Hello fellow wanderlust seekers. My name is Victoria, I am a 30 year old, part time camper and traveler. Welcome to my blog: Never Wandering Alone. I grew up just outside on Indianapolis, Indiana and have decided to live life a little outside of the norm. Currently, I travel around in my camper with my two pups, Tiberius and Arabella who love the adventure life. However, my journey to this lifestyle started many years ago.
Growing up I was fortunate enough to get to travel with my parents. Typically, we would travel out to Mexico and the Caribbean on scuba diving trips. My dad would dive while my mom and I explored the area. At 13 we had saved up to take a trip out to New Zealand. This trip was a defining moment in my life and set me on a path of seeking adventure and not being afraid to wander far from home. We traveled some more though out my high school years, nothing as far as New Zealand, but I suppose from Indiana you can’t get much further.
As I was nearing the end college, I knew I wanted to travel, solo, with a group, family or friends… it didn’t matter, as long as I could see the world. I spent several years visiting different countries, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland and India just to name a few favorites.
Choosing Van Life
I have now traveled to 6 different continents, including the US. These include, solo trips, group adventures, trips with family and volunteered abroad.
However, it wasn’t until I picked up my two dogs that I found van life. A few months after bring Tiberius and Arabella home, I was leaving for a international trip to Peru, South America. I was completely broken hearted to leave them behind. Once I returned from my trip, I knew I had to find a way to take my dogs with me.
This was when I found van life. I did some research and knew I had figured it out. Not long after that I bought my 2016 Ford Transit 250, mid roof. With some help from my dad, we completely transformed the van. We have 400 watts of solar panels, a double water tank system and the capability of going off grid for several days at a time.
We have had some really epic adventures. My dogs and I have done some incredible hikes and seen a good part of the US together. Having said that, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Van life has come with its share of frustrations, confusion and lots of second guessing. Even with it’s challenges, we love getting to explore the world together.
Switching to a Camper
In 2021, I knew I was ready for another change. I loved my time exploring in my van but space was tight and I was ready to jump into life in a camper. Now, we own a 2022 Jayco Jay Flight travel trailer and are seeing the world a little differently now. Life in camper has taken a bit of adjusting but we love this new lifestyle.
A Little Back Story to my Blog
I took my first solo trip to Africa but it wasn’t until 2017 when I was on my own in Australia that I came to realize that we never wander alone. Upon leaving LA to fly 13 hours to Brisbane, Australia, my flight encountered a major delay putting us two hours behind schedule.
Once I arrived in Brisbane I needed a new plan to get to the town I was staying in. Due to the delay, I now had to find a new train schedule. I got off on a stop that only worked during the week and I Had arrived on a weekend. Putting me further behind my planned schedule. However, I finally arrived in Beerwah to catch the trolley to Australia Zoo.
I was actually in Australia to join the Australia Zoo crocodile research team for a volunteer project. After speaking with the trolley driver and explaining what I was doing he offered to take me to my hotel, just down the road at the end of the day. Having arrived without a plan on how to get to my hotel this was such a relief.
We talked on the way to my hotel. He asked what my plans were the next day and coordinated a time to pick me up. He also held my bag in the transfer vehicle and made sure I knew what time to get back to the trolley to ensure I would catch the train back to Brisbane. My flight to the volunteer sight was the next morning.
It was at this time that I realized, although I was traveling solo, I was not alone.
Never Wandering Alone
Now that I travel with my dogs the phrase “Never Wandering Alone” has never been more true. Along my travels, I have met some many angels that have helped along the way. My favorite travel companions will always be my dogs.
I hope this blog will inspire others to travel. Whether it’s solo, in a group, in a van, a camper or with people you love, just go see the world. I have included and will continue to add my experiences in van life, travel stories and adventure lessons that I have learned along the way.
Thanks so much for wandering with me!
Victoria, Tiberius & Arabella
