headed north (VAN LIFE VLOG) sleeping in way too many cracker barrel parking lots

I'm on my way home so I'm headed north! Here's a couple days of van life as i head
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[@eowyn237]

I got so excited when I saw the length of this upload! ☺️

[@erin_elyse]

Yay!! Im experimenting with the length, its just a lot to edit lol but I think the story flows better!

[@tjmckenna8262]

Definitely flows better, and the editing is great!!

[@erin_elyse]

Thanks!!

[@mylabower]

I live by Congaree and I’m so glad to see a positive review of it!! People bag on this park but it holds such a special place in my heart. People don’t appreciate how beautiful and special it is.

[@erin_elyse]

I loved it! and I obviously didn't even see that much of it. I'll definitely be back!

[@Dejae-Island-Drone]

KZbin has been pushing this video to my home page nonstop for like 3 days

[@erin_elyse]

Omg the youtube gods are giving me a break lol!

[@itscheriebaby3751]

I just: 1. Acquired a 2011 Transit Connect XLT and decided to make it into a camper van... 2. FOUND YOUR CHANNEL... 3. Got super stoked to get going on my build with some inspirations from you!!! So, thanks!!!

[@miteshraja4823]

A fat sweaty nap at another cracker barrel ... that had me laughing!🤣🤣

[@tanyasknittingexperiencepo6786]

I love the passion you have for nature!!🌱🌱🍃

[@erin_elyse]

Aww thank you!!

[@JoeBeech]

Awesome views of the bridge and river. When you have long drives what your favourite music to listen to? 🙂

[@erin_elyse]

Good question! I switch it up so much, like in this video I went from EDM to country music so fast haha, so it really just depends if I wanna jam or if i want to zone out!

[@HeathersHikesAndAdVANtures]

I got to go for their synchronous firefly event a couple years ago, and it was so incredible. Highly recommend (just wear a mosquito netting around your head - I wish I would have done that!!)

[@erin_elyse]

SO JEALOUSSSSS!!!!! I am totally going back, and thanks for the tip! I will bring a mosquito net!

[@HeathersHikesAndAdVANtures]

@@erin_elyse you will not regret it!! 💕

[@norawomack345]

OMG ! You were 5 miles from my house! I would have dropped off supper and some boiled peanuts for you! Ha!

[@erin_elyse]

No way!!! Omg ive always wanted to try boiled peanuts too

[@norawomack345]

Next time you are in SC you have to go to Humting Island State Park! It is the best in SC ( and I grew up on Sullivan’s Island!) There is a path near the fishing pier( it’s quite a walk but worth it as few people go this route) to the boneyard. This portion of the beach was left in it’s natural state. The rest was dredged a few years back. It’s all beautiful but I know you would appreciate it. (You can see a portion of it in the Outer Banks party scene. )

[@ChiarianWanderer]

Love the dubstep opener that transitions to country

[@erin_elyse]

haha thank you! my playlists are all over the place lol

[@ChiarianWanderer]

​@erin_elyse, a friend coined the phrase polyJamorous for this

[@YSBRYD-CATH]

Great job Erin! Thoroughly enjoyed the video.

[@erin_elyse]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrMichaelAndrews]

I love your dedication to the craft, when your butt hurts and yet you still continue on... Dedication.

[@erin_elyse]

hahah thank you!!

[@ravenstarfire8816]

Glad you made it safe n sound, welcome back home!

[@erin_elyse]

aww thanks so much!! she sure did, she'll be a little standoffish the next couple days but she'll come around lol!

[@zacharywagner4162]

I like cuyuhoga. The ledges hiking trail is awesome

[@Saras_place]

We free camp hour from Myrtle Beach at national Park fernwood i think so many mosquitos 😂 even bug spray didnt help .. nice trail good vlog

[@erin_elyse]

Oh wow! and thanks!!

