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 Who knew the world was so large? I sure didn’t. Up until a few months ago, all I knew was a placed called Phoenix. Now, I’ve seen canyons and mountains and forests and prairies and lakes and more animals than I ever knew existed. Now, I have a family. A new job. Now, I have a second chance at life.      Mama bear and her cubs not far off. Thirty feet away, tops. In my whole life, I’ve never seen a bear, and now, thanks to Yellowstone National Park, I’ve seen several. Thanks to Yellowstone, I’ve communed with the miracle of Nature, sometimes bizarrely bubbling in an otherworldly landscape, but always full of beautiful surprises.  I’ve been learning that America is truly beautiful. I’d collected evidence of this last winter, when I visited my first two American national parks. But I learned it, without a doubt, during our recent road trip north, when we stopped in a few very beautiful, very grand, national parks – so grand, in fact, that two of them earned the word grand in their very names! Can you guess which national parks I’m talking about?
 This month’s travel stats are strong: almost 4,000km of driving, three different countries, five U.S. states, and four national parks! Life has definitely changed for us here at Wandering Footsteps! After four months of full-time bus conversion work, we’re back to doing what we love most – seeing the world!
 We moved into our new Big Blue Bus two weeks ago. After almost four months of full-time conversion work, you might be curious to see just how things are going for us so far – if so, read on. I spill the good and the bad of our first two weeks back on the road!
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Rachel - This is the cutest “Getting a second chance in life” story I’ve ever read!! Our “vehicules” really do take on a life of their own beeing such an important part of our journeys…I agree that our JÉDI felt as excited as us to discover all these new places on our way to Panama! 🙂
Brittany - Ooooh, we would love to see your vehicle! Can’t find any photos of it on your blog… maybe you can help us find the right place…? Hope you’ll travel with Jedi again in the near future! 🙂
Mashoud Janjua - Cher Brittany,
Sounds like a bit of an anomaly…Freightliner with a Thor body and a 5.9 litre Cummins. As you know, Freightliners are generally big beasts with Volvo or Caterpillar diesels.
However, for a change, some engineer had the smarts to use a 5.9 litre Cummins which can literally run on ghee and last for a million miles as long as the injectors keep working. It is akin to a 5 cylinder Mercedes diesel from the old 300 SD days.
My rig is a Ram 3500 Crew Cab 4×4 dually with…guess what ? 5.9 litre Cummins chosen specially for dirty diesel and carrying an Arctic Fox 1150 Aluminum structure with all the goodies an old guy and gal need for off the beaten path.
Am I an overlander? I have to chuckle at this because with the advent of the digital age, everyone seems to be writing about this rather new found phenomenon when chaps like me probably pioneered it and yet no one ever knew. I am referring to 1963… from East Africa to Sweden in a Hillman ..22 countries. Mind you, the world was pretty virginal then…friendlier, raw, innocent and devoid of violence . You could crisscross North Africa, Freely pass through the Khyber, have fun in Iran and share kebabs in Afghanistan. Of course, until the Americans and their buddies started to piss on the tranquility of cultures for nothing else but oil and hegemony.
I think I have gone too far. Stop by in Eastern Ontario when you come home. An hour from Montreal. Other than that, maybe Guatemala in the fall.
Leslie Brown - I wonder if Toyotia is missing you?? Hope you got my B.D. wishes
Love, Grampa
Brittany - I think she is! She’s still stuck in Dallas, because the new owner hasn’t had a chance, yet, to drive her all the way to Boston. I hope she made a few friends to pass the time until her next adventures!
Sharon Socia - Brittany You are such a gifted writer and I so love reading your blog Love this one from Big Blues perspective. We just returned from what I.m calling our”Sizzling Rocks” trip Put 1660 miles on the bike in 6 days Very hot and did we see alot of rocks! Take care Happy Birthday
Brittany - Hi Sharon and thank you for the compliment! I’m blushing! 🙂
Where did you guys go on your trip? I love the name you picked – from the sounds of it, you must have stayed in the south! Can you send some of that heat to Canada please? 🙂
xx
Auntie Freya - Dear Brittany and Bruno,
I loved your adventures from the bus’s point of view. Very touching. I’m still awaiting an email from you.
I’m glad Louise is back in NY. She had a good time with your brother and girl friend. I’ll be spending time with her at her place in July – doing the city things.
I hope all is well – which it sounds like.
Much love,
Freya
Brittany - Hi Auntie Freya, thanks for saying hi. I really appreciate hearing from my readers so I know I’m not just writing out to cyberspace!
It’s been tough to keep up on my correspondence this year, and somehow hasn’t gotten easier since we hit the road. I think we’re driving a lot more than we usually do, partly because North America is so huge, and partly because we have a trip planned with family and so a concrete date pushing us ever-forward.
Say hi to Louise for me!! 🙂 And thanks for saying hi!!
Micheline - J’adore l’histoire de ce grand bleu… Je me réjouis de faire bientôt sa connaissance.
Big bisous à b&b&bb
Brittany - Merci Mimi!! Ca me fait plaisir de savoir que tu nous lis. Ca fait trop longtemps qu’on s’est pas parle – mais bon, tout ca va changer tres bientot!! Trois semaines avant votre grand depart, n’est-ce pas? Est-ce que vous pouvez amenez un peu de chaleur d’ete avec vous s’il te plait?!?!?!? Gros bisous et a bientot – on est en route nous aussi. 🙂
Elizabeth S. - Love reading the travels from the perspective of Big Blue. You really should write a book for children!
Brittany - If I could get Nicole Legault on board!!
Mashoud Janjua - Really wise move to convert Big Blue into living quarters because it seems it is built so much sturdier than a conventional factory A class RV. They are put together for aesthetics but held together with bubble gum and staples.
Got to comment on the stove…my! my ! made for a snobby French chef.
I was wondering though . Is Big Blue diesel powered and if so, what pusher?
Thanks for sharing and keep on trucking.
mashoud
Brittany - Hi Mashoud and thanks for saying hi! We were especially wanting to convert our own vehicle so we could choose a design that worked for us. All the ready-made RVs have standard designs that we don’t find super practical – especially because they have tiny kitchens! You probably guessed it, but I love to cook! And I am loving my stove!! 🙂
Big Blue is indeed diesel (a must-have for Bruno) and it’s a Freighliner with a Thor body. The engine is a 5.9 Cummins, which have a great reputation and should last a good long while.
Are you an overlander?
Nikos&Georgia - We love the last picture! Awesome!
The bus tale is so sweet!
So, when are you changing your front picture in the website?
Safe travels from the bottom of our heart!
Brittany - Thanks for saying hello again, friends! We just looked at your latest post about your home-made frisbee. You guys are keeping busy with lots of great projects! Great job!
That picture of Totoyaya….. I think we will keep it for a while, still. In fact, Bruno just printed off 500 more business cards with the Totoyaya shot on the front. Even though we are quickly loving Big Blue, Totoyaya still feels very much a part of us! Can’t let her go just yet… 🙂