Beautiful Destinations for Beginner Vanlifers

Vanlife is becoming the newest movement, and with so many people embracing the nomadic lifestyle, there are more visitors than ever to a lot of the most popular places in the US. While places like Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Glacier National Park, are incredible, when you drive a large vehicle, these places aren’t as accessible as we might like them to be. However, there are lots of places in the country that are super accessible to vanlifers, and are must see’s when it comes to getting out and exploring the country for the first time. These are my favorites for when you first hit the road.

Sedona, AZ

Sedona is a vanlife hotspot that everybody already knows about. It’s not a secret destination, but it is incredibly van friendly, and the locals are welcoming to vanlifers. There’s Forest Road to camp along, free water fillups in town, and three major grocery stores to shop at. Not to mention, the endless hiking trails, beautiful scenery, and good plant based food. This is an area that people travel to every year, whether they live in a van or not, and the accessibility of the things to do, great places to sleep, and easy ways to stock up on supplies makes it a great choice for beginners.

Cons: The trailhead parking lots are super small, so if you live in a big vehicle like me, you might have trouble parking at some of the most popular trails.

Learn more about Sedona in last year’s blog post: A Vanlife Guide to Sedona

Joshua Tree National Park, CA

National Parks are notoriously inaccessible, but Joshua Tree is a small exception. This beautiful National Park has large vehicle accessible parking, lots to see, do, and hike, stunning desert scenery, and nearby BLM land to park on, on both the South and North ends of the park. You can also fill up water in all bathrooms with running water, both on the South side of the park at the Cottonwood Visitor Center, and the North Entrance Station.

Cons: Joshua Tree is not dog friendly. While your dog can accompany you into the park, they are only allowed in the picnic areas, and not on any of the trails.

Bend, OR

Bend is easily one of my favorite places to be in the country. Aside from the adorable downtown, dog friendly trails, and nearby free camping in the Deschutes National Forest, this is truly a vanlife hotspot all year long. It’s even the site of one of the largest annual vanlife meetups, Descend on Bend. This is a super van friendly city where the locals know that vanlifers love to pass through. You’re allowed to park overnight on the streets in the city, too, if you don’t feel like driving out to the National Forest.

Cons: It is a larger city, which makes it a bit harder to navigate in a van. Be prepared for skinny dirt roads to get to camp, and busy highways to get into town for groceries.

Why I Decided to Travel Full Time

Believe it or not, “Vanlife at 23?” is one of the most common questions I get, and it opens up one of my favorite conversations to have, because yes! I live the vanlife full time, at age 23. I didn’t have a house that I sold for the vanlife, I didn’t even really downsize, and if anything, the newest rig, my Sprinter I bought with my partner, is the biggest space I’ve ever lived in, at 90 square feet split between two people and a medium sized dog.

To some people, the thought of living in a van and traveling full time is a dream, and to some, it seems unthinkable. This is why I decided to travel full time.

This is also to serve as a bit of a reintroduction as I start putting more energy into this space. Enjoy!

A bit of backstory

I graduated university one year early in June of 2019. Because I got my degree in three years instead of four, I was lucky enough to escape student debt, but despite the year I graduated, summer 2019 was going to be the summer I traveled for 3 months with the goal of hitting all 48 connecting US states in my Kia Soul. I was originally planning on having to go back to school that fall, but I’m so glad I didn’t because the trip I took inspired me to keep traveling for much more than just 3 months, and to much more than just the 48 states. After completing my 48 state loop, I returned home to California, bought my first van, and kept traveling, slowing down for most of 2020, and buying a Sprinter Van with my partner in November 2020, which we’re moving into this week full time.

Why I didn’t wait

There are so many stories of vanlifers and full time vagabonds who got full time jobs after college and ended up quitting those jobs for a life on the road. Well, I basically decided to skip a step because I already knew that when I graduated I wanted to travel. So I started working online before graduation, worked in my downtime while I traveled in my Kia Soul, and wanted to keep going because I’d already proven to myself how possible it was.

