Alex and I wrapped up our first month of living in a van at the start of February. In that month we visited areas in California, Nevada, and Arizona. I am going to do my best to look back and reflect on the highlights.
CALIFORNIA
Our journey begins in San Luis Obispo, leaving was bittersweet for myself as I said goodbye to the familiar and to my friends. Saying goodbyes even if it is just for moment is rough. I will miss the city, I will miss the store, I will miss my friends, I will miss my family, but in the end goodbyes are always great reminders of how much love is there. Love can nurture ones soul and abilities to push to new goals and opportunities. Thank you to everyone who has shared their kind sentiments along the way. Your words and close embraces mean more than you know.
Alex and I managed to visit my Alma Mater, University of California Merced. Classes were not in session due to winter break, the campus layout expanded since I last been there, empty new building surround once familiar Scholar Lane, more birds and ducks roamed the campus grounds. It was pleasant time revisiting my past in the place where I began to learn more about myself, learned about love, and learned how to be on my own. Rushes of memories flooded back in every minute that I stayed in the city of Merced. My walk downtown reminded me of Cat track connections, movie night dates, sushi time with friends, having drinks at the Partisan, and hunting at Tigers Record Store. I am so thankful for my four years at UCM, I earned my bachelors, learned that I like to write, began to love myself more for who I was, and gained friends for life. What more could I ask for? College was amazing for its challenges and for its delightful characters that always displayed authenticity and love.
NEVADA
Time in California was quick as pelting storms rocked the entire state. Alex and I drove east to Nevada to escape the California storms. We bypassed Las Vegas and found a quaint little city called Boulder. The city that built the Hoover Dam has a lively downtown and has tasty lunch at The Dillinger. Also, Beer Zombies has a cool garage vibe atmosphere with a delicious margarita that refreshed me after a long day on the road. Boulder’s inviting charm was a great introduction to a new state of living. During our stay we crossed the border to Arizona to do a hot spring trail which was beautiful with its massive rocky canyons, view of the Colorado river, and uphill traversing terrain before hitting the springs. I totally died on this 7-mile trail, but I am glad to have shared that afternoon hike with Alex and Lily. It rekindled my interest in photography, stopping and taking time to enjoy and capsulate the views.
ARIZONA
We kept to the south of Arizona to avoid the snow from the high desert area. Alex has family in the Phoenix, so a good chunk was reconnecting and socializing with new friends. Felica thank you for your generous hospitality. Beth, Van, Jerri, and Rus you were all breath of fresh air and your love for the outdoors is intoxicating. Before leaving the state of Arizona we stopped by the former mining city in the mountains, Bisbee. Their eclectic homes in the hills, murals, graffiti art, and historic buildings remaining on their main street invokes creativity and heritage throughout the city. Their Cooper Queen Library is a cozy two-story building with a colorful interior, chess and card games all found on the first floor, and their community bulletin board was filled with public events for everyone to enjoy. As I sat on the second floor reading to learn more about photography, I felt comfortable in this space and was looking forward to the next time we could visit again. Also, if you ever visit, I highly recommend Screaming Banshee for its killer pizza pies, tasty cocktails, and great customer service. Best meal Alex and I have shared during our travels.
REFLECTION
As I write this post, we are wrapping up our second month in the van. Photos above are from our entire time on the road, including landscapes in New Mexico and Utah. Despite participating in a nomadic lifestyle, I still run into struggles with adapting. I am actively working on it, but I think it’s human to suck when things change and then with time become better adapting to the change. Not every day is glamorous, but most days have their fair share of beautiful views. Shower days and laundry days are basic chores that are actually fun because it is good to feel clean. I can have bad attitude for the day because of one thing not going accord plan, long drive days that consisting of 3-4 hours of driving suck because we typically make camp late at night. Overall, it is an experience I hope I never forget. This time I have with Alex and Lily in the van is a gift of enjoying with the ones I love each day in a new city. That is cool. Every day that passes feels like new normal to us, we are adjusting to a new routine of life. I hope that feeling doesn’t go over my head. May gratitude stay alive in the moment and in memories.
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