Girl, I am in Seattle / Tacoma for the summer escaping the Arizona heat. The amount of craziness and crime and open drug use that I see has also made me sad. It's affecting my mental health. When I try to discuss it with my friends who are local they don't see why it upsets me and think it's normal. I think it's so abundant that everybody is just used to it being a part of their daily life, which is weird to me. I'm glad to hear another nomad's perspective on this because I thought I was just being extra-sensitive. I can't wait until it's time to go back to nature for me
I had this thought too, like maybe it’s normalized here because it happens so often? I am not used to stuff like this at all so it was really jarring. And the feeling of helplessness weighs on you. It’s a sad situation all around
It would freak me out too if I saw people openly using drugs. My husband and I were planning an Alaska vacation trip with a stop in Seattle. I showed this video to my husband. He said Seattle won't be a stop on our vacation.
@@michellealjunaidi8471you’re really going to let a 16min video stop you from visiting a city? Everyone has their own experiences that’s immature to let someone dictate your travels. Get a life. Grow up 🫤
@jasonwinter8716 welcome to the real world where everything in that works for Jasonwinter8716 doesn't work for everybody else 🙄. Maybe you don't understand because you don't bother asking why people go to these "hellholes". Also, learn your geography...Idaho IS in the pnw. Guess it's a hellhole too 😁
I hear you Alyssa, it is hard to be around dysfunction in society. I saw many injustices when riding my bicycle at odds hours (to get to work). Always good to see your vlogs!
0:05 how cute! 12:11 OMG!! That is awful and would have scared me to death! Wow! "You're not detained. You can walk out of here if you want." And the guy had warrants. Good grief! I think that is just terrible. Thank you for sharing this. I think nature is a natural drug and does so much good for the soul. I'm glad you're ok, because that fentanyl mess is extremely dangerous and potent. I remember, several years ago, a cop had a body camera on and some guy had passed out from using fentanyl. The cop simply touched the guy, to check him. The cop, in literally (no lie), 4.3 seconds, feel to the ground and passed OUT! Both were ok, but still, very scary. Thumbs up!
It was a lot to process because I didn’t understand what was going on. When I did I felt a mix of so many emotions at once; mostly just sadness :( but also yes, was worried because it happened right next to me which was wild
I like winter camping the best since you usually have the entire campground to yourself. For me, the only good thing about summer camping is that you can jump in the lake to cool off. Too many cons though, too hot, too crowded, not enough spots to camp, gas always is more expensive in summer, too loud, etc., etc., haha. And everyone seems to have time off in the summer which also makes bumper to bumper traffic.
Completely understand how you felt about the S.Bucks thing and you definitely weren't complaining, so don't worry. Love your videos and idk why but they always give me that 70's vibe, chilled, whimsical & I like your music choices. Safe travels ❤
14:45 yeah society is very chaotic rn! San Francisco is the same way, I heard Portland and Seattle are similar, I didn’t want to get in depth so I’m editing my comment. You are an inspiration and keep goin!❤
What you are describing that happened in Starbucks is why people and businesses are leaving Seattle, Portland and San Francisco. Allowing folks to do drugs legally and allowing folks to steal without being put in jail is making those areas unsafe. Unfortunately, things will probably get worse before it gets better.
Wow what an experience in Starbucks … it really made me think deeply as to what’s going on collectively - thanks for sharing and wonderful video as always ❤
Blue sky! You saw blue sky! Because when I went to La Push Beach, I only saw a lot of overcast grayness on the coast. I didn't see sun until I got to Aberdeen. And I love rest stops too! I only had 1 day off from my summer job in Tahoe, so I drove to the nearest Rest Stop on I-5 just to remember what it was like to sleep in my car on the road. I miss it. :( Yeah, I love parts of Washington, but overall, Oregon and Northern Cali make more sense to me.
