Monica Humprhies never knew two weeks could be filled with such highs and lows.

But after spending 13 days in a van, she learned exactly that.

In October, Humphries lived and traveled in a 75-square-foot RamPromaster van, crossing six states and driving 3,000 miles.

She envisioned two weeks filled with remote nature, breathtaking views, and a tidy van she would call home.

While Humphries found each of those things, there were plenty of moments throughout her trip where that vision was far from reality.

[The interior of the author's rental campervan. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

Humphries picked up a spotless rental van and had hopes of keeping the space clean for the next two weeks. But within 30 minutes, those hopes vanished when she spilled water all over the floor.

[A messy passenger seat in the author's campervan. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

Even when the water dried, Humphries realized keeping a tiny space tidy was a tough task with nonstop traveling and an overpacked suitcase.

So more often than not, her van was a cluttered mess.

[The author's van after a quick cleaning. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

The bright side was that a small space meant a short cleanup time. So while Humphries found herself tidying up often, it never took more than 20 minutes.

[A view of a sunset in the author's van. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

Plenty of nights on Humphries trip did include picturesque campgrounds and remote overnight stops.

But not all of them.

[A view of the Cracker Barrel parking lot at night. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

Others were much less scenic. One long drive ended by camping overnight in a Walmart parking lot.

On another night, Humphries slept in a Cracker Barrel parking lot to avoid paying for a nearby RV resort.

[The van didn't have a toilet or a shower. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

Another unexpected van life hurdle was the bathroom situation. Humphries' campervan didn't have a toilet or shower.

For two weeks, she relied on gas station bathrooms and rest stops.

[Showers at Planet Fitness. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

When it came to showering, RV resorts and gyms were her solution.

But the showers weren't always tidy, and they often cost extra.

[The author after a night spent in a Walmart parking lot. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

Humphries ultimately realized that what she saw scrolling on social media is partly true — her trip was filled with stunning nature, isolated camping spots, cozy interiors, and welcoming people. But it's just not the whole picture.

For more photos that show the reality of van life, head to Business Insider.