09/04/2026
Stop 8 was Eau Claire, Wisconsin! After months of visualizing, planning, sourcing the perfect materials, designing a pattern, sewing, 🪡 ripping things out, and trying again 🪡, I finally finished creating my stuffed beaver 🦫! Her name is Beverly and I modeled her after a stuffed beaver that I had as a baby that my grandmother made. I love her and she will join ranks with my 6 stuffed bears 🧸 🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸and one stuffed spider 🕷️ that live in my van 🚐 full time. When traveling in my van, I usually stealth camp at places that other vanlifers have shared online, or old standards like Walmart and Planet Fitness parking lots. But it’s always fun when I have discovered a unique spot, preferably near a park, that is all my own. Through experience, I have a feel for the kinds of neighborhoods that won’t mind, and the qualities of the specific spot that make it ideal (levelness, shade, traffic, not in front of anyone’s house etc). My spot in Eau Claire is such a place. I discovered it last year and was happy to return for two nights this year. This town is so darling with lots to offer! 💖 Unfortunately, it has been hot ever since I left Canada, so it hasn’t felt much like a fall trip so far.. but at least it’s cooler than Texas. 🥵
