They dropped everything to hit the open road and joined the growing #vanlife trend. But behind the images of picturesque landscapes and tiny homes, here's what life is really like ...
Category
🏖
TravelTranscript
00:00Hi, I'm Maddie, and this is Daisy, and this is our home.
00:03What's up? My name's Danielle, and I live in this retired ambulance.
00:17We wake up somewhere. Most of the time, it's a beautiful, dispersed camping spot.
00:21We get ready for our day, do a quick workout, and make some coffee before hitting the road.
00:30We get ready for our day, do a quick workout, and make some coffee before hitting the road.
00:50After saving up for six months, my van finally arrived.
00:54As soon as we got inside, we started cleaning right away.
00:57I didn't like cigarette smoke in the 80s, so I just started vacuuming everything.
01:01So far, I've installed a solar electrical system, insulated my entire van,
01:05added a floor and ceiling, installed lights, added a kitchen,
01:09and just recently, I built and secured my upper cabinets.
01:12So I have a bench here, and it's broken up into three sections.
01:15It is my closet, my shower, and my pantry.
01:18I also built this little stool here so I can use this as counter space,
01:21but it also contains my toilet.
01:27I just love change so much, and it makes me really anxious to stay in one location for too long.
01:34I just love change so much, and it makes me really anxious to stay in one location for too long.
01:40And so it was better for my mental health to go with van life, bus life.
01:45The ultimate pro is that no matter where you are, you're always home.
01:48And I literally have never been happier in my life.
01:57♪♪♪
02:24We've all seen those perfect picture vans with their perfectly made beds but
02:27it's actually a lot messier. This is the reality of living inside of a van and
02:32things just kind of get put everywhere. I'm sleeping behind this random baseball
02:37field tonight because I can't find anywhere else to sleep. Living in a small
02:40space means we literally bump into each other all the time and the lack of
02:44personal space it's definitely been an issue at times. You're gonna need a lot
02:51of this stuff. One time during one of my trips I drove 200 miles north just so I
02:57could open my doors without flies constantly coming in and bothering me.
03:05Being a solo female traveler safety is my top priority so here are a few things
03:09that I do to ensure my safety while on the road. Number one I never share my
03:13location on social media until I've left. Last night someone came knocking on my
03:17bus door at like 12 o 3 p.m. and it scared the absolute out of me. Second I
03:24have a large dog whether I'm out hiking or relaxing by the van Daisy is an added
03:28layer of protection. This is my what I need to say to like any other van lifers
03:32or any people traveling alone do not ever get comfortable where you're
03:37camping. And lastly I always follow my gut if I park somewhere and I get a gut
03:41feeling that I'm uncomfortable or that it might not be safe I leave.
03:48Here's how I make money while living life on the road. Number one I get a job
03:54in an area or a city I like so right now I have a job at a coffee shop in the
03:58town that I really like in the PNW and I plan to stay here for a long time.
04:02Right now I am stationary I have a job I'll save up that money and then in a
04:05few months I'll continue traveling. You can either shower inside and keep this
04:09closed or enjoy the great outdoors and shower with it open. My go-to is always
04:13Planet Fitness because not only can I get a workout in but I can also get a
04:16shower. This is my solar heated camping shower to use it I simply fill it up I
04:22usually do one or two gallons but it can hold up to five. In this lifestyle we
04:26sacrifice comfort for adventure but to us it's worth it.