Full Time on the Road | Van Life Realities 

After 76 trips around the sun, I’ve learned that not all days are rainbows. Like the old saying - some days are diamonds and somedays are coal. The good thing is that as you get older you tend to forget the “coal” days. Be safe and keep making videos. Love to watch your adventures - they are the diamonds in my life.

The saying “wherever you go…there you are” is something every one idolizing van life should keep in mind. As you very wisely said, the pain doesn’t hurt less in the presence of a beautiful sunrise. But the coffee is definitely better! Another beautiful video dear Linnea! A big hug from us! 💕

Akela really is a fur human, from the grunts in the morning, to the burps after a good drink. 🤣🤣

I really enjoy your videos, Linnea. Maybe especially the "not so adventurous" ones. I'm on the other side of life. At 57 years old, the kids (all four of them) are grown, my wife passed away a dozen years ago. I built out a van and took to the road back in October. You're absolutely right, the pain and grief (and the all the other attendant vagaries of life) still follow you wherever you go. But it's a different life and it brings a different sort of perception of all that is. You're a wise soul. Thanks for being you and giving us all that gift every week. I hope some day I run into you flyfishing in the middle of a river. It's people like you that give me hope for the future of our planet.

I love how Akela is so playful, makes me realize I need a dog in my life. 🥰

Well said 🙌🏻 and yeah.. nothing quite like sunrise coffee on a mountaintop

I love how real your uploads can be, the glorification of this lifestyle doesnt come without its own trial's and tribulations. Love ya'll both!

You're right, Linnea... no matter where you go, you take yourself with you. I call it 'Disney Syndrome' when we get trained to believe that if we do everything 'just right,' and learn to make lemonade out of Life's lemons, we will arrive at a point where everything is 'perfect.' That day never comes; there are always struggles. If not your own, someone close to us is having a hard time and needs our support. It is essential to find the beauty in the complete package we call our 'Life.' AND, it is great to know that Akela is with you to help you keep your priorities straight! Go Play!!! whenever you can. 😘

There are times we all need a hug from a friend or talk with someone about what's bumping around in our heart and mind. Take care Linnea.

The timing of your video, along with its sponsor, is uncanny. I bought and converted a small shuttle bus last year, and even though we've never met, I find us to be kindred spirits. However, my mom (my best friend) died in November and my brother died suddenly just 3 weeks later. I've been struggling. Inside my Nellie Bly Bus is the only place I can be myself,...in grief or in numbness or in rare hints of normalcy. The world is just too much for me now. Thinking I'll look up Better Help. Also, I just looked up the time for tomorrow's sunrise and will drive today to a trailhead. Tomorrow morning, at 7:12am, I will watch a new day begin and hope to find symbolism in renewal. and YES,... coffee is always better on a mountaintop at sunrise! No doubt! Peace to you, Linnea.

So special to see the bond between you and Akela, dogs give us so much to be thankful for.

You also are giving Akela her best life you two are and have such an amazing connection

What a beautiful hair, amazing eyes, great smile and happiness. Akela is such an amazing companion! stay cool Akela!!

My wife and I both agreed to pause one of our favorite Netflix series to watch your journey continue. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. You make the world better. I tiny raindrop causes a ripple that reaches so many people. Be well!!

I realize all problems don’t go away when you’re on the road. I love watching your adventures. From building/changing, to van problems and to having great days and nights.

I love how you listen to Akela, allow her to observe some... before mingling (or not). I also loved the 'realness, the candid shots of a messy van, sleeping' in and pushing restart. Thanks again for being the real you!! Oma

I love that you share such heart tender moments (and in such an amazing setting and sky) Your words are so true that no matter where we are, we are still with our inner self that moves through the currents of emotions of all that we are.... You are sunlight for me (which is one of my most treasured lights) when you and Akela share your day. Sending you love and light and a hug to you both

Aw thanks for sharing your journey 🤍 as a vanlifer myself I love the messages you put out there in this video. It can often seem like the ‘perfect life’ but it doesn’t mean vanlifers aren’t normal humans! Ps go be social, you won’t regret it!! ✨

i like how real you seem and really enjoy when Akila takes all the attention

Nothing more pure than a dog’s love.At least for me

I am going to be 65 really soon. I still am in awe of a spectacular sunrise or sunset. In the past month, I have been lucky enough to watch 3 right from my dining room window. Nothing like a good cup of coffee and mother nature at her finest to put a smile in my day. Linnea, this simple little youtube 17 minute video put a smile on my face, I bet there are more then me.

