Author: tarafreydurston

VIDEO Episode 1: Solo On The Great Divide Trail – Section G & F

VIDEO Episode 1: Solo On The Great Divide Trail – Section G & F

“What’s this I see? I think it’s the wild. Puts the fear of God in me.” – Mumford and Sons   Mere days prior to my Great Divide Trail thru-hike, I posted the following statement on Instagram, baring my heart, in true T-Fox fashion: “I 

Solo On The Great Divide Trail – Intro

Solo On The Great Divide Trail – Intro

“We write to taste life twice – in the moment and in retrospect.” – Anais Nin   I have 43 journals that I have filled with my own words and thoughts since the age of 11. I have lugged them around for the last 25 

The Uncomfortable Unknown – GDT Solo Thru

The Uncomfortable Unknown – GDT Solo Thru

“My heart turned ever to my memory pictures of the Rockies and open spaces.” – Mary Schaffer I have been thru-hiking the Great Divide Trail now since early August, and decided to do this endeavour solo – a seemingly regular task to my more seasoned 

Solo GDT Thru-Hike – The Announcement

Solo GDT Thru-Hike – The Announcement

“…He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to the heights.” – Habakuk 3:19 I’m just going to come right out and say it: I am going to thru-hike the Great Divide Trail later this summer – all 1,100 kilometres 

#hikertrash PCT

#hikertrash PCT

I have been looking over old photos from our PCT thru-hike in 2014, and I decided to compile all of our best hiker-trash photos from the trip! Dirty Smelly Exhausted Hiker hunger Hiker sprawl Sugar highs, and subsequent lows It’s a lifestyle. Hike on!

Beauty Redefined ~

Beauty Redefined ~

What makes me feel beautiful and empowered? I’ve been reflecting on that a lot lately, and not in a “state the parts of your body you love” kind-of-way, but in a genuine, fully encompassing, LOVE for myself. We are constantly bombarded with images that remind 

The Vibes Putt-Putt On…

The Vibes Putt-Putt On…

His name is Tic-Tac. He’s our micro-van. We have to let him go. So I panic. Tic-Tac has become a part of my identity. I’m the long-haired, smiling hippie who slowly and nervously maneuvers her right-hand-drive, standard van around Squamish. I’m the giver (and taker) 

I AM A VEGAN.

I AM A VEGAN.

I. AM. A. VEGAN. Do you have any idea how hard that is to share? For one, it feels rather “off topic,” since I’ve devoted this space to be writing about minimalism, vanlife, and adventure. Why would anyone want to hear about a girl who 

A New Chapter

A New Chapter

I haven’t written on-line in over two months! I can hardly believe it. It’s not for a lack of having something to say – a peruse through my journal will testify to that! – but from a lack of desire to articulate my feelings and 

#VanLifeProblems – to keeping it real

#VanLifeProblems – to keeping it real

I’ve done it before, and I’m doing it again. I feel like it’s time to come on out and talk about #vanlife from someone who is living it – again. The hashtag “vanlife” is bumping, with almost 2.5 million posts and counting, with glossy images 

Top of the World

Top of the World

“Coffee. Mountains. Cabins.” – A Few of T’s Favourite Things…   As 2017 draws to a terrifyingly too-soon-close, we take to the backcountry for some Coastal Mountain ski-touring. Just like last New Year, we head to Lizzy Creek cabin, a total gem, with a heck-of-a-tour 

#Vanlife more like #Vanlifer

#Vanlife more like #Vanlifer

“Gosh darnnit!” I soft-curse in my head, and resort to making a tall, sugary, festive hot chocolate. Maybe that will make me feel the Christmas feels. Maybe it will calm my nerves. Maybe it will chase my apprehensions and worries away. Maybe it will just 

THE END – Into the Wild Divide SOBO – Section A

THE END – Into the Wild Divide SOBO – Section A

  October 28 My sleep was restless, my body tense from shivering my way through the night. I’m grateful for one final, pillow-top mattress sleep in our van Tic-Tac, but I vow to always have a down sleeping bag within easy reach – winter is 

