Escapees September-October 2022

I’ve gotten that a lot while traveling, living full-time in my old Airstream. A lot of settle downs, whens and wheres and a lot of “root talk,” as if everyone had become a botanist all of a sudden. There is a certain set of people, it seems, whose main goal has been to plant roots at all costs. This has never been my goal. I grew up knowing I would leave. I dreamt of free-form adventure: sur fi ng windswept highways towards mountains that slice into skies blue and open. I wanted to fi nd marks I could make, to live outside the normal patterns of home. More than that, I was after a life that was continuously evolving into something new and elevated. But around me, it seemed people only believed in security, comfort and roots. Other travelers I’ve come across have encountered this as well. Camping in West

While conventional wisdom high lights planting roots, the RV and vanlife community have lives that grow, thrive and bear fruit while on the move. “D on’t worry,” said an elderly in-law over a holiday table. “One day you’ll be able to afford a real home.” He patted my shoulder. “You know, settle down… plant some roots.” There was no malice or sarcasm, but I could tell that the gulf between our understandings was too great to surmount over dinner. Our lives had not been similar, so neither were our ambitions. I smiled, taking a forkful of mashed pota toes. “Yeah, maybe one day,” I said, and then bit my tongue.

Fruit Versus Roots and Living An Unplanted Life By NATE LAVENDER , Guest Contributor

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ESCAPEES Magazine September/October 2022