Blog

Unicorns Are Real

Unicorns Are Real

I realized my last blog post was nearly six months ago, and it was a bit of a cliffhanger for those of you who aren’t on social media to see how things have transpired. As you might recall, my van died in January while Paco and I drove to Scottsdale, Arizona to meet a...

An Unexpected Pivot

An Unexpected Pivot

I have reached the point of my journey where it’s time to let go of my beloved van and let her cross the rainbow bridge.I knew this day would come. I knew it when the van first entered my life with an odometer reading just shy of 200,000 miles. Despite being...

Painting Family History

Painting Family History

If I had to think of one image to define my Bussett heritage, it would be a big red barn.Not just any red barn, but the red barn that stands as a cornerstone of childhood memories for me and every Bussett relative I’ve known. A steadfast backdrop for family...

What I’ve Learned from Three Years In A Van

What I’ve Learned from Three Years In A Van

I have lived full-time in my van for three years and greatly underestimated how life-altering it would be.When I began, I told everyone it would be for a year. I believed that at the time, but I now realize it was a safety net I’d created. An out. An exit strategy. It...

A Change of Pace

A Change of Pace

It’s hard to believe this is my third December living in the van.When I first began traveling, I told myself each year would be different. I would travel new roads, venture to new towns, and see sights I hadn’t seen before. While there were certain areas that drew me...

If It Doesn’t Challenge You, It Doesn’t Change You

If It Doesn’t Challenge You, It Doesn’t Change You

I recently acquired a mountain bike and it has introduced me to so many unexpected delights. The bike belonged to the daughter of the family I pet-sat for in Breckenridge, CO, and while she had outgrown it, the bike perfectly fits my small frame. It’s an older Santa...

INTERVIEW: What An Honor to Be A “Van Life Inspiration”

INTERVIEW: What An Honor to Be A “Van Life Inspiration”

My friend Lindsey recently interviewed me for her blog. I’d read some of her previous posts and was familiar with their length and depth, so I knew this wasn’t going to be just a few shallow paragraphs. Instead, it became a deep dive into my story and how I ended up...

Building A Mobile Art Studio

Building A Mobile Art Studio

The van recently underwent renovations to transform into a mobile art studio.I wanted to make things more easily accessible so I would be inclined to maintain a regular routine of doing something creative every day. If it’s not convenient, as it wasn’t before, I won’t...

New Paintings Inspired By and Created In Nature

New Paintings Inspired By and Created In Nature

When I moved into the van, I packed only the bare minimum of art supplies. I needed a break from painting, and at the time, I didn’t have the space to store wet paintings or additional supplies. Fast forward a year and a half, and I’m wielding paintbrushes again....

Vanventures with Lisa Bussett – Part Two

Vanventures with Lisa Bussett – Part Two

I recorded another podcast with my friend Steve Harper of The Ripple Effect: Vanventures with Lisa Bussett - Part Two This time, Steve got fancy and recorded our talk as a video too. So kick back with a snack and listen to all Paco and I have been up to on our...

Living the Van Life

Living the Van Life

I often get asked how long I plan to continue living in a van. The answer: I have no idea.

A Look Back At Day One

A Look Back At Day One

February 15, 2020, was my last day in Austin, TX. Last day as a homeowner. First day as a van dweller.  I have a lot of wonderful stories from this year on the road. So much more amazing than I ever could have imagined. I'll share more insights and photographs of...

Follow the Seasons

Follow the Seasons

Turns out I’m not so great at keeping this website up to date.  I’ve traveled through five states since my last post, and taken thousands of photos, some of which I’ve posted below (not in chronological order). Right now, I’m in the Arizona desert. Don’t...

Get Lost in Montana

Get Lost in Montana

A common sticker seen around Montana is a simple outline of the state, with the phrase, “Get Lost” in the center. It was spotting one of those stickers on a sign along a remote Forest Road that made me realize I’ve inadvertently spent the past two months doing just...

Tour My Van

Tour My Van

Let me take you on a tour of my van! Watch the video ‘Solo Female Van Traveler Quits Her Job, Sells Her Home, to Live on the Road’

Colorado to Wyoming

Colorado to Wyoming

It feels so nice to be on the road again. Paco and I left our safe self-isolation home in New Mexico at the beginning of June. We traveled slowly through Colorado, taking a quick dip through the northeast corner of Utah before moving into Wyoming. I greatly...

One Month In

One Month In

First and foremost, Paco and I are safe and healthy. Our first month on the road was full of unanticipated adventures, stunning landscapes, and ample pleasant surprises. What wasn’t anticipated was how much became unavailable with the onset of a pandemic. Of course,...

Two Weeks In

Two Weeks In

Let me begin with a disclaimer: I’m currently parked on the shoulder of a highway to upload this post. I’ve caught a signal and am staying put while I’ve got it. This being the first time I’ve created a new post using only my phone, I’m certain something wonky will...

Here We Go!

Here We Go!

I've finished all of my van updates, and now it's time to hit the road! For those of you wondering, "where will you go first?" - my answer is, "west." I don't have a route mapped out, but have a few stops in mind, so I at least have a vague idea of where I'm headed....

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

The first question most people had when learning about my plans was, "Where's your first stop?" I imagine they expected me to name off National Parks, or elaborate plans for big, grandiose adventures, but my response was always, "Kellyville, Oklahoma," which warranted...