Friday, January 27, 2012

3 Truths About Road Tripping // Guest Post by A is for Ampersand

Hello, all of you pretty Bubby and Bean readers! My name is Amy, and I run a silly little blog called A is for Ampersand. I'm a writer, a designer, but mostly just a secret cat lady. Melissa's gallivanting in Mexico inspired me to write about the one and only thing I love most in the entire universe--road tripping.

The thing is, road tripping at the Morby household is a little more intense. We own a 1984 Westfalia Vanagon, and not only is she our baby, but she helps us road trip like it's our job. She sleeps four and comes equipped with a complete kitchen, including a stove, sink, and fridge. We've spent a lot of time on the road in the Westy, and today I'm going to share with you 3 truths I've learned in all my travels.

The Morby Westy Clan

1. Road trips can solve anything.

Oh, the Westy

Whenever I'm feeling particularly bummed about life or if things are piling up and affecting my mood, I try to plan a road trip--even if it's a quick weekend trip or an overnighter. I'm a firm believer that being on the road clears your mind. You've got all of that time alone with your thoughts or maybe with someone you dig, and your brain loves it. Some of my best ideas have come to me while road tripping, and no matter what, I always return feeling completely refreshed with a brand new perspective on my life, my work, and everything else. Plus, travelling in a van straight out of 1984 has a way of getting you away from screen time and away from cell phone service, which definitely helps realign your priorities. Sometimes you need a break from what the world has to say and just let yourself be you.

2. There are so many good people in the world

RO_SyncroSolstice_camp

As a complete introvert, it's hard for me to get over my shy inclinations and meet new people. But being in the Westy community has completely changed my outlook. Last May we went to a Westy meetup in Moab, UT--think 40+ vans camped out in the desert geeking out over solar panels on our vans. Every van fan was in a completely different place in life--married, retired and traveling America, recent college grad, etc. Whenever a van broke down (which was often considering all of our vans were 20+ years old) the entire caravan stopped to help out. Every single Westy adventure opens my eyes to how genuinely good people are.

3. Life is short. See the world.

Syncro Solstice

I think the best part about road trips in the Westy is the constant reminder that I live in a beautiful country, and that life is too short to stay in our bubble. Having lived in the same state I was raised in, I'm always prone to wanderlust. It's so refreshing to get out and see what the world has to offer. Even the most rural dirt road can be strikingly beautiful and incredibly inspiring. I love the way nature makes me feel completely insignificant and reminds me that I'm such a small part in the grand scheme of things.

RO_SyncroSolstice_night_time

So, there you have it. Three very sappy life lessons I learned whilst traveling in my Westy. This year we're hoping to make a big road trip to Yosemite and maybe even Alaska. Luckily the van came equipped with bear spray, so maybe it'll come to good use.

Any other road trip fans out there? What was the best road trip you've ever taken?

Big thank you's to the amazing Amy for sharing her road tripping truths with my readers!  I spent several summers in my '20s traveling the country in a 1978 Southwind RV, and her post is giving me the itch to plan another road trip soon!   Make sure you take a few minutes to check out Amy's awesome blog.  It's full of good stuff about thrifting, fashion, and of course, her sweet little Westfalia.

Oh, and P.S.!  Our wedding was featured on Rock N' Roll Bride this week!  It is my VERY favorite wedding blog, and I can't tell you how thrilled I was when I got the email that they'd be writing about us.  I'll post more about it when we get home from Mexico next week, but couldn't wait to share the news. :) 

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8 comments:

  1. Road trips are so fantastic and freeing - I totally agree. I have a huge crush on your van. Me & the hubby have wanted one of those old VW vans for so long. Unfortunately, we live in a townhouse and only have a 2 car garage so bumber. Maybe someday!

    Thanks so much for sharing your story and photos - looking forward to spring road trip!

    Brandi

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  2. Ohhhh her van is so cute!!! I would love to take a road trip around the country!! :-)

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  3. love these truths, and as a road trip lover I can attest that they are spot on. also, very cool about rock n roll bride!

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  4. Yes! Last week, after I commented on your post, Amy, about color + winter time, I remembered 1 more thing to stave off the doom of the neon gray skies: plan a road trip! You were already 1 step ahead of me, anyway. :]

    How I would love to see Alaska . . . I hope you keep going North after you hit California!

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  5. Ahhhh the Westy itch is coming back. I desperately want one, and each time I visit my mom in San Francisco (where the hippie revolution experienced it's heyday) I see so many of them. Different paint jobs, different signs of wear, different years... and I just love them so much.

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  6. What a neat post :) I really want to go on a road trip with my boyfriend this summer before we go off to college. We just have to pick where to go!

    http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/

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  7. I loved this post! I was just planning a road trip with two of my friends!

    ♥ www.thegirlatfirstavenue.com

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  8. This was wonderful to read! There are so many positive things about traveling.

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