i just wanted to let you know that I love your videos, and you were a life saver for me. On Sept. 18 I was admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery...(4 separate surgeries as they had to stop and get my blood pressure back up) I had been placed in a medically induced coma for a week. I woke up on 9/23. I couldn't sleep for about 3 or 4 days after that. After about 3 weeks at that hospital, I was transferred to a Rehab hospital for physical therapy to learn to stand and walk again. I was still having problems sleeping. I figured out that I could watch your videos on my phone, and just the sound of your voice was so relaxing, and felt like home,, (I watch your videos all of the time at home.) I would relax enough to go to sleep. You will never know what a gift that was. I'm home now and doing therapy here....I'm not running yet, but getting close. LOL! Thank you for the wonderful videos!!!!
Missing duffle bags, rest area fights and freezing temps, oh my! 😂❤ Love seeing Michael in the mix! I remember the days when he much preferred to stay out of camera. Thanks for sharing your convention life with us! So interesting and such great ideas for mobile living. I really love the shake-up of your content lately. Dollar Tree Dinners for life. But also, I really love where your channel is going! ❤
Interesting information on van life! Y'all are so cute together 😊! Rest areas can be dangerous so be careful! Thank you for sharing such interesting content and making memories with you and Michael! Love your videos! 😊❤
Would he ever consider letting you share some of his art?! I have a 16 yr old homeschooled gal who is an artist. I'd like to show her that her passion could become something she could make extra income from!
If the rest areas or gym you stay at have microwave access you could buy a pet bed heater called snuggle safe. They heat in the microwave for a couple minutes and stay warm for up to 10 hours, way longer than hand warmers or hot water bottles. Loving this vlog. Hope you guys do more camping stuff 👍🏼 Love from Ireland 🇮🇪☘️
I'd love to see you making camping style meals. My family loves camping. I recommend those foil packet types of dinners (steak or chicken, diced potatoes, vegetable, seasonings, butter or oil). Perfect!!
I love that you’re branching out and putting out different content. It’s neat seeing you in a different context. But still love the DT content best. Lol❤
My husband and I took a trip. I packed everything in the suitcase for myself. I got everything out and put on the bed for him to put in his suitcase. He closed up his suitcase, took them both out to the car we went on our trip, got to our destination. I had all my clothes in my suitcase, but his was empty. He didn’t take the clothes off the bed and put them in his suitcase.😂
Your reasoning for Anytime Fitness vs. Planet Fitness is mostly why I belong to AF, too. It's 24 hours, it's super clean, I've never had to wait for equipment, and the patrons aren't mostly young buff kids lol. And BTW: with Medicare Advantage (for my fellow "seniors"), gym memberships are free!
It's great when you know you have a warm house to go home to. We were homeless six years in 4 states, all with cold weather. You survived a weekend. We survived 6 years, that's why my body has so many problems and I have such anxiety. It was good of you to show people though. So, thank you for shining a light. Not all homeless people choose to be homeless. We didn't. Life was very very hard. Hugs from WI
It took courage to say what you just said. Thank you for saying it. So many ears don’t want to hear stuff like this right now. Also, thank you for extending compassion…I read it in your response. 🤗
I’m excited for the 72 hour kit video! My vacation was camping in my car (yes, in, I have a cot size mattress in there) for 3.5 weeks to Yukon and Alaska. With the small space, the hardest is inclement weather. For the cold, I found that wearing a tuque and a fleece hoodie, as well as having a polarfleece blanket over my duvet made a huge difference. Fleece is such a good insulator. Much warmer than a cotton hoodie.
I have a queen size down blanket. So lovely. Wool also is magical for warmth. I know, expensive, but through thrift stores and military surplus, even some knitting or quilting skills, you can make custom wool undergarments or a blanket.
Please do more of these!! I love seeing how other people do it. I remember living with my parents in a Nova when I was turning 9. My mom and I showered at my aunt’s house and my dad showered at work until winter started in. Then my aunt let us move in with her. I slept in my aunt’s walk in closet and my parents slept in the fold out couch.
I have been RV’ing for almost 40 years - in all sorts of vehicles - VW campers to a 40-foot behemoth. Husband passed away 3+ years ago, so am in a smaller unit now. I have a home base where I spent most of my time. The adventures are not as compelling alone as they were with my “pilot”. Keep hold of that dream to see the countryside. You will never regret it. ;-> I find that I spend most of my time in “camping mode” even at home. Once you become accustomed to the lifestyle, it is naturally a way to conserve resources. I am having fun with my DASH and Nostalgia cooking implements. Perfect for one or two people on the go.
Between 2013-2021, my husband and I lived an “alternative lifestyle”. We were team truck drivers and lived on the road for 6-12 weeks at a time. Life in the truck was actually quite comfortable, especially in the latter half when we were given trucks with a fridge/freezer and outlets that weren’t just 12V! We also earned good money doing that. Even now, 3 years later, I still appreciate the luxury of having a toilet, running water and not having to sleep in a moving vehicle!
My husband and I lived in a van for almost a year. We bought an older Fed Ex cargo van and converted it to an RV. My husband is a mechanic so that made repairs to the van so much easier. I am also very good at designing and utilizing spaces, so those things were a plus for our buildout. We still have it and use it when we go on vacation. We added a diesel heater to the inside so that it would not be so cold in the winter. I have to say that it is so nice being able to go anywhere you want to go at anytime. Amazon sells a tea kettle that is 12V, that may make things easier for you. Or you can purchase an inverter. That would help you be able to use some small appliances possibly. There are so many possibilities these days for electricity that really it just depends on what you want to spend. We also have a Jackery power bank that can be used for just about anything. We actually added solar to our van, so there is that option, too. And believe it or not, these days, it is pretty affordable. I love alternative living too. Thanks for the video. Have a great day.
I know Michael doesn't like being on camera, so please tell him that your audience appreciates his participation. Thanks for Vlogging your travel and experiences with us. 🧡💛💜
My grandparents had a small hacienda here in Southern California with a milk cow, chickens, an incredible garden including fruit and avocado trees. On the back of the farmhouse, there was a huge screened in covered porch. We kids would grab our sleeping bags and have the most awesome sleepovers on that porch. Because their Rancho was close to the canyon, during the night bears, coyotes and bobcats would wander by. I still love sleeping in the outdoors.
I live full time in my RV in a mixed Mobile Home/RV community. Rent is cheap and includes all utilities. Im a 54 year old disabled widow and this is the most manageable situation for me and my circumstanes. I highly approve it for any age or income level.
I converted my minivan to travel. It has everything I need and I boondock most of the time. I travel solo so this allows me a little stretch room. Hot water bottles keep me warm.
We have a small farm, so we need to have a truck around. I bought a Softopper camper shell so I can easily convert a working truck bed into a place to crash on a trip. I just roll a BedRug in to make the corrugated metal easier to deal with and put our guest futon mattress in the bed. I love it! It has changed the way I travel, mostly the way I eat when I travel. I don't make reservations or worry about an itinerary - I just go where I want to go, cook out of my truck as needed, and spend much more time getting to know the areas I visit by shopping in local grocery stores, sleeping in local parks and public lands, and frequenting local parks, libraries, and civic buildings for restrooms, internet, and a place to sit and hang out every now and then.
you're such a light and the goodness and love in your heart really shines through in every situation! i hope michael isn't as much as a bummer as he seems. i hope you're able to be treated with the same love you irradiate. i know what it's like to be in a relationship like this and boy is it exhausting and mentally taxing. i can't believe he shut off the lights while you were still talking :( wishing you the absolute best always
He definitely didn’t seem like a bummer. I totally got his humor and personality! Rebecca don’t listen to that nonsense and please tell Michael to keep being himself and pay no attention to ignorant comments!
