Exciting journey! I watched another lady from Michigan on RU-vid named Nikki Jabs who has traveled south for the first time with her cat. Safe travels 👍🏾
My Kia Soul may have went out on me 😥 I was doing car life with my daughter but now I’m thinking of a mini van…. Your size van is perfect but I can’t find one close to me that is a good price with low miles. But I’m watching your vids from the beginning to get some perspective in case I do go this route ❤️
Hi! Thank you so much for watching! If I could do it over again, I would get a regular mini van. The Ford Transit is spacious and good on gas but it draws a lot of attention. I know I would have an easier time finding overnight parking if I had a smaller and less commercial looking van. Just a thought! Best of luck to you!!!
@@ChristineMeachum " but it draws a lot of attention" ... It's funny to read this because I would have thought that in the US there are many much larger vehicles on the road like big SUVs, Pick up Trucks, family Vans and so on. I also thought about buying a small bus/ van. Maybe it would be an idea to make it look like a craftsmen/ plumber working car with a bit more "used" look, a big ad on the side or some sticker "no tools left inside" at it. =)
@@hassosigbjoernson5738 The van does fit in a lot of places but I felt like I stood out in residential areas and parks. I like the idea of making it look like a commercial van :)
Hi Christine it's Tony you are a trooper like previously I had a comment about you and I both will eat and drink something instead of wasting it okay part 2 I have watched many of your other videos and the funny thing is I said to myself self I wonder what she would look like with longer hair and then this video popped up you look like a goddess lady grow again alright sweetie I'll see you in the next one have a good day the great night and pleasant dreams
@@ChristineMeachum you just should up today and I watched 5 or so videos. I would of done this at your age had I known about it but I don’t think it was a thing in the 90s not much was but big hair lol.I’ll keep following I loved the one when you worked for a week for one of the delivery CO. Grub hub or door dash.Stay safe maybe get a dog like the other girls have with them that do van life.
I live in Cincinnati area and yearly vacation beaches south haven and st Joe MI. Retired in 2019 went Nashville then Huntsville and Cullman AL. Visited ewtn shrine and world shrines in miniature Ave maria grotto. Almost week camp in Navarre FL then planned New Orleans. Gave up N O destination after caught speed trap FL then anxious about driving and money for big fine. I wasn't speeding! Can't wait try N O again as went once many years ago, loved bourbon street.
What do u do if u have use the bathroom in middle of night? Is that not an issue cuz your young? Enjoying your videos.. I’d luv to at least take a trip like this., thx for the inspiration!
So happy RU-vid recommended your channel to me! Loving the adventures, minimalist van life style, and down to earth vlogging style. Thank you Christine for sharing your adventures and travels with us. Looking forward to binging all of your videos 😊
Hey Christine! Just took a trip down memory lane watching your very first videos and they still hold a special charm! Your journey from then to now is incredible. The way Tennessee welcomed you is just heartwarming, and that Tennessee party and music vibe - unforgettable! Also, that spicy chicken sandwich challenge had me sweating just watching! Your new content rocks, but there's something nostalgic about those early days. Keep shining! 🌟
*Newly Updated Safety Suggestions: for Campers, Hikers, Explorers, and Travelers* I just happened to see your channel, and others similar channels recently, and I think that you, and others sharing their actual reality, and some have expressed some of the up, and down sides to van, RV, or vehicle living. Although, I just noticed your RU-vid channel, and other similar channels, displaying van living. I just wanted to remind everyone to Aware Be of your surroundings and Alert, I just posted this anyway to help anyone who may benefit from these suggestions I believe that it is very helpful, and beneficial to others who may be thinking about this type of living without actually thinking through, about the some of the realistic problems that could occur with vehicle or van living etc... People need to know what up sides there are, as well as some of the down sides of vehicle living. I believe this channel, and other channels have been informative to others, including myself. Although, I am NOT living in a vehicle or anything like this. I feel that you , and others RU-vidrs sharing this with your viewers will be very helpful. I wish you ALL the Best with your traveling endeavors. I shared this with several other travelers, as I watched their RU-vid channel for the first time, as yours, and I shared with them this information that may be helpful to you as well to others. Therefore, I would also like to suggest a few Safety tips, and items that may help you, or others in your viewing audience. Although, you may have knowledge of this already, I am not sure, so I hope this will be helpful to you, others or someone. *Keep a Extra working cellphone with you or in your vehicle. You can purchase inexpensive phone with a very low monthly price between 25, 35, 45, dollars a month with unlimited data and text, and some have Nationwide coverage Do your research for the best fit for you Consider Carrying Several Extra portable cellphone phone chargers, and cables. Consider theses items: *Mini portable power charging station. I have also seen outdoor portable solar powered power stations, that can be recharged from sunlight this may be very useful to have, to power your devices. *Invest in a Cellular signal booster for outdoor use, and camping situations to boost or amplify your cell signal and reception. Consider also the purchase of a WiFi signal booster to also boost your WiFi signal. Research to see what you prefer. *Very Inportant: Invest in a SOS distress electronic signal device, this a kind of device can send out a distress signal with your exact location. There are various types of these devices, and including devices that can be used when boating, or camping situations. *Some have emergency Strobe lights SOS signaling with location alerts, and location updates that can be sent to your family, and emergency first responders. Some can be synchronized with your smart watch or phone. There are some satellite SOS