Typically I do not write travel pieces unless to discuss awesome plant based food options. However, I just returned from a 2 week road trip exploring the North-Western part of the United States, exploring the beauty of Utah, Idaho, Montana, Washington and Oregon and thought that perhaps others would appreciate some of the things I learned along the way.

I have been curious about van life for quite some time. It felt like an exciting way in which to explore the world we live in while providing that escape from our everyday that we all crave. I was also aware that perhaps I was romanticizing it, the gorgeous instagram pictures and vanlifer blogs painting this picture of peace and tranquility that I may just not find on the road. So my partner and I decided to rent a van and try it out for ourselves!

Sue from all her angles!

We rented our girl, ‘Keeping it Real Sue’ from Escape Camper Vans in Salt Lake City. They made the process super easy and the van was a champ and had everything that you could want; a sink, fridge, camp stove and bed. Many RVers are turning to vans as they are more fuel efficient, can fit easily on tent camping sites and have off-road clearance for dispersed/wild camping while having all of the features of home.

toilet shots! you can’t beat the view!

To help get our trip off to a good start I ordered a portable toilet (I love this thing!), solar shower, and shower wipes to an amazon drop box near the rental place, then scheduled a food and necessities pick up order for our day of arrival from Walmart. This allowed us to hit the road faster and provided us with all we needed for our 2 weeks including healthy snacks like nuts and fruit, hardy vegetables like peppers and baby carrots as well as coleslaw mix since cabbage lasts a lot longer than lettuce, canned beans and a few veggie burgers. We did hit up bakeries, wineries, creameries, farm markets and restaurants in larger cities to make sure we got a taste of the local scene but wanted to have the essentials on hand to eat healthy meals at the van 80% of the time.

If you are planning a van life trip like this one there are a few things that we wish we had known/brought with us.

Lotion!! We live in Florida so the air is always moist, out west it is dry, dry and more dry. our noses, skin and especially our feet dried out super quick and never really got used to the climate.
a Hand Broom would have been super helpful for keeping the van clean
Sweatshirts. In our minds it was summer, why would we need sweatshirts. It gets cold at night and at the start of our trip we definitely had a few chilly days.

My google maps is my best friend for planning a trip. My partner hates planning, he is a fly by the seat of his pants but I like to have an idea of what is available to see and how to make the most efficient use of my time. I used google maps to add my points of interest, roadside attractions, our camping spots and mandatory local food eats that we had to try in order to get an idea of our route. This map changed about 4 times as our trip evolved but it is a great tool to help you keep track of what you want to see and to help you remember all of the places you visited.

To help find dispersed camping sites, the app iOverlander was amazing. It can be used without internet or data service and has a lot of great reviews from other campers. To those of you new to dispersed camping, they are free camping sites that have little to no amenities. Some are in amazing locations and others are just pull off on the side of the road that you can spend the night in a jam. We really weren’t aware of this before heading out there and on our 2nd night we called a fly fishing shop and asked about camping and as Cole, our helpful fishing friend said, “welcome to Idaho! You don’t pay for camping here.” From then on out we were determined to find the best places to camp the main criteria being a place to fish! This sometimes led to dried up lakes and road side stops but added to the overall adventure.

Living this way was a welcome change from our overcharged, busy lives and put a lot of things in perspective. Don’t get me wrong, It wasn’t without snafus - locking the keys in the van was the least fun experience although it did restore our faith in humanity, 3 hours in the desert DOES start to make you insane, trains are not pleasant sleeping mates and why oh why are dirt roads so bumpy and yes we somehow wound up on a dirt road at least once a day- poor Sue!

But nature is amazingly resilient and often surprises you in unexpected ways. Waking up and going to sleep with the sun resets your internal clock, not always worrying about how you look or even having a mirror around allows you to become comfortable in your own skin while hiking everyday makes you appreciate your bodies abilities. Having a goal of experiencing something new daily becomes your job and it was really nice to not have phone service for 90% of the trip. So if you are thinking about doing a trip like this, I would highly recommend it!

If you are interested in our itinerary so that you can start planning your trip just let me know and I can send it off to you! Happy travels and remember to eat healthy!