There's a few appliances you can get that draw under 100wt of power; hot logic, road pro, mini crockpot, itacki, etc. And esp using while driving, it won't drain your battery. Air mattresses can get expensive no matter how careful you are (trap cold air). You can get plastic storage shelves, cut legs to level, base for wood, thermorest camping mat, then foam and you'll have storage underneath. You might want to get a 12v heating blanket. Those will heat up the interior to an extent w very low power draw. I'm not happy that so many areas are outlawing overnight sleeping.
Hi. You can buy a few of the hot hands packs. They are not too expensive and you most likely will only use one or two each person per night. Also there are survival blankets made with aluminum to help reflex your body heat to help you keep warm. I hope this is helpful. You are such a wonderful person.
This was so much fun. I chuckled, thinking thank goodness that you're young. When you get to be my age you & Michael will have great memories. I did sleep in my car on a couple of occasions in my 60s when I was driving to visit family with my mini poodle and there were no pet friendly hotels nearby.
My spouse and I do these type of trips too. We've decided that when we first wake in the middle of the night due to temperature issues, we start the mini-van and blast the heat until the space is quite warm. It usually takes less than 30 minutes and saves us waking up over and over throughout the night. Hope this helps your mini-van sleepovers more enjoyable. PS - we do the same when it is summer. Waiting for the sun to go down, blast the air conditioning, then fall asleep in a comfortable environment.
I love this video. My husband and I purchased a sprinter van about a year ago, my goal is to transition to Van life. I think his goal is to wait a little while. Having a home definitely has its creature comforts, and we do have children so that adds a little bit to the adventure. However it’s nice to be able to do long road trips, and save on the expense of a hotel and be able to pull off and sleep in areas we wouldn’t normally be able to. Thank you so much for sharing.
I had no idea you could do all of that with a Pacifica. Good choice! I have a feeling that you will eventually be able to convince Michael to get an RV. You are creating some great memories! 👏
Love this video! I have a van I camp in. I sleep with a stocking cap on, use a hot water bottle, and two heavy wool blankets on top of a regular blanket keep me toasty in the low 30s. I've done so many of your Dollar Tree meals and discovered how easy it is to do them camping.
This was such a fun video! I am reminded of all of our camping trips when i was young. We would take turns sleeping in our 9 passenger station wagon with our cousins! We had so much fun. We only had our sleeping bags and a pillow and no window covers. We would try to scare each by telling silly tales, like, someone is outside the car stuff! Thanks for the memories! 😊❤
My sister and I did it for a 2 week road trip. We drove from northern va to New Mexico. We took a break in the middle and spent time in a hotel for two days and then we drove back. We used the hotel days as laundry days and a chance to restock and prep. We visited a bunch of national parks on the way and the entire trip, including food, hotel, gas, laundry and miscellaneous was only 2500.
@@DollarTreeDinnersyea we’ve done it a few times. If you get cold, get a portable battery like a jackery but here are plenty of knockoffs on Amazon that are cheaper. It can up be used in emergency, charge devices and run a heating pad or blanket to keep you warm at night and warm you up on the morning. Also line your bed with a fleece and then sleep with your blanket, it helps keep you warmer. You usually can get free ice from most gas stations if you bring your own cups. We brought a yeti like cooler that fit in the trunk. I just had to add 3 larger cups of ice every morning and we were set. Most gas stations will let you get free ice and free hot water as long as you bring your own cups. Ask first obviously. We didn’t unpack the car until we got to the hotel. We don’t put the seats down, my sister and I are both short like 5 feet 2. So we just put up both rows of seats and each person gets a “bunk”. We use the seat cushions to make the seat more comfortable. Plus fleeces, blankets, and pillows and it’s super comfortable. I tried an air mattress on our first trip, it took up too much space and limited our storage. So we just kept the car in sections. My bunk was the back row and my sister too the middle row. We kept the cooler, food, hiking gear, kitchen set up, and other storage in the trunk, while stuff we used daily, like our shoes, clothing batteries, Hyigene bag snacks, extra bags, window coverings utensils, dishes etc were stored in the middles seat since it had more space. Next to my sisters “bunk” jackets since we often were driving through different seasons on these trips were store in the cargo next attach to the ceiling of the car. We were able to mix dry foods and microwave foods for the trip. For the food front, we brought microwave rice packets, cup noodle, bowl noddle, easy Mac microwave bowls, bologna, sand which bread, sandwich fixings, premade store brought or homemade cold salad options (past salad, chicken salad, egg salad or bean salad), premade store bought rice pudding (our favorite breakfast on road-tripping), oatmeal, granola with yogurt, spam, canned corn, canned cream of mushroom, limited seasoning, soy sauce crackers, tea, instant coffee, chips with gauc and candy. We also bought naked juices on the road if we wanted more healthy food. We usually bought coffee at the gas stations we slept at in the morning. We spend a little extra on the naked juices, premade food sometimes but we still save a boat load of money. And avoiding eating fast food. It doesn’t make us feel well. We only eat out at when it was worth it. I also bring a small kitchen set up Knife, cutting board, one large pot that I can use for boiling something to heating up something or frying, a small bottle of oil, propane and butane, a lighter, a three piece scooping set (spatula, ladle tongs) paper towels a bottle of vinegar for dishes in a spray bottle, strainer and basic seasoning in a medicine pill organizer (garlic powder, msg, onion powder, steak seasoning, sugar, salt, pepper) so that if I feel like actually cooking I can. These all fit in a plastic tote, if I’m being honest, I don’t use it on the road but when we’re at the hotel I usually whip thins thing out and cook and prep the food for the trip back. So it can be ready to be nuked later. Basic rule for food, eat it cold or have it prepped by you or the store and nuke it Also we usually buy a 40 pack of water and just drink that all week or two. It’s not good for the environment but it’s easier. Basic meal plan for those who want to know Breakfast Rice pudding Oatmeal Coffee instant or gas station (its for My sister) Tea If it’s cold cup noodle. (We watched the sunrise at the grand canyon with cup noodle. It was so cold and it hit the spot) If you feel like prepping food, scramble or hard boil eggs for added protein You could do the same for breakfast sausage Lunch Premade or home made salad (bean, egg, pasta, chicken with a mayo oil based dressing) Chips, crackers or loaf bread Ham bologna salami sandwiches (grab free mayo and mustard from the gas station) Yogurt with garnola Peanut butter tortilla Guacamole with chips Some of the breakfast options work here too. Also grab extra from the free breakfasts from hotels like muffins, cereal, yogurt, juices are great and can be eaten on the go too. We added a naked juice or smoothie drink to give us a boast and fight off the elevation sickness (I’m prone to it) Lunch was usually on the go since we were usually hiking or just hiking or are out walking and sight seeing We’ll pick up small things if we see something really unique or good. We’ll eat this stuff and go to a restaurant and share an appetizer or one main dish since we’re not hungry. We’re eating to try new things not to spend money Dinner We either find a nice place to eat or Micro wave bag of rice, microwave spam soy sauce Mac and cheese with cut up hot dogs Cream of mushroom soup and canned corn and a crunchy something (we usually try to pick up some fried chicken) Cup noodle with hot dogs, fish balls or spam I sometimes preboiled pasta and would nuke it with some alfrdo sauce with hot dogs and frechies on top. All meals were usaully eat with side salad or a veggie (pre cut at home) nuked/steamed. After a long day of hiking and sight seeing, those meals hit the spot. The set up was an investment, 150 for the cooler, 500 portable battery, bed set up was just stuff from the house plus 60 dollars for memory foam seat cushions from Walmart and 50 for the stove and propane. 100 for random things like window covering and the extra cargo net I used for storage. And obviously the cost of the highlander that I paid off. But those were worth the investment and has paid for itself with all the nightswe didn’t get a hotel. We call it hotel highlander. You are right there are some discomforts, but plenty of ways to make it work. My sister and I don’t make a lot of money and we wanted to see the country, so we have made it work.
