First Week of Van Life | Brits in USA
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ส.ค. 2024
- First Week of Van Life | Brits in USA
🎵 BeOn1x Festival: Party on the shores of the Mediterranean clcr.me/TravelBeans
In this vanlife USA travel vlog, we experience our first week in our new RV and take our campervan up through the west coast of Michigan. We start out by visiting TH-camrs Frank & Alicia in Muskegon before heading up to visit a number of Michigan's beautiful state parks. We also get to have the extreme experience of driving UTV & dune buggies on the epic sand dunes of Silver Lake State Park thanks to SunBuggy Tours. We then head further north to Ludington State park and get to see some crazy views at Sleeping Bear Dunes. We finish the video in the Glen Arbor region where we visit Empire beach, the famous Cherry Republic and empty our waste tanks which turned out to be an ordeal!
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Welcome to the official Travel Beans TH-cam channel! On this channel, you’ll find a variety of travel and vlog content, in which you’ll see us in places like Thailand, Japan, USA, Slovenia, and more.
In 2017 we left home with just £500 in our bank account and a dream to make a sustainable travel lifestyle happen! We are now living our dream as digital nomads and want to inspire you to create your own story, whatever it may be!
After 5 years of aimless, yet enjoyable, backpacking around the world we found ourselves in New York City battling with depression. At this point, we decided to go home and confront this problem head-on. After 6 tough months at home we decided to go away again, but this time with a goal in mind.. to turn travel into a lifestyle.
Our time spent battling depression has influenced our outlook on life dramatically! We are now traveling the world in search of what makes us happy. In our vlogs, we talk openly and honestly about our travel experiences, the digital nomad life and depression. We hope our videos can help to inspire you to create a life that makes you happy!
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👋 Hey Beans, if you want to party on the shores of the Mediterranean at BeOn1x festival.. head over to: clcr.me/TravelBeans
If you go to gulf state park in orange beach Alabama you will love it
There are trails there to walk and I believe you can ride bikes on it too
But watch out for snakes there too
Also watch out for alligators or crocodiles
And also check out dauphin island Alabama
I mentioned a few other things to do -places to go -things to get on your last video and I think the last one or two before it as well
Just want to wish you well ….. we were the former owners of your camper van. We bought it from Darren 5 years ago and sold it back to him earlier this summer. We had some great trips and hope you do too! It’s fun to watch where you go! Enjoy!!
How awesome is this! That is so nice of you to reach out to them and introduce yourselves.
Awesome 👏🏻
This is awesome!
I agree, this is so awesome!
Cool!
“We don’t poo….. that’s why we’re so uptight!” Love you guys 😂
So You are looking to get away from it all. You are going the correct direction. Once you pass the "bridge" things will significantly change. (Keep your gas tank full..not joking.) Cross the bridge and make your way to Cooper Harbor at the tip of the Keweenaw peninsula. With a population of about 140 people the population density is about 4 people per square mile. There are areas in the UP where the bears out number people. You will be amazed by the sights.
I was so thrilled to see you two smiling, giggling and your humor back. I think a grateful nation thanks you for not "pooing" in our country! I didn't know that about you, Brits. 😂 Keep having fun!
Tip, when dumping. After hooking up drain hose test with gray water dump to insure good connection. Then close gray, dump black, then dump remainder of gray.
This method helps avoid stinky messes. Good luck on your travels.
You have to visual the connecting pins,on all sides of valve,to make sure the connections are all seated fully+ is tight,before dumping tank(s) It's always a good idea to fill the black tank with 5 gallons or more of fresh water,after first dump,( close black valve)and fill+ dump again.Then dump black tank again,to further clean hose.Then dump grey.
Also,most beginner RVers don't put enough water into toilet+ flush ,after dumping( about 5 gallons) to keep solids from forming the dreaded 💩 pyramid.
A good way to do that,is,after dumping,fill toilet bowl with water+ 1 cup of Dawn Dish detergent.Clean bowl+ flush into black tank.Then fill bowl couple more times,use a 5 gallon bucket with clean water,until gone.
Then you have enough water in bottom of black tank.
You can add 1 cup of Calgon liquid fabric softener to that 5 gallons.Both the Dawn+ Calgon together,keep tank fresh until next dump.
Try and make sure your Black tank is 3/4 full before dumping,and drive around and hit brakes a few times,if you've been stationary,before dumping.That moves solids around,and flushes tank better.
After flushing black tank,then dump grey tank.Add Dawn+ Calgon mix to kitchen sink drain,after dumping grey tank.This keeps grey tank fresh also.
Also,after dumping grey tank last,leave hose into ground connection,remove hose from dump valve,and run water through hose,picking hose off ground to completely flush.
