My home, my modern-day covered wagon, dog’s den, mobile couch, love nest, dented-up-burglar-deterrent, greenhouse, outhouse, music studio, podcast recording studio, rehearsal studio, interview studio, editing bay, writing desk, adventuremobile, mobile kitchen, mobile campsite, bed-for-naps-at-work, and movie theatre.

Her name is Bertha.

And Bertha is almost 300,000 miles old! In just the last 18 months I’ve replaced the alternator, a couple ignition coils, a few different internal filters, the temperature control gauge, battery terminals, and oil changes on time every 3 months. I’m saving for a new van, but I’m also a little determined to keep maintaining this ol’ girl and seeing how many miles I can keep her going for…

Some Stats

2008 Ford E-350 Econoline, extended Super Duty

5.4L V8

Last serviced: June 2025 (oil change)

Odometer (as of 8/25/25): 277,206.7

A little under half paid off (about $4,800 to go)

Queen-sized bed

1 1000W Jackery Solar Generator

1 250W Jackery Solar Generator

2 100W Jackery Solar Panels

Biggest repair bill (including hotel): Roughly $2,500. The alternator went out on a -12° February day, and Artemis and I could barely move. We had to get a hotel for 5 nights as they repaired everything. Really great tow-truck driver, that guy helped a lot.