Liz this is so beautiful! May you soak in the grace of the beautiful land, allowing it to seep into your soul and heal you from the inside out.
Your photos are great and also familiar. I grew up very close to Dawson Creek, BC (on the Alberta side), I'm further south now but still have all of those animals for my neighbors.
Today, 8/16, I saw you in your van at the car wash in Fairbanks while it was being washed by the driver. Your post sounds like you are traveling alone with your dogs, but apparently not. I am new to your site so I’m sure I’m missing the whole story.
Hi Debi, that is so cool that you saw us! I drove the van 5000 miles solo from New Hampshire to Alaska, and my husband flew to Fairbanks for two weeks to join me for our belated honeymoon. So when you saw us at the car wash, we had just returned from a couple days on the Dalton Highway and were washing off the mud! After he leaves, I will be traveling solo down the west coast through the fall and winter. You can get a bit of our backstory in my post “The End of the Road.” 😁
Thanks for sharing. Brings back memories of when we did that trip to Alaska. Sounds like you're having the best time ever! There will be lots more great things for you ahead.
Congratulations, girlfriend! Not sure if I'm jealous, awestruck, proud of you, vicariously a little anxious... Most likely all of the above and more. Sending you and that van (and, of course, your faithful traveling companions) all the best wishes and hopes for continued smooth sailing. Can't wait to read more!
Thank you, Sally! The hardest part has been finding time to write. There is just so much driving and so much to see and do and so little internet. Alaska feels like a marathon, but hopefully I will find time to chill out as I make my way down the West Coast. Thank you for following along, and for your kind words!
LIZ! I am a sponge when reading your poetic writing style, absorbing the beautiful way in which you string words together to create the most vivid experience for my eyes. My heart is so grateful we met those years ago in the business planning course. In the middle of writing my memoir, your personal journey is helping me to dive much deeper than I initially intended. My book will be all the richer thanks to your influence! Much love and safety on your big fat epic trip! Meggen
This is beautiful and it sounds like things are really good! I’m so happy for what you’ve already seen and experienced and excited for all the things you will heal and uncover. Write the book about this! I’d love to read it. You’re living my future dream life right now. My husband and I just went and looked at some vans a few weeks ago. We plan to be van traveling nomads in a few years experiencing as much nature as possible. Can’t wait to have that life and write like you are now! So proud of those 12 days and what you’re doing. Cheers to you and the pups!
Thank you CB; I’m excited for you exploring the van life too! I have so many notes already for the book. I’m just so busy living it I don’t know when I will find time to write it! But glad to know I would have at least one reader. I’m grateful for all your support! 😄
What a journey you are on! You are glowing in the pictures and the nature feels nourishing just looking at your blog! Be well! Be safe! You are so clearly where you are meant to be! I wish I had your courage!
Thank you so much, Deb! It’s been exciting to find something new around every bend in the road. I had plenty of anxiety leading up to the trip, mostly worried that the van wouldn’t make it or I wouldn’t be able to handle the driving on my own. All I can say is, you won’t know until you try! 😉
Your photos are stunning. I watch 'van life' videos on YouTube all the time ... The freedom is so appealing. Sounds like the most amazing trip 💕 and what a lovely way to capture the memories than here on Substack 🙏
Thank you so much, Emily! I wish I’d had more time to write while I was on the road. I’m hoping to start working on a memoir about my journey, so stay tuned! 😄
Gorgeous, Liz! I haven't yet read all your stories about what led to this adventure and about your trip home, but I will. I had to start with this one because my son moved from Arizona to Alaska last May and made this same drive, so I've added it to my "someday" list. It's hard to believe anywhere on Earth can be this beautiful. Looking forward to the rest of your stories!
He is living in Homer, south of Anchorage, on Kachemak Bay. We visited him in Sept and I fell in love with Alaska, even though we miss our son horribly. He had a local produce farm/chickens here and they are going to attempt to do that in Homer. His wife has a remote job and kept that, so that's their stability.
Loved reading about your adventures! Safe journeys!
Thank you, Pat! And thank you for being a part of my adventure! Seth and I have enjoyed our Saskatoon berry sauce on our pancakes this week. :)
Liz this is so beautiful! May you soak in the grace of the beautiful land, allowing it to seep into your soul and heal you from the inside out.
