[Update: I got approved for a loan on the perfect van! It’s compact yet roomy enough for all my needs, easy to drive, and beautiful to boot. Signing the papers this afternoon and picking her up tomorrow. All I need now is to raise another few hundred to cover gas for the trip. Btw, I refigured what I need and lowered my goal from $2000 to $1000. If you feel called to help, here’s the link to donate via Paypal — and thank you!]
A few days ago my friend, Bob Wells, blogged that he’s planning an epic, month-long camping trip in October.
This is what my lifelong dream of traveling North America has always been about: to really experience the natural world, not just look at pretty pictures and watch documentaries about some of the planet’s most astonishing places.
Bob will be camping and hiking in near several national parks in Utah and parts of Colorado. He has invited fellow vandwellers to join him.
I want to go on this trip so bad I can taste it — and I want to share it with you
If you’ve been dreaming of a trip like this, seeing these incredible natural wonders close up, but you’ve got a job or kids in school—or you just don’t want to rough it—I will give you a ringside seat.
Every day, I will be learning, facing the unknown, dealing with uncertainty and discomfort.
And I’ll be taking you along for the ride
Imagine coming home from work and instead of turning on the tube, you open up your email and there is a dispatch from the wild, thistles and all.
Maybe it’s an mp3 of the sound of the wind whispering in the pines (did you know it sounds exactly like cars on a freeway? Think of that next time you’re commuting.)
Maybe it’s a video of my latest, breathless hike through a beautiful mountain pass.
Or just a quick email sharing some epiphany that hit me in the darkness under the stars.
I have no clue what’s going to happen, but I can tell you this: it’s going to be one hell of a ride.
Not long ago, it finally hit me: I don’t have any more time to waste. I need to get going soon or it may be too late.
So I decided to do it.
The plan is to buy a van and go on the road, hiking, kayaking, climbing, swimming, and adventuring—getting fitter, healthier, and happier as I go.
I see it as an extended writer’s retreat, too. I will write of my travels and work on the memoir I’ve also been putting off all my life.
Come with me
The trip starts on Oct. 1st has already begun. I will join Bob and the others in a few days.
Spending time and money on a Kickstarter campaign, strategy, and execution feels like one more reason to keep planning and sitting at home vs. doing. And honestly, I feel like I’ve been in planning mode my whole life. I can’t let that be the next step any more.
So I’m doing the Complete Flake Adventure version of a crowd-sourced campaign to get me out of the house and on the road.
Will you come?
This is a bargain chance to go on an adventure, [LaVonne does] the ground work & [you] share in it by supporting the adventure with resources & interactions & participation. A very inexpensive & convenient way to travel! ~Stacy Goldring
FAQ
What do you need?
On the right is a quick list of what I estimated it will cost with a bit of luxury (like solar panels) but I can do without luxury. I’ve found the van and thanks to your help will pick it up in a few hours. Now, I can get on the road for just a few more dollars for gas.- When do you need it?
As soon as possible. I will need a few days to set up the van for living and load it up. I hope to be on the road by Oct. 7th or so, and meet my friends along the way. - You don’t mention camping fees, food, or gas on that list.
Right. That’s because we’ll be camping for free in national parks and BLM land the entire trip, and if I raise enough to buy the van and pay for gas, I will cover the cost of food myself. - But the national parks are closed because of the government shutdown!
Here’s what my friend Bob, who is leading the ‘expedition,’ says about that: “…we are moving slow and we won’t be to Moab for at least a week, probably more. And there is so much to see and do at Moab that I’m not too concerned about getting into those places. I’m a month away from Zion and I’m sure it will be over by then.” #fingerscrossed - What if your van breaks down?
Lord help me! Seriously, let’s make that a stretch goal. If we meet the first goal of $[therm_t], I’d like to shoot for another $500 in case of emergencies. 
Where will you go?
This trip will include some of America’s most breathtaking scenery: Utah’s Monument Valley (where many old westerns were made) and Valley of the Gods, Moab, Bryce Canyon, and Zion, as well as some of the most gorgeous towns anywhere: Ouray and Silverton, Colorado. Here’s a map of the itinerary (click to enlarge):- How long will you be gone?
The trip is planned for the entire month of October and may extend into November, depending on the weather. The Farmer’s Almanac says it’s going to be an early, hard winter, so we’ll need to keep an eye on the weather. We don’t want to get snowed in! - I live near there! Will you visit me?