Hike on (again…)

Hike on (again…)

We are fighting the strongest, fiercest headwind that could only form along the long, flat, never ending highways of the north western states. Tic-Tac the van is literally screaming as he red-lines his way along, giving us all he can, yet sadly falling short of 

Into the Wild Divide SOBO – Section B – 199 km

Into the Wild Divide SOBO – Section B – 199 km

“Wild thing, you make my heart sing…”   September 3 – km 344 – 303 (41km) Our day off at Peter Lougheed Park went really fast, but as always, we are ready to get back on the trail. Funny how we long for a “town” 

Into the Wild Divide SOBO: Section C Part 2: 130 km

Into the Wild Divide SOBO: Section C Part 2: 130 km

August 29 – km 456-450 + 20 km detour (26 km) Just a handful of clicks to Sunshine Village! We’re excited to have hot coffees handed to us complete with CREAM (what a luxury) and obviously food. In my excitement, I hike a little faster 

Into the Wild Divide SOBO: Section C Part 1: 108 km

Into the Wild Divide SOBO: Section C Part 1: 108 km

“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.” ― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding 

Into the Wild Divide SOBO: Section D: 106 km

Into the Wild Divide SOBO: Section D: 106 km

“You will fall out of space and out of time and you will see the truth of what is, and the miraculous what-is-possible.” – Alison Nappi     August 20 – km 658-654 (4 km) After a great day off in Saskatchewan Crossing, we decide 

Into The Wild Divide SOBO: Section E: 192 km

Into The Wild Divide SOBO: Section E: 192 km

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” – John Muir August 7-11 -Five ZERO days… We planned to take 1 day off in Jasper. My foot, however, had entirely different plans that I would never have 

Into the Wild Divide SOBO: Section G & F: 280 km

Into the Wild Divide SOBO: Section G & F: 280 km

  July 27 – ZERO hiking whatsoever It’s our day off with my parents, dirtbag camping along the dirt road, in the middle of nowhere! We sleep in until 8:30 (I can hardly believe it!) and start cooking a breakfast that literally lasts until lunch. 

Into the Wild Divide: Section F & G: 280 km

Into the Wild Divide: Section F & G: 280 km

“Section F & G: A superlative wilderness experience…the longest section and the soul of the GDT.” – Dustin Lynx   July 17 – 851-879 (28 km) I’m not sure how we managed it, but we ripped ourselves away from the sticky bun goodness of Jasper, 

Into The Wild Divide: Section E: 190 km

Into The Wild Divide: Section E: 190 km

“Out here I am enough.” ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH – July 9 – 658-680 (22km) Goodbye enjoyable but pricey and overcrowded Saskatchewan Crossing! We hit the trail at our usual 7:00 start, walking the highway back to the official GDT trail. Early on, we somehow take 

Into The Wild Divide : Section D : 101 km

Into The Wild Divide : Section D : 101 km

“A confusing section where the trail is hit or miss; mostly miss.” – GDT app’s description of Section D OFF TRAIL – June 25 – July 3 What a wonderful, fun filled break from the trail! Here’s a mini recap: – Partied it up at my sister 

Into the Wild Divide: Section C (Part 2): 125 km

Into the Wild Divide: Section C (Part 2): 125 km

“Worries are too big to fit in my backpack.” T-Fox   SUMMER WITH A 100% CHANCE OF FLURRIES – June 21 – 20 km It is the first day of summer! I thought this season would never come, with Victoria having a wetter than average winter, 

Into the Wild Divide: Section C (Part 1): 83 km

Into the Wild Divide: Section C (Part 1): 83 km

“Everyone walks. What distinguishes hikers is that walking does more than transport us. It transforms us.”   OFFICIALLY HIKER TRASH – June 17 – 3km It’s our day off, and our agenda today is all about recovery and rest. What contrast really – instead of go-go-go 

