We've just made something happen that we've been talking + dreaming about for years...we slept in our car.  :) 

Over the years we have enjoyed tent camping with our family of four in a Prius, but I'm ready to skip rivers running under our tent in the middle of the night + packing a wet tent into the car with everything else we are trying to keep clean + dry. We loved camping in a rented a van in Oregon, but can't justify spending the money to own one. We love visiting a tiny cabin in the woods, but I want to explore new places too. Hotels are nice from time to time, but it's also so nice to be immersed in nature.

I feel most free when I travel with the less + all I really wanted was to have a bed up off the ground that I won't have to set up every night. I found evidence that it's possible to camp in a vehicle (even a Prius). Our Prius is at a point where it is less reliable on a long trip (but still going strong at 200,000 miles), so we bought a used RAV-4 Hybrid. 

Last weekend, we tried out our minimal set up + kept surprising ourselves with how great it all worked out. I wanted to buy as little as possible, but did invest in:

• a comfy full-sized, folding mattress
• window screens

I chose a foam mattress (because I am afraid of punctures + then having no mattress to sleep on) but I do love that these exist. The bridge attachment is a real problem solved. 

I cut our full-sized mattress to fit (taking the foam out of the covers, cutting it down with a bread knife + stitching + zipping the three sections back in). We used two tubs (our clothing packed inside) topped with two small boxes taped closed to bridge the gap between the front + back seats (+ to support the mattress overhang). Our regular pillows + sleeping bags completed our bedding. This set up was surprisingly comfy, especially combined with the leveling blocks supplied by the campground. 

Window screens provide ventilation + create much appreciated privacy + shade. Things I am considering adding for future trips are:

• a way of leveling the sleeping surface a bit more
• string lights with a USB rechargeable battery attached 

​With our bikes + a hammock along for the ride, it was the perfect time of year to be outside in the golden light. There was even an outdoor shower!

Love,
​Jane

My partner + I just spent three days in Denver, and I thought I'd put a little itinerary here for my future self to refer back to (+ just in case anyone else might benefit in any way).  :) 

It's always a good idea to think through why we are going + how we want our time to feel before we plan a trip. In our case, we went because it's where + when James + Johnny Marr were playing. We wanted our time to feel relaxed + fun. We wanted to spend time outdoors, to eat good food + to think through our intentions for the year ahead together. We used to live in Denver + have visited plenty since, so we didn't feel the need to see or experience everything the city has to offer.

:: Day 1 ::
We arrived around lunchtime + drove straight to Stowaway Kitchen. After sharing a salmon bowl, we walked around the RiNo Art District + stopped in at Recital + Patagonia. From there, it was a short drive to Confluence Park (we parked at REI) where we walked along the South Platte River. (Next time we'll check out the Arkins Promenade.) We especially loved seeing the community gardens where there was a box of free food hanging on the gate for those who might need it!

​For dinner, we stopped at a favorite spot, Vital Root. I cannot get over the flavors of their savory waffle with sungold tomatoes, cherry chutney + roasted corn puree! The entire menu is gluten-free, which is a real treat for me!

:: Day 2 ::
We had an unhurried morning + made our way to Crema for chai/coffee + a gluten-free, sweet potato waffle (one of the only gf options - but very tasty). We brought our journals + spent some time writing + chatting about our intentions for the year to come. It was so nice outside on their little back patio, and we enjoyed this time immensely.

When we felt ready, we walked over to Denver Central Market for lunch. There are a number of vendors there + we chose to split a salad + açai bowl from Green Seed Market. I would love my kitchen to be full of fresh fruits + vegetables (+ not much else) like Green Seed. We sat at the picnic tables out back + enjoyed the shade of the umbrellas + the breeze.

Our plan was to either ride bikeshare bikes or walk around Washington Park, but it started to rain. So we did a little shop hopping to La Lovely Vintage, Homebody, + Yucca (ducking into the bustling Common Threads Consignment when the rain started in earnest). We revisited Vital Root for dinner (sharing a falafel wrap + beet lemonade) + then headed to the concert. We had so much fun singing our hearts out to songs we've been singing our hearts out to for years. And years.  :)

:: Day 3 ::
I ended up feeling a bit under the weather overnight + into day 3, so (again, instead of riding bikes) we headed to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. It felt nice by this time to escape the traffic + to see nothing but golden fields stretching to the foothills (at times) on this chemical weapons manufacturing site turned wildlife preserve. Yeah. It is a thought provoking slow ride. We were able to see buffalo, deer, prairie dogs, hawks, starlings and a coyote!

I napped my way back into the city where we shared a salad at Farm + Market. They grow much of what they serve in house...which is pretty amazing to see! The rest of the afternoon was spent at Crema talking through plans for the weeks to come toward some of our intentions.

It was a really good little trip with some good reminders for us. I often feel the urge to make a trip "worth it" by seeing as much as possible. The default for us is usually scenery + shops. When we consciously think about it, however, we recognize our preference for having two or three simple, immersive experiences like lingering over a good meal or walking a (doesn't-have-to-be-too-long) trail.

