Preparing for Summer Vanlife out West! ☀️ Safety Items, RV'ing with a Dog, Downsizing & Organizing

[@chrisbrown1462]

Camping with Bears. My trick is to cook dinner early, eat it up, wash anything that needs to be washed.....THEN MOVE TO A NEW SPOT. Bears can go check out the old spot all they want.

[@SueKearney-n4q]

Awesome video! So much info! Thank you for that! I admire your downsizing but then acquiring items that are more important and necessary for safety and a healthy van life. Good to see Rue adjusting nicely. She will probably miss having all the space at Grandma's but will be happy to be with her Mum! Take care of you and safe journeys! 🤟🏼❤️

[@shannonking6328]

Sarah is quite an intelligent woman and very knowledgable about equipment and safety gadgets for both trailers and vans. She is a valuable source of information.

[@DustinGrahamCA]

i just commented on your other video about struggling. The treat feeder is exactly what I was describing for making the van her happy place! glad you got one

[@ellenhawkins128]

Rue is adorable! More Rue! Safe travels!

[@lynndespatie6965]

Agree. Packing cubes are a game changer 🎉

[@airstreamer]

Wow, how exciting to be preparing to venture out again! Lots of organizing ideas and great items to include in your van. Thank you for sharing! - Michelle

[@johnsanborn7341]

Hello Nomadic Sarah. My wife and I live in Alaska, aka Bear Country. I am by some (including myself) considered bearanoid. We hike, we camp (1985 VW Westfalia) and have done many things to protect ourselves from a bear encounter. 1st. we always carry bear spray on our person, either on our waist or chest, but always easy to access. We have practiced using it to be familiar how it works. 2nd if you do have to spray a bear, aim low as they charge on all 4 legs so they are low and fast. Use a sweeping motion. Many bear charges are false charges to see if you will run, if you do then you are prey in their mind. Bears are attracted to odors, good, bad, or indifferent. 2nd. If you see a bear talk softly and soothingly. Say, Hey bear I am here and you are there. Don't yell at it, as this might agitate the bear. We consider black bears more dangerous than Brown bears (Grizzly) as they are more aggressive toward humans. 3rd, if hiking always make noise, we carry a small speaker and play music, as sometimes going uphill it is hard to make noise. I also carry a bike bell that I ring often. I don't believe in bear bells as they make noise when you might not want to be making noise, i.e. a quiet retreat. If you see fresh bear scat (or any signs of bear recently in the area) turn around and go back, no harm in aborting. I will assume you have a pistol, check to see it is powerful enough to quickly kill a bear. Most Alaskans carry a 10mm, .357, or .44 magnum. 10mm give you more rounds to shoot. Know where to shoot a bear to kill it quickly. Be smart, if it doesn't feel right trust your gut. Don't hike alone, you have Rue. Don't hike in tall brush or grass. Consider not hiking if you are having your period. I have more, but there are books you can read and learn more. Best wishes, hope you come up to Alaska.

[@MnGirl1994]

Hopefully, you have a portable small car jumper ... I worked nights, and it came in handy several times. You don't have to rely on another car to get you started. They're small and can also be used as a charging port for your phone, etc. An example is the halo bolt... but I'm sure there are better more affordable jumpers out there.

[@heatherfitzgerald329]

Great info Love all your bits I didn't no you could get suck bags that didn't need a vacuum cleaner def Guna look into that

[@TrenchKraft]

Some areas of the Adirondack mountains where we hike/camp require the use of bear canisters. Backpacker’s Cache by Garcia is a brand that has been tested and approved by both our state and the National Park Service. The Bear Vault brand and hang bags are not state approved in these areas because some bears have figured out how to get in them. The canisters are a little unwieldy but you can get a bag to attach them to your pack. Good luck on your adventures!

[@mariacristinacunha5789]

Good to see you together, Sarah & Rue!!! 👱‍♀️🐶😘🇧🇷

[@douglashoward5738]

Welcome back Sarah! Great upgrades to save space. Looking forward to when you and Rue hit the road ❤

[@derekdestep40]

Vinegar and water in the spray bottle

[@NomadicSarah]

Forgot about this one! Thank you for the tip!!

[@lindasteinbrenner8065]

I love how you have all your stuff in bags and containers! You are a girl after my own heart! Upgrades? You have such a fancy van now, can’t wait to see what your up to with those! Take care Sarah and Rue! ❤❤❤

[@RobertFraser-g3x]

Your home welcome home I know you and your beautiful Husky are so happy 😊😁🤗

[@whitleyrobertson7070]

I love my packing cubes, I have a small Basecamp and they work great in the limited sling storage….

[@RobertWells-o7p]

Hay there you and your dog have a good time on your trips❤

[@theshewolfe]

Make sure you have bear spray by your van door and with you on hikes 😁

[@grayeagleswolves]

Hi Sarah and Rue Welcome home So Good to see you back and in tip top shape I'm so happy that you have all the new things to make your van life journey even better can't wait to see where you go Sarah I do have to say since I've been living in Bear country and camped for 20 yrs in bear country as long as you don't leave food or scraps out and air out your van don't sleep where you cook you should be fine

[@travelswithmytribe]

If you want a small very solid, fold out camp chair have a look at Front Runner. It folds down to the size of a large packing cube.

[@InTheDirtAgain]

Come out to Glacier!!!! Currently working a contract for IHS and summer out here is beautiful!

