(original date June 27, 2026. So, so so close to being caught up. Things have been moving rather rapidly and I’m just grateful to have enough resource credits now to get this done with! Up to date within the next few days 🥰)
Well, maybe not. It’s not “official” yet, but it seems very promising.
I was beginning to give up on the retail job because even though the manager reached out to me almost immediately, my response and next-day follow up went unanswered for what seemed like forever but was only a few days. Anyways, as I was walking to the rest area to use the sink this morning, she responded about setting up a phone call.
After realizing yesterday how easy the walk from town to the base lodge is, I decided to walk my ass up to the “office” this morning rather than drive. The access road is steep, my van’s gas mileage is lacking, and my brakes need attention. Furthermore, the elevation gain is significant, and the top breaches the tree line, so I wasn’t sure if it snowed up at the top of the road or not. Crazy to be considering snow in mid June, especially when it was 90F a few days ago. So I decided to combine my electricity need with my physical rehab and hiked the six miles up to the lodge.
No snow. Higher up? Almost certainly. But the subpar visibility won’t let me know for certain. I got to the lodge about half an hour prior to the job interview, and got my self set up for the day and waited for Brook from management to call me. A group of screaming children decided to sit at the table directly next to me despite the entire floor being open, so I had to go hide in the stairwell for the call.
It went extremely well. Like I said before, as long as I get as far as an interview, I typically land the job. The only times I’ve interviewed for jobs and not ended up in the position is due to myself calling it off. I’m meeting her in person on Monday for the final deal. This probably could’ve happened today, but I think she was under the impression I was still in Seattle.
random old photo from Seattle because I took very few photos today lol
Other than the interview, the day was pretty uneventful. Meaning, my schedule was full, but little to report. The retail position would only be 3 days a week, so I did more job applications and some side work up in the lodge. After I got bored of watching my power banks charge, I set off for the wet six mile hike back down to town. And! No leaks! Last night wasn’t exactly the best conditions for field research on the van’s resilience to water, but it was raining much heavier today and- still dry inside. Feeling pretty confident about it.
The rest of the evening was pretty uneventful. I did want to go for a little on-foot exploration, but I was wet and cold and over it. I also haven’t had like just a relaxing evening inside the van yet. I walked to the general store to buy some yogurt and cheese, stomaching the wildly high prices by reminding myself how much it would cost in gas to drive down the hill and back. On the way in, I finally ran into one of my friends! The game is over I suppose. He is a coach for aspiring professional skiers and was on the clock entertaining the kiddos, so it was brief, but it was nice to start running back into people again. I’m sure it will be much easier once the injury is healed and I can go snowboarding again. The mountain is really the only sure-fired central place around here where everyone gathers.
S T U M P S
As I sit on the edge of my bed in the back of the Chevy, I remember that tomorrow is Saturday. Earlier this week I promised myself that I wouldn’t go down the hill until I needed ice again, but… the Hoodland farmer’s market. It’s a very small market, but there are two vendors in particular that I try to hit every week I’m up here. In the past I had access to friends’ stoves, but as I currently aren’t aware of where they’re camping, I will probably only be going for kimchi and kraut. But it’s so worth it.
I’m starting to feel really good about things; currently, at least. I briefly have talked about my struggles with depression and general mental health and how this life shift is directly related to those issues. I’m still not prepared to fully trauma dump on you all, but I will someday haha. Without getting too deep into it, I do have to say my anxiety has decreased immensely over the past week, I am sleeping better, I’m feeling better, and although I know the ever-present cloud of dread is still there, I can’t currently see it. All things opposite of what I think many would expect after going from having a stable apartment to living in a 30+ year old van. But I’m weird. And I know it. And I know myself. And this is going to be so so good for me.
Go find your (metaphorical) van. I mean, it doesn’t have to be metaphorical. But you know, go find something that makes you happy. And if you’ve already found it, then I couldn’t be happier for you. No one deserves to suffer in this world, but it’s inevitable thanks to, well, us. It all comes to an end and we might as well be satisfied with what we did with our time here when that end comes. Keep your damn head up
