Rootless Living Issue 14 | Mar / Apr 2022

22

Jumbo Meatballs

A fun and simple recipe the whole family will love!

25

The Dreaded Breakdown

Tips and tricks on how to manage the chaos of breaking down while living in your rig full time.

40

Ways to Homeschool While Traveling

There’s no right or wrong way to do it and several nomads share their process for how they teach their kids on the road.

ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD. ALWAYS MAKING YOUR EXPERIENCE BETTER.

Whether you’re on the road or on the water, Lippert supplies a broad array of premium RV, towing and marine products designed to enhance all of your recreational pursuits. Our team is always thinking about your next journey — pushing the possibilities of our products and services, all to better your time spent outdoors, whenever, wherever, for years to come.

lippert.com

36 Living Lyfe Untethered

How a Hollywood editor’s family traumas led them to change more than just their perspective on life.

46 Park and Participate

A workamping opportunity in Colorado that gave Susan and Norm a place to call home and learn to farm for a summer.

81 Taking the Show on the Road

A professionallytrained circus performer earns his living performing on the road full time!

Aaron & Archer

Aaron Tucker and his loyal companion have an impressive background in tactical training, obstacle course racing and so much more. Aaron is a retired firefighter paramedic, cadaver K9 handler, tactical medic and a police officer with two decades of experience. His extensive knowledge led him to build the K9 care standards when working for the Florida SWAT Association, giving these furry heroes better conditions to thrive. However, more recently as a retired vet, Aaron and Archer have traveled the country in their Jayco Swift to raise awareness for mental health and compete in vigorous obstacle course races where he showcases the importance of service dogs.

29 Big Easy Eats on a Budget

Try some of the best food New Orleans has to offer without breaking the bank!

76 The Land of Oz Vanlife in Australia is exactly what you picture it to be: Beautiful, remote and like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

84

31 National Parks with a Family of Eight Big families make for big adventures!

THE FEED #RootlessLiving

“Nicely produced! Easy browsing with awesome photos.”

@amber.in.wanderland

“This quarry was truly one of the most beautiful locations I’ve been to. Since it’s not open to the public, the water was crystal clear”

Aaron Dow Rodgers @the.van.getaway @irie_vybus

“Fairyland Point in Bryce Canyon is just as the name sounds. Formed 10-15 million years ago and once under water, the landscape is truly a sight to see & feels like you’re in a magical land.”

@ramblin.crusades

“We don’t usually stay in one place for very long, and getting used to having complete freedom to choose where we go and how long we stay has been a learning curve, but we’re so grateful to be able to stay somewhere for longer when it just feels right.”

“While in Lexington, KY we stayed at the Kentucky Horse Park which celebrates ALL things horse, and is the only park of it's kind.”

Join the Rootless Living Community and see your shots in the magazine! Tag us on Instagram @RootlessLivingMag or use the hashtag #RootlessLiving. You can also follow us on Facebook @RootlessLiving

POWERRIDE ™ 30K 5TH WHEEL HITCH

• Tough, professional-grade capacity and enhanced functionality

• Ergonomic grip points for comfortable and easy handling

• Multi-directional, cast yoke head for a smooth ride and less strain on the truck

• Integrated wear plates for grease-free, smooth operation

• Constructed with a cast steel main body for dependable strength

Watch the video!

IN 2019, I decided to call this magazine Rootless Living for two reasons. One was that I wanted to use a term no one else was using, but the second was that I didn’t want to pigeonhole the lifestyle into one narrow definition of living in an RV full time.

What being Rootless really means to me is not being stuck. It doesn’t mean being a full-time digital nomad or not owning a house. It just means you have, or are striving for, a lifestyle where you don’t feel stuck, whether that’s stuck geographically or stuck where you work. It’s about living life with the freedom to travel when and where you want.

A part-time travel, part-time stationary life has always been very attractive to me. The idea of owning land, with or without a home on it, where you can go to recharge and be still for a little while before hitting the road again, really helps with this lifestyle long-term.

I am just coming off a three-month stay at an RV park in Oklahoma. We stayed there as we searched for and then purchased a piece of property just outside Tulsa. This will give us that exact freedom, and I am itching to get back on the road and do some traveling after being in one place for 90 days. Longer stays really do build back the fire to get out and travel again.

MEET THE TEAM

Jamie May | Operations Manager, Rootless Living and RV Today

I believe everyone should spend at least a year or two out on the road traveling the country while still working. And I hope that if/when you are done with full-time travel, you can find a way to attain this hybrid model, where you can hit the road whenever you want.

A life goal for me is to have multiple properties around the country that have a spot for my RV, and I could travel from location to location, enjoying longer stays in secluded and quiet areas, with the freedom to visit all the amazing places along the way.

I hope your biggest takeaway from this letter and the magazine is that we want you to see examples of people who have found a way to live a life where they don’t feel stuck. They are creating and re-writing what the American dream looks like for them. You get to decide what your dream looks like. You get to decide what being unstuck looks like. You get to decide what Rootless Living means to you.

Until next time, stay Rootless.

Demian Ross, Publisher @demianross

demian@rootlessliving.com

Nikki Kirk, Chief Editor @nikkirk7

nikki@rootlessliving.com

Jamie is an author and perpetual wanderluster whose passion for slow travel has taken her to live in some of the most breathtaking and scenic places all across America for days, weeks, or months at a time. The biggest adventure of her life (prior to raising a little boy with her partner Ryan) came in the form of a six-week road trip that inadvertently turned into a one year road trip when she fell in love with life on the road. She published a book about the experience called The Proving Ground: A 12-Month Solo Road Trip Across America. Jamie loves to encourage other women to feel comfortable and safe on the road – whether it is towing, traveling solo, or traveling with others. You can see her past, present, and future travels on Instagram at @jypsythreads

Publisher, Demian Ross

Photos by Mountain Escape Photography

PLANET EARTH TRAVELS

1.6 MILLION MILES EVERY DAY.

ENJOY THE RIDE.

4 of North America’s Top 10 Fifth Wheel RV brands are manufactured by Keystone. (And our newest just won RV of the Year.)

Luxury fifth wheel RVs that deliver more value, performance and delight. Now equipped with SolarFlex™. Meet Montana, Alpine & Avalanche, Cougar, Sprinter and Arcadia at KeystoneRV.com/fifthwheel.

easy changes FOR A

HEALTHIER ROUTINE ON THE ROAD

By Angikay Loth

STRUCTURING YOUR DAYS and following a regular, consistent schedule is beneficial to your physical, mental, and emotional health. It helps your body operate in peak condition. Your daily routine has a direct impact on your mood, sleep habits, stress level, and eating patterns, and consistency is key, especially when you’re on the road. But while developing healthy habits is a simple idea, it can also be overwhelming, especially in a small space.

When my husband came to me with the idea of traveling and living in a small space, we were enjoying the view from the patio at our lake house, and full-time RV life wasn’t even on my radar. I wondered how I would meal prep, move my body, meet with clients, and prepare healthy snacks on the road. I was convinced I wouldn’t be able to move my body in such a confined space, much less plan meals or prepare snacks for travel days to stay healthy. Living small can be a challenge, and choosing to get healthy when you have limited space might be overwhelming. I knew I had an adventurous spirit, and I knew it would be exciting to travel and live in an unconventional way.

After we sold everything we owned and stored a few items, I jumped in feet first and was determined to make it work. Driven by the desire to gain more while living with less, I created these five easy changes for myself that you can also implement for improved health on the road.

Learning to meal prep is one of the greatest gifts I’ve given myself on my wellness journey. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes a simple, routine chore. Meal prep helps you control the quality of the food you eat and reduces your stress at meal times, since you already know what you’re going to eat and you’ve already done most of the work. It also helps you appreciate your food more, have more of a connection with your food, and be more mindful of what you are eating. I have a free complete guide to meal prep on my website, angikay.com/meal-planning.

Exercise, even if it’s just a short daily walk, is so beneficial. Moving your body not only improves your health and helps to prevent weight gain, but it has also been shown to improve mood, circulation, flexibility, and risk of chronic disease, as well as alleviating fatigue and depression. You might wonder how you can live in your RV and work out without having an expensive gym membership. The main reason I work out from my living room is the simple fact of saving money and time. As a faith fit coach I can tell you that my main workouts come from RevWellTV, a free service you can find online at revelationwellness.org/rwtv/. However, if you don’t have internet access or you don’t enjoy traditional workouts, let’s talk about other ways to move your body. Walking is the easiest way to move. In your living room, you can use weights, resistance bands, stretch straps, yoga, and body-weight exercises with plyometrics. Be creative and don’t ever feel self conscious about how you move your body. If you are in an RV resort, check with the office and see if there are any meetups that get together to work out. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Travel days and preparing snacks are often a sore subject, but with the right containers and a little planning, you can thrive on travel days. You can eliminate processed foods, added sugars, or refined carbohydrates from your diet by reading labels or just by using whole foods. Once you plan healthy snacks for travel days, it will become second nature to eat those snack foods on non-travel days. Freshly-cut vegetables and fruits, trail mix, protein balls, hard boiled eggs, peanut butter pretzels, Chomps meat sticks, dried fruit, and whole grain muffins are some of my favorite snacks. Dip vegetables in a variety of dips, like hummus, dairy-free ranch, or avocado mash. Instead of focusing on what not to eat, focus on what you can eat.

Up to 60% of the adult human body is water. Just like you have to fuel your RV to get where you’re going, you also need to fuel your body to get where you want to be on your health journey. The key to starting off your day right is drinking water before anything else. If you aren’t a fan of plain water, you can make infused water with ingredients like lemon, cucumber, or mint.

You may not think it would make a big difference, but the physical space we live in has a large effect on how we behave. A cluttered living room or dirty kitchen can have a negative impact on our mental state and our health. Not only does tidying up create a space you’ll love to live in, but it also boosts your mood. Creating meals in a clean kitchen or exercising in a clean living room can decrease frustration, improve efficiency, and serve as a catalyst for further change. I make sure to do the dishes and put things away on meal prep days, or even after every meal. At the very least, do the dishes at the end of the day. Going to bed with a clean kitchen allows you to wake up to a fresh start without having to deal with yesterday’s mess.

Creating a cohesive routine for a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean you need to make sweeping changes all at once. Making small changes that help you create joy enables you to maintain the changes over the long term, whereas setting a huge goal right off the bat might make the goal unattainable. Developing healthy daily habits will take time, consistency, and determination. Remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Avoid extreme solutions, take your time, and work on individual healthy habits to ensure your health and success are long-lasting.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angikay is a Faith and Fitness coach residing in Northlake, Texas with her husband, French bulldog, and Boston terrier in their Heartland Cyclone 4006. You can work with her by going to her website, angikay.com, and get daily inspiration on her Instagram at @angikay

The key to starting off your day right is drinking water before anything else. If you aren’t a fan of plain water, you can make infused.

JUMBO MEATBALLS RECIPE

A Camping Meal the Whole Family Will Love

By Christina Stawiasz

IHAVE NEVER MET a kid who didn’t like a meatball. In fact, I’ve never met an adult who didn’t like them either, vegetarians notwithstanding. What’s not to like about a tasty, tender, jumbo ball of flavor? Simmered in your favorite sauce and topped with melted mozzarella, it’s a family meal home run. For the last few years, my family of Michiganders has orchestrated Upper Peninsula camping trips. We drive from all over to meet up, some equipped with tents and some with RVs. We hop around to various campgrounds— over the Mighty Mac Bridge to the Lake of the Clouds, through the Porcupine Mountains, and up to Copper Country—which means the dinners must be planned, since we’re often on the go. As the cook of the family, I’m usually in charge of these plans. I have to say I’m a lucky aunt, too, because my nephews love my meals. My nephew Ben has even said, “I love EVERYTHING Aunt Chrissy makes.” I’m not kidding—this kid will literally try anything I cook.

Well, I can say that my jumbo meatballs don’t disappoint! These meatballs are simple, satisfying, and can be cooked over the campfire or on the grill. I’ve tried it both ways and they always come out amazing. The biggest cheat here is using your

JUMBO MEATBALLS

1 lb. ground beef

1 lb. ground Italian sausage

1 small onion, diced

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

1 cup ricotta

2 eggs

1 teaspoon each of dried oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper

1 cup finely-chopped button mushrooms (about 3–4 whole mushrooms)

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 large jar of your favorite tomato/spaghetti sauce

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat or prepare your campfire for cooking. Meanwhile, in a large bowl create your meatball mixture by gently combining all ingredients except the tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Be sure not to overmix.

Use a ½ cup dry measuring cup to scoop the mixture, then use your palms to roll it into a jumbo meatball. You should have about 9–10 jumbo meatballs.

Add a drizzle of olive oil to a large hot cast iron skillet or a deep cast iron skillet/dutch oven and brown the meatballs on all sides, about 15–20 minutes. Be sure not to crowd the pan; do it in two batches if needed. Transfer meatballs to a plate and carefully wipe any excess oil from the pan.

favorite jarred tomato sauce to simmer them in. Plus, you can easily hide extra chopped veggies in the sauce. The pickiest eaters won’t even know they’re eating their vegetables.

I know time is very valuable when it comes to camping with the family, so you might not want to spend too much time chopping or prepping, especially after a long day on the beach, hiking, or exploring. That’s why when it comes to camp cooking and spending time with the family, I have figured out the best time-saving cheats. Pre-cut vegetables are a major time-saver. You can easily prepare the ingredients ahead of time, or you can find ready-to-go vegetables in many grocery stores. Purchasing pre-shredded cheeses, chopped onions and mushrooms, and pre-peeled or even minced garlic will not only eliminate wasted time, but also create less dishes and less mess. You really can’t go wrong with that. Save yourself the hassle and enjoy that time with family!