@@inuyasha88taking notes, i might try this with my family next year. The investment isnt too much and doable. And each hotel night is like 100 bulks. And some of the motels are not clean.
Love how you're breaking out into different content. I'm 39 years old and my husband and I live offgrid in the mountains. We converted a shed into a 250sqft house, and we also have a transit van with a bed and "kitchnette" that we built for our adventures. We're both super into unconventional living, obviously, lol. We moved into tiny living from an over 2,000sqft house (we built on the back bedroom). It definitely takes some getting used, too, but the reward for us is financial freedom and a much more purposeful life. We're happy with our decision after 6 years of living this way. Looking forward to more content from you guys. You all seem super fun and chill.
Get a dollar tree baby blankie and sleep with it folded in half and over your head. You can pull it down so you can barely breath out of a fold and the poly fleece wont get wet from condensation. I made my car window covers by pressing newspaper into the window and tracing around it with a pen, then cutting the shape out of cardboard. Leave an extra 2 inch "box flap" to fold over top and bottom, both to help secure it and to help grab it. I still don't know what you sell at the conventions. LOL
This was great! I watch a lot of the van camper videos, tiny homes & some car-living videos, but this was nice to see it really being done. (Was nice to ‘meet’ your hubby too!) Thanks for the vid! ❤️🌹
Loved this! And it would be great to see more of what you eat for these van camping weekends. We have 5 kids and 2 mini vans. I drive a Honda Odyssey, but when I had a chance to do a solo camping trip this spring, I took my husband’s Dodge Grand Caravan. The seats all stow like the Pacifica, so that gave me plenty of room for a twin air mattress with extra padding underneath. The floor was pretty level, so I didn’t have to build it up like you did. I love how you made that work! We just cut some cardboard pieces to cover the windows, and I draped a blanket over the front seats to block the windshield. I completely loved that little van trip, so I get it. It is so fun to see all the different ways people set up their vehicles.
Thank you for the fun video! My daughter wants a Sprinter Van to live in full time. This is actually a great video to help me convince her that other options may be better for long-term living. 😊 Yes, I am with you that i want to travel to as many states as possible in our travel trailer. We have already been to multiple US States when travelling by RV (OR, WA, ID, MT, WY) and 2 provinces (BC, Alberta) in Canada. Looking forward to more! Also, this makes me look forward to the vlog of your cross-country journey. You will encounter some struggles (as everybody does), but you will learn so much along the way. Hugs!
If you have to sleep outside or in a colder place I do recommend that you put a fleece blanket around you first and then layer the other blankets on top of that. You can find them at a lot of stores for a cheap price, especially after holidays when they have a themed print on them. They trap your body heat very well and are good for older people whose legs and feet do not retain as much heat as they used to. They will save you from frozen toes and then chilblains which can really hurt. For Michael, I would also recommend a good pair of finger-less knit gloves. Those can really help in colder weather when you need to maintain your dexterity for work.
Check out 12v appliances and a power station (Jackery, Bluetti, Ecoflow), small electric fridge/freezers (SetPower, BougeRV). The size of power station you choose depends on the wattage your appliances combined draw. The power station can be charged while driving and will run the fridge at the same time. I have a 2012 Transit Connect for quick trips and a 2012 Chevy Express 4500 shuttle bus for longer trips. I used the DIY plug and play method to build out both: scoured Marketplace, thrift shops, furniture from my own house. Get yourself a shuttle bus or a shortie. They're actually roomier than a full-size Transit or Sprinter and way more affordable. Mine was from a local fleet near Blacksburg and was well maintained with all records.
This is AMAAAAZING! Love all your videos, especially these new nomadic-y ones with the cooking in hotel and van camping. Inspirational to living/travelling outside the box. :D
It's always good to get a change of ppl ace or scenery.... You can do a segment on camping $🌳 diners ... That would be cool.. I'm kinda interested on what you can do 🎉
Love it! The adventure in your life. I think if you add another down blanket under you and maybe a quilt on top you will see a dramatic difference in holding your body heat in. The one under is most important because air in mattress gets cold as temps drop and that permeates into your body the down will not only insulate you but natural down with cotton cover will keep you from sweating which is another cause to get cold the moisture again your body in cold air makes you colder. The extra quilt on top is just for added heat retention as well but layering is always warmer than one thick items. Hope maybe it helps the next cold night trip be warmer. Also a cami, t-shirt & thinner hoodie will keep you warmer than a thick hoodie.
Get you a Japanese futon floor mattress. You can just roll it up and store it in your van. It is worth it to sacrifice the space for comfort. I use one in my Subaru Outback when I camp.
Awwwe how I love a newbie "vanlifer"..lol.... your channel just came across my feed.. now I know why.....soooooo I found a USB powered XL heating pad on amazon and it wasn't crazy expensive ... I already had a very small power bank that will run it on low for about 9hours 7 on med and 4 on high... I found low worked great for me... it's been a GAME GAMER in chilly van sleeping weather for me.. now everyone's chilly will be different and I don't do extreme cold camping...but it does dip in the 30 and 40s a few days a year where I spend winters and it has been a great addition to my vanlife gear..
I just bought a new to me ‘22 Pacifica and I love it too! It’s such an ingenious design with the seats and stow in place roof racks too. I love seeing you make use of yours to camp in!
Wow! what an adventure! One of the things that I wanted to do growing up, I kinda romanticized it, but, I wanted to be able to just get in my car and travel until I wanted to stop, or had to stop and it didn't matter which direction I went, but mine was more like, stopping and finding work if I had to, to be able to put gas back in my car. So a true nomadic lifestyle. Not that we have ever done that, but your adventures made me remember what I wanted to do as a young adult! thanks so much for sharing and for meeting your significant other! enjoyed the vid! xoxo
Greetings from North Pole Alaska here. Wear a hat and scarf to bed as well as wool socks and 2 layers on torso and 2 pants. This is normal "jammies" for us at our house. 😊
I started researching this lifestyle after Florida got back to back hurricanes last month. I can't do this FLA hurricane season much longer. I can work from anywhere with power and wifi. But, I need to downsize drastically. I have a 1, 3 , and 5 year plan to see the world while keeping my current job. Thanks for sharing. My goal is to do weekend/week trips over the next 6 months to see how if works.
How wonderful to see you both on an adventure! I converted my SUV into a camper for weekends and extended trips. It's been really amazing to not have to tent camp anymore. I didn't want to sell my SUV for a minivan just yet, I've only had it for a few years so I made due but my ultimate goal is to have a minivan.
So my father always wanted to do that. He actually did a road trip sleeping in his van across the country. He went to national parks and state parks and camped out and it convinced him that he wanted to buy an RV. He ended up buying a travel trailer and has had it for the last four years and loves it. And, he goes up and down the East Coast in it. He’s gone out to Texas and New Mexico and Colorado. And he’s definitely had those freezing cold nights and he has said that now that he has the RV/travel trailer he would never go back to sleeping in the van because he couldn’t handle the cold anymore. And and these road trips with the RV and it’s amazing having the bathroom on the road with you and having the little kitchen makes such a difference but at the same time there is something about that is appealing as well.
I really really loved the vibe of this video. Please stay in the van again lol. One small note, I really wish we saw everything you ate. Thanks for the video ❤️
Rig a line and hang a quilt to tent over you guys when sleeping, keeps the heat in and the cold from the windows at bay, also put some reflectix under your bed!!
I know it's just a resto stop in PA, but I have to say.... I'm sooooooo jealous of the leaves changing color and seeing the fall season in effect. I have got to get out of Hell (FL).
Love your videos! I also follow some van life accounts and boy is it tempting! But only if I can find the right rv/van/camper. I have the ability to take contracts 3 months at a time and can really be anywhere in the country. It really is a strong consideration.
