Overview:
Nomadic traveler Sam Gennawey sits down with Ryland Scholes about his life and new book, "Sacred Landscapes."
175,000 miles, 380 pit stops at National Parks across the United States and six full years of living in a van later, Sam Gennawey has done it all. The former urban planner and owner of an independent record label decided it was time to spice up his life, so he traded in his downtown Los Angeles loft for a camper van and embarked on the journey of a lifetime.
After struggling with his mental health, Gennawey decided to make a drastic change and become a nomad, living his life on the move. Since then, he has been learning about the history and secrets of America’s most scenic locations. In his book “Sacred Landscapes,” released on May 20, Gennawey reveals everything he’s learned about our country’s National Parks, along with helpful tips and tricks for thriving and surviving as a nomad.
“About seven years ago, I decided to retire and go do something different,” Gennawey said. “I bought myself a van, got in that van and I’ve never really looked back. I live in it full time and split my time by going to National Park Service sites, museums and stuff like that.”
Following his time in Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park over the last few months, Gennawey joined us for May’s episode of the “Bucket List Community News Podcast,” talking about his life on the road, his journey through Colorado’s national parks, what he’s learned from his cross-country adventures and his recently released book.
Gennawey hasn’t been alone on his journey, as he’s been with his partner Darlene, which is what he calls his 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van outfitted by Airstream. Darlene and Gennawey have been together every step of the way. Gennawey says that in their six years together, the bond between him and his van is unbreakable.
“I’m probably closer [to Darlene] than any human being right now,” Gennawey said. “She’s my portal. She’s what opened up all this opportunity for me. She takes me to all these places. Now, I’ve got to tell you, she’s a Mercedes with an Airstream interior. She’s not a cheap date.”
Together with Darlene, Gennawey has spent much time in Colorado on his adventures exploring the state’s National Park Service sites. In his time in the Centennial State, Gennawey says that Bent’s Old Fort Historic Site near La Junta left a large impact on him.
“My [favorite memory from Colorado] comes from Bent’s Old Fort, which is about as close as you’re going to get to a theme park in a National Park Service site,” Gennawey said. “For the 1976 bicentennial, the decision was made to fund a re-creation, as accurately as possible, and then turn it into a living history museum of Bent’s Old Fort. It’s a spectacular place.”
When Gennawey made his way to Southeastern Colorado, he and Darlene got stuck in some nasty weather, making for a memorable mud-filled trip to Bent’s Old Fort.
“On the day that I went there, there was a horrendous muddy rainstorm,” Gennaway said. “I almost had my van stuck in mud, and that really struck me. When I went to Bent’s Old Fort, the crowd was pretty small. Instead of a regular theme park where they’d sweep the water off the sidewalks, they just did it the old-fashioned way and got [wooden] boards and laid them across the mud.”
Another National Park memory that stuck with Gennawey took place at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site near Lamar, where approximately 750 Native Americans were murdered by members of the Union Army in 1864. The tragedy and emotion of the site is something that struck Gennawey to his core.
“I was by myself [at Sand Creek] the entire time I was going through there,” Gennawey said. “I was reading the story, had my map out and was studying the history of that place before I got there, and I just broke down. I could visualize what had happened there… It just freaked me out. I just started crying.”
Gennawey says what happened to him at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site is part of what makes his trip so special. Through the tragedy, he was able to connect with history.
“I think if you just want to remind yourself of what can happen when humanity slides, you’ll get that at Sand Creek,” Gennawey said. “There’s no way you can go to Sand Creek, read about what happened in that place and not walk away unmoved and untouched. If every American went to visit Sand Creek, we’d all be better people from the outcome of that.”
For Coloradans looking to go on their own National Parks adventure within their home state this summer, Gennawey was happy to provide some helpful tips and advice ahead of vacation season.
“I absolutely recommend Rocky Mountain National Park,” Gennawey said. “I think that’s what defines the state. It’s fun because by the time you get to the top of the road, you’re at about 12,000 feet of elevation and you’ve got all these flatlanders [that are gasping for air] and I think that’s entertaining.”
Gennawey also says Mesa Verde National Park in Southwestern Colorado is a must-see due to its history and Native American architecture.
“Mesa Verde is one of the places that will make you rethink the way the world is,” Gennaway said. “This was at a later period of time of the ancestral Puebloan people, and it’s just a great deal of eye candy. I think that one’s great.”
When he departs from Petrified Forest National Park, where he currently calls basecamp, he’ll head to Sequoia National Park in California for his next adventure. After that, he’ll cap off his year by exploring Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico.
“If everything goes well, [my journey] will go on just a little while longer,” Gennawey said. “I’m at my best when I’m embracing my wanderlust.”
What started as a journey of self-discovery has turned into a newfound purpose for life for Gennawey. He’ll continue doing what he’s meant to do: explore America and its National Parks with Darlene at his side.“What has this experience done for me?” Gennawey said.
“It’s saved my life; I think that’s part of it. It gave me a sense of purpose, and that purpose was not a purpose to become rich or famous or anything like that. My purpose was to try to like myself and answer those questions that I’ve had in my head, and I’ve been able to do that.”
Watch the full conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_1ozlB7xDzw
