Van Life

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Travel Happy
I’m not an RV salesman by any stretch of the imagination, nor am I a camper van salesman. But I am a “salesman” for the great outdoors and the rewards that freedom to travel this great country bring us. So I guess that could classify me as an ambassador for the camper van and RV Lifestyle.

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My RAM Promaster High Top

I’ve learned a great deal while traveling throughout America; this great nation we call home. Most of this traveling has been in the 2 camper vans I’ve owned during these travels. I enjoy sharing my adventures when I write my blog. Some of what I’ve learned is quite basic while other things are more complex. But all in all, I continue to learn. I still don’t have all the answers, but I try to answer my reader’s questions about van life and travel as timely and accurately as I can.

Allow me to digress a moment.

I’ve always loved being outdoors and camping at every opportunity. When I was just a youngster growing up on our farm, I used to sleep in a tent in our yard and pretend to be in some far away backwoods camping alone. After school, I joined the military and while in basic training. I was one of the few who loved the long marches and sleeping in tents. To me it was just another big adventure. After the military, I began raising my family and always looked forward to taking my wife and kids camping. We started in tents and moved to pop-up campers and then to travel trailers.

Life got busy and kids went off to school and I got away from camping, but the great outdoors and camping never left my mind.

Fast forward to retirement.

When I retired, I purchased a motor home. It seemed practical at the time, after all, I’m getting older and the thought of sleeping on the cold, hard and sometimes wet ground in a tent was not too appealing. The excitement of the motor home lasted about 6 months. I’m primarily a solo traveler and after a few months and several trips, I realized that the motor home was just too big and too expensive to drive around the country. I found myself staying overnight in RV Parks and this was just not camping to me.

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I felt the need to get something smaller and more practical, yet not wanting to go back to a tent and I didn’t want to tow a travel trailer around. I did a ton of research on YouTube over the course of a few months and found hundreds of videos about van dwellers and van living. I knew that some folks lived and traveled in vans but had no idea the size of this movement until my research.I decided on the small Dodge RAM Promaster City.

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My RAM Promaster City

I found a company in Colorado Springs, CO that specialized in building camping kits for this vehicle and it’s big brother; the RAM Promaster High Top van. I bought the Promaster City and found it to be a wonderful little van that got me about 27 mpg on the road as opposed to 9 in my motor home. I headed out for Colorado Springs and had the company install the camping kit. A few hours later I was in the Rocky Mountains, putting that van through a trial run. I absolutely loved it. Great driving van, great camping kit and loved camping out of it.

Fast forward a year.

After a year of camping all over this country, I was beginning to feel just a bit cramped in the RAM Promaster City. I was unable to stand erect and had to cook outdoors, otherwise I loved it. I began to think of the larger RAM Promaster High Top van. I found an eager buyer for my Promaster City van and purchased a new RAM Promaster cargo van. Instead of driving to Colorado and having a kit installed in my RAM cargo van, I decided to build it out myself.

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My son, my son-in-law and I got to work and built out my van to a very comfortable van to travel and live in. It’s like a tiny home on wheels. In addition to fully insulating the van, we installed new flooring, walls and ceiling and a very comfortable bed. Installed a MaxxAir Fan and an AGM, Deep Cycle House Battery and a 1000 watt inverter for all my electrical needs when off grid. I bought a portable solar kit to charge my house battery when I’m off grid. I also bought a Dometic refrigerator that pulls very few amps and a porta-potti.I installed a cabinet with a sink and faucet and have a water supply from a 6 gallon tank installed under my sink. I also have another 6 gallon tank for catching grey water from the sink. I found a great little portable shower on Amazon that is fantastic.

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My portable shower

It has it’s own battery and can be charged by my house battery. When boondocking for several days, I fill a 5 gallon bucket with water and my portable shower fits inside the bucket and I hang the shower head over an open door or tree branch or whatever and turn it on for a nice shower. When the weather is inclement I can cook inside. I can stand erect and move about as there is plenty of room. I have finally found the perfect vehicle for my van life.

