Brenda & Ranger

02/17/2024

A L L - I N C L U S I V E 🥩 Well, this week seemed like [Baja] normal until I met someone who’d accidentally double booked a night at an all-inclusive resort and offered me his spare room. 🏆 I’ve been trying to work on accepting things/gifts/compliments from people, so this felt like a positive step in that direction. And now that random dude has amazing karma headed his way… so it’s really a win-win!

I had a long, hot, steamed-up shower. Watched a movie sprawled on the sand-free king bed. Lounged by the pool (though I couldn’t get in cause I *just* had a benign tumor removed from my leg the very same day and was not allowed to swim yet). Ate FOUR meals at the all-you-can-eat buffet. And even got to use the facilities five hours after check-out time. 💃🏻 I did still sleep the van with Ranger though - I miss my little man too much (he wasn’t allowed in).

Besides that…

🏋🏻‍♀️ more beach jogs and workouts

💻 running the social media accounts for a couple clients; writing, designing, and distributing a monthly newsletter for another client; and building brand bundles for two new businesses

🐕‍🦺 obsessing over how bloody cute Ranger is all.the.time

📲 a nice call with my dad during a sunset stroll

🤸🏻‍♀️ and enjoying some solitude after months and months of social time

02/11/2024

SUNRISE+SETS 🌅 A week of beautiful skies and even more tacos, beach workouts, and Ranger snugs.

02/03/2024

G O O D 🙏🏼 There is beauty and joy, even during the hard times. Here’s my photo collection of a difficult week.

I’m so grateful for Shannon and Brooke this week! They’ve given hugs – even when we were completely drenched in run sweat, and when I left wet patches on their shirt on a busy town street. They gave space when I needed, and didn’t pressure me to talk about it til I was ready. Then they listened with so much care, crying for me and with me. They made me laugh by doing several duets during karaoke night, and sucking at trivia night, and teaching me darts. They distracted me with beachfront yoga and workouts. They brought me a ice cream sandwich in bed, and shared their food with me so I wouldn’t have to drive to town. Absolute angels: ! 🤗

Sunsets. Sandy strolls with my morning coffee. The best fish tacos we’ve had thus far! Infinite Ranger cuddles, and some hilarious digging/dancing. 😂 And a special egret friend, who only started visiting our camp after I got the news and has been back every morning since. 💕

01/20/2024

01/13/2024

C A N D I D S 📸 Snippets from this week of l-i-v-i-n.

01/06/2024

R E A L I T Y 📸 I haven’t felt like taking ‘intentional’ photos lately – the ones where I’m posed and the van is tidied up. I just want to share my week’s candids, every Friday-ish. Here’s to keeping it real! 🎉

12/31/2023

M E X I C O 🇲🇽 Week #1 in Baja, already having an incredible time. It’s even better than I remember! The people are so hospitable and flexible. Everyone goes with the flow more, less rigid rules and structure. Crossing the border brought immediate relief. ✨ More care. More time. More happiness.

It’s also easier this time – knowing more Spanish, knowing the places, knowing how the roads are and checkpoints go.

We’ve had fish tacos every day. And are taking the trip south a bit slower – only driving 2-4 hours per day. It’s been wonderful!

3-4 months of this… I’m in heaven! 😇

12/22/2023

L A T E L Y 📷 A little peek at my van life this past week:
🏃🏻‍♀️ Going running 4-5 days a week
🌅 Marveling at every sunset
🛞 New kicks for Copper
🤶🏻 Enjoying a little Christmas cheer
🍗 Eating all the BBQ I can
🇲🇽 Lots of stocking up and prep for Baja

12/17/2023

A M I N U T E 🕰️ It’s been nearly a year since I’ve taken photos of myself. I’ve had it on my to-do lists for MONTHS but keep moving it out because I’m just not in the mood, and that’s fully okay with me.

