We explore the least you need to do #vanlife: a practical way to get started without turning your van into a fully equipped house. We also review the Metolius G-WHIZ, share NomadLife’s City Camping Codes, visit the Cave of the Eternal Flame, and recount getting off an elevator on the wrong floor.

Yes, I even camped in this!

MAIN - Basic Needs for #Vanlife

• Basic One Person Tent https://amzn.to/486j1Jv
• Simple Butane Stove https://amzn.to/4eG6hgj
• Bulk Butane https://amzn.to/4iamcVohttps://amzn.to/4iamcVo
• Simple Sleeping Bag https://amzn.to/4seAuIY
• Bulk Hand Warmers https://amzn.to/4yyUyau
• DaranEner 300W Power Station https://amzn.to/4i9ZoVLhttps://amzn.to/4i9ZoVL

TECH TALK

• Power Calculator https://quiettechreport.com/portable-power-station-runtime-calculator/

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Metolius G-WHIZ https://amzn.to/4eKEbR7

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• NomadLife City Camping Codes https://nomadlife.wiki/City_camping_codes/

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Eternal Flame Falls https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_Flame_Falls

BONUS: Brandon Hudgeons Music Song: "Flies" in the closing

https://www.brandonhudgeons.com

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This week, we talk counters, not kitchen, review the BougeRV Arch 2.0 200W N-Type flexible solar panel, recommend EveryVoyage, and visit Hawaii—with a link to live lava.

No filters

Sorry, I messed up the episode numbers. This is officially 311!

Main Topic: Counters, Not Kitchen

• Countertops https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countertop

PRODUCT REVIEW

• BougeRV Arch 2.0 200W N-Type flexible solar panel https://www.bougerv.com/products/arch-n-type-200w-flexible-solar-panel

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• EveryVoyage https://everyvoyage.com/

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Hawaii https://www.gohawaii.com/
• Live Lava https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygQ1iv8iZr8

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This week, we interview YouTube sensations Steve & Audra, who live in their Ford Transit full time as they cross the country in search of new adventures. We talk about how they make it work, and the scariest moment they've had as nomads.

Everyone likes Steve & Audra. You will too, and they'll be at Vanfest Liftoff 2027 where you can meet them for yourself.

Follow Steve & Audra's adventures on:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SteveAudra
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveandaudra/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveandaudra
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/steveandaudra

This week, we revisit episode 1 and talk about how things changed and stayed the same.

Discretion is the better part of valor.

PRODUCT REVIEW

• 12v Ovens https://amzn.to/4diqA35

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Lunar Lake https://calval.cr.usgs.gov/apps/lunar-lake

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support Built to Go at no additional cost to you.

This week, we look at what it is like to live with an always-available AI wearable, cover safe solar-wire work, and make stops in Aurora, Ontario, and Ruidoso, New Mexico.

A slightly distorted and yet oddly accurate summary of my day.

PRODUCT REVIEW

• A simple solution https://amzn.to/4iYZNME

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Gus Bus Boondocks https://www.youtube.com/@GusBusBoondocks/videos

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Putting Green Grave of Richard “Ruff” Jones, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Ruidoso, New Mexico https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/59508

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support Built to Go at no additional cost to you.

This week, I'll explaing my camper pod project, we'll visit a couple of marsupials, test out a sporty device, and celebrate the return of VanFest!

The Pod - and the late van. :(`

NEWS

• VanFest USA Is Back! https://vanfestusa.com/
• U.S. Losing Public Lands https://www.npca.org/articles/11495-selling-off-and-selling-out
• A New Kind of Van Life: $180 to Camp for Seven Months https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/05/van-life-quartzsite-arizona
• This Law Could TRIPLE Solar Prices https://youtu.be/lEf5LTBWJvU

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Historical Marker Database https://www.hmdb.org/

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Phillips Park Zoo, Aurora, Illinois https://zoo.aurora.il.us/Home

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support Built to Go at no additional cost to you.

Things suck, so let’s go camping. We’ll also look at window seals, review WhatCable.uk, explain USB port colors, and visit Salem Woods in Massachusetts.

See? Woods.

TECH TALK

• Window Seals https://youtube.com/shorts/rtqVytwF22c?si=P74Prv9hIyhzrc3U

PRODUCT REVIEW

• WhatCable.uk https://www.whatcable.uk/

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• USB Port Colors Explained https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSN-chBhkrA

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Salem Woods, Salem, Massachusetts https://www.salemwoods.org/

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support Built to Go at no additional cost to you.

You don't want the best. You want the optimal. Simple as possible. Really! We'll also visit East Aurora, NY, visit a community college, wrestle with clips and deal with a bit of road rage. And a new stereo!

Nice unit, all told.

KISS — Keep It Simple, Stupid

• A Message to Garcia — Elbert Hubbard

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Topdisplay Stereo Video
• Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gkIzq9
• Topdisplay: https://www.ustopdisplay.com/products/for-dodge-ram-1500-2500-3500-radio-upgrade?ref=JEFFWAGG Code "BuiltToGo"

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Community Colleges — American Association of Community Colleges

A PLACE TO VISIT

• East Aurora, New York

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