I think that would frustrate me the most about vanlife/carlife is finding solitude places to park avoiding traffic crowded places constantly glad you found a peaceful place to stay😊
It doesn't surprise me that you feel so deeply...it matches your overall vibe. I'm alot like that too...empathic. it can be very draining, and it explains why you feel such relief when in nature settings where you can be renewed and refreshed! Hope you can get a new fridge soon. Do you have a Patreon set up?
Keep doing your videos. It doesn't matter what you do. Just sitting there just talking about whatever comes into your mind. You're a natural.😅 I enjoy your personality. Can't wait for the next video.
I went to Seattle once 5 years ago, and the homeless/pan-handlers people were very bold and aggressive. I also went on a food tour by myself and other people on it. I was so concerned I was traveling alone. Sad because it is a beautiful city. I also went to the Olympic Peninsula like you, and it became my favorite place on earth!! I hope to return one day and just avoid Seattle.
Always remind yourself of your OWN energy. I've been having to learn to myself more to understand what belongs to me and what does not. Its a cycle but you get better with awarness. I love your channel! I would love to gift you a dreamcatcher for your next van! Keep making content! We love it hereeeee💜🌻
@@santiagokotulka-kh5fg I currently do this part-time around work. It felt daunting at first, but I started off using what I had, at home for warmth in the car, I chose cardboard boxes for storage which, I still prefer to use today. Found the cheapest locations, to drive to, close by just for a change of scenery. Trust me it makes a difference to your mental health and well-being. Save for a cheap small power bank charger for phones and a cheap memory foam mattress for inside. A good sleep is important and chusioning for muscles and bones so you're not sore. But the mattress can come later as mine did 3 years later. That didn't stop me venturing out. Do 2 nights somewhere or a over night stay near by, to test it out I.e comfort. Don't be fooled you need all these expensive gadgets to have this experience, it is about getting out and exploring, not gadgets and the luxury items. I only save for bigger trips. That depends on how far you wish to travel I.e petrol (gas) and circumstances. For example, how many days, if you want to go on campsites or not. Best thing to do in my opinion is plan for a few days get away. Remove obstacles, you don't have to do this full-time, thats the ideal or dream. I cannot do this full-time so I do what I can around my circumstances and believe you me, it makes a huge difference to my well-being because it gives you some inner PEACE, even just for a moment is better than nothing. Hope this helps. Also haters of this style of life are gonna hate, friends, family or others. Block out the BS and live your life because everyone else is living theirs. No one should dictate what you can do with yours. As long as your not hurting anyone, people need to but out, if they can't be supportive with what you want to do. Stay blessed.🙂🙏🏿
Hey Alyssa! Great video. I appreciate the story actually. I live alone in a quiet neighborhood but have to go to Boston every couple weeks and the drugs & drama that go with it is really sad,but also really hard to take in. It really is heartbreaking. Totally understandable that you like to be in the woods and/or near the ocean. Best of both worlds. ☺️ Safe travels,have fun & see you next time. Mr.D 🌲🌊🌞😎
Aweee Alyssa you have a good heart and are an empathetic person❤ It’s a gift but can be overwhelming I get it ❣️Thank you for being vulnerable and real👍Big hugs 🤗
I’m glad you shared that story bc what is going on in the cities on the west coast is not ok. I agree that people who use hard drugs need help and not incarceration, but that doesn’t mean that it is ok for them to do what you witnessed - it is terrible for them and for everyone around them. The piece that is missing from cities like Seattle and Portland (where I live) is treatment, which also kind of inherently involves legal consequences. Hopefully we start to move toward that sooner instead of later, bc I see things like what you described here daily and it really lowers everyone’s quality of life 😔
I’m so glad you did tell that story, and I appreciated the way you said it. You are a smart woman. And you’re not wrong in exactly how you felt about the situation. I also find that it makes me love being in nature even more.