It does mean my posts have been very infrequent, to say the least. But I’ve been hanging out with and asked him to snap a few photos of Range and me on yesterday’s hike. So here you go, a real post again! 🎉 (not bad for ten days without a shower 😅)

P.S. How bloody handsome is Ranger?!? My heart can’t take it. 🥰

10/12/2023

R E D U N D A N T 😢 I lost my job last week.

I worked for the same small company for nearly nine years – in a wide variety of roles from office manager to payroll&benefits to customer service to copywriting to graphic design to social media – in Portland 🇺🇸 Melbourne 🇦🇺 and the van. 🚐 They supported my personal dreams and gave so many amazing opportunities to test my strengths and fears. I tackled them all and more-than-doubled my salary. 🏆 My colleagues have been my closest friends. I know the owner’s kids’ names and have eaten dinner at his house. 💚 It was more than a job!

Long story short: growing pains made my position (and 39 others - 15% of the company!) redundant. An impromptu 8-minute call with Head of HR saying my employment ends in two hours. 😧 Ba-da-bing ouch!

I received a stellar annual review just six weeks ago so (needless to say) I was utterly shocked. And hurt. And sad. And confused. I cried so much the first two days my teeth ached from all the pressure in my head. 😭 Then I transitioned to anger. 🤬 Now I’m just trying to enjoy the boredom. 📺

I do know I’ll be grateful for this someday soon. It was the shove out the nest I didn’t know I needed. 🐣 What an opportunity! To start fresh. ✨ A new chapter. 📖 A chance to reflect on what I truly want to do career-wise, not just accept an open role/challenge.

I don’t know if I want a 9-5 anymore. 🕠 I don’t know if I want to juggle a couple part-time jobs or several contract gigs. 🤹🏻‍♀️ Or start my own business. 💪🏼 Or even just monetize this account while I figure it all out. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The only thing I know is that I want to be joyfully happy with whatever I trade my time for money for. ☺️ And that I want to keep living on the road. 🚐 And that I want to stay on track to achieve financial freedom asap. 💸 Annnd that I want to buy land/a house in the next couple years. 🏡

The rest is just oysters! 🦪

09/14/2023

I T A L Y P T 2 ✌🏼 The girls arrived!!! & and I all met on the road. 🚐

They both wanted to try backpacking this summer. 🏕️ One thing QUICKLY led to another and our first “backpacking” trip turned into a 6-day, 5-night trek through the Italian Dolomites.

We met up in Venice, then took a series of busses up to the trailhead. Here we go…

09/14/2023

I T A L Y P T 1 ☝🏼 This was my second time to Venice.

There’s something really nice about visiting the same place twice - less urgency and stress, it’s familiar and relaxing. But also less wonder and magic. ✨ The historical sites are still there, right where you took photos of/with them last.

I took a boat tour out to the islands of Milano (famous for glass blowing), Burano (famous for its colorful buildings), and Torcello (famous for nothing and I think just a marketable ‘perk’ of the tour). And spent a beach day on Lido island. 👙

I realized Venice isn’t my favorite Italian location, as I typically come to Italy specifically for the food, and the pasta here is mostly seafood based (🦐🦑🍤🤢). Next trip, I want to hit Tuscany! 🍷

08/03/2023

C H A N G E ✨ Change is a good thing! Even if it isn’t what you pictured or hoped for. It’s new. And temporary. Everything is. So go for it!

07/31/2023

B I T T E R S W E E T ☯️ The last time I left Canada, I’d just said, “see you soon,” to my husband with a casual kiss, not knowing I’d actually never see him again.

The details feel irrelevant now (took a lot of time and work to get here!) but let’s just say we divorced via email (yup 🔪), and Ranger and I haven’t been back in nine years. It’s felt like he ‘owns’ Canada. The memories - both amazing and crushing - were trapped up there. And I was happy to not mess with them again.

But Banff has been on my bucket list for years, so this summer was the time to shatter that glass wall. And it felt good!