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Since buying my RAM Promaster Van, I have been out on 2 small, 3-4 day and night trips and the van performed flawlessly. I am now preparing for a lengthy trip from my home in Georgia to the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona where I will camp for free on BLM Land for the winter. I was there the past 2 winters in my smaller van and met a lot of snow birds from the frozen north enjoying themselves in the warm Arizona sunshine.They travel there in all types of vehicles, from cars and trucks to minivans to the larger vans to big motor homes.

I’m loving my freedom as I travel and enjoy life!

“If you liked this article, please follow me. I’ll be bringing you more good quality content in the weeks to come.”

Until next time…

Posted in Blog, Boondocking, Camping, Camping off grid, Freedom, Fund Your Travels, Tent Camping, Traveling, Van Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Van Life

Boondocking 101

Posted on October 26, 2019 by Travel Happy
When I last wrote about boondocking, I received some interesting comments along with some questions. Based on what I received, there appears to be a couple of misconceptions that I hope to clarify here.

I think one misconception in the RV** arena is that if one does not have a minimum of 600 amp hours lithium ion batteries and 600 watts of solar panels on the roof of their RV, they would be afraid to go off-grid to boondock.

** When I speak of RV in this post, I’m referring primarily to motor homes of the Class A, Class B and Class C variety. Camper vans are cargo vans converted to campers.

After watching far too many YouTube videos of how people rig their RV’s and camper vans with the latest and greatest technology, I’m surprised that these folks go off-grid to boondock at all. Most of these people would be better off staying at home or certainly go no further than the closest RV Resort with all the amenities of home. The latest and greatest technology has its place, but what I’ve been seeing is certainly not needed for short trips into the boonies.

Installing solar and lithium batteries to boondock is not necessary and can be quite costly.

Some people get by quite nicely with a Goal Zero that can be charged as you drive, thereby eliminating the need for any solar. When boondocking, campers will rarely stay in one place very long and will drive to another location. During that drive, their Goal Zero can be charged from their RV or van’s battery.

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I personally have a RAM Promaster High-top van that I have converted to a camper van. It’s very comfortable and practically all my camping is spent boondocking. Instead of a Goal Zero, I opted for a portable solar panel and a 100 amp hour, AGM Deep Cycle (house) Battery and a 1000 watt inverter. When I’m driving, my van’s battery will charge my house battery. When I’m boondocking and find that I stay in one place for several days and my house battery needs charging, all I have to do is set out my portable solar panels and charge my house battery.

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I have been off grid for as long as 4 days without charging my house battery. The only thing I use my house battery for is to run my Dometic Refrigerator, my MaxxAir Fan and for charging my laptop and other electronic devices. I have puck lights inside my van for my lighting needs. These puck lights can be bought at Walmart or Amazon, 4 or 6 to a pack for about $25.00. They are remote controlled and are powered by AAA batteries, therefore, no extra pull from my house battery for my lighting needs. These puck lights produce a good amount of light, even for reading. Luci lights are another great option for lighting without draining your house battery. They can be purchased from Amazon or Walmart and are solar powered. You simply place these Luci lights on your dash when driving or parked to be recharged by the sun.

So, boondocking is basically free. Before spending a ton of money to buy and install the latest and greatest technology in order to go boondocking, I’d certainly recommend any boondocking wanna be, try a few inexpensive ways to get out and enjoy this great country before spending needlessly.

Another misconception is traditional RV parks or campgrounds.

Have you ever considered the cost associated with staying at an RV park?

You can stay at a good motel for what some of the parks and camp grounds cost today and depending on the time of year you want to book a stay at an RV park, you could find the park is booked solid and if available can cost an arm and a leg. This can add up fast especially if you’re like a lot of folks out for several weeks or even months to see the country and taking in all the State and National Parks.

Let’s say you’re out on the road 3 months or so at an average of only $45.00 per night. You can do the math. That adds up fast. You can see why boondocking is so popular.

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When I get questions from readers about their concerns with boondocking, it seems the most questions are things like – how can I protect my battery(s) and insure I get the most use from them? How much water should I carry? Where are the safest places to boondock? What about toilet facilities and showering? And the list goes on.

You can find answers to these questions and more in my previous blog posts.

“If you liked this article, please follow me. I’ll be bringing you more good quality content in the weeks to come.”

