Travel journal series: New England Solo Camper Van Road Trip 2021
This travel journal series is an effort to archive trips taken before this blog was created. Rather than trying to recall them years later, I’m transcribing, word for word, what I wrote by hand in my small travel journal at the time.
December 10, 2021
Day 1 of my New England road trip. I rented a sprinter van. Sleeping in the back at my first camp site. The drive down was breezy. Got here a lil darker than I would’ve liked. Apparently most camp grounds are closed in December. Almost went to a hotel instead of camping but I pushed on because I want to prove to myself I can camp outside alone.
December 11, 2021
I am still in Pennsylvania due to rain and windy conditions on my way to my next stop of Catskills, NY. I spent the day meandering. I went to the Indian Museum. Took an audio tour which was a painful reminder of the plight of American Indians. It matched the gray, rainy day. Took my first shower at the campground. I made my tea and lunch over a camp stove. Ate snacks for dinner. Took a walk around the camp grounds and watched other campers roll in. I like have campers next to me…if there are women and children among them. Spent the late afternoon reading “Where the Crawdads Sing” which is a phrase that means a place where animals can be free because they are at the outer edges of the world where man has not colonized. A great analogy for embarking on this solo trip outside my usual boundaries. It’s a warm evening. The camper isn’t as cold as last night. I love the red night light in the camper. It offers an ambience that allows me to unwind for the night. As I journal, it’s lightly raining. There are sounds of rain drops on the roof of the van.
December 12, 2021
I left PA and drove 2.5 hours to Catskills, NY. Hiked Kattersfall Mountain. Saw the gorgeous falls. Then drove to nearby Woodstock, NY. I will say the road up to the Catskills was a bit steep and scary but I pushed on. Woodstock is charming. They are still trying to make a nickel with tie dye stores everywhere. You can still feel remnants of the free-loving vibe of Woodstock in the town. It’s easy-going and quaint. Having my morning tea by a pond. It feels glorious to slow down. Being on the road has felt like freedom. I don’t miss any of the material trappings at home. Don’t miss my work or routine. Being untethered makes you focus on the here and now. Meditating daily. Went to bookstore that turned out to be a mystic, yogi, spiritual store, very Woodstock vibe.
December 13, 2021
Made it to Rhode Island! I can’t believe I get to be this free driving throughout New England, making my way through gorgeous scenic towns. Leaving Woodstock, NY this morning, I took in the feel of the town - muted color houses, the simplicity of the home designed, the higgle feel of it all. Providence, Rhode Island felt like a scene from an Ivy League college. Gorgeous parks with benches to view the city from a perch. Prospect Park is lovely. Providence is hilly with stately homes. I ate way too much food at Den Den Asian Restaurant. I decided to break my 3 hours drive a day rule and pulled up in Portland ME this evening. It’s a gorgeous town at night.
December 14, 2021
Portland Maine is just as you would imagine Maine to be. Hygge, comfy weather, picturesque, quaint, ease. I stayed at the Westin. Got it for $62 bucks. All the campgrounds were closed in Maine. Bummed me out. I really have come to enjoy sleeping in the van. I went to see the sunrise at Eastern Promenade Park. It’s a lovely long park for walkers, runners, and cyclists all with the scenic views of the water. I giddily picked up rocks by the water and stored them in my pocket. The winter flora is interesting here. There are grapes and berries in the trees. While it has a dried look to them, the berries still look juicy. I came across weathered fall birch trees. I walked all around the waterside deep in thoughts. I am learning that you must desist from your usual routine, fly away to slow down, to renew the body and mind. It simply cannot be done fully at home. My ability to do this is a blessing. I am blessed beyond measure. I then walked through the city to the hotel stopping for crossiant and matcha - so good- at So Coffee. I took a ferry to Pear Island. The day was sunny, blue skies, Caribbean green water, surprisingly. I lucked out on the sunny skies. I felt lucky on the entire boat ride. To be free. To be whole. Portland Maine is a must do over.
After the ferry, I decided to make it to New Hampshire to Cathedral’s Ledge to hike. Well, I pulled up at the trail head only to get myself stuck in ice. A wonderful woman in her 60s or so nonchalantly said, “I can help. Get a rug or towel and put it under the tires and slowly reverse while I push.” Lo and behold it worked. While waving goodbye, she said to me, “we do this all the time in these parts.” God bless the timing of her being there at that exact time. I noticed that she had ice pick thingy on her shoes and ready to hike a slippery mountain. She looked fit and vibrant. She confirmed that I was not prepared to hike Cathedral Ledge’s icy conditions. She also noted that my tires did not have snow capabilities. This got me thinking about whether to go to Vermont even though there’s no snow in the forecast. Welp, there wasn’t supposed to be snow in New Hampshire. Getting back on the road after the scare. I realized that the road was a never-ending curvy mouthing two lane road. I started worrying about more icy conditions. I passed many lodgings sites but kept going then I came across the most beautiful mansion like hotel with 360 mountain views. Made a U turn and checked in. Here I sit in the Omni Resort which is a ski lodge with the most beautiful views and a huge wood fireplace with its warmth filling the room. Feels like a lodge in the hills of Switzerland.
Somehow got upgraded to a presidential suite. It’s gorgeous. Caught the sunset. It was epic. I’ve been so grateful on this trip. For the time. For health and for curiosity.
