Faded Jeans Living

By Dwight Hyde

Roadtrip out east in the van

Hello my friends! This is indeed a very long overdue post. It’s bittersweet, so I guess that’s why I’ve prolonged it. Alice(my dog) and I had a great trip. Highlights were visiting the Black Hills in South Dakota, my mom and sister in New York, our very own Jackie (LittleRedHead) from WordPress, my brother and his family in Virginia, and my daughter and her fiancé in North Carolina. It was way too much driving in a short period, but well worth each visit I had!

The next few photos are from my stay near Custard, South Dakota
The Badlands
Visiting mom
Oh my gosh I love this beautiful soul! Had a wonderful visit with Jackie and her husband Avery!
Chapel Hill, NC with my daughter Allie
Loved my visit with Allie and Logan
Too much driving : )
Heading back

Along the way, I discovered as much as I loved the adventure of exploring with my camper van I wasn’t actually up for selling my home and going full time doing van life. This was indeed a shock to me after following van lifers online since probably 2017. There’s a big difference between dreaming and doing I learned.

So at this point, I find myself postponing quitting my job, selling my home, or biking across the United States. I’m glad I did this trial run and discovered this now, but am deeply disappointed and humbled.

As I sit here in this land of the “lost” I keep the faith. I stay alert and listen and try to understand. I’ve been here many times before. Light always prevails.

For now I get back to chopping wood and carrying water.

Peace,

Dwight

Dwight Hyde

25 responses to “Roadtrip out east in the van”

  1. Chuckster Avatar
    Chuckster

    Very interesting post, thanks. I remember a time when my ideal job was working for the Forest Service, hiking, exploring, out in nature. When I got that job, working on a survey crew, doing exactly what I pictured, I was ecstatic. Until I discovered I missed my family and friends when I was off in pine country all week. The forestry life just did not work out. I still love the Ponderosa Pine forest, but in much smaller increments. Those precious moments are still dear. But what I really need is my family and friends and pretty girls closer, and in much bigger doses than trees.

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    1. Dwight Hyde Avatar
      Dwight Hyde

      I can definitely relate to that. I’m looking forward to mini-adventures. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!

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  2. annemariedemyen Avatar
    annemariedemyen

    I am glad you had this amazing trip with Alice and got to visit with your family and our Jackie. But I am also glad that you had enough time alone with your thoughts to to reconsider your future plans. You will know when you get it right for you. (And Alice)

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    1. Dwight Hyde Avatar
      Dwight Hyde

      Thanks so much, Anne. I’m so grateful for you in my life. 🤗

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  3. Crystal Byers Avatar
    Crystal Byers

    Happy New Year, Dwight! You have been on an amazing adventure, and you’ll always be able to say, “There was this one time when I …”

    I’ve been thinking recently how I’m perfectly fine with changing my mind. It’s a sign of flexibility and growth. I have no doubt you’ve grown through this experience!

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    1. Dwight Hyde Avatar
      Dwight Hyde

      Hi Crystal❤️! I’m definitely a work in progress on changing my mind on the big things or I guess what I make big in my head. I definitely replayed the whole …at this time in my life I should have my crap together😂. Working on telling that voice within to play nice and stop being so negative and mean. Your support always makes my heart smile along with all the love and support from everyone above. Thank you🤗

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      1. Crystal Byers Avatar
        Crystal Byers

        ❤️

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  4. Untipsyteacher Avatar
    Untipsyteacher

    What an amazing trip!
    I’m glad you tested your dream.
    Actually that sounds like a good idea for anyone, to learn before you jump in the unknown.
    Peace. And next time, we can meet you! ❤️🫶🏼
    Wendy

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    1. Dwight Hyde Avatar
      Dwight Hyde

      Hey Wendy! I was definitely thinking of you as I was driving out east. Definitely will stop by on one of my adventures. Thank you for your everlasting support! How are you doing? Sending tons of hugs🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

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  5. tanjabrittonwriter Avatar
    tanjabrittonwriter

