A Summer of Restoring, Fixing, and Servicing: The Journey Begins
We spent the summer restoring, fixing, and servicing our van, which Linda affectionately called “the Wee Beastie.”
The Wee Beastie was no ordinary van; it was a professionally built 1995 Dodge Ram 3500 converted by Pleasure-Way of Saskatoon into a Class B motorhome. The Wee Beastie was our rolling “tiny home” and steadfast travelling partner. By fall, we were ready to chase rainbows. Plates crashed into the floor. The rear wheel body arches played a disagreeing rhythm, and the suspension required lifting. Our bank balance didn’t look good, but we were having fun.
This is the story of the challenges we faced and the rewards we experienced as we chased our rainbows together.
More to Van Life than Refurbishing
Refurbishing the Wee Beastie wasn’t just about making the van livable; we had to dive deep into the new lifestyle and understand the financial, organizational, and maintenance aspects. Living our dreams and chasing our rainbows required us to understand and accept the changes needed for daily life in a rolling “tiny home.” Simply wanting peace, relaxation, and financial independence wasn’t enough; we had to plan meticulously.
The First Paycheck
As a technical procedure writer in my old 9-5 working life, I negotiated a deal with my old employer to work remotely for about ten hours per week, doing the same type of work I had been doing for years, working for an industry that valued my knowledge and ability. That evening, as we reflected on the challenges of van life, I checked my email. And there it was, my first notification of a bank transfer—my first payment for remote technical writing work. As a freelance writer, I now write technical and travel documents and articles regularly.
Living Our Dream
Linda and I had always dreamed of exploring the hidden gems of the Baja, Mexico, and the beach campground at Playa Norte RV Park in Los Barriles, Baja California Sur, kept coming up in our conversations.
Tres Barriles
After months of planning, we finally embarked on our journey in our rolling “tiny home,” arriving at the sandy campsite above the serene beach. The Sea of Cortes looked stunning from the rear window of our van. We started our day with coffee and burritos for breakfast at a quaint local restaurant with a breathtaking view. We enjoyed watching the cattle meander to and from their pastures each day, moving leisurely and unsupervised in a peaceful routine that reflected the laid-back charm of Tres Barriles.
Budgeting and Planning: Overcoming Challenges
Van life requires meticulous budgeting.
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- Set a Realistic Budget: Factor in your van’s purchase, initial outfitting costs, and monthly expenses, including customizations and repairs—plan for monthly payments like fuel, maintenance, insurance, groceries, and campground fees.
- Track Spending: Use an app or spreadsheet to monitor your spending and adjust as needed.
- Plan for Emergencies: Keep an emergency fund for unexpected repairs or medical expenses.
- Maximize Savings: Using free or low-cost campsites, investing in solar panels, and preparing meals in advance.
- Earn on the Road: Look for remote work and side gigs that allow you to earn while travelling.
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These strategies lead to the benefits of better financial control, reduced stress, and the freedom to enjoy a fulfilling and adventurous van life.
Stay Connected and Manage Work, Reliable Internet Access is Crucial
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- Mobile Hotspots: Coffee shops and fast-food restaurants often provide reliable internet but aren’t always convenient.
- AT&T: Offers strong coverage across the U.S., with reliable service in rural areas. Their plans include ample hotspot data, ideal for those needing internet on the go. I use an AT&T plan with unlimited data and calling within the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
- T-Mobile: Known for competitive pricing and high-speed data, including an expansive 5G network. Their plans include hotspot data and international roaming options.
- Starlink: This service provides satellite internet, which is great for remote areas with limited cellular coverage. An increasing number of RVers and van lifers are using this service, making it a good option for those travelling to off-the-grid locations.
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Having reliable internet lets us stay mentally active on social networks, blogs, and forums. Being connected offers ongoing education and opportunities to land remote writing, sales, and marketing work.
The Tropic of Cancer: A Unique Experience
Just 30 minutes south of Tres Barriles, a globe and a red-tiled line in the middle of the desert mark the Tropic of Cancer. It is located on the road to Cabo San Lucas. The Mexican village that has grown up at this spot includes a few homes, a police station, a gift store, a church, and, of course, the globe, which shows where in this world you are standing. The rad tiles mark the Tropic of Cancer.
Driving over the line in the middle of the desert was an unexpected achievement. I had always associated the Tropic of Cancer with the oceans. This invisible line marks the most northern point where the sun can appear directly overhead at noon, approximately 23.5 degrees north of the equator.
It was Fascinating to Drive Across this Invisible Line
Space Management and Minimalism
Living in a limited area with two people and two small dogs required multifunctional living space and furniture, along with a high tolerance for each other’s quirks:
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- Decluttering: Reduced clutter created an organized, stress-free environment. This minimalist approach helped us prioritize and enjoy a simpler, more intentional lifestyle.
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We packaged and froze meals for two. Chilli, curries, and cooked rice and pasta packages could be prepared before the journey started and reheated from frozen in a microwave oven at the end of a long driving day. These easy-to-prepare meals are paired well with a glass of wine after a stressful driving day.
