Not to be dramatic, but my first-ever taste of Vanlife was absolutely life-changing.
It all started with my best friend’s humble Astro van. It wasn’t anything fancy—rustic, small, and built on a budget. But it had one magical feature: a queen-size memory foam bed that was big enough for the both of us. That alone was enough to kickstart our weekend adventure.
We packed a million snacks, prepped some pasta salad, and grabbed a box of wine. Destination: Moab. The plan? Meet up with friends in the desert and embrace a little full moon magic.
Up until that point, I’d only ever camped in a tent. I thought I knew what camping was all about—but nothing prepared me for how different Vanlife felt.
That weekend was everything and nothing all at once. We howled at the moon, charged our crystals under its glow, and sipped wine around the fire. An epic thunderstorm forced us to cram four girls and three dogs into one small van, and we laughed until our sides hurt. It was messy, spontaneous, and utterly unforgettable.
When I got home, I told my boyfriend (now husband):“I don’t care if we have to spend every dime we have on a pile of junk—we need a van.”
And so, we did it. We bought a cheap old Chevy Express van with a salvage title. At first, it was just a bed in the back, but that was enough to give us a taste of freedom. Over time, we added more comforts—floors, decorations, and a touch of personality.
I don’t know if everyone would feel the same way I do, but for me, Vanlife was transformative. It gave me a kind of freedom I can’t imagine living without. Even if we eventually settle down, I’ll always make sure we have a getaway camper ready to hit the road.
Fast forward:
After we had the Chevy Express Van for a while we decided we needed a van that we could stand up in. Both of our backs were starting to hurt a bit! We upgraded to a sprinter van which we custom built and it almost even felt luxurious. Once we had a baby we decided the time had come for a flushing toilet. We didn't want to loose the vanlife feel, but we needed more space once again.
These days we travel full-time in a 22ft Tioga RV. We had it 4X4 converted and lifted so that we can still go anywhere and do anything, just with a bit more space and creature comfort.
So, how about you? Have you ever tried Vanlife? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories!
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