TODAY IS WEDNESDAY MARCH 5, 2014 and last Monday, March 3, I celebrated my 6th anniversary as a full-time boondocker. It was March 3, 2008 when I left my house at Canton, NC and I haven’t lived in a house since. In the last 6 years (2190 days) the only time I’ve spent sleeping in a house was maybe 30 days with my mom. Every other night has been spent living in either my camper, my trailer, or my van on public land—either National Forrest or BLM desert land. It’s very difficult for me to describe how truly wonderful the experience has been or how deeply it has changed me, but I’ll do my best to describe it. I’m also going to include some photos I’ve taken of the most beautiful places I’ve been. When you’ve spent this much time in nature, and seen these sights, you too will be a changed person.
First, a little background. This wasn’t my first time as a vandweller. Back in 1995 after a divorce devastated my finances I had no choice but to move into a van in order to survive. At first I hated it but over the first few months as I solved all the problems and adapted to it I slowly fell in love with it. I loved it so much that even after my finances recovered I continued to live in a van for the next 6 years, at which time I found a girlfriend and moved in with her in her house. Almost immediately I became aware that I hated living in houses! I hated the payments, the stuff, the maintenance, the wasted space and most of all the extra work they require (shoveling snow and mowing lawns!). I hated everything about them! I endured living in one for as long as I could but there was just no getting around it, I couldn’t live in a house and be happy. By then we had married but we realized that I couldn’t be happy living in a house and she couldn’t be happy without one, so we divorced amicably and on March 3 I hit the road for the second time.
In this post I want to try to tell you what the last 6 years have been like for me and the changes I’ve experienced and some of the lessons I’ve learned.
Nature changed me
Oddly enough, even though I had lived in Alaska all my life I was just another city boy. When I was a young man I had felt a very strong connection with nature and spent a lot of time backpacking and exploring it (in my 20s I spent 6 weeks backpacking and rafting in ANWR in the Arctic). Unfortunately, when I got older I got married and had kids and all that stopped; my life was just work, eat, sleep and take care of business. There was no more time for nature no matter how much I missed it. I thank god that all that changed when I hit the road March 3, 2008. I’ve spent virtually every moment of every day since then connected to and being changed by nature. Finally, my life has become what it was meant to be.
I found peace.
All my life my heart and mind had been in constant turmoil over daily life. There was a committee in my head that constantly relived every argument and worried about every little thing. Problems at work and problems with the family were a constant source of fuel for worry and concern. There was never a moment’s pure silence in my head. But when I left all that behind and started living on public land that slowly changed. Every morning that I stepped out of my little vehicle home into a beautiful nature scene my heart grew a little more at ease and the voices in my head grew a little more silent. What was there to worry and fret about? Every day was another day in paradise!
Fear left my life and I developed faith
I have always been a very fearful person. For most of my life I had no idea how fearful I was but when I began a spiritual program searching for change I suddenly discovered fear was everywhere in every aspect of my life. Fear was like an evil and corroding thread that was woven through the very fabric of my existence; subtly dominating my every thought and feeling. But as nature changed me and I found peace my heart started to soften and open up. Slowly, month by month and year by year fear left my life and was replaced by a confidence that all was well with me and I was going to be alright no matter what happened. The unchanging beauty and wonder of nature became my confidence. I have no idea who or what takes care of me and makes everything okay, but I know it always happens somehow.
My heart softened and compassion and empathy crept into my life
Because I was such a fearful person, I was also a very selfish person. I don’t mean in the sense that I didn’t care about people and wanted to take things from them for myself. No, outwardly I was a pretty nice guy, but inwardly all my thoughts and actions were about myself. I may have been nice to you, but it was for the purpose of making my life better. But that changed as I found peace and quiet in my heart and mind. Because I was happy, I didn’t have to constantly worry about myself and my welfare. My welfare was settled, so now I could actually risk worrying about other people and their welfare instead of only worrying about myself. Believe me that was a first!
Out of compassion for others I began working harder at my websites and created three new websites including the forum and this blog.
