Amy
@iwanderwild
1.Who are you ? How old are you ? Do you travel completely alone... if not who do you travel with?
My name is Amy McCool. On New Year's Eve of 2012 I moved out of my fiance; (of 8 years) home and into an apartment with my best friend. I lived in a cute beachside 2 bedroom that we paid almost $3,000 a month for. I worked like a mad woman, having some crazy notion that the life I had sort of gotten lost in in Southern California was one that I was meant to keep living. I was wrong. Incredibly wrong. Exactly one year to the day later, I moved my things into storage and moved myself and my two dogs into a van and hit the road. Two months earlier I had put $10k in a backpack (all my savings) and hitchhiked to Long Beach and bought said van. It was the best decision I ever made. I have lived in my van since.
2.How long have you been living full time in a Mobile-Home (camper-van, RV, etc)3.What the best thing about being female and on the road? Conversely what is the worst thing about being female and on the road?
I have learned many things in the last 5 years in my van. That less is more. The adaptability and the ability to let go of expectations is crucial to happiness. And flexibility. Being a woman on the road has been great in that I've established such a keen independence. Truly. Hardly a thing phases me now. Breaking down, changing plans, driving lonely highways, new places. I cherish all of the opportunities. The worst thing about being a female on the road is probably...hmmmmm....(a hard question). Not sure I actually have an answer to that one.
4.How do you decide on where to stay?
Deciding where to stay usually happens on a whim. Often times it's simply a matter of where I want to watch the sun set, or where I want to wake up. Or maybe where do I want to be to run my dogs first thing. Or maybe even where am I working the next day. Maybe near a yoga class...or as far away as I can from any noise. Sometimes It's a friends house. These have all been deciding factors in my travels.
5.What is the most surreal places that you visited?
I would say one of the most surreal places I've visited is the Steens Mountain in Eastern Oregon. For a couple of reasons, one being there is NO ONE THERE. It's a hidden gem. You have the Alvord Desert on the Eastern Side, which is stunning with the mountains rising up to your West. And then there are these incredible gorges on the Western Side. They are incredible wild. It's truly magic.
6.What are some common items savvy travelers bring with them (that less-savvy travelers don't)/ what could you not live in a mobile-home without ?
A bathroom in van living is non-existent. The one thing that I could NEVER live without is a small plastic container (think an empty protein shake container) for potty-breaks. Mostly night-time situations when posted up somewhere that getting outside isn't an option. Live saver. Oh, and lavender wipes :)
7.How do you get work everywhere?/ How do you have an income?
I work mostly in Southern California. I am an equestrian photographer. Living out of a van is perfect for me as my gigs are always out of town (since I ONLY go to SoCal for work now). This is my 16th year and I am incredibly grateful for my career. It has done very well for me (www.mccoolphotos.com).
8.How do you keep your money/valuables safe? being that your constantly moving and trying new things.
I have clever hiding places in my van for valuables, and good insurance. I also have a safety deposit box in my home town.
9.How did your friends & family feel/ react when you told them you were going to travel full time? what inspired you to hit the road?
My friends and particularly family have been VERY supportive. From day one. The only real challenge over the 5 years of living on the road for them is my often 'non-commitment' mentality. I've adapted a pretty "go with the flow" way of living and it definitely makes concrete plans more difficult. As does relying on an older vehicle, period. Breakdowns are not uncommon. Multiple day delays aren't either. But I do my best to "do my best' to follow through. It's important to me.
