Living the Dream: The Adventures of Moving into My Car with My Cat
Written By Melissa St. Clair
October of 2020 I decided I would do it. Move into my car. Me and my cat. The pandemic really helped jumpstart what I had wanted for so long. I already had a variety of caretaking and artistic jobs that allowed me to split my time between Washington State and Virginia since 2016, so why not take it to the next level? I set the date to embark on a cross country journey in June, which gave me 6 months.
Just like so many others, I found Tik Tok during the pandemic as a way of escaping. The app gave me so much inspiration for car life. I am already an avid thrifter/bargain hunter so I spent my time finding great deals, which saved me tons! I got a nearly brand new camp stove, albeit vintage, for $7, and a giant flannel double sleeping bag for $10! I knew that while living in the car I wanted to split my time between staying in my home bases, near close friends and families I work with, showering at planet fitness etc, and part time out on the road, in the forest, just living my best life in the woods.
For the six months preceding my adventure I practiced my skills on the road from Virginia. North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, DC, Maryland. My kitty was with me, right by my side. Augustus Adventure Kitty, or Gussy Boo for short. We’d stay in the car, cheap motels or with friends and family. I made it a point to try and connect with all the people I love on social media. Like, “we haven’t been friends in real life since 1996 but you seem cool and I’m in your state, let’s have coffee!” But seriously, it’s been a beautiful way to connect with awesome people in many states all over the country.
Summer arrived. My baby sister had just graduated college, and she flew across the country to start the journey back towards Washington with me. Gussy was obviously along for the ride. We did hotel stops all along the East Coast. Philadelphia, Boston, Newport all the way up to Maine where we camped for a couple days. Then back down through Vermont, New York over to Ohio and back towards the West Coast. We camped again in Wisconsin at a magically empty campground on the river, pulled in and set up our tent just in time for a huge thunderstorm. The new tent kept us dry and for the next couple days we ran around barely clothed in the humid, muggy Wisconsin summer. Then we departed, heading towards Minnesota, across North Dakota and Montana, then back into Washington.
For my first year in Washington following the road trip, I mostly lived under a friend's carport in her apartment complex. The “urban stealth” model of carlife meant that none of her neighbors knew I was in there. I had made black out window covers so nobody could see my car camper setup inside. I showered at the gym, where I pay $20 a month for a nationwide membership; a membership that also includes massage chairs and a big open space to stretch out and lift a couple weights. I prepped my food with friends at their houses. It was nice to have a little space in several fridges so I did not need a cooler, ice or electricity to run a small fridge. I’ve now built a network of people who support my lifestyle. I haven’t received much push back other than people insisting I sleep in their guest room, not understanding how comfortable my living arrangements are. After some convincing, however, I’m allowed to sleep wherever I feel comfortable. The elements were definitely easier to manage in the PNW. Handling the chilly, wet weather temps is far easier than the Southern heat for me and my little kitty partner.
Saving money on rent and household expenses meant more money for flights to Fairbanks, Alaska or Colorado Springs, Colorado for the hot springs. I also accomplished a huge life goal of mine by taking two separate trips to Los Algodones, Mexico for a mouth full of dental work and gum surgery. Life changing. Being able to take a West Coast road trip from Washington to Mexico was a dream. All of this was done without paying anything for lodging on an 11 day trip! With a car camper you can sleep undetected anywhere! But, I always use my safety and intuition to keep me safe sleeping at rest stops or store parking lots.
Now, after a 10 month hiatus, next month I will return once again to full time car life. I crave being back in the car everyday. I love the freedom and adventure it offers me. I love the connection I have to nature when the first thing I do in the morning is go outside. My sleep is better; I think the black out windows make it a cozy pod for the best sleep of my life. My community and support teams have never been greater. Instead of waking up and looking around at what I could clean or accomplish in my house, I wake up outdoors and think, ‘Who could I go visit? Take a hike with? Cold plunge in the sound?’ I get yummy kombucha and a bunch of fruit and just go chill out in a park or at the beach. Car-life helps me fill up my cup in a way I’ve never known. In return I am able to do more for so many people.
If anyone is interested in a nomadic life on the road I’m always available to chat about it. There are women’s only car and van life pages I follow on Facebook which are full of advice and real life stories of a bunch of bad ass women making it happen. Follow your dream. Listen to your gut. Enjoy your time on this earth and be free!
