When you travel regularly or live in a van, you might not expect to have neighbors. But communities like Vanlife Diaries and Women on the Road bring people together, both online and in real life. Sometimes, they even park next to each other.
From October 26 through 28, Vanlife Diaries and Women on the Road are teaming up to host a gathering of travelers, vanlifers, and nomads in Taos, New Mexico. Women and non-binary people, along with their children, dogs, and whatever type of vehicle they roll in, will form a temporary neighborhood for a weekend of workshops, community, and good times around the campfire.
The Women on the Road gathering will take place at Hotel Luna Mystica, in the high desert surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Tickets include two nights of camping on the property, workshops, and related activities.
We spoke to Kathleen Morton of @tinyhousetinyfootprint and Vanlife Diaries for some more details on what attendees can expect from this gathering of creative adventurers:
The Dyrt: What type of vibe can attendees expect from this event?
Kathleen: This is a family-friendly, pet-friendly event (all are welcome). Vans, buses, trucks, cars, motorbikes, swags, RVs are welcome—bring what ya got! The only requirement is that you have an open mind, enjoy alternative ways of living, and want to meet some interesting people. We will have several activities and workshops led by members of our community.
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Is this the first event in which Women on the Road and Vanlife Diaries are teaming up? How will this one be different from other vanlife gatherings?
This is our first event! We’re teaming up to bring adventurous women and nonbinary people together. We will have workshops taught by women for women. We will be leading discussions on topics that women might deal with while living on the road. We will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the event to the local nonprofit, Heart of Taos, which provides support to women facing homelessness or are homeless.
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Can you tell us about a fond memory from past Vanlife Diaries gatherings?
One of my favorite memories was at the second Colorado Vanlife Gathering. We were all sitting around the fire and members from our community brought over their instruments and started jamming together. It was an impromptu music session and it was so beautiful to see everyone contributing their talents and creativity. It made me realize that on our own, we can have quite an influence, but together, we are much stronger.
Solo #VanLife: Old Rigs, Dirt Roads, and the Surprising Joy of Solitude
What are some highlights to this event that attendees can look forward to?
We are in the process of putting our schedule together, but we are excited to share some of the workshops and activities we are planning as well as a visit to a local off-the-beaten-path site. We have so much amazing outdoor gear that we will be raffling off with a portion of the proceeds going to the Heart of Taos. Stay tuned as we announce some of the giveaways and goodies we have planned for the weekend.
Secure Your SpotRelated Campgrounds:
- Camping near Taos, NM: El Nogal Campground
- Chaco Canyon Camping, NM