My main philosophy with vanlife and full time travel was that I already knew I wanted to travel, so why should I waste my time at a job I knew I didn’t want, just dreaming, when I could simply make it happen for myself?

My philosophy for a life well lived

I realized when I was about 15, that there is more to life than just what society tells us. We have so many opportunities in this lifetime. I didn’t want to say no to a million of them just to sit behind a desk my whole life. I wanted to hike and dance and breathe and drive and listen to music and fall in love and sing campfire songs with my friends and experience it all because why not? We’re on this beautiful planet for a time, so make the most of it.

-HWS

Tips for Beginner Solo Travelers

With vanlife growing exponentially, there are countless amounts of people hitting the road for the first time. In my time scanning the internet, I’ve noticed a lot of these people are solo, and that a lot of these solo travelers are women. Traveling full or part time is becoming more popular, and with that, comes a beautiful new community of road dwellers. But what also comes with that, is learning to adapt to your new life on the road. You’ve created the life you’ve imagined, so how can you truly live it?

These are my best tips for new solo travelers hitting the road for the first time.

Badlands National Park, SD

Wake Up For Sunrise…

…At least once a month. When I first hit the road solo back in the summer of 2019, I woke up for sunrise almost everyday. The above picture is one of my favorite sunrises from that 3 month trip, in Badlands National Park, SD. Now that I’ve been on the road full time for almost 2 years, sunrises are more rare, but they’re always magical. Choose one day a month to truly cease your day, and wake up for sunrise, so you can make the most of the daylight you have, especially in the winter. Plus, there’s a special magic in experiencing a sunrise that’s all yours.

Sunrise in Mount Rainier National Park, WA

Follow Your Gut…

… And never doubt yourself. When you travel solo, especially if you’re a woman, your intuition will become a superpower. So many women ask how I stayed safe on the road as a solo female traveler, but my truth is, I listened to my intuition. I left places that felt sketchy to me, I avoided people that gave me weird vibes, and it kept me safe the entire time. If you pull up to a campsite and feel weird about it, save yourself the trouble, listen to that gut feeling, and find somewhere safe to sleep.

Don’t Post Your Location…

…Until after you’ve already left. This is my NUMBER ONE safety tip for solo travelers, especially those who identify as women. No matter what your social media following is, do not post your location on social media (even in Facebook groups, and especially in Facebook groups that are CoEd), until after you’ve left that location. I’ve found that posting a general location is okay (EX: California, Big Bend National Park, The Mountains, The PNW), but don’t post specific locations until you’re far away (EX: Quartzsite AZ, Big Baldy Trailhead, Half Dome, Camp 4). That way people can’t find you, and you remain safe where you are.

Indiana Dunes National Park, IN

Do Meet People and Make Friends…

…And maybe even caravan with a few of them. Even though you want to keep your location secret, some of my best friends are people I’ve met on the road while traveling solo. Just combine tips 2 and 3: use your gut, and keep your location a secret (as in, maybe don’t share your campsite until you’ve gotten to know your new friend a bit). You’ll eventually have a group of people you’ve met all over the world, and a ton of travel buddies who love the same life you do.

Solo travel can 100% change your life. Just make sure you’re being smart about it so that you can enjoy this life you’ve created in a safer way.

The Vanlife Guide to Hitting the Road

It’s finally 2021, and with so many people hitting the road in their quarantine-built vans this winter, I thought it was about time I gave you all my ultimate tips for beginner vanlifers from someone who’s been on the road for almost 2 years. I started my vanlife journey in June of 2019 and have since been to 48 states and over 40 National Parks. I’ve camped in official campgrounds, Walmart parking lots, rest stops, and on BLM land. And I’ve showered at State Parks, with baby wipes, and outside. These are my favorite tips for beginner vanlifers so that you can hit the road easily this year.

