I reflect on the last 5+ years of van life with some thoughts and tips for getting started. Thanks for watching! Merchandise: foresty-forests-store.creator... Summit Map: drive.google.com/open?id=12GF... / strava / forestyforest
I appreciate the simplicity and straightforwardness of your van. It's refreshing to see that you prioritize functionality over unnecessary embellishments commonly associated with glamcamping. Your approach is honest, as you only utilize items that serve a purpose and make logical sense. It's commendable that you haven't compromised your integrity by seeking sponsorships and promoting products through fabricated reviews for things we don't actually require. While it's true that people have different preferences, there are many like-minded individuals who appreciate a minimalist and practical van build that caters to their specific needs without unnecessary complexity.
Very well put Tripsa. We've found in our van travels that less is more. So many of the "must-have" gear accessories are mainly for video consumption and serve no useful purpose. Too, many of the van life channels are less about travel adventure, and more about cool looking gear. Foresty's channel is one of the few we've settled on, because he focuses on the why, on the travels themselves. Cheers!
Not only do you have thousands of fans that love you, you honestly have helped so many peoples mental health that you can be proud of that. Plus you have the best dog on RU-vid.
When I am about 95 years old, I should imagine I shall be still enjoying seeing Simon in his solar powered flying machine still doing his alternate lifestyle 🚀🛸
Hey, Simon. I've been doing vanlife, rvlife and trucking for 21 years, 16 as a trucker. You're one if the few I can relate with, and you're one of the few who I feel is 110 % genuine about your lifestyle.. I hope to one day cross paths with you. Keep up the great work, and hopefully, I will catch you one day for coffee.
Hi Eric! We are still patiently waiting for your full length documentary on Foresty Forest. I really loved the shorter one that you produced over on your Got Mountains channel a while back, but now we need a full hour-long documentary on him!! Foresty, if you read this: C'mon, please help Got Mountains make another longer video about you. I think that it would be fantastic!!! 🌎 💙
I cannot believe it has been five years. I still remember when you first posted here about stealthy living in your old minivan in a city, and how you survived a super cold winter storm. Here's to another five years of Foresty Forest and his van, and amazing videos about mountains!
What a lovely man you are Simon. Thank you for sharing your journeys with us, your videos are very enjoyable. And we're glad that you and Loui are friends, a very cute couple indeed ❤🇦🇺
For every Foresty Forest who goes out and takes massive action, I guestimate 99.8% of people thinking about van life cannot commit mentally. I still watch the long distance bike videos. Have a great weekend.
Here's how a retired lady friend of mine spends her day as a city van dweller. 9am to 4:30pm. She goes to the Senior Citizen's center and recharges batteries, gets discounted meals, social life, etc. 4:30pm to midnight - the city park is open until 12pm midnight; she only stays until dark. Then she goes to Walmart to sleep. She gets a free gym membership through Silver Sneakers. She drives less and 15 miles a day. She's got it all figured out and spends almost zero money.
@@djp1234 do it before you get too old to enjoy it. I heard recently that the retirement years can be divided into 3 periods: the gogo years, the slowgo years, then the nogo years. Do it while you're still in the gogo years!
@@pimacanyon6208 I’m already doing it with a Jeep Gladiator and a RV trailer. But when I switch to full time traveling, I want to do it in a van. It’s just easier.
I'm so glad you're still here. I value your opinion so duly noted on your recommendations. Thanks for bringing us along all this time. You're the best there is!
I watch a million of these van life channels and Rocko is by farrrrrrrrrrrrrrr the cuttest pet out there. She's pure magic. You have a really special one.
I lived for over a year in a Honda Civic hatchback and a tent. It wasn't always great, but you can put up with a lot when you are young and it's something I always remember fondly.
You've come a long way Foresty! I still think your first build in the spaceship is one of the most impressive builds I've ever seen. Rocko is just the best too.
Congrats- yours is the only channel that I've been following for a long time and even after all these years I am excited each time I see a new release!
Foresty .. while you are traveling around .. make note of the places that have the most natural resources in a small area; good water, rocks, variety of trees, community, etc. (make a list) .. then look for a small piece of raw land that you can buy and own. Something with room to grow a garden, build a small house, etc. to use as home base .. low to non-existent restrictions, etc. You can always hit the road .. but having some place you can go to that you own .. is a good dimension .. just like your own transportation. Like Roco .. you will get older .. and not move so freely. 🙂
I have thought that Foresty would eventually do that. And I bet we would all love watching his videos of him building his house, putting in a garden, with the occasional road trip thrown in.
