After losing 2 weeks of travel time waiting for van repairs, I decide to go against my norm and make up for lost time with several back-to-back travel days in a row – driving 3 to 5 hours each day.

Exhausted in Southeast Georgia

I arrived in Kingsland, Georgia, the day before Thanksgiving.

I was exhausted and looking forward to a couple days of much needed downtime.

✅ Lesson Learned: Several back-to-back travel days in a row are not my thing.

Southeast Georgia Seems Colder Than Usual

Maybe I’m too tired to remember past years but it seems colder than normal here. The daytime temps are in the 50s and 60s with nightly temps close to freezing.

I enjoy the chilly nights, though. My bed is comfy, cozy, and toasty warm!

What I don’t like is having to get out of bed in the morning before the temperature rises.

My Cozy Little Van Life Bed

My luxurious bedroom includes a regular twin mattress stretched across the back of my Ford Transit cargo van.

Last year, a new mattress was desperately needed. The store didn’t have the 6 or 8 inch thickness I was used to so I got what they had in stock… a 12 inch mattress.

The sales guy took my old mattress and helped me get the new one into the van.

I thought a 12 inch mattress was overkill… until I slept in it.

It’s soooooo comfy and cozy. My back, hips, and every other achy part of my body loves it!

Staying Warm in Freezing Temps

In my minimally insulated van, when temps are in the 30s, the electric heater can only take the chill out of the air. At the lower temperatures, the inside air only reaches 10 or so degrees higher than the outside air.

To combat the cold, I break out a second comforter, plop it on top of my first comforter, and stay toasty warm in my thick bed.

If needed, I can add a Merino wool blanket. But I haven’t needed to use the wool blanket since I got the new mattress.

Little did I know this would become my 12-inch secret for sleeping cozy warm in the van! The extra 4-6 inches of material acts as a massive layer of insulation.

Parting Thoughts

I started this post to write about a minor travel blunder and lesson learned but veered down a bunny trail, sharing my 12-inch secret.

Maybe it’s just a bunny trail kinda day 🐇

Connie 🌼