In the event you subscribe to my weekly newsletters, I at all times share a fast private replace in my introduction.
Writing these few paragraphs each week is considered one of my favourite elements of my job. It provides me an opportunity to share somewhat extra about myself so I can join with you on a deeper degree.
Since I’ve a lot enjoyable with the newsletters, I believed I’d develop on that by writing a month-to-month life replace right here on the weblog to see the way you all prefer it.
So welcome to the primary weblog put up of its type!
Once I learn different web sites, I’m at all times interested in who’s behind the pc. But through the years, I’ve been so centered on creating google pleasant content material, my weblog has turn out to be much less private in comparison with once I first began.
These updates might be somewhat journey, somewhat van life, some vegan eats, and extra private than what I’m used to sharing in a typical weblog put up. There might be numerous unfiltered candid iPhone pictures and fewer of the polished stuff you see elsewhere on my weblog and social media. I’ll additionally share some behind the scenes enterprise stuff of what it takes to run a weblog.
Okay, so I’ll get proper to it. Let me know within the feedback on the finish if you wish to see extra of some of these updates!
First Month Down doing Van Life with our Child
We left Salt Lake Metropolis on June sixth with our 4 month previous child in tow for the good unknown. Two months in the past I’d have mentioned there’s no means in hell I’d be prepared on June sixth to do van life with our child, however right here we’re.
Regardless that it sounded exhausting, I used to be so able to get off my sofa, flip off the television and begin getting some contemporary air once more.
Now practically a month later, I’ll say it’s positively not been straightforward, however I’m very proud of our choice to take the danger and go.
Portland, Oregon
After what felt like weeks of packing to get the van dialed with all the new child gear, it began off with a protracted drive to Portland which we did over two days. In hindsight, making an attempt to cowl 14 hours in two days proper off the bat was bold.
Seems Herbie (which is his pen title by the way in which) hates being within the backseat by himself. Meaning if he’s not asleep, considered one of us principally has to face again there and maintain his hand till he dozes off once more.
Clearly that’s not the most secure, nor can we anticipate him to nap 7 hours a day. So now we’re making an attempt to time our driving along with his naps and scale back complete every day distance to what we will cowl in 2-3 hours max (which can also be essentially the most infants are purported to be in a automotive seat in at some point).
As soon as we bought to Portland, we checked into somewhat Airbnb and dropped my van off with Exterior Van, the corporate that constructed my van, to get some work achieved.
Between the infant and the boot Ryan was sporting on the time on account of a damaged ankle, we have been fairly motionless in Portland. We did eat some yummy vegan meals there although.
A few of my favourite spots have been Jet Black for espresso and superb vegan breakfast sandwiches, Pink Magic Subs for lunch (the cran deluxe was my fav), and Norah for tremendous yummy Asian-inspired delicacies.
My van repairs have been wrapped up simply in time for me to point out off of my van at Exterior Van’s open Home at their new facility. They’re beginning to construct mannequin vans that you simply’ll be capable of purchase off the lot at RV dealerships across the nation, and the ability was spectacular to say the least.
Whereas in Portland I additionally I *lastly* bought my customized Inhabit Designs flooring mats made and put in in my Sprinter Van. With each van I’ve had, I’ve struggled with conserving the flooring trying good and clear, it doesn’t matter what sort of van flooring I’ve had.
I’ve had the mats for a couple of weeks now, and I can confidently say that they’re the very best improve I’ve ever gotten in considered one of my vans. I want I had achieved it in my final van too! They’re really easy to scrub, cover filth exceptionally effectively, and improve the entire vibe of the van.
Tacoma, Washington
Whereas visiting Portland we additionally took somewhat facet journey as much as Tacoma the place I spent a couple of days with three of my closest faculty girlfriends and their households.
I went to varsity in Tacoma at College of Puget Sound, and I’m at all times shocked about how cool Tacoma is nowadays in comparison with what it was like 20(!!!) years in the past. My good friend Maria had a flat place for us to park which labored out nice since we at all times favor to sleep in our van when visiting folks on the highway.
We encountered our first hiccup of our journey in Tacoma, which surprisingly didn’t contain the infant. As a substitute our canine Charlie ingested a bunch of sand from my good friend’s kiddo’s sandbox, bought very shaky and nauseous, and I needed to rush him to the doggie ER when he seemed to be having some bother respiratory. Thank god he was okay, however he ended up having to spend the evening. A $2500 invoice later, we have been on our means.
