Unfortunately, she is living in a van or some sort of vehicle last I heard.
The 'van down by the river' is a metaphor she uses to describe her currently reduced circumstances.
5 posted on 11/21/2015 11:58:10 AM PST by pa_dweller
(But 'twould be an ill world for weaponless dreamers if evil men were not now and then slain - JRK)