I don’t want to leave Florida, but I need to get back to Colorado. Leaving Florida, I visit Holly Hill Gnome Tree, and I block ticks on a hike in the woods at Devil Mill Hopper. In Georgia, I have a hamburger at the original Chick-fil-A Dwarf House. I try to stay cool while car camping in the summer heat and try to ditch the summer crowds. I visit the World’s Largest Fork, the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, and the World’s Largest Small Appliance Museum in Missouri. In Kansas, I return to Castle Rock Badlands and Monument Rocks… This time I learn how to see cleary… and I also realize how much I love my life, my van, and getting older. Life is good. ❤️❤️❤️
New Smyrna Beach Again. I explored two more great places, and no rain! I walked the boardwalk at Smyrna Dunes Park – beautiful spot to walk and explore. Then I made my way to Canaveral National Seashore, where I walked another boardwalk that led to amazing views, I kicked off my shoes and walked the beach, and then I discovered a nude beach. I’m always up for a challenge… but sometimes I fail. Or did I?
Introvert traveler in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and conquering my fear of heights. I made it to Cruger-dePeyster Sugar Mill Ruins, Old Fort Park, and I challenged myself at the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. Once the rain started, I made my way to Boondocks for a late lunch. The rain was off and on, but it kept coming. I’m looking forward to part 2!
I’m vulnerable at the end of this one… On my road trip to Florida, I worked out in my van, a trucker gave me his shower, and I let the tick fears win and skipped hiking in the woods.
Still wanting to stay on track with fitness, I stopped at several rest stops to work on 10K steps.
I missed my exit for primitive camping and was too late to see Bonnie & Clyde Museum and the Duck Dynasty Duck Commander Museum. Besides the rainy weather, I also found out I had no place to stay in Florida.
As an introvert, I needed a little space at a rest stop, but it seemed people wanted to be close to me.
Sounds like I had a bad road trip, but it was wonderful. I love to just go with the flow…
Hiking and exploring Volcano Capulin in New Mexico and I’m trying to get back on track with fitness–10K steps by sundown… stopping a few other places on my road trip to Florida.
I removed the rear seats in my van, and when I was ready to put everything back, my van was dead. I managed to reorganize my gear and get things started again, but I’m still unsure if I have bigger issues.
In this solo road trip vlog, I explore Horseshoe Bend & Four corners, but it was Monument Valley where I found the solitude I was searching for.
I did some car camping in my no build minivan camper, hiked the Toadstool Hoodoos, and tried to stay warm at night. My favorite part was solo hiking the Wildcat Trail in Monument Valley with wild horses and the desire to get lost.
If you enjoy solo travel, van life, or just the idea of doing life your own way, you’ll probably feel at home here.
✦ My Van Life Lesson: When things are not working out, keep pushing. Keep going.
I visited Horseshoe Bend, Toadstool Hoodoos, Monument Valley, and Four Corners. What an amazing adventure! I did some car camping, solo hiking, tried to avoid crowds, and struggled to find a place to sleep. I’m still searching for something, but I’m no longer trying to figure out my next chaper… because I’m already in it‐‐ Traveling in my van exploring this beautiful USA.