Week 1 on the Road: Magic, Nature & Serendipity

There’s something sacred that happens when you let go of the plan and follow the pull.

One week into van life and I feel like I’ve already lived a thousand stories—both wildly adventurous and deeply still.

I've slept in rest stops, Walmart lots, and tucked-away shopping center corners (you gotta start somewhere 😉). But in between those practical stops, I've touched magic.

Hiking Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock in Sedona cracked me open in the most beautiful way—those red rocks hold something ancient, grounding, and wise. Before that, I found myself paddle boarding on the bright waters of Lake Havasu, totally unplanned and totally joyful. That surprise moment reminded me that play can sneak in when you’re open to it.

And then came the Petrified Forest. That place... it's like stepping into a prehistoric dream. But even more special? I met a kindred spirit there—one of those cosmic connections that stop time. A soul who saw me. Felt me. Reflected something back to me that I didn’t even know I needed to see. It was raw, real, divine. A reminder that magic finds you when you’re aligned.

Every day on the road has invited me to slow down—really slow. Not in a lazy way, but in a reverent way. When you're living in a van, every act becomes sacred. Washing dishes becomes a mindful ritual. Cleaning the van becomes an intentional practice. You use water carefully. You move slower. You feel more.

And I’m in awe. Of nature. Of this Earth. Of the quiet wisdom that comes when you strip everything back to what matters most.

Up next: I’m heading to Gallup, New Mexico—no idea why, but it’s calling me. After that, maybe a day or two in Albuquerque and Santa Fe... and then Tennessee is the big destination for now.

Thank you for being with me on this ride. There’s so much more unfolding. And I can’t wait to keep sharing it with you.

With love and road dust,

Sacora