Help Christian Get Back On The Road !
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Everyone who knows me, knows that I love and welcome adventure - that was until my most recent “adventure” if it can be called that. Traveling, meeting new people, and having new experiences is the way I embrace life - and even a challenging situation is not going to change that. Now, on to the rest of my story.
I have been fortunate to get a great college education, serve as an officer in the Army, travel to exciting and interesting places (across the United States, Germany, Brazil, Afghanistan), and meet so many people. Since being medically retired from the military, in 2019, i decided to follow my passion for travel and adventure. I used my savings, traded in my motorcycle and purchased a 1998 Holiday Rambler motorhome - “The Millennial Express” to travel the United States. This allowed me to pursue my dream of traveling the US, sharing new experiences through stories via social media. It has been fun to have friends travel with me and introduce them to beautiful locations across the country - particularly state and national parks. Leaning into my passion has allowed me to gain a modest following, including interest from emerging companies and brands. My travel has allowed me to share their stories and products as I traveled, enabling me to make my lifestyle my work. I look forward to my travels with a positive outlook on all that is to come. I am not naive, but feel that most folks I encounter are trustworthy and have much to share with me as I grow and learn.
Most recently I have made Los Angeles my home base so that I could focus on touring the coastal areas. On JAN 15, 2021 I was shocked and heartbroken when I went out to walk my dog to find that a group of six people had broken into my RV and vandalized my RV in more ways than I could have imagined. When I politely and cautiously confronted them - one of the individuals attempted to assault me with a large wrench. I was able to defend myself and in the process, wrestled one of the vandals to the ground. A security guard who works in my community called law enforcement. When the LA police arrived, guns were drawn, and they apprehended three of the six vandals. Even though the crimes they would be charged with were felonies, including grand theft auto, the felons would be released that night due to COVID 19 restrictions at the jail.
The extent of damage was devastating. The police officers and detectives commented that the criminals had completely destroyed my RV. All the locks on the vehicle had been drilled through and destroyed, the windows were broken, the steering column was disassembled in an attempt to be hot wired, cabinets and all the appliances were broken, the stereo system was ripped out and speakers broken. The RV engine and generator were stripped for parts and other accessories. All of my personal items, many mementos and gifts were stolen or destroyed.
Due to the locks being drilled out of the doors and the windows being broken, I was unable to secure my RV. I requested the insurance company to immediately have my RV towed to a secure location while they assessed the damage - but they would not move it. Every day, more vandals have damaged my motorhome and stolen what remains on it or in it. Despite calls to the insurance company, they would not move my RV to a more secure location.
I didn’t think it could get much worse, but it did. On the night of JAN 20, 2021, I was alarmed when I was awakened at 3 am by the police who informed me that somehow my RV was started and stolen. There was a police chase, including several vehicles and a helicopter. The police took me to the location where my stolen RV was taken to. One of my friends shared that when they had a vehicle vandalized and were robbed many years ago - they felt violated - and the feeling lasted for a long time. That is a good description of what this has felt like.
The insurance company has been very slow to respond to my phone calls and my need to address the situation. It is estimated that the damage and stolen property is worth about $20K. Everyone who knows the Millennial Express knows that this will not be enough to replace all that was done to make it into a special place. Although I am hoping to purchase a replacement motorhome, I will never be able to replace all of the items - many wonderful gifts from family and friends - that were stolen or destroyed.
If you know me then you know how hard this is for me to write, let alone ask for a donation. With your help I am looking to invest in another type of recreational vehicle that will enable me to continue the adventures, creating content, and sharing stories with everyone. ANY amount of donation is appreciated. I know these are tough times for everyone, and thus I know it may be a challenge to contribute much. I will forever be indebted and grateful for any and everything provided.
I also want everyone to know that despite all of this - I still have great faith in people. The police have been very helpful, the security guard has gone above and beyond to help, and friends from far and near have been so supportive. I know that as soon as I get out on the open road again, I’ll continue to meet old and new friends - all positive people who only want the best for everyone they meet!