Your photos are great and also familiar. I grew up very close to Dawson Creek, BC (on the Alberta side), I'm further south now but still have all of those animals for my neighbors.
Safe travels.
What an incredible part of the world you live in, Donna! I need more time to explore BC!
Yes! Just not right now when it’s on fire.
😞
Today, 8/16, I saw you in your van at the car wash in Fairbanks while it was being washed by the driver. Your post sounds like you are traveling alone with your dogs, but apparently not. I am new to your site so I’m sure I’m missing the whole story.
Hi Debi, that is so cool that you saw us! I drove the van 5000 miles solo from New Hampshire to Alaska, and my husband flew to Fairbanks for two weeks to join me for our belated honeymoon. So when you saw us at the car wash, we had just returned from a couple days on the Dalton Highway and were washing off the mud! After he leaves, I will be traveling solo down the west coast through the fall and winter. You can get a bit of our backstory in my post “The End of the Road.” 😁
Thanks for sharing. Brings back memories of when we did that trip to Alaska. Sounds like you're having the best time ever! There will be lots more great things for you ahead.
It is the trip of a lifetime, for sure! There is so much to see and do… And so much driving! 😂
Congratulations, girlfriend! Not sure if I'm jealous, awestruck, proud of you, vicariously a little anxious... Most likely all of the above and more. Sending you and that van (and, of course, your faithful traveling companions) all the best wishes and hopes for continued smooth sailing. Can't wait to read more!
Thank you, Sally! The hardest part has been finding time to write. There is just so much driving and so much to see and do and so little internet. Alaska feels like a marathon, but hopefully I will find time to chill out as I make my way down the West Coast. Thank you for following along, and for your kind words!
LIZ! I am a sponge when reading your poetic writing style, absorbing the beautiful way in which you string words together to create the most vivid experience for my eyes. My heart is so grateful we met those years ago in the business planning course. In the middle of writing my memoir, your personal journey is helping me to dive much deeper than I initially intended. My book will be all the richer thanks to your influence! Much love and safety on your big fat epic trip! Meggen
Thank you, Meg, I appreciate your kind words! I’m so excited that you are writing your memoir. Have you thought about starting a Substack?
This is beautiful and it sounds like things are really good! I’m so happy for what you’ve already seen and experienced and excited for all the things you will heal and uncover. Write the book about this! I’d love to read it. You’re living my future dream life right now. My husband and I just went and looked at some vans a few weeks ago. We plan to be van traveling nomads in a few years experiencing as much nature as possible. Can’t wait to have that life and write like you are now! So proud of those 12 days and what you’re doing. Cheers to you and the pups!
Thank you CB; I’m excited for you exploring the van life too! I have so many notes already for the book. I’m just so busy living it I don’t know when I will find time to write it! But glad to know I would have at least one reader. I’m grateful for all your support! 😄
What a journey you are on! You are glowing in the pictures and the nature feels nourishing just looking at your blog! Be well! Be safe! You are so clearly where you are meant to be! I wish I had your courage!
Thank you so much, Deb! It’s been exciting to find something new around every bend in the road. I had plenty of anxiety leading up to the trip, mostly worried that the van wouldn’t make it or I wouldn’t be able to handle the driving on my own. All I can say is, you won’t know until you try! 😉
Your photos are stunning. I watch 'van life' videos on YouTube all the time ... The freedom is so appealing. Sounds like the most amazing trip 💕 and what a lovely way to capture the memories than here on Substack 🙏
Thank you so much, Emily! I wish I’d had more time to write while I was on the road. I’m hoping to start working on a memoir about my journey, so stay tuned! 😄
What a great idea!!! I will ☺️
Gorgeous, Liz! I haven't yet read all your stories about what led to this adventure and about your trip home, but I will. I had to start with this one because my son moved from Arizona to Alaska last May and made this same drive, so I've added it to my "someday" list. It's hard to believe anywhere on Earth can be this beautiful. Looking forward to the rest of your stories!
Oh that’s amazing, Cherie! Where in Alaska is your son living, and what does he do there?
He is living in Homer, south of Anchorage, on Kachemak Bay. We visited him in Sept and I fell in love with Alaska, even though we miss our son horribly. He had a local produce farm/chickens here and they are going to attempt to do that in Homer. His wife has a remote job and kept that, so that's their stability.