Wayfarer Wanderer – Heather Schultz

Wayfarer Vans:
Where do you live?

Heather:
Aliso Viejo, California

WV:
How long have you had your Wayfarer Van? 

Heather:
I got my keys on July 12, 2017 and my kit was installed on July 27.

WV:
Does your van have a name? If so, what is it? Is there a story behind it?

Heather:
My van is called Birdie after Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds because these lyrics mirror my feelings of peace while adventuring in the van:

Rise up this mornin’
Smiled with the risin’ sun
Three little birds
 Pitch by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true
Saying’, (this is my message to you)

Singing’ don’t worry ’bout a thing
‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright

WV:
What’s your favorite spot you and your Wayfarer Van have been, so far, and why?

Heather:
To date, my favorite trip has been to Lake Arrowhead. I took a quick weekend trip and was planning to hike and adventure. However, when I arrived, I wasn’t really feeling it. So instead I set up my hammock and relaxed with a book. It was so perfect that I couldn’t even be mad at myself for ditching my prior plans. I left feeling rejuvenated and learned to be a little less rigid with my scheduling.

WV:
What was the first thing you learned/discovered when you took your camper van out for its maiden voyage?

Heather:
Don’t open the doors from the inside when they are locked!  You will set off your alarm in the middle of the night when everyone is trying to sleep. Birdie also alerted me that someone tried to break in the next morning when I started her up. Silly, Birdie, I was trying to break out!

WV:
What’s been your biggest challenge while traveling in your Wayfarer Van and how did you overcome it?

Heather:
Mosquitos have been the biggest challenge, thus far. I’m still working on a perfect solution but so far, a combination of essential oil spray, a citronella candle, and a fly swatter are doing the trick. Oh, I also keep a container of AfterBite in the van, just in case.

WV:
Do you have a favorite or essential travel item that you never leave behind? If so, what is it and why?

Heather:
Besides my wine opener?  I guess that would be my Therm-a-rest Luxury Map Sleeping Pad paired with my Nemo Mezzo Loft Sleeping Bag. It is the perfect combination for a great night’s sleep without having to set up the full bed.

WV:
Do you have a big trip planned or in mind? If so, where and why?

Heather:
My next trip is a drive up the coast to Napa and then the Redwoods. I have a goal to make it to all the National Parks and Birdie can get me to most of them!  After I have some more adventures under my belt, I’m definitely going to make it up to Alaska for some adventuring.

WV:
What has been the most memorable experience or pleasant surprise while traveling in your Wayfarer?

Heather:
I’m a bit surprised about how easy it is to cook on the road. My kitchen boxes are nowhere near organized, but I can still pull together a decent meal with minimal mess and ingredients.

WV:
What is it that you love the most about your Wayfarer Van (could be an unexpected benefit)?

Heather:
I love that I can leave my gear in the van and be ready to go whenever I feel like it! I feel like I’m ready for anything.

WV:
Why did you choose a Wayfarer Van and what advice would you give to others who are considering Wayfarer?

Heather:
There were so many benefits to choosing a Wayfarer Van that I was totally confident in my decision. Here are a few:

1. The PMC is a reliable vehicle that could still be used as my everyday vehicle.
2. No permanent changes were made to the van. So, if I tried it out and didn’t love it, the risk was minimal as I could always sell the van with or without the kit.
3. The build was affordable and could be installed for free! If I would have waited to plan my own build, I most likely wouldn’t have been able to afford it and it may have never happened.
4. It got me on the road quickly! I have been known to overthink things and eventually talk myself out of them. I loved that this process involved little/no wait time. Once I decided to go for it, my van was complete within two weeks and that includes the purchase of the van and the drive from California to Colorado for the install.