34 Comments
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Sophie S.'s avatar

Oh very exciting, I'll be keen to see what she looks like after the makeover! Also, those sunglasses are amazing!

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

You’ll be seeing more of the Gypsy Wagon! Hahaha—thank you. 😎

Becca Lawton's avatar

What a great post, Wendy! Very exciting.

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Thank you, Becca! I’ll looking forward to the flexibility it’ll provide!

Angela Burton's avatar

Oh you beautiful soul! I love hearing the Gypsy Van’s origin story, and the adventures so far. Having a fresh update to her will be lovely and most likely, more comfortable! Hoping our paths cross this year. Cheers my friend! xx

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Thank you, Ang! Oh we’re definitely going to be rallying—maybe this spring?! It’ll be a game-changer for me.

Chris Howe's avatar

… your sunglasses are 💥 !!! 😍😎

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Oh, you like those, eh? 🤣🤣🤣

Susan J Tweit's avatar

May the Gypsy Wagon build-out be everything you dream of (comfy bed and twinkly lights and efficient climate control) and more! Can't wait to see how she turns out, and your further adventures!

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Thank you, Susan! Stay tuned—I may just be rolling through your neighborhood one of these days :).

Susan J Tweit's avatar

I would love that!

Ramya Vivekanandan's avatar

Wendy, you're an inspiration! Best of luck with this new incarnation of #vanlife, I can't wait to see where she'll take you next!

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Aww, thank you, Ramya! I can’t wait to see where she’ll take me either! 🤣

Dave Nelson's avatar

I bought a $1200 e350 cargo van, insulated it and travel with my cats. It’s that easy and cheap. Hot springs and music festivals have the best people.

It’s a big sweet life.

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Nice!! Yes, hot springs, music festivals—and freedom—are the best!

Mark Murphy (Psychotherapist)'s avatar

I Love reading all these kindred spirits in the comments as much as I love the post. I spent years on the road, so these pics of open road speak to my soul. I also have a very cool connection to Joshua Tree I'll tell you about sometime. Thanks for these amazing posts. I can't wait to see where this newly decked-out marvel will take you next (with a little climate control to boot!).

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Okay, now I’m remembering you were a traveling musician! Awww..you got married there! Such a sweet story. 🩷 I do love the desert and have spent a fair amount of time as a desert dweller, and can’t wait to soak in its magic! Since I’ll be able to fully work from the road, I may just disappear for a while…

Mark Murphy (Psychotherapist)'s avatar

As an American you'll probably know this better than I did but the boulder formations truly look 'made up'. The trees themselves look like Dr Seuss and the boulders are... well kinda Dr Seuss(y) too. Come to think of it, I wonder where that person was from? 🤔

Mark Murphy (Psychotherapist)'s avatar

p.s. If you had to get 'lost' somewhere, that is the perfect place.

Mark Murphy (Psychotherapist)'s avatar

Is it still 'lost' if you take lots of pictures we can live vicariously through? (he said shamelessly hinting...)

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Hahaha. It'll be a both/and situation! :)

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

I missed this one...I've spent time in the Southern Sierras and your description has me thinking of the Alabama Hills with its cool boulders. Dr Seuss happens to be a graduate of my alma mater 🤣.

Mark Murphy (Psychotherapist)'s avatar

That's the coolest thing. I was going to say something stupid about the colour of the eggs and ham in the dining hall but.. I won't. I'm way more mature than that...

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

🤣 Mr. Rogers is also an alumnus.

Mark Murphy (Psychotherapist)'s avatar

Good Lord! I just had so many things to say I became speechless. I'm certain you would inspire both of them!

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Thank you, Mark! I do love reading what others have to say too. So cool that you’re a road warrior. I’d love to hear more and hear about your connection to Joshua Tree. I actually haven’t been there! I was on my way there with three friends—each in our own rigs—when we took to the road during covid. Things exploded in LA, the hospitals were failing, they shut down the national parks, and the word was not to come anywhere near this place. I ended up wintering in Santa Fe instead. The timing is looking good for me to pick up my 🚐 just in time for a spring desert tour!

Mark Murphy (Psychotherapist)'s avatar

Sounds like you weren't meant to go at that time. Sounds like the 'all clear' has been sounded for you now! 🤞🏻 I was a musician and road musician (road manger-meaning i did virtually 100% of the driving) for close to 20 years. Mostly in the US but Canada, Europe, OZ and the Middle East (very briefly) as well. I've driven every state except Alaska and Hawaii. As for Joshua Tree. We got married out there. We went to Palm Desert for a visit before that and fell in love with Joshua Tree. I finished a tour at Pepperdine and my (then girlfriend) flew into LA from Toronto. We had our rings made in Toronto and she brought them with. We just decided we were going to hike out into the desert until a particular place spoke to us. We said or vows and exchanged rings out there. We did. 16-day drive up the 1 to Portland and got 'legally' married in the courthouse up there. JT is a deeply sacred place. I hope you get a chance to have a good meander. Its literally like nothing else I've ever seen. And, you know... I, like you, have seen a few things! :)

Ana Daksina's avatar

Van dweller here 🙋

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Hello, Ana! Nice! Are you writing about your experiences? 🚐

Ana Daksina's avatar

Well, I am, but not in any good way. Targeting victim.

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

I'm not sure I understand what you mean?