THROUGH THE LENS OF A WESTY: FALLING IN LOVE WITH VANCOUVER ISLAND

Vancouver Island is larger than you might imagine. The region spans port cities, valley farms, vineyards, and quaint harbor towns, to lush Douglas fir forests, sandy beaches, and mountains. There’s truly so much to see and experience that contributes to the Island’s culture. But how does one even begin to take it all in?

The answer lies in joy, adventure, and self-reflection.

The Joy

I first discovered the beauty of Vancouver Island through the eyes of someone who had already fallen in love with it—a local girl I would later call my partner.

In the later half of the pandemic, I worked in Vancouver during the week and would escape to the Cowichan Valley on weekends, thanks to the invitation of an old high school buddy who had grown up in the area. What started as the occasional trip became a lifeline. The Island offered a reprieve from the city hustle: serene bays, quiet beaches, and unspoiled coves I didn’t know existed.

Then, in the summer of 2023, everything changed. At a party with my buddy’s local crew, I met her—the roommate’s sister. Suddenly, my trips to the Island weren’t just about unwinding. They were about her. Together, we explored the wonders of Vancouver Island, and I began to see its beauty through her eyes.

Every hike, every tidal cove, and every bay village she showed me deepened my appreciation for the Island. My favourite were walks at low tide, she’d get excited and show me every starfish, crab, or her favourite, moon snails.  It wasn’t just a destination anymore; it was a place I wanted to be a part of.

The Adventure

While I loved my profession in Vancouver, I started questioning whether it was what I truly wanted. I was living in a downtown studio apartment, juggling the demands of working at a reclaimed lumber/deconstruction startup. But between the high rent and the time I spent traveling to Vancouver Island, I realized I could simplify my life and have everything I needed in a campervan. That’s when I made the leap and bought a Westfalia

Some call it a Hippy Van, my Grandpa called it a Shaggin Wagon, but I know it as the VW Vanagon Westfalia. My Westy was aptly named The Blue Kahuna, after my Grandpa who teased me for wanting said “Shaggin Wagon.” 

I was 12 and didn't get the joke… 

The decision wasn’t just practical—it was transformational. The Blue Kahuna became both my home and our means of adventure.

For two years, I lived in it full-time while working at the woodshop. I learned to embrace a minimalist lifestyle, prioritizing what I truly needed: a bed to sleep in, a kitchenette for meals, and a compact workspace. It was my mobile basecamp, allowing me to transition seamlessly between the demands of city work and the call of Island exploration.

Of course, van life had its challenges. Living in a Westy required constant maintenance. I spent countless evenings fixing mechanical issues, ensuring it was always drivable for both work and weekend getaways. But that’s part of the charm of owning a Westfalia. I developed a relationship with my van. Every repair, every upgrade felt like an investment in my lifestyle and freedom.

Westfalia travel can be encompassed in the vibe of always feeling at home wherever you go. When on the road that vibe drives you. It allowed my partner and I to experience Vancouver Island in a way that’s truly unique. We’d set off with no fixed itinerary, stopping at beaches for lunch, visiting roadside lookouts, and finding hidden gems that we’d have never discovered otherwise.

VIBE: The intangible yet unmistakable energy that colours a moment. Equal parts rhythm, atmosphere, and intention, a vibe connects you to the present and sparks joy, calm, or adventure in its purest form.

Living in my Westy wasn’t just about practicality. It was a choice that embodied freedom, simplicity, and adventure. It taught me to slow down, appreciate the journey, and find home wherever the road took me.

The Self-Reflection and New Direction

When the startup I worked for didn’t pan out, I made a bold decision. I moved to Vancouver Island to be with my partner full-time, trading the city’s fast pace for the Island’s slower, more intentional rhythm. As I reflected on my experience in Vancouver, I realized something important.

I had put 110% into building someone else’s business, but in the end, its success or failure was out of my hands. I wasn’t the decision-maker, and I didn’t have a stake in it. I wanted that responsibility—to put everything I could into something and either see it succeed or learn from my own decisions.

Shortly after, while browsing the Westy market online, I stumbled upon Base Camp Adventure Rentals—a business that embodied everything I had come to love about the Westfalia lifestyle on Vancouver Island.

Running Base Camp allows me to share the joy, adventure, and self-reflection I’ve experienced through campervan travel. It’s more than just a business—it’s a way of sharing my connection with the Island’s beauty and giving others a chance to create their own unforgettable stories. Touring Vancouver Island the Local Way—her way.

Finding Home

Vancouver Island isn’t just a place on the map; it’s a feeling, a vibe, and a way of life. Through Base Camp Adventure Rentals, I hope to share that with everyone who steps into one of our Westys.

Whether you’re discovering hidden beaches, chasing sunsets, or simply enjoying the freedom of the open road, I can promise you this: adventure awaits.

- DYLAN