Single Mom Roadschooling Van Life Adventures with Kate & Mel
  • Home
    • About >
      • Our Van >
        • 2018 Ford Transit Cargo Van
      • The Backstory
      • We Found a Van!
      • Pre-Purchase Van Freak Out
      • Vanlife- Van Purchase Day
      • Registering an Out of State Vehicle
  • The Build
    • Planning is Different Then Doing - VanLife Van Build
    • How Much Does it Cost to Convert a Van?
    • How Much Time Does it Take to Convert a Van?
    • DIY Van Conversion Checklist >
      • Phase One DIY Van Conversion - Research >
        • Designing Your Perfect #VanBuild While Going on Practice Van Life Adventures
      • Making Decisions for Your DIY Van Conversion >
        • Rural Internet
      • Selecting and Buying the Van DIY Van Conversion >
        • Finding a Van
      • Prepping the Layout- DIY Van Conversion >
        • Detailing the Van Before Conversion
      • Installing Windows on Van Conversion for #vanlife
      • Selecting a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van >
        • Vent Placement in Conversion Van
        • Cutting a Hole for a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van
      • Solar Panels on Conversion Van >
        • Wind Solar Power on Conversion Van
        • Van Conversion Solar Set Up - Everything You Need
        • How Much Solar Power Do I Need?
  • Our Adventures
    • Friends on the Road
    • Sea World - Orlando
    • Aquatica- Orlando
    • Treasure Island Florida
  • Resources
    • Vanlife Websites and Blogs
    • Vanlife Hashtags for Families on the Road
    • Vanlife YouTube Channels
    • Financially Supporting Van Life
    • Random #VanLife Stuff
  • Roadschooling
  • YouTube
  • Contact
  • Home
    • About >
      • Our Van >
        • 2018 Ford Transit Cargo Van
      • The Backstory
      • We Found a Van!
      • Pre-Purchase Van Freak Out
      • Vanlife- Van Purchase Day
      • Registering an Out of State Vehicle
  • The Build
    • Planning is Different Then Doing - VanLife Van Build
    • How Much Does it Cost to Convert a Van?
    • How Much Time Does it Take to Convert a Van?
    • DIY Van Conversion Checklist >
      • Phase One DIY Van Conversion - Research >
        • Designing Your Perfect #VanBuild While Going on Practice Van Life Adventures
      • Making Decisions for Your DIY Van Conversion >
        • Rural Internet
      • Selecting and Buying the Van DIY Van Conversion >
        • Finding a Van
      • Prepping the Layout- DIY Van Conversion >
        • Detailing the Van Before Conversion
      • Installing Windows on Van Conversion for #vanlife
      • Selecting a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van >
        • Vent Placement in Conversion Van
        • Cutting a Hole for a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van
      • Solar Panels on Conversion Van >
        • Wind Solar Power on Conversion Van
        • Van Conversion Solar Set Up - Everything You Need
        • How Much Solar Power Do I Need?
  • Our Adventures
    • Friends on the Road
    • Sea World - Orlando
    • Aquatica- Orlando
    • Treasure Island Florida
  • Resources
    • Vanlife Websites and Blogs
    • Vanlife Hashtags for Families on the Road
    • Vanlife YouTube Channels
    • Financially Supporting Van Life
    • Random #VanLife Stuff
  • Roadschooling
  • YouTube
  • Contact
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Our Adventures

Traveling wherever we want any time we want.

Van Purchase Day!

Monday, July 6, 2020 

After a two hour wait in the Wells Fargo drive through to get a cashier's check for the down payment, and lots and lots and lots of traffic (who knew Orlando had so much traffic?!), we made our way to Rush Truck Center to meet David, our salesperson (he's in our small photo gallery, above).

​Surprisingly, my pre-purchase jitters were gone and I was all business.  I had sent them everything in advance, so the paperwork was ready to go when we go there. I asked a few questions, signed papers, and then we were on our way. 

We returned the car to the rental company.  David came to pick us up and bring us back to our van. (Thanks, David!!)

Backing up for the first time was intimidating. Even though we have a back up camera, I'm not used to using one, nor am I used to looking over my right shoulder to find a metal wall instead of a window with a view of what I might hit.  

It was a struggle (I ended up with a small, unimpressed audience), but we eventually made it out of the dealership without any damage.   We drove straight to Clearwater Beach and parked in the public parking lot.  Within minutes, the parking lot patrol told us the beach was closing in 10 minutes and we couldn't park there.

Disappointed, we drove away. It didn't take long before we were lost.  I hadn't had a chance to find a new beach name or address to put in my GPS, so we just drove.  We ended up at St. Petersburg.  We grabbed a room at a local hotel. 

The woman at the front desk was super nice and printed out some maps for us to help us find a beach and to help us on our journey toward Oklahoma.   We went outside to look at the large fountain then went up to get settled in to our room.

Then.... at 12:45 am, after a long, emotionally draining day, Kate discovered a giant cockroach!!! In our room!!!  Eeeek!!!

We called the front desk.  A nice man came, captured it, and took it away.  It took a bit of time to shake off the heebie jeebies and fall asleep.

At check out in the morning, we told the staff how creepy of an experience it was.  They said with a shrug, "It's Florida.  That's normal."  

Ummmmm... no.  Bugs should not be the size of birds.

Now, where's the beach? 

Next: Did we ever make it to the beach?
Back to Our Adventures

Kate & Mel

Meet Us
We are Kate & Mel, daughter and mother wannabe van life nomads who have set out on a (sort of) gypsy life adventure in our soon-to-be converted van.  Join us!

Find Us on Social Media
Instagram: Kate & Mel Adenture
YouTube: Kate & Mel 
Twitter:  Kate & Mel Travel 
Pinterest: Kate & Mel Adventure 

This site uses cookies. See our Privacy Policy. California residents, view the always- extra CA version at California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). 

#mommysgotavan #vanlife  #familyvanlife #roadschool #roadschooling #vankids #vanmom #homeonwheels #gypsysoul #campervan #vanlifegirls #vanlifewithkids #wanderluster #fulltimetravel #solotraveler #nomadlife #hippiespirit #travellife #vanconversion #nomadfamily 

Single mom and kiddo set out on a nomad, van life, roadschooling lifestyle. Watch the beginner diy van conversion, first time homeschooling on the road experiences, and newbie family van life adventures unfold.  
​
Melinda is the Director of Family & Children's Counseling Services, a therapy practice in Northern California, and author of the first National Supervised Visitation online training program. Her therapy blog can be found at The Motley Ms and her business consulting page can be found at MelindaHaynes.com.