For those really cold nights I use a "hospital blanket" in between two other light blankets (like a synthetic down comforter). Those are next to worthless on their own, but when used as an inner layer really hold in heat.
I learned to sleep on top of pure wool blankets on air mattresses, along with sleeping under at least one wool blanket also. Then something super soft between me and the wool to avoid the scratchies. I use a sleep mask that keeps my forehead and eyeballs warm. And sleeping in thermals would make a difference of course. Or a couple of snow rated sleeping bags zipped together to make one large 2-person sleeping bag. But I love the simplicity of this and when you get the hang of it, it’s gonna be really fantastic! I almost bought a Boxabl brand tiny home, but I had to sell the property I would have lived on it with. I’m still trying to recover from how sad that makes me, not having it.
We had the Pacifica Touring and absolutely loved it! Such a comfortable ride. Our kids got older so we switched to the Telluride but I miss that Pacifica!
I have contemplated this with my hubby and love seeing how it works. Where did you get the window covers for all your windows? I also contemplated the Chrysler. We rented one once when the kids were little and it made for a great trip! Plenty of room inside to pull over and change diapers, feed kids etc!
I have a Dodge Grand Caravan that has “stow and go” seats and like yours fold down and completely flat interior. I bought a waterproof mattress cover at Walmart that covers the inside. I go to a farm market and buy produce in bulk, I use my van like a small truck and the mattress pad keeps the interior clean and dry.
Awesome video!! I have sleeping bags that open up flat and can be zipped up to another one to create a big blanket. They're warmer than blankets and have gotten me through many cold camping nights. Maybe that's something you could look into, if you'd like. 😊
Really enjoyed this! Another thing you can try to stay warm overnight is to fill a bottle like a Nalgene - something that seals tightly but isn't insulated - with boiling water and put it under the covers with you when you go to bed. Could be convenient if you have access to a hot water tap at the rest stop.
Every trip teaches you how to do the next one better and car camping is great if you’re comfortable. Obviously you need to be warmer. Try a night with just your mattress topper, no air mattress (like at home, in your driveway). When you work out the kinks, you can have a cozy little setup. Invest in a Jackery and a plug in sauce pan and omg- the sky is the limit with your creativity!
I used to be a traveling photographer. I was in a different state each week. We had a van in which I had to carry my complete photography studio. We also carried a tent, cooking equipment, etc. It was a great adventure.
One of my pet sitting clients bought one of those because they are no longer a family of three. I had no idea it did all that cool stuff. It is enormous and it dwarfs my CR-V which is not a small vehicle. That Pacifica is cool!! Good choice!!
You should check and see from your van manual if it has to be 600 V or under to use the plug-in there are quite a few 600 V or less small appliances. There is a collapsible water picture that eats water. There’s also some small crockpots and even a 8 x 8 electric frying pan also appliances on. Walmart and Amazon the MINI ones including a waffle maker, a sandwich, grill and little appliances like that. I believe there is also a boiled egg maker- there is also probably an electric blanket that is under 600 V that you could plug-in to your van
Hi Rebecca, I sent an email to you to show you a couple of things you might might like to use on your ''camping'' trip to keep you warm.I've never done this so if it didn't look right on the page I apologize.The price of $13.98 was the price online in Canada, I thought deleted all of that portion, but I guess I missed a spot . Oops ! I hope that this helps.Take care Laura Ps. This is for Michael leaving the bag, that is something that would happen to me , on a daily basis, so if this has only happen once maybe twice, count yourself lucky. I laughed at your guys weekend, the stuff that went on with you guys, that's an everyday occurance, too funny.I'm glad that this kind of stuff doesn't only happen to me , lol !🤣😂We all have our foibles !Take care y'all.Have a good one !
Make yourself a sleep cap like ladies use to wear in pioneer days. If your head is warm the rest of your body will be much warmer. It has elastic or a draw string. I crocheted one when we lived in NY. Old house sometimes it was pretty cold. But I slept fine. Sometimes exhale under the covers will warm the rest of your body so you can sleep. Do not keep your head covered bad for neck and narrating. Just exhale 3 or4 times. It is amazing how warm you will feel. Also take an old fashioned hit water bottle with you. Have fun and enjoy your youth.
Thank you for this video. It is not something I could do with my family but I like the idea. Being older with a family and concerned about safety ir someone mistaking me for a homeless person I would not feel safe. But if I went somewhere that was safe with friends not my family it could be fine!
I wrap a small fuzzy baby blanket around my head on cold nights. Covering my head and eyes leaving out nose and mouth and tucking the tails under my chin. You can do this with a towel also but it's not as warm.
Hi Rebecca, it sounds like an adventure! I also like to watch tiny home videos and living in your car for the adventure and fun. I know there pros and cons. But, if I had didn't have so many health issues, I would have loved to try it. On another note, Happy Veteran's Day to all the veterans everywhere in the world.
This was so fun and interesting to watch! Thank you for sharing! It was really nice to “meet” Michael, too. I believe I’ve heard you say in a past video that he serves in one of the armed forces, so please tell him thank you for his service for me!
So freaking excited to see this video! Van life is my second favorite thing to watch! Live seeing the reality. So many make van camping look amazing & without setbacks. Have you thought about a mini fridge with a small solar generator?
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i just wanted to let you know that I love your videos, and you were a life saver for me. On Sept. 18 I was admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery...(4 separate surgeries as they had to stop and get my blood pressure back up) I had been placed in a medically induced coma for a week. I woke up on 9/23. I couldn't sleep for about 3 or 4 days after that. After about 3 weeks at that hospital, I was transferred to a Rehab hospital for physical therapy to learn to stand and walk again. I was still having problems sleeping. I figured out that I could watch your videos on my phone, and just the sound of your voice was so relaxing, and felt like home,, (I watch your videos all of the time at home.) I would relax enough to go to sleep. You will never know what a gift that was. I'm home now and doing therapy here....I'm not running yet, but getting close. LOL! Thank you for the wonderful videos!!!!
So glad your doing better🙏
Lord Bless you ❤
Missing duffle bags, rest area fights and freezing temps, oh my! 😂❤ Love seeing Michael in the mix! I remember the days when he much preferred to stay out of camera. Thanks for sharing your convention life with us! So interesting and such great ideas for mobile living. I really love the shake-up of your content lately. Dollar Tree Dinners for life. But also, I really love where your channel is going! ❤
he still prefers to stay off camera lol but there wasn't a way he could avoid it this time ;)
@DollarTreeDinners lol he did great! Such a good sport.
Interesting information on van life! Y'all are so cute together 😊! Rest areas can be dangerous so be careful! Thank you for sharing such interesting content and making memories with you and Michael! Love your videos! 😊❤
Oh gosh. Yeah there is no way I would try to sleep in a rest area. 😳☠️ I'm glad y'all survived!!
@@DollarTreeDinnersYour mans is a hottie!
Thank you Micheal for letting us meet you❤
Aw, thanks! He’s shy but he appreciates the love.
Yes! Nice to meet Michael!! He’s also part of the Dollar Tree family ❤
Yes hi Michael. Nice to meet you.
Would he ever consider letting you share some of his art?! I have a 16 yr old homeschooled gal who is an artist. I'd like to show her that her passion could become something she could make extra income from!
More videos with Michael!
If the rest areas or gym you stay at have microwave access you could buy a pet bed heater called snuggle safe. They heat in the microwave for a couple minutes and stay warm for up to 10 hours, way longer than hand warmers or hot water bottles. Loving this vlog. Hope you guys do more camping stuff 👍🏼
Love from Ireland 🇮🇪☘️
I would LOVE to see you bringing dollar tree dinners on the road and cooking with campfire 🥰😍 so fun
That sounds like a fun idea! I’ll have to make a video of that!
I'd love to see you making camping style meals. My family loves camping. I recommend those foil packet types of dinners (steak or chicken, diced potatoes, vegetable, seasonings, butter or oil). Perfect!!
Good News-when you move to Washington, you can sleep in your van all year around.😊
@@stacyrussell460 Those are yummy ! Cooking foiled food over a campfire or a grill, yum !
Yes me too
I love that you’re branching out and putting out different content. It’s neat seeing you in a different context. But still love the DT content best. Lol❤
I love DT too! It's always good to mix things up though. I'm glad you're enjoying the van life!
My husband and I took a trip. I packed everything in the suitcase for myself. I got everything out and put on the bed for him to put in his suitcase. He closed up his suitcase, took them both out to the car we went on our trip, got to our destination. I had all my clothes in my suitcase, but his was empty. He didn’t take the clothes off the bed and put them in his suitcase.😂
This is an exciting change. You are so neat. Love your videos.
Thank you! I’m trying to be brave and go outside my comfort zone. Van life has been a great experience so far!
@ I love how you give the details. The real ones. Great video.
Your reasoning for Anytime Fitness vs. Planet Fitness is mostly why I belong to AF, too. It's 24 hours, it's super clean, I've never had to wait for equipment, and the patrons aren't mostly young buff kids lol. And BTW: with Medicare Advantage (for my fellow "seniors"), gym memberships are free!
I wish most of the ones we visited were super clean haha we've had very mixed experiences with cleanliness
@@DollarTreeDinners That's disappointing for the cleanliness, they should always be clean for everybody to enjoy.I hope it wasn't a total bummer !
It's great when you know you have a warm house to go home to. We were homeless six years in 4 states, all with cold weather. You survived a weekend. We survived 6 years, that's why my body has so many problems and I have such anxiety. It was good of you to show people though. So, thank you for shining a light. Not all homeless people choose to be homeless. We didn't. Life was very very hard. Hugs from WI
It took courage to say what you just said. Thank you for saying it. So many ears don’t want to hear stuff like this right now. Also, thank you for extending compassion…I read it in your response. 🤗
I’m excited for the 72 hour kit video! My vacation was camping in my car (yes, in, I have a cot size mattress in there) for 3.5 weeks to Yukon and Alaska. With the small space, the hardest is inclement weather. For the cold, I found that wearing a tuque and a fleece hoodie, as well as having a polarfleece blanket over my duvet made a huge difference. Fleece is such a good insulator. Much warmer than a cotton hoodie.
I have a queen size down blanket. So lovely.
Wool also is magical for warmth. I know, expensive, but through thrift stores and military surplus, even some knitting or quilting skills, you can make custom wool undergarments or a blanket.
Y’all need a solar generator like a Jackery to plug in a small electric heater and fan. Loved this type of video. Y’all are too cute!
Please do more of these!! I love seeing how other people do it. I remember living with my parents in a Nova when I was turning 9. My mom and I showered at my aunt’s house and my dad showered at work until winter started in. Then my aunt let us move in with her. I slept in my aunt’s walk in closet and my parents slept in the fold out couch.
I have been RV’ing for almost 40 years - in all sorts of vehicles - VW campers to a 40-foot behemoth. Husband passed away 3+ years ago, so am in a smaller unit now. I have a home base where I spent most of my time. The adventures are not as compelling alone as they were with my “pilot”.
Keep hold of that dream to see the countryside. You will never regret it. ;->
I find that I spend most of my time in “camping mode” even at home. Once you become accustomed to the lifestyle, it is naturally a way to conserve resources. I am having fun with my DASH and Nostalgia cooking implements. Perfect for one or two people on the go.
I second that! Similar circumstances. ❤️
Sorry for the loss of your spouse.
Between 2013-2021, my husband and I lived an “alternative lifestyle”. We were team truck drivers and lived on the road for 6-12 weeks at a time. Life in the truck was actually quite comfortable, especially in the latter half when we were given trucks with a fridge/freezer and outlets that weren’t just 12V! We also earned good money doing that. Even now, 3 years later, I still appreciate the luxury of having a toilet, running water and not having to sleep in a moving vehicle!
My husband and I lived in a van for almost a year. We bought an older Fed Ex cargo van and converted it to an RV. My husband is a mechanic so that made repairs to the van so much easier. I am also very good at designing and utilizing spaces, so those things were a plus for our buildout. We still have it and use it when we go on vacation. We added a diesel heater to the inside so that it would not be so cold in the winter. I have to say that it is so nice being able to go anywhere you want to go at anytime. Amazon sells a tea kettle that is 12V, that may make things easier for you. Or you can purchase an inverter. That would help you be able to use some small appliances possibly. There are so many possibilities these days for electricity that really it just depends on what you want to spend. We also have a Jackery power bank that can be used for just about anything. We actually added solar to our van, so there is that option, too. And believe it or not, these days, it is pretty affordable. I love alternative living too. Thanks for the video. Have a great day.
Cool 👍
I know Michael doesn't like being on camera, so please tell him that your audience appreciates his participation. Thanks for Vlogging your travel and experiences with us. 🧡💛💜
My grandparents had a small hacienda here in Southern California with a milk cow, chickens, an incredible garden including fruit and avocado trees. On the back of the farmhouse, there was a huge screened in covered porch. We kids would grab our sleeping bags and have the most awesome sleepovers on that porch. Because their Rancho was close to the canyon, during the night bears, coyotes and bobcats would wander by. I still love sleeping in the outdoors.
Had the same issue while camping and was advised to keep my head warm by wearing hat or beanie. Made a huge difference.
I will have to try that out next time!
@@DollarTreeDinners That's where you lose alot of body heat is from the head.
I live full time in my RV in a mixed Mobile Home/RV community. Rent is cheap and includes all utilities. Im a 54 year old disabled widow and this is the most manageable situation for me and my circumstanes. I highly approve it for any age or income level.
I converted my minivan to travel. It has everything I need and I boondock most of the time. I travel solo so this allows me a little stretch room.
Hot water bottles keep me warm.
We have a small farm, so we need to have a truck around. I bought a Softopper camper shell so I can easily convert a working truck bed into a place to crash on a trip. I just roll a BedRug in to make the corrugated metal easier to deal with and put our guest futon mattress in the bed. I love it! It has changed the way I travel, mostly the way I eat when I travel. I don't make reservations or worry about an itinerary - I just go where I want to go, cook out of my truck as needed, and spend much more time getting to know the areas I visit by shopping in local grocery stores, sleeping in local parks and public lands, and frequenting local parks, libraries, and civic buildings for restrooms, internet, and a place to sit and hang out every now and then.
you're such a light and the goodness and love in your heart really shines through in every situation! i hope michael isn't as much as a bummer as he seems. i hope you're able to be treated with the same love you irradiate. i know what it's like to be in a relationship like this and boy is it exhausting and mentally taxing. i can't believe he shut off the lights while you were still talking :( wishing you the absolute best always
Thanks for your kind words and concern. We're all good! He's extra dramatic for the camera to be funny
I think Michael is very good looking, funny, and the two of you seem very loving together.
What!?! He did not seem like a bummer at all, he was funny. I can’t believe you assumed so much about a person from a few minutes of video.
🫤
He definitely didn’t seem like a bummer. I totally got his humor and personality! Rebecca don’t listen to that nonsense and please tell Michael to keep being himself and pay no attention to ignorant comments!
I think they just have a grumpy sunshine thing going on. 😊
There's a few appliances you can get that draw under 100wt of power; hot logic, road pro, mini crockpot, itacki, etc. And esp using while driving, it won't drain your battery. Air mattresses can get expensive no matter how careful you are (trap cold air). You can get plastic storage shelves, cut legs to level, base for wood, thermorest camping mat, then foam and you'll have storage underneath. You might want to get a 12v heating blanket. Those will heat up the interior to an extent w very low power draw.
