I started completely living in a vehicle over six months ago.
I had always had this dream of traveling the country in a van, of somehow “living off the land”, being much more connected with nature itself through this act. I’ve really only lived in the city, the suburbs. I’ve craved this other worldliness.
Seeing beautiful sights, meeting all kinds of people…changing pace, slowly breathing, slowly living.
However, in reality, once I began my Van Life journey, I started heading a completely different way… away from the original dream.
I was living in my vehicle while being a full-time student and working full-time. 43 hours a week, 12 college credits.
I worked my way up to that busy schedule last quarter,
and this quarter I took on even more additional work.
Currently I am taking 17 college credits, while working a full-time job. It is not easy.
While I feel I am learning some intense resiliency, and I have been managing this quite well,
This intense schedule has left my blog barren at points. This new way of living has left me with no free time and has even left it hard to complete my coursework or have my papers be at the academic level I expect of myself.
All of this while:
Getting ready at different gyms and public bathrooms
Finding a place to sleep
Managing very limited space (cramped sleeping)
Managing potential mold growing in my space
Being paranoid about being found out, sleeping in my car
Not having a place to prepare food
And more...
So,
My van-life journey is taking a brief pause, to really prepare for a new adventure in the summer.
I have a stable room in an apartment, where I can live for one month.
After this, I am planning a trip to travel across the entire continental United States.
This blogger: https://randalolson.com/2016/07/30/the-optimal-u-s-national-parks-centennial-road-trip/
Has figured out the most optimal route to see all the National Parks in the main 48 states. And I couldn't imagine a better challenge, a better adventure, or a better photo op, then seeing all of these fantastic places (with my own pitstops thrown in for good measure, too).
Now, this is quite an undertaking. According to the blog, the entire trip, if you speedrun it, would be at least two months.
And I want to work as hard as possible to continue seeking publishing for my novel during the summer as well.
But even if I am only able to hit half of these parks, it will be a life-changing experience.
I have always lived my life on my own terms; I have always challenged myself and challenged what I believe is possible of me. Every year, I reflect back on the cool things I have done, and I want this trip to be one of them.
While the above pictures are only taken at two different National Parks, and two National Monuments, they resemble a piece of the beauty I aim to see along this summer journey. I aim to take pictures even larger than the life depicted here; to bring my blog to the next level on this trip.
I have a drone, a mission, and an itch to make some incredible content. This may include videos or other forms of media as well. So, I will be working hard on this before and during the summer.
I can continue on this passion fueled rant, speaking on this trip forever, but what do you think? Are you excited to see the blog transformed with much more travel content? And would you ever consider doing this large trip in Van Life yourself?
Thanks for reading. ~Erickson
Welcome to Via Iter Verba – a collection of journal entries revolving around adventures in “Van Life”. From the day-to-day, to the grand adventures, to the emotions, Via Iter Verba seeks to speak on the unconventionalities of such a lifestyle, and unleash them to you, the audience. Have you ever considered “Van Life” yourself? Add to the discussion below!
