Let's Go, Jane!

This is a continuation of Part 1: Utah and Part 2: Colorado.

So what did I learn on my epic road trip? One of my main goals for this trip was to determine if I would enjoy living in a campervan. The short answer is YES. I loved living in a van. The Winnebago Solis is very well designed. The finishes are a bit utilitarian, but the functionality is excellent. It took no time to get unpacked and settled in, and even though I was in a different place every night, it didn’t feel disruptive because my living space came with me. I will make a few design changes when I build my own, but this was a great introduction to what could be for next year.

I quickly established, with the hot desert sun, that during the day it was best to park facing east (into the sun) because I had these great silver reflective window covers that were easy to throw up on the windshield. At night I parked facing north so I could watch the sun come up through my sliding door in the morning as I drank my coffee.

If I were to do this full-time, some sort of satellite internet would be crucial. I found myself without Internet at critical times, such as needing to find a campground at night after many hours of driving, and at the gates of Arches National Park, which requires timed-entry tickets. 

The van came equipped with several 12V USB outlets that ran off a battery that was charged by a 220 watt solar panel on the roof and/or the alternator (when running the engine). I found that this was plenty of electricity for the fridge and lights and keeping my phone and laptop charged. Had I hooked up to shore power, I could have used the 110V outlets, but I found that the USB outlets charged my devices fine, just very slowly.

The van also had a dorm-sized fridge with a little built-in freezer. Between the limited fridge space and the one overhead cabinet I used for dishes and food, I found myself planning meals in 36-hour windows. As long as I knew what I was doing for my next three meals, I was good. The only restaurant meal I had this trip was the one when I landed in Las Vegas. The rest I prepared in the van, and I ate pretty well. 

This trip required a new-found gas tank awareness. At home I couldn’t tell you how much gas is in my car’s tank at any given time. When the light comes on, I find the nearest gas station and fill it. When driving in Nevada and Utah? I was always aware of my gas tank level. I never let the tank fall below half on this trip because the nearest gas station can be far away, sometimes as far as 100 miles.

I mentioned in part one that I’m quite happy in my own company. While true, that doesn’t really convey the full picture. I am incredibly lucky to have a strong social support network. My parents and sisters were eagerly following my progress and asking for updates in the family chat. I spoke with my boyfriend every day, and he always knew where I was and what I was up to. Because cell service was spotty, I would send updates before each move, ex. I’m heading to this location where I will do a 3-mile hike, then I’ll drive an hour to this other location. That way, if there was no cell service when I arrived he would still know (approximately) where I was. At night, when I figured out where I’d be sleeping, I would send him my location pin. I may have been alone on this trip, but I wasn’t lonely.

Mileage:

Day 1 – 128 miles (Las Vegas to St. George, UT)
Day 2 – 120 miles (St. George, UT to Bryce Canyon)
Day 3 – 245 miles (Bryce Canyon to Ballard RV Park)
Day 4 – 166 miles (Ballard RV Park to Arches to Grand Junction, CO)
Day 5 – 254 miles (Grand Junction, CO to Denver, CO)
Day 6 – 15 miles (Denver, CO)

Total distance: 928 miles

Expenses:

Flights (2): $11.20 + 39,700 airline miles
Campervan (5 night rental, 1 campsite, dumping): $64.90
Gas: $186.08
Food (6 days) $188.77
Supplies (bedding, fan, nightlight, etc.): $150
Entertainment (parks): $82

Total cost: $682.95*

*There was one additional cost that I did not account for, the cost of Ubers from my apartment to JFK, from the Las Vegas airport to the van pickup, from the van drop-off to the Denver airport, and from La Guardia back to my apartment. These added up to an additional $330.07. As convenient as Uber is, I need to start building in extra time to make use of public transportation whenever possible.

This epic trip should have cost me over $2,500. Instead, my final out-of-pocket was $1,063.42. The biggest surprise coming out of this trip is that for three days after returning home, my first thought upon waking up in the morning, before opening my eyes, was that I was still in the van. It really made an impression on me. I am really looking forward to my next van adventure, next spring or sooner if the opportunity arises!

P.S. Big news! My first book Van Life After 50 is officially out in the world. If you’ve ever dreamed of downsizing, traveling more, or hitting the road after 50—this one’s for you. You can check it out here.