“Chit-chit-chit-chit-chit-chit-chit.” “Oh yeah? Is it that crow again?” I call back, pulling my lavender-scented sleep mask from my eyes to let the soft, crème fraîche light of dawn drape itself across my face. And also, “What did I say about walking on my solar panels?” And then, “You know it’s a Saturday, right?”
I do highly recommend the van living, if it becomes available to you. That said, as you pointed out, no van or super long, extended period necessary to experience the sometimes paradoxical peace that comes from living so parallel to the rhythms of nature.
So great, Holly! I found you through Boodsy's article. I lived in my rebuilt Prius wagon for 2 years. Out East here it's not as cool. Lots of Walmarts. Love the creme fraiche and so much else. you totally brought me right into that world.
This was such an engaging story. Your writing and especially your descriptions are amazing.
Spending some time living in a van has always been something I’ve wanted to do, at this point it has happened yet.
But I did spend three months living in my wagon, I’d park on the river or the beach and wake up to the sounds of the water most mornings - your piece really reminded me of that.
Oh my! That sounds like a story I'd love to hear. I went after the pillow partially out of boredom and also because I'd been grumbling internally about all the crap people left behind, particularly in a spot up the road from where I was. I typically don't even spit toothpaste on the ground and would often start in a new space collecting a bag of trash. I was thinking, My pillow can't be part of the detritus that gets left out here forever! What happened with yours?!
When I spend too long living in a house (as I have recently) I deeply miss that connectivity to the world around me. I'm going to get back to it soon! Thanks for sharing your writing.
Thank you for reading! It’s always interesting to me how different it is. I guess it’s like riding a bike rather than driving. Same place, totally different perspective. Hope you find opportunities soon and often :)
Your living reminds me of a Mary Oliver line “Nothing between me and the white fire of the stars but my thoughts, and they floated light as moths among the branches of the perfect trees.” 👏🙏
What juicy descriptions of a day in the van life! I just returned home from a road trip to Alaska in my 1999 Roadtrek camper van, slicing through a corner of Utah on my way back to New Hampshire. I can vividly picture what you experienced. I had planned to overwinter in the desert, making my way to Baja, but got pulled toward home when I was finally matched with an adoptive kiddo. Here’s a piece I wrote about the desert a few weeks ago, before my U-turn:
The Alcan! It’s a whole road!! Or wait is that the road you’d have taken to NH?
Baja!! On my list still.
And congratulations on the adoption match. That’s wonderful and a whole new journey. Excited to read learn more and to read your piece. 💕💕 (In another connection piece note, I am a bio mom and now have an amazing connection with the daughter I adopted out when I was a teen.)
Yes, the Alcan was majestic! I took it all the way up from Dawson Creek to Delta Junction, then looped down the Cassiar highway on my way back, through Stewart and Hyder, then followed the spine of the Rockies through BC, Montana, and Wyoming into Utah and Colorado. What was your route?
How wonderful that you have reconnected with your bio daughter! I’m sure that felt like a long wait. What a difficult choice for you to have to make as a teen. As someone on the receiving end of an adoptive child, I have so much respect for that decision and the circumstances that led to it. I hope I can reconnect my kiddo to his birth mom if and when it’s the right time. 💞
Alcan from Dawson Creek to ... is it Snag Junction where the Alcan border is? From there I went through Tok, bypassing Delta Junction and straight to Seward. Took a couple of months making my way back north (and west) and then north again to hit Delta. Then back down the way I came through BC.
That sounds awesome! I was totally hoping to go back next year and have more time. I didn’t get to Alaska until the middle of August. It may take a few years, but I want to bring my kiddo up there next!
I do highly recommend the van living, if it becomes available to you. That said, as you pointed out, no van or super long, extended period necessary to experience the sometimes paradoxical peace that comes from living so parallel to the rhythms of nature.
So great, Holly! I found you through Boodsy's article. I lived in my rebuilt Prius wagon for 2 years. Out East here it's not as cool. Lots of Walmarts. Love the creme fraiche and so much else. you totally brought me right into that world.