Into The Wild Divide: Section B: 195km

Into The Wild Divide: Section B: 195km

June 8 – ZERO kilometres Today we take a much needed day off in Coleman Alberta. We stay at Safe Haven B&B, which is an absolute gem. Elena insisted that as hikers, we got three home cooked meals…how could we resist?! We checked in at 

Into the Wild Divide: Section A: 145km

Into the Wild Divide: Section A: 145km

“As the old pine fell we sang…just to bless the morning.” – Ben Howard GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH BEING UNCOMFORTABLE – June 2 – 26km Well, it’s official Day One of our GDT yo-yo hike,since yesterday was a mere 6km hike to the trailhead. It may 

Into the Wild Divide: Pre -Trail Happenings

Into the Wild Divide: Pre -Trail Happenings

“It’s one of the most magical places I’ve ever seen – the beginning and the end.” – T HITCHIDDY-DO-DA! – May 31 It’s May 31st- the day before we hit the trail, and we awake from our van Tic Tac in a trailhead parking lot 

Into the Wild Divide

Into the Wild Divide

Well here we go folks! The Great Divide has been calling for quite some time, and we have been preparing to answer her wild, rugged, and Canadian call. The hours and hours of planning…my gosh the planning. Having done a thru-hike of the PCT in 

In a Parking Lot in Squamish…

In a Parking Lot in Squamish…

It’s May Long weekend in Squamish, and the dirt-bagging crowd is in full effect here. The sun is shining, the rock walls are dry, and it’s go time! Overall, May was not the ideal month to be Squamish dirtbags. In the Sea-to-Sky area, the shoulder 

True North WILD and Free…

True North WILD and Free…

“Got a few miles to camp…should be there around 4…or 4:30 or 5…something good like that.” – Lorax (my husband) on explaining how far I had to walk until camp one day on the PCT Only two (ish) weeks until we embark on our Great 

“I’m a sticky person…”

“I’m a sticky person…”

“Each small step will clear a little of the darkness away.” – Gabriel Bernstein Living in our micro van, down by The Chief, with countless other van dwellers! No big deal. We have been climbing fairly regularly (as the weather permits) and we even managed 

Anxious Adventurer

Anxious Adventurer

We are happy. Really happy. #vanlife – The dream, right? To putz around here and wander over there in some hippie-dippy sort of free-bird way. Not a care in the world, next to no agenda, and no shortage of beautiful scenery, right outside your sliding 

Stein Valley Memory Lane

Stein Valley Memory Lane

The Stein Valley Nlaka’pamix Heritage Park is a very special place for Dan and I. We have grown to love her on so many levels. It started out as an ambitious (for me) backpacking trip in 2010 – a 100 kilometre trek through the Stein 

Earn your turns…

Earn your turns…

“I was thinking that I might fly today…” – Jewel Life is magically, strangely, and wonderfully unreal lately. Dan and I are really enjoying our time together, bopping from one backcountry cabin to another, sprinkled with restful “town stops” in between. There’s no rush…no urgency 

All about rhythm…

All about rhythm…

“Relax T. You’re on vacation!” – Dan We’ve been living “on the road” for five days now, yo-yoing our way along the Sea to Sky highway – Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton. This is our home for now. The entire vast area, not the six foot long 

Early Retirement…Ish

Early Retirement…Ish

We have successfully made it to Squamish, with no plans to work for at least 6 months. How weird is that?! Turns out I am awfully sick, and yesterday I was devestated. I worked in a health food store up until two days ago, and 

My life as of late…

My life as of late…

Planning, planning, planning! I spent my weekend locked indoors, surrounded by (mostly) junk food. It was like my own sugar-coated, plastic wrapped, dehydrated prison cell, but not really because I (secretly) enjoyed it. Our 12 resupply boxes are mostly packed in hopes that we’ll come 