    It sounds like a wonderful trip, Dwight, even if it involved a lot of time behind the wheel. I don’t think there is any reason to be humbled by admitting to yourself that you don’t want to be on the road all the time. I think you might enjoy the van life more if you took more time to stay in one place for longer periods rather than move on quickly. But you will figure out what’s right for you, and in the meantime, enjoy whatever trips you take with Alice.
    Best wishes for 2024,
    Tanja

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    1. Dwight Hyde Avatar
      Dwight Hyde

      Thank you so much, Tanja. You are exactly right!😊

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  6. jacquelyn3534 Avatar
    jacquelyn3534

    I loved seeing all these pictures again! Love that smile and Miss Alice! You sure made the most of your trip and I’m still SO EXCITED we got to meet in person! Like I mentioned now you can have home stability and also do fun traveling in your van! I love it! 😍

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    1. Dwight Hyde Avatar
      Dwight Hyde

      Oh my beautiful ROCK STEADY friend! I’m so grateful to you! 🤗❤️💪

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  7. Rhonda Avatar
    Rhonda

    Happy New Year! Great pics. I think it’s very cool that you tried out the living-on-the-road life for a bit, even if you decided not to do it full time. Good for you!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Dwight Hyde Avatar
      Dwight Hyde

      Thanks so much, Rhonda🙌❤️

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  8. gr8ful_collette Avatar
    gr8ful_collette

    Happy New Year, friend! I must say that I’ve been following your journey and 1. think you are a badass to come up with and pursue such a bold, unconventional idea, 2. love that you took this trip and saw family and Jackie (WHAT? So amazing!), and 3. agree with you that, even if a little disappointing, van life probably isn’t the best permanent plan for you at the time. I was worried about you not having a physical residence and while I understand the draw of wanderlust, I think you’re making the right choice. In the meantime, you have the perfect set-up to take as many adventures as work time off permits! And you’ll get there, that is, wherever you are meant to be. Hugs to you!

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    1. Dwight Hyde Avatar
      Dwight Hyde

      Thanks so much, Collette. Your support means so much. I’m doing better on not beating myself up over it all and yours and others wisdom on the experience have helped me tremendously! How are you doing? Would love to hear from you! Happy New Year🤗

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      1. Clairei Avatar
        Clairei

        Absolutely do not beat yourself up over it. You had an idea, you did the best thing and tried it first before taking any steps that would be tough to reverse and you have learnt what you want from it and what you don’t! Sounds pretty fabulous to me! Self compassion my friend. You are amazing and have achieved so much. Life didn’t go according to plan, so what? You’ll have many more adventures and fun, with some creature comforts to help. Stability is important, don’t underestimate it! Xx 😘

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Dwight Hyde Avatar
        Dwight Hyde

        Thanks so much, Claire. You are completely right! 🤗❤️😊

        Liked by 1 person

  9. bluebird487 Avatar
    bluebird487

    Happy new year! Sounds like a pretty epic trip – glad you both enjoyed and learned from it.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Dwight Hyde Avatar
      Dwight Hyde

      Happy new year! Thank you so much❤️. I’m excited for more adventures to come.

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  10. Uncoffined Avatar
    Uncoffined

    Sometimes it’s just nice to have one solid spot in your life that doesn’t move.
    I worked that out after riding around the country for 3 months on a motorcycle, and staying in backpacker hostels with other tourists.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Dwight Hyde Avatar
      Dwight Hyde

      That is an excellent way to describe it! Thank you😊

      Liked by 1 person

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  11. Lovie Price Avatar
    Lovie Price

    it is so good to hear from you! So what specifically didnt you like about van life? You MUST tell us..lol..i so wish i could have met you but I’m so glad u did get to meet jackie though and maybe someday a few of us can get together all at once…i’m soon due to write a post too..just don’t have exat content yet…great pics..love it!

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    1. Dwight Hyde Avatar
      Dwight Hyde

      Hey Lovie! Still digesting it but three surprising themes I discovered was the mental exhaustion of the unknown, the longing for creature comforts after a bit (living space, toilet, shower, …), and sharing/living the experiences with someone special. I may or may not write on all that in a future post. I’m a little gun shy right now after throwing it all out there, and then … taking a different direction. Quite the windy road I weave. Hope you are well. There will definitely be tons more van mini van adventures and it would be awesome to connect with you and Jackie for sure🙌❤️.

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