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Lita of the Pack
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Van life

Let’s get ready to hit the road

After living on the road for three years in a van, I have everything you need to get started including van build guides, camping tips and more!

Van Build posts

  • camper van water system

    Complete Guide to the Perfect Camper Van Water System

  • Frame a Van cover: Lita and Dylan stand in front of framed van with tools in hand

    How To Frame Camper Van Walls

  • Van Floor Insulation cover. Dylan and Lita sit on it

    How to Install Camper Van Floor Flooring

my favorite van life essentials

  • Campsite Map

    Free Campsite Map

    Find every place that we’ve stayed throughout the US, with recs for great free campsites!

    See it here

    More Van Life Content

    See all
    • The Perfect Baja California Itinerary

      The Perfect Baja California Itinerary

    • van next to a palapa in baja mexico with ocean behind

      5 Ways to Prep for Van Life in Baja Mexico

    • girl standing on van with sunset behind her

      10 Best Free Campsites in the US

    • Girl looking out at view from camper van

      5 Hardest Parts of Van Life

    • Me in middle of Lighthouse Rock Trail; van life chronicles

      Van Chronicles #1: Driving Across the Country, Three National Parks, and New Mexico

    • Van over rolling hills with sunrise in back

      The Ultimate Guide to Finding Free Van Campsites

    let's connect

    ON INSTAGRAM

    @litaofthepack_

    Realizing our dreams little by little Honestly, Realizing our dreams little by little 

Honestly, it was really hard to make the decision to move. We are super close with our families and we literally moved to the opposite side of the country. 

But, after spending the weekend going down to the wildflowers I just felt so much gratitude for making the hard choice. It was stunning. 

That being said, this Noah Kahan is hitting hard. 

Anyone else leave everyone else behind? 
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#noahkahanmusic #columbiarivergorge #longdistancedaughter
    WHERE WE WENT WEDNESDAY 🚐: We took Vinny (our van WHERE WE WENT WEDNESDAY 🚐:

We took Vinny (our van) out on a little overnight excursion this past weekend and it felt so good. After seeing pictures of the wildflower bloom, I knew that I wanted to see them in person.

So, Dylan and I drove down to the Columbia River Gorge and caught the bloom before it was completely gone. 

It was perfect. We caught sunset with the wildflowers surrounding us, slept at a trailhead, and embarked on another short wildflower hike in the morning. 

This weekend definitely affirmed our decision to move across the country. As we spent it doing things we love. 

Have you gotten to see the wildflowers? 
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#wherewewentwednesday #wildflowerseason #columbiarivergorge
    This song hits hard as someone who literally just This song hits hard as someone who literally just moved across the country from her family 

We spent three years living in a van, we moved home for a year, and then left once again. Being the long distance daughter is hard, but sometimes you really need to follow your heart. 

Anyone else feeling personally victimized by Noah Kahan’s new album? 
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#longdistancedaughter #thegreatdivide #ontheroadagain
    Have you seen the wildflowers yet? 🌼 If you want Have you seen the wildflowers yet? 🌼

If you want to read more about hiking this trail then comment wildflower and I’ll send you all the details!

The Columbia River Gorge is currently blooming and it’s a sight to behold! These videos were taken in 2024, but based on trail reports the current conditions are perfect. 

Please remember when hiking in the wildflowers to always STAY ON THE TRAIL and never pick the flowers!
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#columbiarivergorge #wildflowers #pnwhiking
    WHERE WE WENT WEDNESDAY ✈️: I just got back from WHERE WE WENT WEDNESDAY ✈️:

I just got back from a bucket list trip to see the Orangutans in Sumatra, Indonesia. It was an absolutely incredible trip that I will seriously remember for my lifetime!

This week’s photos feature all of the wildlife that we saw in the wilderness of Gunung Leuser National Park. 

We spent two days trekking in the humid rainforest there to try and spot orangutans. During our time, we saw Thomas Leaf Monkeys, Macaques, a snake, and of course the orangutans. 

It was a magical experience as we got to see the orangutans in their natural habitat. Along the way, we came across three different mamas and their babies. It was so incredible to see how they interacted together. 

But, it was also a hard trek. We left for the jungle at 9 am and got to our campsite at 5 pm the first day. It was really buggy and humid, so we were exhausted once the day ended. 

Sumatran Orangutans are considered critically endangered, which is mostly due to a loss in habitat. So, protecting them is incredibly important. 

I feel so lucky to have seen them and witnessed their behavior in person. I hope that their landscapes and homes can continue to be protected.

Is seeing orangutans on your bucket list?

