This was a trip I dreamed of taking for years. I spent the weeks and months leading up to it immersing myself in the lives of other nomads, scrolling on TikTok, hearting Instagram posts, and fast-forwarding through YouTube videos.
I envisioned two weeks filled with remote nature, breathtaking views, and a tidy van I would call home.
While I found each of those things, there were plenty of moments throughout my trip where that vision was far from reality.
For example, my van was often a messy disaster. And when exhaustion from hours of driving set in, I ditched looking for a pretty place to park and settled on parking lots.
While plenty of my expectations were met, the reality was that van life isn't only the glamorous tidbits you see on social media. Take a closer look.
I picked up a spotless rental van and had hopes of keeping the space clean for the next two weeks.
The interior of the author's rental campervan.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
But within 30 minutes, those hopes vanished when I spilled water all over the floor.
The author accidentally spilled water all over the van within the first 30 minutes of picking it up.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Even when the water dried, I realized keeping a tiny space tidy was a tough task with nonstop traveling and an overpacked suitcase.
A messy passenger seat in the author's campervan.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
So more often than not, my van was a cluttered mess.
A messy counter in the author's van.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
And even if I managed to keep my belongings put away, there was often a pile of dishes in the sink.
Dirty dishes piled up in the van.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
The bright side was that a small space meant a short cleanup time. So while I found myself tidying up often, it never took more than 20 minutes.
The author's van after a quick cleaning.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
It wasn't just clutter that took over the space. After spending days in the desert, dust was everywhere, from my clothes to my bed and countertops.
The author's clothes covered in dust.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
The dust was worth it though, to be able to explore fields of Saguaro cacti in Arizona and Joshua trees in California.
The van parked in Joshua Tree National Park in California.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Before I left for my trip, I also envisioned I'd spend nights in remote places.
The van parked on public land in Colorado.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Plenty of nights on my trip did include picturesque campgrounds and remote overnight stops.
A view of a sunset in the author's van.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
But not all of them. Others were much less scenic. One long drive ended by camping overnight in a Walmart parking lot.
The author's van parked in a Walmart parking lot.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
On another night, I slept in a Cracker Barrel parking lot to avoid paying for a nearby RV resort.
A view of the Cracker Barrel parking lot at night.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Another unexpected van life hurdle was the bathroom situation. My campervan didn't have a toilet or shower.
The van didn't have a toilet or a shower.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
For two weeks, I relied on gas station bathrooms and rest stops.
A gas station bathroom.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
When it came to showering, RV resorts and gyms were my solution.
Showers at Planet Fitness.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
But the showers weren't always tidy, and they often cost extra.
A dirty bar of soap left behind in a shower.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Toward the end of my trip, I skipped paying for showers. To save money, I used body wipes until I got home.
The author toward the end of the trip on day four without showering.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I ultimately realized that what I saw scrolling on social media is partly true — my trip was filled with stunning nature, isolated camping spots, cozy interiors, and welcoming people.
Sunrise in Joshua Tree, California.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
It's just not the whole picture. There are plenty of downsides — like dirty public showers and dusty clothes. But they made me cherish the highs of the lifestyle even more.
The author after a night spent in a Walmart parking lot.
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