Love to, if I can! Shoot me an email at bornfamous at gmail and we’ll try to work something out. - Are you sure you’re up for this?
Haha! No. But that’s the fun of it, right? I am old, fat, and out of shape. I can change two of those, and I expect this trip to give me a jumpstart on the other. There will be hikes every day, many of them longer and tougher than I will be capable of completing at first, but by the end I plan to keep up with the rest of the group–and maybe even pass a few. - How will you live?
Very simply. I will have a couple of coolers for food, a camp stove, a pot, a bowl, a cup, and one of each utensil. I will try hard to maintain my currently healthy diet of fresh, organic veggies, nuts, and a bit of chicken or fish when I can buy them locally. I won’t have my blender, though, so no green smoothies. 🙁 I definitely plan to take off more pounds (I’ve lost 30 so far!) - What about—you know?
Huh? Oh, you mean pee and poo! I learned a lot about how to deal with that on my last camping trip, so I don’t expect it to be a big problem. I will bring my Luggable Loo (toilet seat clipped onto a 5-gal. bucket) and a Big Gulp cup. I’ll let you guess what goes where. - Will you be online during the trip?
Probably not, except when I’m able to connect during stops in towns along the way. All of the camping spots are basically off the grid. So you won’t see me on Facebook, but I’ll send dispatches whenever I can connect! - What happens after this trip?
I plan to stay ‘out there,’ as I call life on the road. In other words, this camping trip is just the beginning. But I may go home to San Diego, CA for a month or so to wrap things up before heading out on the road permanently. After that, I’m already planning a six-month trip to Alaska next summer! And then I hope to make a big circuit around the U.S. and Canada, visiting all of my online friends (you?) - What if you don’t reach your goal?
[Update: I’ve lowered my goal to $1000 after crunching the numbers and seeing that it’s doable. With the donations so far plus my own money, I have enough for a down payment on a van and will sign the papers today. Now, I just need a few hundred more for gas.]If I don’t reach my goal by October 1st but there’s enough for a down payment on a van or SUV, I will finance one and go anyway. If there’s not enough for a down payment, I will miss this trip but I’ll keep saving and leave later (by January at the latest).Backers who want their money back can email me at bornfamous at gmail for a refund. - How can I back your adventure?
a. Click the button below and contribute whatever you feel called to.
b. If you’d rather contribute something tangible, check out my Amazon Wishlist.
c. And tell all your friends! Click one of the ‘share’ buttons at the bottom of this post to let your friends and followers know about my great escape.
…an opportunity to invest in an adventure with photos and stories in return! ~Crys Williams
What are some tangible benefits I get by sharing in and supporting this great adventure into the unknown?
- $5 – (0 backers) Much gratitude plus the ride of your life on my blog!
- $10 – (12 backers) A personal postcard from the road plus (just added!) a copy of my Kindle book, Getting Sh*t Done! (.pdf or .mobi file)
- $25 – (6 backers) All of the above plus weekly video updates (if I can’t get online for a bit, I’ll upload them as soon as I can.)
- $50 – (3 backers) All of the above plus daily journal entries (with photos!), emailed when I have access to the web. PLUS (just added!) enrollment in our Getting Sh*t Written course to get your Kindle book written and published in 28 days.
- $75 – (0 backers) All of the above plus an emailed subscription to chapters of my memoir as I write it.
- $100 – (2 backers) All of that plus a live call when I get back—AND a mention in my book!
- Any amount – (just added!) discounted subscription rate to dispatches from my future travels.
p.s. So far, we have raised $665 (!) toward my Great Escape goal of $[therm_t]. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
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I’ve donated $15 – I wish it could be more but I’m really cash-troubled at the moment. Hope you get to do this for all us middle-aged out-of-shape flakers out there – cheering you on!
Thank you so much, Tess—that is a big help! Who knows, maybe I can inspire some other out-shape-flakers to get out there and shape up too. But first, I need to show it can be done. 🙂
Done! And about to share/tweet etc. next.
Do you know what would be cool? A ticker thing so people can see how close you are to the goal. It’d probably give more of an incentive to donate. Just an idea 🙂
I really, really hope you get to go on this trip!