Life still rips and I’ll always think the best for the future!
- Christian de la Torre
I have been fortunate to get a great college education, serve as an officer in the Army, travel to exciting and interesting places (across the United States, Germany, Brazil, Afghanistan), and meet so many people. Since being medically retired from the military, in 2019, i decided to follow my passion for travel and adventure. I used my savings, traded in my motorcycle and purchased a 1998 Holiday Rambler motorhome - “The Millennial Express” to travel the United States. This allowed me to pursue my dream of traveling the US, sharing new experiences through stories via social media. It has been fun to have friends travel with me and introduce them to beautiful locations across the country - particularly state and national parks. Leaning into my passion has allowed me to gain a modest following, including interest from emerging companies and brands. My travel has allowed me to share their stories and products as I traveled, enabling me to make my lifestyle my work. I look forward to my travels with a positive outlook on all that is to come. I am not naive, but feel that most folks I encounter are trustworthy and have much to share with me as I grow and learn.
Most recently I have made Los Angeles my home base so that I could focus on touring the coastal areas. On JAN 15, 2021 I was shocked and heartbroken when I went out to walk my dog to find that a group of six people had broken into my RV and vandalized my RV in more ways than I could have imagined. When I politely and cautiously confronted them - one of the individuals attempted to assault me with a large wrench. I was able to defend myself and in the process, wrestled one of the vandals to the ground. A security guard who works in my community called law enforcement. When the LA police arrived, guns were drawn, and they apprehended three of the six vandals. Even though the crimes they would be charged with were felonies, including grand theft auto, the felons would be released that night due to COVID 19 restrictions at the jail.
The extent of damage was devastating. The police officers and detectives commented that the criminals had completely destroyed my RV. All the locks on the vehicle had been drilled through and destroyed, the windows were broken, the steering column was disassembled in an attempt to be hot wired, cabinets and all the appliances were broken, the stereo system was ripped out and speakers broken. The RV engine and generator were stripped for parts and other accessories. All of my personal items, many mementos and gifts were stolen or destroyed.
Due to the locks being drilled out of the doors and the windows being broken, I was unable to secure my RV. I requested the insurance company to immediately have my RV towed to a secure location while they assessed the damage - but they would not move it. Every day, more vandals have damaged my motorhome and stolen what remains on it or in it. Despite calls to the insurance company, they would not move my RV to a more secure location.
I didn’t think it could get much worse, but it did. On the night of JAN 20, 2021, I was alarmed when I was awakened at 3 am by the police who informed me that somehow my RV was started and stolen. There was a police chase, including several vehicles and a helicopter. The police took me to the location where my stolen RV was taken to. One of my friends shared that when they had a vehicle vandalized and were robbed many years ago - they felt violated - and the feeling lasted for a long time. That is a good description of what this has felt like.
The insurance company has been very slow to respond to my phone calls and my need to address the situation. It is estimated that the damage and stolen property is worth about $20K. Everyone who knows the Millennial Express knows that this will not be enough to replace all that was done to make it into a special place. Although I am hoping to purchase a replacement motorhome, I will never be able to replace all of the items - many wonderful gifts from family and friends - that were stolen or destroyed.
If you know me then you know how hard this is for me to write, let alone ask for a donation. With your help I am looking to invest in another type of recreational vehicle that will enable me to continue the adventures, creating content, and sharing stories with everyone. ANY amount of donation is appreciated. I know these are tough times for everyone, and thus I know it may be a challenge to contribute much. I will forever be indebted and grateful for any and everything provided.
I also want everyone to know that despite all of this - I still have great faith in people. The police have been very helpful, the security guard has gone above and beyond to help, and friends from far and near have been so supportive. I know that as soon as I get out on the open road again, I’ll continue to meet old and new friends - all positive people who only want the best for everyone they meet!
Life still rips and I’ll always think the best for the future!
- Christian de la Torre
Organizer
Chrstian De La Torre
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA