23 wild and free

(First published in Issue 5, June 2022) It was 2020 and, at 21, I’d just graduated from university in the height of a pandemic and found myself thrown into a world of countless unknowns and innumerable restrictions. What was I to do next? My intention was always to travel as extensively as I could after completing my education, but with COVID regulations and limited funds, I soon realized I’d have to make another plan. Determined not to be beaten, I made the somewhat spontaneous decision to use the savings I had managed to acquire during my time at university to buy and convert a 2011 Ford Transit van. I had absolutely no experience with any form of DIY or mechanics, but I did have endless enthusiasm and a keen interest in watching other van lifers convert and upgrade their vans online. Perhaps irrationally, I decided that if they could do it, why couldn’t I?

It took me almost a year to convert my van on weekends outside of my full-time job. Most of the build took place in the depths of winter, in freezing temperatures and thick blankets of snow. It was certainly a challenge learning how to navigate power tools, electrics, carpentry, and itchy glass-based insulation with only the odd YouTube video for instruction. But slowly, the van progressed, and with every small accomplishment, I gained more motivation to complete the van conversion of my dreams. Eventually, as the spring of 2021 lazily turned into summer, I put the finishing touches on my tiny home on wheels. I was more than ready to get out there and start experiencing van life adventures for myself.

Quitting my job as a teaching assistant, I immediately began searching for remote job opportunities that would give me a chance to earn an income while on the go. To my surprise, I managed to land a great job in marketing, which is a perfect fit for van life and eventually turned into a freelance career as a digital nomad. It was at this point that the clouds of uncertainty that had fogged my mind since the pandemic started finally began to disperse. I’d created a chance to travel from the comfort of my own tiny home, with a remote income that wouldn’t keep me tied to one monotonous routine, and was starting to see a positive, clear future ahead of me rather than the blank void I had been so desperate to fill before.

One of my favorite van life trips to date was in December 2021, when my brother and I went on a Christmas road tour of Germany, Belgium, France, and Luxembourg. We headed directly to Cologne first to experience the numerous Christmas markets that light up the 2,000-year-old German city during the festive season. Parked up with a view over the Rhine as our backyard, I experienced an overwhelming sense of freedom and elation and knew that I was on the right path. The markets were unforgettably magical. Thousands of fairy lights blanketed the skies above alpine huts selling roasted chestnuts, Glühwein, and intricately carved ornaments, while the gothic spires of Cologne’s famous cathedral loomed majestically overhead.

From here, we headed south to the Black Forest, where we drove along mountaintop passes that wound their way through miles of snow-topped evergreen woodland. I parked on the side of the road and jumped out of the van in childlike excitement to run through the winter wonderland, soaking up the Narnia-like views and not quite believing I’d driven us all the way here to this dreamlike place. For the next few nights, we stayed in a free wild-camping location just outside the tiny rural village of Saint Peter in the alpine valleys of the Black Forest region. The best part about van life, in my opinion, is staying in such beautiful 5-star destinations without having to spend a penny on accommodation or expensive flights. Although it has its challenges, such as finding places to fill up with fresh water, disposing of waste, and finding overnight parking at the last minute, it’s a life filled with endless possibilities and access to the world’s most enchanting locations. For me, it’s well worth its unique struggles. And besides, I’m a firm believer that having to navigate challenging situations sometimes and stepping out of your comfort zone really helps to fast-track personal growth. Van life certainly does this!

More recently, and closer to home, I took my van on a weekend trip to the Yorkshire Dales in search of adventure. The temperature was still very nippy as I drove past frost-tipped hedgerows and icy fields. But as I drove up onto Buttertubs Pass, a remote high road in the heart of the Dales, I was treated to the most intense golden-hour sunlight I’ve ever experienced. I parked the van on the side of the road looking out onto miles of rolling hills and idyllic stone walls with no one else in sight, bathing in the resplendent glow. There’s definitely a reason they call it magic hour. Though totally alone in this remote location, I didn’t feel at all lonely.

I love being around friends and family, but it’s nice to know that you can always make your own way, irrespective of the position of those around you. That evening, I parked for the night on the shore of Semerwater Lake with the sliding door of my van open to the gentle lapping of water just a couple of meters away from my doorstep as I watched the sun slip down below the horizon. Before leaving the next morning, despite near-freezing temperatures, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to pull on my wetsuit and go for a wild dip in the lake. Although I could only stay submerged for a couple of minutes in the icy water, it was wonderfully invigorating.

So, now it’s 2022… I’m 23 and just at the start of my van life journey. I plan to travel to the South of France over the summer, and perhaps further, to seek more adventures, this time with the heat of the September sun to accompany my exploits. Though I have infinite van life travels ahead of me, I feel I’ve already found so much of what I was searching for from converting and exploring in my van, and have gained so many unforgettable, unique memories. Bring on the future!