Buy a National Parks Annual Pass

My best investment when I hit the road in 2019 was my America the Beautiful Pass. I’m now on my third annual pass, and I could not be more grateful for it and the money it’s saved me. When you’re traveling, especially if you’re in the US, you’re likely going to be hitting a lot of public lands, which includes National Parks. In the US, the average National Park costs $30 USD to enter. If you add up how much it would’ve costed me to pay the entrance fee at each of the 42 parks I’ve visited in my life, that would be over $1,200 USD. Purchasing three America the Beautiful Passes over the past few years at $80 each adds up to only $240 USD. While some parks, especially on the east coast are free to enter, there are over 400 National Park Service sites in the country, and having an annual pass is going to save you a ton of money. If you’re going to be traveling in Canada, check out their annual pass system as well.

My dog, Lassen, at my 42nd National Park, White Sands in New Mexico

Know That You Can Camp For Free

While I’ve done my fair share of paid camping, specifically while I was solo, there is a secret that many people don’t know about, and that’s free camping or boondocking. Of course, there are places you can park overnight for free such as rest stops (in some states) and Walmart parking lots, but if you want to experience the photogenic vanlife you’ve probably been dreaming of, you’ll want to look for National Forest and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Land. Both of these types of public land allow dispersed camping on their dirt roads, which means your backyard for the night can be the woods, the desert, or the mountains!

A National Forest Spot I lived on for 2 weeks in 2020

Invest in a Solar Shower

So many people ask how you shower on the road, especially now that gyms are closed. When I used to pay for camping, I would often find myself at campgrounds that had showers or the option to pay for one. Now that the majority of my camping is done for free, showers are more few and far between. Solar Showers are a super basic concept that involves a black bag to hold water, and a hose that works with gravity. If it’s warm out, you can simply fill the bag with water and sit it in the sun for a few hours and it heats the water for you. If it’s cold, we’ll often boil half our water first. We got ours for about $15 at Walmart. Showering outside is incredibly liberating, and if you need a little more privacy, Wolfwise makes portable shower tents as well.

Download Your Google Maps

If you think you might be losing cell service while you drive anywhere, make sure you download your Google Maps to work offline. This means you’ll be able to get around safely, even without a signal. This has come in handy so many times, especially in Montana near Glacier National Park, and Washington, near Mount Adams.

There’s No Right Way to Vanlife

There’s this weird stigma I’ve realized is present in a lot of vanlife Facebook groups, and that is that there is a right way to do vanlife. The thing is, we’re all individuals on very individual journeys and what might work for one person might not for another. Don’t let anyone you meet influence your adventure. This is your journey, make it yours.

Products I’ve Loved During My Life on the Road (not sponsored)

• Doctor Bronner’s Castille Soap

• Outdoor “Mexican” blanket like the one in the above picture. You can find these at souvenir shops, and sometimes gas stations.

• A wide brimmed hat like the one I’m wearing above

• Tevas or some other type of trekking sandal

The Realities of #Vanlife

Like many people, I fell in love with the idea of vanlife after watching youtubers, discovering documentaries like Expedition Happiness, and following tons of vanlifers on Instagram. The media does an amazing job of making vanlife look like everyone’s dream life, but now that I’ve lived on the road for over a year, it’s time to make that obligatory “realities of vanlife” post.

The truth is, vanlife is not all good views and campfires, there are a lot of layers to vanlife that a lot of people never talk about. Between working long hours to be able to sustain my life on the road to driving out of our way to get WiFi when we need it, to the van being an absolute mess more than 50% of the time, #vanlife really resembles real life a lot more than people think.

This past week, we encountered every vanlifer’s nightmare: a two day mechanic visit. My van, Sequoia, is over 20 years old, and it was about time that the entire cooling system needed to be replaced. This was not only a huge financial setback, but it was also a huge wake up call because of the time it took to fix. This van is our home, and without it, things can be very stressful. We were lucky enough to have family to stay with for the night, but if we hadn’t, things might have gotten even more costly.

If you’d like to help support my journey, I’ve finally added STICKERS to the shop! Check them out below!

The thing is, at this point, vanlife is just life. It is different than normal house life, but it’s just the way we currently choose to live. We’re used to the complications and frustrations, but it’s important to highlight those things because not everyone who loves the idea of vanlife will actually like living the vanlife.

