Where to find a van? What kind of van to try and find? If Donald Trump becomes president of the United States, will there be advances in the space program so as to enable a mass exodus from the planet? These were the questions that ran through my mind. I could buy a more expensive van, hoping to get more reliability, or I could buy a very inexpensive van and use the money saved to repair and upgrade.
I decided to pursue the latter course of action, not only because I believe it to be a sound financial proposition, but because I like the idea of driving a van that cost me under $5000 down to Panama. I also like the idea that if it breaks down, I can just walk away...not that much invested.
I went on the website Kijiji, searching all of Alberta for a camper van under five grand. There were a few options.
There was one that looked promising in Grande Prairie, approximately 8 hours drive north of Calgary. It had a recent mechanical inspection, but I would need to find a way up to Grande Prairie.
There was one available in Calgary, but it was sold before I managed to go and see it.
Then, there was Daysland.
The Daysland van had been on the website since I first started looking. Anyone I showed the add to thought it was the van to buy. I made contact with the owner, Debbie, and she told me to talk with her boyfriend, Chris. Chris said that a few people had come to look, but the van was still available...
My only problem now was to get to see the van. I had never heard of the village of Daysland, but it turns out it was a 3 hour drive north of Calgary.
I have a couple of friends who travel to and from Edmonton on a regular basis, but none of them happened to be going on the days I had available. Was I going to lose out on the van because of a lack of transport? Fear not! Sarah Williams to the rescue! On a beautiful sunny Saturday in May, Sarah gave up on the possibility of golfing to drive me up to Chris and Debbie's acreage to view my potential home.
The van was as advertised, and after a test drive around the countryside, $3500 exchanged hands and the van was mine. One step closer to adventure!
This is me, in Camrose, on the way back after I bough the van.
I decided to pursue the latter course of action, not only because I believe it to be a sound financial proposition, but because I like the idea of driving a van that cost me under $5000 down to Panama. I also like the idea that if it breaks down, I can just walk away...not that much invested.
I went on the website Kijiji, searching all of Alberta for a camper van under five grand. There were a few options.
There was one that looked promising in Grande Prairie, approximately 8 hours drive north of Calgary. It had a recent mechanical inspection, but I would need to find a way up to Grande Prairie.
There was one available in Calgary, but it was sold before I managed to go and see it.
Then, there was Daysland.
The Daysland van had been on the website since I first started looking. Anyone I showed the add to thought it was the van to buy. I made contact with the owner, Debbie, and she told me to talk with her boyfriend, Chris. Chris said that a few people had come to look, but the van was still available...
My only problem now was to get to see the van. I had never heard of the village of Daysland, but it turns out it was a 3 hour drive north of Calgary.
I have a couple of friends who travel to and from Edmonton on a regular basis, but none of them happened to be going on the days I had available. Was I going to lose out on the van because of a lack of transport? Fear not! Sarah Williams to the rescue! On a beautiful sunny Saturday in May, Sarah gave up on the possibility of golfing to drive me up to Chris and Debbie's acreage to view my potential home.
The van was as advertised, and after a test drive around the countryside, $3500 exchanged hands and the van was mine. One step closer to adventure!
This is me, in Camrose, on the way back after I bough the van.
Photo credit: Sarah Williams
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