I sit here, perched above the rushing river, at sunset, my feet soaking in a tub of hot water.  I heated river water on my Coleman stove.  I just hiked with my friend Doc up to 13,000 ft elevation where we met with the Continental Divide Trail.  We took Doc’s 4wd miles up a pretty rugged road leading us up the side of the mountain, until it opened up into a heavenly expanse of mountains and meadows, filled with wild flowers, including the state flower, the Columbine.

I was in complete awe of the beauty.  We were in such a remote area.  We climbed the trail taking us straight up the side of the mountain.  There were beautiful fairy glens, where streams were coming down the mountains and wild flowers of deep, rich colors were growing in abundance.

We had to take it slow and take plenty of breaks because the altitude was so high.  At the top we reached temperatures of 42 degrees.  I was grateful I brought my heavy windbreaker as the wind was very strong.

After a beautiful day of hiking we came back to my amazing new camp right on the river.  Across the river was a very tall waterfall falling from the mountains above.  I still had cell service, my hotspot worked great and I could work from this beautiful spot in nature.

In so many ways this is the experience I had been seeking; getting away from the commercial campgrounds and out in nature with no disturbances other than the Off Road Vehicle traffic that seemed to like the side gravel road running by my camp.

Being only a couple miles from town, I could easily drive to the coffee shop every morning, charge up my electronics and visit with the locals.

It is nearing the end of June now and I must say time seems to have slowed down.  It is hard to believe it has been only a month on the road.  Sometimes it feels I’ve been out here so much longer.  The first day of summer was last week and I still have the whole summer ahead of me.

A friend asked me about the concept of “time going slow” and asked “doesn’t this mean you aren’t having fun?”  This is because it is said “time flies when you are having fun.”  I asked him “wouldn’t you rather time slowed down when you were having fun so you can savor every moment?”

Time is a gift right now and I am embracing the slow paced van life I am living.  I don’t know when I will move on.  Right now, I am loving where I am at and won’t “move on” until I feel the call.  After all, isn’t this what my trip is all about?  Following the call of spirit?  I say YES!