Next add your sauce and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, return the meatballs to the cast iron and gently nestle them into the sauce. Reduce heat to low and cover, or if cooking over a campfire move to indirect heat. Simmer for 20–25 minutes or until cooked through. Temperature should reach 165 degrees.

Top the meatballs with mozzarella, cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve over spaghetti, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Enjoy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christina Stawiasz is the creator of Thyme + Timber. She currently travels with her husband Bramdon in their 21-foot Coachmen Expedition. Thriving in nature and catching all the local markets along the way to create meals for thymeandtimberlife.com, you can also find her on Instagram @thyme.and.timber

The Dreaded Brea kdown

by Kaitlin Musser

WE’VE ALL SEEN it—a stranded RV on the side of a highway. A familiar dread rises from the pit of your stomach as you send good vibes to the broken-down traveler. If you travel long or far enough, chances are you will eventually find yourself broken down, enviously watching all the other rigs drive by.

Breakdowns are a part of nomad life. They are not the glamorous side highlighted on social media or the topic you share when discussing your unique lifestyle with family. But these unplanned hiccups come without warning and completely derail your carefully-crafted itinerary.

So what should you do when you break down?

Here are some tips from a fellow traveler who is no stranger to impromptu highway shoulder picnics.

INSURANCE

Insurance is an annoying necessity that you are only thankful for when you actually need it. If you live in a converted school bus, insurance is practically a dirty word as it is so hard to qualify for. But having protection before any incident is your first step in handling breakdowns or accidents.

When shopping for insurance, roadside assistance is one thing to consider. Roadside policies often cover towing fees, flat tires, overheating, and dead batteries. Sometimes insurance companies are unable to find providers in their network if you’re in a remote location, but they may offer some reimbursement after the fact.

Another insurance option that is popular among full-time travelers is Good Sam. Good Sam is a secondary provider that solely covers roadside emergencies and towing. You pay a fee for a set amount of time and any issues you encounter are covered, sometimes even including new tires.

TOWING OUT

Towing comes with many obstacles—consider, for instance, towing out more than 25,000 pounds on a curvy, forested mountain road. Just the thought makes me queasy!

Preventing towing problems can start with being mindful while traveling. First, be sure to only navigate roads that won’t leave you stranded. Sometimes this means passing up an Instagram-worthy boondocking location. You can also avoid circumstances that would require a tow by using a secondary vehicle for sightseeing, visiting remote trailheads, and traveling on dirt roads, if possible.

If you do find yourself on the phone with a tow company, remember to inform them you will need a heavy-duty tow to handle your heavy home. In most cases a flatbed is best because you won’t need to disconnect the driveline. If a flatbed is not available, make sure you are towed to a mechanic since the tow truck driver will not reconnect your driveline.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kaitlin Musser is a former bun head—professional ballerina—turned full-time nomad dirtbag. She and her family of misfits travel the country in an 18-foot converted short school bus lovingly described as the zombie apocalypse mobile. Don’t forget their favorite fur child— their slightly feral puppy, Dingo. You can find more of their adventures on Instagram @runawaymusbus or on their blog runawaymusbus.com

MECHANIC SEARCH

Word of mouth is a solid way to make sure you find a trusted mechanic. But if you are in a new town or just passing through somewhere, that can be nearly impossible. Here are some options if you are in dire straits:

Social media: I usually send out an SOS on my social media accounts to get any possible information. I post on my stories and tag larger nomad communities in hopes they can share to a larger reach. It’s a shot in the dark, but it can work!

Insurance providers: Often insurance companies or secondary providers can give you a list of nearby mechanics they recommended. This doesn’t mean they’ll help pay for the needed work, but it can be a place to start.

Stick with your brand: We have a Ford short school bus and we go to Ford dealerships when possible. Sticking with parts designed for your home’s make and model may be more expensive up front, but they can come with warranties, which may save you money in the long run.

Local gas stations: This is how I found one of my favorite mechanics. There were no mechanics listed for at least 200 miles, and we were desperate. On a whim I called the local gas station to see if they had any ideas. They connected me with a community member who helps stranded travelers from his home garage. He was a retired mechanic and a Vietnam veteran. That call to a local business saved us so much money on towing and time to get back on the road.

Google search: Ultimately, you will usually have to resort to the good old Google search. Simply typing “mechanics” in your map app can pull up a list of options. I try to find any connected Yelp reviews, Facebook page comments, or the company’s website to get a better feel for the mechanic’s reputation. This method is not my favorite, but sometimes it’s the only way.

WHERE TO STAY

A unique issue with having a home that is also your main mode of transportation is that when it breaks down, you are facing homelessness. Of course the first call is to any local friends, friends of friends, family, or extended family— anyone who may have an extra bed for you to crash on. Alternately, you may need to go with an extended-stay hotel or an Airbnb, which can get expensive if the time to fix your home is turning from days to weeks to a month or more.

You can also ask if the mechanic is comfortable with you living in your vehicle on their lot. Mechanics can be booked out for weeks or need time to acquire a part. In the past, mechanics have been kind enough to let us stay on their lot in our home or right outside on the street until they can actually work on our rig. It’s not the most glamorous location to dwell, but it can save you more than a hundred dollars per night as you wait for a bay to open up.

BREAKDOWN FUND

If you only follow one piece of advice from this article, make it this one: have a breakdown fund. Repairs and hotel rooms can be costly, and the thought of dipping into your savings can be heartbreaking. Having a separate fund just for these unavoidable breakdowns can provide peace of mind during a stressful time.

There are different approaches to how to save money, and you’ll need to figure out what works for your lifestyle, income stream, and goals. Personally, we have a separate account with a high interest rate that we regularly deposit money into for emergencies. At other times we would take 10% of a paycheck to split into a breakdown account and a savings for future big trips or purchases. Even adding loose change to a breakdown jar can help cover some costs.

At the end of the day, it’s best to have an interest-generating separate account that you don’t use for daily expenses. No matter how you grow it, having it in times of need can ensure you aren’t dipping into financial strain that limits future traveling.

Breakdowns are one of the worst parts of traveling. They seem to come at the worst times in the worst ways possible. But similar to leaky pipes or broken appliances in a sticks and bricks home, maintenance is normal. So take a deep breath and let go of what you can’t control. You are on this journey for a reason, and the magic of it outweighs any disaster the road may throw at you.

Big eatsEasy

A Travel Guide to New Orleans

By Anne Klumpp

ON A BUDGET

WHETHER YOU'RE HEADING to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras or it’s an easy stop as you make your way across the southern states along the I-10, you'll find a city world famous for its food. Have an unlimited budget for dining out? No problem! You can spend lots of money dining out in this city. You'll find more than 600 full-service restaurants in town, from fine dining classics like Commander's Palace (est. 1893) and Galatoire's (est. 1905) to Chef Emeril Lagasse's own Emeril's New Orleans.

But most full-time travelers have neither an unlimited budget nor an expense account to enjoy these high-dollar dining experiences. Let's face it—travel is a way of life for us, not an exception to the norm.

While you can easily spend thousands of dollars in a short time, being a budget-wise foodie in New Orleans is also entirely possible. Here are some of our favorite places we visited for meals that didn’t break the bank. Be sure to look up the menus online if you’d like to check current prices before visiting!

Stock Photo

Po'Boys

On the subject of sandwiches, let's discuss po'boys. Before visiting New Orleans, I thought po'boy referred to a seafood (fried oyster, shrimp, fish) sandwich. As it turns out, a po'boy can be made with any number of fillings and often includes meat. Po'boys are offered all over town, from full-service restaurants and bars to gas stations. What makes it a po'boy? It's the New Orleans French bread with a crisp crust and soft, fluffy center.

We tried a couple from Parkway Bakery & Tavern, including one with alligator sausage and the lauded Surf & Turf (fried shrimp and roast beef), made famous by Barack Obama’s 2010 visit to the restaurant. This place does a banging business Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Order at the window, wait for them to call your name, then you can take your po'boy home, eat it in the bar, or enjoy it at one of many outdoor tables.

All about the Bread!!

On the advice of several other foodies, we also sampled the famous Ferdi Special po'boy at Mother's Restaurant. This sandwich comes with baked ham, roast beef, and debris (gravy with bits of tender shredded meat), dressed with shredded cabbage, two kinds of mustard, and pickles. The regular-sized sandwich could feed you for the day.

Red Beans & Rice

If you're like me and grew up thinking Monday is for meatloaf, head to New Orleans for a change of pace! Traditionally, New Orleans housekeepers prepared red beans and rice on Mondays because it was laundry day, and this was an easy dish to simmer on the stove all day. Today, you'll find red beans and rice on many restaurant menus, but if you want some of the best in New Orleans, head to Joey K's

Here at this casual Creole restaurant, you'll find the simple and hearty dish available daily. They serve their red beans and rice as a side dish or as dinner with perfectly-crisped andouille sausage on top. Once featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, this is the place to go for a real taste of Louisiana soul food in an eclectically-decorated, century-old building. Hours are limited, so be sure to check before you head over!

Jambalaya

Although we included the Ferdi Special po'boy in our order, we actually visited Mother's for their highly-acclaimed jambalaya, a signature local rice dish with roots in multiple cultures, including West Africa, Spain, and southern France. Jerry's Jambalaya, as it’s called on their menu, is a Creole version of this rice dish since it contains tomatoes. Texturally on point, you'll find it packed with flavor from the andouille sausage, chicken, herbs, and spices. We don't necessarily recommend it if you have a low tolerance for spicy food, but we highly recommend it if you're like us and appreciate it when your food has a kick! There's plenty of heat in it to remind you that you're in the land of Crystal hot sauce. You can enjoy Jerry's Jambalaya as a main course served with two sides or on its own.

Muffuletta

All sources point to Central Grocery & Deli as THE place for a muffuletta sandwich, and rightly so, as this third-generation-run store dating back to 1906 lays claim to this sandwich creation. They make each sandwich on a 9-inch round Sicilian sesame loaf that stays crusty despite being stuffed with ham, salami, mortadella, swiss, provolone, and a signature briny marinated olive salad filled with Kalamata and green olives, plus other tasty pickled veggies.

Alongside a sundry of Italian dry goods available to purchase for cooking at home, the muffuletta is the single item on their menu. You can order a whole or half sandwich, and they are pre-made, so don't bother asking for substitutions. And honestly, they are perfect as they come. Order at the counter for carryout, or head to the back of the store if you're looking for a table where you can sink your teeth into this stacked cold-cut sandwich. We loved it so much we bought one to go on our last day in town, which we enjoyed several days and several states later. It was still delicious!

Mondays are for Red Beans & Rice!

Fried Chicken

My research on where to eat in New Orleans led me to the 2005 James Beard award-winning Willie Mae's Scotch House, established in 1957. In addition to receiving this award for “America's Classic Restaurant in the Southern Region,” both Food Network and Travel Channel declared it “America's Best Fried Chicken.” I can attest that I've never eaten better fried chicken in my life.

Kerry Seaton Stewart, Willie Mae's great granddaughter, currently runs the restaurant. The fried chicken entree includes three pieces of chicken, a side dish, and a soft roll or cornbread muffin. Spicy from soaking in hot sauce, the chicken is still moist and juicy inside its super crispy, perfectly bronzed crust. Trust me when I tell you that I didn’t go to New Orleans for the fried chicken, but I will be back for it! There's a second location in the Market, but we ate at the original Willie Mae's Scotch House. Get there early—we heard people wait hours for this chicken!

Beignets

It would hardly be a trip to New Orleans without eating a beignet or two. While you'll find savory and sweet beignets on restaurant menus around town, it's the sweet version of this fried dough treat from Café du Monde or Café Beignet that you won’t want to miss, especially if you have a sweet tooth. With multiple locations, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to stop at one or both of these places during your visit. We found them to be equally delicious in the morning with a cup of coffee and in the evening as dessert. Rumor has it that Café du Monde is for tourists and locals go to Café Beignet. Maybe you should try beignets from both places to decide who has the best—that’s what we did.

One thing is for sure; it's hard to leave New Orleans hungry. In fact, if you're leaving New Orleans and you're still hungry, it seems you should plan to stay a little longer next time!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anne Klumpp, her husband, Brian, and their dog, Skipper, have been traveling full time in their Class A motorhome since April 2019. They share their adventures, including their experiences of local culture through food and beverage, home cooking, and RV travels on Instagram @ontheroadofadventure and Facebook. Or visit their blog at ontheroadofadventure.com

RV UPGRADE

The Work of Making a Used RV into a New Home

By Amy and Jeff Rutherford

THE PAST YEAR has seen record-breaking RV sales. More people are setting out to explore and work from the road, and developing a newfound love of traveling in their own contained space. Maybe this influx has increased the number of RVs popping up on your social media feeds—I know it has for us. We have been RVing for five years now and we’re seeing so many new RV accounts.

We find this RV boom exciting! We are thrilled to meet new faces, to follow along on new journeys, and to hear new stories. But what we feel is missing from the conversation is how challenging it can be to move into an RV. We now have experience with both moving from a house into an RV, and from an RV into another RV. This certainly doesn’t make us experts, but we wanted to share our experiences with you.

Recently, we decided to move into a different home on wheels and we purchased a new-to-us RV. We were in Oklahoma, but the RV was in Georgia, so Jeff flew there to inspect it. He purchased it under the agreement that the dealer would make a few small repairs, to be fixed before we returned to pick up the RV.

