JACKSON HOLE, WY–After 13 months, 32 YouTube tutorials, and endless arguments about “the correct way to shiplap,” Derek and Marissa Keene finally did it. They quit their 9-5 jobs, sold their belongings, and hit the open road in a custom-built Mercedes Sprinter van they named “The Nest.” –– Derek and Marissa lasted 8 days.

“It started as a dream,” Marissa began, sitting outside the van, on a compact folding chair from REI. “We wanted experiences. Simplicity... Freedom from material possessions.” Derek documented as Marissa spoke in a shaky phone video captioned “Day 1: Unlearning Capitalism.”

Couple Inside Sprinter Van Camper
Keene's Give Tour of "The Nest"
On day 2 they posted a detailed 90 second video tour of the van, which Derek described as “basically a tiny mobile luxury apartment,” complete with a custom sink that works, almost flawlessly when the van is parked, a dining area that converts to a bed, and a composting toilet that he states “was a great choice, it barely smells and is self cleaning!” Marissa smiled at the camera but referred to the toilet as “the incident.” Those first two days, went reasonably well. They posted filtered photos of themselves smiling beside a mountain, holding a handwritten sign in sharpie stating: “Minimalism = Maximum Joy.”

"The composting toilet... was a great choice, it barely smells" –Derek Keene

Day 3, however, hit a few bumps in the road. “I thought she was mad about the coffee, but the lake water looked clear,” Derek admitted. “I knew she had an issue with the composting toilet.” But soon realized, “It wasn’t just that… it was everything.”

The next day, Marissa made a quick post, asking for help from the van life community on tracking down the source of an odor that she could only describe as, “a blend of damp wood, warm Munster cheese, and regret.”

By Day 5, tensions escalated after Derek used Marissa’s “decorative linen basket” to store what he called “active socks.” And, the following day was mostly an argument about Derek’s loud chewing sounds and ventilation, during which both parties repeatedly opened and closed the same window in silence.

“We’ve learned a lot about ourselves, each other, and what really matters in life." –Marissa Keene

Day 7 marked a turning point when Marissa Googled “apartments near me” while Derek searched AutoTrader for used camper van values.

Eight days later, on a brisk morning from a scenic overlook near Jackson Hole, Marissa filed for divorce. She released her statement via Instagram Stories: “We’ve learned a lot about ourselves, each other, and what really matters in life. Thankfully, the Subaru didn’t sell yet, and my sister is driving it here next week. After that our individual journeys will continue separately.”

As of now, the van is listed online: “Lightly used. Fully custom. Slight smell.”