Your amazing! Thank you for telling the story . My baby brother died from fent. Awareness needs to be brought to light. They should have kept him. Maybe his life might have changed.😊
Yayy!! Finally Finally Alyssa you came with this vlog because I was eagerly eagerly waiting for this vlog you are my inspiration and I wish you have a beautiful weekend🤗💫💓
Wow, if that happened in Texas, he would've been arrested for possession for sure. Idk how the laws are there but here in Texas they don't play around but you probably already knew that. Glad your safe. If that were me I would've probably helped the guy but that's just the healthcare worker in me. But I bet that was scary for you. Please continue to be careful out there and never let your guard down. Stay safe
I think its a good perspective to give to others who are looking traveling to the city. Awareness of your surroundings and how it affects you isn’t bad. Some may not handle chaos’s situations well especially when it happens in succession like you explain. Thanks for sharing I did think your being negative at all!
@@AlyssaVanilla yes I’m in a van. There’s camp Walmart. And lots of parks for daytime. And some much fruit to forage! I’m on my friends land but it’s so much cooler than anywhere else
I always appreciate when you share stories like your Starbucks incident, it keeps it real. I think it's easy for anyone to watch RU-vid and get wrapped up in romanticizing a certain lifestyle that you forget or don't even know about the crazy shit going on every day in the world. I'm not sure when it happened, but I noticed you're at 61k followers! Over halfway to 100k, congrats!!!! French fry party when you get there!🎉🎉🍟🍟
Yeah when I was visiting Seattle, we hated the parking situation as well. Ended up driving on out skirts near Mt Rainier National Park. It was only there could be fond some semblance of peace with the parking situation, otherwise you’d be spending $30 for overnight parking a night. So basically driving nearly an hour each way to avowing paying overnight parking.
Alissa I've been watching you for some time now, I just wanted to tell you that I was really touched by your story of what happened at Starbucks, and I don't know, just what you said about anger being a secondary emotion and grief being the emotion you went straight for. Anyway, tht whole piece was very thoughtful and I remembered why I always enjoyed watching you a while back. I saw a video pop up today and watched it and really enjoyed it. Not sure if you read comments but anyway, I didnt want to go on and on but i'm actually a therapist and have lived in Washington exactly where you were (well maybe) I was in Seattle working with he homeless about 5 years ago. But anyway, I know exactly what you mean with the fentanyl crisis. Continur making vidoes! Ive thought about being a traveling therpist for real ❤
Omg you made it up here! My beautiful home - born and raised here!!! I love the Olympics!!!!! If you need a place long term to park to just chill (in a neighborhood), let me know!!!! ❤
Hi Alyssa! ❤❤ I’m also visiting Washington for the first time! It’s absolutely gorgeous! Also visited Mt Rainier, which was breathtaking! I’m not a big fan of the city-most big cities in the US are becoming more uncomfortable with worsening drug addiction problems and homelessness. I tried to go downtown Seattle, to the waterfront boardwalk- but parking was literally $100 for 3 hours. 😢 . Otherwise enjoyed- but I stayed outside the city center.
Great video and love the music you chose.... so sad that story but so grateful you shared it. I am a writer and used to love going to coffee shops to work but not any more... I just work from home and make coffee here because of the kinds of things like this... and Fent is so so so scary.
You almost made it to Canada! You should come over - not Vancouver - but you would love the islands! I am just about to embark on my van journey across Canada - getting excited - overpacking - overthinking and looking forward to Lake Superior!
If you get a 300 watt inverter and plug that into your van DC cigarette lighter socket then plug the Bluetti AC charger into the inverter you can charge your Bluetti while your driving and it will charge faster than charging it off your DC car socket. Always good to have an extra inverter as well.
Happy Monday Alyssa! Your videos are such a joy to watch! So peaceful! This was a scary experience for you and I am sorry you had to go through this. Can’t wait for your next video/vlog.
Glad your safe💖The Starbucks story!!! WTF!! There is a real need for rehab, mental health facilities and old fashion with some improvements work houses. They need safety and so do we.🕯 Free will when your an addict or extremely mentally ill should be a non starter.
