Covid-19 was a game changer for many vanlifers and nomads. Across the nation, shelter in place orders were put into effect immobilizing a huge populous. Out of towners were not treated with kindness in small communities where residents worried the virus would be brought to them unwelcomed. Not to mention, there wasn’t anything to do… State parks, campgrounds, beaches, and national parks were shut down, so there really wasn’t anything to even see. Heck it was even hard to find blm land to boondock on.
I took a trip down to California right as it was reopening, many parts, and I felt like the joy was being squelched right out of me. Everywhere, I received glares and unwelcome looks because of my Oregon license plates. California has been hit pretty hard by the virus, so I understand their reticence with visitors, but I really did keep to myself. I cooked and lived in my van and visited my sister for a couple of days. Getting out on the road did me a world of good, being stationary was difficult to say the least, for someone with a raging case of wanderlust. I tried to be considerate of course of everyone’s feelings, and I really did take the shelter in place orders seriously. Just as soon as I saw an opportunity to break out, I did.
If there’s anything that Covid-19 has taught me, it’s that my freedoms are so precious, and to not take them for granted. I have been blessed with a strong body that can work hard and provides me the opportunity to have adventures, and good health that has kept me well. I have eyes that can take in the unfathomable beauty that our earth has bestowed unto us, and a heart that can’t stop breaking at the sight. We live in an amazing country and have almost limitless civil liberties. We are all so fortunate, and we should never forget that.