Until next time…

Posted in Blog, Boondocking, Camping, Camping off grid, Freedom, Tent Camping, Traveling, Van Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Boondocking 101

Camper Vans vs RV’s

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Travel Happy
If you enjoy exploring the great outdoors but want some of your creature comforts from home, you might want to consider a camper van or an RV; (recreational vehicle). A camper van can offer an economical and dependable way to reach your destination while still being comfortable.

Camper vans today are not your typical soccer mom vans. Camper vans have come a long way since the flower children began dotting the cities and country sides in their brightly colored Volkswagen buses in the 1960’s.
When the term “camper van” is used, most people think of a Class B RV.

Wikipedia describes the 3 classes of RV’s as follows:

Class A (also known as Integrated)
A Class A motorhome often has a reputation for being the most luxurious and expensive of vehicles. It has a solid body with the driving area integrated into the standard living accommodation. This style of motorhome will have a large and expansive front window which offers a good view of the road and surrounding landscape. Berths convert from lounge or dinette areas.

Class B (also known as Semi-integrated)
A Class B motorhome is also referred to as a low profile or semi-integrated motorhome. It is built in the same way as a Class C motorhome, except no berths are provided over the cab area. As a result, the overall height of this motorhome is lower than a Class C. There is usually a fixed double bed in rear of the vehicle.

Class C (also known as Alcove)
A Class C motorhome may also be known as coach built. It has a trailer or caravan-style body which is mounted onto a van or truck chassis. There is usually a double berth over the driving cab.

Class B’s are self-contained and offer all of the comforts of a larger RV without all the hassles. Driving, parking and fuel savings are the three major advantages over a larger RV. Class B vehicles, or camper vans can be easily parked at your home, apartment or office.

Class B RV’s can be very expensive, in fact most cost more than the larger Class C and some can cost as much as the big guys; the Class A. Most new Class B RV’s today will begin in the high $70,000 range to approaching $200,000 depending on the brand and amenities. That’s a lot of money. The Class B will have basically the same amenities as the larger classes, but on a much smaller scale.

Perhaps this high cost is what’s causing the explosion of cargo van conversions today.

Basic cargo vans are selling like hot cakes today. In addition to contractors and other commercial businesses, but to the civilian population as well. The average person today who wants the freedom to travel in an RV, but can’t afford the high prices, is the person who is buying a cargo van and converting it into a camper van himself. Anyone, male or female with some basic skills can convert a cargo van into a camper van with all the amenities including an interior toilet and shower in a few weeks time. The savings can be great. For example, this picture below is my van.

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My RAM Promaster High-Top before window installed in slider door.


After window was installed

This is a brand new 2019 RAM Promaster high-top cargo van that I purchased for just under $30,000.00. It has all I need including a back-up camera, cruise-control, power windows and mirrors, etc, etc. Following is a list of items I used to build out my van:

Sub floor, insulation then flooring
Insulation in sides and ceiling
Luan wood paneling
Cabinet with sink, faucet, drawers and space in bottom for my water system
Bed with 8″ memory foam mattress
MaxxAir Fan
Portable Solar Panels to keep house battery charged when off-grid
AGM Deep Cycle house battery to power all my electric needs when off-grid
Dometic refrigerator
Power Inverter
Portable shower
Portable (combination) Butane/Propane stove
Porta-potti
Window in side slider door

Cost for all the above items was right at $4200.00.
Since a couple of family members and I did the build out, there was no labor cost

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Plenty of storage under the bed for all my needs

You can see I now have a new and very comfortable conversion van for $34,100.00.

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When you compare that to the lowest priced new Class B RV (built on the same RAM Promaster Chassis as mine), I’ve saved almost $40,000.00. Perhaps this helps explain why there are so many cargo van conversions on the road today.

I have no parking issues. I can park my van in any space a typical car will fit in. The only restriction I have is underground parking garages due to its height.

“If you liked this article, please follow me. I’ll be bringing you more good quality content in the weeks to come.”

Until next time…

Posted in Blog, Boondocking, Camping, Camping off grid, Freedom, Traveling, Uncategorized, Van Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Camper Vans vs RV’s

Boondocking – Is It For You?

Posted on October 12, 2019 by Travel Happy
What is boondocking or boondock camping? If you are new to camping, you may ask this same question.

