About

About Our Trip

We started in Phoenix with a vague plan: go up the west coast then over to Michigan, and head south when it gets cold.

Every adventure has a starting point. Most have an ending point as well. Before this trip, all of our adventures have started and ended in our home in Phoenix, AZ. This adventure does not have a definite end point.

This adventure started in Phoenix, and will end at a new place to call “home.” Exploring beautiful places we might want to call “home” is one of the many activities our trip entails. Along the way to find a new home, we’re rock climbing, hiking, surfing, and taking in the local sights, sounds, and tastes.

Our trip takes place in our VW bus named Lily, who slowly brings us from one place to the next.

About Erin

If you would have asked me about myself before this trip I would probably tell you that I am a teacher and I would entertain (or bore) you with many stories about crazy things that my kids have done or said over the years.

Besides being a teacher I am also a sister, daughter, friend, girlfriend, traveler, climber, surfer, hiker, singer, dancer (though am not very good at the last two but don’t really care)…

I live for the moments where I am struck silent by the true beauty of nature and feel it often when I am climbing or hiking. I feel most alive when I am outside taking in the magnficent views and also while learning something new from another person. I think that each person I meet has something to teach me (whether it be big or small) and I enjoy trying to learn all of their lessons.

I believe that life is an amazing journey that should be lived and felt with no holding back and that is exactly what I am trying to do with mine.

About Ben

When someone asks you “what do you do?” they are almost certainly referring to your “day job.” By that definition I am a Ruby/Rails web developer… or I was one at least, and probably will be one again at the end of our trip.

Besides programming, I find myself rock climbing, surfing, snowboarding, or whatever other adventure I find myself in.

I love moments that demand my full attention. Moments which require all of my mental and physical abilities to succeed. Moments where nothing crosses my mind except exactly what I am doing at that very moment. Whether it’s dropping into a wave or climbing an exposed arete, I love immersing myself into these moments that focuses all of my energy.

I’ve found that life is best lived for the moment. Forget about end goals, just enjoy the journey.

About Lily

Lily is our lime green ’79 VW bus. We got her in December of 2009 and worked on her nonstop until our trip began 6 months later. When we first saw Lily, it was love at first sight-ish. She was so bright which we were not sure if we could handle but we grew to love. Lily has went from our project to our home since we bought her and we sure love her.