thatguyinthecomments
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3 months ago I left my job of 9 years to live out of my car with my dog and travel around. Yeah I know I'm the millennial asshole poster child but I don't care.
Here's a little view of the car platform in the middle of the build process
I push my seats forward and an extra leaf fold out to make a bed that is 6'3"
Departure day! That is Kopek! You'll be seeing more of her. We launched off from Santa Barbara, California. That's where I've called home the last 10 years.
One of the coolest experiences. I was fortunate enough to get a walk in lottery ticket to hike The Wave at Coyote Buttes in northern Arizona. Only 10 walk in permits are given a day and about 200 people tried the day I was there.
That's my car in Capitol Reef National Park.
Kopek is the most patient and loving dog you'll ever meet. I know I'm biased, but everyone who spends time with her falls in love.
I'm spending some time in cities too, which is not my comfort zone. I expected to hate NYC but I was totally wrong. It's an amazing place.
Exploring the Maine coastline.
In Portland, Maine they have a boat that delivers mail to several islands in the Casco bay. They let people and dogs tag along on the route. Bonus: you can bring beer! Kopek is my social liaison and here she met the most adorable sisters who talked to me for the entire 3 hour boat ride. I love kids because I, myself, am one at heart. I'm
Canoeing in Acadia National Park. one of my favorite places so far. It's the most dog-friendly national park I've encountered.
More Acadia NP.
In this photo Kopek is the easternmost dog in the United States. We are in Lubec, Maine.
Niagara Falls! If you go you MUST go to the Canadian side. No excuses. Go.
My good friend from California flew out for a week of backpacking in Shenandoah National Park.
We hammocked and this particular night expected rain. We strung up this tarp as rain protection. It did not work great haha.
If you'd like to follow along via Instagram or watch any of the videos I've made I'd be honored. Send me a DM and I'd be happy to provide some links. I also just like chatting with people and connecting about travel and adventures.
Edit: I don't want to be a shameless advertisement of myself, but it's jut easier to put my IG here: kopekandkaya
TouchMeInTheMoonlightAnus
"Bro, it's really cold in my hammock."
ColdAsssHonkie
As a someone who didn't think they would like NYC either, I absolutely loved my visit and it's one of my favorite places I've ever been.
thatguyinthecomments
I felt the exact same dildoshwaggins
bender211
If you wander thru Oklahoma hit me up, you're welcome to crash at our (small) farm. Hell you can even pee inside!
thatguyinthecomments
That's a luxury I haven't known in a while. I hope you're serious about hitting you up. I will do it if I head back through there.
yesyoucancancan
What did you do with the dog when you went up the Empire state building?
thatguyinthecomments
Had a friend in NYC that let me keep her there. I was very fortunate.
ivythearchive
I'm glad I'm not the only one whose first thought was that :)
Dipityseren
Huh..I thought I'd missed a bit, but you knew the building just from the view - cool. Very cool view, also. Pity no pup allowed.
yesyoucancancan
Well, I happened to go up it about 1 week ago, and I got the same photo. :)
aeouk
Did the dog take the hammock pic?
thatguyinthecomments
Traveling alone has made me develop an uncanny skill for setting my phone of on logs or rocks and doing self timer mode. Seriously. I'm good
aeouk
You cant fool me!
sendboobsthankss
Coyote butts eh
thatguyinthecomments
The best type of Butts
DoYouLikePinaColada
You should see a girl butt. They are pretty great too.
DanglingNuts
TotalSmartAss
Look like you're really in your Element, @OP
Perle9
Why does this only have 6 upvotes? I applaud you TotalSmartAss.
thatguyinthecomments
Bahdum tsss
therickdance
So jealous! One question though: your dogs name is kopek (dog in Turkish) and your car's name is kaya (rock in Turkish) any reason for this?
thatguyinthecomments
I lived in Turkey for a year and it was then that I realized I wanted a dog.
PrivateThrasher
I get to see thrice on Monday. Yay.
thatguyinthecomments
Jealous! Where at?
PrivateThrasher
Auburn wa, just outside of seattle.
TheBroble
But do you keep swinging your hands through a swarm of bees?
thatguyinthecomments
Can you blame me? I want honey on my table.
TheBroble
I think someone down voted you, but you're my new best bud and I'm gonna get my dog and my car and roam the nation with you.
thatguyinthecomments
Do it! Caravan buddies are the best buddies.
Bumbleballs
Just curious, how do you decide where you're going to go next? @OP
thatguyinthecomments
Honestly it's really haphazard. I've got a rough route dictated by trying to visit some of my friends. But the days between I just look at 1
thatguyinthecomments
A map and try to find some cool stuff and some free camping.
