Photo Journal
Year of vanlife
2021 was our first year of full-time vanlife. After converting our empty cargo van into a home on wheels throughout 2020, in March of 2021, we finally got on the road almost exactly a year later. We have put together a photo journal to capitulate the whirlwind of a year. To read about our first four months of vanlife in detail, read this article.
We had no idea what vanlife would bring us or how to begin to make it a reality when we started, but we put our heads down and continued to take one step after the other. But obviously, there was more to it than that, so we decided to break it down month by month to share the ups and downs in more detail.
We hope that looking back on the year that we had inspires anyone who wants to do vanlife or travel more or have a big “impossible” dream to take a chance and go after it. Creating the life of your dreams may not be easy, but trust us, it’s so worth it.
JANUARY 2021
Highlights
- Reed’s last day of work
- The month we almost finished building the van!
Reed’s last day at his job was emotional. He had worked hard from August 2016 to January 2021, made great friends, and learned a lot about himself. Leaving Lucky’s was challenging, but it was time to take the leap and allow us to work on the van more regularly!
We were so close to finishing the Van in January, but we had a few of the most daunting tasks left. I.e., the water system, the propane line, and the cabinets. At this point in the build, we were jonesing to get on the road, and at some points, it was hard to keep up our motivation.
But it was also an exciting time because when we entered the van, it was no longer that empty cargo van. It felt like home. We just had a final push until we would be reaping the benefits of our hard work!
FEBUARY 2021
Highlights
- Reed’s mom birthday
- Finishing the van
- Wichita Mountains
- Seeing longhorns up close
We finished the propane and water lines in February, and we officially had running water and a propane-burning stove! We also picked out and grouted the New Mexico-style tiles into our kitchen, and they came out wonderfully. So, with a few all-nighters under our belt, we prepared to get on the road and head to Texas to celebrate Reed’s mom’s birthday.
We got caught in snowmageddon in Texas, the massive snowstorm that passed through Texas that caused huge power outages across the state. So instead of staying in Texas, we made our way back to Colorado to regroup.
MARCH 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
- Starting the Van Life
- Skiing in Flagstaff
- Camping & swimming at Fossil Springs
- Meeting Anais and Asha
In March, we finally hit the road! Finally, after a year of building out our van while working full-time, we were ready to set off.
Destination: Arizona
Objective: To begin living the vanlife and traveling full-time!
We started vanlife off with a splash! and spent our anniversary in Fossil Springs, Arizona. We swam, hiked, and enjoyed the crystal clear waters in the area, hardly being able to believe that we found water like this in a place that we assumed would be entirely desert.
That wasn’t the only surprise that Arizona had in store for us. We had packed Reed’s snowboard, assuming it was wishful thinking that he would see snow anytime soon. Fortunately for him, it came in handy in Flagstaff at Snowbowl.
We made our way to Bullhead, Arizona, and we finally met Anais and Asha, two solo vanlifers who self converted their rigs. We talk more deeply about caravanning with them here.
APRIL 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
- Bella swimming like a fish
- Sedona cave hike
- Lake Mohave
We spent the first two weeks of April at Lake Mead floating, paddling, and running from donkeys (literally). From there, we traveled to the gorgeous red rocks that make up Sedona.
MAY 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
- Saguaro National Park
- Checking out Tucson Murals
JUNE 2021
Highlights
- Big Trees… we mean really really big trees
- Seeing the deepest lake in the country (Crater Lake)
- Juneteenth
June was an adventurous month. We went to Sequoia National Forest, Sacramento, Redwood State Forest, Crater Lake, Portland, AND Seattle. Our last month together with our travel buddies, Asha and Anais.
JULY 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
- Coming back to Colorado
- Spending time with Denise’s mom
- Lobster season in the Keys.
We had learned a lot traveling with our caravan, but it was time to part. So in July, we returned to Colorado after four full months on the road. We came back to celebrate Denise’s birthday and to regroup & fix up the van.
AUGUST 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
- Reunited with Denises best friend
- Denise’s Birthday
- Yellowstone geysers, springs, and Buffalo
- Grand Tetons
- Swimming at Lake Jenny
We finally got to see Devon, Denise’s best friend, in person! He lived in Lebanon for a year, so it was quite the reunion. Next, in early August, we prepared to embark on our Yellowstone trip with two of Denise’s great friends, Devon and Maddi. We camped, swam, and animal watched our way around The Greater Yellowstone area. Four humans and a cat in our 60 sq ft van!
SEPTEMBER 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
- St. Louis breweries
- Visiting Chicago
- Niagara Falls
- Adirondack State Park
With months of planning and lots of packing in the books, it was time to set off again on our East Coast adventure.
If you want to see what we thought about the Adirondack Mountains, check it out at Denise and Reed on youtube or watch our video here!
Vermont stole Reed’s heart. In his words, “the whole state is one big rolling green mountain.” It has specific energy to it, a vibe. Billboard advertising isn’t allowed, and you see very few fast-food chains or liquor stores. You never feel like you’re in a big city, but you also don’t feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. The state is primarily pastures and mountains, rivers and streams, old country houses with big white beams.
OCTOBER 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
- All things Maine
- Reeds Birthday
- Running to the D.C capital
Maine was the target destination when we left Colorado in September. It felt surreal to be there after months of anticipation, finally. The coastline, colorful leaves, and lobster rolls did not disappoint.
NOVEMBER 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
- Ran a half marathon
- Traveling with Victor
- Miami
- Sanibel Island
We ran a half marathon in Savannah, Georgia, on November 6th. After four months of training, we accomplished our goal!
DECEMBER 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
- Getting back on the road
- Florida Beachs
After some family time in the Atlanta area, we got into the swing of full-time travel once again. First, we set off to the panhandle of Florida for warmth and white sand beaches.
In 2018 we had a dream, in 2019 we saved up for that dream and finally bought the van and in 2020 we planned, prepared, and put in a lot of hard work to make that dream a reality. In 2021 we got to live out that dream and it was bigger and better than we could have imagined. Yes, it had its ups and downs, and we had built resiliency and a life that helped us surpass the obstacles that we faced. Your dream is just as worth it, whatever it is. Put in the work, ask for help when you need it, and take it one step at a time. You deserve to live it out loud.
Now you are all caught up. We are currently in Jacksonville, Florida, preparing to head farther south. We are looking forward to the year ahead and can not wait to continue sharing our lives with you. So until next time, we’ll catch you out there.
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