I also created the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous with the goal in mind of creating a Tribal Community and making it easier for people to transition into this new life.
I found a community and made friends
Over the course of the last 6 years I’ve made more and more friends who were also out in nature and I’ve found they were all changed just like I was. There is a comradery among boondockers that creates a connection and deep friendship I had never experienced before. That’s grown tremendously as the websites and RTR grew and now I have hundreds of friends I consider family all over the country.
I discovered I can live on very little money
Because I didn’t have any rent or utilities I found I could live on very little money. Of course that was true when I lived in a town, but I found that by boondocking for longer periods out in the backcountry I spent less money because I was so far from stores there was nowhere to spend it.
I learned I could make enough money at a job I loved
One of the first new friends I made told me about working as a campground host in National Forrest campgrounds. I knew I was going to need some extra income so I decided to give it a try. I signed up for workampers.com and right away I got three job offers. I accepted and worked as a campground host in the Colorado Rockies and fell in love with it. I loved my job and did it for the next three years in the Sierra Mountains of California. In the winter I drew unemployment and made enough money to get by very well.
I’ve endured tragedy
In the grand scheme of things I believe there is a Higher Power who watches over and protects us if we will let him/her/it. Nearly all my life I insisted on running the show and being my own protector and in doing so I made myself and those around me extremely unhappy. But by learning to trust and relax out here in nature, I’ve tried hard to let the Great Mystery be in charge of my life. There is no doubt in my mind that saved my life.
One of my sons died during this period and a few months later I shattered my arm. That combination was devastating to me emotionally; I barely survived it. Had I not been living this way, I’m confident I would have taken my own life. The day came when carrying the burden was too hard for me and I said to the Great Mystery, “I’m done fighting for my life, no more. If I am to live you must do it.” Within the week a friend showed up in camp and I lived. I owe him my life.
Conclusion
So the last 6 years have been eventful. But they have been full of something I’ve never had in the previous 52 years: Life!
In the last 6 year I’ve embraced life and lived it to the fullest. It’s been wonderful and it’s been horrible. It’s been exciting and it’s been boring. It’s been pleasant and it’s been excruciatingly painful. I’ve been comfortable and I’ve been miserable. But through it all I’ve been fully, totally alive, drinking deep from all that life has to offer—the good and the bad. It’s been something I wouldn’t trade for all the money and gold in the world!
Boy did I need to read this. Thanks Bob.
A great post that I’m sure many who read this will connect to. It might be very timely for some, thought pondering for others. Happiness is elusive. I’m glad you found what makes you whole.
I like bob, I do, in fact I like him enough that I have watched dozens and dozens of this videos.
Which makes me wish I hadn’t seen the one where he casually mentions that his ‘favorite’ site is just outside the town his sister lives in and the when he is there he spends the max at the site and the rest of the time at sis’s house.
nothing wrong with that of course but not eggzactly the vibe he promotes.
The reason he spent time at is sister’s place was that his aging mother was there and he wanted to spend time with her. She passed a few months ago and he was there for it.
I so enjoy reading these reboots. My inspiration for the day…my church. Thank you for reaching out to so many.
I am finding the getting started is so hard. Been reading and listing to your videos and know that this is the life I am supposed to lead but money wise is where I am at. I still owe on my suv and I do have some health issues but mainly due to stress. How do you leave everyone behind to live this life is where I am at right now in my head. My son has brain cancer and would he or his wife be able to get a hold of me if something were to happen to him? How are you able to live this life style with the gas prices like they are? How can you live this lifestyle up here in the north? I think that is my biggest concern. Plus could I really live in just my suv in the winter time up here in Michigan? Where would I go park at night etc? Right now so many questions are running through my head.
You never know until you jump out there and do it. You won’t know the answers to your questions until you just jump.
The answer will always be NO until you ask.
There is a life out there greater than you can imagine and you are the artist that will craft it to your liking.
An added benefit is the beautiful souls you will meet along the way.
New and fast friends are out there to be made.
