Van Life Wanderer
Exploring Freedom - A Van Life Blog
(photo by levi.bare)
Known for it’s stunning geological formations, Yosemite National Park offers some of the best examples of North America’s landscape.
Known for its waterfalls, El Capitan, and Half Dome, there is another peak that rises high above the park and looks out over many of the Park’s assets.
You don’t need to be an experienced outdoorsman to experience it, though. Why not drive up Glacier Point?
Built during the Great Depression in order to create jobs, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a tourist attraction that connects visitors to the surrounding area across Virginia and North Carolina.
Since that desperate period in history has thankfully ended, the Parkway has continued to bolster local communities and connect them with travellers. Driving Blue Ridge is a great experience you shouldn’t miss out on.
(photo: Stan Shebs)
Death Valley is the 5th largest National Park in America and the largest one in the lower 48. An already imposing name, it’s also home to an equally nerve-wracking road: Titus Canyon.
In western Los Angeles, a famous road runs for more miles than the length it spans from east to west. Mulholland Drive is a road 21 miles long, but it begins and ends only 16.9 miles apart.
The reason for this is because of the road’s precarious path, twisting and turning across the Santa Monica Mountains.
It is known for good and bad reasons, though we’ll let you decide which is scarier: the tight twists and turns of the pavement, or the price tag on the street’s houses!
[Read more…] about Is Mulholland Drive Dangerous To Drive On?
In the southeast corner of Utah is San Juan County. Also referred to as Canyon Country, it sits at the famous Four Corners of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. The area is known to be home to the Navajo Tapestry: cultural landmarks set among sweeping landscapes that were once home to the Hopi, Navajo, and Ute tribes.
Dying for a view of these breath-taking scenes? Why not drive the Trail of the Ancients, a five-day route bringing you past ancient cultural and geographical points of interest such as the Natural Bridges Monument, the Four Corners Monument, and the Three Kiva Pueblo – to name a few.
Along the way you’ll travel Utah State Route 261 which contains the legendary Moki Dugway.
Nashville is a city known to be alive with culture. Its famous honkytonks and venues are common attractions for locals and tourists alike. This state capital and music mecca is a popular destination for a reason and we think it’s worth a visit. You shouldn’t dive in blindly, though. Especially for first-time visitors, it’s important to do a bit of a research into your trip before you arrive.
(photo: LPS.1)
Stockton is one of the most dangerous cities in California. The city experiences crime twice as often as the national average and violent crimes nearly four times more than the national average.
There’s also high levels of gang activity, high poverty rates, and high unemployment rates in the city.
(photo: tuchodi)
Slab City is a self-sufficient squatter community made up of vagabonds, homeless, artists, snowbirds, and retirees.
It was once a decommissioned military-based but is now considered by many as the "Last Free Place In America."
It’s famous for artistic attractions such as Salvation Mountain and East Jesus.
The city has about 640 acres of public land. It has no formal infrastructure. It lacks electricity, water, and sewer systems. While it’s not entirely lawless, it doesn’t have a government.
Although propane is considered by many to be a cheap and green fuel for traveling, that does not mean that it is completely safe. Propane leaks, while uncommon, are a possibility, and can be potentially quite hazardous.
Nowadays we are flooded by social media posts of glamorous van life, perfect river campsites and gorgeous nature views. Living in a van can be both life-altering and unimaginably beautiful experience. Many women who want to embark on their solo van adventure often are overwhelmed with safety concerns. While this is completely normal, it shouldn’t stop you from fulfilling your dream. If you feel called by this, go for it! There is something oddly alluring by the unknown, the challenging and the adventures that lie ahead. But we have to stay realistic and be aware that this kind of lifestyle comes with its dangerous or tricky situations. Here we want to share some basic safety tips and what we recommend for any female solo van travelers.
[Read more…] about 13 Van Life Safety Tips For Women Traveling Alone