A vanilla Transit in the wild

86Scotty · 03-19-2018, 01:32 PM

My work takes me lots of cool places in my van nowadays. I'm super happy to be living in it down by the river on any given night. I got away to Florida with the family last week, though, and the transformer floor plan worked out great.

Rear seats added made belted seating for 5 though we only need four, and a walkthrough under the platform bed for easy gear access. We slept four in it one night and it was tight but so much better than my old E-series. Us two on the platform bed and kids on pallets below.

Untitled by 86scotty, on Flickr

We love the gulf coast. Nothing like the beaches there....or the trees or hiking trails, even though they're flat.

IMG_1209 by 86scotty, on Flickr

IMG_1204 by 86scotty, on Flickr

I gotta take a moment here for a little nostalgia. Here's a pic of the same kids in one of our first vans. Hard to believe how they've grown, and pretty much every trip in a van. Unfortunately they aren't all that interested in going anymore.

Actually, though, if I had a pic of it I would show my son in his pack-and-play in the back of my old Chevy moto van, our very first van camping.

IMG_1193 by 86scotty, on Flickr

IMG_1189 by 86scotty, on Flickr

IMG_1235 by 86scotty, on Flickr

Hiking trip in the Smokies recently. Though the van isn't pictured you better believe it made the trip awesome!

IMG_1185 by 86scotty, on Flickr

IMG_1171 by 86scotty, on Flickr

Then work called me to Pheonix. Bummer, had to spend a couple days goofing off in the Prescott NF. Hate it when that happens.

IMG_1269 by 86scotty, on Flickr

IMG_1277 by 86scotty, on Flickr

IMG_1282 by 86scotty, on Flickr

IMG_1261 by 86scotty, on Flickr

WhitH · 03-19-2018, 08:49 PM

Great stuff Eric! That’s what a van is all about. I’ve already got some reflective moments with my kids and they are a bit younger than yours.

Where do you usually go on the gulf? I have lots of fond memories from my childhood down there.

86Scotty · 03-19-2018, 08:54 PM

Thanks Whit. We really like the area between Destin and Panama City, which is much quieter than either. Santa Rosa Beach, Seaside, Grayton Beach area. Come on over!

WhitH · 03-19-2018, 11:07 PM

Yep, love it!

rockbender · 03-19-2018, 11:59 PM

Fantastic photos! We're looking forward to a little spring break road trip ourselves while the kids are still enjoying the vanlife - it all happens fast!

It's nice to see your rig with kids and camping stuff in it!