Vanlife is dusty

We’re living outside. The thing a lot of people don’t understand about vanlife is that we aren’t living in the van—we’re living out of it. We spend almost all of our time outside, especially when there are friends around, which means the floor of the van is almost always dirty, the rug can always use an extra shake, and dog hair hides in the trickiest of places. Vanlife is not a luxury lifestyle. It’s truly the dirtbag movement of the 21st century, and while social media makes it look like the dream life, it’s super important to highlight the fact that this is a dirty lifestyle. You won’t be showering every day or even every other day, your feet will always be dirty, and you’ll always have to move stuff around to make room for life.

Camp isn’t always a good view

While we love a good view, and definitely wouldn’t shy away from driving up some sketchy dirt roads to reach one worth sharing, not every night is spent at an insta-worthy camp spot. So often, we’re staying in parking lots: or Walmarts, Cabela’s, and rest stops next to highways. Whenever we’re in cities for errands, or even tricky areas like Olympic National Park, it’s easier to stay in a safe parking lot than risk being kicked out just for parking in a prettier area. But the good news is, parking lots are usually not that far from somewhere beautiful to go right when we wake up for a good breakfast view.

Vans are tiny homes to the next level

The tiny house trend is still going strong, but the thing with having a van as your tiny house is, vans are really tiny. Most of them are less than 80 square feet and most of that space is taken up by the bed (aka the most important place in the house). Van living requires you to be an extreme minimalist. It’s a sacrifice for travel to give up having lots of material things. We watch TV on a computer or phone screen, only own the clothes that fit, and have to wash dishes more often, but the small space is still home, even when we’re in the most foreign places.

Van chores suck

Seriously. Van chores suck. And with such a small space, we’re doing them all the time. Dishes are hard to wash in such a small sink, water is complicated to fill, and grey water smells… horrible. Don’t even get me started on black tanks. If you want to live in a van, you have to prepare to get down and dirty because you can’t call a plumber when your sink won’t drain. Instead, you might end up with a floor full of grey water to mop up.

But Vanlife is wonderful

But, despite all of this, vanlife truly is the dream life. It is ultimate freedom, it is adventure, and it is beautiful. We find ourselves in the most stunning and unique places, and even though vanlife can be a little stinky, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s my life, and it’s what I need at the moment, so even though my floor is dusty, and I definitely need to get rid of a few shirts, at least I have a cool view or two in my future.

How to Prepare for a Summer Road Trip (in 2020)

Today is the first day of summer, and road travel is on the upswing. As someone who lives on the road full time, I’ve definitely started to notice more and more RVs, people with out of state license plates, and families out at the National Parks and on major highways. People are starting to travel again whether you like it or not, but for those of you who haven’t hit the road yet, here’s what you need to know before you embark on your summer road trip.

Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links

Curious road trip attraction in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, California

Be Considerate

I’m still not necessarily encouraging high risk travel, but the fact is, people are starting to travel no matter what. So, if you’re hitting the road soon, make sure that you’re considerate of those in small towns who might not have the resources that your home city might have. If you can avoid actually stopping in these smaller towns, that would be great, but if you have to, make sure you’re as considerate as possible, wear a mask, and come having already been isolated for 14 days if possible.

Big Sur, one of the most popular coastal stops along the Pacific Coast Highway in California

Prepare for waits at the National Parks

Many of the National Parks have reopened officially since the pandemic, however, many of them are receiving enormous crowds of visitors. Parks like Yellowstone and Zion are particularly crowded, and parks like Yosemite and Rocky Mountains are requiring timed entry reservations prior to arrival. It’s important to keep these things in mind, and check the NPS website for the park you’ll be visiting before even leaving home in case there are extra steps you need to complete before you arrive.

Have questions about a National Park you’re planning on visiting this summer? Click below for personalized road trip planning help!