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Typical boondocking road through a forest

Boondocking is essentially camping without hookups. You may also hear it referred to as ‘dry camping’. Often, dry camping means staying in a campground without hookups, whereas, boondocking typically means staying in a completely undeveloped area. You may also hear people talk about ‘dispersed camping’, which is the official term often used by government agencies.

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BLM Desert Land

There are boondocking areas all across this great land, but the ones that most people are familiar with are on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land in the western part of the country. Arizona has millions of acres of BLM land in the Sonoran Desert in the south and the forest in the northern part of the state.

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Looking for a place to boondock

Other states out west also have thousands upon thousands of acres of BLM land and most of it is free for our use, but there are some restrictions. If you’re considering boondocking on BLM land, you might want to read up on the land and restrictions, etc. You can find the BLM website at: www.BLM.gov.

If camping in this manner appeals to you, then boondock camping could indeed be for you, however, you must prepare yourself before embarking on such a camping trip. Again, keep in mind, there are no facilities; no water hookups, no electric hookups, no sewer hookups and no toilets.

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Boondocking in a converted van

So how does one with no prior boondocking experience, prepare for such an adventure? Most of the people I meet when I’m out boondocking, are in camper vans, small rv’s and the like. I have met some folks in larger rv’s but they are limited as to how far they can go into the desert or forests. I’ve met some in tents, but most of them were of the hardy backpacking types.

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Backpacking into the wilds

Converted vans or small rv’s seem to be the vehicle of choice for boondocking as these type vehicles can better traverse the desert and mountainous terrain where the large class C and Class A rv’s will have a difficult time in most places off-grid. A converted van can carry needed water, food, a porta-potti, perhaps a small generator and other needed essentials for boondocking.

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Converted van for boondocking

I have a van that I converted and in addition to the aforementioned items, I also have portable solar panels and a deep cycle, AGM house battery for storing electricity. I also have an inverter. With this setup I have ample electricity to power my lights, my refrigerator and charge all batteries for my phone, camera and my laptop.

Since I am a solo traveler, boondock camping is perfect for me. I don’t have to worry about camping preferences if I had another person with me. I have a choice to live in the great outdoors in nature’s beauty at its finest or in downtown parking lots or even residential areas because of the stealth look of my van. I can access most desert areas as well as forest roads and park up close and personal with Mother Nature anytime I choose to. From the forests of the north to the deserts of the south, North America is mine to discover.

“If you liked this article, please follow me. I’ll be bringing you more good quality content in the weeks to come.”

Until next time…

Posted in Blog, Boondocking, Camping, Camping off grid, Freedom, Tent Camping, Traveling, Van Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Boondocking – Is It For You?

My America

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Travel Happy
If you truly want to see this beautiful country we call America, just go do it. America is such a grand country and there’s something for everyone and every age to enjoy here. The best way to really enjoy all America has to show off is by your personal vehicle.

For some, when they think of the northeast, visions of light houses along the rugged coast lines may appear.

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Lighthouse on the Coast Line of New England

For others it may be the harvesting of maple syrup in Vermont.

The southeast has its southern charm. Live oaks with an abundance of moss hanging down is just one of many .

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A canopy of mighty oaks lining a walkway in Savannah, GA

Or perhaps one sees themselves standing at the southernmost tip of Key West looking off toward Cuba.

Then there’s the mid west. Think St. Louis, the gateway to the west.

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The Gateway Arch in St. Louis

Others may conjure up visions of Huck Finn floating lazily down the Mississippi River on his raft with a cane fishing pole in his hands.

It’s hard to not think of Mount Rainier when we think of the great northwest. But that’s only a small part of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

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Mount Rainier

Also there is Yellowstone National Park, our first National Park.

The southwest offers so many wonderful places to visit. The four-corners, Sedona and the Grand Canyon in Arizona and so many beautiful parks in southern Utah.

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Red Rocks in Sedona, AZ

My America is truly a land for all to see and do.

“If you liked this article, please follow me. I’ll be bringing you more good quality content in the weeks to come.”