There are freaks just like me out there that can’t stand stress, would like to laugh more, be more rested, be more at peace, hug more, slow down much more.
My body, mind and spirit have been screaming for that for years.
Maybe you can live in an SUV in Michigan in the winter. Maybe you can’t. You just don’t know until you try.
I must say it gets crazy and fun in January in southern Arizona, wearing shorts and a tshirt in the days and usually in the 50s at night. Just sayin. ?
I can tell by the way you write you are intelligent. You are smart enough to figure this out. Don’t let fear steal this from you.
It is all out there for you.
You are the driver, just drive to go get it.
It’s simple. Sleep when you are sleepy.
Eat when you are hungry.
Drive when you need to.
Be around good people when you are lonely and don’t sweat anything.
Last things:
Don’t spend more money than you have.
There is always a peace of mind having a prudent reserve of money and resources that go beyond its value in cash.
There was a time in my life that I decided to stop waiting for a better moment that was never going to come.
How would you live your life if you could let go of these nagging concerns.
You and you alone have the answers within you. All you have to do is stop and learn how to listen.
Bless you and hope to see you Out There!
Sandy,hi !
I’m not a van dweller even though I would love to be one, that said:
a) # ONE…check with Bob Wells about al the questions U have.
b) # TWO… U can become a snow bird like thousands are, come South in Winter, return to Michigan beginning of Spring-time.
c) # Three… in today’s world U could easily be in touch with friends & family having a reliable cellular & / or a Small & reliable laptop. A 13 inches APPLE is light & manageable.
My regards & hope than in someway I’m been of help.
Thank you
That’s 5264 days now.
Funny how they stack up so quickly.
Thanks Bob for sharing your story.
Thanks Bob your post speaks to me.
So beautifully written Bob! I’m getting ready to head out myself. Closing on my house soon. Needing to commune with God and nature and find that peace you speak of. Hope to run into you one day. I’m sure I will. We’ll be in the same neighborhood! ?
Great background story from a guru. An example of faith in transition and minimizing life‘s regrets.
I also like the comments about living below your means.
Thank you so much Bob for openly sharing your feelings & thoughts, & encouragement! Beautifully expressed. Totally second 2Z Bundok’s words.
Here in Canada it can be a bit of a stretch to find warmer temperatures to go to in the winter. Anyone out there who can share ideas on helping make winters in the Northern hemisphere more workable, or knows of a “cold weather Bob” or website(s) equivalent, is much appreciated!??
Sherbear :There are thousands of snowbirds from Northern USA as well as from Canada.
Good luck with your research; my regards.
Thank you Lucy, for your feedback & good wishes! My apologies for not being more clear in stating my request. I was thinking of those who remain in Canada (or other cold areas of the world) through the winter months, who – for whatever reason – are not able to drive (south) to the US or warmer climates, & might have tips or websites to share. I know the Western part of Canada & Vancouver Island are the warmest areas, even though it can be very rainy.
I have been following Bob’s website for some years, read & re-read his book, as well as enjoy his how-to videos & interesting interviews. I am very appreciative of all his, & everyone’s, efforts, work, tips & tricks shared over the years!
Thanks again Lucy. As J said above, I hope to see you Out There some day! Kind regards?
Thanks for sharing your story and the beautiful pictures. I am glad you pulled it through. I am sure you are using but these days there are apps that tell you where you can stay overnight or longer. We often go for a week or two with our campervan and enjoy the freedom of pulling up in a beautiful spot and call it our home for a short while.
LOVE this so much and all of you!
Bob you have friends around the world. I come back to my home in Pahrump, NV every so often. I’ve seen you MMM, the Pahrump library and the RTR. You were always polite I tried to stay back a bit but have admired you from afar. I live on my farm in Thailand for the past 22 years. Thank you for all you do, Bangkok John.
The small nuggets of insight into your “selfish” self when interacting with others came and sat down beside me. That’s an honesty and a side of me that I need to address . I am complete and need steer away from whirlpools and seek those that are not in race to take from me but are Giving and not taking. Thank you for your insight into yourself.