Our next destination was Colorado, where Shevanigans was booked for a long-overdue spa day at none other than the Van Cafe in Fort Collins. Now, don’t let the word cafe fool you—there wasn’t a matcha latte in sight, though I’d argue that would have been cheaper than the “house special” radiator replacement they prescribed. But after a little TLC and a brand-new radiator, Shevanigans was ready to roll. I motored through Denver to pick up one of my longest-standing friends, the fabulous Kristina Illes, fresh off a flight and ready for adventure.
Traveling with Kris brought out the best kind of chaos. She was a quick study in all things van-life, mastering camp setup, teardown, and even the apps for finding the best spots. What she didn’t quite master? Navigation. I’m not sure how she finds her way to the bathroom at night. So Google Maps kept us on track, while Kris provided stellar company, comic relief, and a running commentary on her “adventurous” wardrobe.
As soon as we hit the road, we made a pit stop in Boulder to live it up—and wow, did we love this city. We wandered the charming pedestrian streets, popping into every shop and tea house that caught our eye. Kristina, ever the classy explorer, transformed into a discerning mead connoisseur at a tasting room, while I marveled at her ability to critique honey wine like a pro. We also stumbled upon a cocktail truck serving tiny road-friendly cocktails, which naturally became her travel companion. But my favorite stop? A State Farm booth where you could get your face turned into a bobblehead. I begged Kristina to let me have a Kristina bobblehead. Thankfully, it didn’t take too much pleading, and voilà—I now have a miniature version of Kristina sticking her tongue out at me, gracing the dashboard of Shevanigans. It’s pure joy and magic.
Colorado brought with it some amazing uphill climbs and downward spirals, offering awe inspiring scenery and vistas. We stayed wayyyy longer than anticipated. Just before the comforts of Aspen, before one twisty-turny climb and descent called Independence Pass, we passed a 1975 yellow VW bus selling latte! I slammed on the brakes and turned around to meet the owner of @perkolatedpeakscoffee who converted Betty the VW into a brilliant and bright cafe. It was the perfect caffeine before taking on the terrifying mountain pass that nearly drove Kristina back to the airport.
Apres Aspen, we mostly drove small distances but they were filled with massive, sweeping views and lots of tiny stops with huge impact. Sometimes our time was taken up with cultural exploration of galleries and museums, but also with making stops to reenact every iconic movie scene that came to mind according to the territory – Seven, Breaking Bad, Thelma & Louise – if they filmed it anywhere in the vicinity, we “starred” in it. We laughed till our bellies ached and tears streamed, making every interlude indelible.
Our time in Colorado was made even more special by the fact that we got to celebrate Kristina’s birthday together. We kicked off her special day with a lovely breakfast by one of the twin lakes, with matcha latte of course. That evening, I whipped up a birthday dinner in Shevanigans’ outdoor kitchen—a labor of love, though whether it was the greatest gift depends entirely on how forgiving Kristina’s taste buds are. Let’s just say she survived it, and she welcomed in another year around the sun and didn’t have to do the dishes.
Kristina and I go way back to high school. While she’s the chic, stylish one who can pull off a red lipstick and heels at any time, I’m more the “let’s see if these hiking boots match everything” type. I’d always known I’d be the one dragging her into the wild, and she’d agreed to come on this trip with one proviso: “Please, not Utah.” So naturally, our first destination after Colorado was… Utah. With friends like me…who needs enemies, right?!
So then came Utah, and let me tell you, it was a revelation. Utah was a surprise to both of us—gorgeous in an arid, desert way, with colors in the sand and sunsets that defy description. Every turn revealed another hidden nook or cranny, an oasis, an arch, or a canyon straight out of National Geographic. Kristina, the anti-Utah advocate herself, fell in love with it just as much as I did. We hit all five of the famous national parks (the “Big Five”), and Kris got her fair share of merch to prove it. She even decked out Shevanigans with a new front plate that reads “I sleep around,” a conversation starter if there ever was one.
Camping spots in Utah were nothing short of extraordinary. Perched above canyons, nestled by mountains, or surrounded by endless desert, each place felt like a hidden paradise. We turned avocado toast and matcha into high art and managed to squeeze in a few bonfires before the smell of smoke drove us to seek out showers. After all that dust and sand, a real shower was pure luxury, and we even mused about how our desert stint might help us reduce water consumption back home—though let’s be honest, we both luxuriated in a long showers the moment we could.
Just before leaving Utah, we met up with Sven, another high school friend who drove out to Zion to join us for a few hikes and, of course mandatory shenanigans. In a little convoy, we pointed ourselves toward Vegas, baby! Along the way, Shevanigans found herself in an unexpected showdown with a Tesla Cybertruck. Spoiler alert: Shevanigans won. Not in speed, of course, but in every other way that truly matters. Let’s just say that while the Cybertruck might be a shiny symbol of someone’s insecurities, Shevanigans is the real deal—no posing required!
The lights of the Vegas Strip were as shocking as a bucket of cold water after all that wilderness. We checked into the Circus Circus hotel, which really is quite the circus these days—no front desk staff, just self-check-in kiosks that make it feel like you’re navigating airport security to get to your room. Then, in true Vegas style, we wined and dined ourselves back into civilization with an incredible vegan meal by Chef Tal Ronnen at @crossroadskitchen (totally worth a meal there), took in a Cirque du Soleil show, and explored the Neon Lights Museum to complete the re-entry into city life. After so much time in the wild, the neon lights and constant buzz were a sensory overload, but we embraced it all, marveling at how drastically different this stop was from the dusty trails we’d just left behind.
The real shock, though, was saying goodbye to Kristina and Sven. We laughed, explored, and created memories I’ll treasure forever during their time on the road with me. And now, every time I climb into Shevanigans, I’m greeted by Kristina’s bobbleheaded likeness, tongue out, reminding me of all the fun we had—and possibly mocking my fashion sense. She may not be in the van with me anymore, but that little Kristina bobblehead ensures she’s always along for the ride.
Until the next road buddy,
Sheilagh, Shevanigans & Finn