Until next time…

Posted in Blog, Boondocking, Camping, Camping off grid, Freedom, Tent Camping, Traveling, Van Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on My America

Fall Camping

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Travel Happy

Now that summer is winding down, you may be thinking of getting out and enjoying the coolness of the onset of fall and the beautiful fall colors with the changing of the leaves in the mountains.

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Beautiful colors as the leaves are beginning to change along the Blue Ridge

Well, think no more, just get out there and take in all the beauty of the colors that await you.

There are also plenty of other fun time activities in the fall as well. Think camping, fishing, football and tailgating. Personally I love camping in the fall. I camp year round, but fall is special with its brisk mornings and cool days.

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Nothing like the wonderful smell of brewing coffee and bacon and eggs wafting up from a campfire.

Like anything else, preparation is key. Even though summer has just ended, fall weather can be unpredictable, especially in the mountains. It can get quite warm during the day, but once the sun sets, it can become very chilly or downright cold. Therefore, make sure you’re prepared by bringing appropriate clothing and bedding with you. Make sure your sleeping bag is adequate for the location you choose.

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Keep in mind too, that in the fall and depending on where you are, the time may have already changed and you don’t want to get caught beginning your evening meal as the sun catches you off guard and sets before you can get your camp site cleaned up before the sun sets.

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If you’re a seasoned camper, you already know that safety is a concern in the mountains as there are wildlife to consider. You want to be very careful about leaving food or food scraps out which could attract bears or other critters looking for a free meal. I was camping in the Smoky Mountains recently and rangers had posted quite a few signs around in the camping area where I was camped, warning of bear activity in the area and to take precautions.

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Black bear in the mountains

I didn’t happen to spot any bears, but while out on short hikes, I did see fresh signs of where bears had been. It’s a good idea to keep food in sealed containers and stored away and make sure to dispose of all garbage in a proper manner.

If you have your family with you, it’s a wonderful time to get your kids involved in leaf collecting and identifying the various types. It can be a very educational experience for them and you. Just another way to make your camping trip more enjoyable.

“If you liked this article, please follow me. I’ll be bringing you more good quality content in the weeks to come.”

Until next time…

Posted in Blog, Boondocking, Camping, Camping off grid, Freedom, Tent Camping, Traveling, Van Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fall Camping

Life in a Conversion Van – Part 2

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Travel Happy
So now that I’ve finished the build out of my van, it was time for a “shake-down run”, or “shake-down cruise” as my Navy friends would say. It’s a new van, so no worries with its mechanical condition, but I wanted to get a feel for how it drives with all the extra weight I’ve added and check for any squeaking, rattling or any leaks with my water system and roof fan install.

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I drove from my home in Georgia up to Johnson City, Tennessee to visit my son and his family and it performed as expected – no problems whatsoever on that 300 miles plus round trip.

Let the adventures continue… where to go and what do do?

I spent the better part of last winter in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona along with approximately one million snow birds from the frozen north. The desert is so vast that one would hardly know that during the winter months, the desert becomes a temporary home to that many people.

Source: The city of Quartzsite, Arizona.

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Sun setting over campers/snowbirds in the Sonoran Desert

Arizona has 12.2 million acres of BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Land that is open to the public.
Source: BLM Land Management.

Just a few miles from Yuma, Arizona lies Los Algodones, Mexico. I had researched a lot about Los Algodones which is known for its numerous vision and dental centers and inexpensive meds. I decided to pay a visit. On an average day, it’s estimated that several hundred people cross the border into Los Algodones from the USA and Canada to take advantage of the excellent dental and vision care and Rx Meds. While there, I had my teeth cleaned for only $25.00. The doctor that cleaned my teeth went to school in the USA and was very professional and her office was immaculate.

I’m seriously considering going there again this winter. My plan is to drive up to Illinois and pick up Route 66 and follow it across to Arizona.

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One of the many sights on historic Route 66

You would be hard pressed to find a better vehicle for road trips than a conversion van. You travel in comfort with everything you need, whether it’s food, drink or a place to take a quick nap or camp and sleep in for weeks at a time.

Another great use for a converted van is for tailgating. Football season is here and tailgating is traditionally a part of that. So, just throw your portable grill along with some extra camping chairs and blankets into your van and call your friends to join you at the game.