Sidenote: I’ve Embrace pet insurance coverage for each our canines which I bought final 12 months. In Charlie’s case, it’s positively paid for itself, and it lined his total keep. It actually provides me peace of thoughts that I’ll by no means should decide about their well being based mostly on cash.
Lengthy Seaside, Washington
Subsequent we cruised as much as Lengthy Seaside, the place we spent three nights at a RV park referred to as Lamp Camp with my dad and mom. Our midweek keep was tremendous quiet and our spot was a fast 5 minute stroll to the seashore by way of the dunes.
We usually don’t keep at RV Parks, however my dad and mom wanted hookups and we had a surprisingly nice keep. With the infant we’re additionally realizing that spending numerous time trying to find free dispersed campsites isn’t actually an choice proper now. We are able to’t be driving half-hour down a bumpy filth highway solely to seek out out that the spot we discovered on iOverlander is taken or the location isn’t large/flat sufficient.
Meaning we’ve been staying in much more paid campgrounds that we’re usually used to. Regardless of the added expense, I haven’t actually minded to be sincere. In spite of everything, this entire expertise is about studying to journey with our child, so the necessity for epic secluded campsites has actually taken a again seat. The truth is, I may care much less the place we camp…so long as the infant is blissful, so are we.
Having the additional facilities like potable water hookups and bogs has additionally made our life simpler, and it’s been enjoyable to see and meet different tenting households alongside the way in which. One other perk of staying in official campgrounds I really feel like we will go away our gear out (like our Veer Basecamp tent for the infant) with out worrying about it getting stolen.
Olympic Peninsula, Washington
After Lengthy Seaside, we took three days to make our means as much as Port Angeles. We spent two nights at considered one of my favourite campgrounds – South Seaside Campground, a primary come first serve campground in Olympic Nationwide Park.
We love South Seaside campground a lot we stayed for 2 weeks in 2021. Assume beachfront campsites with whales spouting off shore, otters enjoying within the surf and miles of big canine pleasant seashores. The websites aren’t very personal however the vibes are very chill right here.
Our journey on the Olympic Peninsula was fairly brief, however in the event you’re searching for extra suggestions, be sure to take a look at our Olympic Nationwide Park highway journey itinerary.
The purpose of all this driving was to lastly make it to Port Angeles the place we caught the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria on Vancouver Island.
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is a extremely vibrant metropolis with gorgeous views, ornate previous buildings and wonderful vegan meals. After all there’s nightlife too, however seeing our bedtime is 9pm nowadays, we didn’t partake in that scene.
Our favourite meal was from a spot referred to as Be Love, and the vegan ice cream at Virtuous Pie was to die for….I imply so good that I discovered somebody to donate my extra breastmilk to so we may make room for 4 pints in our van freezer.
Victoria can also be very dog-friendly with numerous nice parks, like Beacon Hill and Clover Level Park.
The world well-known Butchart Gardens can also be completely price visiting. I’ve by no means seen such lovely flowers. For the very best expertise, I like to recommend being there at 9am to beat the crowds and the summer time warmth.
Talking of gardens, the highlights of our time in Victoria was spending time with two buddies of mine – Duane and Silvia – that I met again in 2017 at Lake O’Hara. I used to be touring solo on the time and ended up spending 4 days mountain climbing and tenting with them in one of the lovely locations within the Canadian Rockies.
I’ve been desirous to reconnect with them ever since, and so they have been a giant impetus for me desirous to journey to Vancouver Island.
The 7 days we spent camped in entrance of their home have been stuffed with nice dialog, scrumptious home-cooked meals, and enjoyable time spent of their attractive yard backyard.
We wrapped up June at Juan de Fuca Provincial Park the place we snagged a campsite at China Seaside Campground. The campsites have been very nice…ours was large and really personal.
Proper from our campsite we have been in a position to do a pleasant easy-ish hike to Second Seaside. I say easy-ish as a result of I’m front-carrying a 17 pound child after 5 months of little or no train. It feels about 10 occasions tougher than mountain climbing pre-pregnancy!
One useful factor I just lately found was that I can breastfeed him in my Blissful Child service. He hasn’t at all times been too stoked to be within the service, but when we will hike with my boob in his mouth, he’s blissful as a clam.
