We all have a story. The tale of moments, experiences, and people who shaped the life we live today. I spent nearly a full year thinking on the purpose of this space and, ultimately, how much of my story will be shared here. After a few road trips around the country in Dandy, my heart settled on stories from the road. A glimpse into my travel journal, while living this adventure we call life.
Before joining me on the road, perhaps you may wish to know how I came to be a solo road tripper in a bright purple van named Dandy. Often carrying a camera in one hand and bear spray in the other.
Read on, my friend.
Around age ten, a pink Kodak 110 camera dangled from my wrist. Used to snap a child’s view of the outside world in suburban Maryland. High school captured the fun and antics you might expect from teenagers living in an agricultural reserve with swift access to Washington, D.C. College days attending Clemson University shifted to regional rowing regattas, plus countless mornings and evenings on Lake Hartwell with the crew team.
Over two decades in, and my travel list solely comprised of stops along the East Coast, except for one trip abroad to Italy and Greece. Until I joined the Potomac Boat Club in Washington, D.C. and started my first job post college. Suddenly, vacation days were spent all over the United States, Canada, and Europe racing with the team. The travel bug bit me hard and I vowed to see everything, as soon as possible.
And then I fell in love, with a man who lived for adventure coupled with a skill set to explore the great outdoors in every terrain and weather condition. Outfitted in Patagonia gear, hand-in-hand, our adventures began. We said I do, moved from one home to the next, exploring in nature while adding countless tokens to the memory bank over the years. It would be remiss of me to not acknowledge the role he played in my love for wild places and outdoor recreation. He introduced me to ice climbing, rock climbing, mountaineering, comfortably falling asleep beneath the stars, and an intense awareness of survival skills.
The first big road trip I ever planned, a solid 20 days in the four corners region, turned out to be a grand farewell tour for us. Because a few weeks later our marriage came to a heartbreaking yet necessary end. After packing a tiny POD with a Maryland destination, I set out on my first solo road trip. While driving eastbound to be with family, stopping in one national park after another, I decided to focus on growing my companies and making peace with traveling alone. Deep down I knew this was the beginning of a beautiful journey, discovering the best way to move forward on my own.
Over the next five years, my companies thrived, affording me the opportunity and time to road trip all over the country. Most importantly, these solo trips healed my heart. Twenty days on the road quickly turned into sixty, seventy, and eighty-day road trips. After several years in Maryland I moved westward to Portland, after falling in love with the Pacific Northwest during a road trip. Soon after settling into my new home, I consolidated both companies into one brand with my namesake.
Life was filled with exploring public lands, capturing photographs, backpacking, camping, and daydreaming about an adventure van. I found and purchased Dandy in September 2017, took her bare bones around the country for two months, painted her purple, drove around the country one more time, then dropped her off in Denver for a custom build. Picking Dandy up ten weeks later instantly provided a great sense of freedom and flexibility. Having everything needed for a few months on the road, custom built into a mobile space that feels like a very small home, dramatically improved my travels.
With over forty solo road trips across the country, and counting, I am living the happiest days of my life. Relishing all the good moments, learning from the not so good ones, and genuinely grateful for each new experience. As much as I love traveling solo and respect the healing it gave my heart years ago, I am ready and looking forward to sharing my adventures beyond quick captions accompanying a photo. The most intimate space here is my heartfelt journal, sharing stories from exploring alone, with loved ones, and new friends.
If you see a purple van on the road, with Oregon plates, be sure to wave hello!