The Plan and the Van

The plan?

The plan is no plan.

We've planned our whole lives.  Heck, Megan planned travel for a living.  We did a 'test run' to San Felipe, Mexico on our standard 2 weeks of your own life to live vacation, and gasp... we had one day we didn't plan.  We ended up just staying put at a derelict RV resort with a sand-filled-in pool doing nothing.  Watching the pelicans take off and land.  And it was the best day.  So that's our inspiration... let the road take us where it may.   For planning too far ahead causes you to miss what's right in front of you.   

Okay, so I guess we do need roads at least.  But plans?

These are things we want to keep in mind as we start out.  I'm sure this will change.

1. Head South.  Hopefully to Argentina.  No timeline.  
2. Slow down.  We're always in a hurry to get somewhere.  
3. Study Spanish, practice Spanish, engage with locals.
4. Avoid burnout, don't drive more than 3-4 hours a day.
5. Keep it simple, don't buy things we don't need that won't fit in the van.
6. Keep a daily log of gratitude, the day's highlights and location.
7. If a town has a funny name, it becomes a higher priority to visit.
8. Eat like a (pescatarian) local.
9. Always cross borders in the morning if at all possible, and do not drive at night.
10. Stay fit and healthy, include lots of walks and exercise routine, if we aren't fully melted.
11. Track our budget with a goal of under $100/day for both of us.  
12. Keep the puppy, and each other, happy.
13. Find out what makes a place and people special.  
14. Stop. Look. Sit. Soak it in.
15. Help other travelers by updating Ioverlander (the ap we will use to find places to vanlife) and other sites.
16. Give back whenever and however we can, allotting a portion of our monthly budget to make someone's day.
17. Be cautious, keep those spidey senses strong, but don't miss opportunities by letting fear sink in.
18. Be curious, ask other travelers and locals for tips.
19. Keep an open invitation for any friends and family to visit along the way.
20. Remember - it'll all work out.

The Van: