Welcome to the second edition of Vanlife Voices. The series will feature vanlifers from around the world, told in their words. Every week, we hear from new vanlifers about their van, build process, travel highlights, daily lives, and electrical systems.
This week, Dominique Ritchie, also known as She Wanders Earth, shares her inspiring six-year journey on the road. Originally from Canada 🇨🇦, Dominique embraced vanlife to pursue minimalism and find true happiness. From solo adventures to building her own home on wheels, this is Dominique's Vanlife Voice.
Embracing Minimalism and Life on The Road
Hi! My name is Dominique Ritchie. I’ve been living on the road for six years now—since 2018. What initially inspired me to embrace vanlife was the desire to pursue a minimalist lifestyle. I wanted to find value in everything I owned while searching for internal happiness and a community that truly aligned with who I am.
The Van Journey: From a SUV to a Custom Build
I’ve had quite a few vehicles along this journey. I started in a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV, which I had. Once I decided to explore the vanlife and minimalist lifestyle, I limited myself to what could fit in that SUV. I sold or gave away everything else, except for keepsakes, and lived out of the SUV for five months in Squamish, British Columbia.
I told myself that if I enjoyed this lifestyle after 5 months, I would upgrade. So, in August of 2018, I bought my first real van—a Chevy Express, which had already been built out by two surfers. I lived in that van for nearly two years before upgrading again. I transitioned through a couple of different vans, including a 1991 Ford Econoline that had everything—a stove, hot water, toilet, and even an outdoor shower. However, frequent breakdowns pushed me to seek something more reliable.
Finally, I landed on my current van, a Ford Transit 148 Extended & High Roof, which I’ve built from scratch. I wanted a higher-quality, more reliable home on wheels—something that matched my lifestyle as a professional and business owner. I see this van as the perfect blend of minimalist vanlife and a professional, alternative way of living.
Building the Perfect Home on Wheels
The conversion process was a journey of learning and patience. Having renovated a little bit in each of my previous vehicles, I thought I was prepared to build out my current van from scratch. But building from the ground up is a completely different challenge! Everything in this van has been done at least twice, from the cabinetry to the flooring, making it a costly and time-consuming learning curve.
While I thought I could build while on the road, it quickly became clear how impractical that was. I tried finding spaces to spread out my tools, but it was hard to manage building, working, and living all at the same time.
My advice to others? Find a dedicated workshop, hunker down, and focus on the build in one place. You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches.
Dominique Ritchie
Memorable Adventures: Tuktoyaktuk and the Arctic Ocean
My most memorable trip was driving to Tuktoyaktuk, the northernmost point you can reach by road in Canada. It’s over 800 kilometers of dirt road, and the journey itself is quite challenging with limited cell service and warnings to carry extra spare tires and an emergency kit.
This trip was a personal milestone. I’d always wanted to make it up there with my last dog, Kaia, and it was a testament to my independence and confidence as a solo female traveler. Reaching the Arctic Ocean was incredible—jumping in the ocean at the end of the road, after driving past stunning landscapes and wildlife, including grizzly bears and moose. I also had the chance to speak with anIndigenous mom and daughter in Tuktoyaktuk, who shared their way of sourcing food year round, including why hunting was essential to their family and community. It was an eye-opening experience and a reminder of the different ways people live, even within the same country.
Daily Life on the Road: Cooking, Showering, and Staying Connected
In terms of daily life, I’ve got a pretty comfortable setup in my van. I built my own epoxy shower, and I cook with an induction cooktop and a Breville oven. I also have running hot and cold water, so handling essentials like cooking and showering is easy. Staying connected is vital for me, too, as I run my business from the van. My Starlink satellite ensures I’m always online, even in the most remote areas.
Electrical Setup: Energy Efficiency and Tips
My electrical setup is robust. I have a 600 amp-hour lithium battery bank, 400 watts of solar, and a 3,000-watt inverter charger. Beside with solar I can charge my system through shore power or a DC-to-DC charger connected to my van’s battery. Everything in my van runs on electric, except for the heater, which uses petroleum fuel from the van’s fuel tank.
One crucial tip I’ve learned is to turn off your inverter when you’re not using it, as it can drain power quickly. Also, if you’re using Starlink, turn off the snow-melt feature when you don’t need it, as it draws a lot of unnecessary power.
Want to Wander The Earth Like Dom? Build your ultimate van electrical systems with this helpful tool.
Vanlife Hacks and Practical Tips
For vanlifers with dogs, the biggest challenge is keeping the van clean. I clean my van at least twice a day to manage hair and mud. A practical hack is to laminate all wood surfaces inside the van instead of painting them when completing your van build. It’s easy to wipe down and keeps things looking fresh. I also recommend using sheet vinyl for flooring, as it doesn’t trap dirt and hair like other flooring options.
Another key tip is related to insulation. Use a combination of Thinsulate, Reflectix, and Havelock Wool to create a four-season van. This layered insulation keeps the van warm in winter and cool in summer.
Looking Ahead: Future Adventures and Upgrades
Looking to the future, I plan to live in a van indefinitely. I might eventually upgrade to a van that can support children, as I dream of traveling the world with my family. I also plan to tackle the Pan-American Highway, but for that, I’m considering building a stealthier overlanding rig. As for international travel, Europe and Africa are on my list, and I’m excited to figure out how to bring my dog along on those adventures, as she’s my top priority!
Connect with Dominique
If you want to follow my journey, you can find me on all social media platforms—Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook—@shewandersearth. You can also check out my website, shewandersearth.com, where I share more about my build, my travels, and secret camping spots!
In addition to my vanlife adventures, I run a digital marketing company called Social Peak, where we offer social media management, connect brands with content creators for UGC and offer coaching for creators looking to grow their partnerships and creator skills.
Looking for more inspiration and tips for your van life journey? Head over to VanLife Voices, where you’ll find stories, advice, and real-life experiences from fellow vanlifers around the world. Explore build ideas, discover clever hacks, and get inspired to make your own road-trip dreams come true!