Thank you, summer

And so summer came to an end. Its last day, the final day of July, flashed by. The nightless nights ended a couple of weeks ago, and while the effects aren’t immediately noticeable, something palpable is in the air. The weather has been cool for the last week, well below ten degrees, and I’ve worn a beanie for the first time since May. August should still bring warmth, at least some light, but a shift away from summer has taken place.

I’m still on the road, on a van trip, currently north of Sodankylä. Once again, without a plan or destination. For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been surrounded by people and activities. I’ve been busy and on the go. Now, for the first time in a while, I’m alone again, so to speak, living the normal van life for another week. Next week, I plan to return to my cabin, at least for a while, to pick and preserve blueberries, lingonberries, and cranberries. I will definitely take trips in the van this fall, and maybe even in the winter, but for now, this will be my last van week of summer.

Should I write a separate piece that sums up the entire summer van trip, what I’ve learned about living in the van, where I’ve traveled, and what I’ve done? Maybe I could. It would be nice to wrap up the trip in my mind before starting a new adventure.

Just this morning, while brewing my morning coffee for about the sixtieth time, I thought about how this doesn’t really feel like a trip anymore. I haven’t missed home or my cabin at all. This has felt like home. That’s what it has been. The van is my home; that’s why I built it, and it has fulfilled that role excellently. Everything I need to live is here, in these few square meters.

There’s plenty more I could write about this, but I think I’ll save it for its own post. Is there anything you would like me to write about living in a van, traveling, and living? Please let me know; I’d love to hear what others are curious about :)

Last year, I made a video about the end of summer. In it, I talk about how nature changes when the summer months end and what the anticipation of autumn entails. If you haven’t seen it yet, I’ll link it here.

Wishing you wonderful late summer days, plenty of warmth and light, and thank you for being here on my journey 💛

Hugs, Sanna