At the southwest corner of Washington state is the Long Beach Peninsula. We have an international kite festival coming up this month & people come from all over the world. You can park many places, just not the beach overnight. Lost of vehicle dwellers around here. You would not have any problems. Let me know if you come by my town.
I really liked this video, thanks for sharing that story. I understand your emotions about it. And I also LOVE woods and sea! Thanks for the tip about wearing boots on the beach 😅.
Allyssa, sorry spelling, Im a US/Uk citizen, yes living 30 years in both countries.. i have been to Kl, Singapore where they dont tolerate trash... its my pet hate {trash}, watching you in Japan was wonderful! espescially the bidet, sorry spelling we need to adapt everywhere lol. even in Monaco they dont do bidets,... i love you for everything you are and your complete honesty... i didnt live in La but Fullerton Orange Countyty, California 28 years.. i can only say that watching you from beginning and im not a person who fawns over celebs or even you!! i just appreciate you. i personally hate too much heat or cold.. from a tall blonde at 65 lol seriously. not quite Christie Brinkley, lol but natural!!!!!
Welcome to Washington. I can relate to your concerns about Seattle. I go there at least once per year for a conference, and I hate driving in the city, especially downtown. Anyway, safe travels.
It must drive your parents crazy to wonder how you are from day to day knowing your are alone and and around strangers all the time. Stay safe beautiful 💪🏽
Sweet Girl...awesome Alyssa.....of course I am a SUBSCRIBER to your channel (!!!)...and I have been a vanlifer for 23 years. With such a HUGE country to explore...I have not been to the peninsula that you are showing...and it looks like possibly the nicest areas of the whole USA? WOW!!! You are really inspiring to make that trip again, and this time go further west to these areas instead of Seattle. I've always thought about the peninsula, and your vlog is really promoting this and the weather is super cool. I'm not sure if you use curtains for your privacy...yet let me explain a VERY SIMPLE...EEEASY WAY TO put curtains in your van and you will become very stealth and incognito, and have full privacy!!! There are plastic ceiling supports inside your van that go up the sides of the windows to hold up the ceiling. At the top of these plastic supports, there is a tiny gap where you can place some BLACK fabric and with a FORK you can push the fabric into that tiny gap, thereby holding up your curtains, in place (the only tool you need, is a simple FORK)!!! I TOTALLY recommend getting curtains that are about "a foot longer" than the window size as to add to your COMPLETE privacy. I used to drill and screw in place velcro, but "NOT ANY MORE", and FOR YEARS NOW...as I "just use the FORK" to push the fabric into the "ceiling plastic support gaps" and for years now, I just leave them up all the time (as at night the curtains block the annoying car lights behind me while driving), except when I actually stay somewhere and only open the curtain corners to allow the 'nature views' to behold the beauty, PRIVATELY!!! Then...it literally doesn't matter who is around the van as I have "my total privacy!" If there are loud and/or annoying people, I just move my location close by and it changes the whole vibe. I've literally moved 200 feet before, and it completely changed the whole scene to calm peacefulness. So...Sweet Pretty Pretty Girl...Alyssa.....for only about $30.....get some "BLACK" fabric (for complete stealth), and totally enjoy your privacy!!! I use "sheer fabric" so I can see outside, yet they can not see inside due to tinted windows. It makes for a HUGE improvement. Plus I always leave a window cracked (yet I have "RAIN GUARDS" so I just open the window to the levels of the rain guards so as to keep stealth..... I do this most of the time to have very fresh air). And if you aren't a fan of black...STILL USE THE BLACK FABRIC for the outside, and get a colorful fabric for the inside and do the same thing with the FORK and you will be stealth on the outside and colorful on the inside! We are all different...