When the time came for pickup, Jeff drove to Georgia and the fixes were not complete! After waiting around an extra day for parts, we finally got the RV on the road, en route to a shop near us that could work on more repairs. But right before he left the dealer, the slide messed up coming in, and we realized it would need to be repaired as well. The dealership agreed to fix it, and unfortunately, the shop ended up having the RV for more than two months!

During that time, our old RV was mostly packed up, with boxes cluttering up most of the space. We needed to deliver our old RV to Arizona, but we couldn’t do so until we moved into the new RV. Because it took so long to receive the new RV, we had to rush moving in. Thankfully we had friends to help, so we were able to do a full home

swap in less than 24 hours.

We started with painting the walls and removing the stained carpet, then we laid new flooring down and got started on the bedrooms. We chose to convert the queen bed into two loft beds for the kids, and we took the lift bed in the garage. It took time to complete, and all the while, the four of us were sleeping on a mattress on the floor, surrounded by mountains of boxes. To say it was chaotic is an understatement.

Once the beds were built, we were able to get things more organized, but we still have more to change in order to make it feel like our home. Some people can redo a whole place in a week, but that doesn’t work for us—we like to go slow. It helps for us to live in a space and sit and think about it. That way we’re able to envision things in different spots, or with new colors, and decide what we think will work and what won’t. It’s important to remember it’s not a race. It’s okay to make changes slowly. After all, we have jobs, school,

and life outside of renovating.

With our first RV, we sanded and painted before we moved in. Through the years, we made changes to various parts of the RV, but we never did a full gut and remodel all at once. It was more piecemeal—a bunk bed when the kids got older, an expansion to the kitchen counter, a new faucet. Because it wasn’t all at once, it never felt overwhelming.

If you’re beginning your search for a new or used RV, whether it’s your future home or a weekend road tripper, here are a few tips to consider.

BUDGET

Setting your budget is the very first step. Are you paying cash? Taking out a loan? Either way, it’s important to stay within your budget. It doesn’t matter if you buy an ancient RV or a brand new one fresh off the factory line—unexpected things are going to break, and you may end up spending more money than you anticipated on things like fuel, entertainment, or campgrounds. Because of this, you really don’t want to stretch your budget on the very first purchase.

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

Now that you have a budget, start looking in your local area and online to find floor plans you like. For us, knowing what features we wanted rather than having a specific floor plan or model in mind broadened our search and results.

ASK YOURSELF:

• Do I want towable or driveable?

• What is my truck tow capacity?

• Do I want something brand new, or am I okay with renovating?

• How many beds and baths do I need?

• Will the kitchen layout work for me?

• Do I want a washer and dryer?

• Do I want upgrades like batteries, solar, a composting toilet, and a generator so I can be off the grid?

• How’s the storage situation?

• Is there room for any extra humans? If not already pre-established, is there room to modify and make room? Will the current bed situation need to be modified?

BEGIN THE SEARCH

Search high and low. And do it quickly, or the RV you’re drooling over may be snatched up before you can say “the tank is full!” Here are some places to get started on your search:

• Local RV sales lots (most RV dealers share their inventory online)

• RV dealerships like CampingWorld, Gander RV, and Lazydays

• RV shows

• Local online groups (Craigslist, Facebook marketplace)

• RVTrader.com

Once you’ve found a rig you’re excited about, tour it, inspect it (or hire a professional inspector), and do a literal smell test—it’s a real bummer to find an

RV you love online, only to realize it reeks of smoke or something else that is very difficult to remove. Place a refundable deposit if you can’t make it in person right away. We made this mistake once—we found a fifth wheel we really liked, and it had been recently renovated, including a slew of extras. We hesitated, then by the time we decided to book a flight to see it, it was already gone, so we had to go back to looking online ad nauseam.

YOU HAVE YOUR RV … NOW WHAT?

Congrats! It’s time to move in. If you’re coming from a house, you may have already begun the downsizing process. Maybe you’ve sold or donated most of your things. Perhaps you have a storage unit, or maybe you’re still up to your ears in boxes. Either way, this is a great time to organize and find creative ways to arrange and store your possessions in the RV. It’s also a fantastic time to purge even more things that you initially thought you needed but now realize you can do without.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Amy and Jeff Rutherford are both veterans who travel the United States with their two lively kids, Lilly and Violet, and their cat, Kevin. You can find them exploring local playgrounds, checking out national parks and museums, roadschooling, and finding free or inexpensive things to do in each city or town they visit. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Youtube, where they share snippets of their travels, RV living, homeschooling, and budget-friendly tips by the name @ontheroamagain

Expandable Solar

System tiers for all budgets

Custom fabrication for desired system intergration

LIFESTYLE. POWER. BUDGET. SOLUTION.

When we see a problem, we don’t just find a solution; we help make changes in the industry you’ve been waiting on that make your journey easier every single day. The products our team uses are the most innovative products on the market and we take the time to learn them inside and out so you don’t have to. With over 35 years of industry expertise, our team can design, fabricate, and install the Solar and Lithium system that’s fits your rig perfectly to make your battery life bigger.

LIVING LYFE untethered

By

MY WIFE AND I are no strangers to heartache or turmoil. We lost one of our six children to suicide, and I lost my brother to suicide a year and a half after that. I was let go from a great job as a Hollywood editor, and then my wife was diagnosed with cancer. Taken all together, these experiences ultimately changed how we look at life, and led us to the life we lead today.

When Leila went in for a mammogram a few years ago, she wasn’t expecting anything other than the usual result. But this time was different; something wasn’t quite right, so more tests were done. Every time we’d get results, the answer seemed to be the same—we needed to run more tests. A year later, Leila had a double mastectomy and now has to go in for regular blood work to keep tabs on things. Unfortunately, she’ll have that threat hanging over her head the rest of her life—she’s on medication and she’ll never be fully in the clear.

Nine years before the cancer diagnosis, when we lost a child to suicide, and then I also lost my brother to suicide, I realized nothing is more soul-crushing. It’s something that time doesn’t heal, and you never get over it. You just get a little better at living with the constant pain.

When I was let go from my job about a year before Leila’s cancer diagnosis,

Leila was stressed, but I was kind of giddy. I was burned out after 18 years in the industry, even though I was working on cool projects, like marketing for huge Marvel movies. I was working on Thor: Ragnarok when I got the news, and instead of looking for another editing gig, I decided to join Leila full time as a real estate agent. This change was exciting, but also terrifying. I didn’t have job security this way, but the potential drove me.

We dove in together. I used my video skills to help market us and we did pretty well right out of the gate, but it was all-consuming. There were no days, or even hours, off. Clients tend to expect real estate agents to be available 24/7. We also learned that when dealing with what is often a person’s largest asset, they can become somewhat unreasonable. These huge transactions often brought out intense feelings on all sides, and it was emotionally draining. It quickly became Groundhog

From Hollywood to YouTube

Trevor Jones

Day—grind, stress, repeat. Our business was in Southern California, so I figured we’d be there for many more years. At this point, four of our five kids and most of the rest of our other family had moved to other states. Yet here we were—me, Leila, and our adult special needs daughter, Kalin—living in “paradise,” but feeling stuck.

I’d tell myself it was great. 70 degrees every day! The beach is only 35 minutes away! Most people would kill to live here! But we spent most of our time indoors on a computer, and rarely walked along a warm, sandy beach at sunset.

Then our youngest, Ashlynn, moved to southern Oregon with her family, and Leila’s wheels started turning. She got excited about the prospect of living near our granddaughter in a new state. But I didn’t think it was possible—we didn’t have the means to pick up and

After battling breast cancer and losing a child, a brother, and a job, our paradigm shifted drastically.

risk starting another business.

Well … Leila is persuasive.

All of a sudden, we had sold our house, bought a couple of acres in a forest, and started building a new home. It was surreal to me as I’d lived in a concrete jungle my entire life—I was born in Santa Monica and grew up in Southern California. I thought of myself as adventurous, but was I really?

Shortly after I became a real estate agent, I provided some training on using video for business at our brokerage. During that training, I said I had the same dream as every 14-year-old girl—to become a full-time travel vlogger.

Leila started thinking even bigger. Instead of renting a place between selling our house and the completion of the Oregon house, what if we bought an RV and traveled the country? Could we survive on the road with Kalin, a couple of dogs, and a business that was tethered to one county?

We were not ready. Not financially, not with our business, nothing. But after battling breast cancer and losing a child, a brother, and a job, our paradigm shifted drastically. I know it’s cliche, but life really is short. We don’t know how much time we have. Everyone has beliefs, but we don’t know what, if anything, comes next. All we really have, and all we’ll ever have, is now. So we decided to stop waiting for the “right time” and embrace the power of now.

We untethered our lives, bought a vandalized RV (against my better judgment), and dove in. Let’s be clear—this was a stretch. I don’t like fixing things, I have no training in it, and we didn’t know anything about RVs. We’ve never even owned a truck!

With some help, we spent most of our waking hours for two months gutting and fully renovating the inside of the RV. We replaced, covered, painted, carpeted, or floored every surface. With Leila running the show and making the creative decisions, we turned it into a tiny home on wheels. Over a year later, we’re still pretty happy with it, but always fixing something—I mean, it is an RV, after all. We’re heading to Mexico in a few months to finish the outside.

We installed a modem in an effort to have internet access on the road so we could keep working, and my brother Roy helped me install solar from scratch. It was a major pain, but now we have four 315-watt panels on the roof

BEFORE

and we can pretty much live without the generator unless we need A/C or the microwave. Oh yeah, we also needed a new generator … that was $4,000 we weren’t planning on spending.

Once we were road-worthy, we headed to Bear Lake, Utah, where our son Kelsen lives with his wife and our two grandsons, and boondocked overlooking the lake.

We lived full time in our RV for the better part of a year and traveled all the way to the east coast and back. We met people, made friends, and saw parts of the country we didn’t know existed. People are the best part of our travels.

BEFORE

Our minds and our hearts are forever changed.

Some may think you need to leave the country to experience different cultures, but you don’t. This country is vast and there is so much to learn.

Was it challenging? Heck yes. Living with Kalin and two dogs in 300 square feet is tight, but we made it work. Our RV is a 36-foot toy hauler, and we converted the garage into an office. I loved working in it and overlooking

the lake with the back down. It was truly night and day from working in a dark office in Burbank staring at three monitors.

Let’s talk about money. How did we survive? Well, courtesy of the pandemic, working remotely became more acceptable. We did several real estate transactions on the road and realized that honestly, 95% of real estate can be done remotely. An agent on our team took care of the rare in-person needs.

I created a course teaching real estate agents to create videos to grow their businesses. I spent time on the road creating content for the related YouTube channel and marketed and sold my course. There’s certainly no need to be attached to a zip code for that!

We also started a new travel channel to share our adventures, with the intent to grow it into a business, and that’s where most of our focus is today. Our house in the forest in Oregon is complete, so we now have a home base. We travel as much as possible, mostly still in the RV for now, but we’ll be venturing out to the rest of the world as COVID-related restrictions are relaxed.

We’ve hit some pretty brutal bumps in our lives, some of which fully derailed

us at times. We share it to show that it really is possible to keep moving forward, even when life deals you pain. Everyone has challenges. Everyone has been through trying times. Our mission is to encourage others to not put off living, to enjoy every moment of every day, and to take risks. Don’t leave this planet thinking “I wish I would have ...” Live every day to the fullest so when the end comes, you’re thinking, “I’m so glad I did!”

If anyone reading this needs someone to talk to about suicide, cancer, children with special needs, or just full-time RV living, hit us up @LyfeUntethered

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Trevor Jones is a former Hollywood editor and real estate agent turned YouTuber. Follow their adventures on Instagram @LyfeUntethered

We met people, made friends, and saw parts of the country we didn’t know existed. People are the best part of our travels. Our minds and our hearts are forever changed.

Ways to homeschool your kids while traveling

HOMESCHOOLING on the road is an excellent way for families to ensure their children continue learning while exploring the wonders of the world. With all the resources available today,

By Alexis Nascimento

homeschooling on the road is totally possible, and not as hard as it sounds! We asked six families to share some of their tips and tricks for how they handle education on the road.

The Georgieff Family

Homeschooling has been a part of Laura Georgieff (@frugalforluxury) and her family’s travel journey for two years. Laura, her husband, and their three children live in a 41-foot fifth wheel Keystone Montana, but started off their travels internationally. With three children between second and fifth grades, Laura credits flexibility as one of the best aspects of homeschooling.

“Homeschooling means freedom of time and movement. While we hold true to our homeschooling schedule 95% of the time, we also have total control over it. We are not locked in one place and we don’t have to abide by anyone else’s timeline. This year, for example, we started homeschooling in early July, which allowed us to spend a month in Hawaii and a couple of weeks in Europe without having to do much work at all,” Laura said. “We generally also finish our school year earlier, which gives us time to reinforce some of their skills before starting the following school year. The flexibility homeschooling affords us was the only way for us to live this lifestyle. It is our key to achieving quality family time, seeing our children grow, exploring their personal interests, and enjoying those years that would otherwise fly by us.”

Because of their ability to travel, Laura creates a personalized curriculum based on the destinations they visit. She credits the time they spent in the Southern Pacific islands after three months of island-hopping in

early 2020 with her childrens’ understanding of geology, tectonic plates, volcanoes, earthquakes, and thermal activity. In Europe, their world schooling focused on the World Wars, foreign languages, Alpine climates, and flora and fauna. In the United States, the family learns about American wars, segregation, geology, and more as they visit historical battlefields, missions, plantations, and national parks. The kids also complete the Junior Ranger Program at all national parks and sites they visit.

