People have been asking me when my journey “begins,” and it’s been a bit hard to answer because I’m not really sure what demarcates its start. As of last Saturday, I’ve moved out of my NYC apartment, so maybe it’s already begun, even though I stayed in NYC through Wednesday. I’m now upstate visiting my mother, and then I will be back in NYC for a few days before setting out to DC to visit my father. Maybe DC is when my wander begins? Or perhaps it’s already begin. I guess it doesn’t much matter. But I got a taste of it the last two nights.
On Wednesday, Julie and I took a drive to the Catskills Mountains, parked at a campsite, and slept in the van for the first time! Because my next stop is my mother’s, the van was a little over-full with extra items that will find their homes upstate, including a home-made Mondrian masterpiece that spent the night on the windshield.
Cramped conditions aside, the vehicular arrangement was rather cozy! The bed came together nicely, and the foam mattress (Amazon affiliate link*) is surprisingly comfortable (if not a bit hard for my liking). We did try the sink set-up as well, and my fancy glue-job came apart right away. So that will need to be addressed. I also strung the solar lights through the rear window and zip-tied the solar portion to the roof rails… it worked like a charm! I’m pretty excited about the ambiance and functional lighting they provide (Amazon affiliate link*).
The biggest challenge was that it was pretty damn cold at night, despite my insulating window panels and the two blankets. I do have another blanket and a sleeping bag for future nights, so no one is going to freeze to death. But if I do find myself in colder climes during my wander, I may decide to purchase a gas-powered heater (alongside a carbon monoxide detector, of course) or an electric blanket paired with a suitable battery. Or maybe just sleeping in a hat will do the trick.
The next day, we stopped by one of the four Bread Alone bakeries in the Catskills. (They sell their bread in grocery stores, and I highly recommend it.) We took advantage of the lovely weather and their outdoor area to read, write, and reflect. I even found myself a stump to meditate on and to begin writing this very post, while Julie got some work done.
Having filled our bellies, we hit the road in search of somewhere new to explore and to spend the night. We pointed the GPS toward Big Indian Wilderness, and we enjoyed a scenic winding drive through the mountains, just at the tail-end of leaf-peeping season. We eventually settled on a beautiful spot along the Neversink River.
Serene meditation spot 
We went on a short wander, and then we gathered wood for a cute fire to fight back the approaching chill. We dined on pre-made salad and Amy’s soup, read a lame ghost story, and we settled into the van for the rest of the night.
Upon reflection, my wander has absolutely started. We embodied the spirit of an open-hearted and open-minded wander, and had the most beautiful experiences. Certainly, it’s impossible to separate the magic of these few days from the wonderful quality of the companionship, but I can only hope that this initial vaunt offers a taste of what’s to come in my upcoming solo wanders.
*See my disclosures statement