As we wandered the art galleries in the River District of Asheville, I noticed this MountainXpress magazine cover:
For anyone living in a van, its a frightful to see someones place go up in flames leaving them with only ashes and an empty hulk.
The article goes on to describe several people who have called the Asheville area home since that is where their vans are parked. Mr Wolf enjoys waking up to the Smokies. Melody and Lindsay left New York in their 1993 EuroVan named Scarlet and like to volunteer in different places.
The author, a man by the name of Hokey Pokey, notes that the #vanlife hashtag produces many picture and stories of people who have hit the road. Some make a living from their van such as having a mobile studio and others are “influence marketers” who have sponsors or advertising to support them.
And there are the “old-timers” who traveled the nation in the 70’s in underpowered Wesfalias. One of those old-timers, Chris, noted that us new people have it easy. Considering we have more reliable vans, mobile phones, wifi, google search and GPS, he may be right.
Chris also thought that those who have any money do not truly achieve freedom on the road. He may prefer to be free of cash but we much prefer the freedom you have with money.
As for Hokey Pokey, as of the writing of the article he was getting help to rebuild his van. In the end it was not salvageable and he had to get another van. Check out his travels here.