Yellowstone National Park, one of the most popular reopened parks in the Lower 48

Bring clothes for both warm and cold weather

Believe it or not, many parts of the country are not in full-on summer yet. Lots of the northern states are still experiencing temperatures that dip into the 30s (F) at night, and even some deserts in the southwest might have cooler evenings. It’s important to have a road trip wardrobe that reflects any weather changes you might have so that you don’t need to make unnecessary trips to the store (let’s avoid having lots of contact with towns that aren’t our own!).

One of my favorite travel-inspired clothing companies is The Wanderful Soul. It is a female-owned company here to inspire that wanderlust, with everything you need for both hot and cold weather. Check out her shop at the button below and use code HALLE for 15% off.

Glacier National Park in the summer

Do your research

In many areas, not just National Parks, visitor centers are remaining closed for the time being due to understaffing. While this might be frustrating, it’s also a great opportunity to get to know your dream destinations beforehand, by checking the park website, or talking to people who know the area well. This can make trip planning incredibly fun, and give you something to look forward to if your road trip isn’t for a couple months. It’s also a crucial step when it comes to safety and preparedness this summer, since not all areas you’ll want to visit will have someone for you to ask questions to.

Trip planning is my specialty! For a chance to talk to me one on one before your trip, check out my Patreon at the button below!

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the few National Parks with an open visitor center currently

Keep your family safe from the sun

This summer, no matter where you’re going, it’s important to keep your family safe. Even if where you’re headed is somewhere fairly cold (like Glacier National Park), it’s crucial to note that cold places still get sunny. Using eco friendly sunblock is important if you’re going anywhere near the ocean (so that you don’t damage the sea life), and wearing a hat and sunglasses is important for any adventure.

My favorite sunglasses company by far is Tifosi Optics. They’re a sports-based company that makes sunglasses meant to stay on your face during any adventure. As a hiker, they’ve been a lifesaver over the past few years. Get your own by clicking the button below!

Rocking those Tifosis in Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Bring Plenty of Water

Something that we’ve found lately since being back on the road officially is that a lot of water taps are still turned off for sanitary reasons. For any road trip ever, you shouldn’t leave without a few gallons of water for emergencies, but it’s even more important this year when things are still so uncertain. Especially if you’re heading somewhere hot, water is the number one ingredient to making sure you stay safe!

My favorite view in Acadia National Park, ME

Know Your Route

Download your maps on Google Maps, bring a paper map, know the highways you need to take, before heading out into the unknown. Normally, it’s easy to just pop into a gas station and ask for directions, but with so many small towns not welcoming strangers this year, it’s important to be as prepared as possible so that you don’t bother anybody who doesn’t want to be bothered.

Valley of Fire State Park, NV

Planning a road trip can be hard and stressful, especially if this is a last minute plan, or your first time planning a trip like this. With so many international trips cancelled, many Americans are looking at the classic American road trip as a way to still get their family vacations this year, but it’s a much different type of travel than anything that involves a plane.

If you don’t know where to start, don’t have time to do the research, or simply want to speak to someone for reassurance, know that road trip planning is my specialty. It’s what I love to do, and I want to help you to get out on the road, faster, and easier. I’ve recently set up a service, through Patreon, that will allow you to get on the phone with me and discuss your road trip plans. I can do research for you, answer any questions, and help you get on the road with confidence. Click the button below to get started!

Your Guide to Our Public Lands

During my time on the road, I’ve spent a lot of time on public land. From my slight obsession with the National Park Service, to using BLM and Forest Land to park my van overnight, I’ve experienced just about every type of public land there is in the United States. The thing is, all these terms can get confusing, and I’ve seen it happen more than once where state parks and BLM land are mistaken for National Parks. Each type of public land is vastly different, has different rules and expectations, and are run by different sectors of the government. This is a complete guide to exploring public land in the United States.

Dispersed camping on BLM land in California

National Parks

National Parks are easily the most popular and the most commonly referenced public land in the US. Many people believe that all public land is Park Land, which is an easy mistake to make. I used to think the same thing! But really, National Park only refers to the 419 sites run by the National Park Service. This includes sites with “Park Status” such as Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone, as well as National Monuments (Devils Tower), National Military Parks (Gettysburg), National Historic Parks (Harper’s Ferry), and other natural sites, such as National Lakeshores, Recreation Areas, and Seashores.