As far as advice goes, Laura stresses to go with the flow and trust your gut.

“It will all be okay. You probably have a plan and some expectations in mind, and you can slow it down! I promise you—kids don’t learn that much at school and you have plenty of time to get all the learning into their little brains,” Laura said. “Give yourself grace and arm yourself with patience. One word of wisdom to you, which I wish I learned sooner: If a day isn’t working out, close the books and go for a walk! There is absolutely no reason to sweat it, and I promise, you won’t run out of time. There is plenty of it!”

The Renyer Family

Don and Vanessa Renyer (@campfiresandfireflies) live and travel in their Rockwood Geo Pro 20-foot bunkhouse travel trailer with their daughter Avery Capri, who’s in fifth grade. The family is new to fulltime travel and they credit the pandemic as the catalyst to their adventures. After schools shut down in March 2020, Avery Capri started the following school year virtually instead of returning in person, with Vanessa handling all the daily support.

Through Avery Capri’s virtual school, she logs into Zoom for two hours a day Monday through Thursday with other virtual students and her teacher. It allows her time to socialize with peers and provides a general overview of the concepts she’ll be learning through the week. For the rest of her schoolwork, Avery Capri has a chart of what’s expected to be completed weekly and she can finish it in her own time frame. The Renyers enjoy the flexibility while they travel.

“My favorite aspect of this lifestyle is being able to plan for her to see and experience

what she is learning in real life. It’s not just in one ear and out the other,” Vanessa said. “She is learning the curriculum and then soaking it all in with her own senses! It also allows her to spend more time on her favorite subjects instead of being pushed into the next thing. Avery Capri enjoys homeschooling and doesn’t want to go back to a traditional setting.”

It hasn’t always been a walk in the park for the Renyer family, though.

“When I researched homeschooling, parents made it seem so easy. They show all the glamour of it, but not always the reality. There are meltdowns … both hers and mine,” Vanessa said. “It takes time for a child to become accustomed to a parent being their teacher. They try to get away with a lot more than they would with a teacher in a traditional setting. It’s harder than it looks, but the rewards are so amazing! I would choose this kind of learning for my daughter even on the hardest days because I can see what an impact it is having on her personally.”

The Faiola Family

Kristen and Tony Faiola (@thefaiolas) credit homeschooling with providing more opportunities for their two young daughters, Lexie and Kaylie, to learn. They planned to homeschool long before they decided to travel full time. While the Faiolas use a wide variety of curriculum, with four to five hours of book work each day, they’re also taking the time to teach their children real-life experiences.

“Some days, we count adventures as a homeschool day, and that can be a hike, museum, zoo, or even visiting a historic town. We can teach them cleaning, cooking, and survival skills,” said Kristen. “We learned the entire process of raising sheep for milk, cheese, and meat while staying at a Harvest Host farm.”

One of their full-time journey goals is to visit all the capitol buildings, which has been a great way to bring history and government into their school day. They also have set out to visit all the

national parks to learn about animals, ecosystems, and even history.

“We also have a family podcast, called ‘Off the Beaten Path But Not Lost,’ that we do together. The kids join in on the discussion,” Kristen said. “Eventually, I will teach them how to edit the podcast, photos, and videos. This project will be able to grow with them and us as we all learn more skills.”

Kristen recommends researching different types of homeschooling and seeing where your family fits. Then research the types of curriculum you enjoy, and jump in!

“Know that you will make changes as you start rolling. You will see holes, you will see overlap, things that take too much time, things your kids hate doing, and things you hate doing,” Kristen said. “Making changes is okay, going slower than public school is okay, and not teaching all things is okay—this one is hard, but true. When you start doubting that you can teach, know that no one in this world cares more about your child’s education than you. You will find a way.”

The Barber Family

Dani Barber (@the.wild.seekers) started homeschooling her two boys, 9-year-old Ryker and 7-year-old Hendrix, when the pandemic hit. This blessing in disguise showed Dani that each day can look different, with learning taking place in the most amazing environments with beautiful backdrops.

“I love that we can focus on what the boys are most interested in and let them have input on what we study,” Dani said. “It’s also really awesome that we can slow down and help each kid out if they are struggling with a certain subject.”

The Barbers’ home state is very relaxed when it comes to homeschooling, so it gives them the freedom to teach their boys the way that suits them best.

The family uses a variety of workbooks, like Sylvan, Brain Quest, Scholastic, and Daily Practice. They also use online homeschool programs. Some

of their favorites are Easy Peasy All in One Homeschool, Seterra for geography, and ABC Mouse and Adventure Academy for some fun computer work.

In the time that the Barbers have been homeschooling, Dani has learned a lot.

“I’ve realized it doesn’t have to be perfect. If something isn’t working out, you can stop doing that and move on to something different. The best part about homeschooling is knowing your day doesn’t have to look anything like a day at public school,” Dani said. “Some days we only get in an hour of ‘actual’ school work and the rest of our day is spent hiking or doing an art project. Follow your kids’ lead and adjust accordingly!”

The Averill Family

Heather and Matt Averill (@the.airstream.family) have been homeschooling their three children since February 2021, when they began to find their rhythm on the road. They only began to consider homeschooling after the pandemic put them in a home-based learning environment.

Heather discovered how much she loved teaching her kids, and true homeschooling was the logical next step once they decided to begin fulltime travel.

With three kids between the ages of three and eight, Heather has found there are many opportunities to learn in their everyday lives. For example, the family works on reading signs on the road, calculating miles on driving legs and times on hikes, planning routes, reading maps, and planning for weather.

The Averills also include their children in conversations about road life—water conservation, being mindful of their resources, making plans, and more. When it comes to a specific curriculum, the Averill kids are learning grade-appropriate material for math and English. Aside from curriculum-based learning, they’ve chosen to pursue some of the things the kids naturally enjoy, much akin to unschooling.

Homeschooling has offered some tangible benefits for the Averill family.

“I’ve really enjoyed being able to experience their milestones firsthand,” Heather said. “Our son Mac just recently cracked reading—it has been amazing to see his progression at every step of the way. Seeing those aha moments in real time has been incredibly rewarding.”

When it comes to homeschooling kids, there is no “one-sizefits-all” approach! Every family finds a way to bring learning into their daily lives, whether through a strict curriculum, lived experiences, or something in between.

PARK &

A Rewarding Alternative in the World of Workamping

By Susan Ferguson

HAVE YOU EVER had the opportunity to do something out of your normal routine and been amazed by how rewarding or fulfilling the experience was? This is the story of our experience, and we hope it leads you to imagine where you might want to lend a helping hand.

Workamping is a broad term and encompasses a variety of opportunities to work and travel. As Norm and I began to explore ways to supplement our seasonal RV rental business, we were overwhelmed by the options posted online. Thankfully, the internet doesn’t have to be the only avenue you explore.

Three of our first four workamping opportunities came from word of mouth or our social media community. Our first two experiences with workamping were property-sitting gigs. We did two jobs back to back for one month each. The property owners provided us with RV hookups in exchange for watching over and maintaining the property while the owners were away. This happened right as the pandemic hit and the timing could not have been more perfect for us to launch ourselves into fulltime RV life.

Moving on from those, we wanted to try camp hosting. We found a position at a local RV resort to be part-time camp hosts as we were still running our RV rental business. They provided a full RV hookup site in exchange for working a certain amount of hours. Since we were part time, there were no additional hourly wages; just the RV site. During our interview we were up front about our company and the need for flexibility, and they were emphatic that they were flexible and would work with our available hours. Once we started, we quickly realized that was not the case, and we parted ways amicably.

To be honest, that first camp hosting position deflated us. However, we would receive a call shortly after which would lift our spirits and open our eyes to a unique and different approach to workamping. Park and Participate, here we come.

PARTICIPATE

The call came from Cindy and Matthew at CC Blue Ranch in Ridgway, Colorado, a couple we’ve known for more than three years. We stayed at their Airbnb property on their 35-acre ranch for our 30th anniversary and we’ve remained friends, visiting them several times.

Cindy knew we were in a transition period when she called to ask if we would consider coming to help them at the ranch.

Shortly after, we met to discuss their needs and ours. Prior to our meeting, Cindy had coined the phrase “Park and Participate” to describe what she had in mind, and she shared her vision with us. Rather than a job, this was a mindset—a

communal effort with a mutual benefit. No set hours or rigid schedules, just help as much as you can. Matthew summed up our meeting by saying, “If you see something that needs to be done, do it!” We agreed on an exchange of their full-hookup RV site for our help with barn chores and weeding in the garden and around the grounds whenever we were not busy with our business, and sealed it with a hug and handshake rather than a contract.

Norm and I were excited to learn about homesteading. Being self-sufficient is something we always saw as part of our future after our travels, and this opportunity would allow us to observe and learn. We had always

Susan and Norm enjoying the patio of their dream cabin inside a 125-square foot cargo trailer.

commented that CC Blue Ranch was the cleanest and best-smelling ranch we had ever visited. Now we know why! To maintain the 35-acre ranch to their high standards required an enormous amount of time and attention, and until we arrived Cindy and Matthew had done all of it by themselves.

We were taught how to clean the stalls and pens, and how to feed the animals. There were goats, donkeys, horses, pigs, chickens, geese, and cows. Chores were divided throughout the day. Morning chores began at 6:30 a.m., and the animals would give you an earful if you were a minute late. Noon chores were quick and easy, but necessary to keep the grounds fresh. Evening chore time was dictated by the setting sun, but was most enjoyable as the animals, all of which were called by name, ended their day with “treat time.”

In addition to barn chores, Norm would spend time manicuring the grounds while I worked with Cindy and Matthew in the garden. Tending the garden was where I stood to learn the most, and I was hopeful that my black thumb would turn the slightest shade of green before we left. Both of them took time to show and explain to me the what, why, and when that kept all of it thriving. Sharing in the bountiful harvest of produce and fresh eggs was an added bonus. This was my first time seeing what sustainable farming looked like. I loved “grocery shopping” in the garden for our daily meals and going to the ranch “store” to purchase a variety of fresh meats, jams, breads, and even ice cream that were all made or raised on the ranch.

The “if you see something that needs to be done” part is what makes us laugh

most often when we talk about our time at the ranch, because more often than not, that meant chasing down renegade chickens, defiant cows, and precarious baby goat escapees and creatively escorting them back to their pens. While it was a challenge for us as novice ranch hands, if there was a chicken wrangling event at the rodeo, I believe Norm could certainly take first prize.

Life on the ranch did have adversity. It wasn’t the work or the working relationships, though—it was nature! We experienced our first monsoon season during our time at the ranch, and it was a force to be reckoned with. Three out of the four weeks we were there, we endured soaking rains daily. Everything was saturated, but rain or shine, care and maintenance continued. It also provided many opportunities to revere the circle of life. I watched as

the garden was ripped to shreds by a hail storm right outside my front door, knowing how desperately the hay field needed every drop of that water. We experienced the birth of new life and the loss of another. We felt honored to witness and take part in this circle, and would not hesitate one second if given the chance to do it again.

As you can tell, this was not just an exchange of labor for a place to stay. This was an experience that brought me and Norm great fulfillment. We learned how to do things we never thought we would. We were a part of something bigger than ourselves, and we grew closer to two very dear friends in the process.

Hopefully, you too will seek and find a rewarding, even fulfilling opportunity out there. We encourage you to go Park and Participate.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Susan and Norm Ferguson have been married for 33 years and are full-time RVers in addition to owning an RV rental business in western Colorado. You can stay abreast of their quest @silverbadgeradventures on Instagram and Facebook.

A NEW JOURNEY BEGINS

Just like every great road trip, sometimes life takes you in a new direction. At Heartland, we’ve launched a new journey to make our RVs better than ever. We’ve doubled down on seeking out the highest quality materials, creating fresh and inviting interiors and giving every unit the kinds of finishing touches you’d find in a new home.

Every unit goes through a top-to-tails inspection with a quality assurance expert—in fact, we have an 89,000-square-foot facility dedicated to walking each RV through a series of checklists to ensure it works exactly as it should. And with updated floor plans incorporating features our customers love best—spacious bathrooms, designer kitchens, furniture meant for cuddling up together—we’re confident every trip in a Heartland will be a happy one.

After all, that’s what RVing is all about: hitting the road with people you love, having adventures, making memories. So when you buy a Heartland, just focus on taking the journey of a lifetime. We’ll take care of the rest.

Experience the all-new Heartland online and check out 360-degree model tours, detailed floor plans, all-new features, galleries of updated decor and more.

Just visit HeartlandRVs.com.

Balancing Work & Family Time on the Road

Tips, Tricks, and Pitfalls to Avoid

By Christine Skelton

ONE OF THE biggest questions of modern life may very well be how to balance work and family time. Those of us living on the road face additional challenges since we are traveling, working remotely, and spending almost all of our time with our families in small spaces. Reaching a state of balance can sometimes seem impossible. Though there’s no easy answer for how to maintain a sense of balance, there are lots of tactics that can help you and your family succeed. The following are tips from our family as well as three fellow nomadic families to help encourage and equip you to strike the right balance of work and family in your own lives!

Tip #1 Survey Each Person’s Priorities and Must-Do Tasks

Making a plan is the best way to set any undertaking up for success. Figure out what your strategy will be and ensure everyone is accounted for by surveying their priorities and what they need to get done. This includes each family member’s needs in order to feel seen and fulfilled as well—especially the children. Continuous communication is crucial. Set expectations and agree on them so everyone is on the same page.

For Doug Setzer and his wife, from LearnToRV.com, this included agreeing in advance on the not-so-pleasant realities of what working remotely might look like. “My wife and I had to discuss that full-time life would require her to endure telephone calls here or there while she was still sleeping,” he said.

