I’ve just had my first night in the van, and let me tell you, it’s been a mix of excitement, learning curves, and a little bit of chaos. But, so far, it’s been amazing. I’m in a beautiful spot, surrounded by windmills, with the sun setting on the horizon, and I can’t help but feel that I’m exactly where I need to be. Here’s a glimpse of how the journey’s been going so far…

A Little Adventure with Water and Toilets

This morning, I had my first real experience with the van life routine. I woke up, got ready for my first shower (which went pretty well, even though I ran out of water—who knew how quickly that could happen in a van?), and then it was time for a big milestone: emptying the toilet for the first time.

Honestly, I thought it was going to be a lot worse. It actually wasn’t that bad at all. Sure, it wasn’t glamorous, but I’m happy to trade a little toilet maintenance for the convenience of not having to hunt down a public restroom every time I need one. So far, van life is teaching me how to appreciate the small victories.

Exploring New Places

After that, I decided to take a short drive to see a local site—only about 15 minutes away. But, of course, the moment I tried to get into the van, I went to the wrong side. Whoops! That’s going to take some getting used to. But as soon as I was on the road, I was reminded of how stunning the surroundings are, even if it was a little windy. At one point, the van was shaking so much, it felt like I was in a boat!

Anyway, I eventually reached the site, and there was a cool little local story to go with it. Apparently, a man from the village once fell in love with a mermaid and took her out of the sea. The mer-man was furious, cursed the village, and caused a massive flood. The only thing left standing was a tower, which still stands as a reminder of that legendary tale.

Getting Distracted by a Jazz Band

A jazz band was setting up at the base of the tower but the wind was howling so I decided not tostick around for the concert. The musicians had a very hard time and eventually set up inside the tower itself.

A Stop at the Local Cheese Shop

On my way back to the van, I found a cheese shop, and of course, I had to check it out. The selection was incredible, but I have to admit, I was a little intimidated by how fancy everything looked, so I didn’t end up buying anything. Next time, though, I’ll be more confident and walk out with an armful of cheese!

Historic Forts and Hidden Gems

Later on, I drove out to Fort Deer, built in 1628 to protect the area from Spanish invaders. The history here is amazing, but I’ll admit, it wasn’t the easiest place to find on the GPS. But even the wrong turn turned out to be an adventure, leading me down a beautiful path toward a bridge called the “Moses Walk.” The bridge is designed so that you can’t see it from higher up—almost as if the water parts to reveal the path right at your feet.

Learning and Growing on the Road

As a newbie to van life, I’m starting to pick up some useful tips. For instance, I stayed at my first free camping spot outside a camping store, which was both practical and clever. The store lets you park outside, giving you the chance to check out their products while you rest.

Also, a safety lesson: I witnessed someone drive away and forget to disconnect their van’s power. Sparks flew, and there was live electricity on the ground. Definitely a reminder to always check everything before hitting the road.

A Dangerous Stop at a Camping Store

Speaking of camping stores, I visited one that had a massive selection of gear, and let’s just say, it was dangerously tempting. I could easily spend way too much money here, but I tried to stay strong. There’s always something I could use… maybe a camping chandelier? I didn’t get one, but it’s fun to dream.

On a practical note, I took the advice of a fellow van-lifer and replaced the old lights in the van with new LEDs. They don’t get as hot, which is a huge improvement, especially since I almost burned myself on them the other day. A little DIY, and now I’m feeling more like a professional than a rookie!

The Most Surprising Moment: A Bullhorn and Strawberries

After the storm, which was intense (the van was shaking like it was going to blow away), I heard a loudspeaker blaring. I panicked for a moment, thinking there was a flood or something dangerous going on. But no—it turns out the guy with the bullhorn was just advertising fresh strawberries! It was a funny, unexpected moment, and honestly, the strawberries were delicious, so I’m not complaining.

Plant Care Tips and Van Life Reflections

By the way, those of you who know me well know I’ve inherited a plant. It’s currently in mortal danger, so I’m asking for some help—drop a comment below with any name suggestions, and maybe it will help me keep it alive. So far, it’s survived, but I’m not too confident about my plant-parenting skills yet.

As for van life, I’m already loving the freedom and the sense of adventure. Every day brings something new—whether it’s figuring out how to make my space more functional, learning new things about the places I’m visiting, or just finding joy in the simple moments. If you’ve ever thought about doing something spontaneous or going on an adventure, I highly recommend it. You’ll learn a lot about yourself, and it’s so worth it.

Stay tuned for more updates as I continue my journey. There’s so much more to see and do, and I can’t wait to share it all with you.