The National Park Service (NPS) is my personal favorite because they truly go out of their way to protect their land. National Parks are zones free from hunting, lumber, fishing, and more, and are solely used for recreation, conservation, and education.

Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Camping is only allowed in National Parks if you are in a developed campground. Lots of NPS campgrounds can be reserved in advance, but some are first come first served, so check on the Park’s website before visiting. Backcountry camping is allowed, but like with all public lands, you must have a permit.

Most National Parks require an entrance fee to visit, and this can range from $20-35 depending on the park. I highly suggest purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass if you are planning on visiting more than 3 National Park Service sites per year.

Glacier National Park, MT

National Forests

While the word “national” often means National Forests get lumped in with National Parks, they are vastly different from each other. The main difference is that National Forests are run by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), not the NPS. National Forests are not necessarily actual forests. They often don’t actually have trees! They’re just called forests by the USDA. Oftentimes, National Forests surround National Parks, and they’re recognizable by their brown and yellow welcome signs.

National Forests are always free to visit, as they often surround roads and highways. You will, however have to pay to camp in most developed campgrounds, and sometimes there is a parking fee for trailheads and picnic areas. An America the Beautiful Pass will waive parking fees for National Forests, but not camping fees.

Cathedral Rock, a trail maintained by one of Sedona, AZ’s many National Forests

The USDA is very different from the NPS in the way that they protect their land. Often, people can secure fishing or hunting permits in National Forests (but, please don’t. You know, respect nature). The USDA will use parts of National Forests for lumber farming, so land is not as protected in a National Forest as it is in a National Park.

The main plus-side of National Forests is something I discovered in the vanlife community, but anyone who camps often will benefit from this as well. National Forests usually allow dispersed camping: camping in undeveloped areas. This means you can park off of just about any dirt road in the Forest, and camp for free, so for overlanders and car campers, this can be a great way to never have to pay for a place to stay during a long road trip. Disclaimer: check the USDA website for the Forest you are in to check if there are any specific dispersed camping regulations in the area.

Fun Fact! The USDA and National Forest sector of our public lands is home to the only National Grassland in the prairie region of the United States. The Sheyenne National Grassland is located in North Dakota and it is absolutely gorgeous and unexpected if you happen to be going through the middle of the country.

Sheyenne National Grasslands, ND

State Parks

Believe it or not, people often also confuse State Parks for National Parks. State Parks are incredibly different from National Parks. State Parks are not run by the federal government like the other public lands on this list. State Parks are run by their state’s specific state government, so their rules and laws depend on those of the state, versus those of the federal government. State Parks are often smaller (other than the beautiful Anza Borrego Desert State Park in CA), and all of them require entrance fees averaging at about $10 across the country. The America the Beautiful Pass will not grant you entrance to a State Park (believe me, I’ve tried, many times), and instead, you must purchase a state parks pass for each separate state you visit.

State Parks include State Forests, State Historic Parks, and State Beaches, and we can just go ahead and lump County Parks and similar in this category as well.

Valley of Fire State Park, NV

BLM Land

BLM Land is one of the most confusing concepts for most people. BLM Land is not run by the National Park Service, or the Department of Agriculture, but is instead run by a completely different sector of the United States Federal Government—the Bureau of Land Management.

BLM Land is mostly for camping, rather than other types of recreation. While BLM Land does have developed campgrounds, it’s most often referred to when speaking about dispersed camping. Just like National Forest developed campgrounds, BLM Land developed sites do usually have a fee, and are usually first come first served. Dispersed sites can be found on the sides of secondary (dirt) roads, and are usually unmarked.

Parked on BLM Land in Alabama Hills, CA

Disclaimer: Dispersed camping in both National Forests and on BLM Land is not for everyone. While “free” might sound enticing, these spots have no facilities, no water, and no bathrooms. You must properly dispose of waste (trash and… you know), and Leave No Trace whenever using these sites.