Don’t forget to revisit your plan. Priorities and needs can vary from week to week, so it’s important to re-evaluate periodically. Depending on your family’s needs, creating a weekly or even daily check-in time can be helpful. Then the schedule can be adjusted to retain the balance.

Tip #2 Work on Time Management and Increasing Efficiency Where Possible

Time and schedule management are crucial, because a plan means nothing if you don’t find a way to execute it. Create an actual schedule if you need to, and block off days and times for different activities if it’s helpful. Again, it’s all about what works for you—a more fixed schedule may be necessary for your work requirements and family activities, or you may be fine with a more general plan. You may choose to alternate days or mornings versus afternoons for working and watching the kids, with family time all together on weekends. Of course, there are many possibilities!

Avoiding distractions as much as you can will help with your schedule management and being more efficient with your time. We’ve personally had success using certain tools to help us with efficiency. Some are free, but paid tools can be worth it if they save you time or help you focus. We use an online project management tool for keeping track of tasks, shared calendars, automation tools, and time trackers for phone and social media usage.

The Setzers

Tip #3

Set Boundaries to Protect Your Family Time and Then Be Fully Present

Setting boundaries may feel difficult, but it will protect the time you need with your family. It can be easy to get swept up in work, for example. Once your necessary work tasks are met, knowing when to put it down for another day can help leave enough time for other things. Set boundaries with friends, family, work, and yourself to ensure you’re guarding your time and energy wisely.

For Kristi Corder, @waybeyondthenorm, this is all about knowing when she can say yes and when she needs to say no. “Balancing work and family life on the road is all about saying no. I consult with clients virtually and I could meet with them at any hour they request: dinner time, weekends, early mornings, etc. But our family needs to have our time together as well. That’s why I maintain certain office hours and say no to requests to meet outside of those hours,” she said.

Once you’ve made the switch from working to spending time with your family, make sure you’re fully tuned in. If you’re still thinking about work, or are already planning the next thing, the engagement will lack quality and the balance may still feel off for your family.

Angela Diaz, another full-time RV traveler, said, “The lifestyle for us is all about family time and enjoying this adventure to the fullest.” So when it comes to family time, they are present and make it count. “Explore together, play tourist, make the sacrifices count and make as many memories as possible as a family. And take lots of pictures to remind you for a lifetime.”

Christine and Kevin at their workstations.

The Skelton Family doing some schoolwork!

The Corder Family on Route 66

The Corder Family enjoying a hike together!

Tip #4: Create a Dedicated Space for Working and Know When to Put It Away

It’s best to have a dedicated space for working where you can focus well. This helps separate work and family time so they don’t continuously blend together, and allows you to get things done.

Doug Setzer quickly learned that not having a dedicated work space spelled trouble and found a solution to allow him to focus on work and put it away when done. Doug said, “After going on an eight-week RV vacation where my workspace moved multiple times during the day (dinette, outside, couch, and then bedroom), when we went full time I knew a real desk was a necessity. I converted a dresser into a desk and it allowed me to use my laptop screen, a second monitor, a full-sized ergonomic keyboard, and a mouse. I did have to set it up each morning and break it down each evening, but for the three years we had that rig, it made all the difference in working from the RV.”

Similarly, Angela Diaz and her husband knew this would be crucial and planned for having a dedicated working space before even purchasing their rig. “One of the reasons we picked the toy hauler fifth wheel layout was so David could have a quiet working space behind a closed door during the day,” she explained.

Tip #5 Make Time for Self-Care and Downtime

If you’re always bouncing between work and family with no time to take care of yourself or take a break, you’ll reach the point of burnout. What can you do? Create a ritual that gives you a moment between work and family time to reset. Take time to have a cup of coffee or tea, read something uplifting, take a nap, or fit in some exercise. When you take care of yourself, you can be more prepared to take care of others and be fully capable and engaged. It won’t matter if you have figured out the balance between work and family life if you’re too drained to maintain it.

Angela Diaz and family carve out time for self-care and rest. “We try to incorporate self-care and down time by allowing personal hobbies while one parent cares for the children,” she said. “Sometimes we also have to be picky about the things to do in a new place because time is limited and we have to remember to take time to rest.”

Doug Setzer Enjoys working from a deck overlooking the ocean in Myrtle Beach

Logan, Doug Setzer's grandson, is working hard!

Christine Skelton taking time to relax in her hammock at camp

Diaz Family at the Grand Canyon

Tip #6 Change Things Up If It’s Not Working and Be Patient with Yourselves!

Know that there will be ebbs and flows in whether work or family needs more attention at any given time. Being able to adjust the balance when needed is important. Things vary so much depending on where you’re camped, whether it’s a travel day, how much exploring you plan to do, what meetings and deadlines you have coming up at work, and all the other demands of roadschooling and daily life.

Avoid thinking that everyone else has it together or that something’s wrong with you if you keep having to adjust. That is absolutely not the case. We’ve had days where we have to focus endlessly on work, and then the pendulum swings the other way and we dedicate all our time to filling our kids’ attention buckets. We have schedules that work for a while and then something changes and we have to readjust. It’s completely normal and the key is to change where change is needed without being too hard on yourself!

You Can Do It

We encourage you to try some of the above tips when striving to strike the right balance between remote work and family time. Some weeks you may feel like you’re on top of things and the balance is great, and some weeks you may not. But either way, don’t give up. Finding the right balance for your own family and remote work situation will allow all of you to thrive while living this amazing lifestyle.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christine, Kevin, Klara, and Nathan Skelton have been traveling full time in a fifth wheel for almost four years while working remotely, homeschooling, and exploring the country. They share the best places and RV tips and tricks on their Never Stop Adventuring YouTube channel, Instagram @_neverstopadventuring, Facebook, and website at neverstopadventuring.com

The Diaz family at Death Valley National Park

The Skelton family exploring the giant red cedars

THE JOURNEY

TO

A

Nomadic self

Traveling Solo in a Kia Soul

By Halle Homel

MY FIRST DAY on the road was three days after my college graduation. I left on June 19, 2019, with my Kia Soul built out to be a temporary home on wheels, and headed east, driving toward Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, to cross off the first state on what would be a 48-state, threemonth, solo road trip. It really was supposed to be three months! I was supposed to pick somewhere to move permanently afterward, get a “real” job, and do the life thing. But that’s not what happened, and those three months were the first of a now two and a half year full-time travel spree with no end in sight.

The Ultimate Road Trip started as an idea based on a list I found when I was a teenager—a route that would touch all 48 contiguous U.S. states in the most efficient way. I was determined to take this trip, or an iteration of it, and spent my entire college career planning my route in what downtime I had. I exchanged some spots for national parks, worked too many hours while I was in school to pay for the whole thing, and graduated Magna

Cum Laude. And even though I had the degree I’d been working for and I could have worked to publish my senior thesis a year after graduating, I wasn’t fulfilled, and I knew I wouldn’t be until I’d seen the world.

So, I pointed my wheels toward Valley of Fire. A few weeks later, in Texas, I used the word “nomad” to describe myself for the first time, and when I finally hit the Atlantic Ocean a few weeks after that, I decided I would look for a van to upgrade to so I could keep traveling once I finished my 48-state trip.

Other than a simple desire to take a trip like this, there were a few factors that pushed me to actually do it instead of just talking about it. Between a discomfort in the system I’d been raised in, the death of one of my childhood dogs, and a toxic relationship with someone who was revered in my department at the university, I left on June 19 not running from it all, but seeking everything I’d been missing throughout those years of feeling lost.

When I got to South Carolina, I got a call from my parents that they were going to have to put down my

remaining childhood dog, Alister, after he’d had a stroke. After the events that caused me to leave and travel solo for three months, that phone call was the catalyst for me staying on the road. I quickly spiraled into the grief that comes with not getting to say goodbye, and the finality of the fact that the last time I saw him was actually going to be the last time I saw him forever. The journey quickly transformed from one of me seeking something I was lacking, to me healing, not just from Alister’s death, but from all the things that had prompted me to leave in the first place. I was seeking the healed version of myself.

In Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, I stood on the trail with another intuitive I’d met in the visitor center parking lot, watching her daughter play in the creek. We talked about souls and energy and what happens after the Earth plane and a butterfly landed on my hand. I didn’t need her to tell me that it was Alister, but she confirmed it when I brought it up. It was like a veil had been lifted, and I started seeing the world through a new lens—one of miracles and magic and a light that

comes with leaving your old self in the rearview mirror.

The second half of the trip became far more significant than the first, as it was no longer about the destinations along the way, but about the emotional significance they had for me at the beginning of my healing journey. By the time I reached Minnesota, in the middle of a seven hour drive to Voyageurs National Park on the Canadian border, I’d long since decided that I would be buying a van upon touching down on California soil again. I climbed north, then further north, through the pine trees in their last breaths of summer at the end of August, and felt capable. I knew Alaska would be waiting for me the following summer, as the north beckoned me further.

As tempting as it was, I still turned west after Voyageurs, to chase sunrises in the Dakotas, catch glaciers at the end of their life spans in Montana, and climb mountains in Washington. As I reached Highway 1, the thousand-mile chord connecting me to my hometown, I knew I’d accomplished a lot. I’d put thousands of miles behind me, hiked trails many people only dream of, and learned to love spending time with myself. But I still hadn’t found what I was searching for.

I’d evolved from a lost college girl to a full-time nomad, and despite the incredible journey I’d just been on, I knew there had to be more to it, and more to me. So as I stood under the tallest trees on Earth at one of my last stops—Redwoods

National and State

Parks—I cried. I’d allowed tears to fall in random states on my journey, but it felt significant to allow the emotion to run through me again as I met my goal under the redwood trees. I’d now been to 49 of the 50 states, but the grief was still there, the ties to my past were still there, and the hike I was on was harder than I’d bargained for. So I cried. For the release of my old self, for Alister, for the young girl who’d suffered enough to want to hit the road and do this crazy thing in the first place, and I sat on the soil beneath the trees, allowing the Earth to transmute it all, so that the next time I hit the road, it would be toward something real. And it was.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Halle Homel (@sunbirdsoul) is a full-time nomad, energy reader and intuitive, and ally to Mother Earth.

TRAVEL SMART

THE ONLY 100% AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF SAFETY DEVICE FOR YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM.

SEEK MOREwilderness

Building a Business that Protects Wild Places

By Isak Kvam

IT STARTED WITH an idea—what if we could create a new way for people to give back to the wild places in which they adventure?

Maria and I had a personal breakthrough in 2016, when we began uprooting our lives to become digital nomads and start a business we were truly passionate about. We wanted to live our dreams, work for more than a mortgage, and spend more of our time doing what we loved. We started saving to buy and convert a campervan so we could run a business we loved from the road, visiting national parks and boondocking in wild places along the way. And we had a new idea we were passionate about that we couldn’t wait to share with other people who live for getting outdoors.

Like many, our yearning for wild places started at an early age. It began for

me when I was a kid and my parents drove my family up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota. We spent weeks paddling from island to island, cooking dinners over a campfire, and not seeing another group for days at a time. I watched sunsets while loon calls reverberated over the lakes. I ran and hopped and crawled over mossy rocks and through thick forests. The stars twinkled overhead at night. Life was good.

As I grew older, I studied natural science in the prairies of Iowa, the mountains of Colorado, and the deserts of Moab. I specialized in plant ecology, but had a big soft spot for birds and rocks, and I joke that I minored in hiking, too. When I wasn’t studying how climate change was affecting plants in the Rocky Mountains, I was exploring

river valleys and conifer forests, finding plenty of alone time to just exist outside. There was something so recharging and centering about spending so much time in the wild, and I wanted more of that in my life.

Then I had a transformative moment. I didn’t want to spend my life researching how climate change and human land use was hurting plant life up in the

mountains. I didn’t want to spend my life measuring the destruction of wild places. I wanted to speak up for them, to do something to protect them.

Like many other digital nomads, Maria and I became interested in hitting the road to personally experience the beauty of North America’s wild places. We wanted to visit every national park and boondock in the middle of nowhere with only the coyotes to hear us. We wanted an endless adventure experiencing vast, boundless wild places. But as we started planning our van travels and learning more about public lands, we uncovered a nasty truth.

As I researched information about the trails at Rocky Mountain National Park, I learned underfunding has led to huge

problems for safely handling overcrowding. While planning a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, I learned that a proposed mine could irreversibly pollute the water, making it unsafe for both humans and wildlife. And when looking into backpacking trips through Bears Ears, I saw headlines about shrinking the monument by 85% to build extractive industries instead.

It’s a sad reality that our wild public lands are not guaranteed. Across the country, they’re being under-funded, shrunk, overcrowded, damagingly leased, hurt by a changing climate, and stripped of their protections. Where would we camp, explore, and play without public lands like national parks, Bureau of Land Management areas, or stellar U.S. Forest Service sites? Without our public lands, where could we go to adventure, release, and recharge?

The more I learned about our public lands, the more captivated I became. I loved learning about land that was designated as communal space. I loved learning about the pioneers that envisioned wild places available to all and made them a reality. Yet each time I came across another all-too-frequent story about our public land’s misuse, I felt crushed. As a citizen and thus owner of these places, let alone a frequent visitor, I felt I should be able to do more. Sharing this with Maria, we channeled our frustration into devising a way to give back to our public lands.

We knew there had to be a better future for public lands in every part of the United States, and we knew there were tons of people just like us who had fundamentally uprooted their lives to get to visit our public lands—people who live to see new, wild places and explore a deeper connection to nature.

