Sitting in the rig, it’s almost midnight and the rain storms are beating down. The relentless raindrops, thrust themselves onto the roof, the windows, the sides of the van. The winds are strong, and every few minutes, the whole van shakes as though the ground beneath it is made of rubber. The lovely Salem bay is now rough, with waves crashing reminiscent of strong ocean current filled booms. It’s a New England storm, and we’re in the thick of it tonight. Continue reading Relentless
… the more things seem the same. Sort of. In my last blog, I talked about arriving in the Catskills area, and the feeling of arriving in a hometown setting. Being home, I wanted to revisit many things, see friends and see the guy that changed my life. When I look at my life, I see it in these distinct chapters: Early childhood. The distressing … Continue reading The More I Change…
If you’re a Bachelor Nation member like me, you know exactly what “hometowns” means. Picture it, you’re the Bachelor or Bachelorette. You’ve spent a year traveling a season with your potential love of your life and didn’t make it to the end. Then you get picked for your own fairytale love story, and go on an adventure of your own. There are two times in … Continue reading Hometowns
Howdy from a coffee shop in Asbury Park, NJ. This is my happy place, and stoked to be back after four months out there on the road. While I don’t have a “home” per sey, this is a homey as a van girl can feel. Well, this van girl. I’ve been coming here to this area for vacays for years… and so thrilled to be … Continue reading Am I Scared?
After my visit with my son in Minneapolis, I found myself in an emotional tangle. My heart, still connected to this kid in the deep ways we can only live our own babies. I was, in that moment, compelled to drop everything, find a job in Minneapolis and stay there so I could be closer to my son and an integral part of his senior … Continue reading My ultimate happiest place. (A longer one)
Traveling using intuition over a map can be quite exhilarating, as many times a map doesn’t tell you everything you are hoping to find when you make a pit stop on the journey. Crossing the boarder into the US was anticlimactic. I didn’t take a boat, wait on a line or drive through transformative scenery. Down a narrow road, I arrived at a small customs stop where I was asked a few questions and waved through. The officer didn’t even ask to see my pet’s papers. Continue reading Private Idaho
The truth.
Yes, I’m smiling most of the time. Travel heals and makes me happy. I find pleasure in the adventure and unknown. As a chatty gal, I have no problem making a new friend or striking up a conversation. I love being out on the road, and exploring new places.
But depression is wicked, cunning… Continue reading Tough Day
Oftentimes, as I travel through new lands, people want to recommend campgrounds where I should stay. While very kind, the truth is, I’ve grown to dislike regular campgrounds. It’s not just the cost, but the crowds tend to annoy me. As I grew to fall in love with solo camping, the part I cherish the most is the solitude. It’s sort of annoying, yet also … Continue reading Beauty of Boondocking
When I started driving, the more I pushed myself, the further I was getting from a home base. I find myself feeling that anxious feeling of …. will I be able to get back home? It is a feeling of wanting to be tethered to safety and what is familiar. The truth is, I am a far ways away from anything I know or would call home. Continue reading Tahsis
The sun was setting as we got to the Oregon coast. After booking hard for eleven hours, we had made ‘it’ to the edge of the country again. I could smell sea air. It was humid and salty, yet musty from the earthen forests still surrounding us. Continue reading Oregon Coast
Like Water for Brisket 