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Tailgating at the football game

Not only that but if you or your friends have kids and they play little league games, etc,

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Little League game

how cool would it be to show up at the games in your converted van decorated in their team colors?

And then there’s fishing. Just about everyone loves fishing. Personally, I love trout fishing in the mountains during the fall season. It’s activities like this that cause me to get out and enjoy this wonderful country in a converted van. This past spring (before I got my present van), I drove my small van up into the Great Smoky Mountains and parked on the banks of a river. I was camped on dispersed land, which is free camping and had the river and all those trout to myself.

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A great day for fishing

What a wonderful time.

And finally there’s camping. We all need a break from our daily routines now and then and what better way to escape the cubicle, cell phone, computer, and daily grind of bumper to bumper traffic than going camping. Camping is an excellent way to get that much-needed breath of fresh air and relax with family or friends. Pitching a tent can be a chore, and sleeping on the ground quickly loses its appeal especially if it rains or snows. If you own a conversion van you don’t have these worries as you have a dry, cozy bed in your van.

“If you liked this article, please follow me. I’ll be bringing you more good quality content in the weeks to come.”

Until next time…

Posted in Blog, Boondocking, Camping, Camping off grid, Freedom, Fund Your Travels, Tent Camping, Traveling, Van Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Life in a Conversion Van – Part 2

Life in a Conversion Van – Part 1

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Travel Happy
A family sedan is for the most part, a reliable way to get around, but when it comes to vacations or just long road trips, it’s not the most comfortable for traveling. Of course renting an RV is an option, but consider the expense and the size of such a large vehicle and the fact that it’s not the easiest to drive and park.

So what to do?

How about considering a conversion van? A conversion van is much less expensive in cost and to operate than a large RV. It’s as easy to drive as an SUV or Minivan. It can also be used as a daily driver and can be parked in a regular parking space. I personally opted for a RAM Promaster High-Top Cargo Van.

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RAM Promaster High-Top

The RAM Promaster is quite spacious and the high-top provides even more space and affords one the ability to stand and walk around erect. The passenger side of the van has a very wide sliding door that affords one a comfortable way in which to enter or exit the van.

But best of all in my opinion is the van is affordable for the average family. Once converted, it’s practical enough to run local errands and can be your “entertainment on wheels.”It can be great for family camping, tailgating, etc.

You can build out the conversion yourself or have someone do it for you. I bought the basic cargo van and converted it myself in a matter of 5-6 weeks, working only part time on it. It doesn’t have to be all that elaborate to be comfortable and functional. I insulated the floor and wheel wells quite well so as to keep road noise to a minimum.

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Floor in and Insulation next

I also insulated the walls and ceiling. This not only keeps the noise down, but will keep it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

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Insulation in walls and paneling started

I installed a cabinet and a sink. Water is provided by a 6 gallon water container that sits in the cabinet and I installed a manual water pump.

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The used water will then drain into another (gray) water container also stored in the cabinet. A simple set-up but that’s all I wanted or will need as most of my camping is solo in off-grid, boondocking areas. I also built a bed and attached it to the van’s frame, so it’s very sturdy.

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Bed frame installed

Underneath the bed is a large enough storage area for anything I would ever need to carry including a bicycle.

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View of bed from rear and garage area (storage under bed)

I have solar panels and a sealed AGM (house) Battery that provides enough (free) energy to power my refrigerator, MaxxAir Fan, power inverter and lighting when off-grid which accounts for approximately 95% of my camping.

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House battery box with plug-ins

My total cost for material to convert the van was less than $2500.00. Since I did the conversion myself, I had no labor costs. This was a very inexpensive build out. Of course this amount does not include the MaxxAir Fan, refrigerator, solar panels or house battery.

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Interior almost finished

I might also mention that this is not my first conversion van. In the mid 1970’s, I bought a Dodge cargo van and converted it, well before converting vans was a popular thing to do.

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Ready to hit the road

If you liked this article, please follow me. I’ll be bringing you more good quality content in the weeks to come.”

Stay tuned for part 2 coming soon.