I have definitely been a bad blogger as of late. It is not that I haven't been eating or making delicious food instead I have been living in a bubble. A bubble filled with rainbows and hearts, fluffy pillows and star studded strolls. You see, life has a way of transforming your goals and love has a way of changing your life in a manner that is unforeseeable. My honey and I have been living in that blissful state, that moment when you come to the realization that you both irrevocable and irrepressibly love one another. With that discovery it seems that time has stood still, our hearts have opened and widened and every moment was treasured - not leaving much time for blog writing!

I look at my last post which was written in January and think where has the time gone? Have these months passed in such merriment that I did not even notice them flying by? I suppose that is the keystone to love; days turn into minutes and months turn into years. Suddenly those mundane activities become real solid moments, who knew couch sitting was so glorious or patio chats could be fulfilling. We've spent time making memories, ones that I will treasure for a lifetime but I promise that I will once again focus on the blog and sharing some amazing healthy recipes as well as a few of the food adventures that I have been blessed with taking.

Tulum is a city unlike any other in Mexico. Mexico has the spring break reputation, night clubs, tequila, revelry of the highest degree back dropped by incredible ocean views and unending sunshine. Tulum is its sleepy cousin, drenched in that same sunshine but the vibe is completely different. To start, there is a single road lined with privately owned boutiques and restaurants - not a senor frogs to be found anywhere! The beach is soft and powdery, the ocean warm and teal and the entire area is focused on environmental conservation and healthful, intricate, and delicious food. Tulum draws people from all over the world, young entrepreneurs looking for a piece of paradise and a receptive crowd.

The stores boast linen clothing inspired by soft breezes, yoga studios, kite surfing and SUP paddle boards dot the landscape and then there are the restaurants. Eating in Tulum is a treat, vegetarianism is prevalent and most restaurants have a number of interesting and delicious options infused with the flavors of Mexico and local products. Chefs are mindful of the quality of the food as well as the presentation and much to my delight dining is done alfresco with an abundance of gentle dim lighting and soothing auditory sounds..You are receiving seriously amazing food, in dreamlike spaces, at an incredibly reasonable rate. In essence it's a foodies delight.

Azulik is a uniquely designed space with an art gallery and a beautiful garden cafe

When visiting it is good to know that most of the hotels have great restaurants but the main road also boasts delightful options. As my honey and I both are interested in the food culture of the places that we visit we often tend to overeat and try a variety of locations. In 4 days we ate or drank at a dozen different locations in which the food was healthy, fresh and delicious - well besides the largest homemade Jalapeno Poppers ever! We all need a little vice once in a while!!

My hands down favorite place was Arca. It was so good that we ate there on two evenings because we wanted to try other offerings. The chef is amazing and transformed ingredients into flavorful masterpieces in an incredible setting. The kitchen is open with a large wood fired oven, the scent of local incense fills the air, candles and low lighting enhance the magic of this bustling hot spot of culinary delight.

Many of the chefs dishes are geared towards vegetarians and showcasing the way in which vegetables can be used. I love this style of dinning because there is no star for vegetarian items, it is simply an amazing dish that is plant based. Everything from the grilled pulque sourdough bread to the creamy butter was perfection. The creamy grilled pear was elevated into a sweet, tangy, herbal infused bite sized morsel contrasting with the crunch of a flaxseed cracker while a whole squash; greens, seeds, and flowers were transformed into a variety of textures and tastes.

Dim romantic lighting is not the best for taking photographs but this tartare of roasted peppers was amazing!

However, my all time favorite was the tartare of roasted peppers, cured egg yolk, and toasted almonds. The pungent sweet and smoky taste of the peppers was like nothing I have had before. I could eat it every night it was that wonderful. Overall the restaurant has it all, an incredible atmosphere, friendly staff, great cocktails and superb culinary creations.

That type of dinning is amazing but sometimes you just need some tacos from the ever popular beach side Taqueria La Eufemia, a smoothie from Cafe Banana, an amazing cocktail from Loco Tulum, an incredible brunch experience at the Cenzontle Jardin Secreto or a 40oz of beer late night at I Scream Bar. I also have to recommend our accommodations, Casa Ganesh was a dream, waking up to the beach every morning made a perfect start to the day and the location couldn't be beat - right in the middle of it all yet secluded and quiet for sleeping. Check out Tulum if you can; rest, relax, rewind, enjoy life, love and of course eat.

2022 Van Life Road Trip! Info & Tips

Adventures: Tulum's Excellent Food Scene