view out the back of Vangie

Vangie is Her Name and Travel is Her Game

/Updated /36 Comments/in , , /by Mary Hunt

To say that the global pandemic rocked the world in horrific ways would be, to put it mildly. We may never know the full extent of grief, anger, and loss. One thing is for sure: We’ve been forever changed for having experienced and come through this season of our lives. This is my story.

“Wake-Up!”

That’s exactly what the ugly, life-disrupting monster known as the pandemic screamed in my head. “Ha! You fool! Who’s in control now? Let’s see how ready, willing, and able you are to pivot.”

How it Hit

Unlike others around me, I wasn’t at all overcome by fear. Instead, I was totally stunned by this reality: I live as though I know the future. I plan with a level of certainty that is completely unrealistic. I choose not to recognize that everything can change in a moment. 

My husband and I have this huge list of things we will do and places we will see. Someday. When we retire, when we have time. Once we finish this or accomplish that. And while we plan, life is passing us by.

The pandemic made me see clearly that all of our big plans lie under a shroud of uncertainty. The only thing we know for certain is what is happening right now.

The Picture

Still stunned by what was happening all around me, I was flying through my email one day in early 2020. I get so much mail. And I still cannot figure out why I opened a message from a quirky site with a funny name; This is Why You Are Broke. And this is the first item that popped up.

vangie with side door opened

My immediate reaction was to be slack-jawed, intrigued, with heart-beating fast. I forwarded it to Harold with a simple message: We need this. Of course, I had visions of traveling care-free whenever we felt like it—to every corner, nook, and cranny of this beautiful country. I was ready to start making every moment count. The uncertainty of life was my new reality.

His message was swift, if not hilarious. Are you kidding? Who IS this?  To understand, you’d have to know a little history. Early in our marriage, as our two boys were babies (17 months apart), we did the camping thing in a tent. Did I mention two babies?! How many ways can I say miserable? Horrible. Rain, wind, even snow in July. All work, no fun. I hated it.

Of course, I don’t remember saying it, but he recalls, “I will never go camping again. Don’t even ask me!” We sold all the stuff, and that was that. 

Fast forward decades later and there we were—he with his mouth hanging open, me with a photo. I found the company that created that van conversion (screenshot above) and got them on the phone.

How, where, and when were my questions. You buy a van and bring it to us in New Jersey, we convert it into a camper van; but sorry, we are booked through 2023, were their answers. Oh, and what you are looking at in the picture will run about $65,000 give or take on top of buying the van.

Rats! I had my heart set on at least going to look at it. But $100,000 or most likely even more? Double rats. 

Spark of Joy

Unbeknownst to me, Harold had a spark of joy at the thought that I would ever allow “camping” in my vocabulary again. He began looking around, researching, plotting. 

Not surprisingly, I guess, he discovered Colorado has become the vanlife capital of the world. Where we live is where most van sales and conversions are happening. He located a highly reviewed van conversion company with 40 years experience within our area.

So, on a Saturday in June 2020, we went to see VanWorks in Ft. Collins, Colo. What we found was awesome. They offer every kind of conversion, from just the bare essentials to high-end luxury options. 

We had no plans to make any decisions that day, and you can start laughing now. VanWorks has a partnership with the local Dodge Ram dealer, where they buy fleets of cargo vans with the right factory components for quality conversions. And you’re probably way ahead of me here, but surprise! They had just one 2019 model left and were anxious to get rid of it. Long story short, we bought it with more than $12,000 in discounts and rebates. 

We met with VanWorks and settled on their BaseCamp conversion with a few upgrades. I’ll add basic specifics below for anyone into that kind of thing.

In addition to the specs below, we have a 24-gallon water tank, water heater, dry-flush toilet, outdoor shower, sink, induction cooktop, fixed bed, garage for eBikes, Blackstone grill, folding table, and chairs, etc.

Meet Vangie

The day we picked up our newly converted camper van, we named her Vangie. As we took her maiden voyage, Harold turned on the radio, located that Rolling Stones hit from the 60s, “Angie,” cranked it up, and we were in heaven. 

It’s been nearly two years since we adopted a kind of semi-vanlife, and we couldn’t be happier. We’re seeing every part of our newly adopted state as quickly as possible. 

