Exploring East Portland: Culinary Delights, Hidden Gems, and Local Charm
Welcome fellow travelers and adventure enthusiasts! Join me as I take you with me on a journey into my recent five-day excursion to Portland, Oregon.
Van Life: A Journey to Liberation from Societal Norms
For years, I found myself captivated by the allure of #vanlife, watching countless videos of people transforming their vans into cozy mobile homes and embarking on nomadic adventures. Yet, I deemed it an unattainable dream, tethered to a traditional lifestyle that society had prescribed for me – a college-educated, career-driven individual on the path to a stable income, homeownership, and the conventional markers of success.
Embracing Every Curve: Body Inclusivity in Vanlife
As a vanlifer who spent over two years living on the road, I can attest that it was the most liberating decision I ever made for myself. Yet, in the picturesque world of vanlife and the ski community, my plus-sized identity often felt underrepresented.
What’s Next?
Here we are, one year after the crash. After the wreck, it took me only 10 minutes to know that I wanted to start over and rebuild. Even though I had just lost my house and my heart was broken, I didn't feel like vanlife was over for me. There was more I wanted to experience.
However, I may have jumped the gun on investing in a new-to-me van. The one I ended up with was beyond my budget, but I just wanted to get into something as soon as possible, hoping to get my nomadic life back.
The End of VanLife?
We’re coming up on the one year anniversary of the demise of my spectacular home on wheels, Sunnie, and though I talked about it a little on my socials, I feel like I wasn’t able to share what totaling my van really meant to me.
It was the evening of August 24th, just days after I had been laid off of my favorite job that I’ve ever had. We left Chicago in the late afternoon. The sun was going down, and the light was fading. I lay back in the passenger seat of my tiny converted camper van, as Morgan was on diving duty to get us to our next destination, The Wisconsin Dells.
How Do Two Best Friends End Up Living in a Van Together?
What are you doing right now? What is your best friend doing right now? If the answer to both of these questions isn’t ‘traveling in a van with the bestie’, then it may be time to rethink your life!
Ferry Boats, Mermaid Spotting, & Paddle Boarding on Orcas Island
Our van-venture began on July 8th from Southern California up to Anacortes Washington. Follow us as we take the Ferry to the San Juan Island of Orcas and enjoy on mostly unplugged week at Morgan's Family Reunion.
Traveling Solo Female, Portland Maine, Acadia National Park
After my best friends wedding week, she headed off on her honeymoon, and she left me to look after her house. So when in Maine, I had to make my way up to Acadia National Park. I had never been, and I was in need of some alone time in the sun and looking at water.
Sunnie with a chance of SNOW STORMS
After months of preparations, building, planning, glueing, anxious excitement, and dog drama, this trip was the "biggon".
To begin, I want to preface this by saying, this trip made me confident! In myself as a woman traveler, in Sunnie as a fully equipped livable rig, and in my friends for being THE BEST EVER. This journey came with its hardships, but was WAY outshined by its amazing memories.
Death Valley: New Friends in the Van
With a name like Death Valley you know just how important it is to visit at the right time. As a hater of heat, I chose to go in winter so I could enjoy the absolutely beautiful landscape in the comfort of a cozy sweatshirt. My friend Sarah (we’ve been besties for 13 years now!!) isn’t entirely into the full time “vanlife” thing, but she still wanted me to show her the ropes so we planned a little weekend friend-cation for just the two of us.
The Grand Canyon: Our Maiden Voyage of VanLife
And so it begins...
Have you ever wanted to do something so badly that once you’ve accomplished it, it doesn’t even feel real? That is exactly what this trip felt like for me
3 Best Traveling Apps for Free Overnight Camping
With a name like Death Valley you know just how important it is to visit at the right time. As a hater of heat, I chose to go in winter so I could enjoy the absolutely beautiful landscape in the comfort of a cozy sweatshirt. My friend Sarah (we’ve been besties for 13 years now!!) isn’t entirely into the full time “vanlife” thing, but she still wanted me to show her the ropes so we planned a little weekend friend-cation for just the two of us.