Van Life - Backroads Vanner Meets Fellow YouTuber, Adventure Van Man, Tour of Conversion Van

When you're traveling for an extended time, it's always nice when you can "go with the flow" and let life happen. We were at a gas station near Cheyenne, Wyoming and while Mike was pumping gas, I was looking at our phones. A fellow van traveler, "Adventure Van Man," had just uploaded a video to his KZbin channel with "Laramie, Wyoming" in the title, and because we are subscribed to his channel, we got a notification. "Hey! That's near us!" I thought. So I mentioned it to Mike. We surmised that he might still be in the area and we reached out via Facebook message to see if he wanted to meet up. Turned out, he was even closer to us than we thought and within 30 minutes, we were meeting our first fellow KZbinr. He was camped at Ayres Natural Bridge Park near Douglas, WY, a county park less than 15 minutes off I-25.
The road that leads to the park is narrow and littered with signs that say "No Pets." After our visit, we learned that the park is located only a mile south of the Oregon Trail, which was a main artery for pioneers heading west. We loved the history of the park, along with the beauty of it, but we couldn't figure out why no pets were allowed! Since we travel with our dogs, this park would not be on our list of places to camp. However, meeting Adventure Van Man was a great opportunity to see this beautiful park with the river and arched rock formations.
As we approached the camping areas, we spotted Adventure Van Man's van right away, within view of the natural bridge and river. We soon got to tour his van and became fast friends within minutes. What a great guy - very down-to-earth and like-minded. He's been living in his converted camper van for almost a year and travels the country at a slower pace than many, often stopping in one place for several days before moving on. This non-rushed pace is one of the things that attracted Mike to Adventure Van Man's videos and philosophies in the first place. Brian enjoys the journey rather than being wrapped up in the destination and getting from point A to point B. He stops in some locations for temporary work assignments and then hits the road again. He was also planning meet-ups with other van dwellers who are based in Wyoming, which we thought was pretty cool.
His van has all the essentials he needs to live on the road and he makes it work for him. When you live in a van - and, yes, down by the river in this case (lol) - there's no room for items you don't need, like a sink he had previously installed but never used and therefore removed. He admits his van decor is nothing fancy but he's out there doing it - he's traveling and living the dream! Brian is the perfect testament to those out there who are thinking of living or traveling in their van but aren't sure where to start. Just get a van and start traveling. It doesn't have to be perfect. Get the essentials for daily life and just get going!
We enjoyed meeting Brian and would have loved to hang out more and camp for a night in Ayres Natural Bridge Park but since no pets were allowed, our dogs were itching to get on down the road. After touring each other's vans and exchanging stickers with our logos on them, we hit the road heading toward Montana. It was a great pit-stop and we were glad to get to know Brian and we look forward to seeing him again.
If you haven't subscribed to Adventure Van Man's channel already, you can do so at / @adventurevanman
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KZbin: backroadsvanner.tv
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THANK U!!
CREDITS:
Music used in this video:
Hooky with Sloane by Bird Creek - KZbin
#CamperVan #VanConversion #LivingInAVan #VanLife #VanLife #DigitalNomad #Backroadsvanner #OffGridCamping

[@fvm2116]

Brian has mastered the art of van dwelling. Very well put together rig and he makes the small space huge by using his space so effectively.

[@Mike__james]

I've been watching his videos for awhile both you guys do a great job. Brian cooking makes me happy too.

[@elflordsjourneys]

Everybody knows Brian,he is famous and one of the coolest van dwellers out there!😀😀

[@francisa751]

Pherhaps I will never live this kind of life in a Van or RV, but it touch me so much this type of videos. Quite sure, the same to a lot of people.

[@bforgiveness]

I subscribe to Brian's channel. It's nice to see him interviewed. He's a good guy. Nice video! Thanks for sharing, Valerie

[@BackroadsVanner]

He is a great guy. We were very happy to meet him. It was a wonderful surprise!

[@BackroadsVanner]

we subscribe also. A great guy, thanks for watching!

[@stringbender57]

Cool you guys got to meet up! I have been following Brian since he started his channel. He is a nice level headed guy. His channel is one of my favorite Vandweller channels.

[@darfirst]

Wow! That's really cool that you guys got to meet up with each other. Brian is a wonderful person. I hope you got to spend a few hours swapping stories.