texting messaging, locator devices that will send messages with your phone even if there isn’t any cellular signal, or WiFi. With this device your can still text, and communicate with others in a emergency satellite transmission. Check online, for various emergency SOS products, some are small to fit in the palm of your hand. You can check online, and on Amazon, research what SOS devices will be a good fit for you. *Mini portable vehicle battery jumper charger *vehicle battery jumper cables *Vehicle Jumper cables *PLEASE BE AWARE* that in the *WINTER* *vehicle *Batteries fail* many times in very cold weather conditions. Vehicle batteries drain more often in the winter months. Please Keep a vehicle battery portable jumper pack, this is a device that can jumper or boost your vehicles battery yourself without another vehicle. If you have a older battery in your vehicle, Please have it tested or replace it, and consider the purchase a new vehicle battery with higher Cold Cranking Amps rating. Be Aware that Sometimes even a battery that is a few years old can fail in the Winter months, and extremely cold temperatures. Some alternatives to Winter Camping, Travelers, Explorers, etc, if you can find a Warmer Climate Location to stay during Extreme Winter months, or stay with family for a few weeks. Another alternative is renting somewhere although this can probably get expensive. What ever you decide Be Careful, Alert, Aware, Safe, and Informed... *Keep a Fire extinguisher handy *Smoke detectors, and Carbon monoxide detectors can be helpful Keep a First Aid kit with Bandages, antiseptic, and other first aid necessities etc. and good vitamin supplementation, and fluids that promote hydration. Consider installing; *Mounted Dashboard camera front and rear possibly. *Exterior vehicle mounted camera for the front, rear, and both sides of your vehicle. Some can be activated by motion, Including spotlights. *Interior vehicle cameras *Flashlights or pluggin spotlights *Portable spotlights, and lanterns Keep a few whistles around with you, and in your vehicle possibly in your vehicle’s center console *Keep a Sound horn, for hiking this can service, as a deterrent, and a emergency signal alert for others. *A set of long range 2 way radios, walkie talkies, to communicate with others during trips, some have 100 mile radius keep for emergencies, you can keep with you when hiking. Use your own discretion regarding the use carrying of any weapons. Don’t forget to bring Bear Spray Pepper spray Where is allowed Purchase a couple canisters just in case and keep it with you If you own a drone you can use it to survey your area for animals etc. However, Please Be Safe and Beware of your Surroundings. Stay Alert, and Be Safe even when stopping at Rest stops, Truck Stops, and conducting your various tasks. Keep in often contact with your family, friends etc. Keep up with the latest Weather Updates, beware and prepare for unexpected Weather events and conditions. *VERY IMPORTANT* *WINTER AWARENESS* I would suggest *NOT* to travel to locations without internet, or cellular service in the Winter, the reason is that weather conditions can change very quickly, and you absolutely DO NOT want have a vehicle break down, or malfunction, or emergency, and not have the availability to communicate, and contact your family, and or, emergency road assistance, or emergency services. Please Keep in mind that even in area where there is cellular service and internet, in the Winter sometimes there are ice storms that may occur and this can cause Power or Electrical failures, until utilities crews repair lines. *Your Safety is Important* *PLEASE BE AWARE* that in some extreme cold temperatures that vehicle fuel lines could Freeze and causing a vehicle to not start. Just in case Keep your gas tank filled, which helps prevent vehicle fuel lines from freezing. Keep gas or fuel line additive, or gas line antifreeze, that is rated to use okay for your vehicle. Check with your a certified mechanic and your vehicle owners manual, and or dealer repair facility to inquire what is best to prevent freezing gas tank and lines in extreme cold. In the Winter even your bottled Water can freeze so Be Careful and Plan ahead. *Safety is Paramount* *Your Life is Important* *You want to Live to Travel another Day* *So Be Safe* *Stay Alert* *Keep your vehicle gas filled* Don’t ride on fumes, or on Empty. Don’t chance your Safety by running your vehicle fuel or gas too close to Empty. Fill it up anyway, it will save you alot of time, and headache later on. Remember to keep up on routine maintenance, check your tires for wear, keep up with your fluids for your vehicle, like oil levels, antifreeze coolant, Please carry extra (oil)(washer fluid), (brake fluid), (antifreeze). You will need extra Winshield Washer fluid because of the ever changing Weather conditions, dustly roads, especially in slushy wet roads. *WINTER AWARENESS* In the winter consider purchasing and deicing Windshield Washer Fluid, for the much colder weather conditions. Furthermore, you will need extra Windshield Washer Fluid, Because you will Be driving more often in dusty, dirty, windy, and varying weather conditions. Your windshield will gather dust and debris from long term driving. Also, Remember Because you are on the road riding for sometimes very long distances, and long periods of time, I would suggest investing in 2 sets of tires, and a spare, the extra set at a home base, friends or family’s house to rotate later on, also make sure that you have a spare tire in your vehicle. Check the mileage ratings on your tires they all very. Conduct visual inspections of your tires often, check for damage, wearing, air pressure, etc Keep a pressure gauge to check your tires pressure and a tire pump. Electric, Portable tire pump. Keep towing insurance to Be Safe if you ever need it. It Doesn’t cost much try to get National coverage if available, or where you will be traveling. Keep Extra financing, and savings for any unexpected issues, vehicle repairs, and overnight stays, in a emergency or if you need to rest indoors. Keep Enjoying Yourself, Keep Enjoying the outdoors, and Nature Just..Please continue to Be Positive, Safe, and Alert.. Wishing Success, Well-being and Happiness You All. God Bless You, and everyone Traveling, or living in their vehicles, Vans, RVs, Hiking etc. Please Be Safe..... God Be With You..... Author Advocate for Humanity, Jason Sandifer, Michigan, 11/15/2022, 11/18/2022, 11/26/2022 11/30/2022 12/12/2022 12/14/2022 12/17/2022 12/28/2022 1/02/2022