This time we got it right + just spent a lot of time savoring conversation + connection. And that was truly the point.

Love,
​Jane

A pair of goldfinches making our back yard home.
Reminding myself that I am only being asked to meet the day that presents itself.
Nightly firefly dances.
Beginning to play with water + color + paper again.
Having a furry companion for a week.
Sunflowers growing inches closer to the sun day by day.
Planning a visit to a familiar place by the water.
Mint + sage audibly buzzing with activity.
Moving her into a new home in a new neighborhood.
The first hummingbird sighting of the season.
Showing up with openness + kindness + love.
A strawberry moon.
A pair of hawks staying too long.
Lemon bar.
The guy whistling every 90s tune at top volume while we ate our salad.
An outdoor antiques + craft sale full of connection.
Welcoming new life.
Art books.
Learning to trust love to speak for itself.

Thank you, June. You were tough + lovely.

Love,
​Jane

I love a good road trip...watching the sky + landscape change...taking turns choosing songs...stopping for the occasional gas station snack. There is time to daydream...imagine...think. It's amazing how much ground we can cover in one day...how much the climate can change...how different the grasses + trees + soils can be as we move from one part of this gorgeous country to another.

The world seems so much bigger + I feel so much more connected to all of it. 

Love,
​Jane

Getting outside for a long, brisk walk with my girls led to feeling about as good as I've felt in the past few days. We dodged puddles + worms after the rain. We said hello to everyone we saw (from afar)...more people than I've ever seen on a walk in our neighborhood. There was a dad outside playing a lively game of basketball with two teenaged girls...three adults laughing + making videos of one friend in a full, furry, dog costume walking a dog + another dog driving a toy car...and two people running on opposite sides of the road that we thought might be doing a social-distancing run "together".  :) We walked further than usual...noticing all the new little sprouts popping up + a few fully formed daffodils too. I ended up feeling a little bit stronger + more connected + more hopeful. Hope you are able to get outside a little bit too!

Love,
Jane

My partner once told me that my main motivation is beauty. I wasn't sure about that characterization at that moment, but the more I think about it...I have to agree. Beauty weighs heavily in my happiness. Decorating my home in a way that is beautiful to me is important to my sense of well-being. I love art museums + beautiful shops + cafes...beautiful books + music + textiles. I love the beauty that only nature can deliver...the beauty of friendship...and the beauty of words. I doubt I'm terribly unique in this way.  

This year one of the things I decided to pursue more of...is beauty. I want to be a beauty seeker. I find my connection to God to be enabled...palpable...enhanced in the presence of beauty...and I'm longing for more of that connection.

Winter is a time when beauty is not just oozing through the dark + cold. We must tune in to beauty + search for it a little bit harder. And yet...beauty is still there. When the sun finally peeks through the clouds, I feel its warmth + notice how its light seems to penetrate into my soul if I let it. Vibrant tastes are beautiful. Hot pink sunsets are beautiful. Finding a card addressed to me in my mailbox is beautiful. Lingering hugs are beautiful. A conversation with a stranger that makes me laugh is beautiful. 

I am a beauty seeker + I find so much beauty...when I'm looking for it.

Love, 
​Jane

I did not play sports growing up. I am terrible at anything involving round, bouncy things. I don't like to sweat. But...I've been consistently exercising for the past few years. I'm still not buff or fit...but I am stronger than I was + I have learned a few things about making a lasting habit from the realization that I've kept this habit going.

-knowing myself + making manageable commitments ::
---three days per week :: Though I'd like to say that I exercise every day, I know that it's better to say that I exercise three times per week than...well...less. I decided that three times per week would be floor. I'd like to make a fourth day's walk outdoors more consistent this year.

---no more than two days between workouts :: This allows for being sick + bad weather + holidays. It keeps up the momentum + muscle.

---setting reasonable expectations :: When we started I told myself that I would not berate myself for being weak or slow. I was a beginner + I would celebrate the fact that I got moving that day. I did + I do...and I'm stronger + faster than I was. If I overdid every time I went, I might resist going or hurt myself + need to recover. Consistency is the goal.

-having partners helps a lot :: Knowing that my girls are depending on me to keep my promises, provides so much motivation to get out the door. We can laugh at how tired we are together afterward + high five the fact that we did it.

-being flexible :: Yes, increasing bodily flexibility is key...stretch. But mental flexibility is also helpful. If I can't do down dogs, because of an excessively runny nose or our teacher cancels class...I don't skip...I walk, ride bikes, row, do weights, etc. instead.

-location :: I still think that walking outside is a great way to get exercise + we do that often. It's a cheap way to exercise + offers time in nature...which I think is essential. But I have to admit that a temperature controlled space is great. When our city announced that they were building a more-cost-effective, city-run fitness center within two miles of our home, I committed to joining. I heard recently that the closer one's gym is to one's home, the more likely one is to go. I know it's helpful for us.