EMPOWERING ADVENTURERS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We opened Seek More Wilderness to empower adventurers to protect public lands and share that power with others.

Every person has the ability to stand up for the things they love. I first discovered this when I worked at a clean energy nonprofit in the Midwest. One of the most important parts of my job was helping everyday people—farmers, rural landowners, and workers—share stories with their elected officials about how clean energy was improving their life. As more people shared their stories, lawmakers took notice. Soon, they began passing laws that doubled down on those clean energy benefits. It was revelatory for me—people have more power than they realize to stand up for what they believe in. Why not help them stand up for the wild?

It’s so simple yet so impactful to realize the power that we all have to make a better future. We all have the ability to stand up for our wild places, and recognizing that is the foundation of everything we do at Seek More Wilderness. We’re growing a movement of like-minded adventurers who are passionate about protecting public lands.

We also knew there were people like us who want to do something to protect the places they love. And with that, our business was born—a business that would directly fund the protection of wild places.

Maria and I formed Seek More Wilderness in 2016 to start a movement of outdoor enthusiasts turned advocates who are giving back.

Seek More Wilderness is an online store and 50% of profits from every order are donated to protecting public lands. We help turn outdoor enthusiasts into outdoor advocates, and we provide rad products and community along the journey.

From Acadia to Zion, Bears Ears to Yosemite, our outdoor-inspired items directly fund nonprofit partners that are making a difference defending the wild. Our goods help make sure national parks get the funding they deserve, fund conservation projects across the country, and help introduce more kids to the power of the outdoors.

Seek More Wilderness first opened as we were transitioning to vanlife. Today, we run it full time from the road in our campervan, sharing enthusiasm for wild places and building a community of like-minded people who want to give back to the wild.

We like to imagine a future where the 300 million people who visit our national parks every year turn into outdoor advocates, directly giving back to the wild places they love. Everyone deserves wild places. Together, we’re creating a move-

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Isak and Maria run Seek More Wilderness from the road in their self-converted campervan. You can follow them on Instagram @isakandmaria. Join the Seek More Wilderness movement on Instagram @seekmorewilderness and shop online at seekmorewilderness.com

BACKPACKING WITH KIDS BACKPACKING WITH KIDS BACKPACKING WITH KIDS

8 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

BY ALEXIS AND STEVEN NASCIMENTO

THERE ARE FEW things better than being out in the wilderness, and for us, backpacking with our kids is one of the best parts. There’s something about disconnecting from our devices and spending time together out in the backcountry that really can’t be beat.

Attempting a trip of this nature can be daunting for first timers, but we’re sharing our top eight tips you need to know before you head out for an overnighter with your littles.

MAKE A PLAN

Every backpacking trip should start with planning. Hiking your family into the wilderness overnight with only what you can carry is no minor endeavor. There is potential for real danger, but proper planning can help you avoid mishaps and improve your chances of having a good time.

One of the biggest factors that will impact the success of your trip is the route you choose. There are many well-established, family-friendly backpacking trips out there. Don’t feel the need to create your own or start with the idea that you’re just bringing your kids along on the backpacking trip you want to do. This trip is not about you, it’s about making sure the children in your care have a positive experience.

Our family prefers high-elevation loop hikes with plenty of trees, water, and scenery. The potential for wildlife sightings is a bonus! However, when planning a family backpacking trip, distance, elevation gain, and trail conditions should always take precedence when selecting a trail that is appropriate for your family.

We recommend starting easy, with a maximum of one to two nights. Ideally your family will have experienced a few day hikes, which gives you a good idea of what kind of mileage your children are capable of. Choose a distance they can achieve comfortably. A good rule of thumb is to keep the daily mileage under half of the age of the youngest member of your family. So if your youngest child is eight years old, four miles per day should be your maximum.

Don’t overlook elevation gain! Three miles may be nothing for your family on a day hike, but throw in 1,500 feet of elevation gain and 60-pound backpacks and it can easily become way too much! Limit your elevation gain to no more than 200 feet per mile.

Once you’ve identified a potential trail, be sure to check on the expected trail conditions for the time of year you plan to take your trip. Try to avoid excessive daytime temperatures and nighttime temperatures below 40 degrees, especially with children.

PREPARE FOR YOUR TRIP

Once you’ve chosen an appropriate trail for your family, start preparing for your trip. First, decide on a date that works with your family’s schedule and has the best chance of avoiding unfavorable trail conditions. If you’re planning a spring hike, keep in mind cold nighttime temperatures, snow on the trail, and stream crossings that can be made dangerous by heavy spring runoff. Lower-elevation hikes tend to be a better bet in spring. In summer, avoid excessive heat and be mindful of mosquitos and wildfires. Summer is a great time to tackle high-elevation hikes; just take into consideration the amount of elevation gain and be alert to early signs of altitude sickness.

Once you settle on a date, you’ll need to research local regulations and make sure you secure a backpacking permit if one is required. Many popular backpacking trips are now subject to quotas limiting the number of backpackers who can depart from any given trailhead each day, and competition for permits can be fierce. Some of the most popular trailheads fill up minutes after permits become available, so secure your permit as soon as you know your dates.

If you’ve never been backpacking before, you’ll need to gather all the gear for your first family trip. Be sure to test out all new gear and any old gear you haven’t used in a while— it’s so frustrating to hike miles into camp only to discover your sleeping pad has a leak or your water filter isn’t working properly.

Backpacking tents (especially trekking pole supported tents) require practice to set up quickly and correctly. We recommend practicing setting up your tent in the backyard

prior to your trip. If you find yourself in inclement weather, you don’t want to be fiddling around with the directions and cursing at the sky while your family huddles under a tree.

Depending on your hike and the age of your children, it may be fun to set a mission for your trip. It could be swimming in an alpine lake, catching a specific fish, or snapping a photo of a particular animal.

This is also a good time to download offline maps for the trailhead area in case you can’t locate it and find yourself without service. Print all trail maps and download your route if you will be using an app to guide you.

GET YOUR GEAR IN ORDER

Selecting all the necessary gear can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to this. Andrew Skurka’s Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide is the best resource we’ve come across on this topic, and we recommend it for anyone interested in dialing in their backpacking gear and systems. Most of what you’ll read below is covered in his book in much greater detail, but this list serves as a good starting point if you’re looking for an overview of what’s needed for a successful trip.

KEEP YOUR PACKS LIGHT

When we backpack with our two young sons, we end up carrying the bulk of the load. This includes most of the items listed above. Kids should carry 10%–20% of their body weight. There should be no more than 10% in a pack not specifically designed for backpacking. Also, be prepared to carry their

pack if needed. (This will likely happen!)

We let our kids pack in the items that keep them entertained, like books and card games, in addition to snacks and their sleeping bags / down blankets. Pro tip: an appropriately-sized stuffed animal can double as a pillow!

PACK PLENTY OF FOOD

This isn’t the time to decide that your kids need to start eating healthy. Pack chocolate, gummy candies, marshmallows, chips, snack bars—whatever you know they’ll eat without complaint. We mix in healthier snacks as well, but only ones that the kids eat regularly. Mac and cheese is an easy backcountry meal, and one they are likely already accustomed to.

For our first night, we usually bring a frozen meal like ravioli, which thaws out by dinnertime. We’ve also taken frozen bacon and pancake mix for a delicious breakfast the next morning! Backpacker’s Pantry or Mountain House are good freeze-dried options.

HAVE A FIRST AID KIT

Always take a first aid kit on every backpacking trip. Pack a bag with bandaids, Neosporin, antiseptic wipes, non-adherent gauze pads, a Swiss Army knife, Leukotape, eye drops, Advil, Tylenol, Benadryl, and anti-diarrheal pills. There are also emergency kits that are already prepared, like North Star Survival. These have all the necessities you’d need for 72 hours in case something goes wrong.

GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN

Now it’s time to get out there and enjoy your backpacking trip! Take the time to stop and explore the things your kids find interesting. A random bug, scat, or odd-shaped rock is as good an excuse as any to break up your hike.

Expect complaining, but model a positive attitude. If they complain of pain and discomfort, be sure to assess the situation. Blisters can be a real problem! Our family likes to talk about the kids’ favorite topics, make up fun games, discuss the history of the area, and find new plants, insects, or wildlife along the trail.

and how to handle an emergency. Teach them how to poop in the woods and practice proper backcountry hygiene.

LEAVE NO TRACE

With any time outdoors, please look up and follow the Leave No Trace principles—and share why they’re important with your kiddos. It’s our duty to protect Mother Earth! Make sure to pack out any and all garbage with you when you leave.

Kids need to spend time outdoors. Backpacking is a great way to help them appreciate all the beauty and adventure nature offers while bonding as a family. We hope these tips help you prepare for your first family backpacking trip!

A Backpacking Gear Checklist for Families

Water filtration system

This is also a great opportunity to teach your children some basic backcountry skills. You can teach them to set up a tent, use a camp stove, collect firewood, build a fire, help make dinner, catch a fish, administer basic first aid, 58-liter backpacks (the minimum size) for the adults

A lightweight tent that fits everyone comfortably

Sleeping bags

Sleeping pad

Backpacking stove, fuel, and lighter

Cookware and utensils

Water bottle(s)

First aid kit

Gear repair kit

Toiletry kit (Including a small trowel to dig a cathole and a sealable bag to pack your TP out)

Navigation device or printed map

Headlamp

Portable battery bank / charging cords

Bear canister or bear bag

Trekking poles

Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing (no cotton) and rain/down jackets

OPTIONAL ITEMS

Camera

Field guides

Books / other reading materials

Card games or dice

Binoculars

Two-way radios

Lightweight hammock

Waterproof bags / cases for phone, camera, and other electronics.

WORKING ON YOUR OWN TERMS

The Ins and Outs of Travel Nursing in an RV

By Kaycee Bowick

OVER THE

PAST

couple of years, travel nursing has seen a massive increase in popularity. In August 2021, the number of travel nursing jobs available nationwide reached a total that was 30% higher than January of 2020, according to SimpliFi, a healthcare staffing company.

This increase has led to many individuals and families packing their bags and heading out for a life on the road— traveling while providing healthcare services to hospitals in need of staffing. Organizing travel plans can be complicated enough, but throw in the added challenges of a nursing contract and you definitely need a system. The key is to fine-tune the planning, researching, and organizing steps to meet the needs and priorities of you and/or your family.

IDENTIFY WHICH DIRECTION YOU ARE HEADING

The first step to planning out a travel nursing contract is determining where you want to go next so you know what region you should be searching for positions in. Obviously, many factors can play into this—personal preferences on locations/regions, your long-term destination, or seasonal needs. Our family lives in a fifth wheel while we are traveling, so warmer climates in the colder months are important for us, but this may not be a determining factor for everyone.

A strategy we’ve found to be very helpful in determining where we will settle next is using websites and apps that have position postings and looking for hubs with high concentrations of travel nurse position availability. One of

HipCamp Campsite in Alamosa, Colorado, near the Great Sand Dunes National Park

Fiery Furnace at Arches National Park

our priorities with planning is securing a campsite that will serve us long term (contracts are typically 13 weeks), which often requires booking far in advance. If a city or town only has a couple of job postings, it’s difficult to feel comfortable booking a campsite there, as there may no longer be availability when you are ready to travel to the area. A good rule of thumb is to look for larger cities where there are ample opportunities for employment. This gives you the option of reserving a space in that city or in any of the surrounding suburbs.

CONSIDER YOUR PRIORITIES

This step of planning is largely determined by what’s important to you and your family. If you live alone or have young children, you may want to consider checking the crime rates for the area. You may also want to do additional

research to see if the potential travel area is a good fit for you based on your interests, hobbies, and other priorities. What kid-friendly activities are available in the area? What’s the drive time to nearby state or national parks? Are there nearby dog parks and dog-friendly trails? Do they have fitness facilities that fit your preferences?

This step also applies to the campgrounds or other parking locations you’re considering for your contract. Some destinations have a higher concentration of 55-and-older campgrounds, which can be an additional challenge for families with children that might necessitate extra research, or booking sooner than you typically would. Also, when you are staying in a location long term, things like mailboxes, storage options, extra parking for

guests, the ability to have an additional car, laundry facilities, and various other amenities might be more important than if you were just staying for a weekend. Create a list of requirements and desires for your family for your new campground and use this as a guideline when determining where to stay.

This step is highly individualized and all about what’s important to you in your temporary location and what considerations you deem to be a priority. 13 or more weeks is a long time to be in one area when on the road, so you want to make sure it’s going to meet all your needs!

START CONTACTING CAMPGROUNDS AND MAKING A PLAN FOR THE BIG MOVE

Determine your tentative dates that you would need a campsite and start contacting campgrounds to inquire about availability. Be ready with all the necessary information—type and length of rig, number of individuals living in the rig, number and breed of pets, etc. For our family, which prioritizes long-term sites for contracts, we book about six months in advance, or sooner for places that are considered tourist areas. Be ready to place a deposit when you contact them if you are serious about reserving a spot.

Some campgrounds that are strictly for individuals 55 and up will allow travel nurses who do not have children, and some campgrounds include travel nurses in their first responder discounts. Never be afraid to ask!

START APPLYING FOR POSITIONS AND PLANNING YOUR ROUTE(S)

Typically, healthcare recruiters advise applying for positions about six weeks before the desired start date. Consider travel time between locations when determining an appropriate start date for yourself. Our family typically takes two weeks between contracts to travel to the next destination, making sure to catch national parks and desired travel destinations along the way, and an additional week to settle into the new long-term campsite and area before beginning a new position. This extra week to settle in allows ample time to take care of any extra appointments, drug tests, training, etc., that might be required for the new contract, as well as time to get our children back on a steady roadschool routine before Dad heads back to work.

