From North to Coast: Our Weeklong Van Journey 🌲🚐☀️
We made it! After a week on the road, my husband Drew and I — along with our rockstar road-trippers Avo, Buster, and Maui — officially made it from our home in Minnesota to our condo in California!
This was our first big trip in our new Geotrek Sprinter van, and we decided to take the scenic route to truly embrace the experience of van life. Our stops along the way included:
📍 Buffalo, Wyoming
📍 Bozeman, Montana
📍 Prosser, Washington
📍 Newport, Oregon
📍 Humboldt County, California
📍 Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Every day had its own kind of magic: mountain views, roadside creeks, wildlife (Bison and Elk in Yellowstone!!), grapes on the vine, and plenty of quality time together (both the two-legged and four-legged travelers).
How We Kept It Sustainable 🌎
Living on the road made us extra aware of our resources — what we were using, what we were wasting, and how small changes really add up. Here’s how we tried to travel more mindfully:
✨ Reusable everything. We stocked the van with bamboo silverware + scrubbers, reusable plates, and napkins.
🧴 DIY cleaning kit. I made an all-purpose cleaning spray before we left and packed Swedish dishcloths and rags instead of paper towels.
🍳 Cooked in the van. Avoiding takeout meant we skipped a lot of single-use packaging. I prepped sandwich supplies and easy meals so we could whip up lunches or dinners without stress.
♻️ Sorted waste + recycling. We separated everything and dropped recyclables at public bins or at hotels where we stayed.
🔆 Powered by the sun. Our solar panels kept things running smoothly without needing to idle or plug in at all.
☕ Sipped sustainably. We brought our trusty stainless steel Miir mugs for coffee shop stops (though honestly, most mornings were Aeropress mornings in the van).
🚿 Watched our water use. It’s eye-opening how fast a small tank runs dry — a great reminder of how precious clean water really is.
Van Life Lessons + Tips
If you’re planning your own road trip or van adventure, here are a few takeaways that made our week extra memorable (and manageable):
🛣️ Be spontaneous. Most of our best memories came from last-minute “pull over!” moments: scenic overlooks, silly landmarks (hey there Wall Drug), unexpected views.
💬 Keep the conversation rolling. We used ChatGPT to come up with fun and deep conversation questions - highly recommend for long stretches on the road!
🚗 Switch drivers often. Trading off every 2–3 hours helped keep energy up and gave us both a chance to stretch, reset, and keep up with everyday life.
🍷 Join Harvest Hosts. It’s a total gem! For under $100/year, you can stay overnight at unlimited wineries, farms, and more.
💡 Pack a headlamp. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a lifesaver for early-morning or late-night pet walks.
🏨 Treat yourself. During colder months, a hotel stay every few nights for a hot shower and good stretch is worth it!
This trip was such an important reminder that slower travel (we both typically drive in the fast lane — that wasn’t an option in the van!) doesn’t have to mean giving anything up — if anything, it gave us more: more intention, more connection, and more appreciation for the small things as well as the beautiful world we live in.
Next stop: settling into sunny Carpinteria. 🌴
With less waste and lots of love,
Ali