[@willsmooth45]

Brian's videos are awesome I love seeing what he's cooking Day to day aha 😅😂love this video too !!

[@XsyntrikNomad]

I love seeing meet ups like this and Brian is one of my fav van people.

[@Into_The_Mystery_13]

nice to see both ya in one place! great vid

[@BackroadsVanner]

Sorry we missed you in Billings! Look forward to seeing you in Texas!

[@ErikBlair]

I really enjoy Brian's videos too! Very good content!! Thanks for sharing

[@rebeccaswilling1771]

I'm subscribed to both of y'all. Love your videos

[@BackroadsVanner]

Thank you very much Rebecca.

[@videomagictv6403]

Same here, great content on both

[@RJsadventures]

You both have great channels !

[@jamessherman8954]

Awesome I have been watching Brian's videos for a long time.. I know this is older video but just came across it ... thanks for sharing

[@dlmac5935]

Brian is one awesome dude and a great cook!

[@greggfla]

Very cool you guys did a meet up! Brian is awesome!

[@dawnglessner7432]

I'm subscribed to both of you and Jed's Into the Mystery 13 channel. I hope I get to meet you all when I get my van and get out there in about six months.

[@jackmearl]

You are right. Bryan does have great cooking videos.

[@WanderingNature]

Great vid 🇨🇦💃🏼🐶🚌🇨🇦

[@patrickjobling8676]

Always good to see adventure van man van dam brian oot n aboot spreading good will and tortillas across america ...😁

[@cheath1018]

love it to see good guys meet up. awesome

[@miller12z]

Ive seen so many of your videos. Im now a subscriber thanks so much keep it up.

[@susanstrickland6774]

Nice, enjoy those meet ups. Safe travels.

[@TSunshineful]

Grrrreat Interview. Love ya both! Woof-Woof!!

[@videomagictv6403]

Howdy folks, found your channel through "Adventure Van Mans" channel so we are riding along, subbing along and looking forward to those "Back Roads" :)

[@monicac5348]

I'm subscribed to both of you as well. Both of you make informative & useful videos.

[@outthered]

Just found your vlog. I just bought a 1998 GMC Savana and find these video's great for what comes next.

[@Javaman92]

What a great video and how awesome to meet up with someone likeminded! I went over and subscribed to his channel. Cooking is one of my passions and that was all I needed to hear. lol I'm dying to buy a van and get out there. I need to sell some stuff to get up the money to get one, but it will happen.

[@Jay-gh8vr]

Both of you guys are gr8. I also like mystery 13. Its really nice to see you promote others in this life style I'm hoping to do mine in 3 years. Well that's the plan anyway! Great video and thank you for inspiring me as well.

[@djamhamou2290]

great vedio. you guys are awesome

[@skepticalmechanic]

Adventurevanman is Awesome!

[@alvaradacosta4111]

you both have great channels.... my favorite video that you have is "how to make a screen door for the van" really good info

[@Gypsyboy932]

Great stuff!!!

[@angeliaphillips]

Awesome vid, gang! 👍

[@GoFurtherBug]

Thanks to both of you and the others we follow. My wife and I love road tripping, but the cost of motels are a little much so we bought us a used van started a you tube channel to capture and share our experiences. We have already taken a few trips in our van and I love the back roads we get to explore and the money we save not having to stay at motels (more road trip money). Thank you for the inspiration and all the tips, especially the "throw a mattress in the back of the van and you can up grade as you go".

[@BackroadsVanner]

Thank you for watching! I've been sharing the mattress tip for years! We are very happy for you and look forward to meeting you on the Backroads!

[@tinabeane]

How cool is that!!! So glad you were able to meet. I've been following Brian for a while now and his van setup is only what he needs, nice and simple. Agree with you on his cooking :) Take care, Tina

[@BackroadsVanner]

Thanks Tina! Totally agree!

[@lawsonone6015]

Great video! Subscribe to you both! Always great to see two celebrity KZbin vanners meet up!

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Love both you guys! Good stuff :)

[@BackroadsVanner]

Thank you Shanna!

[@mikejumper5331]

this video got you a sub! Brian is awesome!

[@linda45506]

Good advice. We keep downsizing because we do take way more than we need.

