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This Vantastic Life

Living Large in a Mini Van

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  • Chance the Camper
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Author: Kit Vantastic

Ever the adventurer and always a writer; I am incessantly curious, and a lover of this incredible life. I celebrate the capacity of the body, mind and spirit to heal from injury through exploration, creativity , action, reflection and community. Join me as I travel from Ottawa to Newfoundland and then to the west coast, in celebration of my 50th and Canada's 150th birthdays :)

Letting Go of Perfect

February 16, 2019February 16, 2019 ~ Kit Vantastic ~ 10 Comments

It used to take me the better part of an hour to scope out a van-camping spot, before finally settling on what felt like “the perfect one.” In the early days, I stayed mostly at provincial parks, and even if I were the only one there, I would race around in a panic, sure someone … Continue reading Letting Go of Perfect

The Nomad’s Front Porch

February 14, 2019February 14, 2019 ~ Kit Vantastic ~ 21 Comments

At first glance, I’m challenged to find the obvious tie that binds the 8000 or so souls gathering each year at the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR) and Womens’ RTR (WRTR) in the Sonoran desert of Arizona. A survey of the parked vehicles suggests membership probably isn’t defined by rig-choice or economics. Large, newer-model, Class A … Continue reading The Nomad’s Front Porch

Edamame of the South

December 28, 2018December 28, 2018 ~ Kit Vantastic ~ 2 Comments

When the little goobers presented themselves again today in Louisiana, I had no excuses left. Plus I was hungry. I had to laugh, because as I was scooping them out of the vat, a woman came up and asked me what the heck they were, and I got to tell her ALL ABOUT THEM. And … Continue reading Edamame of the South

Good Goober!

December 27, 2018December 27, 2018 ~ Kit Vantastic ~ 9 Comments

On my drive today, I began noticing road-side stands for boiled peanuts. More than one sign shortened the name to “P-nut”, which seems to be a preferred spelling for most vendors. Even when the sign was very large and the print very small. I stopped for gas between Savannah and Florida, and noticed a huge … Continue reading Good Goober!

A Holly-Jolly-Trolley Ride

December 26, 2018December 26, 2018 ~ Kit Vantastic ~ 15 Comments

I know most people who do a lot of back-roading are adverse to things that smack of “tourist” but I have a closet love of Trolley rides and double decker bus tours. Yes, they are cheesy. Cheese-Whiz cheesy. But they are also a perfect way to get a birds-eye view of a city when you … Continue reading A Holly-Jolly-Trolley Ride

Savannah, Ooooo Na Na

December 25, 2018December 25, 2018 ~ Kit Vantastic ~ 8 Comments

Following my intuition is so much more fun than following a map. Mine is a magic cocktail blending awareness, body-inclination, and signs. I’m not sure why I felt compelled to come this far south. Or compelled to come to Savannah, Georgia in particular. It’s certainly not along the obvious route from Ontario to Arizona! And … Continue reading Savannah, Ooooo Na Na

How We Roll

December 24, 2018December 24, 2018 ~ Kit Vantastic ~ 6 Comments

Today we made our way south through Pennsylvania, into West Virginia and are now just north of Virginia. I was poky (according to the trip summary below) because I had to do important things like: A) STOP TO REMOVE MY DOWN JACKET, and B) Go for a long walk by a creek WITHOUT MY DOWN … Continue reading How We Roll

All I Need

December 23, 2018December 23, 2018 ~ Kit Vantastic ~ 8 Comments

It’s not quite dawn and I’m sitting in the van around the corner from my sisters’ house in Oshawa, where I slept last night. Pippa is wondering why we have stopped so soon. I’m waiting for a text from either of my sisters, telling me what I’ve forgotten at their house. I always forget something, … Continue reading All I Need

Falling in Step

July 29, 2018July 29, 2018 ~ Kit Vantastic ~ 3 Comments

As soon as I knew I was moving to Cape Breton, I did the obvious and joined a week-long step-dancing program. OK, maybe it wasn’t the most obvious thing to do, but it felt like the most important. So much so, I didn’t even take time to consult my brain or hip, who both had … Continue reading Falling in Step

Here Lies the Slow Food Road Trip

July 22, 2018 ~ Kit Vantastic ~ 22 Comments

The Slow Food Road Trip had some health issues from the get-go.  I had a hard time leaving family to hit the road again. I’d been away a year; I missed them and they seemed to miss me too. I had a garden insisting to be planted in Ottawa; it felt unusually urgent my son have kale. It … Continue reading Here Lies the Slow Food Road Trip

