A decorative postage stamp with floral design and initials.

Trading Four Walls for the Open Road

Van Life

The newest chapter of my life has been infused with cosmic energy, boundless passion and tie-dye skies. Eighteen months ago, the team at Boho Camper Vans completed the beautiful, bohemian sanctuary I call Claus. Claus van Bülow.

Together, Claus and I have criss-crossed the entire country four times and are currently in motion Down South. Living tiny, dreaming big and finding beauty in simple, everyday things. Yup, I've fully embraced my hippie era, y’all. x Sandy

Why Van Life and Why Now

Van life appeals equally to our romantic and adventurous sides, doesn’t it? Romantic because the idea of waking up to breathtaking landscapes while sipping a cup of tea with no particular plans is the stuff of dreams. Adventurous because roaming the open road, with or without a specific destination in mind, means we never know who we might meet, what we might see, and sometimes even where we might spend the night.

Powerful Stuff

For me, deciding which van to buy was the easy part. But designing a layout was a bit more challenging. Conversions can vary greatly. From electrical systems to which plumbing system is right for you, the choices are endless! And, frankly, it’s easy to become overwhelmed—even paralyzed—by the number of options available. I knew I wanted to build something insanely comfortable, functional, practical, and aesthetically pleasing for life on the go.

And I knew I could not do this by myself. Enter Boho Camper Vans!

Woman with map beside camper van in desert landscape with cactus.

Origin Story

After spending years and years catching flights all over the world, last year I made the decision to change it up a bit. To slow it down some. To spend a lot more time seeing my own country and spend a lot less time in airports.

During lockdown, most Americans were overcrowding state and national parks. Not me. I wanted to stay as far away from the madness as possible. During those same COVID-19 years, I took advantage of countless opportunities to travel abroad. The second half of 2020 found me in Europe. Africa called in 2021, and I spent that year traveling from Cape Town to Cairo. 2022 found me in Central and South America. And I spent a solid half of 2023 exploring Asia.

It was fabulous, and I don’t regret a single minute of it! But then revenge travel threw a wrench into my travels abroad, and it became obvious that it was time for me to switch it up a bit.

I had a budget of $80,000 set aside to cover all of our van conversion costs, excluding the purchase of the van itself. I thought it would be easy, but costs and upgrades add up fast! My primary goal was to get it done as quickly as possible to start enjoying it.

But sometimes things take a little bit longer than we plan…

Start Your Own Journey

Van Life Moments

Person standing on camper van roof with mountain backdrop.

Superstition Mountains, Arizona

A person explores a narrow, colorful slot canyon with smooth, wavy rock formations.

Antelope Canyon, Utah

A moose resting in a green forested area.

Bighorn Mountains, WY

Camper van parked near Devil's Tower with a bike on the back.

Devils Tower, WY

Smiling woman with glasses poses outdoors near a unique rock formation.

Devils Tower, WY

Camper van parked in a sunlit forest clearing among tall pine trees.

Big Bear Lake, CA

A smiling person holding a red chili pepper outdoors on a sunny day.

World's Largest Chili Pepper, Las Cruces, NM

The Clown Motel sign stands beside a deserted road in a barren landscape.

Clown Motel, Tonopah, NV

Colorful mural of a woman in traditional attire on a building wall.

Clown Motel, Tonopah, NV

A warning sign about UFO sightings in a desert landscape.

Area 51

Woman sitting on a white wooden porch of a rustic house under a cloudy sky.

Johnny Cash boyhood home, Dyess, AR

Scenic view of rugged red rock formations under a clear sky.

Bryce Canyon, UT

Colorful, layered rock formations in a desert landscape.

Petrified Forest, AZ

Entrance archway for the 2024 South Dakota State Fair with decorative crown and signage.

Corn Palace, SD

Dried thistle plants near a tranquil lake with snow-capped mountains in the background.

Grand Tetons, WY

Winding road through rugged rocky terrain under a clear sky.

Joshua Tree National Park, CA

A tall cactus with red rock mountains in the background under a clear sky.

Lost Dutchman State Park, AZ

Historic adobe building with large tree in front under a bright sky.

Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe, NM

Starry night sky with the phrase "Stay Gracious".