LEARN LNT PRINCIPLES HERE

While public land is everywhere, it is a concept that usually confuses people. Not all public land is the same, and it’s important to know the difference before you go out and use any of it. But the main thing to remember, as with all public land, it’s important to be respectful. Do some extra research on specific destinations prior to visiting, and leave sites the way you found them. Safe travels!

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Looking to plan a road trip that takes you to public land sites in the US? My 3 month, 48 state road trip route is now available in the SHOP!

Vanlife During COVID-19

The coronavirus has completely turned the world as we know it upside down. I first heard about it when I flew back from Laos in January, and since then, I’ve moved into my new rig (my 1997 Dodge Ram conversion van) full time. Traveling full time since June has been a blessing, but as the COVID crisis continues to escalate in the US, it’s left me wondering: what about us?

Vanlifers and full time road-dwellers are growing in population, and while many people aren’t hitting the road right now due to the virus, there are quite a few of us still on the road, living full time in our vehicles. These stay at home orders are necessary, but they fail to include people who don’t have a solid home base, and who, instead, travel in their homes.

Working from home

For vanlifers, public land is a necessity. We do not just use it for recreation, outdoor sports, or even “camping.” We rely on public lands to be able to live in our homes when we have no other options (and of course, sometimes, for fun). It was expected that the National Parks would shut down, and it was expected that developed campgrounds would slowly close their gates to stop weekend warriors, snowbirds, and other people trying to vacation away from the virus. But lately, BLM and Forest land has been threatening closures too, and for those of us who live on the road, I have to ask the question: where are we supposed to go?

My van, in Alabama Hills, CA

Jared (@jaredinthevan) and I are lucky, in that we are still in the same state that my family lives in, so if worst came to absolute worst, it wouldn’t be impossible for us to turn around, and head back south, and be safe. But the fact is, our vans are our homes, and we want to be able to stay in our homes just like everyone else. So, in the event that all public land closes, many people will be facing a huge dilemma.

While stealth camping in cities is usually an option, in the attempt to avoid human contact, cities are out of the question, and we’d like to avoid small towns so that we don’t risk spreading the virus to gateway communities. Ideally, we’d like to continue self-isolation on BLM land where we can have little to no human interaction whatsoever.

Mine and Jared’s vans, isolated on public land

I’ve noticed quite a bit of insensitivity to this matter recently. People who do not follow me are commenting on my posts telling me to stop using public land for “recreation.” People are making snap judgements of full time vanlifers, telling them to go home when they might not have a place to rely on. I personally would prefer to not reach the worst case scenario of going to my parents’ house because I don’t want to risk exposing my family (especially as I have a brother who falls into the vulnerable category), and I don’t want to take their resources either, especially since toilet paper in the cities is a completely extinct species.

It’s important to practice compassion in this time, and that includes for people who live alternative lifestyles. Everybody’s lives just got turned upside down—let’s support each other, and help people living on the road quarantine safely, instead of making life harder for a unique group of people.

-HWS

Resources For Full Time Vanlifers

If you are on the road and need a place to stay, there are still open public lands, but check on the BLM website first before heading out.

iOverlander users have mentioned COVID in a couple of their reviews, so keep an eye out for that!

There is also an amazing list of people with extra land in the US who are willing to host vanlifers who need a place to stay. You can find that list HERE!

Where My Travel Bug Was Born

An Ode to Vasquez Rocks

All travelers have to start somewhere. For me, it was in a county park that now feels so small, but holds so many memories. As soon as I was old enough, my parents started taking me to Vasquez Rocks County Park in Agua Dulce, California on a regular basis. My dad had come here as a kid as well, and if I have kids, and live in California, you can guarantee they’ll be climbing the same rocks.

My younger years at Vasquez were filled with nearly empty picnic spots, eating peanut butter sandwiches and tortilla chips on the rocks, and hunting for petroglyphs. Vasquez is a special place, and as much as it changes nearly every time I visit, the rocks are always the same, and the ravens still crow, and the tree we used to park next to still stands.