I'm not happy that so many areas are outlawing overnight sleeping.
Hi. You can buy a few of the hot hands packs. They are not too expensive and you most likely will only use one or two each person per night. Also there are survival blankets made with aluminum to help reflex your body heat to help you keep warm. I hope this is helpful. You are such a wonderful person.
This was so much fun. I chuckled, thinking thank goodness that you're young. When you get to be my age you & Michael will have great memories. I did sleep in my car on a couple of occasions in my 60s when I was driving to visit family with my mini poodle and there were no pet friendly hotels nearby.
aww that's sweet! I hope so!
My spouse and I do these type of trips too. We've decided that when we first wake in the middle of the night due to temperature issues, we start the mini-van and blast the heat until the space is quite warm. It usually takes less than 30 minutes and saves us waking up over and over throughout the night. Hope this helps your mini-van sleepovers more enjoyable. PS - we do the same when it is summer. Waiting for the sun to go down, blast the air conditioning, then fall asleep in a comfortable environment.
I love this video. My husband and I purchased a sprinter van about a year ago, my goal is to transition to Van life. I think his goal is to wait a little while. Having a home definitely has its creature comforts, and we do have children so that adds a little bit to the adventure. However it’s nice to be able to do long road trips, and save on the expense of a hotel and be able to pull off and sleep in areas we wouldn’t normally be able to. Thank you so much for sharing.
It’s so fun to travel in a van! You are amazing for doing it with little ones.
I had no idea you could do all of that with a Pacifica. Good choice! I have a feeling that you will eventually be able to convince Michael to get an RV. You are creating some great memories! 👏
Love this video! I have a van I camp in. I sleep with a stocking cap on, use a hot water bottle, and two heavy wool blankets on top of a regular blanket keep me toasty in the low 30s. I've done so many of your Dollar Tree meals and discovered how easy it is to do them camping.
Yeah, having a thick boiled wool blanket on hand could save your life.
This was such a fun video! I am reminded of all of our camping trips when i was young. We would take turns sleeping in our 9 passenger station wagon with our cousins! We had so much fun. We only had our sleeping bags and a pillow and no window covers. We would try to scare each by telling silly tales, like, someone is outside the car stuff! Thanks for the memories! 😊❤
That's such a cool memory! It sounds like you had a great time.
My sister and I did it for a 2 week road trip. We drove from northern va to New Mexico. We took a break in the middle and spent time in a hotel for two days and then we drove back. We used the hotel days as laundry days and a chance to restock and prep. We visited a bunch of national parks on the way and the entire trip, including food, hotel, gas, laundry and miscellaneous was only 2500.
That sounds like an amazing trip!
@@DollarTreeDinnersyea we’ve done it a few times. If you get cold, get a portable battery like a jackery but here are plenty of knockoffs on Amazon that are cheaper. It can up be used in emergency, charge devices and run a heating pad or blanket to keep you warm at night and warm you up on the morning. Also line your bed with a fleece and then sleep with your blanket, it helps keep you warmer. You usually can get free ice from most gas stations if you bring your own cups. We brought a yeti like cooler that fit in the trunk. I just had to add 3 larger cups of ice every morning and we were set. Most gas stations will let you get free ice and free hot water as long as you bring your own cups. Ask first obviously. We didn’t unpack the car until we got to the hotel.
We don’t put the seats down, my sister and I are both short like 5 feet 2. So we just put up both rows of seats and each person gets a “bunk”. We use the seat cushions to make the seat more comfortable. Plus fleeces, blankets, and pillows and it’s super comfortable. I tried an air mattress on our first trip, it took up too much space and limited our storage. So we just kept the car in sections. My bunk was the back row and my sister too the middle row. We kept the cooler, food, hiking gear, kitchen set up, and other storage in the trunk, while stuff we used daily, like our shoes, clothing batteries, Hyigene bag snacks, extra bags, window coverings utensils, dishes etc were stored in the middles seat since it had more space. Next to my sisters “bunk” jackets since we often were driving through different seasons on these trips were store in the cargo next attach to the ceiling of the car.
We were able to mix dry foods and microwave foods for the trip.
For the food front, we brought microwave rice packets, cup noodle, bowl noddle, easy Mac microwave bowls, bologna, sand which bread, sandwich fixings, premade store brought or homemade cold salad options (past salad, chicken salad, egg salad or bean salad), premade store bought rice pudding (our favorite breakfast on road-tripping), oatmeal, granola with yogurt, spam, canned corn, canned cream of mushroom, limited seasoning, soy sauce crackers, tea, instant coffee, chips with gauc and candy. We also bought naked juices on the road if we wanted more healthy food. We usually bought coffee at the gas stations we slept at in the morning. We spend a little extra on the naked juices, premade food sometimes but we still save a boat load of money. And avoiding eating fast food. It doesn’t make us feel well. We only eat out at when it was worth it.
I also bring a small kitchen set up
Knife, cutting board, one large pot that I can use for boiling something to heating up something or frying, a small bottle of oil, propane and butane, a lighter, a three piece scooping set (spatula, ladle tongs) paper towels a bottle of vinegar for dishes in a spray bottle, strainer and basic seasoning in a medicine pill organizer (garlic powder, msg, onion powder, steak seasoning, sugar, salt, pepper) so that if I feel like actually cooking I can. These all fit in a plastic tote, if I’m being honest, I don’t use it on the road but when we’re at the hotel I usually whip thins thing out and cook and prep the food for the trip back. So it can be ready to be nuked later.
Basic rule for food, eat it cold or have it prepped by you or the store and nuke it
Also we usually buy a 40 pack of water and just drink that all week or two. It’s not good for the environment but it’s easier.
Basic meal plan for those who want to know
Breakfast
Rice pudding
Oatmeal
Coffee instant or gas station (its for My sister)
Tea
If it’s cold cup noodle. (We watched the sunrise at the grand canyon with cup noodle. It was so cold and it hit the spot)
If you feel like prepping food, scramble or hard boil eggs for added protein
You could do the same for breakfast sausage
Lunch
Premade or home made salad (bean, egg, pasta, chicken with a mayo oil based dressing)
Chips, crackers or loaf bread
Ham bologna salami sandwiches (grab free mayo and mustard from the gas station)
Yogurt with garnola
Peanut butter tortilla
Guacamole with chips
Some of the breakfast options work here too. Also grab extra from the free breakfasts from hotels like muffins, cereal, yogurt, juices are great and can be eaten on the go too.
We added a naked juice or smoothie drink to give us a boast and fight off the elevation sickness (I’m prone to it)
Lunch was usually on the go since we were usually hiking or just hiking or are out walking and sight seeing
We’ll pick up small things if we see something really unique or good. We’ll eat this stuff and go to a restaurant and share an appetizer or one main dish since we’re not hungry. We’re eating to try new things not to spend money
Dinner
We either find a nice place to eat or
Micro wave bag of rice, microwave spam soy sauce
Mac and cheese with cut up hot dogs
Cream of mushroom soup and canned corn and a crunchy something (we usually try to pick up some fried chicken)
Cup noodle with hot dogs, fish balls or spam
I sometimes preboiled pasta and would nuke it with some alfrdo sauce with hot dogs and frechies on top.
All meals were usaully eat with side salad or a veggie (pre cut at home) nuked/steamed.
After a long day of hiking and sight seeing, those meals hit the spot.
The set up was an investment, 150 for the cooler, 500 portable battery, bed set up was just stuff from the house plus 60 dollars for memory foam seat cushions from Walmart and 50 for the stove and propane. 100 for random things like window covering and the extra cargo net I used for storage. And obviously the cost of the highlander that I paid off. But those were worth the investment and has paid for itself with all the nightswe didn’t get a hotel. We call it hotel highlander.