My daughters, ages 5 and 2, at Canyonlands National Park

My husband, Ryan, stepping out of our fifth wheel to head into the hospital

PREPARE YOURSELF MENTALLY FOR UNEXPECTED CHANGES

All systems and plans aside, it’s just as important to remain flexible as it is to be organized. There will be times when your campground reservation falls through, you need to change long-term sites for one reason or another, or the right job just doesn’t line up with your desired start date—and for those times in your travel journey, you’ll certainly be thankful that you have a personalized system and routine in place that can be monitored and adjusted as needed! Just consider it a speed bump along the road of your journey and remember that you are truly living the dream of so many. Things don’t always come easily, but the experiences you have along the way will far outweigh the challenges.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kaycee Bowick is a writer and novelist with an ever-changing landscape of home. She lives in a fifth wheel with her travel nurse husband, two daughters, and two dogs. Follow the Bowick family and their travels @Our_Wandering_Wolfpack on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

My daughter, age 5, hiking at Canyon Overlook Trail at Zion National Park

Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver, Colorado

BUYING TIME, NOT THINGS

How a Nurse and Product Designer Took Their Careers on the Road

By Ashley Cohagen

FOUR YEARS AGO, Eric and I seemed to be living the American dream. We were living in a two-bedroom home with a white picket fence in a nice suburb. Together, we were making enough money to live comfortably indefinitely. But despite how it looked on paper, we were itching for something different.

Eric was working full time as a product designer for a major healthcare system, and I was working the night shift as a nurse in a high-stakes surgical intensive care unit. We would come home exhausted from work on opposite shifts with very little quality time together. We weren’t unhappy, but we certainly weren’t fulfilled. The majority of our waking hours were spent working to make money, only to not have the time to spend that money on things that filled our souls.

The writing was on the wall—we were on track to spend our best years working to save for a retirement that may never come. Something needed to change.

We had always been passionate about travel, but we were limited by vacation time at our traditional jobs and longing for a better work-life balance. We started to make a conscious shift in our thinking; instead of using our income as currency to buy things, we wanted to use it to buy more time. This shift was the catalyst we needed to lead us to where we are today, with a work-life balance that leaves us feeling inspired by both our work and our lives.

The first step we took toward worklife balance was embracing minimalism. By realizing how little we truly need to live, we were able to save more of the money we were working for. As we sold and donated items that weren’t serving a purpose or bringing joy to our lives, our 900-square-foot home began to feel like a mansion. We even had an entire room we weren’t using! Minimalism led us to the next step, which was alternative living, namely through vanlife. We were fascinated by the idea of having a home on wheels that could take us anywhere we dreamed of, while still having everything we needed. Living in a campervan would lower our cost of living, allowing us to work less and travel more.

After perusing Craigslist, we found our van, Casper, a 2012 Chevy Express. While working full time, we spent eight months building our dream tiny home. After our first three-week trip in the van, we were hooked, and we knew we had to find a way to do it long term. We decided to put our house on the market and pared our belongings down to fit in our 70-square-foot van, with the rest in

a 50-square-foot cargo trailer. The last piece of the puzzle was making our careers work for us. This move was admittedly easier for me. Nurses have endless career flexibility, and travel nursing is one of the greatest jobs for travel. Travel nurse contracts exist to fill temporary staffing needs for hospitals, and traditionally they are 13-week assignments. With reliable job

security, I left my staff nursing position and dove into the world of travel nursing. I work with a recruiter and am able to find work any time, just about anywhere I want. When I sign a contract, we travel to wherever the job is and stay stationary for the duration.

Eric left his job as a full-time product designer to pursue freelance work. He aims to work more while we are stationary, then in between my contracts, we travel full time in our campervan. We have spent 12 of the last 18 months full-time travelling. By lowering our cost of living and making more hourly as contract workers, we are able to truly buy more time with our money.

Since taking our careers on the road, we have found more passion for life,

and for our work. I am able to avoid burnout as a nurse, which is a serious problem in our current healthcare landscape. I am able to start each new assignment fresh and healed. I feel more connection with my patients and less cynicism toward my career. Eric has been able to find work that aligns more with his passions in the outdoor recreation space. He feels more inspired than ever through the work he is doing.

Outside of work, we have more time together, and have been able to experience so much of our beautiful country. In our time on the road, we have visited 25 states and 33 national parks. We hit the road expecting to find fulfillment through seeing new places, but it’s been the people in the nomadic

community that have brought us the most joy. In addition to finding community on the road, we’ve had more time to spend with our families. We may not be as close in proximity most of the year, but we are able to travel to our families and spend weeks on end together. This is a gift we never had when working traditional jobs.

Though we love traveling, having a break to stay stationary and buckle down for work provides us with a balance that works well for us. Traveling full time can be exhausting and is not always as glamorous as it may seem. Coming off the road for three months at a time for a travel nursing contract allows us to temporarily grow some roots, immerse ourselves in a location, and reset.

Establishing a true work-life balance has been the best move we have ever made. If you’re feeling burned out and exhausted from doing too much at work, consider if maybe you’re not doing enough of what truly brings you joy. Use your income not to buy more things, but to buy more time doing the things you love.

You can follow along with their blog at createyourownroadshow.com or on Instagram @create.your.own.roadshow

Our unique, computer-designed, adjustment-free hitch heads keep your trailer centered to your tow vehicle. Spring steel bars augment the suspensions of your tow vehicle and trailer, reducing road shock.

SwayPro™

Weight Distribution + Sway Prevention

Distributes trailer tongue weight evenly.

Prevents sway by bad roads, wind or weather.

Prevents sway even in rain or snow.

No noise created by friction.

TrackPro™

Weight Distribution + Sway Management

Distributes trailer tongue weight evenly.

Prevents sway by bad roads, wind or weather.

Caster with additional points of friction.

The Land of Oz

Working as a Digital Nomad in Australia

By Jessica Wilson

INEVER EXPECTED TO travel around Australia in a van on my own. I used to see vanlifers on Instagram and envy how exciting it must be, wondering how they paid for it and whether it was really as dreamlike as their posts suggested. My mum likes to remind me how I used to marvel at the lifestyle of these people, and now I’m one of them.

I’d like to start by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the beautiful Country on which I’ve been traveling, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. I feel so grateful to have the chance to get to know, and reignite my love for, this country I call home.

I was living in Washington, D.C. and studying for a master’s in tourism administration when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. I left D.C. in a hurry as Australia was closing its borders. I left all my belongings in my apartment, assuming I’d be back in D.C. in a month or

two, and haven’t returned since.

Back in Australia, I was juggling university study, now online, and working crazy hours for two jobs in different time zones. At one point, after another week of only leaving the house to get groceries, I realized this was not only unsustainable, but it also wasn’t the life I wanted. I had studied tourism because of my love for travel, getting outdoors, and leaving my comfort zone. So on a whim, and in an effort to force myself into the life I desired, I bought a van, called her Betty, moved in, and we set off across the country.

Fortunately, I was already working online at this point. I had been working for a development bank in Sydney prior to starting my degree, and they continued to employ me part time when I moved to the United States. I picked up another role in research at my university, which also moved online in 2020. In this sense it was easy for me to get on

the road, with two existing online jobs and an almost-finished degree.

I’m lucky enough to work in my dream job. Having always had a passion for travel and a desire to make positive change, I now support emerging economies to develop tourism in a way that benefits the local people, economy, and environment. This typically involves research, data analytics, and writing and editing reports. My colleagues are also passionate about travel and tourism, and were supportive and excited for my digital nomad plans.

It took time to find rhythm in my work and travel life. Initially I would try to work, travel and see the sights on no particular schedule, but I quickly realised I needed some structure. I’ve now found a rhythm of getting to a new place on a Sunday night, working during the week, and using my weekends to explore the surrounding areas and travel to the next location. I’ll stay somewhere with power, water, and data Monday to Friday, then hit the road again late Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. This rhythm means

I spend every weekend finding new hikes or picnic spots, exploring coastlines, taking long drives, and working on my photography, and by Monday I’m set up for my working week.

While my job with the development bank averages part time across the year, it can sometimes require full-time weeks. Additionally, I pick up consulting

roles as they come up, which often have shorter time commitments but require more intensive work. Ultimately, sometimes I only work 25–30 hours per week, while in other weeks I put in 60-plus hours. On the road, I take advantage of the lighter weeks to spend time outdoors, and I can usually plan ahead for heavier weeks. Working

across time zones does mean I will occasionally have meetings through the night, and I still find this can be difficult and tiring. I hope to return to a North American time zone at some point, possibly working from Mexico as a digital nomad and traveling in much the same way.

Anyone who’s travelled through outback Australia will understand that data connectivity is my greatest issue for online work. Before leaving, I set up plans with Australia’s top two data service providers, Telstra and Optus. When I’m planning my stops, I check data coverage by using the Telstra and Optus online coverage maps to check out new towns, reading Wikicamp reviews to see if others could connect, and on occasion calling ahead to make sure my destination does, in fact, have 4G

internet. Even with this pre-planning, there have been times I haven’t been able to get online, often due to network outages, which is always stressful.

As well as data issues, the weather in Australia can impact my working ability, with high temperatures causing my devices to overheat, crash, or refuse to charge. I find that in general, Monday to Friday ends up a little more stressful in this lifestyle—every chore and activity requires more effort and takes longer on the road. However, the most difficult part of being a nomad, for me, is being away from friends and family. Relationships naturally require more effort at a distance, and it can be difficult missing out on momentous occasions, both positive and negative. I’ve started to find, though, that because of the extra effort required to keep in touch, friendships can feel closer, whether it’s through a video chat, watching a TV show together on Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party), or sending a birthday card or gift because you can’t be there to give it personally.

Overwhelmingly my life has changed for the positive since I set off. I’m constantly exhausted from spending every weekend somewhere new, and experiencing every waking moment. Mundane activities have become

spectacular, like cleaning dishes while looking over a beautiful view. My favourite part about travel was always how it makes you appreciate the small things, like catching a sunset, reading in a little spot with a beautiful outlook, counting shooting stars on a clear night, enjoying a new café, or making it to the top of a stunning hike.

What I’ve really learned from this experience is how to enjoy the journey. I was always a planner, prepping for the next spot, the next day, the next moment. But this trip is all about being right here, right now. I’ve developed a love of traveling slowly. I love getting to sit and enjoy breakfast without rushing, and getting to really know a town. My priorities have changed, too. Every day I watch a spectacular sunset. If I’m still working, I’ll take a break, because I’m in a new and spectacular place, and I can’t miss seeing the landscape come alive during golden hour.

For me, the positives of my nomadic lifestyle have far outweighed the negatives. If that changes, I can return to an immobile house and an office. But for now, I love every minute of this crazy lifestyle, and being a tourist in my own country. I can sit and enjoy the knowledge that I’m living out my dreams—the magnitude of being able to say that is not lost on me, and I hope it never is.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessica Wilson is a tourism specialist and digital nomad, working in tourism for international development. She lives full time in her Toyota Hiace van, Betty, while traveling in her home country of Australia. Follow along on her adventures @_justjessicarose

seek adventure find community

TAKING THE SHOW ON THE ROAD

A Circus Performer Finds New Adventure with a Vintage RV

By Joel Baker

IT’S BEEN A few months since Georgie Boy and I hit the road together. We’ve spent our time traveling all over California and the Pacific Northwest, enjoying the ever-changing weather, navigating roads and parking spaces, and meeting an incredible amount of interesting people. The 1997 Georgie Boy Swinger is my first RV and my new home. As with all new partnerships, there has been a learning curve—I’m learning how to take care of an RV, where to park, and how to take it slow and enjoy the ride. I get excited every time I’m behind the wheel.

My first day on the road was an absolute newbie trial by fire. I was driving along the coast by some construction, completely hugging the curb, and accidentally grinded into it. It was like riding a bull with a steering wheel, and that mistake ended up throwing me out of alignment.

It could have been

much worse. Plus, I think everyone jumps a few curbs now and then in the beginning, right? After that, I knew I needed to focus on learning the technique, and now I handle my 30-foot Class A like a boss. I always love cruising along the coast where the mountains meet the sea; it feels more like home than I ever could have imagined.

I was looking for a new way to live full time as an artist, travel to teach my new performance workshop, and have a new home base. Georgie Boy was all those things combined. The first time I saw Georgie Boy for sale, I knew it was the one I wanted. The RV had been lovingly cared for by a wonderful couple and I came across it at just the right time. Finding my RV was the first step of my new project and my new life—a cross-country circus workshop tour.

I’m originally from New Orleans, and before the circus came into my life I was a barber and a biker. Almost every weekend,

my best friend and I would finish our work week, tie a sleep roll onto our handlebars, and hit the road. Often we would take our motorcycles deep into the Appalachian Mountains in north Georgia. I always loved those country canopy roads, and camping under stars at night.

In 1999 we both got job contracts to work on the fishing boats in Alaska. We had four months to cross the United States on our motorcycles and visit everyone we knew along the way. We had tools, tents, sleeping bags, storage for food, and saddle bags packed with everything you could need. I was 23, and that was my first real taste of adventure, something I feel now when I’m driving my RV to a new place in the U.S. or Canada. When we reached the West Coast, we decided to stay with a friend in San Francisco for a few days, then my friend headed up the coast without me while I stayed a little longer.

When my friend called and told me how amazing it was up the coast, I packed up my bike, eager to reach the Alaska highway. An hour into my ride, a woman side-swiped my motorcycle, sending me into the air. That was the end of my adventure, but the beginning

of my next chapter. I walked away with just a shattered collarbone, but I would need time to heal, so I stayed in San Francisco, moved in with my friend, and started a new job in the heart of the city.

