Traveling Everywhere with Claire, in Style!

If you are looking for an uplifting story, filled with adventure and the desire to build a life that can be enjoyed to the fullest, you need to meet Claire! Her blog is rightly named, Everywhere with Claire, and everywhere you will go. From Canada to Mexico, follow the travels of Claire and her furry companion Oscar, in her self-built van, outfitted with the travel life in mind.

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In 2021, I quit my 12+ years in corporate marketing to write my own travel blog that would allow me to work remotely while traveling in my self-built camper van.

After spending many years in the Tech industry, I burnt out and found myself craving nature and time spent outside. Van life was a natural evolution from the desire to be outside as much as possible.

Quitting was scary - in fact, it took me 2 years to work up the courage - but it’s been so rewarding to break the mold and experience a different lifestyle.

My home is a 2020 Ford Transit, extended length and high roof. I built it myself during the pandemic, with the help of YouTube university and a lot of trial and error. The end result is a fantastic tiny home on wheels I am really proud of!

As a child, I was never particularly interested in outdoor activities, so it’s bewildering to me how I ended up here - with dirty feet and 80 square feet of living space. But surprisingly it’s the happiest and most fulfilled I’ve ever been. I also travel with my 5-year-old Golden Retriever, Oscar, who agrees that life is pretty awesome in a van.

I have a kitchen, full bathroom with a shower and hot water, 400w of solar on my roof and 400 ah of lithium batteries to power absolutely everything my little heart desires! I even have a guest bed for when friends visit!

There’s a few items in my van I’m so glad I included in my build - my composting toilet, my 12v refrigerator and my SEEKR Sirocco II fan. They’re all high-quality products that don’t require much energy draw.

In fact, I love my SEEKR Sirocco II fan so much I purchased and installed a second one. I love how quiet, power efficient and powerful these fans are! You can tell they’re made with a high standard for quality.

Summer in the van with a dog can come with challenges, but being near the mountains helps when escaping heat waves because I can simply pop up in elevation and ride out the weather in a cooler climate with epic views. My Sirocco II fan also helps keep things cool :)

In the last 2 years on the road, I’ve explored Banff (Canada), Washington, Oregon, Montana, Utah, Colorado and Baja, Mexico. I’ve hiked, backpacked, explored, and met so many different kinds of people. It’s truly been a one-of-a-kind experience to be nomadic.

Currently, I’m in Mexico with plans to explore most of California later this spring. In addition to exploring California this summer, I’m also in the preliminary stages of planning my second van build and hope to complete that this summer.

While on the road, I publish a blog about van life and visiting National Parks, Everywhere With Claire, in hopes of inspiring others to take the leap and chase their own nomadic dreams. For the latest on what I’m up to, you can catch me on Instagram (almost daily)!