Ten things about my new campervan from Wayfarer Vans

We picked up our new campervan from Wayfarer Vans in Colorado Springs and are taking the long way home. Pam LeBlanc photo

Four days ago, Chris and I flew to Colorado to pick up our new campervan, which we’ve named Vincent VanGo.

We’ve been taking the long way home, getting comfortable with our new adventure rig and exploring a bit of Colorado and New Mexico along the way.

We’re in Red River at the moment, holed up in our campervan while clumps of snowflakes the size of Ritz crackers fall from the sky.

I’ve been getting lots of questions from readers. Here are 10 things to know about our new campervan:

It’s cozy in here! Chris LeBlanc photo

1. We bought our Ford Transit for $52,000 from Phil Long Ford in Colorado Springs. Options on the all-wheel drive van include an eco-boost engine, blind spot monitoring, backup camera, all-season tires, dual swiveling seats, and an 8-inch display with Apple CarPlay.
2. We spent another $15,000 customizing it. Wayfarer Vans in Colorado Springs equipped it with cabinets and a side window, a full-size bed and a kitchen space with a sink. We added a vent fan, a small refrigerator, a lithium battery pack, an extra storage box and a heater.
3. We don’t have a built-in bathroom. That’s what the woods are for. We’ve got a Luggable Loo – basically a bucket with a toilet seat attached – for emergencies. No, there’s not a shower or air conditioning either.
4. For the last month, we’ve been shipping accessories like tent-themed sheets, a single-burner stove, pots and cookware, plates, cups, pillows, and smoke and CO2 detectors, to my sister’s house in Denver. After we picked up our van, we drove two hours in a driving snowstorm to get to her house and load up our goodies.
5. We’ve been staying at both RV Parks and campgrounds on our way home. We’re outdoor types, and foresee spending most of our time at state and national parks as well as US Forest Service land, where we’ll “boondock” beneath the trees in the wilderness. RV parks aren’t really our cup of tea, but we stayed at the super swanky Angel Fire RV Resort, where we did laundry and took showers, one night, and appreciated it greatly. It’s nice to toss in a night of relative luxury when you’re “roughing it.”
6. I’m 5’8” and Chris is 5’10”. I fit comfortably in our bed, which runs crosswise to the length of the van. Chris has to position himself just right to make his toes fit. He wishes it was a little wider.
7. One of my favorite things is to open up the van’s rear doors and enjoy the view while lying in bed. Pine trees and mountains are way better than parking lots.
8. Vincent VanGo is tall. It takes a while to get used to it. I’m terrified we’re going to forget and drive into a garage and smash the roof in. So far so good.
9. Chris is a good mobile chef. He’s been cooking eggs and bagels for breakfast and easy-to-prepare meals like sausage and beans for dinner. I sip wine while he works.
10. Campervans are freeing! We don’t have to stick to a pre-planned schedule. We just now made the impromptu decision to head to Palo Duro Canyon tomorrow night.

Chris cooking eggs and bagels for breakfast. Pam LeBlanc photo

I like tilting the bed up so I can work on my computer. Chris LeBlanc photo