Today we’d like to introduce you to Caleb Johnson and Madelyn McLemore.
Caleb and Madelyn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Patchwork Canteen began as a dream for us. Madelyn and I were just friends who finally caught a break in our busy work schedules to go camping. After spending a weekend under the stars together we sparked a connection that would soon lead us on our most amazing journey yet. Individually we knew we wanted more freedom and adventure in life, and collectively we had to come up with a way to achieve that. A few weeks later I put in a notice at my big boy job and never looked back. Patchwork Canteen required our full attention and if we really wanted freedom, we had to work for it. Risks take some guts, but Madelyn and I were both on board for the long haul. We didn’t know exactly how we were going to make this travel lifestyle work, but one thing made sense to us. If we were going to travel, we couldn’t afford luxury hotels anymore. We needed something efficient and practical that we could sustain long-term. We needed to buy a van. Who knew that only a $7,000 initial investment would allow us to traverse the country for almost a year now. We made the van our home and hit the road. Expectations were few, but the experiences were more than we bargained for.
From hiking in the Grand Tetons, to surfing in Southern California, life just couldn’t get better than this. While money was tight, we always found a way to cut unnecessary spending and fill our gas tank. By prioritizing what mattered the most, we’ve been able to stay nomadic. While that wasn’t necessarily the simplest task, it definitely paid off in the long run. We’ve laughed and cried with people from all walks of life. From one town to the next we’ve made friends and memories that will last a lifetime. We’ve learned how to live sustainably on the road, leaving nothing behind but footprints. It’s the most interesting lifestyle a person could ever imagine. We’ve used Patchwork Canteen to escape the rat race and find our own happiness. Sometimes, the risk is worth taking. So, what is Patchwork Canteen? Some would call it an excuse to run away. But for us and so many others, it’s an opportunity to live freely and on our own terms.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We’ve always preferred the road less traveled. Consequently, this road is usually dirt, and full of nasty potholes. When we hit a pothole, it’s necessary that we recover quickly. With one task in mind, to travel, we must do everything in our power to keep that freewheeling’ feeling! Sure, we’ve been hungry, cold, hot, and exhausted, but we didn’t sign up for easy. We signed up for adventure! When things go beyond our control, we’ll say a prayer and let the big guy upstairs handle it. Other than that, we just do what needs to be done.
Tell us about Patchwork Canteen – what should we know?
At Patchwork Canteen we are all about experiences. Our main goal is to document our travels and share them with the world. We never push people to live the #vanlife, but instead, we want to inspire others to live their own truth. From creative collaborations with aspiring artists, to hosting our own festivals, there’s no shortage of opportunities for Patchwork Canteen. We’re always evolving and looking forward to new projects.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Focus. Saying and doing are two different things. However, only one leads to success. Without action, a dream is only a dream. At Patchwork Canteen, we believe in living the dream. If we lose focus or get distracted for even a moment, our entire lives could be affected. It’s required to obsess over your dreams and to become so dialed in to what you’re focused on, that nothing can stop you. Brick walls will become butter and in return you get what you want. Keep your eyes on the prize and eventually, after eating shit for a while, the world will be yours.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://patchworkcanteen.com
- Email: dreamteam@patchworkcanteen.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/patchworkcanteen?igshid=6gytadrwkj6l
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patchworkcanteen/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pctradingco?s=09
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVJa_oC_N9hdFpIF–7t7Zg
Image Credit:
@kelseyadmirephotography
@southofindigo
@henkel.photography
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