Always secure end of hose into ground connection,with a brick or block of wood,to prevent it from jumping out under pressure.
You should always use a dedicated clean 5 gallon bucket to fill toilet thru dumping process.That insures you are adding enough water,when dumping+ filling after dumping.
2 people ,one outside+ one inside,makes dumping faster, especially if other campers lined up at station.
Also,mechanics Pro- Tip. Don't use those junk blue hoses,go to Walmart,or online,and get a RHINO brand sewer hose.Get a extra length to add,if longer spot at campsite to sewer connection.
Emma has the RHINO brand,at beginning of video.
Newbees, don't have a clue!
@@jaya.0069
It's either coach them now,or wait till your in line at dump station,and they empty the black tank on the ground...💩😳💩🙃😃
This ^^^
Are you guys Harvest Host members yet? It cost about 99 dollars a year and you can camp at various wineries, breweries, farms, etc throughout the US. So almost boondocking, but in fields or parking lots. They recommend that you visit the business while staying there. Win, win. It might be worth it. I think Allison and Eric have done this, too. Hope you guys get to meet up soon.
Seriously, you guys are one channel in which whenever I get an alert of a new vlog, I stop whatever I am doing and watch immediately! I am loving your road trip so far. Those sand dunes are amazing! Lake Michigan is so massive the beaches look like you're by the ocean! Can't wait to see how the boondocking goes!
Aw thanks so much. We both appreciate your kind words and for following us for so long ❤️🙏
Agreed.
Same!!!
Rinse out your waist hose before putting it away. it really helps with the smell you'll never get rid of it completely but if there's a way to rinse it out when you're dumping it helps tremendously to keep the odor down. Also always dump your black water tank first then dump your gray water tank then after disconnecting your hose you're not dealing with black water and then you can rinse it out and put it away
Sand removal tip: baby powder! Sprinkle it on wherever you have wet sand and you can brush it off really easily (then dust off the excess powder). Doing it outside will keep the powder at bay (it can get slippery on linoleum or tile). Wiping feet on a towel or thick mat by the door helps a lot, too. We do this any time we go to the beach. Looking forward to more of Michigan! Safe travels!
I never comment on YT videos but I came here to share this tip. We keep baby powder in our beach bag and couldn’t cope without it. Lol
I thought people were getting cancer from baby powder.
Ditto. UK beach/van must for our family... a microfiber cleaning mitt and baby powder in the door storage.
@@kookietherapy9398 there's been some cases of ovarian cancer linked to talcum powder use, but this was when it was applied to area typically covered by undergarments. A sprinkle on your legs, feet, hands? No evidence currently (that I'm aware of) but I'm not a physician so if you have concerns, of course, chat with your doctor.
@@sarah-phillips Parents would load that stuff on baby's bums, and you could see it flying in the air.
As someone from Michigan, it feels so good to see other people enjoying my home state! it's not a big international tourist destination, so it was lovely to see it through your eyes! I hope you two can make it to Pictured Rocks and the Porcupine Mountains, two stunning places!!
I've lived in Michigan my whole life and it's wonderful seeing your excitement. It gave me a great sense of pride that I'm from the Mitten state! I've been to a few of the places you visited in this video and I'm looking forward to seeing your future stops on this trip.
Adding some "Happy Camper" to the black water tank really helps keep odors down. You can get it at any RV shop.
I LOVE watching you guys! As for boondocking I am going to direct you to a young lady named Robin who has a utube called Creative RV. She always boondocks and she gives so much information about it and web sites. So, look at her videos I bet you will get all kinds of really good info. plus she's a sweetheart and has good videos. You guys have a fun trip exploring our USA! I wish you safe journeys and lots of fun!
Oh my word!!!! You guys were in my neck of the woods in Michigan!! My hubby was born and raised there. And after we got married we moved back to his hometown. Now we live in OKLAHOMA and watching this makes me homesick for MI. Thanks and I'm so happy you are experiencing a ton of activities in Michigan!!
Beans! Showed my hubby this video and we caught something I didn't see. You went to get breakfast at the Pink Elephant in Hart Mi. My hubby's hometown and I worked at the Post Office til 2006. Love this trip you are taking. Hubby says "they think Lake Michigan is beautiful and cold ...Wait til they go to Lake Superior! " And he just loves watching you guys expressions when seeing the turkeys and deer. You can do some boondocking in the wilderness in the Upper Peninsula.
hi cherie if you want a little bit of michigan here in oklahoma check out The Little Sahara state park great fun place and welcome to ok
No way! So cool! The breakfast at the Pink Elephant was soooo good 😋 and we are absolutely loving Michigan in general. I’m not surprised you miss it - it’s gorgeous!
