Social Media View this post on Instagram And we’re off!! After 2 yrs planning, taking off for the Pan-American Highway crossing 15 countries in our 4Runner. To the end of the world. . Just us and the open road.. headed for a year of adventures ahead. Here goes nothin! ✌🏽 A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Oct 9, 2017 at 1:12pm PDT View this post on Instagram Our rooftop tent has arrived!! First time opening the tent. "And he can do it with a beer in his hand." #ikamper A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Oct 5, 2017 at 7:58pm PDT View this post on Instagram "I have not failed. I found 10,000 ways that don't work" - Thomas Edison. . Sometimes it feels like 2 steps forward and 1 back, but we accomplished a lot this weekend..! . Connected CB radio, so we can talk with other travelers and call out in an emergency. 10-4 . Connected rear extra lightning on 4Runner trunk . Switched phones to international T-mobile plan . Registered for travelers insurance . Lindsey bought comfy/cute shoes (all the women know how big of an accomplishment that one was..) . Separated clothes we want to box up, bring with us, or donate.. to Puerto Rico! (If you are in Cincinnati, there is a fundraiser tomorrow for humanitarian relief in Puerto Rico.. PM me for more details) . Some of these things took longer than expected and were very frustrating and time consuming. But you have to work hard for what you want. A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Sep 23, 2017 at 7:02pm PDT View this post on Instagram In Puerto Rico this weekend spending time with Jose's family. Giving a full presentation of the trip and trying to convince Jose's parents that we won't die. 😂 A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Sep 3, 2017 at 4:01pm PDT View this post on Instagram Interior build out is nearly finished!! Shelf, drawer, locker, security clamps, curtain, fridge, and ukulele. Just a lil hippy staging for dramatic effect. HUGE props to the interior builders @paulgant1 @chem0n and just little props to the staging manager @lindseygantster A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Aug 30, 2017 at 7:43pm PDT View this post on Instagram Dearest friends, this past Friday we hosted 'Connecting the Americas' event, benefiting Su Casa Hispanic Center. We wanted to throw a "send off party" and use the opportunity to raise money for a local non-profit very dear to our hearts... because why not? With over 70 attendees, donated raffle items, and delicious donated appetizers, the event was a total success! I am pleased to announce that together, we raised over $1300 to Su Casa, furthering the mission of providing education, health and social services to our local Hispanic/Latino community. HUGE thank you to all of you for attending, supporting Su Casa, and supporting our journey. We had a blast and feel so supported and loved by all of you. After announcing our plans, there's no turning back now!! Update: Revised take off date is October 9th! Stay tuned! A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Aug 27, 2017 at 3:30pm PDT View this post on Instagram Getting all our immunizations for the trip! This was the yellow fever vaccine. Passport health asks, how many countries?? For how long?? 15 countries, 8 months. Lots of shots. Lots of $$. One step closer. #panamericanhighway #herewecome A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Aug 19, 2017 at 1:10pm PDT View this post on Instagram Many late nights working on the car. "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." - Henry David Thoreau #vueltamerica A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Aug 11, 2017 at 6:37am PDT View this post on Instagram @lindseygantster just completed a SMART self defense class in preparation for the trip and for liiiife. It was SUCH a good class. I highly recommend it. I'm feeling way more confident and prepared for the bad guys. . Rule #1) I will do what it takes to survive. Rule #2) I will never go to a 2nd location Rule#3) I will NEVER give up. Action is better than inaction . And a learned some sweet elbow moves. Come at me. A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Aug 7, 2017 at 6:19pm PDT View this post on Instagram Transformation from a Toyota 4Runner into a camper motorhome continues... . - Installing a new radio - Building the space for 2nd battery - Covering the back windows with reflective insulation on one side, fabric on the other - Cutting and installing a curtain - Building an interior shelf . . . Honestly? These projects are so fun and so rewarding, but definitely calls for patience and flexibility. Does this idea work? No. Scratch it, start again. No shame. Go for it. 1 step forward, 3 steps back. Team work makes the dream work.. everyone's support and help is SO appreciated. We couldn't have done it without you guys. And we are SO happy with the progress.. poco a poco! #vueltamerica A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Aug 7, 2017 at 9:47am PDT View this post on Instagram We officially notified our jobs of our future personal goals and travel plans. We were definitely nervous, but we feel great about how it all played out. One step closer to the goal. #eyesontheprize #travelgoals #vueltamerica A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Jul 13, 2017 at 6:24pm PDT View this post on Instagram REI shopping for the trip! Facing questions like: 65 L pack vs. 55 L pack. Down sleeping bag or synthetic. Dear mr. REI guy, we need it all. All the seasons, all the layers, all the pockets, all the padding, all the bells and blackbear whistles. Walking into REI these days are like walking into a candy store. And the staff was super helpful. After becoming members, taking their workshops on things like map reading and camp cooking, We've become little #REI disciples. Winter in Patagonia, we're coming for