We’re excited to see what the subsequent month has in retailer for us as we journey round Vancouver Island.
Ultimate Ideas about Touring with the Child
General touring with the infant has been smoother than I anticipated. I’ll say he’s often a very good little sleeper, and I’m undecided I’d be as excited to be out right here if that weren’t the case. Even one evening of unhealthy sleep has me questioning what I’m doing out right here.
We’re additionally studying to regulate our expectations of what we will do in a day.
Our morning routine is working 2-3 hours lengthy between feeding the infant, feeding ourselves, diaper modifications, getting the van prepared for the day, washing pump elements, and caring for the canines. It’s quite a bit, and generally I’m drained earlier than we even get going.
Our nighttime routine has different challenges. He sleeps in a conveyable journey crib (the Bugaboo Stardust) that, whereas compact, nonetheless takes up a very good chunk of our residing house.
Whereas Ryan places the infant to mattress, I pump breastmilk so we’ve somewhat further for once we need to give him a bottle. This all has to occur with the lights off and with out making noise.
The primary few days have been fairly irritating, however we’re lastly determining methods to make this entire course of go smoother.
With all that mentioned, I do know all the challenges that include doing van life with an toddler might be price it. He’s already turning into a lot extra conscious of his environment, and I really like watching his eyes get broad as he appears up on the tall bushes round our van or the waves crashing on the shore. Time feels actually fleeting with how briskly he’s rising, so I’m grateful we get to make these reminiscences collectively.
My Enterprise Life
My running a blog anniversary
I had my 9 12 months running a blog anniversary in June! That sounds so surreal to say it out loud. There have been so many occasions in my early years that I second guessed myself and began questioning whether or not or not I wanted to leap again into my previous profession path.
Nicely I caught it out even in these robust stretches, and within the final 12 months over 2.3 million folks visited my web site!
I’m so pleased with what I’ve achieved and the truth that my web site has helped so many individuals construct confidence within the outdoor or take a leap into van life.
Simply you studying this makes you an necessary a part of my journey, so thanks for the assist.
The Rise of AI
You’ve in all probability been listening to all concerning the rise of AI even in the event you haven’t tried out the know-how your self. It’s all bloggers are speaking about nowadays, and it poses a variety of dangers in addition to alternatives to folks like me.
Chat-GPT can actually spit out a weblog put up within the matter of seconds. After all, that weblog put up copied and printed could also be riddled with errors, lacks an genuine and private standpoint, and admittedly is the direct results of plagiarism.
Sadly, there are bloggers utilizing this know-how to jot down articles about subjects they don’t have any data of with a view to generate income. The hazard of that is that you’re going to should be extra cautious about the place you get your info if you’d like it to be reliable.
Google can also be beginning to roll out a brand new search outcomes web page that includes AI within the search outcomes so customers are much less more likely to click on by way of to learn precise articles.
All of this impacts our backside line, and plenty of bloggers are already creating an exit technique as a result of they imagine the writing is on the wall.
Nicely, I really like my job and it might take one thing catastrophic for me to think about a profession change. I additionally see how AI can assist streamline the extra mundane elements of my enterprise.
Nevertheless, I’d be mendacity if I mentioned I wasn’t the slightest bit involved about what this all means for me and my chosen profession path.
I share this as a result of it’s extra necessary than ever to emphasise that the content material we share on Bearfoot Concept is written by actual folks (me, my workforce, and our extremely vetted visitor authors).
You’ll be able to depend on us to share genuine recommendation based mostly on the issues we’ve achieved, locations we’ve been, and what we’ve realized alongside the way in which.
Additionally please know that anytime you click on by way of to considered one of our articles, have interaction with me on social media or open my emails, you’re serving to assist my mission to get folks outdoors the place they will develop a deeper reference to nature.
Open Roads Fest
You may know that I made a decision to place off Open Roads Fest this summer time as a result of child. Organizing Open Roads requires me to be glued to my laptop 24/7 for a number of months main as much as the occasion, and that didn’t appear per my want to be current with my son and ease into my new life as a mother.
Nevertheless, I’m feeling referred to as to do the occasion once more subsequent summer time and have been chatting with the land proprietor to safe some dates in July. So keep tuned for an announcement about Open Roads Fest 2024!
Nicely that wraps up every little thing that’s been happening with me for the final month. In the event you loved this life replace, let me know within the feedback that you really want me to maintain doing them!
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