-choosing the best time :: I like working out in the morning, so that it's not hanging over my head all day...and I can't have the excuse of being too tired by the end of the day. On the other hand, one of my girls feels she has more energy in the evenings.

-scheduling ahead :: Every time the girls' work + school schedules change, we address when we'll go to the gym. Set times that we can depend on throughout the week help us keep to our commitment. We don't have to scramble to figure it out day by day, and we keep those times clear of other commitments.

Last week, I had a terrible cold, and I knew that my girls didn't want to miss another gym day. I decided that I'd just do what I could + not feel bad about setting the level lower on the bike or just walking instead. I felt so happy afterward + realized that I don't even dislike going to the gym anymore. I mean...I actually sort of like it. :)

Love,
Jane

Day 7 :: We drove a little bit further up the coast to Cape Lookout State Park. Again we went to the beach + Julia found her long searched for sand dollar...lots of them. I'm not sure what it was about this beach, but it was full of sand dollars. We also saw a big crab scuttle back under the sand. Like on the other beaches, there were jelly fish too. We laughed so much our last night on the beach...running from biting bugs + scuttling creatures up + down the beach. The sunset was spectacular...and we felt lucky + content.

Day 8 :: We got up early, tidied up the van + drove back into Portland. We ate brunch (at Back to Eden), visited a few independent shops + a thrift shop...returned the van + caught a ride to the airport.

A few of the things we love about Oregon:
-all of the varied landscapes...so much to see...places to hike + camp
-friendly people
-a culture of care for the environment
-it's easy to find gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, zero-waste, organic options
-lots of independent shops, bookshops, thrift shops, coffee shops + places to eat
-no sales tax

Hope your summer travels have fed your soul...whether they were across the living room, across town, or across the globe. Every one of those has good things to offer. We just have to notice.

Love,
​Jane

Day 3 :: We set out for Bend. On the way, we stopped at a another scenic canyon that just drops out of the desert + also the spectacular Smith Rock. Next time, I would definitely spend some time hiking around at Smith Rock. Instead the girls scaled this climbing rock.  :) We stopped for tasty tacos (at Spork) + headed into town to browse the shops + bookstores. A big rain + hail storm told us it was time to head to our campsite in Sisters for dinner.

Day 4 :: We woke up to rain + two fawns + a doe running past our campsite. We'd planned to hike to a waterfall + swimming hole, but the rain told us to move on. We grabbed a bite at a gluten-free bakery (Angelina's) (gotta catch those when you can) + walked around Sisters during a break in the rain. Then we headed for the ocean. The scenic route took us up McKenzie Pass, past lava fields + Dee Wright Observatory. There were miles + miles of dense, mossy forest. We stopped for lunch alongside a river + found wild blackberries growing outside the van door.   

We continued on to Eugene, where we stopped to do a little thrifting, eat a little ice-cream + do a little grocery shopping. Then we pushed on + caught our first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. We pulled into Beachside State Recreation Site (probably my favorite camping spot) + spent the evening on the beach...taking in our first sunset over the ocean.

I'm going to break this post into two parts...so a little more tomorrow.  :)

Love,
​Jane

All that we used (for my notes):
-pan + lid, french press 
-4 bowls, 1 plate, 4 spoons, 4 forks, 4 mugs
-1 pop-up storage container (could just use an emptied hummus container instead)
-lighter, scissors, can-opener, knife + cutting board
-kitchen towel, cleaning spray, dish soap, trash can, hand broom 
-4 bath towels, 2 sets of sheets, 2 Rumpl blankets, 4 camp pillows (we put these on top of our rolled up towels to sleep)
-atlas (cell service is not always available), lantern, 1 camp chair
(the van came loaded with lots more)

Would add for us personally:
-tea ball
-wash cloth + hook to dry it 
-I'd use an empty yogurt container to collect compost + keep it in the fridge until disposal, if a collection site was available 

What we brought from home:
-bug spray, sunscreen
-toiletries, clothes
-book, notebook, pen, phone, charger, water bottle, 2 baggu bags

I loved the van for all the reasons that I thought I would. We could be sheltered from the blazing sun, heavy winds or hungry mosquitoes with the doors + windows open + the breeze blowing through. We were dry when it rained, raised off the ground + were left with no wet, muddy tent to put in the car with the rest of the stuff we were trying to keep clean + dry. The beds were comfortable + we were warm (though two grown girls sharing the top bunk was tight). We marveled at the stars...hung out next to the river or ocean some days...heard waves + seals from our beds...and slept in a new spot every night. 

We're not really in the market for full-time van life at the moment, but I would definitely love to do it more long-term in the future...especially for just two of us. We had all that we needed right there in that pretty compact vehicle...with space left over! We could go with a bit smaller van, if there were only two of us. And just so you know that the opinions here are not just my own...here are some things (besides repeating much of what I've expressed) my companions had to say about van life:
Mr: Do it.
Jo: I could live in a van.
:)
​
Love,
Jane