punkTREKS

Who knew how far he would take us ?!?

Our initial adventures in North Carolina kept us busy – to a degree, but many which required further exploration felt a bit out of grasp based on budget and logistics. So, we would spend weekends driving around neighborhoods searching for VW camper vans sitting in yards, barely functioning just waiting for someone to give them new life. Each time, they sold before we could get to them or they were in such bad shape that we just couldn’t make it happen. Eventually, we crossed our fingers and put a bid in for one on Ebay. Nope. Someone else snagged it. Ugh.

So, we kept looking. We tent-camped, stocked up on bins and bags and supplies and tried to put together a solid camping arsenal. We learned quite a bit about what we liked and didn’t like and continued to evolve discussions on what to do next. Browsing Craigslist a few months later, I found him. He wasn’t a VW, but he was small, had low mileage, was the right price and had a king-sized bed in the back – he was a Roadtrek. BINGO, I thought. Actually, we named him Griz. And for almost 8 years he took us on one adventure of a lifetime after another.

He crisscrossed the entire lower 48 states with us and the doggies in tow and even visited Canada on a few occasions. He went through multiple renovations – especially when we found out we were pregnant with Dymaxion. He teetered on the edge of countless mountains, overlooked oceans and lakes and rivers. He went through bearings and control joints and shocks. He was there for us when it rained, when it was hot or when we needed a nap. He was there to take us to visit friends, family and projects across the country. He even took us to our wedding in Oregon! He has been with us through much fun and many smiles as well as some tears. He is part of our family.

We still call him ours, but he is now a classic and mostly just pulls our little boat around and takes joyrides in the countryside. He has a barn that keeps him safe from the sun and the rain. We have big plans for Griz again one day, but for now – while we still need the extra space that the BIG RV gives us – he patiently waits for his next big adventure.