Electric-powered travel is improving stateside.
02.08.2023 - 17:35 / forbes.com
There’s something so beautiful, so meaningful, about distilling an adventure down to everything that you need and nothing that you don’t, keeping the focus on manageable ways to get outside and get outside often. If it’s easy, if you have the trappings at your fingertips, you’re more likely to take advantage of the real prize: spending quality time in nature.
Many folks are savvy to the benefits of van life, which allows one to indulge in the wild and wonderous rewards of being closer to nature and the outdoors. Harley Sitner, owner of Peace Vans, has been a strong advocate for fostering community and connection in the outdoors since 2013. Not only can you buy a tricked out, fully functioning, small footprint Mercedes Metris pop-top camper van, but also, you can rent one.
In a Volkswagen Vanagon or a Mercedes Metris Camper Van, adventurers can explore one of the most stunning locales in the country: the Pacific Northwest. If you’re starting from scratch and in need of support, Peace Vans has got your back with several detailed itineraries in places like the Olympic Peninsula, Oregon coast, San Juan Islands, Mount Rainier, Vancouver Island, and more.
While catching up with Harley, he had much to say about what it’s like running his adventure company, which promotes easy and frequent access to the outdoors.
Wendy Altschuler: Peace Vans not only builds modern and reliable camper vans, but also, rents them out for road trippers to dip their toe in the adventure. Tell me a story about someone who was new to the RV lifestyle and how Peace Vans helped them try new things in the great outdoors.
Harley Sitner: One of my favorite things about running Peace Vans is watching people come back from a trip, literally glowing from the experience. Many of our renters have had little experience with camping or the road trip lifestyle and the sense of confidence and joy they often come back with is quite the thing.
One of my favorite stories is a family that came out from the east coast—they were very inexperienced campers and when we were orienting them, you could sense almost fear. We made sure to walk them through not just the basics of renting a camper van, but also, the basics of camping—from etiquette to tips and tricks to some of our best kept secrets. Seven days later they returned, and their six-year-old daughter would not leave the van—she was clutching the steering wheel crying, "You didn't say we had to give the van back!".
WA: The ethos of Peace Vans is really to foster community and get people to go outside and live their best lives. A great way for beginners to get into this is through one of the road trip itineraries that you’ve curated. What is your favorite route and how does your business help every
Electric-powered travel is improving stateside.
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As a seasoned travel and adventure writer, who has been all over the planet in search of not only indelible nature and wildlife experiences, but also, insights into diverse communities, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to connect with wilderness guides, flora and fauna enthusiasts, and environmental stewards who have made brilliant careers in the outdoor industry.
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