Posted in Blog, Boondocking, Camping, Camping off grid, Freedom, Tent Camping, Traveling, Van Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Life in a Conversion Van – Part 1

So you Want to be A Digital Nomad

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Travel Happy
We’re hearing more and more the “buzz word” Digital Nomad. It’s the name adopted by nomads who have longed for freedom from their cubicles by escaping the life of the worker bee to become a digital nomad and travel as they please while earning a living at the same time.

So what is a Digital Nomad?

While there is no explicit definition of digital nomad, they all generally share two main qualities. You can categorize these qualities by splitting up the term.

[Digital] They have location-independent jobs. They earn most or all of their income online, so they’re not tied to a specific location in order to work.

[Nomad] Because they don’t have to stay in any single place, many are constantly on-the-move – to anywhere with a wifi connection and a place to plug in their laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

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People hear the word digital and assume it refers to software developer, travel blogger, etc. However, a digital nomad does not have to be able to develop software nor be a travel blogger. A digital nomad works from their laptop anywhere in the world where they can get a wifi signal.

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A Digital Nomad working remotely

Digital nomads can be writers, consultants, salespeople, marketers, managers, teachers, analysts and the list goes on.

The best way to become a digital nomad and earn a remote income is to leverage your existing skills. We all have a set of skills we can use. Some of us just have to be a little more creative in our thought process as to how to convert those skills so as to be able to use them differently.

Let’s suppose you’re an automobile mechanic and want to get out of the sticks and bricks garage and travel.

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Take your mechanical skills on the road

You could get yourself a van and load it with needed tools and travel.

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Craigslist is an excellent way to find work all over North America. There’s a need for mobile mechanics that go to customer’s homes or places or work and repair their vehicles. Time is important to these people and they gladly pay for these type services.

Good luck as you think about the freedom to travel the world as a Digital Nomad!

“If you liked this article, please follow me. I’ll be bringing you more good quality content in the weeks to come.”

Until next time…

Posted in Blog, Boondocking, Camping, Camping off grid, Ecuador, Fund Your Travels, Traveling, Van Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on So you Want to be A Digital Nomad

Freedom and Portability

Posted on August 24, 2019 by Travel Happy
As a part-time nomadic van dweller, probably the 2 words heard most often from fellow van dwellers is, “Freedom and Portability.”

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Freedom to spread one’s wings and soar like the mighty eagle

Why these 2 words? Because of the questions I ask. My background is a professional private investigator, I’m very inquisitive; it’s my nature to ask questions. I was an investigator most of my working life. I joined the military right out of high school and became a military policeman and worked in investigations. After 8 years and an honorable discharge, I continued in the investigations industry as an insurance fraud investigator for a major insurance company. After a few years there, I decided to open my own private investigations agency and eventually had offices in Houston, Texas, Atlanta, Georgia and Punta Gorda, Florida.

Since retiring I got the urge to travel. I have a cargo van that I converted to a small home on wheels – think small RV.

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During my travels all over this great country, I meet many other folks that are doing the same thing; that is living and traveling in converted vans. I had no idea there were so many “nomads” out there doing the same thing. In fact I see some of the same folks in the desert of southwest Arizona during the winter and in the Colorado Rockies during the summer months.

When we get together, there are always discussions on how we got started, why we became nomads, etc. Thus the reason for hearing the words, “Freedom and Portability.”

In my travels and doing my non-scientific research into why folks chose the van life, I find that most of these folks are retirees and have a steady income to fund their travels, but more and more, I’m seeing younger people moving into this lifestyle. Again, the answers I get when questioning the motives of these nomads is basically the same from the young and old; they want freedom from dead-end jobs and the Internet has given them the means to become portable. I see more and more younger people on the road that are working to fund their lifestyle as they move around the country. I’ve met traveling nurses, folks with real jobs that provide them the freedom to telecommute. Some are self-employed with an eCommerce business. Some are doing retail arbitrage, some use Craig’s List to find odd jobs or handyman services to keep them as busy as they want to be.

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Portability to work from anywhere

So you see, if one has a desire to become a nomad, they don’t let anything hold them back. There are so many opportunities available today and a way to capture those opportunities.

If you liked this article, please follow me. I’ll be bringing you more good quality content in the weeks to come.”

Until next time…

Posted in Blog, Boondocking, Camping, Camping off grid, Fund Your Travels, Traveling, Van Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Freedom and Portability