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Ben in a VW Bus

Ben in a VW Bus

I always love interviewing couples who live small, but lately, I have felt quite empowered by the solo adventurers. It can be difficult when you're on your own to make ends meet after quitting your day job or traveling solo for months on end.

But Ben shows us that it can be a rewarding way to live. He lives off his savings, doesn't have a serious itinerary and only stays in one spot for a long period of time when his van break downs.

And as for an adventure sidekick? All Ben really needs is man's best friend.

Shelby & Simon in a Dodge Van

Shelby & Simon in a Dodge Van

I'm not sure how I found Shelby & Simon, but I'm happy I did. Just recently, I ended up spending a few hours watching van life episodes on their YouTube channel. I learned things like how you can park under the radar and how to give adorable deer kisses.

Reading through their blog, I can't help but experience the raw nature of van life. It isn't always as pretty as we paint it, and it's important for people out there to get out the real story. Shelby & Simon are those people. They make light of the bad and move on with humor, which reminds us that life is too short to get hung up on things not going our way.

Eva & Victor in a Dodge Ram Van

Eva & Victor in a Dodge Ram Van

It's funny how you connect with some people and then you can't stop talking about them afterwards. That's how I feel about Eva. We've been emailing for two weeks now and I learn something new each time we correspond or I look at one of her illustrations.

Eva & Victor follow the same story you've already heard before: a couple leaves the city to travel and live in their van. The difference is that they haven't stopped being dedicated to their crafts. Eva paints vans and illustrates a travel journal. Recently, she took a collection of painted vans from her travels and put them into a calendar that she is promoting through a Kickstarter. While Eva paints, Victor runs as a competitive mountain and ultra runner. He also surfs whenever they are close to the ocean.

The two of them are unstoppable and their photography speaks to that. Try to keep up with them as they use their talents to capture the world around them.

Travis & Shay in a Dodge Ram Van

Travis & Shay in a Dodge Ram Van

I found Travis through his photography, and once you see the photos below, you'll understand why. While I was double tapping Travis's photos, I discovered I was also following his partner, Shay. As a Divemaster, Shay's photos feature her in crystal clear beaches and deep within rainforests. You can't help but want to escape with her into the water and swim among sea creatures and coral.

But for now, I will sit back, camera in hand, while I learn from two of the best on how they are able to live their passions on land and underwater.

Angela, Jason & Bode in a VW Bus

Angela, Jason & Bode in a VW Bus

Do me a favor and think back to what it was like to be nine years old. Maybe you had a favorite teacher or a favorite memory on the playground during recess.

What if we replaced your schoolteachers with your parents and the playground was actually anywhere you could drive to between North and South America?

That's what it's like to be Bode, who has already visited 22 countries with his two parents, Angela and Jason, in a 1971 VW bus.

For Bode, school and home are both on the road.

Lauren & Calum in a VW Van

Lauren & Calum in a VW Van

There might be correlation between living small and taking pretty pictures. Or perhaps, coincidentally, the people I interview have a knack for finding beautiful things to photograph on their travels and are able to capture their own joy living this lifestyle. Either way, it’s hard not to want to escape to Europe to meet this lovely couple and caravan with them on the coast and throughout the countryside.

Lauren and Calum share through their writing and photography that the simple things in life are much more enjoyable.

Rachel & James in a VW Bus

Rachel & James in a VW Bus

Idle: to spend time doing nothing.
Theory: to spend our time idling.
Bus: vehicle, home, and friend.

It's hard to say just a few words about Rachel & James. They are two beautiful souls who are on a quest to find the meaning and purpose of both work and leisure.

I think we can all learn a thing or two by the way Rachel & James live. They actively pursue doing nothing—which is actually a whole lot more meaningful than trying too hard to do something.

What do I mean by that?

To be still while you listen to the forest or bathe quietly in hidden swimming holes requires you to accept the world around you and embrace it. So many times we don't want to be confronted with the unknown or the mysteries that surround us.

Rachel & James are immersed in this lifestyle because they want to feel something and they want to make sure you feel it too.

Kenz & Hawk in a VW Camper

Kenz & Hawk in a VW Camper

I have never met Kenz & Hawk, but is it safe to say that I already know I would get along with them?

If you're into campfires, rainbow party lights, hula hoops, dancin' hippies and wild weather, these two have you covered. They are free spirits flowing through life by saying "yes" to new experiences.

They don't have a plan or an agenda, but I'm confident good things are in their future.

Taylor, Alex & Sam in a Sprinter Van

Taylor, Alex & Sam in a Sprinter Van

I normally don't interview people who aren't living full time in their tiny homes, but I am really inspired by what Taylor, Alex & Sam are doing.

Let me rewind for a second. It's funny to think that I met Taylor at Whole Foods of all places. We were both in line to get coffee, and Taylor was dancing by herself to the music playing in the store. I couldn't help but start laughing.

We got to chatting, and she said that she and her girlfriends, Sam and Alex, were passing through Colorado on their way to Idaho because they are part of SAM (Sharing America's Marrow). The three of them are on a mission to register at least 50,000 potential bone marrow donors in the U.S. so that they can help save the lives of patients with blood cancers and diseases like leukemia and lymphoma.

I mean, that's powerful stuff. But I don't have to tell you that. These three girls have a story of their own.