The Initial Plan
While I always reserve the right to change my mind, the initial plan for this road trip is to camp the vast majority of the time. I’m sure there will be nights I need a real bed, in which case I’ll gladly stay in a hotel or Airbnb, but otherwise I’m looking forward to exploring the various campgrounds along the way.
But I want to clarify, while I will have my tent and sleeping bag with me as backup, I’m actually planning to sleep in my car for most of the trip. It’ll be my first time doing so, so we’ll see how it goes, but I imagine this will be the superior option, particularly during cold, windy, sandy or dusty nights. Plus, not having to set up and break down a tent every day or two sounds lovely.
In addition to the normal camping necessities, I’ve outfitted my car with a memory foam mattress, flannel sheets, a comforter, multiple extra blankets, a system for properly ventilating the car so condensation doesn’t accumulate, and a complete set of custom-fit window covers for insulation, privacy and to (hopefully) deter theft when the car is left unattended.
Conveniently, I scored a used Yakima cargo box so I can store (and lock) a bunch of my gear on top of my car, creating more space for Rosie and I in the cab. Without this extra storage, my plan to sleep in the car would likely be off the table, as I'm not interested in shuffling a bunch of gear around just to create somewhere to sleep.
All of this will be a new experience for me, and although I already know I’ll make mistakes, I remain optimistic and am excited to learn how to improve this system for next time, because I have plenty more road trips in mind.
"Growth is often the result of trial and error, mistakes and learning, patience and perseverance." –Doe Zantamata
BONUS: I just finished a beautiful book called Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. I found it to be a really important reminder for how connected we humans are to nature (and vice versa), which can be so easy to forget in these modern times. I feel like this book came into my life at a perfect time, as I head off on my nature-focused road trip. Plus, one of my family members got honorable mention in the book (very exciting). If you’d like to read more about it, I’ve provided a link below.