Oh my. Meant to say and check out the work of a fellow home on wheels dweller. Some Mondays are hard. 🤪
Thanks, Vanda! Excited to meet and check out and fellow home on wheels dweller! :)
This was such an engaging story. Your writing and especially your descriptions are amazing.
Spending some time living in a van has always been something I’ve wanted to do, at this point it has happened yet.
But I did spend three months living in my wagon, I’d park on the river or the beach and wake up to the sounds of the water most mornings - your piece really reminded me of that.
So many beautiful, poetic, scenes created through your writing. It's a pleasure to read. Keep them coming!
Aw, thank you. I much appreciate you saying that, especially as I know you to be an avid reader. :)
Hahahahaha the pillow. That is something we would have done and risked our lives .....albeight unknowingly.....to reobtain.
Oh my! That sounds like a story I'd love to hear. I went after the pillow partially out of boredom and also because I'd been grumbling internally about all the crap people left behind, particularly in a spot up the road from where I was. I typically don't even spit toothpaste on the ground and would often start in a new space collecting a bag of trash. I was thinking, My pillow can't be part of the detritus that gets left out here forever! What happened with yours?!
When I spend too long living in a house (as I have recently) I deeply miss that connectivity to the world around me. I'm going to get back to it soon! Thanks for sharing your writing.
Thank you for reading! It’s always interesting to me how different it is. I guess it’s like riding a bike rather than driving. Same place, totally different perspective. Hope you find opportunities soon and often :)
Your living reminds me of a Mary Oliver line “Nothing between me and the white fire of the stars but my thoughts, and they floated light as moths among the branches of the perfect trees.” 👏🙏
Awwwwww. I love this quote and am enamored with the comparison. Thank you, Kimberly!
What juicy descriptions of a day in the van life! I just returned home from a road trip to Alaska in my 1999 Roadtrek camper van, slicing through a corner of Utah on my way back to New Hampshire. I can vividly picture what you experienced. I had planned to overwinter in the desert, making my way to Baja, but got pulled toward home when I was finally matched with an adoptive kiddo. Here’s a piece I wrote about the desert a few weeks ago, before my U-turn:
https://www.lizexplores.com/p/a-return-to-sun
The Alcan! It’s a whole road!! Or wait is that the road you’d have taken to NH?
Baja!! On my list still.
And congratulations on the adoption match. That’s wonderful and a whole new journey. Excited to read learn more and to read your piece. 💕💕 (In another connection piece note, I am a bio mom and now have an amazing connection with the daughter I adopted out when I was a teen.)
Yes, the Alcan was majestic! I took it all the way up from Dawson Creek to Delta Junction, then looped down the Cassiar highway on my way back, through Stewart and Hyder, then followed the spine of the Rockies through BC, Montana, and Wyoming into Utah and Colorado. What was your route?
How wonderful that you have reconnected with your bio daughter! I’m sure that felt like a long wait. What a difficult choice for you to have to make as a teen. As someone on the receiving end of an adoptive child, I have so much respect for that decision and the circumstances that led to it. I hope I can reconnect my kiddo to his birth mom if and when it’s the right time. 💞
Also, glad we found each other! Perhaps we should consider some kind of collab or crosspost someday. :)
That is a great idea! Let me know what you’re thinking. 😁
Alcan from Dawson Creek to ... is it Snag Junction where the Alcan border is? From there I went through Tok, bypassing Delta Junction and straight to Seward. Took a couple of months making my way back north (and west) and then north again to hit Delta. Then back down the way I came through BC.
And thank you. :) Ditto the other way around.
That sounds awesome! I was totally hoping to go back next year and have more time. I didn’t get to Alaska until the middle of August. It may take a few years, but I want to bring my kiddo up there next!
We threw out dozen of pillows on unsuspecting victims but now....as a mom I want my pillows back. So I can see where.are parents are like wtf