P.s. HAPPY EARTH DAY 🌎🌎
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#wherewewentwednesday #sumatraorangutan #sumatra
    Happy early earth day 🌎🌎 This year has been prett Happy early earth day 🌎🌎

This year has been pretty devastating to the earth with new decisions every day that will have detrimental impacts. 

But, on this earth day, let’s remember to do our best to care for her by giving back. Here are a few ideas:

• Get out to a trail or park nearby and pick up litter
• Call your representatives to advocate for public lands 
• Plant a new tree or flower if you have a garden 
• Find a new way to reuse something you already own 
• Go outside for a walk 

What are some ways you’ll celebrate earth day tomorrow? 
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#earthday #planetearth #earthdayeveryday
    Have you ever driven across the country? Now, som Have you ever driven across the country?

Now, some people may think that we should have made more of our drive from the East Coast to the West Coast, but Dylan and I lived in a van for three years. So we’ve seen and done a lot!

This trip was truly focused on getting to Washington and moving into our new home. 

Who’s excited for this next chapter?
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#crosscountryroadtrip #movingvlog #vanlifeexplorers
    What are your favorite moments in the parks? Skip What are your favorite moments in the parks?

Skipping Where We Went Wednesday this week, because I’m currently deep in Sumatra Indonesia. Instead, I’m dedicating this week to some of memories that I hold close to my heart. 

I had to limit this post to just 10, but in reality there are countless moments that made me fall in love. 

That’s why I do what I can to protect them. The US National Parks were America’s best idea. 
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#usnationalparks #nationalparkgeek
    Let’s save our public lands ‼️‼️ The Trump Admin Let’s save our public lands ‼️‼️

The Trump Admin just submitted its budget proposal for 2027. If they get their way, there will be devastating impacts on the park. They’re proposing:

-Cutting the National Park budget by 25% or $736 million

-Slashing the Construction budget for the parks by 72% (compared to 2025)

-Adding $10 billion to the budget for a new “Presidential Capital Stewardship Program” that would be used for beautification efforts in DC before the 250th Anniversary (more than 3 times the annual budget for the parks)

- Cutting even more park staff and adding early retirement options for the staff so they are encouraged to leave. Even after the massive cuts of the previous year

There’s no doubt about it, but this would be devastating for the parks. We are already seeing horrible effects from the budget cuts this year. 

Luckily, this budget still has to get approved and won’t go into effect until October. So, we have time to make noise. 

Speak out for the parks and protect our public lands!
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#saveournationalparks #saveourpubliclands #savetheplanet
    Anyone else fall in love with the PNW? When I tol Anyone else fall in love with the PNW?

When I told people I was moving to Seattle, they kept asking me why. Or, they’d say “doesn’t it always rain there?”

Little do they know that it’s actually magical out here

I’ve fallen in love with the PNW over the past few years and I’m so excited to call it my new home. 
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#pnwlife #pnwlove
    WHERE WE WENT WEDNESDAY 🚐: Back in the van and it WHERE WE WENT WEDNESDAY 🚐:

Back in the van and it feels better than ever. 

This past week, we drove all the way across the country trading one Washington for another.  We drove 40 hours over 5 days after driving 26 hours per the weekend. 

Luckily, Vinny (our van) held up great over the drive and it felt like we were back to the good old days of living in the van. 

Dylan and I have done the cross country drive a few times, so we didn’t feel the need to stop and see things as much as other times. Instead, we were focused on getting to Seattle. 

Along the way we got to see friends, saw some cool sights, and eventually we made it to our new home just a day after Dylan’s birthday. It truly feels like a wonderful start to our new chapter. 

Send me all your PNW recommendations in the comments!
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#wherewewentwednesday #crosscountryroadtrip #usaroadtrip
    Help save the forests 🌳🌳 Sorry to be the bearer o Help save the forests 🌳🌳

Sorry to be the bearer of more bad public lands news, but our forests are seriously at risk. 

Last week, the U.S. Forest Service announced major changes:

- They’re closing 57 of 77 research stations, which studies how wildfires, climate changes, and pests have impacts on our forests. Many of these research facilities were conducting long term studies.

- They’re shutting down all 9 regional offices that manage 154 forests!

- And they’re moving their headquarters from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City

The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of National Forest and their research is pivotal to our forests and the impact of climate change. 

Many studies will be disrupted and forest members will leave their jobs all while damage from wildfires and climate change continues to worsen. 

These changes will put these landscapes, the wildlife, and all of us at risk. 

So spread the news, contact your representatives, and make some noise. 

📞 You can call (202) 224-3121 to get to your reps

NEW: You can go to SaveUSFS.org to find other ways to help!
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#usforestservice #saveourforests #saveourpubliclands
    How do you feel about this? Congress has proposed How do you feel about this?