[@Hunni-pennn]

If it helps you feel better, even storm chasers go into the ditches. A tornado will pick up your car and wrap it around someone’s house. Better to just hunker in the ditch. And don’t park under overpasses, they create a vacuum for air. Scary stuff for real.

[@erin_elyse]

Very very scary!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@DarzRojas]

Wait you're from Michigan? Loved your pretend wiping away a tear when you commented on seeing all that green. I'm the same way lol 😂

[@TrentenKrueger]

Long video looooove itttt

[@erin_elyse]

Yay!!! good to know you prefer a little longer! Ive been playing with it and have been curious

[@TrentenKrueger]

@erin_elyse Yes, I love the longer videos. So, what's the plan since you're home now?

[@fredricjulien8738]

Welcome home Erin. The travelling solo van life nomad has returned to the great state of Michigan. Hope the Everglade mosquitoes didn't follow you home, we have enough here already. Have a great Memorial weekend and I agree with your dad, if a saw a tornado, I wouldn't wanna jump out of my vehicle to lie down in a ditch. 🌪 I'd try my best to turn around and go the opposite way. 😧 I like pretzels... but those auction pretzels you got looked kinda bland. 🥨 😑

[@erin_elyse]

Thanks for the welcome back! Glad to be home. Haha I agree with him too!! That seems crazy to jump out of your car. The pretzels were not good at all😭😭🤮

[@JulienMorrissette]

i always overstay down south and have to make up time driving 15-16 hours per day to get home in time lol

[@erin_elyse]

Right?! I had a flight leaving in a couple days, and if I wouldn't have had that I would have drawn it out for weeks lol. Maybe it was for the best or I'd never come home haha

[@viralprimenetwork]

Sounds like an exciting journey! Safe travels and enjoy the adventure! We sent you an email, take a look.

[@SophiaJosephine]

Im literally doing this same trip tomorrow - leaving my home in FL for my (other) home in WI at the ripe hour of 3am! Getting some inspo from u, it’s my first time doing a solo roadtrip 🌸

[@erin_elyse]

No way!! what a coincidence! You got this, take allllll the breaks and listen to allll the podcast lol

[@erin_elyse]

stopping anywhere fun??

[@RottenlyMoodyChild]

Okay, but the "let's go see my mom and my cat" song is a vibe 😂 Was so happy to see you had posted a longer video when I went onto KZbin 😊 I understand it's more work and more editing, but I personally just enjoy getting to 'hang out' with you and live vicariously through your vids for longer. "I went to an auction and bought a giant bag of expired pretzels. But why?" Hahaha ngl I would have done the exact same thing. Also, there's something really exciting about a good auction, thrift, etc. So understandably easy to get caught up in the fun haha. When I heard you say "bought a giant bag of…" and I saw the backpacks, I thought you were about to say you bought a giant box of camping/hiking gear. That would've been awesome! How exactly did you end up at an auction btw? If you don't mind me asking. Was it part of a plan or just spontaneously happen upon it? Is that some ballet moves at 1:38? I could've sworn that we learned in school that the pneumatophores, knees, etc were for gas exchange? Or maybe I'm remembering wrong 😅 The campfires, wildflowers and mud perfume by Erin™️ hahaha. I know exactly what you mean though. It just smells fresh. Wait, are you still rocking the CD sleeve case on the sun visor? I love that! I've also still got one! I kinda miss the days of having mix CDs that I'd burn. The petrol cost is just a necessary evil unfortunately, worth it for the awesome adventures and road trips you get to go on and the memories you get to make. I also love sleeping in a van or tent when it's raining, so cosy and soothing for the soul 😴 It's bittersweet seeing this trip come to an end, but I'm sure you have more fun trips and adventures coming up. I can't wait to see where you take us next. Glad you got home safe (that storm was no joke 🫣) and happy you got to cross some more parks off your list (at least these ones had the patches available, unlike Florida). Hope you had a good weekend back home with the fam. Hugs 💚

[@RottenlyMoodyChild]

Yikes. Another whole essay 😅

[@erin_elyse]

I'm going to post a short about the auction lol! It was quite the experience haha! Ahh yes i read about gas exchange too but apparently scientists still dont have a solid answer which is so cool! Yes, i got a CD sleeve for a dollar at thrift store and this is the first roadtrip I've been rocking in it! Glad you enjoyed watching this trip, plans are brewing for the next one and its only going to get better!! Thanks for watching and I love your essays!!