Thank you for keeping it so real. I’ve recently headed south in my class C. It’s my first adventure. I’ve had a rough month thus far, but I’m inspired to continue this adventure. One day at a time and remembering comparison is a thief of joy! ❤️

If I could do it all over again, I would live the way you and Akela are. Enjoy all your adventures and thank you for letting me live vicariously through you! I look forward all week to your videos.

You are a very insightful and uplifting young woman. Your talent extends beyond what mere words can express. I look so forward to your blogs or whatever it's called. The way you edit and produce these segments of your life is truly amazing. It is sooooo refreshing to see a younger (younger than me lol) person who can express herself with such eloquence and grace. I just can't adequately explain how much your videos have touched me. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe and sound. Looking so forward to your next entry. You just continue to inspire me. Thank you. Mike

You too are wonderful together. You're lucky to have found each other. Nothing better than a Shepherds love. Or any dog, really.

Akela had such a big smile on her face kissing you and playing with you … warms the heart

Old Dude is right. Getting older makes the bad memories going away. Each day is another day! I live in France and you make me dream. Thanks Linnea.

@7:18 gets me laughing no matter how many times I replay Akela's grumble-grumpy-growl :) love you both!

Great video. I just commented to another person I follow who also lives a van life, and I was telling them that we “ RU-vid Viewers” sometime or a lot of times forget that you…a “RU-vidr” have lives that are not what your channels are about. And I for one appreciate it when you all are kind enough to tell us that you to struggle with the same things we struggle with. Anxiety, sadness, depression and uncertainty it is not just for us “Sticks & Brick” (home owners/renters) and people with the Monday thru Friday jobs. These emotions don’t discriminate or only choose certain people, they effect/affect us all and I want to thank you and the other person I watch for sharing that you to deal with the same things. I am looking forward to the day I get my van and have that “semi” van life. I look forward to experiencing nature in the raw. But, I know no matter where I go…I will always be with me and I will carry my baggage/struggles with me. I just hope/pray that the freedom will help me to see things from a different perspective. Thank you, I really enjoy watching your videos.

I came here to add a comment, but 'Old Dude' said it so well. And the only thing I have to add is "Akela is not a morning 'person'". 😆

Another wonderful video! I only recently came across your channel through your van build series, and have greatly enjoyed following along in your adventures and your openness about your lifestyle and the life experiences you have that many of us also have in different ways. In one of your previous videos, you talked about loneliness versus solitude, and I've been thinking about these two experiences a lot more than I thought I would, so thank you for planting that seed!

This is my favorite thing to watch when I grow up I want to do van life I'm only 12 rn😅 but I've got big dreams ahead of me😊

The face mask was different and kinda funny🤣 you are an inspiration for me I have ptsd, anxiety, and depression and you sharing your mental struggling makes my life and spirit feel good that there is someone with issues even though I know a lot of people that do to. You and your companion make me smile and life. Thank you for sharing your adventures and your every day life struggles. Keep making van life travel videos I love watching them.

I love that I can come back to this place when ever I need this feeling... you know the feeling... on the road, out in the desert with my best fuzzy toed land shark doggo... ❤🐾❤🐾

nice-like the sun rise/an coffee/friends too/great/thanks much

I’m on the verge of doing vanlife because I’m scared of wasting my early 20’s. I’m 20 now and have a great job and built a brand new house. But I’m cherishing good experiences and meeting awesome people instead of having all this materialistic stuff. Planning on selling and leaving in may! Your videos are always amazing and my favorite vanlifer

It is so great that Akela's personality is a cold weather preferring sleep-in type and Linnea is a hot weather preferring, morning person and yet they make a such a great pair and love each other so much even with their differences. It makes the channel so much warmer, no pun intended.

“Comparison is the thief of joy” never heard so much truth❤️

Your Van is a beautifully chaotic mess that is very well lived in. Nice to see you and Akela safe and happy. A beautiful video in a beautiful location and a beautiful sunrise and golden light and I completely envy your beautiful lifestyle. Thank you for sharing your chaotic and beautiful life. Akela is a joy. Namasté.

Nerd alert here, but I love watching you clean things. It's so satisfying.

I like people like this who are just trying to be as real as possible. In a nutshell, that's what life's about.

We ALL have days like this XX:) Thanks for sharing, Brilliant Vlog !!!!

Chin up, buttercup! Tomorrow is a new day, with its own adventures and concerns. I love your vulnerability and willingness to keep it real. Please, be well both you, Linnea, and Akila.

I think this is my favorite video I've watched in a long time 🖤 simple, real, and beautiful.