Creative Food Planning and Preparation
Limited kitchen space demanded creative food planning, bulk purchasing, and intelligent food storage:
Preparation: Discuss tasks before getting in each other’s way. Note: vegetables, uncooked meat, or eggs shouldn’t cross the U.S.A. border. Check current U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidelines. Friends reported stricter border checks as 2024 ended.
Adapting to Weather Conditions
Living in a van required foresight and preparation to adapt to different weather conditions:
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- Invest in Insulation: Portable heaters/fans and reliable ventilation helped regulate temperature. Plan travel routes according to weather and pack four-season clothing.
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Mechanical Breakdowns
Dealing with mechanical breakdowns is a part of van life.
Regular Maintenance: We kept the toolkit convenient and had vehicle breakdown service on speed dial. Those two factors helped minimize breakdowns and reduce stress when breakdowns do occur.
Enchanting Days on the Beach
Bat Rays, a Daily Aquatic Ballet. Our favourite morning ritual was watching the bat rays as they leaped out of the water, an aquatic ballet.
The beach is a windsurfer’s paradise because of the wind and water conditions. Vendors sell colourful straw hats and blankets along the shore, adding a vibrant touch to the scenery. The blue waters of the Sea of Cortes were dotted with windsurfers, their sails creating a dazzling display of colours against the clear sky. Windsurfing lessons are available.
Enchanting Evenings: We often ventured into town, joining fellow van campers for dinner. The sense of community is strong, and the shared meals were filled with laughter and stories from the road. Afterward, we returned to the beach, gathering around a fire while sipping drinks under the starry sky. The crackling fire and the rhythmic sound of the waves created an atmosphere of pure contentment.
The Stealth Camping Dilemma
There is a fine line between boondocking for free, where camping is allowed, and stealth camping, somewhere not meant for overnight stays. This could be on a city street in a residential neighbourhood, a business parking lot, or a beach. Local by-laws must be respected.
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- Solution: Don’t do it if you cannot ask for permission. Stealth camping can generally give van life people and RVers a bad name. While an RV is visibly a camper equipped for sleeping, a van could be just parked. Be respectful of by-laws and property. Parking tickets can be handed out for infringing on obscure by-laws, often at 3 a.m. when police hammer on your door, hand out a ticket and ask you to move on immediately.
- Check out the website “Boondockers Welcome.”
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Meeting Santa on the Road
Not all vans are small. We met Bruce working from his van. It was January, and his busy season was over, but he still lived and dressed the part. He handed out candy canes and Ho, Ho, Ho’s at every opportunity. He thrilled our grandchildren by making a video call on Linda’s phone. After the call, our grandchildren excitedly told their parents, “Santa was on holiday in Mexico with Nanna, and he knew our names!”
Managing Work and Exploration
Balancing work and exploring was a challenge:
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- Solution: Develop a structured work schedule and prioritize tasks. Seek remote work in areas such as writing, sales, and marketing. Find side gigs that allow you to earn while travelling.
- Rewards: Staying organized and focused maximizes adventures without compromising work commitments.
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An Inspiring Story from The Road
My Encounter with Fresh Breath in the Rio Grande Valley
Josh and Katie Pascoe perform as Fresh Breath, a husband-and-wife rock duo from Southern Ontario, Canada, at a campground in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. They play hits from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. We met Josh and Katie at Bentson Grove RV Resort in Palm View, Texas. They provided evening entertainment at the pool bar patio, playing for tips under the palm trees while campers sat on chairs or lounged in the warm pool singing along.
In their early 30s, Josh and Katie travelled the North American continent in a cargo van adapted into a rolling tiny home. Their adventurous spirit and dedication to their craft were inspiring. They lived by the title of one of their songs, “Live in the Moment Before It’s Gone.”
Conclusion
For Linda and me, Tres Barriles was more than just a destination; we found a deep connection to nature and a sense of belonging within the van life community. Each moment, from the early morning burritos to the nightly fires on the beach, was a cherished memory of our adventure.
Reflecting on the transformative nature of van life, embracing smart budgeting and financial planning offers numerous benefits for a relaxing and contented life.
Set a realistic budget for your van’s purchase, outfitting costs, and monthly expenses. Track spending with an app or spreadsheet to stay on budget and adjust as needed. Plan for emergencies and keep an emergency fund for unexpected repairs or medical expenses. Maximize savings by using free or low-cost campsites, investing in solar panels, and preparing meals in advance.
These strategies lead to better financial control, reduced stress, and the freedom to enjoy a fulfilling and adventurous van life.
Contacts for low to medium-cost campgrounds
Harvest Host, Boondockers’ Welcome, Passport America. KOA.
Campgrounds are not low cost, but they are always convenient.
The van lifestyle offers financial independence and will fulfill your wanderlust. Embrace your journey and explore your endless possibilities on the open road.