(not) just another kid in a van

Clifford, the big red van.

so it begins, a journey of unknown length, destination, means, or purpose.

“a journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step” — Lao Tzu

Or maybe it already began? Did it begin when my grandfather handed down his westy, or when I was a child and spent many summers camping on Vancouver Island in this van, or when the van was registered in my name, or when I finished installing my initial solar system or when I took off on a 4 day test run trip into the Sierras or after I spent 3 weeks resoldering my dash clusters and sensor wiring? Perhaps it started 5 years ago when I test drove an old vanagon but decided to buy a sailboat instead? Perhaps it started when I decided there should be a blog about it, to tell the story of this bizarre journey, of unknown beginnings, ends or means. It seems there was no real beginning.

Crater Lake at sunset, cause why not.

Without a clear starting point it’s hard to say what caused the adventure to be begin in the first place. Without a clear destination in mind it’s impossible to know when the journey will end. Thus, we are left simply with the present, a moment in time, a dot on the map, an infinitely small yet existing point on a line that started less than 28 years ago and will extend on for many more years to come.

What inspired this journey?

Sante, the intrepid explorer

A combination of forces, a persistent desire to travel engendered from a youth spent moving. An adolescence spent running outdoors on the trails and exploring the mountains. A fear of the effects of city life on friends & society, corrupted and souls inhabited by an infectious infatuation for wealth and possessions. A belief that something better could be found, something more meaningful, purposeful, something I could be proud of — each and every day.

What this journey is and is not:

• This journey is a test of my will, my patience, my persistence, my ability to focus and do my best work — without distractions or compromise.
• This journey is not a photography expedition (but if it helps tell a story, then so be it)
• This journey is about doing more by doing less.
• This journey is not about the van or the places, its about the effect, the impact and the relationships.
• This journey is about one day being able to let Sitka off leash 😅

Sitka, the furrball alusky.

May the forest be with you! — Sante, Sitka & Clifford

PS. I’m not a writer, but you already knew that. These posts will hopefully improve over time, in both technical detail and potentially inspiring verbiage.