Great Divide Trail – Planning andPreparing

Great Divide Trail – Planning andPreparing

“I believe the pull to see and know the beauty, wonders, and strangeness over the next hill is an ancient human need burned into our DNA…” – Rick Auerbach Our next nomadic adventure planning is in full swing, and man are we feeling blessed with 

Into the Great Divide

Into the Great Divide

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” – John Muir I love John Muir – a hippie ahead of his time! – and I particularly love how he felt CALLED to the wild, like a long-lost friend, like a deep ingrained necessity; and he 

Salty Ocean Tears

Salty Ocean Tears

The chapter of van-life is (too) quickly drawing to a close for our team. I stick by what I shared last time – I want to end our nomadic living – but that’s not to say that I don’t have some apprehensions. This really WAS 

I Don’t Want to Live in a Van Anymore…

I Don’t Want to Live in a Van Anymore…

I don’t want to live in a van anymore. I’ve  been feeling that way more and more lately, and I am at a point where I can say that statement with finality and confidence. I’m not just “sort of” over this, or “maybe” looking for 

Mountain Wanderers…

Mountain Wanderers…

Once again, we end the year in our own personal style – no champagne, dresses, fancy parties or overpriced venues – we roll in a different fashion. We trek 15 Kms deep in the Coastal Mountains backcountry with a group size of 6, along with 

Beach Play

Beach Play

  “We learn that good things don’t happen without a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. I challenge you to move beyond these beliefs of limitation and suffering. I challenge you to accept that you’re here to have fun.” – Gabrielle Bernstein So life isn’t 

Happy VANiversary!!

Happy VANiversary!!

“A van-life journey to transform…” – where’s my office now Thats’s right. We’ve managed to make it a staggering 12 months as permanent van dwellers. What started as a social experiment and a personal challenge to push against the norm has evolved into a fairly 

Van-Mates

Van-Mates

The van seems to enlarge everything, from messes to moods! Living in a van with a partner has it’s fair share of challenges. These are tight quarters, and that can sometimes lead to more pressure than either of us can take! Luckily we are the 

hOMe

hOMe

“Not all those who wander are lost.” – John Muir In light of our current awkward and oftentimes uncomfortable living situation, the definition of “home” has bended and morphed. With our “homeownership” going onto 12 months, we consider ourselves experts in what a home is…at 

Eleven Month Nomads

Eleven Month Nomads

“My relationship with surfing has been a bit choppy, with lots of ups and downs if you catch my drift.” – Yours Truly Thanksgiving weekend.   We are in Tofino. While my man plays with the waves, I cozy up in the van, with a 

Living in a van down by the (Walbran) river…

Living in a van down by the (Walbran) river…

“It starts with a tree and it ends with you and me.” – Luke Wallace I’m proud to say it was my dad’s idea, but a couple weeks ago, Dan and I took the Frey-parents to our beloved Walbran valley! The four of us crammed 

Dirt bagging it family-style

Dirt bagging it family-style

“You can’t fall if you don’t climb, but there’s no joy in living your whole life on the ground.” My parents, who are touring around Western Canada in their tiny trailer, are in BC! In true spontaneous Frey-family-fashion, we meet in Squamish for some communal 

Holding my loved ones tight…

Holding my loved ones tight…

Where has the summer gone?! Van life is still going well – mostly sweet moments sprinkled with some sour times. (I just seem to get anxious when it rains…there is very little room in a van for two people and a dog!) While we live 

Westfalia Gamble

Westfalia Gamble

Good morning Tofino!   We slept in, then rushed to Incinerator Rock beach so Dan could hit up the surf. Our conversation was rather serious on the drive this morning, and we found ourselves stressing about our van. Westfalia vans, while they are old, creaky, 

Soggy Van Living

Soggy Van Living

We’re in Tofino! It’s summer. It’s been sunny. Today, however, it pours. My husband reminded me this morning that we are, in fact, in a coastal rainforest. It’s only natural… So we bend and adapt with the weather, falling into rhythm. Sitka goes for her 

Vitamin-N in the Walbran

Vitamin-N in the Walbran

“We fall in love by chance; we stay in love by choice.” – Unknown The Walbran Convergence – a gathering of over 100 people, to mark the 25 year anniversary of the 1991 blockades, arrests, and various acts of civil disobedience to save the valley. 