Congress has proposed a bill that would transfer the ownership of 150 acres in Mount Hood National Forest to the city of Dalles. This would allow them to have oversight over the water there.

While this may seem like a good thing, the overarching concern is that Google has a data center in Dalles that is currently using tons of the water in the area. 

So, most environmentalists believe that Google is truly behind the reason for this bill. 

It would have huge negative impacts to allow Google to take up more of the water in the area, in which it has already taken tons. 

Wildlife will be severely impacted as more water is used, water temperatures rise, and the environment continues to change.

So, what can we do? 

Make noise and let congress know how we feel about this new bill!
    How do you feel about this? NOTE: My Reel Auto co How do you feel about this?

NOTE: My Reel Auto corrected the text to Dallas, the area is The Dalles 

Congress has proposed a bill that would transfer the ownership of 150 acres in Mount Hood National Forest to the city of Dalles. This would allow them to have oversight over the water there.

While this may seem like a good thing, the overarching concern is that Google has a data center in Dalles that is currently using tons of the water in the area. 

So, most environmentalists believe that Google is truly behind the reason for this bill. 

It would have huge negative impacts to allow Google to take up more of the water in the area, in which it has already taken tons. 

Wildlife will be severely impacted as more water is used, water temperatures rise, and the environment continues to change.

So, what can we do? 

Make noise and let congress know how we feel about this new bill!
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#mounthood #datacenter #mthoodnationalforest
    Dedicating this Where We Went Wednesday, to all th Dedicating this Where We Went Wednesday, to all the places that Dylan and I went together in honor of his birthday! 

His birthday was yesterday because fun fact his mom got induced so she didn’t have him on April Fools 😂

Despite moving out of the van and being more stationary, we still went on so many adventures. From renting a van in Washington to helicoptering over Hawaii, it was all so fun. Everything’s better with him by my side.

It’s no secret that we had a tough year personally, but we got through it together. Dylan’s truly someone that you want by your side. He’s always making me smile when I’m down, taking care of me after medical procedures, and providing good energy at all times. 

If you haven’t met Dylan yet, I hope you get lucky enough to have the chance.

Here’s to another fantastic year of adventuring together. 
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#wherewewentwednesday #adventurebuddy #travelcouple
    Who’s your adventure buddy? HAPPY BIRTHDAY DYLAN Who’s your adventure buddy? 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DYLAN!! 💕💕💕

To my absolute favorite adventure buddy. I am so excited to be starting our next chapter. We will be spending his birthday driving across the country, but that means a lot more exciting things are on the way. 

Everyone make sure to wish him a happy bday!
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#adventurebuddy #travelcouple
    WHERE WE WENT WEDNESDAY 🏠: These past few weeks w WHERE WE WENT WEDNESDAY 🏠:

These past few weeks we’ve been at home, or our current home, preparing for our cross country move. It’s been very bittersweet. 

We’ve spent a lot of quality time with family and friends, visited some of our favorite places, and spent a lot of time moving our things. 

It’s definitely hard to leave everyone behind, but we know that this move feels right for us. So, we are excited for the next chapter. 

See you soon Seattle. 

Have you moved far from home before? 
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#wherewewentwednesday #movingforward
    Who else agrees? 🙋‍♀️ Dylan and I moved into a va Who else agrees? 🙋‍♀️

Dylan and I moved into a van in our 20s because we realized we didn’t want to wait until we were too old to see the world. 

We went to all 50 states, tried so many new things, and made tons of friends along the way. 

Is there a dream you’ve been putting off? 
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#vanlifecouple #vanlife #vanlifediaries
    Would you spend $11,000 on moving? So, Dylan and Would you spend $11,000 on moving? 

So, Dylan and I found an apartment in Seattle and signed the lease. Then, we had to figure out all the details for moving. 

We decided that we couldn’t get the movers, so instead we booked U-Haul Boxes that get shipped across the country. 

Luckily, we had lots of help. Dylan’s parents moved us out of the DC apartment, mine helped pack up their house, and my brother came to move our stuff out of the storage unit. Then, Dylan and I got moved into the boxes in 2 hours!

Now, our stuff is heading across the country and we will be following it soon. Going to do a cross country road trip, so stay tuned.

Have you ever moved across the country? 
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#movingcrosscountry #movingday #movingsucks
    Want to see the DC Cherry Blossoms? 🌸🌸 As a local Want to see the DC Cherry Blossoms? 🌸🌸

As a local, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing these blooms countless times. But, people travel far and wide to see them! 

Peak bloom is just around the corner, so you can save this guide for your trip. 

Who else is excited that spring is coming? 
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#dccherryblossoms #cherryblossomfestival #cherryblossomseason
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