The rebranding of Squamish into a “renaissance” or “adventure hub” community can lead to some people being displaced from public spaces which leads to exclusionary environments. During the District efforts to “clean up the streets,” Squamish’s homeless and vehicle residents population have been negatively impacted by an increasing number of No Camping and Private Property signs that remind potential trespassers who belongs. Despite overwhelming opposition, the District ignored requests for inclusive policy for vehicle residents and in 2021, passed bylaw 2829, which outlawed sleeping in a …
Van Life and Thoughts from the Lorax
Here is a collection of writings, and 'how to's' on how we can minimize our footprint through our day to day actions. By taking less, we leave room for more…
Interview with Global TV
Here is a link to an interview with Global TV on vanlife and the regressive squamish camping bylaw https://globalnews.ca/news/7938802/van-life-digital-nomad/amp/ …
Squamish for Sale – interview with the Tyee
Here is a link to an article interview with Amy Romer https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2021/09/10/Squamish-For-Sale/ …
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CBC’s As it Happens interview
Here is an interview that I had regarding the camping bylaw ban in Squamish on CBC's National radio show "As it Happens." May, 2021. Exciting and nerve racking! https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.6044261 …
The Surveilled Life of a Squamish Vehicle Resident
Hidden. That's how I must live these days. Or as one city councillor calls it, “flying under the radar”. My need for discretion lies in my choice of home: A beige minivan called ‘Incognito’. It is like any other van until you peer into the windows. Then all is revealed - a bed, stove, shelves full of clothes and food… My vehicle is my home on wheels which essentially means I rely on public lands. To avoid confrontation, a possible ticket, or risk adding myself to the District's data of illegal campers, I must escape the watchful eyes of concerned citizens and bylaw. Like most towns these …
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Open Letter to the District of Squamish and Council
Dear council members, My name is Thomasina Pidgeon. I have been a Squamish resident for some 20 years. Myself and other concerned Squamish residents have initiated the petition to have the bylaw amended. If you have not yet seen or read the petition in its entirety, I have listed the many reasons for opposition below. As of right now, we have close to 2500 signatures. Here is the LINK. Please have a read of the many thoughtful comments from residents, local business owners, and visitors alike. I will print and present these to council. During this campaign i have been called freeloader, …
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Hey Climbers!
I live in a van and have for over 20 years. But who cares right? Well! Some do! The District of Squamish is working on a by-law that will outlaw sleeping in your tent, vehicle or RV for all people, within the entire district (the one exempt area is 20 min from town, requires 4x4 and lacks toilets). WHY? Due to the rising number of complaints regarding irresponsible wild campers, to those uncomfortable with people who sleep in vehicles or tents, the District considers wild camping 'an environmental and social hazard.’ However, many residents live in vehicles due to socio-economic factors, …
The Otter and the Whale
From the slough came webbed feet; paddling towards. Visiting us, the boat dwellers, sailors, and fisherman. Staring longingly he did; with pleading and depth. Large, brown eyes, conveying more than hi. Perhaps a message from the world underneath. As when the whales arrived... The stars in their eyes, dancing and bellowing. ‘We are back. Those that stand in admiration, hear and understand. Speak for us.’ A timely visit… Many humans flocked to pay tribute, to witness them so close. But when it came time to stand, few spoke. Even fewer acted. A case of willful blindness? The very …
Chipped Off
It was one of those projects which I am sure you can relate. The kind that keeps you up at night as you imagine and feel yourself doing the moves. If given the chance, you would drop everything to travel across the world just to have another try. For Randy Puro and a few others, that line was the low start to Lesson Six. Randy recently made the voyage from California to Squamish, specifically to revisit this old project of his. He mentioned that the holds felt different, larger even. He thought it might have been chipped. Later confirmed by locals, the work is obvious as seen in the photo. So …
Adventuring into the Unknown
There is a confession wanting to come forth. Holding onto the idea of van dweller of 20 plus years, there is currently a slight untruth to that. Exploration has taken hold into areas taken for granted to most western people but with my own free will and desire, I became unfamiliar with. The confession isn’t large. It is merely that our dwelling situation has expanded. To be clear, it is not a mansion in which we reside though it certainly feels like one. The place is more of a small box; bigger than the comforts of my van, but lacking the freedom of wheels. There are no amenities like a …
How to live in a van
for Sheila, my favorite eclectic My upbringing was most traditional; two story house, backyard, flushing toilet, bed, heat and the luxury of hot baths. There was a kitchen with stove, fridge and extra freezer to store all the moose and fish that’d feed us through the winter. I didn’t really know anyone who lived differently, and knew few people who were “eccentric” apart from Gary our neighbor who was a self-proclaimed artist. As for myself, I was labeled the black sheep of the family. It’s believed that our life events lead us to where we are now. For me, it is continuing …
Fall in the city
This post is dedicated to my friend and fellow setter, Toby. aka Tobias. aka big guy.Check out his talent here: http://tobias-leipnitz.de/index.htmlAwaking in the morning I feel the nip of fall at my heels. My jacket goes on right away as I look out the front window of my van covered with leaves the colors of orange, red and a dying shade of brown. My ears are filled with noises from random cars which drive by while my van occasionally shudders from the sensation of the underground which conveys that we must be parked meters above it. At first arriving in Munich I couldn’t sleep with …
Van Life
When I was a teenager I slept in the basement in a small room that most would consider a cubby under the stairs. I didn’t care about the size. It was small, tight, compacted and most of all, it was my own space. I did what I wanted and played what I wanted. The walls were smothered with images of skateboarding idols and magazine clippings with hair that stood 5 inches above their brows posted far from any other household member. No one could complain and ask me what the hell do you see in that guy. And I didn’t have to respond, ‘don’t you know mom? That’s corey hart!’ Van life reminds me of …