Love Often

Love Often

Relationships. Being an introvert (I think?), sometimes I just want to crawl into a hole, and not talk to anyone. I crave “alone-time”…seclusion…space to think. Not only is my job in a fast-paced retail environment, but a huge part of my job is to make 

Van-life Moments…

Van-life Moments…

Welcome to my morning routine. Getting ready in a very small space has become second nature to us. Thank goodness for our solar power which provides copious amounts of juice to run “important” things like my flat iron. (: Now giving this little thing enough 

Overflowing!!

Overflowing!!

“Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only dispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind” – Henry David Thoreau Living on the road forces you to assess all the things occupying your suddenly very limited space. 

Balance

Balance

We drive the every-winding island roads, high on good coffee and great conversation. We share. We dream. We plan. I love my man. We see the world in similar ways, and when we get talking, our passions align and LOOK OUT!! I am better because 

#vanlife

#vanlife

Living in a van is great. And not so great. Yes there are moments of freedom, peace, joy, bliss, relaxation and happiness. These moments fuel my decision to live in a van, and keep me sane during the rainy, city days. But this life takes 

Like Mother/Father Like Daughter…

Like Mother/Father Like Daughter…

“Be safe. But not so safe that you don’t have any fun.” – My Dad I talked to my folks today. They are converting my dad’s 11-foot motorcycle hauling trailer into a HOUSE…and traveling in it. They are the coolest retired couple I ever did 

Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice

“Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August.” – Jenny Han This is incredibly late, but summer is here, and that translates to more sunshine than screen-time. In celebration of summer, here are some photos from several weeks ago of me 

Comfort Stretcher

Comfort Stretcher

“It seems to me that the less I fight my fear, the less it fights back. If I can relax, fear relaxes, too.” – Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic Fear. Oh how I know you quite well an intimately! Every once in a while, my husband 

Sleepy

Sleepy

I’m not sure how we fit two in this bed…and occasionally 3 when Sitka “sneaks” in.

You’re the Voice

You’re the Voice

“The province manages all wildlife, including grizzly bears, on the principle of conservation first, followed by First Nations’ needs.” – Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Right. Ugh. Please bear with me – no pun intended – before you throw me 

Play Everyday

Play Everyday

“Women have a soul-need to express themselves in their own soulful ways; they must develop and blossom in ways that are sensible to them and without molestation from others.” – Clarissa Pinkola Estes Learning to express my soul in ways that only I can. To 

Drifter

Drifter

We are very fortunate to have the opportunities that we have in our professional lives, and for that, we are more than grateful. While living in a van in a city has it’s challenges, we have embraced those challenges and learned from our mistakes, as 

Good Life Juice Interview

Good Life Juice Interview

  I got interviewed by Good Life Juice a while back, and they posted it to their page recently! Good Life Juice is a fresh-pressed juicing company situated out of Nanaimo BC. We carry their juices at my workplace and they are absolutely divine! I 

Wanderlust Longings

Wanderlust Longings

“I need to get away from the city,” I said, to one of my favourite, fatherly customers. “Again.” “You don’t need to get away,” he corrected. “You just choose to go somewhere else.” I love him.   The cars, the lights, the whizzing, the honking, 

Living in a Van

Living in a Van

“Retro, two-story beachfront condo with second floor deck perfect for sunbathing, freedom flailing and fine dining while watching the surf. Relatively low maintenance fees, no mortgage or rent, and fully mobile for when the view gets old or the surf is better elsewhere.” – Where’s 

Stay Wild

Stay Wild

“The transient ‘tastes of the wild’ come during the mystique of inspiration – ah, there it is.” – Clarissa Pinkola Estes It is no secret that I am the lover of all things wild – not necessarily “wild” in the unruly, rebellious sense, but more 

Movement is Medicine

Movement is Medicine

My body craves movement, and sometimes life does not allow the luxury to provide opportunities to move. There are obstacles – work demands, restless sleep or poor weather to name a few (and of course, there’s always laziness). Have you ever just gone for that 

<3 Plants

<3 Plants

“Plants know how to make food and medicine from light and water, and then they give it away.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer

Foxes Play on Earth Day!!

