I don’t know that this blog will always follow a neat timeline, but for now, it feels best to start at the van beginning. And generally if you’re asking me about my life recently, the first question always seems to be: Did you build your van? How? What does it look like? Do you have a bathroom? I’ll say I usually don’t harp on too long with these questions in person but what’s a blog for other than to harp on about something, ya know?
The Actual Build
Ok, I’ll start with the nitty gritty. I drive a 2001 Ford Econoline E-250 work van with a fiberglass topper, that I did not install. I’ve got 200 watts of solar mounted on my roof, and I sawed a hole, BY MYSELF in the woods, in said fiberglass topper. It’s the craftsmanship of a girl and a saw whose blades are being eaten up by this fiberglass, I’m serious I wish I had a photo it was sad, so it works but it’s clear I’m no professional cabinet maker, yet. To round out the exterior before we jump into the interior the front end was redone by my brother and I after I was in an accident, but that’s another story.
The sides still have the decals from the guy who sold it to me and keep me pretty low profile “Another Hand Cleaning | Residential, Commercial, New Construction, Bonded and Insured”, yes I’ve heard every joke about it and I still can’t think of a reason to change it.
The Inside
The inside of the van is a menagerie of items that make my life function. When you walk in you do have to duck under the door but then you get to stand straight up, as long as you’re under 6’3”. Above you are some fake vines with lights attached that I had to rewire from a little solar panel to a regular plug, I’m not an electrician but they work. I don’t have overhead cabinets because I opted for a row of shelving all the way around the van. These shelves hold all of my items and put them on display for everyone to see. This is obviously a pro and a con but so far nothing too embarrassing has happened *knock on wood*. And so she did knock on that exact shelf.
My roof thankfully got a paint job this past summer, which really helped it look like a place someone lived and not an old work van. It’s like a light pink and white mix. Over the drivers seat is all storage so that’s a big win for me but it’s still a work in progress to figure out what fits there and how. I currently use it half for my food and half for clothing. No real estate is left unused with the back and front of my passenger seat being used for my dog Oscar, the front is his day bed, and the back stores his dog food, shoesies, and his coats, and sweaters. Oscar is my Old ShihTzu Poodle dog, he loves to bask in the sun, he hates the rain, and he only tolerates baths.
Behind the drivers seat is my hanging closet and a simple 2 drawer organizer with clothes, and a basket beside that. I have this makeshift bench made out of 2 folding stools and a bench, it’s usually the front step for my van but it’s really useful as a little shelf or what-have-you so I keep it in the van for now. My fridge is a SetPower fridge, I believe 42L it’s great for what I need and fits between my driver and passenger seats. My bed is along the wall behind the drivers seat and opposite it is a hand-crafted, one of a kind kitchen, office, living combo. I have a cool desk that pulls out about to my bed, and luckily I get all the light from the 2 back windows. I have one drawer, that’s not really a drawer, more a box on a shelf that I pull out like a drawer. I do have a sink with a foot pump it’s one of those big rectangle ones and I don’t use it that often.
In terms of power
I have one Bluetti 1800 watt hour power station, and an old Jackery 240 watt power station. With those two and the solar panels up top that usually covers all my power needs. I use power for my lights, my heated blanket and heating pad, I have an electric kettle, and obviously all my office things like computer, phone etc. For internet I use this hot spot I found years ago and have just stuck with because it is reliable and decently priced, it’s called Solis.
Keep in mind all of this was build in the woods, or in someones back yard, I used an oscillating saw or hand saw for all my cuts. I used only power from the sun, and mostly found wood, or friend gifted wood (and time, thanks cole :). There’s a character to her that I really like, and I don’t think she’ll ever be finished; as I learn to live here more I’m finding little ways to make it more me, more comfortable, and more of what I think she’s supposed to be. Its forced me to think a lot about change, and how small efforts every now and then have culminated into where I am. This van has received love and time from some of my favorite people, and that’s what has really set this build, and larger transition in life off to a good start.
I say a year in.
The van has my basic needs met, outside of going to the bathroom and showering. I really mostly live outside anyway, as I type this the sun has just set on Okaloosa County and I’ve got my two backdoors open. I’m sitting on an old turned over trash can with a pillow on top. Oscar is sitting at the edge of my bed looking at me. The things I need I find outside of the van, in the winters it’s usually friends bathrooms, in the summer it’s outside or at a planet fitness, in the fall it’s been a mix really, and in spring the same. My time is chunked by the season since my build only has 2 walls that are insulated, in sub 30F|-1.1C degree temps I will unfortunately freeze my tootsies off without power. I love to be a guest among friends and family, I try to be the best guest I can be offering what I can where I can, respecting the give and take of community.
On the road ahead
I’m headed on a pretty big trip this spring over to California and north to Seattle then back to Michigan. I hope to spend more time with friends, learn about some plants, rest, and see where the road takes me. I have a few people I’m hoping to get to see, and a plan that still needs writing.
Upcoming upgrades: I’ve got a new faucet coming in the mail, hopefully this will bring an end to the clear pipe over my sink situation I’ve got going on, and make my overall dishwashing process more smooth. I’m feeling like I’ve gotta spend some time on the mechanical side of my van to make sure she’s equipped for the journey and to make the driving portion that much smoother.
The Build
The real build has been in my everyday figuring out how to live in this vehicle, because really that’s what it is at the end of the day. I’ve had to ask for help, and felt the warm comfort of kindness from others, and the ability to share time with people, animals and in nature. The truth is I’ve had to build my courage, confidence, building skills, planning skills, friendships and contentment with the unknown. Building is in my nature really.
Hey Reader: Thanks for making it this far on my post, I’m glad you took the time to read what I had to write. Life’s been pretty cool lately, I hope yours has been too. I’d love to hear about a build you’re proud of in the comments. Wax poetic about a chevy S-10 or tell of a tiny venture that has brought benefit to your life.
People and Places in passing 
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