you! A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Jul 8, 2017 at 12:17pm PDT View this post on Instagram Good morning 🌞 We hung our tree tent tentsile on a cliff in courthouse rock. Last night, we had to drive 45 mins out back b/c we forgot to buy an overnight pass, hung the tent in the dark, had our card game interrupted by a swarm of moths, and watched a rattlesnake circle our campsite. But beautiful views and quiet mornings like this make it allllllll worth it. A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Jul 4, 2017 at 3:52am PDT View this post on Instagram Going out to practice backpacking and camping deep into the woods of the Red River Gorge #redrivergorge A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Jul 3, 2017 at 1:21pm PDT View this post on Instagram Is the scene safe?! This weekend, we are attending a two day NOLS Wilderness First Aid training to prep for our trip. If it's just two of us on the long open road, we need to use those sticks and skills to survive. In this 16 hr course, they use fake blood, real life scenarios, and outdoor, back country techniques. We learned everything from treating shock to making splints with sticks and tshirts. Highly recommend this training to anyone who spends a lot of time camping, hiking, traveling, trail running, over landing... or just anyone! #vueltamerica #NOLS #REI A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Jun 18, 2017 at 6:52pm PDT View this post on Instagram #tbt to that one time we flew on a swing from a magical treehouse over the Ecuadorian jungle in the center of the earth. That was the best. #casadelarbol A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Jun 9, 2017 at 7:00am PDT View this post on Instagram It's official.. we have the vehicle!! 2004 Toyota 4Runner. This baby is going to be more than a car.. it will be our vessel, our momentum, our life line, our home, and our headache! But we are doing our best to get it road ready before the trip. There is nothing better than friends and family helping us to make this happen. Huge shout out to the P & C. Love you guys. Purchasing the car was the easy part, now the real fun begins. As a wise traveler once told us: "Your journey has already begun." @overlandtheamericas A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Jun 7, 2017 at 5:38pm PDT View this post on Instagram Tough. Mudder. This is not directly related to our big trip but honesty it has everything to do with the trip. 10 miles, 20 obstacles. It's not a race. It's a series of facing you fears, working with strangers, lifting them on your shoulders and reaching for a hand at the top. Every time you face a new obstacle, you use a recipe of emotions.. facing your fears, engaging your creativity, opening your mind to something knew. Doing experiences like this is exactly what prepares you for bigger adventures ahead. Find those opportunities in life.. the ones that scare you, shed off a layer of skin, grow your spine taller, and births a new you. Today, we ran up a slippery bath tub ramp, climbed a wall on strangers shoulders, climbed monkey bars over a steep drop into water, ran through wires that electric shock you, and emerged my body in a ice bucket pool. Tomorrow we will be that much more alive. A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Jun 4, 2017 at 6:18am PDT View this post on Instagram That time we stayed in a tree house in the Puerto Rican rainforest and your mom called us Tarzan and Jane. Mad props to @io24008 for the eco-friendly tourism hook-up. If you're ever on the island, she's your girl. #tbt #puertorico #treehouse A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on May 18, 2017 at 12:15pm PDT View this post on Instagram Sunday light reading of "Americas Overland: The driving handbook" A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on May 14, 2017 at 1:10pm PDT View this post on Instagram #tbt to our first camping experience together. We borrowed a tent and drove down to red river gorge. 2 hours and a flask later, we finally got this tent together. But after a weekend in nature, we were hooked. Who knew we would be planning a 9 month trip, camping out of our car. The planning continues. Stay tuned. #startedfromthebottomnowwehere #vueltamerica A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on May 11, 2017 at 3:19pm PDT View this post on Instagram They say a goal without a plan is just a wish. We spend lots of late nights calculating, planning, and visualizing our big trip. Tonight- we worked on our map. It feels so real when you can visualize it. Follow us on this journey!! @_vueltamerica_ A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Apr 2, 2017 at 8:00pm PDT View this post on Instagram When planning a road trip of a life time, research is key. 1) The Americas Overland the driving handbook to learn the logistics of what it truly takes to drive the Americas top to tip) 2) Open Veins of Latin America (to learn about the history, politics, and economy of Latin America 3) Drive Nacho Drive (to read about a young couple like us who dared this adventure) 👉🏽 Always keep a journal close by to make notes and envision your own version #vueltamerica A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Mar 19, 2017 at 9:45am PDT View this post on Instagram Driving along the border of Arizona and Mexico, a dream was born. As Jose drove, Lindsey read aloud about a couple who drove the Pan-American highway: tip of the americas to the bottom. The open road called us. . We are Lindsey and Jose. A couple in love with each other and in love with life and in love with adventure. Follow us on this journey as we make our dream a reality. We are going on a trip around the Americas = una vuelta por las Américas = vueltamerica. #travel #adventure #vueltamerica A post shared by _Vueltamerica_ (@_vueltamerica_) on Dec 18, 2016 at 4:55pm PST Share this:TwitterFacebookGoogleLike this:Like Loading...