Foxes Play on Earth Day!!

“We are thankful for our Mother Earth, for she gives us everything that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she still continues to care for us, just as she has from the 

Muscle Memory – Hurts so good…

Muscle Memory – Hurts so good…

  The Juan De Fuca Trail – a legendary, ocean-side, rugged 47 km hiking trail along the west coast of Vancouver Island. “Let’s go to the Juan this weekend…hike in 20 some-odd km’s, stay the night, then turn around and come back.” Sounds like a 

My Trail Home

My Trail Home

Seizing this sunny day to the fullest…complete with a lovely picnic by the ocean with Joy and Sitka, followed by a run along Dallas Road, and finally, reading old trail blog posts on our Pacific Crest Trail hike. Every few months, I revisit our PCT 

“No apologies” Selfie

“No apologies” Selfie

“It is not the van that frees us, but the time and space it provides to see and sort through the bull of an overstimulated, overworked and forgetful way of life.” – Emily from ‘Where’s My Office Now’   Don’t forget to slow down my 

Back to Van-Life

Back to Van-Life

Back to van-life. I haven’t written about living in a van recently because, quite honestly, it’s been so dang “normal!” In the beginning it was weird, foreign, and a major adjustment…but now we’re going onto 6 months of living this way – and we love 

Easter Mountain High…

Easter Mountain High…

Our adventuring continues…but this time, we left Hobo the van behind. We celebrated Easter in the ever-wonderful, always-playful, snow-capped coastal mountains. What a treat to explore, frolic, sweat and breathe the crisp, alive, mountainous air. Not a lot to say…just a lot to show. Get 

Ebb and Flow

Ebb and Flow

Van-life has become a lot more comfortable for us lately – and nothing major has really changed. It just feels…wholesome. exploratory. quirky. abundant. Still, by far, the best part of this life (not to mention the money we are saving for future travels!) is the 

Wild Gifts

Wild Gifts

“A gift from the earth comes to you through no action of your own, free, having moved toward you without your beckoning. It is not a reward; you cannot earn it, or call it to you, or even deserve it. And yet it appears. Your 

Ode To Walbran

Ode To Walbran

The Walbran is a riotous swath of forest and mountains, of rocks, trees, and grave wind. The Walbran is a constant drizzle of moisture, seeping into the soil, the rocks, the river, the mosses, your bones, and ultimately, your soul – a lavish freshness, deep 

Be My Valentine

Be My Valentine

Happy Valentine’s Day!! My husband and I found ourselves on an impromptu trip (would we have it any other way?!) to the Walbran Valley to visit our beloved trees and forest friends galore. There’s no where else I’d rather be, than handing our Valentine’s to 

You are a Gift

You are a Gift

Today is a gift…give it a squeeze and hold on tight! There’s no need to go on a journey to find ourselves. We are the journey, and this my friends, is frolic inducing. 🙂 Maybe your gift to the world is yourself – not what 

Whoopsie

Whoopsie

Remember this van-pup? Probably. How could you forget a face like that?!   Well, a face like that made a mess like this… Understatement of the year – we are not impressed.   Here’s some back-ground:   It’s winter in Victoria, which means rain, rain 

Do the right thing

Do the right thing

  Here’s a glimpse into my world of long, winding, car-sickened logging roads leading to the most glorious, alive, fresh and ancient places. Trees are living beings. Let’s care. Hugs from this tree-hugger…xxx  

