What if you'd rather just buy a van? We talk about the realities, some of them harsh. We'll also review the Stanley Cook Kit (it's great!), talk about how to screw properly (really) and I'll tell the tale of what it's like on our Interstates now that COVID-19 is firmly with us.   

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus 
  

They're expensive.

RV Trader is a great place to start, to get an idea of prices, etc.  

Conversion Trader is focussed specifically on self-built vans. 

• Things are weird an eerie on the nation's interstates. Bring snacks. 
  

• Is it legal to tint your windows? Maybe? Sometimes. Could be. We discuss.
  

• Perhaps the very first "#vanlife" book, Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck. 
  

Don't just screw willy nilly into your van. Every hole is a potential problem, and it's a good idea to know how your drill works as well.  

• This is a great, compact, and flexible cooking solution perfect for vans. 

Another Top 10? Who knows—but here are some tips about #vanlife that might help you make decisons. A House on the Rock (and so much more), Pre-made Camper Kits, a Choose My Own Adventure Idea, Free Templates, and a Velcro Wall.  

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus 
  

• #vanlife can be easier if you know a few things. Here some of them are.

• What if someone else told you where to go? In a nice way? 

• Q&A -Premade Kits? 

• Is a premade kit your ticket to #vanlife? Maybe.

• Free van build tool? Yes! But the templates are the real value.

• One of the three "most curious" spots in the US.

Top 10? Who knows - but here are some myths about #vanlife that need to go away. A moving highway? Yes, it exists and it's called the "Badger." How do the pros do laundry? Infrequently. And we'll explain the difference between solar charge controllers, tell a story of a storm and recommend Travels with Charley.  

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus 
  

• #vanlife is gaining popularity and so are the stereotypes. Don't buy them.
  

• What can a storm teach us about perspective?

• Q&A - Laundry? 

• Use the laundromat?

• Perhaps the very first "#vanlife" book, Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck. 
  

• Will Prowse is the god of solar. Here's is explanation, which is a lot more thorough than mine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB6zojol9o0
  

• The last coal-fired steamship running the United States today.

Can you work while living and traveling in a van? Of course you can! And there are more opportunities than you might imagine. I tell tales from the light and dark sides of Moon, Oklahoma, and spend a lot of time talking about insurance matters you need to consider. 

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus 
  

• You don't need a #vanlife job

• An alien visits Moon, Oklahoma and makes brief contact with the beings living there. 

• Q&A - How Do I Get Insurance?

• VIN determines if your vehicle is commercial or not

Minimalism? Yes, but what kind? An exploration... also, we review Curtis Tow Hitches, take a look at drive options for different vans, take a death march through Texas, and invite you to visit Starry Meadows, and maybe see Charon. 

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus 
  

• A lot of #vanlife folks talk about "minimalism." What is it? And do you want it? 

• Melissa Camara Wilkins discusses Types of Minimalism  
  

• There are pros and cons to each of these setups. What will you use your van for? What's your budget? That can help you choose the best option for you. 

• A PLACE TO VISIT: Starry Meadows 

• Like astronomy? Visit Colorado (or what to)? Check out the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society and their amazing site, Starry Meadows. 

• PRODUCT REVIEW: Curtis Tow Hitches

• Not planning on towing anything? You might still want a tow hitch for bikes, storage, etc.

• It's fraught to attempt to have a pet in a vehicle while you're away, but if you have no other choice, here are tips for making the best of an imperfect situation. 

Video games in your van? YES! Here's how. Also, an electric dry box, an easy shower solution, Winter Island: the place to stay for a visit to Salem, MA and Roadside America, the only tourist guide you need.

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus 
  

• It's all about power and what you want to do. Clear winners: PC laptops and Nintendo Switch. But want to play the latests games on your favorite console? Doable. 
  

• Fight humidity with an enclosed space and a old-fashioned light bulb. 
  

• A PLACE TO VISIT: Winter Island, Salem Massachusetts

• This historic 17th century fort will welcome you and your rig for a visit to the Witch City. 

• PRODUCT REVIEW: SmarterFresh Quick Connect Sink Faucet Sprayer Set

 This thing is great - it turns almost any sink into a shower you can use indoors or out

• • Which tools should you bring? Quick answer: pick how much space you want to devote to tools, and then take a subset of all the tools you used to build your van.  

• While the website is great, get the app (pay for it!) and you'll never be without someplace interesting to visit.

How a goldfish teaches us what's important about the #vanlife community, can you have a plastic-free van?, review of the Camco Flexible Camper Drain, getting over the fear of wires, a visit to a cool archaeological site, and a story of a van with no driver. 

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus 
  

• Someone wants advice on how to have a pet goldfish in their van. What's your response? It can teach us a lot about #vanlife and ourselves.

• I talk though an experiment in wiring designed to get you beyond you fear of electricity and cutting wires. 

• A PLACE TO VISIT: Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village

When in South Dakota, skip the Corn Palace. Go here: Mitchel Prehistoric Indian Village

 This thing is great - I don't know why people use anything else!

• Seanna wants to live without single use plastic. Can this be done in a van?
  

Sick of hearing about COVID-19? We get it, but it does give us a chance to take a look at ourselves and evaluate our assumptions. We'll talk about bulkheads/partitions, explore one switching solution, and talk about the bizarre Craters of the Moon. Oh, and the joy of tiny inverters!

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus 
  

• Why do we choose #vanlife? A disruption can show us many things about ourselves that we didn't know, and reinforce the things we did know. 
  

• Yes, you should strongly consider having a partition between the front and back of your van. 

• A PLACE TO VISIT: Craters of the Moon

Idaho's World Wonder, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve 

 Do you really need that massive 2000 watt inverter? Maybe not.

A really nice one for only $15 (with coupon): https://amzn.to/3esVZzt

• Erica asked, here's the answer: https://amzn.to/3cnof4Y

Why not cook weird? We explore ways to cook without the normal things, including some without heat! We'll also talk about the two-container system for filter-free fresh water, a review of the Tree Frog Gel Mat no slip surface, invite you visit Iowa 80, and relay a story of getting lost in the Everglades. 

• COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus 
  

• It's not cheap, but if you want to cook with the sun, this thing is amazing.

• Instead of going to the trouble of installing a water filter, consider the two-tank system. 

• A PLACE TO VISIT: Iowa 80

• The world's largest truck stop!

• This large sheet of no slip gel will keep your things secure as you drive around. But be careful what it comes in contact with!

• Yes! And here's the proof right here: Smart Car Camper