 10 days to 2 weeks. Wife, 2 kids (young adults). Thoughts? So 4 of us.
Hey Chris! We have shared our plans at times, hoping to meet up with others or to host community events.
Donetta planned a big loop of adventures out west for this summer, with the San Juan Islands on our list, though it's now contingent on my mother's cancer treatment happening soon. I'll see what the plan is and give you a sense of the dates, but that would be really cool. Though I wouldn't park anywhere in Seattle. LOL!
Good point about Seattle. Thanks. Sorry about your mom. Sending good and healing vibes.
My love for Seattle was tainted when we parked there for a cruise a couple of years ago in a "safe and secure" lot and came back to find our window smashed. What pissed me off was that there was nothing to take, so it was all for nothing, and leaving us to spend two days in a pricey hotel to get it fixed. But our insurance company took care of it all, so that was good.
Thank you. I appreciate it. It's her third time, and at age 86, it's not as easy to overcome, but she's a warrior, so I think she will.
Ha! We have a truck canopy with a popup tent and sort of heater. Can't imagine living in it full time though because it's not very comfortable. Since a van isn't in my budget, guess I'm living a conventional life which doesn't suck! I think after being a national park nomad for all of my 20s and then moving around a lot in my 30s and esrly 40s, I started craving community. Friends who dtop by, people I can randomly call and say, hey, let's....but I do admit to a twinge of wistfulness for those footloose times. Nothing is perfect!
LOL! The conventional life for us is being stuck in an apartment in a concrete jungle, but others love that, so I shouldn't judge. 🤷♂️ However, I certainly hear what you are saying because there are days when having a home base (in or near the mountains or at least wilderness) seems very appealing. And I agree that having a community is awesome, though we lived in one place for 14 years and rarely saw friends or family because they were always busy. Or maybe they just didn't like us. 😜
The pop-up tent is nice for a week-long event or two, but not for full-time. While I liked our RTT, it got old, too. It wasn't comfortable, was cold or hot, and sucked in the wind even though it was hardshell. So yeah, nothing is perfect!!