Chimney Rock, Capitol Reef National Park, UT.
The Bug
Well, I’ve officially caught that bug that’s been going around. You know the one I’m referring to. Yep, I caught a nasty case of the #VanLife bug. And it doesn’t seem to be going away.
On my recent road trip I saw all sorts of camping setups; tents, trailers, cars and a whole lot of vans. I was a kid in a candy shop, admiring the detail and design people chose for their van and imagining what details I’d choose for my own.
My desire to try out van life is nothing new—it began years ago—particularly since getting into photography. It seems to be the perfect way for me to travel around taking photos, going on amazing hikes, riding my mountain bike and visiting friends—all while having the comforts of home right there with me.
I know parts of van life are much more glamorous in theory than in actuality, as there are obvious downsides to living like this, but considering my interests, lifestyle and minimalist tendencies, I think I’m pretty well suited for this sort of thing.
For example, even though it was admittedly a small sample size, I feel like my five weeks of car camping was a pretty decent trial run—if living out of a car went well then a van would be a breeze. Particularly because what I missed most while living out of my car was, unsurprisingly, a little more space and a more defined kitchen—a van provides both (and more).
I’m not picturing anything fancy; I want a comfortable bed, a simple kitchen, a cozy nook where I can read, edit photos, write or watch a movie, enough storage to easily keep my space tidy, and a solar system robust enough to allow me to live off-grid for weeks or months without ever running out of power.
Just the thought of it makes me smile.
I’ve been researching vans like an absolute madman and have uncovered some interesting options. Once I officially make a move on one, you’ll be the first to know.
“I just want to live in a world of mountains, coffee, campfires, cabins, and golden trees, and run around with a camera and notebook, learning the inner workings of everything real.”
–Victoria Erickson
BONUS: As many of you know, in addition to photography I’m also a finance nerd who reads a ton of finance books and listens to a nauseating amount of finance podcasts. I recently listened to a podcast episode in which one of my favorite money authors, Morgan Housel, was interviewed. They discussed everything from personal finance and buying a house, to global economics, tariff implications, A.I. and so much more. Disregard the clickbait title and keep in mind it was released in late-April, so some of the things discussed may have shifted. Regardless, I found it to be a super easy to consume conversation about confusing and complicated topics. If you’d like to listen, click the link below. Enjoy!
