Help Lace and Jigsaw: Keep the Healing Journey Rolling

Hello friends. My name is Penni. Many of you know me through work (aka Griff) or my joy of singing karaoke.

I would like to introduce you to Lace, a #vanlife nomad who I met through a vivacious community of performers. Through this community, we found friendship with each other. Lace’s independence and perspective have been an inspiration in my own life’s journey. Please allow me to present Lace’s own personal introduction:

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Hi, my name is Lace. I’m a full-time nomadic traveler. My manic match, Jigsaw, is a 2003 Dodge Mercedes Sprinter van, and he’s a rare one. I met him in October of 2020 through a series of unfortunate events, during the wake of the covid pandemic. In Jigsaw, I have traveled coast to coast with my traveling companion Jane, a 15-year-old Pug and Pomeranian mix. We have had our struggles over the years, and although sometimes I feel like I’ve been duped by van life, my adaptability and my perseverance have always kept me going.

My journey started homeless and on unemployment, scavenging for parts to build out my van. To make an income, I started to share my lifestyle on social media, helping other solo travelers along their journey with questions about building, safety, propane, refrigerators, solar power, you name it. My social media presence and travel then led me to meet up with other solo travelers, some of whom lacked building skills and found the trust in me to help them renovate their rigs so that they, too, could better fulfill their van life dreams.

I made the perfect discovery last year (2024) landing a job with a recreation company as a camp host at a beautiful campground at 11,000 feet in elevation. I experienced snow in July. I discovered a love of fishing I never thought I’d have. I learned to forage for wild herbs, wild berries, edible flowers, and mushrooms alike. I encountered folks from all over the world - Germany, Ireland, Australia - and shared in their cultures. It’s crazy how much you discover about yourself while being immersed in the wild life of outdoor adventure.

Unfortunately, the current economy and Federal budget cuts to the National Forest and National Park services have taken that opportunity from me and others like me. These jobs are now few and far between, mostly volunteer positions. As a result my ability to meet amazing people, learn about culture, outdoor activity, and camping etiquette have decreased. I’ve always found work seasonally; my loop around the country depends on these seasonal jobs. I use this knowledge to help others along on their journey while also being present for my own.

The reason I’m making this GoFundMe is because I am at risk of losing my home, my Jigsaw. A nomad is who I am; through my adventures and struggles, I have discovered myself, my inner strength, and a world of beauty and love. I don’t want my healing to end.

Jigsaw needed his engine replaced almost immediately in 2021. I trusted a Las Vegas, NV shop to do good work. Unfortunately, they failed to machine the head properly, and failed to mention it. This resulted in stripped injector bolts and leaking issues that have persisted over the years, slowly killing my engine. Jigsaw is falling victim to what is often referred to as the Mercedes infamous black death.

The Las Vegas shop’s lack of honesty and negligence has severely hurt my ability to trust mechanics. They sent me on the road, knowing I was a coast-to-coast traveller, in a vehicle with a damaged engine.

I have often spent countless hours looking for a quality diesel mechanic who can simply keep Jigsaw in good shape. Although I have worked on my beast myself, I am nowhere near a quality mechanic.

I recently happened to meet someone with the same van, while changing my oil in an O’Reilly’s parking lot. While talking about some issues I’ve been experiencing, he pointed me toward Asheville, North Carolina.

In the midst of the devastation that Asheville has received, I found a diamond in the rough: a Sprinter specialist and remarkably one who only works on my rare make and model. And, unlike other shops, he is allowing me to live in my van for this whole process. He is giving me a break from incurring other fees like hotel stays or Ubers. His shop is the convenience of a lifetime, and a life saver.

To repair the damage resulting from the first shop’s negligence requires a complete engine removal, head resurfacing, and rethreading, all new gaskets, and oil change, totaling out to be a whopping 7 thousand dollar repair.

As it stands today, Jigsaw’s engine sits on a palette, ready to be repaired. I can almost pay for the entire repair myself, but I would have to use every dollar I have and max out every credit card, only to be broke and stranded and still fall short of what’s needed to get through this difficult time. I’ve tried every option I can think of, and it’s heartbreaking to realize that the resources I have just aren’t enough. That’s why I’m coming to you, my community, in hopes that together we can overcome this challenge. It’s not easy for me to ask for help, but I know that sometimes, we need to lean on the support and generosity of others. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings me one step closer to being able to move forward.

Thank you for your support, and for being a part of this journey with me.

Lace, Jane, and Jigsaw