Reliving the memories was actually really nice! My in-laws had a cabin so far in the backcountry we took an eight-hour snowmobile trip to get there in the winter, and his uncle flew us there in a float plane in the summer. I drove a big tractor to feed the family’s cattle, and helped brand their calves in spring. We’d go four-wheeling through mud puddles so deep our knees were buried and teeth were gritty. There were northern lights above our hot tub, which we’d jump into after rolling in the surrounding snow. Shotgun shooting. Firewood chopping. Backyard lake fishing. Moose sightings and bear crossings. Weddings. Big family meals and singing. Most of it was amazing!

So amazing, in fact, that I’m heading back into Canada this week to visit my ex-in-laws for the first time. They were always INCREDIBLE to me! My MIL and I have even emailed every few months all these years. So it’s time to go back to the spot of that last casual kiss, and cover it with new memories!

Just a reminder: if you’re going through something heart-breaking, hollowing, humiliating, let it happen. Let all the emotions happen. Take all the time you need to go through the phases. Don’t push yourself - or let others push you - to process at any particular speed. Because you WILL get to the other side. And when you do, your life will be even more beautiful than you can currently imagine. And you’ll look back with a grin at the happy memories. And someday you’ll record right over the sad ones. ✨

P.S. Vancouver/BC recommendations welcome! 🇨🇦👇🏼

07/19/2023

D A Y # 4 🇨🇦 A classic: Morraine Lake and Lake Louise. They’re “the things you’re supposed to do in the place” so I did them!

And it wasn’t easy to get to! The lakes are only accessible via a shuttle this year and it’s kinda like a lottery - get online at 8am two days before you want to go and hope to get a ticket. 🚌 The first time I tried, I was on at 7:59, refreshed the page at 8:00 and they were already gone. Insane!!! But the next day I tried, I opted for a later time (since I didn’t have the gondola reservation to make) and that didn’t book up IMMEDIATELY. So we got on! 🎟️

Ranger had to be in a carrier on the bus, so I bought him a little backpack/duffle, which he insisted on popping his head out do the whole time (to everyone’s entertainment 😆).

These lakes were crowded!!! 😳 So so so many tourists at the entry point, who luckily dispersed a bit once you got down the train a ways. ✌🏼 But dang - tourist trap!

I didn’t go to the infamous tea room because I had Range with me, but I’ve heard it’s also a ‘must’. 🫖

Moraine Lake was definitely my favorite - such a rich, dark, almost-royal blue! 💙 Lake Louise was a milky aquamarine color dripping from a distant glacier. 🩵 Incredible!

07/18/2023

D A Y # 3 🇨🇦 Photo dump from Emerald Lake, Bow Lake, and Peyto Lake. Absolutely stunnnning water colors (same as yesterday, and the day before)!!! 🩵 Then ended the day as all hiking days should be ended: with a burger! 🍔 And reading in bed at our riverfront camp spot. 😇

When I planned this trip, I aimed for 6-10 miles of hiking and 2-3 hours of driving per day. Boondocking isn’t allowed in Banff National Park, so I had to drive 25-45 minutes away for free spots - inconvenient but beautiful!

07/17/2023

D A Y # 2 🇨🇦 We started the day with an 11 mile hike along Lake Minnewanka. We met a peculiar deer, and no bears (though I overheard the rangers saying there was a grizzly on the trail, but they’d put out bait [i.e. an animal carcass] to lure it away).

Next: I took myself on a beautiful date – rode the gondola up to dinner with a VIEWWW. I went all out with wine, appetizer, steak, and chocolate cheesecake for dessert (which brought tears to my eyes: so thoroughly happy to be enjoying the experience with myself instead of the wrong man 🥹).

