Our journey has been nothing short of remarkable, from sleeping at Cracker Barrels and Walmart parking lots to forest trail roads in Sedona, and secluded desert canyons in Death Valley and beyond. I wrote this post looking back at my final weeks on the road after I'd embarked on my first real taste of van life. All of these experiences took place after COVID-19, some happened before it was declared a mass-scale pandemic, and the rest happened after the lockdowns started.
Arriving in Sedona was like stepping into a photographer's dream. We wasted no time and headed straight to Red Rock State Park to catch the sunset. The iconic red rocks bathed in the warm hues of the evening sun made for breathtaking shots. Afterward, we looked for a place to park and sleep, discovering a peaceful forest service road just ten minutes from town.
Morning found us at our spot, Forestry Road 525. While there, we found a minor leak in the P-trap under our sink. Determined, we dried it up and attempted a fix. With our home-on-wheels in order, we set out to explore the town, visiting stores and a thrift shop. Grocery shopping at Bashas' finally refilled our pantry, and we enjoyed a simple meal of noodles with pasta sauce.
Our day's adventure led us to attempt hiking up to Devil's Bridge. The two-mile hike, though challenging, promised rewards at the top. Unfortunately, we’d underestimated the time, arriving at sunset, but this only added to the thrill. We didn't reach the bridge but savored the climb and the moon's subtle glow that guided us back. Ready to return at sunrise for another attempt at the bridge. We spent the night next to the fire station in town.
Determined to finally conquer Devil's Bridge, we awoke at 5:30 AM for a sunrise hike. Equipped with headlamps, we embarked on the two-mile ascent. Our timing was perfect; we reached the bridge just as the first rays of sunlight reached it. The natural wonder left us in awe with its panoramic views. Sharing the experience with fellow hikers, we captured the moment with countless photos.
The next morning we met up with Jess, a fellow vanlifer whose path finally crossed with our travels. We exchanged stories and tips about van life, leaving us with a sense of community on the road. Sedonuts offered us a treat in the form of Bearclaws, a delicious first-time treat.
Nights in town found us at Snap Fitness, where we could take warm showers, and then returned to our familiar spot near the fire station. Days were spent editing photos, shooting, and exploring. We even discovered a gallery with captivating photographs and heard stories of photography tours in Italy, tempered by the looming shadow of COVID.
On one of our days in town, we decided to relax, immersing ourselves in the van's comforts. Music played as we spent hours editing photos, eventually creating a playlist of these songs and a Lightroom preset dedicated to my time in Sedona. Later that day, we ventured out to hike Soldier's Pass and crossed paths with a photographer capturing the Seven Sacred Pools during sunset.
As our time in Sedona drew to a close we decided to venture out one last time to Seven Sacred Pools. We filled our water tank at the Chocolatree's artesian spring and met Kim, a seasoned traveler who shared her insights into van life and her disappointment with recent Airstream manufacturing.
As we left Sedona, we embarked on a journey across California, navigating through San Diego, Los Angeles, and beyond. The world outside was changing rapidly due to the pandemic, and our travels adapted accordingly.
In our ongoing adventure, we bid California farewell. Our path led us through Annie's Canyon, and we spent a night in the no-longer bustling city of Los Angeles. Morning found us at the Donut Hut, a sweet reminder of our past road trip in my Camry. Our next destination was Sequoia National Park, but our plans were halted when we discovered it was closed on the day we arrived. En route, Grimes Canyon had caught our eye, with its winding roads that promised excellent opportunities for night photography, but we weren't able to return for said night photography.
Our journey then took us eastward to Death Valley, where we immersed ourselves in the park for nearly a week. The adventure began just outside the park in Nevada, and we soon discovered Echo Canyon Road on iOverlander, a spot that captured our hearts. In this remote location, we adapted to outdoor living, showering with an Arizona iced tea jug and spending our days hiking and relaxing in the van. When our supplies dwindled, we replenished them at the Chevron in Furnace Creek.
With our resources running low and a desire to return home, we set our sights further east. Our parents, more concerned about COVID than we were, wished for our prompt return. Our journey continued through Nevada, where we found a fantastic camp spot in the Mountain Springs Rec Area. Armed with a hatchet, we gathered wood for nightly bonfires, sharing the space with fellow campers.
Our travels then took us through Las Vegas for essentials before returning to our camp spot. We secured water in Blue Diamond, marking our final outdoor shower. Next, we ventured into Utah and spent a night in Virgin, near Zion National Park, enjoying another campfire evening.
Our path led us through Page, Arizona, before reaching Monument Valley, where we spent the night and awoke to the sight of wild horses.
The journey continued to Colorado, where we found ourselves at a chilly 10,000+ feet above sea level near Vail. We explored Copper Mountain. Our adventure culminated in Boulder, where we spent a day at Boulder Mountain Park. As night fell, we decided to sleep near a rock climbing gym, recommended by a friend from the Milwaukee Makerspace.
When we awoke the next day, we set our sights on Denver and then straight home after. With a pitstop in the Paint Mines on the eastern half of the state. Once we finally arrived in Wisconsin we quarantined for two weeks and returned to our families and had to welcome a new kind of normal that was strange to all of us.
Our journey was a remarkable adventure, from the captivating landscapes of Sedona to the solitude of Death Valley, all against the backdrop of a changing world due to the pandemic. We learned to adapt, whether it was fixing van issues or embracing outdoor showers under the desert sun. Encounters with fellow travelers like Jess and Kim, along with memorable moments like trying bear claws in Sedona, enriched our experience. As we concluded this chapter and returned to a transformed world, we carried the lessons we'd learned on the road, the enduring memories, and the profound impact this period had on me, shaping my values and strengthening my resilience.
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