“What the heck… you haven’t even blogged.” Y’all are probably saying that. I’m saying that to myself. So here we go. BLOG NUMERO UNO …now that i’m 17 States into the trip. ..woopsies.
Within the next few posts, I’ll summarize the trip thus far, and then dedicate a couple paragraphs to insight, and then maybe some other entries to what vanlife entails.
First of all, So many people ask me “All you’re doing is amazing and inspiring! How the heck are you pulling this off!?” I don’t even know! This is entirely by faith. Faith that I am in alignment with Source and my own Spirit, trusting that I know this is where I’m supposed to be in this season. I started planning this and dreaming it up about 4 or 5 years ago. I was researching the crap out of building Tiny Houses and the places I wanted to travel to, which led to tiny houses on trailers, which led to tiny houses built inside busses and vans. I started poking at the internet resource gods, scouring places for used buses for sale, vans all over craigslist, sometimes even in states I’d have to drive out of my way to to pick something up. My good friend, Keith-Alan, showed me a website dedicated to step-by-step cargo van conversion (here) which seemed in almost every way ideal: stealth, safety, space, workable. In my search (first step in living the vanlife dream is to simply buy a van!"), I finally found a big ol’ ambulance hightop cargo van on Craigslist from a young guy who gave me one of the most legit sales I’ve ever had, very honest, very thorough, and excited to see his vehicle go to someone who wanted to create a similar dream with it that he had. So, I drove almost 4 hours to North Conway, NH, and left with my new “old” dream-launching pad. haha! I laughed at myself driving it home. What did I just do?! I just bought an AMBULANCE. WHAT?! I got so many many inquisitive looks. “What is that little girl doing driving that thing?” (i look 10 years younger than I am). Needless to say, I did not live in a great place for mechanics who were willing to work on a 7.3 powerstroke diesel engine. Several straight up said “uhh, yeah, we don’t work on those…” So when it broke down on me a year later with no obvious reason (literally stopped functioning altogether in the parking lot of a coffee shop on route 6 on Cape Cod), and I’d made the plan to start my road trip in 6 months, I was forced to search again. When I tell you faith is a major part of this trip, and that I’m supposed to be doing it, I mean it. I researched further, for something more stealthy, less of an eyesore (the ambulance was a 2003 Ford van, it was not exactly attractive.). At one point I drove an hour and a half to look at a conversion van I’d seen for a while on craigslist, but it was ugly, and I’m pretty sure the man wanted to sell me all his personal crap he’d collected along with the van itself. This was not my van. And although the opportunity for a Skoolie came up, space to work on it was going to be a problem, so I went home and said to myself, “okay. I need a conversion van, one that looks nice inside and out, not out of budget, low-ish mileage, close by, partially built out, maybe by someone young who already had this vision, so I wouldn’t have to start from scratch (because let’s face it, August in New England means “Winter is Coming” and I had no time to start all over with a build-out).” I went to work the next day, got home around midnight, and before going to bed I thought I’d check craigslist one more time, figuring nothing new would pop up. THE FIRST LISTING was, I kid you not, all of those things on my list. That is the power of intention and drawing what you need to you! (There are more details to the story, but you can ask me in person if you want.)
All of the pallet wood I’d collected and pulled apart (also thanks to Keith-Alan for the massive stash of pallets) went to the new van build-out. I had a little help in December/January to finish it just enough to get it south, and voi-la! Mid January I left, with only $3000 and the most minimalist packing job I’d done to date, with a journal and a few art supplies to hopefully make me a little money along the way. goodbye clothes, goodbye treasures (full blown Taurus/Virgo), goodbye paints and electroforming setup….
I’ll do a blog post of my van interior soon.
I had planned to do this entirely solo, but as fate would have it I fell in love a couple months before leaving, and that person came along with me for the first legs of the trip. We started in Portland, Maine, my home, and drove to NH to say goodbye to family. Stopped then on Cape Cod to say goodbye to my bosses from Ceraldi, where I worked the past 3 years (which had a significant role in how I funded the dream in the first place) and to sell the ambulance van……… yes. By some insane miracle, I sold the van (to a Mainer) and paid the mechanic who finally fixed it, LITERALLY on my way out of New England. (Also a story you can ask me about).
Our first legit stop, New York City. ….eep! neither of us actually wanted to stop in the big city, but for a beautiful visit for a couple days with a good friend of his, we made it happen, and she was amazing. She loved showing us around, and even pointed out Cafe Lalo, from the movie You’ve Got Mail. We went to the Guggenheim, a favorite art museum of mine, so sweet to do with a partner! The Hilda Af Klint exhibit was up, and I loved it! We walked the Brooklyn Bridge, and I think our favorite part was a full body Salt Scrub spa experience at Juvinex Spa, recommended by my boss back home, who predicted hilariously exactly what we would experience. You guys, if you’re ever in NYC, go do this. I pass on this high recommendation.
