My Van Life Prep: Getting Ready to Head South Before Winter
It's that time of year again! My time here in northwest Illinois is getting shorter and it’s almost time to head south for the winter.
I don’t have a specific departure date yet. I usually leave in late October or early November… before it gets too darn cold.
My goal is to have my prep-work done by mid-October so I'm ready to roll whenever I make the decision to hit the road.
I'm a full-time van lifer with extra considerations…
I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).
To add a little twist, I also have a long list of food allergies.
These can make simple tasks like going into a random store or finding safe food more difficult - especially in an unfamiliar area.
MCS and food allergies can be a challenge but it’s not impossible. With a bit of prep I have better control of the situation.
My personal and van prep…
I used to be anal about every little detail but I've since given up on that. Now I just go with a general plan knowing I'm fully capable of navigating bumps in the road… literally and figuratively.
Here’s my basic winter prep plan:
Stocking up on essentials
I grab a three-month supply of the few prescriptions I take. This saves me a lot of hassle on the road.
I stock up on essentials I can't easily find everywhere, like Sullivans Honey Mustard and my favorite KaChava nutritional meal replacement (vanilla is my favorite but their new strawberry flavor is a close contender).
I also make sure I have plenty of non-perishables like oatmeal, rice, and freeze-dried veggies.
Most of the time I use my own filtered water (rather than buying it in the store). I use the Clearly Filtered water pitcher and I get enough water filters to last until spring.
Van maintenance
Before I leave, I make sure the van is in good shape. This year she's getting new tires - but I always get an oil change and tire rotation.
I also check the windshield wipers and make sure I have wiper fluid and other maintenance fluids on hand.
Energy willing, I also give the van a good cleaning inside and out.
Packing and organizing
Any worn-out towels, bedding, clothes, etc are replenished.
I also take a trip to my storage unit to swap out any items I do or don’t want with me for the winter.
I didn’t have a storage unit until a few years ago. After my Dad passed away I kept way too many things and needed to get a storage unit. It was supposed to be temporary but it works out well.
Auntie M Prep
My aunt has dementia and still lives at home, here in town.
Before I leave, I make sure her routine medical appointments are handled along with other odds-n-ends she needs done while I’m physically here.
While I'm gone, I call her throughout the week. I also have a Caregiver service for her (year-round) and, thanks to auto-pay and online bill access, I can handle the rest of her needs from anywhere.
Life on the road…
Even with all this prep, I know I'd be okay if I had to leave without doing a single thing.
Most of these tasks can be handled on the road. I just prefer not to have to worry about them until I reach my winter destination.
While I'm traveling, I love going to Publix. But because of my MCS, sometimes I can't be inside a store for too long - which is why I try to stock up on as many non-perishables as possible before leaving.
I also rely on Walmart curbside pickup.
When I get to my south Florida destination…
My daughter, Nikki, lives in south Florida and is the reason I spend winter there.
She also helps me get things from stores I can't go into. Thanks to modern technology, it makes the job fairly easy and Nikki loves shopping… even if I can’t physically go inside with her (yay for video chat!).
I’m looking forward to my time with Nikki, my son-in-law, and my south Florida Peeps this winter.
I suppose it’s time to stop writing and get prepping!
Until next time,
Connie ❄️