Road Trip Photos (in a Honda Element)

I’ve been intending to write about how we’ve managed to road-trip (travel and live) in my partner’s Honda Element full-time, long-term. But I think I should share a few related photos first.

Of course, I never intended to share these images, as most of these photos were taken from inside the Honda, where I find it so hard to take pretty photos.

Also, we had a cracked windshield (and what sounded like a bullet strike) on display for most of the initial year and a half of traveling and living in the Element.

We knew we didn’t want to replace the windshield until we were no longer driving the roughest roads, after which the risk of further cracks and dings would be diminished.

In addition, traveling and living in the Honda Element was completely unexpected and unplanned. I thought we were just going on a brief camping trip.

This means we tossed our old “camping-worthy” clothes into the auto with us when we headed out, snags and all. No photo planning on our part.

This is reality. Reality is imperfect. And that’s okay.

So, below, I’m sharing a few photos of these unexpected moments…

• my partner’s joy at arriving back in California, where he spent years racing sailboats

• a favorite coffee shop (my partner is inside it; I’m still waking up/getting dressed)

• the little Thai elephant gifted to us by one of our favorite Thai restaurant owners

• the first time we saw the brand-new VW bus (ID. Buzz)

• a favorite beautiful canyon

• red tail lights that I cannot explain

• how I relax (feet up)

• the beautiful drive up to Mammoth Lakes, CA

• van camper envy in the Mammoth ski mountain parking lot

• happiness

• peace

• beauty

• realizing the Secret Service was tailing us (seriously, literally, factually)

• a beautiful campsite (with a nearby grill fire that exploded as those campers slept)

• frugal celebration

• early morning

• how my partner relaxes (lovingly touching me/my feet)