[@mrich3879]

I love your logo, that era van is by far the coolest best looking baddest model ever...and i thought you lived in one. And then what do you drive, a NEW van! Pffft! It's cool I subscribed, I just got rid of my hot rod 75 shorty ford for a decked out 90s model. I get it.

[@BackroadsVanner]

The '68 on our logo is a real live baby that we own and it is the photo in our logo. We just don't drive it across the country. It's a work in progress ;)- and that may be a whole other series of videos later!

[@jennyhackenberg2078]

i love Brian's videos. and I love watching you guys too please be safe. stay well and God bless. maybe someday we will meet. been thinking a lot on doing something like this part time for now.

[@BackroadsVanner]

Look forward to meeting you Jenny! You'll find us on the Backroads!!!

[@chevyvandweller2706]

Nice set up a both vans!

[@bobsvanlife8628]

Two of my favorite channels. I just retired and moved into my van. Hope to meet up with y'all down the road. Take care

[@BackroadsVanner]

we look forward to meeting you Bob. Congratulations!

[@nancyfeddersen9118]

yay Brian.

[@MichaelMalxAlexander]

I am a born and raised Idahoan, been traveling in my van all over the PNW for the last few years now. Just got me a newer GMC that I am working on converting and plan on putting out videos. Would love to meet up with anyone that will be in the Northwest area. I am hoping to get to the southwest soon as well. Great videos by the way! If anyone wants to meet up for the solar eclipse in August, let me know, I will be in the Sawtooths at a natural hot spring for it! One of the most remote areas in the lower 48.

[@vanoramarv4193]

Nice meet up. I just posted my first meet up as well with a full timer living on Vancouver Island, Canada. It's fun meeting people like this. Was wondering what he does for heat in his van? Thanks

[@warreneisenburg5649]

Its not about being fancy it's being practical.

[@michaelkurz9067]

Simpler van life i agree 110%

[@JJF10101957]

If there is a world of mellow Brian is the King! Don't carry it if you won't use it. My first time in Wyoming it took an hour to drive thru a herd of pronghorn. Where did they go???

[@judycarey9051]

Just saw you on AdventureVanMan's channel and subscribed to yours, but looks like you quit about a year ago. I'm from Texas. Was looking forward to your videos.

[@auctionwheels]

Brian is a favorite and your video pops up and I see you haven’t posted in 4 years? Hope all is well.

[@rmacster]

You have great videos. Why did you stop?

[@BanjoismyBFF]

How fun, We can hardly wait' to get out to the tribe on the next RTR and meet some cool folks. NO pets! >:/ What a horrible thing. WELL the view is Stunning!

[@BobJones-hf7bt]

Great spot. No pet policy sucks, I have a service dog so they can't restrict him.

[@freetrailer4poor]

Where are you? Adventure Van Man was recently wearing your t-shirt. Are you going to post more videos? They are all great.

[@BackroadsVanner]

pirucreek. Yes, got more video's coming very soon! You can always catch us on Facebook @ Backroads Vanner. Been living the dream. Thank you

[@weetreebonsai]

Brian sent me ;-)

[@LadyTSurvival]

yea lol brian has made me hungry a time or three

[@mzimmerman12]

Whats your thoughts on buying a work/play van used something like yours or holding out a while for a new higher roof type Ford Transit. Worth the wait to have the higher roof? Not many good used ones around yet.

[@Hurley22bball]

Hi Mike. What is the brand roof rack on your van?

[@arctichare8185]

QUESTION: Living in a van, how does one have a driver's permit without a fixed address?

[@nancyfeddersen9118]

Robert Mesher go to Bob Wells cheaper living channel. he has a video on that subject. he can answer just about anything you want to know He's the nomad guru.

[@richardhutto8636]

did you guys go to the RTR?

[@BackroadsVanner]

No, we sure didn't.

[@teapsan9974]

What happens to Backroads Vanner?

[@cheath1018]

he does like to cook but every one i watch you got eat over night camping you got eat.

[@briannab5296]

You didnt tell us why PETS NOT ALLOWED ... 🤔

[@michaelkurz9067]

No pets allowed, no way my fury child will be with me always: )

[@gordoksel]

Not that impressive but hey it serves its purpose.

[@nancyfeddersen9118]

Four Winds Tower it's everything you need without all the pazazz. The beauty is the nature around you not the bed you sleep in.