Russ & CJ Edem – Camp Hosts
Russ and CJ are full-time nomads and life partners who bring a wealth of experience, humor, and heart to the Awake at the Wheel Winter Camp. After years of dreaming about van life, they hit the road together in 2020 and have since traveled across the country in a variety of rigs—most recently a converted school bus they share with their two dogs. Along the way, they’ve served as camp hosts at numerous locations, learning firsthand what it takes to create a welcoming, safe, and smoothly run community.
CJ, a mother of four, has a natural gift for nurturing connection and making people feel at home. She’s known for her creativity, her love of planning group activities, and her ability to bring warmth and laughter wherever she goes. Russ, a U.S. Army veteran and former journalist, brings steadiness, organization, and a calm presence to camp life. His background in service and communication helps him approach challenges with patience and clarity, while his easygoing humor keeps spirits high.
Together, Russ and CJ embody the spirit of Awake at the Wheel—leading with kindness, creating a supportive environment for all, and helping every nomad feel part of something larger than themselves.
Gary Bowen – Founder/Teacher
After hitting the road in May, 2024, Gary started Awake at the Wheel – Daily Meditations for Nomads in October of that year. A full-time nomad and writer, he explores the intersection of life on the road and spiritual awakening. Drawing from the mystic, non-dual traditions of Early Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, Sikhism, Advaita Vedanta, and Tantra—as well as insights from modern quantum physics—Gary’s work blends ancient wisdom with the reality of modern life.
Beyond his writing and teaching, Gary is an active member of the nomadic community, contributing each year to Van Aid, where nomads come together to help one another with vehicle repairs and upgrades. Through his “Nomad Workshop”, he offers hands-on support to fellow travelers—helping remodel both rigs and the hearts that live in them. His approach is down-to-earth and experiential, inviting others to live awake in the present moment, rooted in love, presence, and shared humanity.