Grief is just love that has nowhere to go as the quote goes. So you have to go with it and enjoy the memory ride

Omg I just love you both. Your relationship is so beautiful with her. And I love how you film and just tell your story. Just perfection!!!

I appreciate you, I find you to be humble, wholesome and really down to earth. 🌿 Respect from BC Canada 🇨🇦

For certain, we are all human first, and all the experiences of being… with our surrounds and internal dealings. We take us with us, no matter where are are, every moment different. Thanks for sharing yours with us. 🐾💝

Life is what you make of it, as they say. The fact that you are trying to live your best life on your own terms, having adventures and making the journey part of the fun, making your needs list smaller than most of the rest of us so you are able to fulfill those needs all by yourself……well I think that is fantastic. And while you are visiting beautiful places and making lasting memories with each experience, you are allowing us to be a small part of it. You are reminding us that we are happiest when we are closer to nature. I thank you for that.❤️

Crying on the mountain at sunrise is way better than crying in a cubacile at a job that is slowly killing you. Love to you and Akela.

I just happened to find your channel by accident. I'm so glad I did. I'm a huge animal lover and to see your relationship with Akeela is just beautiful. You can see how much she loves you and vice versa.

A quiet time are good for both mind and body. Great that you find balance in all tings. Love your channel.

The dog protesting waking up in the morning was the best. LOL

Thank you for being transparent, Linnea. I even enjoy watching your relaxing and “down-time days.” The “delayed gratification” remark hit home with me…I need to practice this more. Maybe I will get up early tomorrow. Like you said, it is worth it! 🥰🙂

I think it is so wonderful that you shared your struggle. There is no perfect life.

Everyone has their down days but you have a loyal friend who should help to lift your mood when you look into her eyes ..best wishes from Australia ..

All ways rember what ever you decide to do we are always behind you on your support and decision.

Old saying, no matter where you go, there you are. Take care of you. Thanks for another insightful video ❤

LMAO!!! The puppy giving you the side eye when your trying to wake her up.

Emotions are the same for everyone, no matter the view!

I really think it's great that you reiterate to people thinking about doing vanlife. That its not all that you see on Instagram and youtube. You still deal with every issue that you would mentally as you do in a "normal" life. I think vanlife gets misconstrued as a perfect life of pure happiness and adventure. The bottom line is that we all have our demons. Awesome video! Keep up the good work! 👍💯🤘

Your interactions with Akela, so precious and she understands you perfectly to get her way. It seemed for a moment looking at the sunrise you were going to talk about some trauma you experienced, maybe someday and thanks for an awesome post..

I've just started watching your channel about a month ago. I love your content. Your statement 'Comparison is the thief of Joy' is epic.

there are so many things you say that I want to frame as a quote. You were the best part of my day today and Akela moaning early in the morning was the only time I laughed today. Keep it up with the most heartwarming videos to wind down to after a long day. Thank you, Linnea and Akela

Akela is definitely a Shepherd, they will wash (lick) the face of anyone and everyone they love regardless of how inconvenient it is.❤

I have a white german shepherd as well! She is also fearful of new people and dogs until she's had time to acclimate. And even then she prefers to be left alone. I'm so glad I found your channel! She's the best adventure buddy though.

Comparison is a thief of Joy...thank you for that. Just what I needed to hear.

It is good that Akela has her own space to curl up but you would be surprised how good it is you you and her to curl up together ..

Only if we could find out what the puppy is thinking, looking over that land. I love watching you drink coffee watching the sun come up. Feels like I'm there with you with out the negative side of being there. lol wish I was there. Fricken Cold back her in Wisconsin.

What a beautiful sunrise! Thanks for sharing & taking me along. 😃 🌅

As I sit in my home-a van-parked by the San Diego harbor watching you and Akela in the desert and echoing that the same feelings are with me too. Although the scenery can change as I can move my home wherever I choose. I do miss the desert though. Thanks for sharing your journey and thoughts.

Your honesty is so appreciated. Much love to both you and Akela.

I agree completely---my life as a nomadic vagabond (I didn't work had savings for a 6 months trip) was some of the most challenging yet gratifying times. very different from city stressors, but more raw and real stress. I felt so alive. back in LA for work and saving to upgrade my prius micro camper for a 4x4 JDM (F off naysayers, I love them! haha)... so I am currently living vicariously through you because there's nothing more lovely than winter in the desert. except I brought my cat. but plan to get a dog once I have my van

Love seeing parts of your life, My family and I travel fulltime just not in a van. So I don't have quite as much freedom as you do. But I understand what you mean about your troubles not just going away because you live this life. I hear it a lot too from family and friends. " how can you be down when you are getting to travel and see all those places?" But my anxiety is still with me, and my depression still sneaks in and stays for days. All of that just doesn't go away because you changed your lifestyle. Sometimes I think this life style can add to it. not seeing your friends for months at a time or your family. figuring out where you are going next , where you will stay and what you will be able to do while in the span of time that you are there. It's a lot and it takes a while to figure it all out. I'm still trying to figure it all out.