Campendium app has always been my favorite when boondocking
Hey y'all to cut down on spillage get one of these. It's helped me a lot. Valterra Twist-On Waste Valve, Mess-Free Waste Valve for RV's, Campers, Got mine for $20 on Amazon. Plus I pour Pine Sol (or whichever cleaner you like the smell of) in my stinky slinky while it's still hooked up to the drain so when I store it the smell is not bad when I get it out to reuse. Good luck. KK
Karen - that's a GREAT tip. The stinky slinky hose is THE WORST when it's hot! And $20 is such a great investment.
I don't know about the US but in Canada at the Sani Dumps, the hose connected to the spring pole is for washing out your dump hose and dirty bits. There is always another faucet for potable water. I've seen the spring pole hose deep inside dump hoses and you filling your potable tank made me ewwwww.
@@pickuptowntravel The water always comes from the same source regardless of what hose you use. Just the spring pole hose has been deep inside users' dump hose and is not sanitary at all!
They were separate hoses.. one for washing out your dump hose and the other was drinking water.. don’t worry 😂
You two brought many smiles to my heart including laughing out loud for the first time in awhile. Thanks so much for being you and sharing with us 💜
Haha I love that unsure cat, plus the wild deer and turkeys is so cool!
Hi!
That “unsure cat” is Umphrey!
He’s very sweet!
Alicia and I take good care of him!
Recommended tip for the black tank...add a couple of gallons of fresh water back to the tank after emptying. Believe me, you don't want to be putting TP in that tank and it dries out and you get a TP pyramid and unable to flush the tank. Better yet, on top of adding fresh water to the tank...put pee TP in the bin.
Michigan does indeed look awesome. I've only been there once, in winter. All I'll say about that is rather summer than winter, in Michigan. Alex your videography is pretty much at a pro level. The best travel content on the tube for sure.
You guys are so much fun. I got a little tear-eyed when I saw you had gone to some of our favorite places like Ludington and Silver Lake. We would go up there a lot when I was a teenager. I always wanted to go on the dune buggies but my parents wouldn't let me. It looks like so much fun. I also remember going on a vacation to Frankfurt many years ago. Looks like you also had fun swimming in the lake. It's usually a little chilly but then you get used to it and it's refreshing on a hot day. I hope you see many more sunsets while you're in our beautiful state. Much love to you both! 🥰😊👍
Smitten by the Mitten!!❤️✋️
You should visit Shenandoah National Park. There is a wonderful 100-mile scenic drive through the mountains of Virginia. Plus it connects to the Smokey National Park. You will have a lot of wildlife to see as well as beautiful sunsets over the mountains. I have also spent a lot of time in the northwest. The redwoods in Northern California are amazing. If you go there, you need to find Gold Bluffs Beach. That place is amazing
Yes! Gold Bluffs Beach is awesome!
Love your videos! I’m sad only when I realize it at the end! So…I rewatch it!
Emma’s giggles are so wonderful! And makes me happy to hear you both laugh.
Are you meeting up with Eric and Alison, Endless Adventures?
Love your reaction to wild turkeys on the driveway. Deer and turkeys come to my yard quite often. While the deer are great, they sometimes eat my plants, but I can’t get mad about that, the turkeys poop on my lawn and that’s something I can get mad about. Love your videos and how you treat nature. I keep saying it every week. Also, glad to see you having so much fun with the dune buggies. You have made Michigan look so great with your videos. Now I have to visit!
you are getting free fertilizer!
Yay!! #SUNBUGGIE!!
Looks like great fun 😀
Such an amazing experience! Thanks for sharing.
You made my day. I'm from Muskegon. Michigan is absolutely beautiful . Making me want to take a road trip back there soon.💕
if you haven't been to Muskegon recently the changes would Suprise you
We loved Muskegon 🥰
You've just started and you're already having a great time!!! Enjoy!!!
Make sure you only use water taps that say "potable water". Water taps at the dump stations are usually only for waste flushing. Just a FYI 😜
To clarify. If a tap is right at the dump point it's for rinse only. If the water tap is 15 ft away or so it's for drinking. It's actually the same water, just the tap by the dump is likely contaminated from the tank contents and contaminated hands.
Love this week’s blog,, nice scenery❤️
That buggy ride looked awesome, I have to try that!
Absolutely love this one. I was hoping you would travel up the west coas. My favorite area to camp is near Frankfort. Emma's wrestling match with the stinky slinky was hilarious. Check out "Boondockers Welcome" for safe places to boondock. You have to pay a yearly fee and it is not wild camping, but it's safe. Looking forward to next week.