We ended the day camped up at a milky blue river. Perfection! ✨

07/12/2023

D A Y # 1 🇨🇦 Photo dump of day one in Banff! We drove straight to for some Tim Bits before hitting Johnston Canyon - stunning falls, crowded trail. We wandered through Banff (town) before indulging at Nourish Bistro and snagging a free camp spot with stunning mountain views . 😇

06/30/2023

V A C A Y 💃🏻 I’ve very intentionally not thought of this lifestyle as a “vacation”, even though it may look like one sometimes. Two main reasons: (1) I’m still working 40 hours a week and need to stay focused, and (2) it’s not sustainable to live in ‘vacay mode’ because I’m a goer/seer/doer/spender when on holiday! 🤸🏻‍♀️

But two days ago, when thinking about the four-day weekend I have coming up, I decided to take a proper vacation. In the van! 🤯

I opened my travel planning spreadsheet template and started filling it in with every minute detail. It is packed! 🤓 30+ miles of hiking, 🏔️ hot springs, 👙 a gondola ride, 🚡 a fancy-ass dinner reservation,🍷some shopping, 🛍️ 2+ hours of driving each day, 🛣️ and some beloved and dearly-missed donuts 🍩 (once you see where I’m going, it’ll be a 😏).

It’s truly all about your mindset. 🧠 I’ve shifted from “this is my house” to “this is my vehicle.” Which makes this weekend SO SPECIAL!💃🏻 And I am stoked!!!

P.S. I’ll share where I’m going (and why it’s a bitter-sweet destination) in a forthcoming post… any guesses ‘til then? 👇🏼

06/06/2023

D I G G I N ‘ 🥔 I’m really diggin’ life right now. In Idaho.

Closing out my third year on the road, it’s the first time I’ve really started to evaluate places for where I want to live next – buy property, create a home, plant a garden, build my future.

And Idaho has quickly entered the race! 🏔️

06/05/2023

T H E R A P Y 🧠 I had my first therapy session last week.

I’ve gone a few times before in the past, for specific issues I was struggling with – my divorce, moving across the planet, etc.

It was amazing how they identified what my blind spots were after 1-2 sessions. 🤯 And gave me concepts and tools I’ve applied to other situations, years later. What an awesome investment!

Without getting into the specifics of what I’m seeking help with, I’ll share a couple insights from my first session that may spark something in you too:

1️⃣ I journaled before our meeting (set a 20-minute timer and just wrote ✍🏼), which revealed a lot of FEAR. I started several sentences with: “I’m afraid…” (what a revelation in itself! 😯) My therapist challenged me to consider the opposite of fear: HOPE. What can I hope for in the situation, rather than fear? 🤔

2️⃣ When I told her what my fears were, she quickly identified that they were all “logistical” fears, not emotional ones. Which is great because logistics are [often] easier to solve than emotions! I’d never thought of categorizing what my concerns/fears were. But it makes them seem more conquerable.

Anyway… if you’re feeling a slight twingey pull toward going to therapy, I highly recommend! It’s pretty magical how quickly the puzzle pieces click together when an unbiased, unattached person listens and summarizes. ✨

05/12/2023

T R I B U T E 🐕‍🦺 Just a little tribute cause I’m in love. 💘

05/05/2023

G R E A T 🧠 This quote has been on repeat in my mind the last few months:

Great minds discuss ideas.
Average minds discuss events.
Small minds discuss people.

Just a Friday reminder from Ms. Eleanor Roosevelt to please stop gossiping. ✨

05/01/2023

D E A L 💍 Me, at 35, remembering all the deals younger-me made with my guy friends: “If neither of us are married by the time we’re 35, we’ll marry each other.” 😂 Thinking 35 was old, hopeless, and bleak. Pffft younger Brenda, have I got some things to show you…! 🤸🏻‍♀️

04/29/2023

N O R E G R E T S 🙏🏻 I‘ll spare you the details and just say: I am so grateful for everything in my life that has gone ‘wrong.’ For all the times timing wasn’t right. For the broken hearts, the attempts, the wasted travel, the repeat lessons, the scars and broken pieces.

