So, some of you may know that I am a bit into the witchy woo. I try to draw a tarot card each day and live by basic standards of the Rule of Threefold. I also would say that I believe in possibilities... in all things, including the energies in the world.

This leads me to the big question for today: WHAT THE F$%# IS WRONG WITH MY "SENSOR" ENERGY???!!!

There I was, ready for a 10 day journey from Bend to Atlanta, seeing all the northern states I haven't yet seen. I get in #Persephonevan, ready to go.... and a warning goes off: Transmission Not in Park, select P

No appointments at any Ford Dealers in Oregon.... :(

Instead of going to Zion and all the rest, I had to figure where I could be in 4 days time (the next Monday): Kansas City. So, made an appointment and headed on the road! I know it will be covered by the warranty but I am super irritated. This is the reality of #vanlife... It's a lot of repairs, even with a new van! Hours and Hours of driving through boring landscapes alone...

So, now I am trying to figure out WTF is wrong with my sensor energy.

KC Ford folks told me it's two door sensors, so it thinks the doors are open. It's fine to drive, but the part is on 30 days back order... :(

After doing as much as possible in the Bay Area, I headed north to see my mom and her partner in Bend, OR. Was so nice to see the beautiful Oregon scenery and catch up with my mama!

Also, got to finish the build! My mom helped me to finish the kitchen and then I added my "Living Donor" decal, making it official!

Also, I got my unicorn army ready in case I need them! Persephone and I are officially ready for #vanlife!

Well after many weeks in MI, I swung through Wisconsin for my friend’s wedding and then hustled back to CA to register #persephonevan

Being back in Cali was amazing and magical and full of unexpected fun. I honestly didn’t want to leave and have been thinking about returning for the winter.

Huge thanks to Meek of a Guy and His Van and Dawn of the Dawn of Vanlife for hanging and teaching me the ways of urban van life!!! Also all my friends who hung out! So much sweet fun!

Well after 9 days of work in Lansing, 1 day in SF and 1 day in Bend, I am done converting #persephonevan!

I used Gnomadhome for most of it. I found their guide super easy to understand. I used a borrowed drill, and then a jig saw, saw horses and a ladder from East Lansing tool library. Tool libraries rock!!! I still have to add up all my costs, but I believe I was around $3500.

Huge thanks to my friend A in Lansing who supported me and let me stay at her place! Also, Meek from a Guy and his van for helping with the kitchen! And my mom for helping with the final touches!

First, I installed the solar (I hate heights so thanks to A and her friend Ashley for watching me and encouraging me on the roof!!)

Women's land made me who I am.

Women's land felt different this year. I am trying not to over analyze that... It still felt so sweet and fulfilling to have this time with #Medusavan before we say goodbye.

Hello random two folks who read this and already know all this because you follow me on social media!

So, I got a new (to me) van!

I went to Lansing where a close friend lives... She is going thru a messy divorce and could use some suppertive company... and I could use a parking lot in which to convert a van, so, it all worked out! She has kitties...

so you know I was in heaven!

And just a sweet relaxed time. So we decided to go get me a new van!

meet Persephone!

I spent so many days there converting Persephone and intermittently going to women's festivals!

I made it to chicago without stopping on the freeway at random.

Yay!

Chicago was sweet and easy. Different than a few years ago when I decided to pretend I was a 20 something newly put dyke.

I stayed in a sweet Airbnb that had a kitty.

I had a couple of great connections full of random drinks and adventures.

and I got to see the Bean!

all in all. The Chi is still on my short list of cities to have a sweet love affair in... or with.

So Weebly changed how they calculate visitors, so any delusions I had that anyone is reading this are gone. It’s probably just me checking my stats and maybe a stray random who accidentally stumbles on it.

Been thinking about love on the road thing again. Isn’t the first post and won’t be the last. Will definitely be completely aimless and without central idea.

Do blogs even need central ideas?

recently got turned on to Ira Wolf by the Women on the Road podcast. Perfect combo of a woman’s voice, a bit emo, and van life. I particularly love this song: Sunscreen

​A few years ago, I dated a woman who said I was difficult. The subtext was clear- I’m difficult to love. As someone else said once- I’m problematic. To her credit, the “problematic” one regrets it always. It’s one of the only thing she remembers about our relationship but she still regrets it.

“I just want someone to try...” and yeah. That.

I want to find someone to do this crazy van life and jet life with me. Travel is the goal. But in reality most folks are complaisant. Or they are in van life for the easy exit. I’m in it for the travel opportunities. I’d rather spend my money on living rather than rent.

I guess were are all just in our own worlds. You do you. I do me.

But

​https://youtu.be/ixC6Qyez6J0

See you on the road folks.

Well. I’m pretty frustrated. Rolled out of Arkansas headed to St. Louis. I felt Medusa slipping again and then she shut down (like she ran out of gas) on the freeway going 65. That was awesome.

So I made it to St. Louis and I left her there for a rental (again) to Madison.

Madison was fun!

National Women’s Music Fest wasn’t my crowd but still connected with some women and saw Lisa Vogel speak which was.... everything

My birthday was, as usual, lonely. But. Ya know. Maybe one day I will find my person who gives a F more about my bday than all that the 4th of July is to them.

Went to the Mustard Museum, which was weird AF, and connected with Old old old friends and newer friends.

Rolled back to St Louis and went to the mechanic.

this time it was diagnosed as the Manifold Air Pressure Sensor. $200.

Pedicure and grading while I waited.

Rolled out to The Chi, hoping it might make it one fucking trip without breaking.

So I rolled into a camp ground in Hot Springs National Park and got the last spot! It wasn’t flat but we make it work! Cooked food; drank wine; organized #Medusavan for the first time since Austin! It was GREAT!!

^^^ my chair from Art By Mags is so perfect!!

second day I get up and make a yummy breakfast! And then start #Medusavan to go to the pools in town and.... no air. Like none. No air at all.

Determined to make the best of it, I go to town (cried to my mom for a bit) and go to the pools and for some ice cream. When running back to the van in the pouring rain, I dropped my phone and it fully broke.

so with my last 24% battery life I went to Verizon and got a new phone

[on a side note, if I met you after January, I no longer have your number]

on on a positive note, the Verizon folks were awesome! They gave me mechanic ideas; tourism ideas and were excellent therapists!

New phone in tow, I went to mechanic number 8 (!!!!) and guess what!!??? It was just a fuse! $56 to clean the rust from
my fuse box! Yay! On my way!!!

^^ Cora’s tour of American Mechanics. So far, this was the best waiting room....

so I took this unexpected time and went to the Garvan Woodland Gardens which was truly spectacular and everything I needed!