[@completetotalgoodness4786]

I appreciate these videos from Florida. Yes, good smells like you mentioned.

[@erin_elyse]

I love Florida!! I want to come back next winter and stay for longer

[@erinmarie6736]

Love love love your videos :) ❤️

[@erin_elyse]

Thanks so much 😊

[@erinmarie6736]

Your dads tornado logic 👏🏻😂😂

[@erin_elyse]

Right hahah😂😂 I was like, DAD you are not making me feel better

[@eowyn237]

Also, I can’t wait to hear about your next adventure, this series was so informative and fun!!

[@erin_elyse]

Glad you enjoyed it! Next video is gonna be crazy. What I was driving home for you will love!

[@Wolfiewolf1234]

Theres a few parks here in mid missouri thats really pretty. The Haha Tonka state park is really cool and full of history. If you end up checking it out, the Bagnel Dam Strip is popping around this time of year. Theres a cool museum for it around there. I suggest checking that out too. Its all around the Lake of the Ozarks.

[@erin_elyse]

Ooo!! sounds lovely! I will have to check it out sometime!!

[@thujan7]

long vid W

[@NiniD-nr9hx]

Your cat is so cute 💕.

[@erin_elyse]

AW thanks!! she's usually cranky with me when i get home after longer trips

[@thepanther007]

Pretzels for me with a dipping sauce. 😂

[@erin_elyse]

ahhhh genius!! I probably had some extra sauce packets somewhere in the van!!

[@thepanther007]

@@erin_elyse I do mustard but whatever you prefer. Have a taste test!

[@oonadelaluna]

I love your channel! Such an inspiration. I’m currently looking at used Ford Transit Connect XLTs and have a question if you have the time. I’m curious if you like the way that the back doors open up to the side as opposed to a traditional door that opens up? I might get a passenger van to be able to keep the back jump seats in under my bed platform, but the ones I am seeing have the door going straight up. I could see it creating a nice little canopy, but I also really like how your doors open to the side. Thank you for your time if you are able to answer! ❤

[@user-eo6bk9sg5y]

I like your van & my van isn’t great at going up steep hills too

[@erin_elyse]

Thanks! Right? Its tough on them lol

[@jeanniekartis5916]

Camped and white water rafting on New River 😉

[@erin_elyse]

jealous!! I'm totally coming back for a rafting trip!!

[@waffelsmellgood]

I used to live in Texas there were tornadoes there all the time. Yeah, they say jump in a ditch. I’m lucky I’ve never been affected by one but they’ve destroy areas around me and across the highway from me.

[@erin_elyse]

That is so sad💔💔💔 I feel lucky to have never been affected by one either but there have been some close ones nearby and its always so scary!!

[@stargavstar]

Is Janeway a star trek reference or am I just a geek? Haha

[@erin_elyse]

totally a stark trek reference! my favorite captain lol!

[@stargavstar]

@erin_elyse picard is the best but janeway is definitely up there haha

[@kahnmatt1]

Go green!

[@erin_elyse]

Go white!!

[@mafalda7647]

How much would you say you spend on gas every month? I’m really curious to compare it to a normal rent

[@erin_elyse]

It's really not too bad! I'm gonna add it all up for this trip and then make a youtube short about it! I think the last time i added it all up from the top of california, all the way down, then over through texas and up to michigan, for 2 months and it was only like 700 dollars!! and i saw like 8 new national parks so it was totally worth it

[@104jewels.]

