PACKED, PARKED, AND PRESENT: THE WESTY WAY TO CAMP
It’s Friday afternoon, and we’ve made loose plans to meet some friends out at Cowichan Lake. No one’s in a rush, just a few messages bouncing around, a general idea of where to head, and the sun warming up the end of the week. I don’t need to run home and pack. I don’t need to stress over a checklist. I just get in the van and go.
Everything I need is already there.
That’s the beauty of a Westy. It’s not just a vehicle, it’s a ready-made, always-packed little cabin on wheels. Over time, I’ve turned it into a space that’s fully mine. My comfiest old hoodies, the ones that still smell a bit like bonfire smoke from last season, live in the closet. There’s a couple extra layers stashed for the friends who always forget a sweater. The cabinets are stocked with dishes and cooking gear, and the bedding stays folded in the back. We toss in the BBQ and some camp chairs, stop for groceries on the way out of town, and we’re good to go.
No more “Did I forget the lighter?” or “Where’s the sleeping bag?” stress. It’s all there. It always is.
Everything Has Its Place
The interior of the van is a masterclass in compact design. I didn’t have to do much, just let the space do what it’s meant to. Every cupboard and cubby has its job. I know exactly where the coffee grinder is, where the cast iron pan slides in, and where the marshmallow skewers are hiding (spoiler: always in the seat back organizer).
The swim trunks and towels live tucked away all summer because, well, you never know when you’ll pass a perfect lake on a hot Island afternoon. Having them ready has led to more spontaneous swims than I can count. That kind of small freedom stacks up into something bigger.
Relaxed Because I’m Ready
Once we’ve found our spot and the van’s parked, it’s go time, but not in the stressful, busy way. I pop the top, switch the stereo to the aux battery, and the tunes start rolling. Then it’s BBQ out, chairs unfolded, and I sit back to watch the show.
The “show,” of course, is my friends still trying to figure out their tent fly, locating a missing pole, or realizing their air mattress has a slow leak. We’ve got a good laugh about it every time. I’ll offer a helping hand, so we can all get chilling, but otherwise? I’m already in camp mode.
The biggest shift I’ve noticed isn’t even the convenience, though it’s real. It’s the feeling. I don’t have to think about what I might have forgotten. I’ve learned what I actually need out there, and that list is pre checked. Once you’ve got it all packed into tidy space, the rest takes care of itself.
There’s a mental lightness that comes with that. I don’t worry about gear. I’m not rushing to get on the road or beat the clock. I just go. And when we get there, I’m not setting up, I’m already there.
Camping Without the Chaos
I think that’s what I love most. This van life, this way of traveling, has blurred the lines between the “trip” and the “destination.” There’s no threshold to cross. No settling in. No remembering how to relax after a busy week. The moment I turn the key, I’m in it. The rest of the world slows down, and I get to live in the rhythm of the road.
Sometimes I even forget we’re “camping” at all. It just feels like hanging out at home, with a better view.
Having a van that’s always ready means the planning stage just disappears. And in its place, I get time, real time, to feel present. There’s something powerful about that. Music helps, too. The moment the tires start humming on the pavement and a favorite track rolls through the speakers, I’m reminded: I don’t need much. I’m already carrying what matters.
This van keeps me grounded in the now. It’s always ready, and because of that, so am I.
