The Open Road is an iconic image.
Watery waves of heat rising off the blacktop, wheels purring as they rush over asphalt. The ever-changing picture show rolling by outside: the motley greens of a forest, the pastel brushstrokes of a desert, the sharp lines of a mountain, the open blue sky over a canyon. The windows rolled down, the radio turned up, and all the world before you, accessible from the endless miles of connecting roadways that weave and curve and loop their way across the land.
The road has always called to me. After graduating college, I decided to answer it. I packed up, built a tiny home into the back of a cargo van, and took off. Every step of the way was an adventure, from buying the van to saying goodbye to it.
You can read about it all here, starting with buying the van and converting it into a tiny home, a process which took 2 years. I took two major trips in the van: the first through Canada and around Alaska, and the second in a loop around the United States. Ultimately, Danica and I visited 25 American states and 4 Canadian states together, including national parks, capital cities, historic sites, and more.
Unfortunately, I realized that as great an experience traveling with Danica was, van life wasn’t really for me. In 2020 I decided to sell Danica and use the money to embark on new adventures, which you can read about on Pushpins and Passports.
3 Unexpected Adjustments to Vanlife: From a Few Incredible Days in Grand Teton National Park
I was surprised how much my impression of it changed as I worked my way around the shore and then up the mountain for a bird’s-eye view. Phelps Lake is gorgeous, in a lot of different ways.
Community in Nature: Welcome to the Rockies
I don’t have to know you, because in this small way, we’re the same. And we’re in it together.
Wrapping Up Great Basin National Park
The Bristlecone Pines are worth a visit to the park all on their own. It’s difficult to capture the brutal elegance of their gnarled branches, the rich color of their weathered trunks.
Crunch Time
I’m absolutely excited. Practically vibrating with joy and determination and general bubblegummy-ness. I’m also terrified.
A Big, Fat Van Post About Big, Fat Topics: Van Progress and COVID-19
It’s still a lot to do, but I’m definitely on the home stretch. Besides, it’s good I’ve got plenty to do, since I’m out of work for at least three weeks.
Stepping Back in Time in Seattle
Basically, it’s educational, fun, affordable dining with great theming and a better view. If you’ve only got a few hours in Seattle, Smith Tower is the way to make the most of them.
Everything's Turning Up Roses
Arriving at Dave and Nancy’s house presented a slightly-terrifying challenge. And by “slightly-terrifying,” I mean I was fairly sure it was going to put a swift end to the trip.
The Problem with Jumping in the Deep End
I’m not writing this post to complain. I realized that this — everything being a total mess — is part of the whole experience.
I’m not failing at it, I’m doing it.
The First Day: Lassen Volcanic National Park
Zach looked back and said that everything looked ok, except there seemed to be something shiny — something that looked like water — on the floor.
The Final Days Before The Pacific Northwest
Everything that I’ve been thinking about just to keep myself going for the last year and a half. The life I’ve been dreaming about is eight hours away.
I've Named the Van, and I'm Nearly Set to Go
The last week before I left was just as insane, because all of that was still going on, but I also had a lot of goodbyes to get through.