We have not retired. Both of us work more than full-time. We’ve just figured out how we can afford to include semi-vanlife in our current schedule. We travel for fun, part-time. And what fun it is. Highly recommended.

The total cost of the van plus conversion, including items below, came in at less than half what the company in New Jersey estimated. Living without debt has its benefits.

And Here She Is

vangie with side door opened

view out the back of vangie

view out the back of vangie

camp site all set up

Specifications

Van

2019 Dodge Ram Promaster 136-in Wheelbase

OnBoard Power

Battle Born 400 amp hours lithium-Ion

Solar Panels

600 watts

Inverter

Victron 2000 watts

Toilet

Laveo Dry Flush

Refrigerator freezer

Nova Kool

Heater

Webasco

Mobile Internet Systems

Insty Connect (while moving)

Starlink (while parked—anywhere with clear access to the sky)

Bedding

Beddy’s

eBikes (Foldable)

Lectric XP Lite

Lectric XP 3.0

Awning

Moon Shade

Camp Chairs

GCI Outdoor Pico Compact

 

 

 

 

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36 replies
  1. Grace says:

    What fun! We love camping! All kinds…even tents with babies if you believe it. But my family was too poor to stay in motels when visiting our relatives in Canada so we HAD to camp and my folks made it an adventure! Now we have an older camper that fits in our newer pickup and we toured Utah last fall and loved it. Alway use an air mattress to sleep on and prep many meals ahead. Good for YOU! The outdoors is beautiful and rejuvenating!

    Reply
  2. Raelene Holton says:

    Mary, I’m glad you are enjoying your van. I started looking into them, where it would be me and my furbaby, Max, traveling into my retirement years. Covid, Max went over the rainbow bridge, and unexpected family moving back home has deterred me. I think it’s time to have another look at a traveling van!

    Reply
  3. Susan Kemp says:

    Hi Mary! I notice you have a Berkey water filter! I have had one for several years and am very spoiled by the delicious water I get from it. I’m out of the country right now and have a neighbor babysitting it!

    Reply
  6. Mary K says:

    Very nice van camper Mary! We have been camping for 49 yrs. You are so smart to camp in a small unit, as you can fit in any campsite! We were in Colorado last summer camping/exploring for 2 weeks. We have a 40′ diesel motorhome and we just barely fit in a campsite at Charfield State Park, Littleton, CO just south of Denver. You have a Beautiful State to explore. Safe and Happy Travels!

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Thanks Mary K! Vangie fits easily in our driveway and meets our HOA’s standards to park there. She fits in a regular parking space, too. Haven’t come across Charfield State Park, but maybe we should check it out soon!

      Reply
  7. Sally Davison says:

    Congratulations on your beautiful van life! I think it’s great that you are both so enthused about exploring your state of Colorado.
    I’ve lived in Arizona over 50 years and still haven’t seen all that I want.

    Reply
  8. Cally Ross says:

    So, where is the toilet? and how is it emptied? What’s under the bed? hot water, but “sponge bathing” only?
    what kind of gas mileage do you get? oh, so many questions…. and, Vangie is pretty cute!

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      This video demonstrates the dry flush toilet. It’s in a cabinet that when closed doubles as a cushioned seat. About 18 mpg. Outdoor shower with a rod/curtain that attaches between backdoors when opened. You can search all your questions online. “Vanlife” is a pretty popular thing these days with lots of Youtube channels.

      Reply
  11. teri says:

    Thanks so much for sharing your experience over the past 2 and half years during covid. I respect you so much and thank you for your honesty. There have been many good results from this season, one of which seems to be that you got your Vangie! We always look at the mobile homes when we go to our County Fair and dream. You actually did it! May you be blessed with many happy memories xox

    Reply
  12. Kim says:

    Mary, you’re a braver soul than I to go for a van conversion, which means more work than what I want to do on vacation. But I will say your van is lovely. We also camped when our SIX kids were young. I hated it-I did everything I did at home, except in the dirt, and never actually got a vacation. Cooking over a propane stove for 8 people, heating water for dishes (at least I didn’t wash them, others rotated that job), keeping the ice chest from getting warm and ruining food, keeping bears and other animals away from food, chasing kids who went in different directions with no fence to keep them in, etc, etc, was not a bit of fun. I think most moms are in agreement-camping in tents with kids is more work than it’s worth. Plus, spending an entire day at a laundromat/shower facility cleaning clothes and kids every few days was a nightmare. I also finally refused to ever tent camp again. We’re retired now, and had planned to buy a nice travel trailer, right when everything was shut down. I love the outdoors, but have no desire to spend my vacations working harder than I do at home. We plan to rent a travel trailer this summer, both because buying one right now is almost impossible as we can’t find what we want in stock, and because it’ll be a test run to see if we really enjoy it. Enjoy that van-being outdoors is wonderful!

