A Day in Huron-Manistee: Adjusting Screws

I spent last night tucked away in the Huron-Manistee National Forests, just a quarter mile off a paved road that winds through scattered residential pockets. The access road was a mix of hard-packed sand and dirt — an easy drive in and out.

I parked with a beautiful view of a stand of perfectly erect pine trees just across from me — like nature’s own cathedral pillars, standing guard in the quiet shade.

I kept both fans running through the night, letting the cool, freshly rinsed air from an overnight rain wash through the van. With nowhere I needed to be, I gave myself permission to roll over and catch two extra hours of sleep — a small luxury that felt well-earned.

By the time I finally woke up, made breakfast, and sipped my first cup of inspiration, the morning had already slipped into mid-morning. Recharged by that coffee, I tackled a list of van chores that had been nagging at me. For those who don’t live on wheels, here’s a little secret: certain roads and speeds can turn a van into a tuning fork, shaking loose any screw you forgot to secure with Loctite. I’d done my best during the build, but there are always a few that manage to wiggle free.

This shady forest spot turned out to be the perfect place for tightening, tinkering, and organizing. It was blissfully quiet with almost no one around — yet my Starlink signal was as strong as ever.

I spent the day cleaning and rearranging gear in the garage, making the whole space feel a little more dialed in. By 8, I settled in for a simple dinner, answered some messages, and did a bit of writing that carried me past 10. I ended the night watching a few videos, drifting off under a canopy of leaves and those sentinel pines — feeling good about the day, and all the little things that got done.