(this is why there are NO TWO fingerprints the same!).....and I love how you are unique and do things your ways. You have developed into a "Main VanLife RU-vidr" and I love your posts Alyssa! Van life people are mostly somewhat loners. And this is PERFECTLY FINE AND ALL-OKAY. I am both...a loner probably 80% of the time and social about 20%. I used to be much more social. I just got tired of dysfunctional people and being exposed to all the dark behaviors. Now I am very strict. I LOVE wholesomeness, and goodness. I LOVE Norman Rockwell scenes!!! And, now, I insist on only being around wholesomeness...which there is a LOT of and is actually countless great things going on!!! Yet, it's now a self imposed rule...I ONLY want to be around wholesomeness, and goodness, for which there is a massive amount of this everywhere!!! Vanlife, gives the freedom, to choose, almost every moment, where ya want to be located. I choose love...and love is enormously everywhere if ya focus on this. It seems...what ever ya focus on...it magically appears!!! It's 'almost' like you have to completely realize to "love yourself fully and completely" so that you can vibrate outwardly from your 'spirit's nuclei' ...the highest love that you can be and share. Alyssa.....you are a very sweet, intelligent, unique, amazing, talented VanLifer. I give you enormous credit Alyssa💥💜🌻🌺🍒🍓🥑🍍🍇🍎🥝🫐🌎🪐🎼🎶🎵🎶
All I can say is that you and your amazing channel always bring a smile to my face so thank you from the bottom of my heart as at the moment I am struggling with my mental health issues prayers and blessings for you and your family love your Aussie family friend John ❤❤❤
I am with you on the Starbucks story. It just hurts my heart, and then I feel helpless. :( Not scared, just wish I could make it better and have nothing that will, ya know?
Stevie looks good tucked in the woods 🤩 Awesome video, loved the b-roll in this one. Ugh, Toronto parking lots anywhere decent are the same, constant circling and waiting, definitely enough to drive you mad and have you running towards the woods 😅 Shit aint good in the 'hood no more, the tweakers have gotten brazen, they know the cops wont do much if show up at all. If they do get charged they don't pay the fines so why get your hands dirty is the thinking I suppose😕 Contrary to the channel name its not ALWAYS good in the woods (breakdowns, bears, bugs, rain, getting lost) but pretty close and its better than whatever society has become or where its going.. beaches are good as long as you say be it surrounded by woods and not a crowded city beach!
That Starbucks experience is crazy! That's why society scares me also. I don't want to be apart of all this anymore. People are doing way too much. Glad you are safe...
@@debbiebrantley61all of the states have bad things. Some states have extreme racism, some states there is extreme drug and crime issues..I honestly would rather live where racism (and extremist hate groups) are minimum and deal with the drug use..I haven’t seen a place in America yet where there are no extreme issues..it is about which are you willing to deal with or tolerate or not?
Starbucks sounds just like these experiences in San Francisco. I moved from Seattle 12 years ago. Sad to hear this is going on. While you are near Seattle, checkout Seward Park, Cougar Mountain Regional park, Snoqualmie Falls. There's so many beautiful places to visit.
OH MY GOODNESS I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START EVERY THING I SEE IN YOU'RE VIDEO IS GORGEOUS, BUT THEN WHEN I HEAR WHAT YOU EXPERIENCE AT THAT STARBUCKS IS WHAT MADE ME 😔 SAD I'M SORRY YOU HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT BUT JUST LOOK AROUND YOU AND TAKE ALL THE BEAUTY IN. SAFE TRAVELS TO 🙏 YOU ALWAYS
That happened to me in South Dakota - you’re only supposed to stay 4 hours but I was exhausted and passed out until the morning. The cleaning lady did yell at me though 😅
Alyssa, you need to let someone know when you coming to their neck of the woods (GRNLK)! Man, you down the street from my old hood! Enjoy your trip back to civilization...lots to do over there...be safe and keep your head on a swivel with so many people living in vans and RVs and sketchy stuff going down at times (depending where you set up shop in the city).
Hey Alyssa… I’ve been watching your videos and enjoying the content. I recently moved to Tacoma Washington and have been spending most of the time camping out in the Ruston area. I’m making my way to Seattle tomorrow to get some pizza I’ve been craving from Pizza Pi Vegan…. Best vegan pizza you’ll ever have.