Pennsylvania was our next stop, stayed with friends in Amish country. Gorgeous area. Their children had the most incredible sparkle in their eyes for adventure. I loved being inspired by THEM! Even though they were inspired by us! It’s so important to be open to learning from all walks of life on these kinds of journeys. Even the little ones.
We stopped through Delaware and Maryland for a quick visit to some friends, and then made our way to Virginia for family, and saw a movie in Roanoke at a sweet little theater in town. A couple nights there, and we were off again to our first goal, a good long chunk of time in Asheville, NC. Asheville holds a super special place in my heart, and I question why I don’t live there every time I’m there. I believe we were there for 3 or 4 weeks, so a sufficient time to really enjoy it, despite it still being late winter. Yoga, coffee shops, music, family, and good food. We also visited Black Mountain while there, which we both adored. Went back several times, and hiked barefoot up Greybeard’s Trail and enjoyed some Irish music and Open Mic night at the White Horse venue. We met some really incredible people there, one of which led us to stay a bit longer than expected for his band’s opening for a Satsang concert. So glad we stayed! Can’t miss a good music show, accompanied by art and dance!
An exerpt from my journal from this time while in Asheville, February 11th 2019:
“The east side of this journey around America is so much falling in love and figuring things out, and healing and purging. I wonder if the West side will be as different as I think it might. I have ideas of what it will look like, of course I’ve built it in my head, but often practicing recognizing those ideas and expectations, and afterwards letting them fall away with open arms to whatever unfolds and whatever really will happen.” (how true my predictions….)
From Asheville, rather than going westward right away, we decided to head further east. I’d never been east of Charlotte, so we said “Yes” to new things. We visited my step-brother in Gastonia, friends and family in Raleigh, and then to the South Carolina coast, driving through Myrtle Beach, where we ended up having our first boondocking experience of the trip. Thus far we had been with family and friends the whole time, who graciously put us up, so there was no need to sleep in the van yet. Through a series of events and eventually getting a suggestion from a waitress at Mellow Mushroom, we were led to a small parking lot between two mansions right on the beach, where we slept under a full moon. It was kind of magical! I think Myrtle beach was where I realized in the NorthEast we call coffeehouses “Cafe’s” and cafe’s “diners”. But everywhere else cafe’s are “coffeehouses” and diners are “cafe’s”. Had to get that straight before all my google map searches. ha! Moving on… We made our way through Charleston, and OH wow! This city quickly had me swooning. A perfect mix of color, texture, and architecture, and the TREES! whoosh! I found Angel Oak, which we visited and just about died. It’s a 500-year old Oak tree, and it is MASSIVE. All you can do is stand in awe and respect. Tourists really had a way of ruining a sacred space, with ignorant remarks, extensive picture taking with the big celebrity, and loud chatter, but that’s alright. You gotta extend grace sometimes. Not everyone gets it.
We tried to boondock on Folly Island, but we ended up asking a police officer, heavily patrolling the area, where we could stay the night. He said anywhere off that island. But we found a perfect spot at a boat landing off the beaten path just over the bridge on James Island. It was beautiful!
Unfortunately we missed Savannah, GA, because we had to make it to Macon, GA, to visit a friend. Nothing exciting in that town, but afterwards, visited a friend and 3 of my dear cousins in Atlanta, which of course made my heart so happy. Atlanta was pretty neat, but big. I enjoyed the food and the endless art everywhere.
Backtracked a little to visit a dear friend in Athens. Athens was a sweet little town. But the best part was the time spent with him and his roommate, at their humble little house (and his daughter for coffee). Full of art, magic, and wonder, as to be expected from such artists. (Check out Opal Oracle for really sweet monthly readings)
(Also, side note, I just have to say, people are really generous and beautiful. When you travel and visit people, they give you the gift of their space, almost always feed you, and they are willing to help you. And in return, you should extend all the gratitude, respect, love, and give back somehow. This makes traveling absolutely everything. It’s not just seeing the earth in its raw beauty, it’s also just as much the interaction you create with its inhabitants. We. are. all. one.)