You are right there are some discomforts, but plenty of ways to make it work. My sister and I don’t make a lot of money and we wanted to see the country, so we have made it work.
@@inuyasha88taking notes, i might try this with my family next year. The investment isnt too much and doable. And each hotel night is like 100 bulks. And some of the motels are not clean.
Love how you're breaking out into different content. I'm 39 years old and my husband and I live offgrid in the mountains. We converted a shed into a 250sqft house, and we also have a transit van with a bed and "kitchnette" that we built for our adventures. We're both super into unconventional living, obviously, lol. We moved into tiny living from an over 2,000sqft house (we built on the back bedroom). It definitely takes some getting used, too, but the reward for us is financial freedom and a much more purposeful life. We're happy with our decision after 6 years of living this way. Looking forward to more content from you guys. You all seem super fun and chill.
Get a dollar tree baby blankie and sleep with it folded in half and over your head. You can pull it down so you can barely breath out of a fold and the poly fleece wont get wet from condensation.
I made my car window covers by pressing newspaper into the window and tracing around it with a pen, then cutting the shape out of cardboard. Leave an extra 2 inch "box flap" to fold over top and bottom, both to help secure it and to help grab it.
I still don't know what you sell at the conventions. LOL
This was great! I watch a lot of the van camper videos, tiny homes & some car-living videos, but this was nice to see it really being done. (Was nice to ‘meet’ your hubby too!) Thanks for the vid! ❤️🌹
Thanks! It’s so fun to see all the different setups people have.
Loved this! And it would be great to see more of what you eat for these van camping weekends.
We have 5 kids and 2 mini vans. I drive a Honda Odyssey, but when I had a chance to do a solo camping trip this spring, I took my husband’s Dodge Grand Caravan. The seats all stow like the Pacifica, so that gave me plenty of room for a twin air mattress with extra padding underneath. The floor was pretty level, so I didn’t have to build it up like you did. I love how you made that work!
We just cut some cardboard pieces to cover the windows, and I draped a blanket over the front seats to block the windshield. I completely loved that little van trip, so I get it. It is so fun to see all the different ways people set up their vehicles.
Thank you for the fun video! My daughter wants a Sprinter Van to live in full time. This is actually a great video to help me convince her that other options may be better for long-term living. 😊 Yes, I am with you that i want to travel to as many states as possible in our travel trailer. We have already been to multiple US States when travelling by RV (OR, WA, ID, MT, WY) and 2 provinces (BC, Alberta) in Canada. Looking forward to more!
Also, this makes me look forward to the vlog of your cross-country journey. You will encounter some struggles (as everybody does), but you will learn so much along the way. Hugs!
If you have to sleep outside or in a colder place I do recommend that you put a fleece blanket around you first and then layer the other blankets on top of that. You can find them at a lot of stores for a cheap price, especially after holidays when they have a themed print on them. They trap your body heat very well and are good for older people whose legs and feet do not retain as much heat as they used to. They will save you from frozen toes and then chilblains which can really hurt. For Michael, I would also recommend a good pair of finger-less knit gloves. Those can really help in colder weather when you need to maintain your dexterity for work.
wear a wool cap at night.
Check out 12v appliances and a power station (Jackery, Bluetti, Ecoflow), small electric fridge/freezers (SetPower, BougeRV). The size of power station you choose depends on the wattage your appliances combined draw. The power station can be charged while driving and will run the fridge at the same time. I have a 2012 Transit Connect for quick trips and a 2012 Chevy Express 4500 shuttle bus for longer trips. I used the DIY plug and play method to build out both: scoured Marketplace, thrift shops, furniture from my own house. Get yourself a shuttle bus or a shortie. They're actually roomier than a full-size Transit or Sprinter and way more affordable. Mine was from a local fleet near Blacksburg and was well maintained with all records.
I love that van set up with the seats being in the floor.
You have an outlet in the van get an electric blanket would probably work.❤
She said it would not support more than filling up the mattress and recharging her phone/ computer.
This is AMAAAAZING! Love all your videos, especially these new nomadic-y ones with the cooking in hotel and van camping. Inspirational to living/travelling outside the box. :D
It’s nice to hear that they’re inspirational! I love sharing our van life adventures!
It's always good to get a change of ppl ace or scenery.... You can do a segment on camping $🌳 diners ... That would be cool.. I'm kinda interested on what you can do 🎉
I’m sure I’ll make a camping dinner video at some point!
If Dollar Tree starts selling Mr. Heaters this place is gonna go off the hook...
I really enjoyed this. When my kids were young we did van and tent sleeping just because we would go to the beach. I miss those days.
MORE of this!!! Great content.
Thanks so much! I’m glad you liked it
Love it! The adventure in your life. I think if you add another down blanket under you and maybe a quilt on top you will see a dramatic difference in holding your body heat in. The one under is most important because air in mattress gets cold as temps drop and that permeates into your body the down will not only insulate you but natural down with cotton cover will keep you from sweating which is another cause to get cold the moisture again your body in cold air makes you colder. The extra quilt on top is just for added heat retention as well but layering is always warmer than one thick items. Hope maybe it helps the next cold night trip be warmer. Also a cami, t-shirt & thinner hoodie will keep you warmer than a thick hoodie.
Forget comforters. Ger yourself four season sleeping bags. Will never have a cold night again.
I had a 30-degree bag and liked to froze to death.
A n old fashioned hot water bottle can really help at night.
This was great. Awesome Michael was open to being included in the video. Looking forward to see the 72 hour meals
So cool!! Wish I was young again 😅
This was so much fun! Thanks for sharing your trip.
Get you a Japanese futon floor mattress. You can just roll it up and store it in your van. It is worth it to sacrifice the space for comfort. I use one in my Subaru Outback when I camp.
Awwwe how I love a newbie "vanlifer"..lol.... your channel just came across my feed.. now I know why.....soooooo I found a USB powered XL heating pad on amazon and it wasn't crazy expensive ... I already had a very small power bank that will run it on low for about 9hours 7 on med and 4 on high... I found low worked great for me... it's been a GAME GAMER in chilly van sleeping weather for me.. now everyone's chilly will be different and I don't do extreme cold camping...but it does dip in the 30 and 40s
a few days a year where I spend winters and it has been a great addition to my vanlife gear..
I just bought a new to me ‘22 Pacifica and I love it too! It’s such an ingenious design with the seats and stow in place roof racks too. I love seeing you make use of yours to camp in!
Wow! what an adventure! One of the things that I wanted to do growing up, I kinda romanticized it, but, I wanted to be able to just get in my car and travel until I wanted to stop, or had to stop and it didn't matter which direction I went, but mine was more like, stopping and finding work if I had to, to be able to put gas back in my car. So a true nomadic lifestyle. Not that we have ever done that, but your adventures made me remember what I wanted to do as a young adult! thanks so much for sharing and for meeting your significant other! enjoyed the vid! xoxo
Thank you so much for sharing. Can't wait for the 72 hour kit.
I liked this alterrnative video! As always, you are so thoughtful and thankful.
I love doing things like that also. Will your plug in power a heated blanket? That would definitely keep you warm!
Greetings from North Pole Alaska here. Wear a hat and scarf to bed as well as wool socks and 2 layers on torso and 2 pants. This is normal "jammies" for us at our house. 😊
Thanks for sharing your experience,it's not all glamour.🥰
I started researching this lifestyle after Florida got back to back hurricanes last month. I can't do this FLA hurricane season much longer. I can work from anywhere with power and wifi. But, I need to downsize drastically. I have a 1, 3 , and 5 year plan to see the world while keeping my current job. Thanks for sharing. My goal is to do weekend/week trips over the next 6 months to see how if works.