I was just in seattle for two weeks in July. Stayed at my brother’s place in capitol hill where fentanyl use was disgustingly rampant up and down the streets. Literally happening right below his 1st floor loft window he has to ask them kindly to take it elsewhere and apologize for ruining their vibe. So upside down and fucked up.
Next time you are in the seattle tacoma area, i have acreage in the woods with a creek you are always welcome to park at. Way better than greenlake or truckstops
The fentanyl story was very sad. I think there’s just so much of it and so many people on it that the cops just don’t deal with it and that’s probably not a good thing but you can’t help somebody if they don’t want help maybe that guy will never change, but we won’t know because the cops didn’t do what they should’ve anyways have a good day. Glad you told the story and stay safe🤘🏼
All drugs in Seattle are now a misdemeanour and most crimes allowed, only the most serious crimes are tended to. Police getting defunded haven't the resources. Oregan Portland have made it legal to pocess a small amount of drugs whatever they are, legalised them😢
I’m the same way. I absorb ppls energy and I need a long decompression. The fentanyl epidemic is so devastating. I’m so worried for everyone. I’ve lost a couple ppl and they weren’t even buying fentanyl, it was just laced. Even weed smokers have to be careful. It’s sad that society has become so desensitized that you just send some one who just basically died and was brought back, okay go back out there. No compassion. It’s hard on both sides. Law enforcement is overwhelmed with it too. Have you guys ever watched Solent Green? Or rem that show, colony? It’s coming. It’s scary. And I want to have my van ready Lol. Scratch all that it’s time to move to another country. Love you Alyssa. Be well. All of the collective too 🚐
Hey chica! Washington state is very beautiful. I worked in downtown Seattle back in 2000 when it was still a fairly decent place; less crowded and cost of living was still low although even back then there were some people on street corners and people doing drugs. One of the most beautiful places if you head to the cascades there. Its well worth the drive. And just for context, "Anger" is one of our basic emotions; think of the movie "Inside Out" which are all basic emotions. So glad i found you awhile back, Chicana.
@AlyssaVanilla "Inside Out" is such a good movie. There is meaning behind the storyline, which I like the most. Even if it seems like a child's movie, especially as we get older, we have to get away from adulting so much and allow our inner child to come out here and there. Much respect for you, and well wishes. 🙂
@@JulandP true! I loved Coco, idk if you watched that but it was so beautiful even if it was marketed towards kids. It’s one of my favorites. I’ll watch inside out :)
I did watch CoCo. When it came out i attempted to make sense of mortality since my mom passed after its release and my princess, cat, right before. It was a beautiful animated Disney movie! In my 20's, I was all about adulting and what seemed to be geared to it; the process came so natural to me. However, people go through different stages throughout their lives. One of which was after my loved ones passing i regressed by listening to 80s music, which i grew up with, and purchasing almost all the Disney animated movies. lol I wasn't even into Disney but they reminded me of parts of my childhood. Life, as i'm sure you're aware of, can be very challenging and heavy. There is nothing wrong with allowing ourselves to escape everyday responsibilities when we can to be kind to our mental health. Sure we have to make smart decisions, stay moral and wise but we can also be goofy, joke around and have a good time without bringing harm to any person. Enjoy watching Inside Out when you get a chance.@@AlyssaVanilla
Hey lady! You’re in my neighborhood! Most people avoid Seattle so I totally understand your feelings! If you need anything while you’re in the area I’d love to help! I’m a nomadic grandma with daughters your age! I also have 3 cats and 2 pigs to play with! Lol
@@AlyssaVanillain the UK seagulls came inland about 30 years ago, they are attracted by the rubbish tips from the big cities and scavenge, fish is off the menu. They eat anything and have an enormous appetite 😂
I live in Seattle, you can't get arrested out here. It's the wild west. I got a $50 parking ticket for legally street parking outside my own building but I watch crack heads and the homeless do drugs right outside my window as patrol cars drive right by every day.
