First 20 Days of Being a Rubber Tramp

The Journey, Days 1-20

• States Visited: Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah
  

• National and State Parks Hiked / Visited: Santa Fe National Park, Frank S. Ortiz Dog Park, Navajo State Park, San Juan National Forest, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Arches National Park

• Favorite hikes: Sun Mountain in Santa Fe and Piedra Falls in the San Juan National Forest
  

• Avg. Daily Spend: $67 * * Does not include regular, recurring monthly expenses (insurance, phone bill, etc.)
  

• Miles Driven: 2,454

• Avg. $/Gallon: $3.31

I've just completed the first 20 days of what will be a 6-month journey living and traveling in my Jeep with my dog Percy. The catalyst for this adventure was listening to Adele's powerful breakup anthem "I Drink Wine" back in October 2023. In that moment, I decided to radically simplify my life - finding a temporary home for my two cats and ridding myself of most material possessions so Percy and I could take to the road.

After months of planning and preparations, we finally hit the road on March 31, 2024, heading southwest with the goal of slowly exploring that region of the United States.

Our first stop was the artistic mecca of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

If I was a love poet, I’d write about how you have the audacity to be beautiful - Rudy Francisco

While in Santa Fe, I started reading the book "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer, which details the ill-fated journey of wanderer Chris McCandless. It was here I learned the term "rubber tramp" - referring to a vagabond who owns a vehicle and travels by car or van. As a "rubber tramp" myself, McCandless' story has been an interesting parallel that reminds me to avoid some of his more reckless mistakes, while still embodying his philosophy of rejecting material excess.

I chose this 6-month journey of living and traveling in my Jeep to heal, reset my intentions, and find a path toward a truly satisfying life. The Buddhist teachings remind us to free ourselves from unhealthy desires, but I aim to first fully experience and appreciate those desires before letting them go.

Signs from nature, loved ones, my own body, and even my Jeep have told me to slow down and live more simply. When I failed to heed those signs, I was tested. My patience, abilities, and perseverance were challenged in ways I expected, but had hoped for an easier start.

Yet through the obstacles, I've witnessed sights of immense beauty that left me to feel greedy and privileged. Like losing my dog Percy for 20 terrifying minutes in Colorado, only to find him and then be awestruck by the panorama of peaks, rivers, and waterfalls. Or getting a flat tire in Utah's Arches, awaiting the tow truck surrounded by supernatural rock formations, rewarded by a surreal, glowing sunset.

In the midst of trials forcing me to consider quitting, moments like these reminded me of nature's "audacious beauty" that makes persevering worthwhile. This journey is about growth - letting myself be tested, optimizing my mindset, and striving for a grounded, intentional life.

The Costs

Through all of these experiences, I've been keeping a close eye on my spending to ensure I can stretch my modest savings as far as possible over the full 6-month journey. For this first 20-day stint, my average daily spend has been $67, not counting regular monthly expenses like insurance, phone bills, etc.

I've put about 2,454 miles on my Jeep's odometer so far at an average of $3.31 per gallon of gas. While I haven't been strictly budgeting, I have learned some good techniques for saving money:

• Take the scenic routes that avoid toll roads - it only adds a bit of extra time but often provides much better views for free

• Scope out free campsites wherever possible and obey "No Overnight Parking" signs to avoid a rude awakening from authorities

• Stock up on protein bars and non-perishable snacks to always have food on hand when meals are unpredictable

• Take advantage of a Planet Fitness membership since their black card provides you access to all locations for showers, stretching, clean bathrooms and filling up water bottles

Lessons Learned

Beyond just money saving tips, I've gathered a number of other key learnings in my first 20 days:

• When traveling with a pet, having them wear a very bright colored collar/harness and secure leash is a must

• You really don't need as many clothes and material items you think when living minimally - it's been pretty freeing

• Create a dedicated "EDC" (everyday carry) bag to keep must-haves like keys, multi-tool, phone charger, snacks and a change of clothes all in one place

• Even with a nomadic lifestyle, taking care of mental health needs like anxiety and depression is still crucial - be sure to take pauses when needed

One of my biggest goals for optimization is finding a better storage solution than the hanging ceiling net I've been using to hold supplies and create more open headspace inside the Jeep's living area. I also need to build out a better system for containing trash day-to-day, as it can quickly turn the cozy van into a sty.

The Reality of "Van Life"

While I may be constantly in awe of nature's marvels, I'm also not delusional about the harsh realities of adopting this nomadic "van life." A recent article in The Wall Street Journal sought to burst the aspirational "van life" bubble by highlighting how dirty, uncomfortable, unpredictable, scary and lonely it can truly be.

And they're absolutely right - I've already confronted pretty much all of those challenges to extremes I could never have fully prepared for, no matter how much I researched and planned. But is that not the point of growing up: to be tested, to learn, to optimize, to be better.