OneCrushingBlow
Thrice. Thumbs up.
5henan1gan5
Thriceeee
OhioSucks
Bigpengtheory
Living the dream!
MissAizea
How did you afford food/gas
thatguyinthecomments
Savings. I'm probably going to get temporary work and figure out some sources of income over the next few months.
thiscommentwillselfdestruct
Nubble Lighthouse. Nice
thatguyinthecomments
I thought it was called quoddy head lighthouse but I could be wrong because I saw like a thousand lighthouses in Maine.
MyFetishIsALittleOddish
It's the nubble lighthouse . Source: I grew up in York.
PuckerUpButtercup
You are living out my dream...
thatguyinthecomments
Why aren't you?
Fantasyze
I want to hate you but I realized I'm just jealous... Congrats on living your dream
ChordsofBilroth
Who is taking all your photos?
thatguyinthecomments
I've gotten really good at setting my phone up on a rock or stump and doing self timer. I'm serious.
Yqup
Kopek litteraly means "Dog" in turkish. Nice convenient name you've found for ur doggo
FisterC
Köpek
thatguyinthecomments
Yeah. I lived in Turkey for almost a year and the strays there made me realize I need d a dog of my own. The name is paying homage to them.
BitterSwedeLP
It's also the minor currency (the cents) of rubles, 1 ruble = 100 kopek (ruble is the name of Russian, Belarusn and Ukrainan money)
kungfucatattack
How do you afford your wanderers lifestyle?
daphneinla
my boyfriend and i are going on an 8,000 mile road trip in 2 weeks. would love to get some advice/tips from you!
thatguyinthecomments
Feel free to send me a DM here or on IG. I'm better about checking IG
aeouk
Millennial asshole? No you are a brave guy (& dog) going out to enjoy life. Fair play to you, I wish I could just go for if. Enjoy!
thatguyinthecomments
I appreciate your perspective on it. Not everyone feels the same.
aeouk
Fuck them, you're getting this amazing experience. We all stick in our comfort zone
thatguyinthecomments
Yeah so true. I don't want to ever be that person.
ree098
What's your instagram? Would love to follow!
thatguyinthecomments
kopekandkaya
ree098
Sweet! Followed :)
BlackElkSpeaks
Amazing journey! I have just one question for you though Op.. Do people still listen to Thrice?
thatguyinthecomments
Fair question haha. I do. Most people just listen to old stuff but I'm a diehard fanboy.
BlackElkSpeaks
Interesting, didn't know they're still around. I'll have to check out their new stuff.
Snowi1014
Hell yeah, Thrice!
Ozarck
I might be living out of my car for a while soon, too. Not for travel or anything, but because I'm that broke
thatguyinthecomments
Where do you live? Lots of people actually do that in San Fransisco. I met several of them when I passed through.
Ozarck
I live in Michigan. But if I end up living in my car, I'll go wherever i can find a decent paying job.
thatguyinthecomments
I'm in Michigan right now!
Ozarck
Well, howdy, neighbor!
TropicYetti
Love Thrice. Sick shirt.
thatguyinthecomments
Play deadbolt! (Ok I'm not that person for real)
TropicYetti
You are though! ????
DaveWesh
Honda element is such an overlooked vehicle and insanely versatile.
superduperyooperthatspissedoff
That's what I was going to say! Goofy looking but amazing vehicles
buce123
I saw a guy load a motorcycle in one
thatguyinthecomments
Before I left on this trip I had a Vespa type of scooter that I could fit in the back of my Element.
tywilson87
Element Life.
howdy9157
Yeah and cheap cause nobody wants one.
honestinjinwinkwink
I want one so bad but their resale price is really good and I'm poor:-(
Corridoor
So if the resale price is so high wouldn't that mean more people want them? Just sayin'
honestinjinwinkwink
It just means their value holds well
thatguyinthecomments
Oh they're the best.
YancyFryJr
My brothers GF jjst picked one up 2 months back! Were putting a platform in for them and their dog as well!
thatguyinthecomments
Sweet! Lots of good YouTube videos with elements being converted.
sigruun
I've been in love with mine since 2005. Runs like a champ, cheap to maintain, and endlessly useful.
pakayaro
I only wish it had a bit more power but other than that, I am loving the shit out of mine.
DaveWesh
That is the only reason I got rid of mine, if they put the accord v6 in the element they would have had a perfect utility vehicle.
pakayaro
Definitely.
onomatopoiea42
Honda element is the best! Mine is approaching 300k miles :)
spazztastic
Oh yes plastic car!