One weekend at a time…

One weekend at a time…

It’s been a tough week as far as van-life goes. No joke. Too many nights near-tears (or in tears for that matter) over the whole thing…just a hair away from quitting on the spot. What happened? Nothing in particular. No van break-downs. No van break-ins 

Live With Passion

Live With Passion

“The love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyong reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only paradise we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever 

Blessed Home Owners

Blessed Home Owners

Who’d ‘a ‘thunk we would be home-owners at this stage of our lives? We like to joke about how fortunate we are to have bought a “house” in one of the most expensive places in Canada, with no down payment or mortgage to boot. Of 

Ringing in the New Year

Ringing in the New Year

“Be safe, but not so safe that you don’t have any fun.” – My Dad Saying goodbye to 2015 – an excuse to party, right? In our case, the New Year is just another reason to take Hobo on an adventure – across the ferry 

Me I Want a Hoola Hoop

Me I Want a Hoola Hoop

This is late, but Merry Christmas! Our holiday ventures found us wandering around the beaches and ghostly quiet town of Tofino. Dan surfed. I slept in. I napped. I went to bed at 7pm. I had the flu. Boo-hoo.

Yoga in a Westy

Yoga in a Westy

  Winter solstice is just around the corner…a magical time of year. Island winter are a blessed change from the cold, snowy winters we are accustomed to. While I miss the snow for recreational reason (can you say skiing?), I also appreciate the temperate ocean 

A hiker’s life for me

A hiker’s life for me

“Will is that which changes thought into energy.” – Yogananda Movie night in! Or is that movie at the drive in…? Call it what you will, Dan and I stayed “in” recently and watched all of our PCT videos. As always, we had a lot 

I get high in a literal sense

In light of my last post on being interrogated by the cops, I would like to show you the type of high we pursue as much as possible – the literal high…elevation wise. Sorry cops, but this ain’t a crime! Cheers to our first backcountry 

Van Life Woes

“We need to ask: who am I, if I am not a mother, daughter, lover, friend, employee, partner, teacher or boss…who am I if I am just I?” – Donna Henes Titles. Expectations. Stereotypes. Van life has had it’s challenges; they have been more than 

Turn, Turn, Turn…

Turn, Turn, Turn…

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die…” – Ecclesiastes 3 Our Saturday meanderings found us wandering amongst hundreds of salmon carcases. And what an experience it was! 

He said it

“The idea of wilderness needs no defence, it only needs defenders” – Edward Abbey “Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul.” – Edward Abbey    

Forever Young

Forever Young

Play is not just for kiddies. I invite you to view your surroundings with the wonder of a child. Connect with nature, and play. See if you can slow down time to slow motion, and maybe even (for a moment), bring it down to a 

Sleeping In…

Sleeping In…

Van life means mobile life… Hence we find ourselves in Tofino for the weekend…again. This morning my man let me stay in my cozy bed (complete with a new memory foam top!), and he drove me to the beach. I awoke to the warming morning 

Sitka

Taking pleasure in the simple, constant, blessed things these days. I know it doesn’t take living in a camper van to focus and simplify, but it has been incredibly clarifying for me so far. Of course it’s had it’s challenges, but overall, it’s been refreshing. 

Vanity…

This is what I’m working with these days. It’s minimal. It’s miles away from being convenient. That’s my closet on the left. Well…it’s OUR closet, but I believe I left room for Dan to hang 4 shirts, so it’s more or less mine. It’s amazing 

Unless…

Unless…

  “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to change, it’s not.” – The Lorax Dan and I spent the weekend in the Walbran Valley, at the witness camp. I will keep my rant short, but basically this old-growth forest 

Roots

“And I would be so happy…just to call it my home…to call it my roots.” – Carmanah Band Feeling blessed driving to work in my house with this smiling friend…

Groovy

Well, we’re not the only ones…and apparently our van is boring. This one who pulled up beside us this morning at U-Vic has multi-coloured panels, hola dancers on the dash, and (get this) MOSS growing above the windows. Now that is a legit VW van… 

