31 Comments
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Jenny Weis's avatar

It’s so fun to read about your adventures and misadventures, Liz! Thank you for sharing the good and the bad so beautifully.

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

Thanks for reading, Jenny! I’m glad I could bring you along. 😄

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Brenna's avatar

Woah. That is a major solo van trip. Congrats Liz !!! 👏🏻 it’s a lot to manage on your own.

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

Thanks Brenna, it IS a lot. But I did it! 🏆

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Ellen Bie's avatar

I admire your courage traveling alone. Love the photos of your dogs and the whale diving video. Keep on going!!☀️

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

Thanks Ellen! That family of humpback whales breaching off the southern tip of Cabo was unbelievable. We were on a private sunset cruise, with the famed El Arco behind us and a giant cruise ship passing by as these whales jumped and slapped over and over. It was pure magic!

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jack sherman's avatar

Your trip sounds familiar. My then-girlfriend and I drove down from SF in 1996 for a three-week trip in my pickup truck, which had two kayaks, camping gear, etc. And our trip was about 50/50 fine and not-so-fine.

Thanks for the emotional honesty. (I'd keep your house BTW. Unsolicited advice! As we age--these trips become much more difficult. We went at age 35. Now at age 65? no way!)

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

That sounds like an adventure, Jack! And I do worry about giving up the security of owning a home, and what would happen if I can no longer travel due to age or health concerns (which could come up any time). I appreciate your advice!

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jack sherman's avatar

Your trip brings back many memories of my many long trips during the winter months. I have no regrets. As Helen Keller wrote, "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." The security of staying home can become a prison of sorts, especially now, after weeks of rain here in Maine! Glad you made it back safely.

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Robin Motzer's avatar

Hi Liz:

I work on the road, including AZ and CA, and appreciate your openness about the trials and tribulations. I'm empathetic with trauma, and relate to "museum" metaphor, too.

Cheers to you and stop by Wildlands and say hello!

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

Thanks Robin! I’d love to hear more about your work. Where is Wildlands?

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Robin Motzer's avatar

I’m nomadic. Southern AZ and Southern CA and work in OK and OH and growing my work, pun intended. Native pollinator and food gardens in parks and schools, art in gardens, STEAM events, classes, workshops, retreats and an info-packed newsletter called Wildlands.

Join us on May 28, noon-1:30 pm for “The Calm Project”- we calm, connect and create- details in my newsletter.

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

That sounds fantastic, Robin!

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Robin Motzer's avatar

Please join us, we had a powerful 1st meeting. May 28 will be our 2nd meeting. It's word of mouth and you'll love it.

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Robin Motzer's avatar

Thank you, Liz. Like a fine wine...Many years in the making. I live my dream job.

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Evie's avatar

Just found you in my feed. I love hearing about van life travels. Sorry Baja was such an up and down time.

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

Awesome Evie, thanks so much for subscribing! Have you been on the road before? 😄

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Evie's avatar

A long time ago but it was a very freeing experience - to sell everything and own only what was in our van. Alas, it was only for two weeks when I left PA and went to TX. At at the time I had only a vague plan to find work when I got there and those two weeks of living in the van were glorious.

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

Well it’s never too late to hit the road again! 😉

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Alyson Archibeque's avatar

Oh myyyy your pictures. 😍

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

Thanks Alyson! It took me an entire day to scroll through thousands of Baja pictures and pick a few highlights, so I’m glad you appreciated them. 🥰

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Joyce Cox's avatar

Wow! You are a brave woman! I am envious!

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

Thank you, Joyce! It was quite the adventure.

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Yvonne Gerner's avatar

Absolutely amazing! I hope you can make it work to be on the road with your husband full time. And thank you for sharing the struggles. Most people present van life in this very romantic way...

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

Agreed! As always, the internet sanitizes everything. It makes me wonder if I’m doing it wrong, or just very unlucky? 😂

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Elaine Rentz Art's avatar

That must’ve been amazing! What a gift to witness it all Liz! Thank you for sharing

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

I had so many incredible experiences, Elaine! It was truly a gift. ☺️

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Jan's avatar

I just found you in my feed while looking for Tom Ryan and his travels across the US with his two dogs.

I’m enjoying your writing too. The Baja Peninsula is one of my favorite places on earth, mostly seen by sailboat, kayak and on foot. Thanks for your descriptive and emotive writing, and photos! I felt I was with you.

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

Thanks for reading, Jan! I love Tom Ryan’s writing, too. I left for my trip a week before he started his coddiwomple!

I would love to hear about your experiences in Baja. Did you live aboard a sailboat?

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Wow! What an adventure-renewal-rebirth! Baja gave you the full monty, Liz. Felicidades!

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Andrew Dent's avatar

As an ex-vanlifer, I can confirm that Starlink is a game changer solely for peace of mind in case of emergencies. Baja is a spot I always wanted to visit but never pulled the trigger. Loved this post and a good reminder that the ups and downs are built into the lifestyle 🤙🏼

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