She Found Independence At 58 After Retiring and Moving Into a Converted Van

I’m a relative newcomer to the world of solo travel. Until I was well into my 50s, I never considered traveling without a companion.

After giving some thought to the kind of solo vacation I would most enjoy, I decided on a quick trip to a nearby city that would be both relaxing and exciting.

The trip was so enjoyable that it was quickly followed by a much longer road trip and countless other excursions ranging in length from a single day to several weeks.

The freedom of exploring a new place on my own was liberating, and I made a lot of cool friends along the way.

A Way of Life on the Road

We’ve traveled over a hundred thousand miles in the last six years, so this unanticipated stoppage has given us time to reflect on some of our most memorable stops along the way.

The majestic Norwegian peaks, the sandy Zion National Park trails, the free-ranging Brown Bears on the border between Finland and Russia, the crystalline rivers cutting through the gorges of Slovenia, and the wild Atlantic coast of Portugal.

There are many, and each one evokes a unique set of associations.

Our 2014 van trip through Norway is where we first realized we enjoyed hiking; prior to that trip, we’d never allowed ourselves to become fully immersed in natural environments.

While we’re enjoying our time in brick-and-mortar homes for the time being, we’ve been reminded of why we fell in love with van life in the first place thanks to the convenience of having a mobile home.

The opportunity to wake up to a different backyard and travel to exciting new locations is what keeps us going.

Remarkable Occasions

Being completely and utterly present in the moment is one of my favorite feelings in the world. When this happens, I’m filled with a sense of vitality and freedom, and I get a glimpse of the vastness of the world and how my life’s experiences have all led me to this point.

I am completely awestruck by its untamed beauty and raw power.

As my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, I often begin laughing uncontrollably until I feel like my chest is going to burst (in a Good Way).

There have been only a handful of times like that on this trip. One time, I spent hours looking for a place to take a shower in Squamish, British Columbia, before deciding to just run into this little beach by the point where the river empties into the ocean.

When I first jumped in, the water was icy. When I was by myself and a massive mountain slab of granite loomed overhead, I understood at once: this is it. For me, those are the Best Times Ever. I Depend on Them to Survive.

Sprinter 2500 by Mercedes-Benz

After months of looking, I finally found the van I had been hoping for on Craigslist, and I immediately had a good feeling about it. It was within my budget (less than$3,000), had less than 160,000 miles, and was accompanied by stellar reviews (4.

9/5 stars from hundreds of people who said these vans run forever).

The Idea Moved Her

One of my friends spent an entire year traveling and climbing across North America by herself, all from the comfort of her Honda Element. She was a tremendous source of encouragement for me, even though I had always assumed that life as a single woman would be beyond my capabilities.

I was apprehensive, but I was determined to push through the discomfort because I knew good things lay beyond it.