Unlikely Inspiration

“Desire for material things is endless; man is never satisfied completely, and pursues one goal after another. Outward longings drive us from the Eden within.” – Yogananda He’s always a delight to serve…someone I look forward to seeing. The brightest, most genuine smile I have 

Here Goes…

Happy first day of living nowhere! It’s not all rainbows and butterflies…more like pouring rain and soggy dogs. On a positive note, we enjoyed this delicious van breakfast this morning…  

Woodstock

No one has been asking, but for the sake of some of you who might be wondering… No, Dan and I have not turned into pot-smoking, dumpster diving dirt-bags. Not that either smoking pot or dumpster diving makes you a dirt bag…absolutely not! While we 

Soil

“God plants his saints sometimes in unexpected soil, lest we think we may reduce Him to a rule!” – Paramahansa Yoganandya   We are preparing to roll with it…to embrace the unknown. 6 more days until we move out of our apartment and into new 

Stars

  “People they come together. People they fall apart. No one can stop us now. We are all made of stars.” – Moby  

Raise Some Eyebrows

Why van life? Let me count the ways! “Van life empowers us to find our flow of planning and spontaneity, movement and stillness, togetherness and solitude, work and play, doing and being, effort and ease, and heart and mind.” – Emily, from “Where’s My Office 

Toasty Hobo

Toasty Hobo

Breakfast dates with my man are the best…especially when we head back to the van after and play with our new modifications! Dan managed to get the heat up and running, and I was giddy as can be when he showed me how toasty it 

Van Pup

Van Pup

This is Sitka. She is our van pup. We’ve wanted to move into a van for a few years now, but my main concern was always “what about the dog?” It’s not that our dog was holding us back from our dreams…entirely. Well, I guess 

I drive a Vanagon…

It is with light, happy, and grateful hearts that we can share that we have sold our Honda Fit! We are finally free of the stress, and free of the financial burden of owning two vehicles. What a relief! We had been trying to sell 

Home Sweet Home

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance” – Alan Watts Change will awaken you, so just let go and leap into it. If something feels right, make it happen. Change oftentimes 

Dreamcatcher

Rainy Saturday…calls for crafting! Say hello to my homemade dreamcatcher for Hobo! Can’t wait to hang it on the dash. Now I can sleep soundly in the van, free of nightmares and restless sleep. And let’s be honest… A van named Hobo could use a 

Thankful for My Handy-Man

It’s Thanksgiving weekend, and we are working on Hobo, the van – or more accurately, Dan is working. At some point, I would like to get Dan to write a post on all the modifications he’s been working on. He’s proven to be a real 

I Speak For the Trees

“God created the cedar to store cosmic energy…” – Anastasia, Vladimir Megre Ever find yourself drawn to a particular book or story, and you just can’t get enough of it? Sometimes it’s not even your usual type of story, or its a completely new and 

Van-Life Fears

Preparing to live in a van has had it’s challenges. I’m not just talking about the modifications – and there are plenty of those! – but also preparing mentally and maybe even emotionally. Our van is beyond awesome…don’t get me wrong. It has a fridge, 

Chose Love

Loving to live…living to love. What’s the difference? Turn your face and heart towards life and say “yes.” I chose love.

Slow Down

Slow down. Just a notch if that’s all you can muster. You’ll get better at it. No sense in hurrying at slowing down. Wait and see…time will bring change. But don’t focus on time – on some distant future where you’ll be a master of 

Weekends…AND Weekdays

I would like to share openly and honestly about what our intentions are with our new-for-us 1989 Westfalia Vanagon. That’s just the kind of person I am! Full of honest, open, sharing! Sure, it’s fun to have an old camper van to whip out on 

Inaugural Van Trip

Inaugural Van Trip

Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread. – Ed Abbey We’re living a dream-come-true at this very moment in time. A dream that few would have, and many would