It all started with a lifelong dream I never thought was achievable. You know the type. You say someday for years, but in your heart, you feel like someday is really never. Do you have a dream like that?
Here’s mine. Since I was a little girl I dreamt of traveling with no schedule as free as the wind. You know the feeling when you are visiting somewhere and hear about other things nearby, but don’t have the time on your trip. I dreamt of a trip that could easily adjust to see it all. What is it all? It could be “you should really see that canyon at sunset” or “a couple of towns over is a great cafe.” Basically anything and everything to stay in the moment and truly get to know a location.
It always seemed unachievable. The logistics were costly. We would need an RV/travel trailer, location-independent income, and a nest egg to ensure the inevitable unexpected expense. In 2018, we bought a Grand Design travel trailer. At the time, we were buying it for short trips with our pups. Although I did joke then about selling the house and hitting the road. My husband just smiled and I saw the window crack slightly open.
I joined every Facebook group I could find on RVs and life on the road. They only inspired my inner wanderlust even more. I reached my breaking point in early summer 2019, but waited. Labor Day weekend we headed for a long weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley’s wine country. As we drove into the sunset (perfect right?), I asked Vince what he would think. I explained we would sell the house, make loops across North (and maybe South) America until we grew tired of living in the travel trailer. Then we would find a house somewhere on a beach. He immediately said YES!
The planning began!
Here are the top issues we had to resolve.
- Timing – When was it reasonable to get everything done and hit the road?
- Income – I am semi-retired, but can work from anywhere with wifi. Vince is retired Air Force. While he is currently working another job, we can make adjustments.
- The livability of a travel trailer – We have a few planned adjustments for the travel trailer that will happen before leaving. Nothing too intensive though. (cell phone/hotspot extender, couple of appliances, rear camera, upgraded batteries, solar)
- Sell the house – We recently remodeled the house over the last few years. It is ready.
- Replace Vince’s truck – It was a few years old and just not ready for a trip this extensive. I discovered van life and thought there would be no way he would agree to it. So I never brought it up. We discussed a lot of options, but the day Vince called to ask what I would think about the Nissan van we knew! The van will allow us to “drop” the trailer and travel to more remote areas (*clears throat* North to Alaska in Spring/Summer 2022). The van was purchased in January 2020 and SheVANigans was born!
- Van buildout
- MaxAir Fan
- Upgraded towing package and brake
- Solar system
- Flooring
- WeBoost (cell phone/hotspot booster)
- Insulation and walls (it’s a cargo van so nothing is there)
- Lights and outlets (luckily the Nissan came with it)
- Bed/dinette system (this will be where the dogs ride)
- Additional storage
- Everything else we are forgetting to mention now, but have seen in thousands of hours of YouTube videos.
What’s the plan?
While this was the original plan, like so many things in 2020 it is constantly being adjusted to ensure we stay safe and follow local and national guidelines. Give us a follow on Instagram for the latest.
Well, very little day-to-day planning with lots of overall planning. We have started with the planning of one “loop.” It is the Pacific Coast Highway (plus a lot more) trip I have always wanted. Vince wishes we were doing it in a vintage Volkswagon bus, but those logistics just don’t work out.
Loop #1 is 10,000 miles (give or take) and is currently ESTIMATED at about 180 nights. Of course, that could change substantially as we travel it.
UPDATED AFTER 2020: We are headed to the Gulf Coast of Florida to find a beach house (home base) until travel is “more normal.” But we are taking our time along the way!
Do you see anywhere we missed? Drop us a note to let us know.
After the first loop, we will see how it is going. The key to this will be we both have to be happy in this lifestyle so those discussions will happen often. But if we are still having fun, we have an extensive Google Map of locations to hit.
Where else would you hit?
What are some must-sees in the places we already plan to visit?
Do you have any advice?
Do you know of a beautiful veteran/war memorial we should visit?
This is our invitation to you!
Join the journey!
We are documenting the journey here on FittingInAdventure.com and on social media.
Follow along at:
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