Wild Rose’s Story
I didn’t choose Van Life. Wild Rose chose me.
Still the reasons I have kept on choosing Van Life since then are very simple reasons. Nature. Freedom. Daily awe moments. It lets you leave cities behind. It cuts transportation costs. It is easier when you travel with a dog. You sleep in your own bed, cook your own food, and stop bleeding money on restaurants and rent.
At some point, you also tire of backpacks.
Why now? Because life is expensive. In Canada, many people spend half their salary on rent. Van life felt like an economic decision, but with the best views included. Prime locations. Front-row seats. For free. Chasing the sun & living outdoor.
The first genuine moment came in the morning.
I opened my eyes and looked through the van window. Mountains were right there. Another day, the ocean. I had time to make coffee. I smelled fresh air instead of balcony dust. No alarms. No rush. The world felt wide open, and for the first time, I felt it too.
Your Itinerary for This Post
Meet the Van: Wild Rose
The van was called Wild Rose. A 1985 Ford Econoline, high-roof, custom-built.
It belonged to my neighbours. They bought it for 3,000 CAD. I did not even get to choose it. There were three seats, there were two people, and suddenly there was me. Pure luck.
The Conversion: Chaos, Wood, and Music
The conversion was DIY, built by the boys using recuperated wood and salvaged materials. Their priority was music. The van had a full studio inside.
In my case, the biggest limitation surprised me.
When the van is not yours, you do not control maintenance. And we paid for it. Three flat tires. One alternator replacement. Missing oil. Missing gas. Stress on the side of the road.
But also learning and laughing. A lot.
In the end, we probably paid the same price as if everything had been fixed beforehand. We just paid it in time, stories, and random garages across Canada.
We were three people living in one van, so we also carried a tent for extra space.
What worked surprisingly well was not the layout. It was friendship.
I was the outsider. The wild card. And somehow, everything clicked. Good compatibility. Open minds. Full acceptance of my chaos and Karma’s dirty paws. Proof that van life with friends, even new ones, can work. It would not have been the same without them.
What would I never do again?
Forget to put oil in the engine.
From Montréal to Tofino: A Canadian crossing
We crossed Canada from Montréal to Tofino. Zigzagged around. Got Lost. Ontario felt endless. Heavy. Like crossing Russia on foot. Saskatchewan gave us the flattest land on Earth and the best sunsets I have ever seen. Alberta was breathtaking. Glaciers, parks, wild beauty… and very strict rangers. British Columbia felt like a deep breath. Hippie, chill, magnetic. Let’s dig B.C., this awesome province:
- Kelowna for its vibe.
- Okanagan Valley for fruit picking $ in the summer.
- Vancouver Island for never wanting to leave.
- Squamish for my climbing friends.
- Granville Street or Gastown for a little party.
One place changed our rhythm completely on that island. Rainbow Beach.
Raves every night. Bonfires. Electronic music setups dragged into the sand. Over 200 hippies stayed all summer. One toilet. Clay baths included. Comment below of contact me for the secret way to there! It’s worth it.
Wreck Beach in Vancouver was also something. Try to go on a Sunday in the summer. Thank me later.
Saskatchewan at night. Wild dogs. Glowing eyes in the dark. And when we missed a gas station and waited silently for the engine to stop. That kind of silence stays with you. We got scared, but not eaten.
I’m still a Montréal girl. We have the best nightlife here. Cheaper too. Don’t miss it. And the Tam Tam on Mont-Royal in the summer for my 420 lovers.
Have you been to Montréal? Or Canada? What’s your favourite place?
Daily Van Life Reality in Canada
It was messy. There was stuff everywhere.
Finding a place to sleep varied a lot.
Once, we chose a random lake on the map. It was a private lake. The owner showed up… and then offered firewood and let us stay. We are truly nice Canadians. It’s not a legend.
Walmart and mall parking lots work, but they are not romantic unless you really need toilets.
Crown land was a game-changer.
In Canada, Crown land is public land where you can camp for free for a limited time. It is usually remote, quiet, and beautiful. You need to check local rules, but for van life, it is gold.
Another interesting book I discovered throughout this journey was Here and Now by Ram Dass. This one really inspired my writing and vision of life.
Showers, Toilets, and Survival Hygiene
Showers are the first thing you grieve when switching to Van Life.
I cared less. We washed up in Tim Hortons bathrooms using hot water from the tap. Gym memberships are a great option too. Unlimited showers, toilets, and sometimes motivation to move your body. Public swimming pools also work. Pay for an hour, shower, swim and come out clean!
Lakes became our rinsing stations. Friends with bus conversions saved us more than once. Some hostels will let you use their showers for a small fee if you ask nicely.
Toilets were roadside stops, national park facilities, and fast-food chains.
And yes, in the wilderness, you dig a hole.
The internet depends on location. Prepaid SIM cards worked. Today, eSIMs (like MobiMatter or Holafly) make life easier. Electricity was basic. Cigarette plug chargers while driving. We had an extra battery connected to the alternator. It killed the alternator and the car’s battery.
Lesson learned. Don’t do this.
Today, I would recommend a portable power station with solar panels. No roof installation. Recharge anywhere. Simple and safe. Try Ecoflow. Love them. If you have the skills and the budget, a full system mounted on the roof with an inverter it cream.
The habit that kept me sane?
Morning coffee. Breathing. Music.
And you? How long can you survive without a proper hot shower?
Tools and Apps We Actually Used
For parking in Canada, iOverlander was essential. Google Maps helped more than expected. Spotify and Youtube. A lot of those two!
In Alberta’s National Parks, free overnight parking is not allowed. You must use official campground booking websites, like the Parks Canada reservation system for places like Jasper.
Daily essentials?
Coffee. Toothbrush. Battery. Wi-Fi. That was it for me.
What Van Life Can Give
Van life gave me access.
Access to places buses, trains, and planes never reach. Access to stars. To silence. Waking up in nature without packing or checking out.
My dog is always welcome. My bed is always mine.
It is a beautiful life if you are curious, love nature, and carry a bit of lone wolf energy. It can get lonely. We will talk about that in another post.
This van was not mine, but it was my beginning. More will come. More about Canada. More about all those countries. More mistakes, tips, and road stories.
So, besides the shower situation, did I convince you yet to buy that van?
Don't be shy!