BTW your sewer system should have a "gate" to stop the sewage from spilling out while you attach the hose. Make sure it is closed before you take the cap off, then open it to "release the hounds".
I am absolutely loving the content guys! Your energy, enthusiasm & thirst for adventure is so uplifting!! 🥳
Well said! I cannot quit smiling while I’m watching your videos! I’m so happy for you!
Ahh thank you Isla! Your comment brought a big smile to our faces 🥰
That was the best laugh I've had all week. Thanks for that Emma.
Thank you so much for exploring our country! I love to see it through your eyes.
You might want to message “Girl in the Woods” or “RV Lifestyle”. I believe they both own property in the Upper Peninsula and could probably direct you to a good boondocking spot. Safe travels and have fun. We’ve never been to Michigan, but you sure make me want to go! (Jane) ❤️🙏🏻
Brooke from 'girl in the woods' is in Alaska right now according to her latest video but she might be able to direct you to a good place to camp. They have a beautiful spot in the up.
Love Brooke!
I was just going to post that!
I was just going to say that too lol! Brooke from "Girl In The Woods" is a wonderful Michigander and her husband Dave (his channel is "BushRadical") is cool too! You might also message TH-camr Hannah Lee Duggan (her channel name is just her name) who is from Minnesota, currently lives in northern Wisconsin near Michigan and travels a lot throughout the region in her van Walter, or her vintage Land Rover. She's great at finding the cool local spots!
I’ve been looking forward to this weeks video and you haven’t disappointed me… I still can’t get over how big the lake is, it truly looks like your by the sea! The beach buggies looked fun 😊 It will be great if you do get to more remote locations, but I won’t be disappointed if you don’t. Wherever you go, the scenery is great and who’d have thought you’d see deer and turkey on peoples driveways!! Keep up with the great videos and of course, stay safe ❤️ xx
So fun to see this all through “new” eyes. Have fun and enjoy the journey.
Love the new van, and your vlogs are awesome. 🥰
Aww! Alicia reminds me of my aunt that passed away last year… I’m gonna have to go follow them. My aunt loved to travel but was too sick her last few years of life to do so. And oddly… today is her birthday. I miss her… 😔
She's not gone as long as you remember her. Sorry for your loss.
@@Booce2008 Thank you! I actually found out I’m pregnant with a baby girl yesterday too… so we are naming the baby after her. Lucille. 😊
@@Naedlj That's awesome, congratulations! Your aunt's memory will survive at least another generation.
Hi
We are You’re Never 2 Old 2 Travel.
Alicia and I are very touched that you thought of your Aunt Lucille when you saw us (or mostly Alicia on the Beans vlog. We are sorry for your loss and very happy for the upcoming arrival of baby Lucille!❤
Love your vlogs thanks for letting us share it
I live in Michigan and have been boondock camping for years here. Pretty much anywhere on State land is acceptable to set up camp. Some areas will have signs to indicate if overnight camping is prohibited. If you don't see any signs you're usually pretty good. National park land is usually not allowed. You will find "two tracks" which are seasonal roads throughout northern lower peninsula and everywhere in the UP if you head down one of those roads you will soon find an area to camp. Sometimes you're required to have a document filled out for the DNR you can get this from there website, I never filled out the document and have never had a problem.
Now the American experience has really begun. Loved the sand dune buggy ride. I’d have loved a go of that. Apart from the wastewater fiasco, Phoenix looks like she’s behaving fabulously.
She’s been perfect so far! And we would highly recommend the dune buggy ride.. so much fun!!!
Boondock camping on public lands is far more available in most of the western states, excluding the coastal areas and is very limited in the eastern part of the US, east of the Mississippi river. Most boondocking is done on either BLM land, or National Forest Service land, and is usually referred to as dispersed camping, there may or may not be a small permit fee for it, and most places limit you to a 14 day stay in one location before you are required to move a few miles. Forest service district web sites will usually have information on what areas are open to dispersed camping (some are open year round, others may be seasonal), though often maps of forest service roads, and advice on finding the best sites can only be had by visiting the local forest service district offices near your destination. BLM land seems to be a bit more haphazard with less clear information available.
What is BLM land?
Plenty of boondocking sites in the east, USFS, State, and County lands often allow camping in dispersed sites for up to 14 days.
@@KristenB0707 Bureau of Land Management
@@KristenB0707 The US federal government's Bureau of Land Management.
Thanks for the info! This is super helpful
Love the teasing and giggling, keep up the great vlogs
Happy to see you back on the road
I wait - sometimes not too patiently - for your next video! Love watching y’all enjoying and seeing new things!