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Van Tour Video

https://youtu.be/uMFXgzidaSM

Stories from the Road

  • Letting Go of Perfect
  • The Nomad’s Front Porch
  • Edamame of the South
  • Good Goober!
  • A Holly-Jolly-Trolley Ride
  • Savannah, Ooooo Na Na
  • How We Roll
  • All I Need
  • Falling in Step
  • Here Lies the Slow Food Road Trip
  • Day 7: The Beach Tortilla
  • Day 6: Chasing Cheese
  • Day 5: Letting Food Speak for Itself
  • Day 4: Waiting for a Bite
  • Day 3: Rain Day

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My Inspiration!

  • Brené Brown
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In the past year I have learned to slow down and play, especially with art.
I am letting go of perfectionism. I am breathing more deeply. I have become more curious. Today, I am wishing curiousity for all of my friends. It can take you to some incredible places. ❤️👣🐞🐾🌸🌼🌞#camper#campervan#minivancamper#minivancamping#vanlife#vanlifediaries#campingcanada#nomadic#nomadiclife#travel#dodgecaravan#nomad#simplelife#campingwithdogs#explorecanada#solotravel#campingwithdogs#customcarpentry#homeiswhereyouparkit#campervanlicious#vanpireinc#campingwithpets#mycanadianphotos#solofemalevanlife#artontheroad#creativity Home- made all-local Beach Tortilla:  open face, farm-fresh goodness with locally grown spelt, goat cream cheese, and greenhouse tomatoes  and cukes- topped with parsley and balsamic! Mmmmmm.... made on the beach at Pt. Petre! ❤️🇨🇦💦🐾#camper#campervan#minivancamper#minivancamping#vanlife#vanlifediaries#campingcanada#nomadic#nomadiclife#travel#dodgecaravan#nomad#simplelife#campingwithdogs#explorecanada#solotravel#campingwithdogs#customcarpentry#homeiswhereyouparkit#campervanlicious#vanpireinc#campingwithpets#mycanadianphotos#solofemalevanlife #localfood#cookingontheroad I added a kayak to my life this year - just strapping it old school to the top of the van - Pip is proving to be quite a paddle companion! ❤️🐾🇨🇦☮️🐠🍁💦#camper#campervan#minivancamper#minivancamping#vanlife#vanlifediaries#campingcanada#nomadic#nomadiclife#travel#dodgecaravan#nomad#simplelife#campingwithdogs#explorecanada#solotravel#campingwithdogs#customcarpentry#homeiswhereyouparkit#campervanlicious#vanpireinc#campingwithpets#mycanadianphotos#solofemalevanlife #vans#italiangreyhound #takeyourdog It’s not often I enjoy the van in its “couch” configuration - only when I settle in for a few days ... but I always enjoy when I do. And I added feathers :) #camper#campervan#minivancamper#minivancamping#vanlife#vanlifediaries#campingcanada#nomadic#nomadiclife#travel#dodgecaravan#nomad#simplelife#campingwithdogs#explorecanada#solotravel#campingwithdogs#customcarpentry#homeiswhereyouparkit#campervanlicious#vanpireinc#campingwithpets#mycanadianphotos#solofemalevanlife#vans #canadianroadtrip Ive moved three turtles off Ontario highways this week. Be careful out there friends- we only have 7 species and they are all at risk. If safe, stop and move them to the other side - don’t put them “back” as they will just continue in the direction they are going. They got places to go and things to do! This is a momma snapper laying eggs! Important things! ❤️🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢❤️#camper#campervan#minivancamper#minivancamping#vanlife#vanlifediaries#campingcanada#nomadic#nomadiclife#travel#dodgecaravan#nomad#simplelife#campingwithdogs#explorecanada#solotravel#campingwithdogs#customcarpentry#homeiswhereyouparkit#campervanlicious#vanpireinc#campingwithpets#mycanadianphotos#solofemalevanlife#ontarioroadtrip #ontarioturtles I thought this looked like a giant log lobster !!! Enjoying a week in the beautiful Prince Edward County, Ontario. Lovely beach at Little Bluff :) 🇨🇦❤️🐾😎#van#thecounty

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