I know exactly what my life would’ve looked like if I’d gone those routes. If I’d said yes to the good men who were ready before I was. If I’d taken that big corp job and ‘settled down.’

It would’ve been beautiful. F% #$in’ beautiful.

But today, I smile back at those alternate realities and am so bloody grateful I wasn’t ready for him. I’m so grateful I took the risky start-up job. I’m so grateful I jumped into my wacky dreams over the ‘normal’ ones.

I’m grateful for every painful, hard, questionable step of my life. Wouldn’t change a single one! 👣

03/21/2023

F U L L ❤️ My heart is so full after hanging out with this crew this weekend! Physical Touch is one of my primary love languages but I normally keep it under wraps because it makes some people uncomfortable and/or I don’t want anyone to misperceive the intent.

I went to boarding school at age 13 and us girls got so close, we’d cuddle together all the time! But in college, some girlfriends thought it was weird/inappropriate that I wanted to snuggle up, so I’ve tucked that part of me away for… 13 years?

But this group doesn’t shy away from supportive touches, hugs, and cuddles! And it’s made me realize how much I want that in my life again.

A gentle hand on your forearm when having a good conversation. An arm around each other while walking to dinner. A hand on your knee while cracking up about a joke. A pile of people huddled in bed together, draped across each other. A friendly arm link and head on the shoulder while sitting around a campfire. An extra, extra long hug before we part roads.

Find friends who speak your love language without even having to tell them or ask. 💗

03/15/2023

V A C A Y 💃🏻 This is the first time in 2.5 years my van has been in the shop (*knocks on wood*), and thankfully it was by choice not necessity. I’ve seen many friends get displaced abruptly when something mechanical breaks, which always seems like a nightmare – finding a reasonable hotel last-minute, taking taxis everywhere, losing your groceries, and the convenience of having all your possessions within 60 sq feet. That’s just the risk of having your entire life in a vehicle, I suppose…

I was able to find beautiful AirBNBs for six nights, which under any other circumstance would feel like a luxurious vacation. ✨ But it’s taken me three days to relax into my solitude again and separation from ‘normal’ life. After the last 2.5 months spending 24/7 with friends, hanging out on our beachfront property… the FOMO is real! 😫 These sparkling-poolside, rooftop-deck, air-conditioned, flushing-toilets, comfy-couch experiences are fabulous, of course, yet I can’t help but miss nature. Simplicity. Routine. Smallness. Space. Convenience. Community. Quiet. Home.

Life on the road is truly where I belong! 😇 For now…

P.S. I’ve only ever splurged on an AirBNB “break” from the van one other time, over a year ago. And I was itching for the freedom of the road then too. How wild!

03/15/2023

U S A 🇺🇸 I realized today that I’ve only been in the States for 27 days of the last 5+ months. What a wild life I’ve made… 😃🇮🇪🇵🇹🇪🇸🇫🇷🇮🇹🇬🇧🇮🇸🇲🇽

03/13/2023

C O P P E R 🚐 Missing my home after two days of it being in the shop.👩🏻‍🔧 Two more days to go…

Any guesses what I’m getting done?! 😏

03/08/2023

W O M E N 👯‍♀️ I don’t care about numbers on this account, EXCEPT one.☝🏻

There’s one stat that’s always brought me happiness, and that’s that nearly 90% of my followers are female. 👏🏼 I flippin’ love that! And I believe it’s why I feel so supported and loved and safe to share here. 💖 I get VERY FEW bu****it comments or inappropriate messages. 🙏🏻 And I’m so very grateful to be surrounded by women who support women – you (yes YOU 🫵🏻) are my kinda gal! 🤗

So on this International Women’s Day, here’s to you, Ladies! 🥂🍓🌷 Thanks for being here for me through all the beautiful moments and the irritated/confused/lost moments, and all the soul-searching ones between. You are a blessing to me! 💞