♥️♥️♥️

[@erin_elyse]

thanks for watching!!

[@reneshasamuel6920]

Always enjoy your content.❤ To questions: How tall are you What's the dimensions for your bed

[@erin_elyse]

Thank you!! Im 5'3! Check out my van build video, I have the exact measurements for my mattress on there!! or here it is too www.ikea.com/us/en/p/plutten-foam-mattress-for-extendable-bed-40350402/?Childrens_IKEA&gad_source=1

[@allenhaynes2662]

Where was your camp site on the New River ? I'm from WV, and I'm always looking for new places to camp .

[@erin_elyse]

I stayed in a cracker barrel each night of this video sadly haha, but I made lunch at just a roadside pull off picnic area near sandstone falls!

[@supersparrow7925]

What are some good ways to promote environmental conservation?

[@erin_elyse]

Good question!! I went to school for this kind of thing and I really thought I would end up working for the park service, or a nonprofit to promote environmental advocacy, now I just try to sprinkle some learning in my videos and be a good role model! But educating yourself on environmental problems is number one, doing small things to change your habits, and of course voting and having hard conversations with other people is so important!

[@user-yh4hh2vn8j]

Do pretzels ever expire? They seem stale whenever I eat them...

[@erin_elyse]

idk if it was just a "best by" date but they were not good lollll. if there would have been salt on the ones, maybe it wouldnt have been so bad haha

[@user-yh4hh2vn8j]

@@erin_elyse, I hear you. Those huge salt crystals hide the taste for me. Thanks for responding. It was really cool watching you have an adventure.

[@micheleciesla6528]

Do you have your van modifications recommended anywhere? I like your set up.

[@erin_elyse]

Yes! Here is the break down here of my set up here: www.youtube.com/watch? v=b9H7IQpzOj0&t=41s or this video here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/amWYdIWgZ9eKfrc

[@BowBurt]

Quick smell

[@erin_elyse]

everything in congaree smelled so fresh😍

[@jo100]

Just Curious, Are You German From Family Background Or Family Nationality Background?

[@mysurlytrucker7510]

Hi are you going to continue to do videos, its just that you start getting into someone's videos, then they hardly post anymore ??.

[@JustFollowMe_]

Welcome to NNMF in California, cocks valley.

[@erin_elyse]

huh

[@no_worries_van]

Zedds Dead🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@erin_elyse]

you know it🥰

[@thunderrode1744]

Hi whatcha up to hope all is well sending up 4 healing and unspoken and everyone and bless great healthy peaceful safe journeys travels happy cmpn and happy day everyday in name of the Creator God/ Yahweh and Yeshua/ Jesus and the Holy Ghost/ Spirit Amen much honor and respect keep walking tall always keep praying and keep watching the sky also keep on keeping on pushing forward one step at a time and smile 🕊🦅✝️💪🙂👍👍 🚌🌅🌌⛺🌄🏞🏖

[@amylee6038]

It's jarring to immigrate to the USA and observe the girls here... A degree from Michigan State University averages over six figures and just over half a decade of time. It's an incredible cost to end up doing low wage temp work. And the addiction to likes/subscribers means more than family, children - anything. These are multibillion dollar corporations that have figured out how to get people to work for less than minimum wage. The most valuable thing a girl can squander is her youth and beauty, and American girls have somehow been convinced to do so. You came on my feed, comments help with the algorithm, but I don't have to tell you what a genius you are or how inspiring this kind of cosplaying is.

[@Demancer2]

I love traveling and living in my Honda Civic. So much fun 🎉

[@erin_elyse]

Life on the road is the best!!

[@Demancer2]

@erin_elyse I hope more people get into it so we can all be free! ❤️ You have a great personality and are fun to watch. You may be able to get a very popular channel soon.

[@erin_elyse]

Yes, I wish everyone could experience life on the road for at least a short time in their life! Thanks for watching and for the kind words!