How wonderful to see you both on an adventure! I converted my SUV into a camper for weekends and extended trips. It's been really amazing to not have to tent camp anymore. I didn't want to sell my SUV for a minivan just yet, I've only had it for a few years so I made due but my ultimate goal is to have a minivan.
So my father always wanted to do that. He actually did a road trip sleeping in his van across the country. He went to national parks and state parks and camped out and it convinced him that he wanted to buy an RV. He ended up buying a travel trailer and has had it for the last four years and loves it. And, he goes up and down the East Coast in it. He’s gone out to Texas and New Mexico and Colorado. And he’s definitely had those freezing cold nights and he has said that now that he has the RV/travel trailer he would never go back to sleeping in the van because he couldn’t handle the cold anymore. And and these road trips with the RV and it’s amazing having the bathroom on the road with you and having the little kitchen makes such a difference but at the same time there is something about that is appealing as well.
You guys are such a cute couple! Very fun chill vibes. ❤️
Happy Veterans Day, Michael!
I really really loved the vibe of this video. Please stay in the van again lol. One small note, I really wish we saw everything you ate. Thanks for the video ❤️
Thanks for taking us along for van camping. Michael seems just right for you. Nice to meet him. God bless you both and all here ❤ ✝️ ❤
Rig a line and hang a quilt to tent over you guys when sleeping, keeps the heat in and the cold from the windows at bay, also put some reflectix under your bed!!
I know it's just a resto stop in PA, but I have to say.... I'm sooooooo jealous of the leaves changing color and seeing the fall season in effect. I have got to get out of Hell (FL).
Love your videos! I also follow some van life accounts and boy is it tempting! But only if I can find the right rv/van/camper. I have the ability to take contracts 3 months at a time and can really be anywhere in the country. It really is a strong consideration.
For those really cold nights I use a "hospital blanket" in between two other light blankets (like a synthetic down comforter). Those are next to worthless on their own, but when used as an inner layer really hold in heat.
I learned to sleep on top of pure wool blankets on air mattresses, along with sleeping under at least one wool blanket also. Then something super soft between me and the wool to avoid the scratchies. I use a sleep mask that keeps my forehead and eyeballs warm. And sleeping in thermals would make a difference of course. Or a couple of snow rated sleeping bags zipped together to make one large 2-person sleeping bag. But I love the simplicity of this and when you get the hang of it, it’s gonna be really fantastic! I almost bought a Boxabl brand tiny home, but I had to sell the property I would have lived on it with. I’m still trying to recover from how sad that makes me, not having it.
We had the Pacifica Touring and absolutely loved it! Such a comfortable ride. Our kids got older so we switched to the Telluride but I miss that Pacifica!
I have contemplated this with my hubby and love seeing how it works. Where did you get the window covers for all your windows? I also contemplated the Chrysler. We rented one once when the kids were little and it made for a great trip! Plenty of room inside to pull over and change diapers, feed kids etc!
You’re one smart young woman. 😊
I have a Dodge Grand Caravan that has “stow and go” seats and like yours fold down and completely flat interior. I bought a waterproof mattress cover at Walmart that covers the inside. I go to a farm market and buy produce in bulk, I use my van like a small truck and the mattress pad keeps the interior clean and dry.
Awesome video!! I have sleeping bags that open up flat and can be zipped up to another one to create a big blanket. They're warmer than blankets and have gotten me through many cold camping nights. Maybe that's something you could look into, if you'd like. 😊
Brilliant idea to shower at the gym. I never would have thought of that
Really enjoyed this! Another thing you can try to stay warm overnight is to fill a bottle like a Nalgene - something that seals tightly but isn't insulated - with boiling water and put it under the covers with you when you go to bed. Could be convenient if you have access to a hot water tap at the rest stop.
Omg i love this video so much. It’s nice to see a real day (weekend ) in the life.
Every trip teaches you how to do the next one better and car camping is great if you’re comfortable. Obviously you need to be warmer. Try a night with just your mattress topper, no air mattress (like at home, in your driveway). When you work out the kinks, you can have a cozy little setup. Invest in a Jackery and a plug in sauce pan and omg- the sky is the limit with your creativity!
I used to be a traveling photographer. I was in a different state each week. We had a van in which I had to carry my complete photography studio. We also carried a tent, cooking equipment, etc. It was a great adventure.
Thank you! Wondering what kind of conventions you go to. You may have told us but I have forgotten🤪❤
Miss the days when I used to camp like that in the back of a pickup. Now the restroom has to be much closer! lol❤
One of my pet sitting clients bought one of those because they are no longer a family of three. I had no idea it did all that cool stuff. It is enormous and it dwarfs my CR-V which is not a small vehicle. That Pacifica is cool!! Good choice!!
Sleeping bags are great for keeping warm, you can fold em out like blankets one on top one on bottom
You should check and see from your van manual if it has to be 600 V or under to use the plug-in there are quite a few 600 V or less small appliances. There is a collapsible water picture that eats water. There’s also some small crockpots and even a 8 x 8 electric frying pan also appliances on. Walmart and Amazon the MINI ones including a waffle maker, a sandwich, grill and little appliances like that. I believe there is also a boiled egg maker- there is also probably an electric blanket that is under 600 V that you could plug-in to your van
Hi Rebecca, I sent an email to you to show you a couple of things you might might like to use on your ''camping'' trip to keep you warm.I've never done this so if it didn't look right on the page I apologize.The price of $13.98 was the price online in Canada, I thought deleted all of that portion, but I guess I missed a spot . Oops ! I hope that this helps.Take care Laura
Ps. This is for Michael leaving the bag, that is something that would happen to me , on a daily basis, so if this has only happen once maybe twice, count yourself lucky. I laughed at your guys weekend, the stuff that went on with you guys, that's an everyday occurance, too funny.I'm glad that this kind of stuff doesn't only happen to me , lol !🤣😂We all have our foibles !Take care y'all.Have a good one !
I love this video!! Thanks for sharing! I would love to see more “van life” videos.😊
Make yourself a sleep cap like ladies use to wear in pioneer days. If your head is warm the rest of your body will be much warmer. It has elastic or a draw string. I crocheted one when we lived in NY. Old house sometimes it was pretty cold. But I slept fine. Sometimes exhale under the covers will warm the rest of your body so you can sleep. Do not keep your head covered bad for neck and narrating. Just exhale 3 or4 times. It is amazing how warm you will feel. Also take an old fashioned hit water bottle with you. Have fun and enjoy your youth.
Thank you for this video. It is not something I could do with my family but I like the idea. Being older with a family and concerned about safety ir someone mistaking me for a homeless person I would not feel safe. But if I went somewhere that was safe with friends not my family it could be fine!
Props to you guys for using an air mattress in the cold as they get freezing!
I absolutely loved this video ❤❤❤❤
I wrap a small fuzzy baby blanket around my head on cold nights. Covering my head and eyes leaving out nose and mouth and tucking the tails under my chin. You can do this with a towel also but it's not as warm.
Hi Rebecca, it sounds like an adventure! I also like to watch tiny home videos and living in your car for the adventure and fun. I know there pros and cons. But, if I had didn't have so many health issues, I would have loved to try it.
On another note, Happy Veteran's Day to all the veterans everywhere in the world.
This was so fun and interesting to watch! Thank you for sharing! It was really nice to “meet” Michael, too. I believe I’ve heard you say in a past video that he serves in one of the armed forces, so please tell him thank you for his service for me!
Did not expect a vanlife video from you but it was AWESOME!! What type of conventions do y’all attend and are you vendors at them?
Such a fun departure from the cooking videos! I could definitely see this being expanded to cooking on the go or packing food for road trips!
So freaking excited to see this video! Van life is my second favorite thing to watch! Live seeing the reality. So many make van camping look amazing & without setbacks. Have you thought about a mini fridge with a small solar generator?
What a fun adventure!