We drove next to Hamilton, Alabama for more friends, then once in Mississippi, stopped in a random little quirky town called Ellisville to check it out…. for a funny reason. I’ll leave that to mystery, but found a strange little pharmacy to get a coffee at. You sit at a diner-like bar, and they serve you fountain drinks, ice cream, and coffee. In a pharmacy! Who knew! Then Hattiesburg, Mississippi for MORE friends, and ended up staying for a week I think, with a quick two-day trip in the middle for my first ever Mardi Gras experience a couple hours away in New Orleans! That blew me away! (We did NOT go to Cafe du Monde for their famous beignets. It is nuts in there. Plus, longest line ever.) We met a busker from Australia, who stopped us in our tracks with his unique sound. We chatted him up for a bit and ended up connecting again with him randomly at a bar in a little exploration of French Quarter (Shout out to Satya Matteo Priante! check out his music!).
Walking into town one morning, we slowed down at an open door of someone’s house, as a trio of beautiful people were singing and making incredible music in their living room. A tall blonde shaggy-haired upright bass player, a curly-haired babe playing banjo maybe? And a dark-haired guitar player smiled and nodded to us, as we stopped and watched. When they finished their song they said hi, and invited us in for another song. They handed us an End The Wars sticker, and we exchanged good convo on social/environmental movement of today. Please check out their music and go see them touring near you. (Handmade Moments) They’re truly wonderful!
Another sweet connection made was with fellow travelers living out of their tiny houses hand-built on the back of a pickup and a trailer. They make a living by writing poetry for you on the street, and I was inspired by their adorable business. They also, between the two of them, had 7 or 8 animals. And I was worried my future ONE animal travel partner wouldn’t have enough space in my van. But they truly figured it out perfectly! Most adorable little traveling fur family.
Going back to Mississippi, we ended up boondocking and having our first encounter with the Police! But it turned out alright. We were fine to be where we were, on an unowned lot (taken by Hurricane Katrina), tucked away in the shadows, so on her patrol she just had to make sure this strange parked van was nothing to be concerned about. She even gave us suggestions for food when we got further west!
Through a series of events the following day, meeting the right people who told us to go here and there, we landed on a Hare Krishna Temple an hour away, and Herbalist’s home down the road, for a few days. That was a beautiful and very different experience. They fed us amazing food, and I got to try my hand at cutting and polishing stones for some jewelry. (Shoutout to BlueBoy Herbs for all your Mississippi Herbal Needs!)
I explored New Orleans by myself a bit more, met up with a coworker from Cape Cod who fabulously embodies everything about Mardi Gras and lives winters there. We talked and walked through a beautiful park, I ate amazing food, and boondocked a bunch in the Marigny corner. That’s for sure where to do it! So many RV-ers, Vanlifers and fellow travelers there!
Okay, here is where “We” turns to “I” and I begin the solo journeying. Life is not always easy, and I knew there would be great challenge in this, and that at this point it might turn to solo journeying for a bit. So, I started my way out of the South East, and on, to what I consider the true Launching Pad of my journey West, the massive state of Texas.
TEXAS! Woo! I got stuck in this crazy vortex for 2 months! The Van was there for 2 weeks longer than I was, because I made a quick hop over to beloved Hawaii (no, my van does not have wings..yet..). FYI, I always buy plane tickets through Google Flights. Cheapest I ever find! $250 for a one-way to the Big Island at the end of March. Just saying!)
Austin definitely had my favor out of all the spots I landed. Spent the most time there, taking advantage of all the coffee shops, running trails, nature walks, river dips (….okay just my feet), Ecstatic Dances!!!, and made some really really sweet friends. It was strangely hard to connect with people at first there, but I think I realized it just takes a few weeks to make friends in new places sometimes. But one begets another, and so on. Networking is a wonderful thing. This will be HUGE in my vision for my future project. (more on that later)
Ferdinand (my van) broke down on me in Cypress, TX. The Fuel Injector and Spark plugs went. My Check Engine light wouldn’t stop flashing at me, so I brought it to a great local mechanic (Noll’s Auto Repair). There was some complications, but we got to the bottom of it, and she was ready to go.
I drove to Krause Springs on recommendation of my best friend who used to live in Austin. Wowie. Amazing and so worth the camp. Magical Sacred little area. Definitely wished I was the only one there though.
From there I headed to Big Bend! Ferdinand did so well, made it all the way down to Santa Elena Canyon.
I’m not even going to lie to you, I have no idea what I’m doing. I mean, that’s not entirely true, but when it really comes to it, no. I don’t know. But Fake it til you make it is my motto for life. Here is where I’ll leave this post, the East half of the US. Stay tuned for my summer recap in New Mexico. I head to California in 2 weeks, so I’ll be sure to post of New Mexico Adventures before then.
Mahalo for all the support,
Aloha!
Here are a few photo highlights. If you’re not already, please follow me on Instagram for many more!! (click here!)