@@TheresaPowers Is it YOUR business to tell ME what to do? My comments are only suggestions .. what he does or doesn't do is totally up to him. What have you contributed?
I remember back in the beginning you would always say Thanks for keeping me out of the factories or something like that, I was new to RU-vid and you were the one that introduced me to this whole vanlife adventure of mountain climbing and long hikes and beautiful scenery. I climbed my first mountain last summer I'll be 60 in September and it was life changing ! Standing that high above everything else in my view was something I can't describe. Thank you for introducing a 60 year old woman to a world I didn't know existed...and then there's Rocko the coolest dog to ever climb a mountain! Next winter when you come to Washington and Oregon I hope you do a meet up I would love to meet you in person and I know lots of other people would want to as well. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us.
I remember when you were first living in the mini van! I found your channel because I wanted to see what was the smallest thing a person could make into a home.
5 years in my VW Transporter and I’m still everyday happy I chose vanlife. No messy housemates, saving on rent, and better sleep! I work nights and snowboard days, couldn’t be better!
Awesome ! There’s been van life channels come and go, it seems like a grind to keep putting out content for sure. You’re one of the ones that are still around years later, that speaks volumes about your work ethic and how much you care about what you’re doing. Keep it up , it’s really great content 👍
I've followed your journey for some years now, and can say how much I've enjoyed it. Between the building, sewing, cooking ( Hi Crockpot) and the amazing video skills, you have it all. When Rocko came along, you brought a whole new dimension...we love her. The Foresty Forest intro song is just the icing on the cake, Many more years to come I hope....cheers from Australia x.
I appreciate your honest opinion and sharing your personal experience with living in a van. Keeping it real is why many keep watching. I’ll be 2yrs full time in May, best darn decision I made for my health and wellbeing
I love your channel and always find comfort in it. I live in Greenwich Village, NYC, in a tiny studio apartment 8 by 23 feet, but feel I'd be perfectly comfortable in a space 1/3 that size. There's some comfort in knowing that people are nearby if I need them, but I mostly hermit at home and enjoy engaging whenever I feel the need through zoom sessions on social media. I fantasize living in a van or tiny house, but think I'd struggle with any technical issues. My needs are few but the convenience of paying rent to someone else to provide heat, water, and septic feel worth it at this point. Also, as I'm older, knowing that transport to medical is handy happens to be important for me. I have no automotive upkeep or fuel issues. It feels like the biggest struggle in van life is the hassles of mechanical issues and having to move around to find legal places to sleep. I wish they'd make zoning more accomodating to van lifers or tiny house dwellers. I don't think I'm brave enough to be alone in the woods. A tiny house or van in a tiny town with nearby walkable essentials and access to some public transport would probably be ideal for me. At this point, I've lived here so long, my rent is probably cheaper than any other alternative. At 71 my biggest hurdle is climbing 3 flights of stairs anytime I need anything from outside. Still, for now, I manage. Do you ever zoom or videochat with any of your friends?
I'm 77 and completely understand what you say about medical access. I've been living in minivans for 8 years mostly in western Canada west coast in winter and also southern US during extra cold spells. Spent time in Key West Florida this past winter.
You're in a great place for senior citizens. Many people would be surprised by that, but NYC has excellent resources for you, especially the Dept.of Aging. Access a Ride iss great to get around with, just takes one advance scheduling. I hope you still get out to get some sunshine, it's good for your health.
I love your videos. I’m on a hobby farm on a dead end road and lonelier than I’d like. The information about heating was just what I needed! Rock on Foresty and Rocko!
Been watching you from basically day 1 and you have come leaps and bounds.from living in that little mini van to finally building a cozy little home,you sure are living the life and doing what you love to do. We get to see places thrue you that many have not seen or been.Keep keeping it real forest 👍
Thanks to you, Foresty, and your pal, Rocco. ❤❤❤ Plenty of great actions initiated by you, as well as, problems solved. You're an actual MAN!!! Goodness gracious, your kind still exist. Bravo, Bravo 👏 Please never stop. ❤
Very useful and practical. Well tested by experience. As you point out, there's room for different taste and necessities. I haven't done much of this lately and I'm 68 now. But I may come back to it when some of my responsibilities give me that freedom. I currently have a 2006 suburban with another engine and transmission, 70,000 mi on them both. I already have it set up to sleep in whenever I want to get away or can. I'm caring for my mother at the moment. In my teenage years, back in the early '70s, I had a 63 Econoline with a mattress in the back. Hippies we were. Thanks for keeping the dream alive for us. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your evening.