Love watching Your vids, especially when Akela clowns around..

I'm enjoying the journey of your quest to provide your own food; I gardened for years to grow my own, it was a wonderful experience. Thanks!

Akela is too cute and silly. Miss my Eva girl. Thanks for sharing the real life stuff and being open. I can't wait for coffee to taste better with a beautiful view one day. You both take care. Have a great week.

I love seeing your relationship with Akela. She reminds me of my best friend that I lost 14 years ago. I was told she was a Lab/Golden Retriever mix when I got her at about 8 weeks old. within a couple of weeks one ear popped up, she looked like a clown! Shortly after the second one came up and she looked like a light yellow/white German Shepherd. She was the smartest dog I've ever met, and the best mother's helper I could have asked for. It's almost time to find my next friend. Thank you for sharing all that van life is for you. I hope I can also find a way to do that. Be safe. (:

Great job! I really liked the sunrise. Very special, and being able to have two mornings in one is not so bad! - See you next week!

What a lovely video. You and your dog understand each other perfectly. You Fill your life with experiences not things . Looking at your videos life looks easy..

Very well said. Very wise too. Good morning!

Couldn’t agree more Linnea. You’re not alone!

It is so beautiful to see you two and the love you have for one another and the places are so beautiful

Real as real can get, keeps me grounded watching your videos, the world is so wild

Thank you thank you thank you!! A honest and true perspective of the real van life! You can escape yourself at the end of the day! Even in a van and even if we may really want to.

That looks like Wes... Funny watching the variety of paths cross in this community. 🙂

What a great, relaxing and real video this week. Akela is so sweet......

New sub, loved that you reminded people not to glamorize the nomad lifestyle. Life is just life no matter how you choose to live it. I'll be full time rving with my GSD Bella and she acts just like Akela, grumble when you disturb her sleep and takes time to get used to new people and places. Going back to look at more of your content, you're a very good insightful vlogger I enjoyed it!

I just wanted to thank you for your honesty in your videos. As a mid 20's woman who is looking into this lifestyle your example and honesty give me a wonderful look into what my life may look like in the next few years. And I am thrilled to continue researching this journey and hopefully getting the chance to explore the country and myself more in the coming years.

WHEREVER YOU GO , THERE YOU ARE . My experience is it may take a while to find a really good therapist , but when you do , it can make a world of difference …Akela’s love and therapy may be hard to top :)

Love watching you and Akela, you have an interesting life. I truly envy you.

Can not watch until later.. but definitely my favourite channel.. so real. And relaxing.. :)

I loved seeing the silver tape patch on your jacket…. I have the same tape on my Macpac jacket too lol. Gave me a smile.

I like seeing how Vanlife isn't always Glamorous /Fun at all times.😁 I feel bad for some people that drop everything to start this Nomad life & it's rougher/harder than they expected.I really enjoy watching & dreaming of beautiful places to see. I've lived in my car off & on waiting on finding apartment etc. & it was more like a Nightmare lol

you go girl... I am 44 and was living a life of a complete family man and have lots of money/properties all around everywhere. My second wife left a year ago and devastated with life as if there is no meaning living this life. Happen to reach one of you tube vids about travelling and van life so slowly building up courage to build up my future van... hope to see all your videos....btw your eyes talk a lot....cheers

Love your videos and your straightforward style. And Akela is so fun to watch, because I have a male white GSD named Ajax, and she reminds me so much of him!

Thank you for sharing your journey happy travels to you and Akela happy thoughts and big hugs to you both.

Hi linnea i started to watch your videos on youtube just recentley and i just want to say that every body has there ups and downs in life and that whe have to take on it day by day but enjoy that beautiful moment at that moment be thankful for the beautiful moments in life from fan in south africa

Beautiful video as always 🌻🙏 gorgeous playful doggie I had a Dotson/rat terrier mixed He passed way Few weeks ago I had him for 10 years I miss him so much I never had children for fur babies is a child to me Anyways bless you with positive thoughts in your travels and stay safe

This was well done. I applaud you. Cheers from Utah!!!