    Reply
  13. Lauren says:

    Your Vangie looks like a lot of fun, Mary! My husband and I are on our 3rd pop-up camper, each one a little larger and more ‘fancy’ (newest one has furnace, heated mattresses, bathroom, fridge, indoor & outdoor stoves and slide-out dining area). We raised our kids with lots of camping memories across America and yes, the time is NOW because no one knows what tomorrow may bring. Enjoy!

    Reply
  14. Charlyn Jensen says:

    How fun! I do have questions: what about a/c when you are visiting somewhere hot? It doesn’t sound like Vangie can accommodate bathing. How are you dealing with that?

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Outdoor shower with hote was using a rod/curtain that attaches between backdoors when opened. Of course we are judicious to select our camping site, which is usually “boondocking” … a place where camping is allowed in remote areas with not services. We are completely self contained so off-grid is delightful!

      Reply
  15. Dee Hagen says:

    I love it! I want to know about your “garage for ebikes”. I’m glad to see you getting out and enjoying your lives. My husband passed away last November from a rare disease. We didn’t see it coming. Who does? We’d planned on Rving our retirement away. I didn’t want to give up that life and bought a small travel trailer and truck. I want to bring my ebike but haven’t figured out a safe way yet.

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      I will add a photo to the post soon, showing how the fixed bed is elevated leaving a large area beneather accessible from the back for our bikes and all the camping gear.

      Reply
  17. Christine Hall says:

    I Love It! Welcome to the club! When I met my now husband just in 2016, he has been camping in van for years. We have an old 1995 Chevy Conversion Van, that my husband took all the seats out of. We just roll up a futon for our bedding and we have a bucket with a toilet seat lid from Wal-mart, that is a neccessity. In 2020, we were supposed to travel cross country from Ohio to Yosemite, but with all the riots, we changed our plans and headed up to the Upper Peninsula, MI, we towed our boat and went on all the lakes. We were able to stay at State Park Campgrounds that were open. And since there were not a whole lot of people out and traveling. We even slept in the van parked right on the street overlooking Lake Michigan and the beautiful sunsets. I love that you are doing this. Its a really simple way to LIVE LIFE in the here and now.

    Reply
  21. Jo says:

    Thank you Mary for this entertaining and informative post. :0] Sounds like you are having a ball! Also your beginning sentences about ‘How It Hit’ resonated with me. I too was not and remain unafraid especially of circumstances I cannot control. Hope you and hubby continue for many years singing at the top of your lungs. Blessings,

    Reply
  22. Betty says:

    Mary: This is so funny! My husband and I are looking for a converted van just like this but in Canada where we are located. But with the recent sharp increase in the gas prices we have put our converted van dreams on the back burner temporarily. But we still intend to get a van one day to travel around in. It looks like so much fun!

    Reply
  23. Joan says:

    Lol, Mary we were just looking at a “Vangie” this past Saturday!
    I love it! I would name mine VanGogh!
    On your campsite table, do I see tiny battery powered smoothie blenders or are those lanterns?

    Reply
  24. Betty Thomas says:

    Good for you both! We work full time also and have been having the same conversations. After a health scare and living through the pandemic we have decided to live life to the fullest and enjoy some down time as often as you can. Happy travels!

    Reply
  25. Susan C says:

    My husband and I have been considering something like this but his height 6’4″ have made it challenging to find something that he could actually stand up in. Not sure how tall you or your husband are but how is the headroom when standing in this?

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Harold is 6’3″ stands with room to spare. And sleeping is east/west, crossways. We have 72″ clear … which is fine for a side sleeper. Our is the Promaster High Top option … there is a Promaster Low Top which would never work for us. Also the Ford Transit is even taller inside, but it is narrowed which makes crossways sleeping difficult unless super short. Then it’s difficult to find a standard size mattress to fit. Yeah, we had to think of all these things!

      Reply

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