What a nice treat, I was just going to bed & had some Foresty/Rocko time first. You did a great job going over everything, very concise and honest. You have a lot of wisdom to share. I do feel Crock Pot was snubbed, def deserved an honorable mention. 🤗
I think the first video of yours I ever saw was one where you spent a winter night in a Walmart parking lot back in your old van. You made dinner, played Deus Ex on your laptop and left ice cream out on the wheel for dessert. Ever since then I was hooked, and it’s been so amazing to see your adventures ever since. Thank you for sticking with it and making all this amazing content that’s gotten us all through such tough times.
I’ve enjoyed your content more so than any other Van life channels. One reason I think is that I see a lot of me in you, I’ve never needed a large friend base, always been pretty satisfied with my own company and a few close friends. I’ve been heading out on my own little month or two adventures here and there living out of a Subaru. I have plans on either getting a van or maybe just a truck with a bed cap . Being 54 and keeping comfortable in a Subaru is tough.😝 but I make it work for now. And Al way disappointed when I have to call off a trip and head home. You have inspired me to make the leap into full time living on the road. I’m just having a bit of hesitation on pulling the trigger. Thanks for sharing your life. You are an outstanding example for the lifestyle and as a RU-vidr.
I have followed you almost from the beginning. You are an inspiration to those who are living an authentic van life or wish to live a van life. I'm very glad you added Rocko. She is a wonderful addition to your life and to the channel.
I know how much you dislike talking to the camera so this must have been a big deal - You nailed it, and tapped into the key, which is to talk about what you know. I hope to see more of this - You're an inspiration, keep on vannin'....!
I lived out of a mini-truck camper for just-over 4 years, a long time ago, in SoCal. Working full-time in different locations, with access to many retail spaces after-hours, health club membership and rented mailbox and voice mail (before cell phones), made certain aspects easy. Being primarily an urban adventure, I got tired of being kicked out of parking spaces at 3 am and living mostly on fast- and canned food, with interior lights turned off at night for stealth. It was a fun adventure, but... I'd had enough.
Congrats. 3 year coming in July for me. Spent the first 2 years in the back of my truck canopy. Built a truck camper last summer. Nice to stand up. EcoFlow Max all-in-one power pack, 300 watts of solar, 12v 45L Engel chest fridge, butane or propane cookers, Buddy Heater used in extreme cold for short periods.
I’m glad I found your channel. I enjoy your build it/fix it/improve it videos as much as your adventures. You have such a calm manner, yet good energy, too. And that dry Canadian humor. 😊 🇨🇦 I’ve gone back and viewed almost all of your videos (I’m rationing the remainder so I don’t run out of them so soon! lol) I echo others who applaud your sincerity, the simplicity of your van build, and your plain-spoken ways. Plus Rocko, she’s great. ❤ Thanks!
I installed a Propex heater for my teardrop camper and think it out performs any diesel heater. It works similarly to your home furnace and doesn’t use that much propane. You can run it off of any size propane tank and you can refill smaller tanks yourself from 20 pound tank with a fill hose. Propex furnace will not carbon foul like diesel.
I've seen so many tiny home commercials, people selling a Van-life. But you are the real deal, you go out there and kept going. Always enjoyed your content and you kept it smart, honest and strong. I admire you man, wish more people where like you and the world would be a better place. Good luck with the new additions in your life. You are a Van-Boss ;)
You seem like an incredibly capable, resourceful, and intelligent individual. Thanks for managing this channel the way you do. I enjoy it thoroughly. Respect✌🏼
After living in my motorhome for 4 years full-time I am ready for a change. I am seriously trying to sell my 40 ft foretravel and my Jeep and I'm heading to Southeast Asia. I like your style Simon. I never get tired of watching your adventures.
I've been watching since your viral video snagged my interest. I always enjoy your videos and admire how you live your life on your terms. Good for you!
I've been watching your channel for almost 5 years. You're my favorite van lifer. You show what true van life really is. I noticed the difference when you got Rocko. Dogs make everything better! I hope Louie and you get to spend more time together. You seem so much happier when she's around. May everything work out for you 2! Also, you need a Jeep, lol!!!
