Journey on Wheels: Conversing with the Solo Motorist Venturing from Pennsylvania to Uruguay
"Alright buddy, let's talk van life realness," Cassey mid-guffaw, the connection between us feeling like a chat between old pals. This chick is no ordinary gal, her tales of riots in Honduras and car breakdowns in Guatemala could easily send chills down your spine.
She was once a US Naval Officer, a rugged ten-year stint that left her jobless but gave her the tools needed to tackle solo van life like the boss she is. All it took was a Google search, a Craigslist ad for a '90 Volkswagen Westphalia, a whim, and an unemployed status.
"I can't pinpoint a specific moment, but I guess it was just a crazy whim, random as hell I might add," Cassey admits. "Once I bought that ol' gal, I found myself being transferred to Hawaii, but that's when the crazy notion of driving to South America really settled in."
Her military skillset wasn't just helpful, it was crucial.
"Without the lessons I learned in the Navy, this whole adventure would've been a pipe dream," Cassey emphasizes. "I wouldn't have been able to take on something like this without that mindset of a badass. It's not like I woke up every day thinking 'I'm a badass', but without that mentality you can't pull off somethin' like this!"
Manny, a retired submariner and old friend, played a part in prepping her up for the Mexican border. He gave her some dangerous-sounding gear like dive knives, a taser, and flare guns. But that was just one piece of the puzzle.
"I was kinda scared the day before I crossed into Mexico, a small panic attack hit, you know?" Cassey shares. "But Manny gave me a good ol' kick in the ass, told me to quit my freakin' whining, pack my bags, and get on with it!"
And that's exactly what she did.
The sense of freedom that comes with van-life is exhilarating. Roam where you want, stop as you please, experience life through a totally different lens.
"Backpacking by bus is fun and all, 'cause you meet plenty of people," Cassey says. "But van life offers a much more local perspective. There's this app called iOverlander, with info on unique spots where you can camp, like restaurants owned by families, who let you camp for free!"
Challenges were plenty, just like in any adventure. For instance, her brake issue in Guatemala was enough to put a damper on her travel plans. A routine brake pad replacement turned into a nightmare with no Volkswagen parts available. But she pulled through, managed to get new parts from her friend in Costa Rica, and even changed the brakes herself.
"A whole flock of cops came out of nowhere, wanna show off their strength, just to help a girly like me change my brakes," Cassey chuckles. "And I even got caught up in a movie chase scene whilst changing my brakes!"
But Cassey's adventures don't end there. There's the tear gas incident in Honduras and the shady motorbike guys in Colombia, baking in the sun with a flat tire.
"Life on the road wasn't always smooth sailing, but it was always an adventure." Cassey concludes. "You gotta have the right mindset, be ready to deal with whatever comes your way. But every challenging moment I faced, every trip was worth it, it made me grow stronger, see life from a different perspective."
Cassey's a badass in every sense of the word, and I'm damn proud of her. The Cassey Excursion took her from Pennsylvania to Uruguay, and she's still journeying. If you're up for a travel tale like no other, keep an eye on her blog or her Instagram.
- Cassey's solo van life adventure began with a '90 Volkswagen Westphalia, a whim, and an unemployed status, giving her the freedom to roam and experience lifestyle different from backpacking.
- Despite challenges such as a brake issue in Guatemala and a tear gas incident in Honduras, Cassey's adventurous spirit allows her to adapt and overcome obstacles, expanding her perspective and growing stronger.
- Cassey's military background contributes significantly to her ability to undertake such an adventure, providing the necessary mindset to tackle solo travel and unpredictable situations.
