Big Sur Photoshoot And Towing On The Edge

What do I do to get ready for a big photoshoot from a major Women's magazine?  Get my hair and makeup done just right to look as glamorous as possible? Well, in my case last week, I  camp and not shower for three days.  Wooo Hooo, I am ready for my close up now!  Yes, that happened and now it's time to wait for the article to come out and just hope for the best.  I didn't mean for that to happen, it was a slight miscalculation in the distance of an available shower. I suppose it's not bad, especially since the article is about women living on the road.  No makeup and maybe a brush through my hair once did the trick. We shall see.

Anyway, I was honored to be asked to participate in the article! The best part is that it was my first outing with Campy so that was exciting. I traveled up to Big Sur and camped at an amazing campground called Kirk Creek.  If you haven't been and you like to camp on a bluff overlooking the ocean, this is the place for you.  Each morning I woke up to an amazing view and mild weather.  It was bliss.  My campsite was right next to the tent spots and I have to say that I felt a little sad for them.  For two years, that was how I camped and let me tell you... I love my van and can't wait to live in it full time soon.

My friend Kristiana and her dog OSA joined me on the adventure and she brought one of her vintage Airstreams. We camped a few days until Nick and Catherine from the magazine came to interview and photograph us.  Since the Airstream is such a beauty, we took her out on the cliff to escape the fog and to take some photographs of us relaxing next to it while completely stopped in the middle of a narrow road on a turn at the edge of a steep cliff, with no guardrail.  You know, just like we would do in real life.  "Hey, here's a dangerous spot to tow and stop...let's get out and look cute watching the ocean next to the trailer!" is what all of us camper gals say during these "relaxing" moments of cliff towing.  I have to hand it to Kristiana, she towed like a pro and why wouldn't she?

Needless to say, the light agreed with us and was just perfect for the shot.  With all of the excitement going on, I ran out with just my cell phone but still managed to capture the moment.  

While we were waiting for the photographer to scout a site, I shot some fun jumping pics reflected off of the trailer.  It's silly and I have to admit I love jumpie pics so it was fun that she went along with it. 

The next morning, Kristiana and
OSA headed home while I stayed one more night of ocean front camping with no internet or cell service.  It was bliss... I recommend it.

And So We Begin Again... (The Big Road Trip, Part 3)

The countdown has begun.

It's time to pack what I think I need in my car and head out on the open road.  This will be my third year wandering this country, while it being my second in a tent.  I've seen most of the states and this time around will be different from the last few years.

Well, each time is always different but I am looking forward to sharing my adventure with you through photographs and perhaps a slide show every so often.  I have a few projects in mind for the journey and I look forward to sharing more of that as well.

I am looking forward to learning more about the towns and people we don't hear about in the news.  People that make this country great but who live a quiet life outside of a spotlight.  I will be camping in new areas, taking side trips to oddball attractions, visiting some friends along the way and for the most part, taking it day by day to see where the road takes me and my co-pilot, Max.

Many of my friends and family are asking me where I am headed.  The fact is, I don't really know.  I know I will try and follow the weather as best as I can since I will be in a tent and Max doesn't tend to be a fan of cold temperatures.  I look forward to meeting interesting people and introducing those people to you.  Here are a few pictures of fellow Americans I've met in the last few months and I am excited to introduce more to you in the upcoming months.

Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and support.  If you know of a spot or town that I shouldn't miss, I would love to hear about it.  I can always be reached at alisontravels@gmail.com

I look forward to sharing more soon!

Airstream Owners Gather In Ohio For Alumapalooza

What a fabulous trip!  Last week I traveled to Jackson Center, Ohio to be the official photographer for Alumapalooza.  Airstream owners from around the world came together for their love of the trailers and to have some fun getting to know each other.

As much as I enjoy landscape photography, I have a new love of taking portraits!  For the five days I was there, I walked around the grounds with my camera and tried to visit with each of the campers and take their photograph.  There were around 150 trailers and about 300 people at the event.  Although I didn't get to shoot everyone, I tried my best.

I am not one to take a picture and walk away.  I enjoy learning about everyone I come across and as you can imagine, each person had a story to tell.  I was invited in trailers to have a chat, offered snacks and each time I walked up to a camp, we sat down and chatted about life for a while.  It was a great group of folks who love to travel and the stories to prove it.  It was very inspiring to see all walks of life touring around in their trailer, and living the life they have always dreamed of.  I especially enjoyed talking to William Turner, a 87 year old man who attended the event solo with his brand new 16 foot victorinox.

When I first arrived, we were greeted with thunderstorms and rain and it came off and on for the five days I was there.  The city even sounded the tornado alarms which was a little alarming for a while.  When that passed, we were greeted with beautiful skies and warm temperatures.  Once the skies cleared, I circled the grounds to catch people outside enjoying the day.  When the trailer door is shut, it's a good idea to stay away and not knock on it.  Most of the time, each guest was at the large tent watching a presentation, visiting with others for happy hour, or enjoying the entertainment.

As I chatted with people, I told them that I am going to be on the road for the third year with my dog, Max in a tent.  Most were shocked that I didn't have an Airstream.  I do, but it's in my head for now.  It was funny chatting with one gentleman about my story and he said, "didn't you just go to the hospital a few days ago?"  I couldn't believe it.  Somebody reads my blog!  It's easy to share everything here on the web for people to read and a little odd when I run into someone who's been reading.  We shared a few laughs about it.

I am so thankful to Rich Luhr of Airstream Life and Sue Dooley of Airstream who asked me to come out and be the photographer at the event.  Especially since I had a point and shoot camera and they were fully aware of the tools that I had at the time.  I am glad that I traded my wine collection for a new tool to be able to capture in pixels what I envision in my head.

Thank you to all of the wonderful people I met at the event!  I hope to keep in touch and perhaps meet on the road.  To see more of the portraits I took, click HERE.  If you are on Facebook, I hope you "like" me.

Lasting Memories

The past few days in Southern California has brought on some record rain, if you haven't heard. It found its way into my driveway and into my garage. I was gone during the day for the first big storm wave and I came home to inches of water in my garage.

Since I live on the road several months out of the year, there are only a few things in my home in case I need to pack up quickly to get on the road. For the most part, I live like I am still living out of my car...but in my home. Most of my belongings are stored in my garage. Some things are in plastic bins (smart choice) however there are a lot of items in cardboard boxes (not so smart choice). All of the boxes on the ground were soaked along with the contents inside of the box.

I wasn't really concerned when I came home, but I looked in the morning and didn't realize how many cardboard storage boxes were on the ground. A lot of them had old family photos in them. I also had framed pictures resting on the ground that are now soaked along with clothes, furniture, and other miscellaneous items. Although it was a bit sad to find, I wasn't that upset about it.

Because I have lived out of my car for so long, material possessions don't mean as much to me as they did in my 20's. I was never one to spend a lot of clothes and things. I think the "treasures" that mean the most are trinkets from places visited and pictures from those trips. Some of the damage leaked into albums of my grandparents. This picture I scanned a while back is one of my favorites of them.

Losing my father and grandparents was extremely painful, but all of the memories I have in my head will never be damaged by a flood. I am thankful that I had the time with them. I am fortunate for that. I can't complain. I am fortunate to have a roof over my head, food and love ones to turn to.

For all of that, I am forever grateful.

During the time the water was creeping up in my garage, I was out snapping these pictures.