The Main Vasquez

Vasquez Rocks is quite famous. You’ve likely seen its towering “main Vasquez” in commercials, or perhaps an episode of Star Trek, and the Pacific Crest Trail passes right through the park. But these aren’t the reasons it has a special place in my heart.

Vasquez Rocks for me represents the seeds of exploration. I associate its sandstone rock forms with my Peter Pan days of playing pretend and going on adventures that seemed big at the time. It was where I took my first hikes, scrambled my first rocks, and got my first few scraped knees. And now that I’m older, and the adventures have gotten bigger, I find myself reminiscing on those days more than ever, and have found myself returning to the park more often, making new memories.

Me as a young child, learning to rock scramble

I’ve since discovered new trails at Vasquez Rocks, and new parts of the park that I hadn’t paid much attention to as a kid. I found out that the park is dog friendly, and took my family’s dog, Josey there when we visited for my 21st birthday forever ago. Now, I’ve spent time studying the rocks with Jared (@jaredinthevan) as bouldering and climbing started to peak my interest.

The sandstone rocks of Vasquez

We all have our safe spaces, and for me right now, those spaces are outside. It’s never a bad thing to revisit some childhood memories, either by physically going to the place, or through photographs (or both). Vasquez Rocks for me is a place that will always be there, no matter how much its changed over the years, and in times like these, it’s important to remember what made you the person you are today, to stay grounded, to not lose hope.

-HWS

Book Review: 100 Drives, 5000 Ideas

(Note: this post is in partnership with TLC Book Tours)

When I first completed my road trip around the lower 48, I had tons of people messaging me for my route. It wasn’t until then that I realized how hard it is to truly plan a road trip if that travel bug isn’t constantly sitting on your shoulder. When TLC Book Tours reached out to me about this book, I automatically thought that it might help some of my new roadtrippers to plan their first journey around North America so I decided to give it a read, and it turns out, I was right!

100 Drives, 5000 Ideas covers 100 different driving routes you can take around the United States and Canada. These drives feature everything from National Parks to historic sites to great Americana (think Route 66). From classic road trips to unique drives even I’d never heard of before, every type of traveler will find something that interests them in this book.

Devils Tower National Monument, WY, one of the places you’ll visit on the Northern Plains Heritage Route

The book is divided by region, so you’ll be able to find a drive that works for your home state, or for a state you’re trying to visit soon (the section that included Alaska was my personal favorite!). And with plenty of suggestions for places to stay during your trip, things to see nearby your route, and even pieces of pop culture that feature the places you’ll see on your trip, this is the perfect book for the person who’s brand new to road trips. Take the Trail of the Ancients and see the entire Southwest, from Colorado to New Mexico, visiting places like Four Corners Monument, Monument Valley, and Mesa Verde National Park. Or, travel to Hawaii on island time and drive the Big Island’s Belt Road, which will take you to spots like Keauhou Bay and the Mauna Loa Lookout. Or, if mountains are more your thing, take the Rocky Mountain Highway through two of my personal favorite states: Montana and Wyoming and explore places like Glacier National Park and Yellowstone.

Glacier National Park, MT, part of the Rocky Mountain Highway route

Personally, I loved looking at the different destinations listed in the book—a lot of them were places I’d been already, and those that weren’t quickly made it onto the list. It was super exciting to see spots like Devils Tower, Pinnacles National Park, and Olympic National Park pop up in a piece of writing like this. These are places that are near and dear to my heart, and simplifying a visit for people through a step by step road trip itinerary might get more people out there to appreciate their beauty.

Yellowstone National Park, WY

With beautiful pictures, clear outlines for road trip planning, and convincing details about each stop on the trip, you truly can’t go wrong with this book as an outline for your upcoming travels (although I do wish they included more maps!). And as for my vanlifers, this might just be a good addition to that van bookshelf, for next time you’re looking for your next destination and just can’t make up your mind. 100 Drives, 5000 Ideas is a fantastic guide book for the new roadtripper, or for the veteran who’s looking for some new ideas, so get ready to add some new spots to your bucket list, after of course, you put this book on your reading list!