Ah thanks so much! 🙏💛
Pretty sure "Emma feels sick when she's the passenger" is actually "Emma doesn't trust your driving."
Or motion sick, I get motion sickness anytime I’m not the one driving
Feeling sick when a passenger doesn't automatically equate to not trusting someone; it can literally mean that you can get/feel sick when the passenger! I cannot sit in the back seats when the car is in motion, otherwise I get motion sickness. If I am in the front passenger seat then I am, for the most part, fine.
It's a real thing. Please don't invalidate it.
Great vlog, great campervan and great scenery. Loved it all. More please. ❤
That looked like a lot of fun 🤩 I’m glad y’all are having a great time
...the British invasion is real people! 😋
😂 you know it
😁 Welcome 🇬🇧
So happy for you guys!!
Hands down the best episode this year!!
Looks awesome. Love your content. Keep enjoying life as it should be enjoyed.
Both of you are so lovely. It's such a treat to follow you on your travels each week. I'm already looking forward to next week.
If your still up there the Cherry Bowl Drive In is so much fun! There is also the tunnel of trees!
Thanks for sharing another fun video. Love your reactions to the wild turkeys 🦃. Stay safe and have fun 🤩
Happy to see you enjoying my home town Muskegon great in the summer winter cold.
Love these videos!
I'm really enjoying watching you 2 !!
💖💖 fab content once again loved it
I adore you two and your channel. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.
Awww we love your new TH-cam friends! Very cool 😊 Your camping spot was so beautiful.
love you guys so much you always put a smile on my face
Hey guys! You too are so much fun to watch..take care and stay safe x❤️
Now this should have been the first go around experience. Thank you for not giving up. Love your videos 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻
Welcome to Michigan and thank you for highlighting our beautiful state!!!!
yes welcome to Michigan! and hiya Julie . . . -waves from Marshall.
@@coriofthelord Clarkston here!
Yay! You're on the way now! That camper is awesome!
Looks like the first trip out was a hit! Very cool! Take care, drive safe!
After having to work today was a nice treat to watch your video when I got home.please keep them coming amazing place
Loved to watch you on the dunes. It looked like so much fun!
It was such a blast! Definitely makes us want to do that kind of stuff in more places!
Amazing channel started watching a few months ago and quite enjoy every moment of your videos thank you !!!!
What fun!!! Love it
You guys a hilarious...thanks for the video and continue the fun!
Good to see you on the road again at last!
so glad the giggles happiness and the beans adventure in the new van is back way to go u 2 congrats
You guys are in a beautiful state here in the US! I am really happy to see you both in a fabulous camper van and enjoying yourselves ❤️❤️
This is so great to see you are enjoying travels around my home area and favorite place - West Michigan. Best wishes!
Brilliant video and beautiful scenery guy's ❤️
I can't believe how big the lake is. It looks like your at the ocean. I love your videos. I'm so glad you were able to by another motor home and your trip to the US is just beginning.
I love this video please post more often
Love seeing you enjoy my neck of the woods!
Well it’s a beautiful neck of the woods you have!
You two are so much fun!
So fun to see your adventures and so glad to see you in a new rig you've been through a lot and I'm glad you're going to have fun
Lovely vlog, do take the time out from us beans, no pressure to vlog! Take your time and enjoy!
Love y’all’s videos!
That was a fun video...Glad you are having a great time...Hello from Vancouver BC Canada. Looking forward to you next video already, Have fun.
Lake Michigan is enormous & those sand dunes are unbelievable!! Wonderful vlog! 😍🇦🇺🍻
You kids are a doze of Pure Sunshine!! Love your videos I am currently looking for my own Trekker Van..God Bless your Journeys
You are so good together so much fun and laughs in your content....Cheers
Great dune views . Just live you guys . Love hugs
Glad you had fun! 💝🙏💝
Awesome Beans!
I Love ❤️ the new van!!! Congratulations!!🍾🎉🎊 Enjoy the Beautiful USA 🇺🇸
Love your video. Beautiful scenery. Happy trails to you.
Here's a tip. When you open the cover on the pipe, hold the opening of the hose under it to catch the little bit of fluid that comes out. Even if the valves are fully closed, you'll usually have a tiny bit of gray water from the last dump that settles in the fitting. When it is done dribbling you can turn it to face the end of the pipe and latch it in place.
It's SO nice to finally hit the road with NO MORE problems!! Just enjoy everything!!!
Wonderful video. Michigan does have some very beautiful spots. One never really understands how big the Great Lakes are, until you actually see them. Glad your having a great trip :) Live confidently and peacefully