Yucaslash
I'm inheriting one this month :D
DougSt
Ya I was bummed they stopped making them. But Honda is bringing them back soon.
pelusita35
Do you have glorious sauce for this??? Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pelusita35
I have wanted one for so long!!!
Aquilarden
The look of the new one they were suggesting is terrible, though...
thatguyinthecomments
Yeah it did look really weird but I love mine so much I don't even care how they look haha.
asm80dfa8sdfj
So the aesthetic hasn't changed?
Aquilarden
Look, if it was your opinion that the old design was bad, the new one will make you physically ill.
asm80dfa8sdfj
I am physically ill.
Rusticshine
that and 2001-2007 dodge grand caravans. i beat the shit out of mine and only have done basic shit to it.. its approching 200k miles!
becauseracevan
My mom has a 06 one that somehow is still on the original transmission and motor after 300k kms and tons of abuse including one time (1/2)
becauseracevan
We took it to a racetrack for some hot lapping (hence my username).These vans are built like tanks. I've heard bad stuff about the new ones.
mstomm
My dad abused the he'll out of his 98 once he bought a new family car. Thing was running with no oil on the dipstick for who knows how long
mstomm
Only thing that ended it was a hit and run. Drove it home, but was too smashed to be worth making road legal again.
theangerintheranger
I wish I had the balls to do this, you sir are an inspiration! Enjoy it!
thatguyinthecomments
Scariest but best decision I've ever made. I think you should do it.
theangerintheranger
I have thought long and hard about walking the Appalachian trail, just haven't pulled the trigger on my corporate gig yet.
thatguyinthecomments
You'll never look back on your life and say "I wish I worked more." That's what made me pull that trigger.
thatguyinthecomments
Looking back at this post and reminiscing. Hope you’ve pulled the plug or at least decided to go for your passions.
PatchDr
I hope you changed your job of 9 years for an entire life of happiness. (Even if your adventures won't last till the end). Memories over $$
wahsome
I budgeted $1000 for a roadtrip from San Fran to Seattle to go through Yosemite and Redwood. Any recommendations for Redwood?
Swunt
well when you work in a big city that starts entry jobs at 25/hr it makes it an easier thing to do. im out here in a state with $7/hr min...
thatguyinthecomments
I asked my mom if I should invest my savings in my future or experiences. She said experiences.
PatchDr
Wise mum you have there. I like her
thatguyinthecomments
She is pretty cool.
CarmenLeong12
I just quit my job of 8 years and I'm about to do something similar!
slurmlover
You asked your mommy? Bahahahahahaha. JK cool album man, have fun.
Yqup
thatguyinthecomments
I can't think of a better person to ask.
Whiteoak789
How much did you save up?
thatguyinthecomments
About 30k but 10k is set aside for security and getting myself back on my feet when it's over.
Whiteoak789
Damn thanks man. I'm just working on 10k have been for 3 years now only got 2 lol. Life's hard. Good luck on your travels my friend. :)
thatguyinthecomments
I had a job that paid decently for a single guy with no mortgage. Cost of living was through the roof there. I'm a natural saver though.
MadMupp
Yeah... But now what?
PrestonGarvey
Helping my settlement
thatguyinthecomments
Well I've got more savings so I keep going. What are you asking? Haha
impossibleodds
He's asking what you do when you run out of savings. I'm kinda curious, too.
cataleap
Well, after your savings dry up, how will you afford your trip. I sit get me wrong, I love what you're doing, but I don't see how this is 1/
cataleap
Sustainable
MasterPrime
So take about $5,000. Invest in Vanguard. It's an index fund with an average return of about 10.5%. Go adventure with the rest of it.
MasterPrime
Keep rolling over the interest and maybe try to add like $100 a month. in 30 years, you'll have retirement money.
[deleted]
[deleted]
PatrickPettibone
or cut violently at exspenses
MasterPrime
It's enough to retire. It's not the best amount but 10k initial with 500/month is a little difficult when you quit your job.
sleepysnarlysnorlax
Dotting this thread to research later
MasterPrime
It doesn't have to be vanguard. What you want to find are S&P 500 Index Funds. Check the average returns but remember that's an average.
sleepysnarlysnorlax
Is this the type you have to keep a close eye on/trade a lot?
virtia
Seriously do come back to this. Starting saving early is the best possible thing you can do for your future, no matter how much you put in
sleepysnarlysnorlax
I try to, but I'm shit at investing (though I am trying to learn). I do most of it through work, as my hospital matches to a certain degree