[@sandrahand5338]

I love all your organization ideas! Travel safely.

[@jillianwhite4601]

Great video ❤

[@marcl5048]

Safe travels!

[@rbp6231]

Great video. Glad you are coming out West. There are so many national parks out here especially in Utah. One suggestion for bear country - a bear can. It will be important for you to put your trash in a sealed container. The one with the screw top lid is probably fine and will be easy to use for your trash. Happy travels!

[@NomadicSarah]

Thank you so much!

[@bethgreen5587]

I love your van life. You make me want to go to Detroit and get one too. I love how Drifter Vans made your van such a gorgeous home.

[@GINYFaith]

Your vidoes are so good. I can't seem how you do it all. Keep doing you. I was thinking on solo camping for some time now.

[@SmokyMountainBlessed]

safe travels

[@jessicasmith5543]

Why is the north east not van friendly? I would love to hear about parking and how you navigate that. Thanks

[@karaharding4482]

Pups name is Roam ! Love seeing tips for traveling with a pup.

[@michaelgregory1013]

Great Video… you’re ready! A concealed carry permit is something to consider… safety is number one priority. Have fun!

[@shannonking6328]

Oil diffusers in a small space can be toxic to dogs and cats, as can incense. So good you got just a sound machine that does not have the oil diffuser and is much smaller. I also sleep better with sound.

[@aaronriedel5372]

Good video! With your van's clearance, I wouldn't recommend doing 2 much off-roading!

[@conniemcdonald3993]

Mahalo and welcome back sweetie. We missed you a ton ❤

[@derekdestep40]

Just saw on news a grisley attacked a hiker. She was protecting. Her cubs. Hiker had beards spray.

[@donnythomson1417]

Hey Sarah! Hey Rue! So, you mentioned that you're going to bear country. I would suggest that you acquire some 'type' of 'protection'. Bears don't always run away when you yell at them. You are going to need something to protect you and Rue. I live in central East Arizona and we don't have much problems with bears but we do have issues with coyotes and wolves. Having some form of protection is a must.

[@PatriciaCentralFlorida]

I agree you should carry a gun

[@mzomy3992]

Used to have one of those treat dispenser for our kitties - the company went broke and now it’s a brick :(

[@ruebennomura9143]

Stay cool fro the summer time

[@lindasteller]

Hey Sarah! Say hello to my beauty sitting out in the parking lot and awaiting her turn (July) when you get there. I can't believe I've owned a vehicle for five months and have never seen her. I'm thinking of naming her Maude, as in Harold and . . . She's going to give me lots of stuff to talk about in the locker room. I've been busy emptying my house. It sold and closed, I'm just hanging out, waiting on my new home. I've gone packing cube crazy myself, along with some little baskets. I got a collapsible kettle, a rechargeable coffee grinder, and an Aeropress. Also have leveling blocks and a smaller air compressor. It's rechargeable as well. Your deal on the Waggle Pro+ is insane! I'm picking one up for my furkids. Say hi to the crew at Drifter. I'm trying so hard to hang on for the next few months, but I really want to be on the road. Then again, at my age, time zips right by very quickly. 😊 Are you upgrading to the 48v AC? It's so expensive, but I decided I had to have it. One tip for bear country - get some dry bags or a bear canister. If you keep your food in the canister and put your trash in a dry bag (you fold it down and then clamp it), it eliminates a lot of tempting smells. And, of course, carry your bear spray! Someone below commented on the bear attack in the Tetons. The hiker wasn't able to whip his bear spray out, but the bear bit down on the canister and then ran off. The hiker was able to make it to a hospital and is, I think, recovering nicely.

[@NomadicSarah]

Yes, I got the 48V AC! Very pricey but totally worth it. You won’t regret it!!! Can’t wait to take a peek at your van soon! Hang in there, you’ll be moving in before you know it!! 🥳🙌

[@heatherlucero2530]

Can an IPhone user also benefit from the Garmin security device? Or it only works with android?

[@PatriciaCentralFlorida]

I’m confused?? What is a rescued board? Rescue from what?

[@PatriciaCentralFlorida]

Never mind I hit your link. I know what are used for. We just used rug runners in WV. Lol

[@libbybertrand9320]

Great video!😄❤️👍🏼

[@NomadicSarah]

Thank you Libby!! 🫶

[@moirabaines3848]

She is gorgeous

[@barbarellalouisa9673]

Loving your videos My fur babies name is saylor Moon

[@vgh332]

Wooohooooo

[@hopefulhope9123]

I used to go visit my grandma who once lived in Hawaii it's beautiful there but I bet you're happy to be home with your girl there my special guy is named Simba he's almost five I got Simba 4 years ago rescued from the California wildfires he had Giardia also known as beaver fever and almost died but he got rescued and he's been by my side ever since he's a Malinois and he's awesome I didn't know where to post on Instagram to be in the drawing for that device. I camp in my Subaru Outback and that would be so extremely handy so I went and made a Instagram account so I comment but I didn't know how Instagram Works call me old-fashioned I'm only 38 but I'm old fashioned LOL hahaha so me and my Pooch take weekend trips and sometimes I get so worried even going into a grocery store when I know it's not that hot out because I know if I'm not comfortable in my vehicle then my dog definitely isn't comfortable in my vehicle when it comes to heat but this would just be reassuring anyhow I'm so happy to see more videos and cannot wait you are such an inspiration you're brave and you are such a fun person thank you for all you do making these videos for us thank you❤