Stargazing the Milky Way, Yellowstone National Park, WY

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Mount Rushmore, SD

Van Life: Come for the freedom, stay for the unexpectedly awesome moments

Van life may come with dust on your sandals and a little chaos in your hair, but oh, the surprises! It’s the sunrise you didn’t plan to catch because you accidentally parked facing east. It’s the stranger-turned-friend who knocks on your door asking about your rooftop deck and ends up sharing the world’s most lopsided campfire s’more. It’s finding the perfect roadside diner just because you missed a turn or realizing your under-cabinet lighting makes even reheated leftovers look like a scene from a cooking show. These moments tiny, unscripted bursts of joy are the real magic of the open road!

Forks in the Road: Tasty Detours

Some of the best meals of your life will never have a reservation, a dress code or even a proper sign out front. They’ll be hiding behind a hand-painted banner, parked in a gravel lot or glowing like a beacon next to a gas pump. And that’s exactly where the magic lives.

Roadside foodie finds are where the road stops being a route and starts being a story: Flaky pies cooling on windowsills, tamales sold out of coolers, BBQ so smoky it settles on your jacket like a silky scarf and milkshakes thick enough to count as a workout. You didn’t plan it. You just followed a hunch, a hunger and maybe a slightly crooked arrow that said Eats →.

In a world of algorithms and five-star ratings, there’s something wildly romantic about pulling over because something smells amazing. It’s part survival, part serendipity and part pure vibe — the holy trinity of van-life dining. One minute you’re cruising the highway; the next, you’re sitting on a picnic table with sauce on your fingers and a story you’ll be telling forever.

Because the best bites don’t just fill you up; they remind you that adventure tastes better when you didn’t see it coming.

Delicious pastry with icing and a berry filling served with a pink smoothie.

Mountain Momma's Coffee House & Bakery, West Yellowstone, MT

A classic breakfast with biscuits, gravy, eggs, hashbrowns, and a glass of water.

Norm's Family Dining, Twin Falls, ID

A hearty steak dinner with grilled vegetables and baked potato.

Butterfield Stage Co, Steak House, Holbrook, AZ

Fresh eggs from backyard chickens with cooked eggs in a pan.

Farm-fresh eggs, Jackass Junction, Superstition, AZ

A book and a glass of red wine on a table at a cozy cafe.

The Estate at White Hall Vinyard, King George, VA

Scrambled eggs with vegetables and toasted bread slices on a plate.

DRAKE, Bend, OR

A hand holds a purple drink outside a rustic emporium with mural art.

Huckleberry Milkshake, Victor’s Emporium, Victor, Idaho

Traditional food wrapped in banana leaves on a plate with greens.

Tamales, Cafe Pasqual's, Santa Fe, NM

My Favorite Van-Life Gear: Rugged enough to survive, curated specifically to vibe!

Portable picnic kit with drinks, cups, and utensils.

DayLodge Gear Bag. I use mine as a mini bar, coffee and tea station and as a picnic bag.

A Marshall speaker on a wooden shelf with books and decor items.

Custom Shelving for Books & Marshall Radio

The Essentials

Barebones Living Tower Block & Lanterns. Soft, warm light and reliable power that make even a boondocking night feel intentional.
Marshall Radio. A little vintage swagger for morning coffee and sunset cocktails.
Echo Show 15”. The van’s command center—weather, routes, recipes, and reminders in one elegant screen.

The Kitchen (Where the Magic Happens)

Yeti Storage Bowls. Leftovers, road-trip charcuterie and everything in between—kept cold and civilized.
Ninja Bullet. Smoothies, sauces, and the occasional margarita without taking over the counter.
Foundation Outdoor Meals & Luxefly Outdoor Meals. Real food that feels more like a camp-side bistro than survival rations.

The Smart Stuff

Living in a Bubble Backseat Organizer. Sunscreen, snacks, notebooks, and maps—always right where I need them.
Radius Outfitters Trash Tube. No smells, no critters, no chaos. An unsung van-life hero.
DayLodge Gear Bag. Cocktail bar, tea/coffee station, charcuterie central — contained, calm and easily convertible to suit any occasion.

The Fun Factor