Lotsa love,
El x x x x
P.S. In between writing the above and now, I found a WordPress plugin that’d probably do the trick. Type ‘donation thermometer’ into the plugin search. I fear if I put the link here, I’ll end up being flagged as spam. 🙂
Done and done, El—thank you so much for your help!!!
Putting together a jewelry-based fund raiser so that I can give you more. 🙂 :> Will get you the link once it’s up.
Best of Fortune to you! Shared on FB and should do again. 🙂 :>
Thank you, Birdy — that’s awesome!!!
Done! I’m excited to donate. This trip sounds awesome. Love the thermometer. Fingers crossed that you meet your goal and can take off in October. Should be beautiful then.
P.S. I think you’re Getting Sh*t Done book and your writing course could be great incentives for would-be donors/participants. I wish your book was in print form, too.
Laila, thank you soooo much! Good ideas, thanks. Adding now…
p.s. Can’t do the print book right now, but I will work on it when the camping trip is over.
Woo-hoo! I need a copy. I’m not much of an electronic reader. 20% down, only 80% to go! Laila
Laila, I can send you a pdf to print out, if you want.
Actually, now that I think of it, you will be getting one in return for your contribution. I need to set that up now. Thank you!
Excellent! I’m not sure which of my many computers I have your PDF book on, so it’d be great to get another copy. I’m a sucker for “real” books, so I’m excited you may turn “Getting Sh*t Done” into one later. The content is great.
Btw, in honor of the upcoming Hallow’e’en Hollyday, you might want to consider putting your Evil Laugh webinar back up for sale. 🙂 :>
Tried to find it just now and apparently it is gone. 🙁
Haha, I forgot about that. No clue where it is now!
Oh, noes!!! Maybe you can ask somebody who bought it?
That’s too good to let vanish into the Internetly Mists. 🙂 :>
Ok, I found the mp3 of the call but I’m not going to sell it. You kinda had to be there.
*sigh* ‘k ‘k 🙂 :>o
*heh* Gotta remember to be careful about the smiley-whiskers in comments! 😀
The rest of what I said was that it’s good that some of our #CustomerLove history still remains. 🙂
Yes, Birdy – I was just thinking about that. #customerlove is where pretty much all of my dearest friends came from. That’s quite a history. 😀
Just donated $15. Wish it could have been more!
Thank you so much, Debbie! I know how hard it is to spare a few dollars for the things you believe in, so don’t ever think it’s not enough. I am honored and blessed. xoxo
Have a fantastic trip, and be safe! Though I expect you can handle most anything in the people department.
Thank you, Marlene! Really appreciate the contribution too. 🙂
Btw, I’m already planning to make a longer trip to Alaska next summer and will hopefully be coming through your neck of the woods. Hope to see you then!
Go LaVonne! Can’t wait for those video updates!!! I am so excited for you! I donated under the name “Urban Bazaar”
Thank you so much, Brooke! I’m excited too–and kind of blown away to think this really is going to happen, and soon!
Greetings LaVonne!
Been reading your excellent posts on Bob’s site thought it was about time to come over and say hi.:)
While I cannot donate atm hoping you have a wonderful trip, looking forward to hearing about your adventure.
So exciting to hear about your van, Lavonne!! Will you not even be able to go into the national parks while the national govt shut down? Are there parks you had hoped to visit that you WILL be able to enter, no matter what?
Thanks, Laila! I imagine there will be some opportunity to enter national parks, since they won’t be paying a lot of rangers to keep an eye on things, but it all depends on what Bob, our fearless leader, decides. There’s plenty to see outside of national parks, much of it already on the itinerary. Bob and his caravan are already there, so I want to join them asap!
Good to hear! What a pain/national expense this whole shut down is, but don’t get me going. On this plus side, this really may hurt republicans and tea party people in future elections.
Already enjoying the vicarious thrill of your trip preparations.
I was thinking about Bob’s Alaska trip next year and tracked down a (what appears to be) a cached google copy ( his main site still seems to be waiting).
I came across a link to this posting & wanted to ask how it all worked out for you? It’s been 2 months now… Did the finances work out ok?
Judging from Bob’s postings you guys had a good time.
I’m just curious.
Hi Rob, sadly I was unable to go on the trip due to lack of funds but I was able to get a van, move into it, and I’m now camping right next to Bob at Quartzsite. 🙂 I’m hoping to go on the Alaska trip too… hope I meet you then!