One day, someone took me by the San Francisco Circus Center and introduced me to their coach there. He was a wise, old, Chinese master trainer of acrobatics. After our first meeting he asked me to take his class, and I ended up training with Master Lu Yi six hours a day for the next three years. He trained me in chair balancing—handstand tricks on stacked chairs—which takes a lot of handstand training, discipline, drive, and sweat. I fell in love with the art of circus. It’s the humanly impossible made possible, a beautiful story expressed through acrobatics, dance, and physical comedy. Anything is possible in circus.

I have more than 20 years of experience in the industry now, including

seven years with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, and I’ve found I absolutely love teaching from the vast field of knowledge I’ve acquired, passing down generations of circus knowledge, and helping aspiring circus artists grow. Whether it’s a kids’ show, graduate show, or high budget show, I always use every creative tool I have to bring great ideas to life. Every circus artist has a different level of experience. I search for what makes them unique and interesting no matter their level. With students or new performers, it’s cool to be able to pass down the kind of guidance and knowledge I received from working with some of the best directors and performers in the industry.

Another thing I enjoy is making the most of a small budget. You don’t need an elaborate set to create an amazing, true sense of wonder—you can get there by focusing on the artist’s connection to the public and using the music and lights in interesting ways. For every new project, it’s important for me to create a sense of wonder, humor, and connection to the audience. I think these elements will be especially important in shows after the pandemic in order for the public to feel emotionally involved with what’s happening on stage. Getting a laugh from the audience even after they feel the genuine risks we take as circus artists is so important, and will be more so moving forward. I’m hopeful for a future in which we see the kind of show emerge that helps people get past the hurt and trauma of the past couple of years, while also connecting with the artists or the story emotionally. As we

emerge from quarantines and isolation, we’re realizing just how important human connection is. That will have to be carried onto the circus stage moving forward. I think we’ll bounce back by sharing, connecting, and collaborating, while always working on new ideas— hopefully sooner rather than later.

This is why I decided to create Citizens of Circus, an outreach workshop tour. The mission of the tour is to bring my physical comedy and connection workshop all over the U.S. and Canada (especially to areas that don’t normally have the opportunity), to connect to the circus community, and to help inspire circus artists who are working on new ideas. Circus is gaining more recognition as a performing art, combining dance, theatre, media, and technology. The possibilities seem endless with a good imagination and a love for how beautiful a circus can be.

My workshop, “Physical Comedy and Connection,” was designed around physical comedy, stage presence, act development, and stage techniques. Students work on body awareness and connection, character work and imagination, and exploration and emotional work for stage—all with the larger goal of improving stage presence and real connection with an audience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joel Baker is a professional performer, circus arts coach, and director. After graduating from San Francisco’s Circus Center and their Clown Conservatory program in 2002, Joel launched his career as an acrobatic clown by joining the legendary San Francisco New Pickle Circus. Joel went on to perform in shows across the globe including LOFT by The 7 Fingers and the award-winning Cirque du Soleil production, The Beatles LOVE. You can follow Joel’s circus adventures on Instagram @citizensofcircus and his website joelbakerclown.com

NATIONAL PARKS WITH A FAMILY OF 31 EIGHT

By Chelsea Forsythe

BEFORE WE EMBARKED on our full-time traveling adventure, we decided a large bucket list item would be visiting the 51 major national parks in the lower 48 states. We had visited two or three previously, but we never imagined the love we would gain after visiting so many national parks with our six children. We enjoyed the rocky shores of Acadia and snorkeled in the turquoise waters at Dry Tortugas. We held onto our children tightly as we peered over the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and we walked to Mexico across the river in Santa Elena Canyon. We experienced the excitement of sledding the white sand in New Mexico and discovered the cave formations in Carlsbad Caverns. Our family of eight experienced 31 national parks this past year!

We are from Utah, so we started with the Mighty 5. We loved how different each Utah park is, from the sandstone arches to the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon. The views were breathtaking at Zion and Canyonlands, and the less-mentioned Capitol Reef was also beautiful. We then headed to Arizona and experienced the anxiety of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon with little kids! We also enjoyed the unique petrified wood and saguaro cacti

We went from being apathetic about the national parks to being passionately obsessed about the national park system.

further south. After that, we were off to New Mexico. My kids still talk about sledding down the White Sand Dunes, and the unique calcite formations 750 feet down at Carlsbad Caverns also made an impression. We quickly stopped at Guadalupe Mountains on our way across Texas. At Big Bend, the kids enjoyed walking across the Rio Grande River in Santa Elena Canyon with the rock walls rising more than 1,500 feet above the river. They can now say they walked to Mexico.

Moving northeast, we took a weekend trip to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. We filled up our water jugs from the hot mineral fountain and enjoyed the clean, fresh water after it cooled. The next three parks were in southern Florida. First up was a two-hour boat ride 70 miles toward Cuba at Dry Tortugas. We enjoyed touring Fort Jefferson and snorkeling around the barrier walls. In Everglades, we ran into an alligator right on our hiking trail! Since 95% of Biscayne National Park is water, we enjoyed the visitors center and looking out at the ocean.

Then, zig-zagging up the East Coast, we went on a hike in Congaree to see where swamp meets forest. Next came the most-visited park, the Great Smoky Mountains, where we felt like we were driving through Las Vegas to get to the entrance. We were overwhelmed by the crowds in the park, but were still able to enjoy a few hikes. Mammoth Cave was strangely underwhelming after Carlsbad Caverns, especially with COVID restricting where we could explore. We had to quickly add the newest park, New River Gorge in West Virginia, because it was not in our original plans. The Endless Wall trail made the trip worth it. Looking over the gorge that drops 900 feet to the New River was an epic sight.

Next was Shenandoah, with a beautiful view from the Stony Man trail and a couple of waterfalls and pleasant views along Skyline Drive. All the way up in Maine, we quickly fell in love with Acadia on the Great Head trail. Acadia will always be a favorite, where forest meets the ocean. At Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio, we took a long train ride that wound through the park. At Indiana Dunes, we quickly learned that hiking in sand is not enjoyable, but playing on the beach at Lake Michigan will always be a good memory.

Acadia will always be a favorite, where forest meets the ocean.

Voyageurs in Minnesota, although smoky from some nearby fires, was a place for quiet serene hikes and lake overlooks. Next, we traveled to the least-visited national park, Isle Royale, which is in the middle of Lake Superior. On the long boat ride, we saw a shipwreck and a lighthouse, then enjoyed the untouched landscape of the islands. After Isle Royale, we headed south to the impressive man-made Gateway Arch. We underestimated how much we would enjoy the museum, the ride, and the views at the top.

The most recent four were in Colorado. We saw elks and changing leaves in the Rocky Mountains, then went sledding on Great Sand Dunes. We learned the amazing history of Mesa Verde and we were speechless at Black Canyon of the Gunnison. That was the completion of 31 national parks in one year, which gave us a lifetime of memories, pictures, and videos.

We are still traveling and look forward to visiting the 20 parks in the west and north over the next eight months. Although we don’t consider ourselves experts, we’ve learned a few things after visiting so many parks, and we hope others can learn from our experiences.

We went from being apathetic about the national parks to being passionately obsessed about the national park system. Don’t get us started on which ones are our favorites and least favorites unless you have a couple of hours to look at pictures and hear all of our arguments and stories.

Our TOP EIGHT suggestions from 8 Kilted Travelers

1 3 4

PLAN AHEAD

Looking up information about each park can be overwhelming—there are so many books, websites, YouTube videos, and blogs. Spend a little time with these resources just to get a feel for the park. We like to show our kids educational videos so they know why it is so special and what we will be looking for.

ALWAYS GO PREPARED

Be sure to wear the proper clothes and shoes for each park, and bring along an extra layer. We pack lunch and water and make sure the car is full of gas. Some of these parks are pretty remote and resources can be hard to find deep inside a park.

STOP AT THE VISITORS CENTER FIRST

We make sure to pick up our Junior Ranger books and talk to a ranger about suggestions and things we should not miss. We tell them how many days we’ll be visiting the park and that our family is comfortable with hikes around 1–3 miles. My kids also like to visit the gift shop—most of them are filled with some pretty awesome treasures.

DOWNLOAD THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE APP

This should give you up-to-date information on closures and alerts, and information about each specific park, as well as the visitors centers. It also has suggestions for what to see and do.

5 6 7

PURCHASE A NATIONAL PARKS PASS

It is good for a year and costs around $80. One visit to most parks is about $35, so it is worth the investment. If you have a fourth grader, they can get an Every Kid Outdoors Pass. With this pass, you can get your whole family in for free for the year!

8 2

BE AWARE OF PARKS THAT TAKE MORE PLANNING OR MONEY

Dry Tortugas, Isle Royale, Mammoth Caves, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Zion took extra planning, reservations, and a pricey boat trip in some cases. Some of these are due to the remote nature of the parks, and some are due to popularity. Be sure to research ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH

Are you looking for a scenic drive, one long hike, or a few short ones? Maybe you just want to sit and have lunch in a beautiful location. You cannot do everything at a park. There is just too much to do, and you will leave frustrated. Go in with one main goal so you can feel successful at the end of your visit. Plus, you have to leave some activities for the next time you return.

RELAX AND ENJOY

Sometimes it takes a lot of time, money, and effort to make it to a park, then when you finally get there, you push, go, and rush. Remember to slow down, breathe, look around, and listen. These national parks are meant to be enjoyed and cherished. Make sure you give each one your undivided attention and focus. It helps that cell service is weak or nonexistent in the middle of most parks!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

@8kiltedtravelers sold their 3,100-square-foot home they had built on an acre of land just two years earlier. They then bought a 44-foot fifth wheel toy hauler (Dutchman Voltage 4150) with the goal of visiting the lower 48 states, national parks, and Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They have six kids ranging in age from 14 to 2 years old.

DRIVING THE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

By Kathryn Frazer

AFTER MANY YEARS of dreaming of visiting New England in the fall, we finally made it a reality this past year, and it was absolutely worth the wait. Over the span of a month, we road tripped around Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine in search of the best views and foliage. One of the most breathtaking spots we visited was the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

The Kancamagus Highway, or “the Kanc” for short, is a gorgeous 34.5-mile stretch of Route 112 that connects the towns of Lincoln and Conway. It is named after Chief Kancamagus, who was a Native American known as the

“Fearless One” and ruled the area that is now southern New Hampshire in the 17th century. While it originally started as two separate, unconnected roads, with one road from Lincoln and one road from Conway, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked to connect the two roads starting in the 1930s. The project took 25 years to complete.

The Kancamagus Highway is now a popular scenic drive, especially during peak fall foliage, and features scenic overlooks, waterfalls, hiking trails, a covered bridge, and so much more. In this guide we’re sharing everything you need to know before driving the road, plus some of the best stops along the way!

KANC FACTS

34.5 Miles Long

Kancamagus Pass is 2855 Feet in Elevation

Many of the mountains you’ll see along the Kancamagus Highway are named after other prominent Native Americans who lived in the area.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adam, Kathryn, and Kona are an adventurous married couple and their pup living on the road in their self-converted sprinter van. To see more of their travels and detailed travel guides, check out their website, adventuresofaplusk.com, or follow them on Instagram and YouTube @AdventuresofAplusK

Tips for driving the KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY

THE BEST STOPS

While you can enjoy the views of the Kancamagus Highway without leaving your vehicle, the best way to experience the road is to stop at some of the many viewpoints, waterfalls, and other sights along the way.

• The Kancamagus Highway is open year-round, but the best time to travel it is the summer, when everything is green, or the fall, when the leaves are changing.

• Stock up on fuel and snacks before hitting the road, as there are no services along the way.

• Cell service can be spotty or nonexistent along the Kanc, so be sure to download offline Google Maps and AllTrails maps so you can navigate the road and any trails without service.

• The highway is fully paved and suitable for all vehicles. However, not all parking lots offer parking for RVs larger than a van, so we suggest driving a regular vehicle if you can.

• Start early! The road and parking lots along the road can get very busy, especially during peak season, like the fall. We started our drive at sunrise, which not only meant getting to see the sun light up the peaks, but also way less people for the first half of our drive.

• While driving the road itself is free, if you want to stop at any of the overlooks and trailheads, there is a $5 per car day use fee. The America the Beautiful Pass does cover this parking fee, so be sure to bring it along!

You can start your drive along the Kancamagus Highway in Lincoln or Conway, but for this guide we’re listing all the stops in order if you start in Lincoln. Driving the highway itself only takes about an hour, but to visit all the stops below, it took us about seven hours, so we suggest giving yourself a full day to enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace.

OVERLOOKS

The first part of the Kancamagus Highway when coming from Lincoln consists of a handful of overlooks, including the Hancock Overlook, Pemigewasset Overlook, CL Graham Wangan Overlook, and Sugar Hill Overlook. These overlooks each offer different views of the White Mountains, so it’s worth stopping at each one.

Many of the mountains you’ll see along the Kancamagus Highway are named after other prominent Native Americans who lived in the area.

LILY POND

Lily Pond is a natural pond with a beautiful backdrop and is said to be a good spot to see moose along the Kanc. While we weren’t lucky enough to see any moose, it was a nice, quick stop to see some foliage. There isn’t an official parking lot for Lily Pond, but rather a pull off on the side of the road. Getting to the pond requires a super short walk through the trees and brush, which can be muddy if it has rained recently.

SABBADAY FALLS

This was one of the best surprises on the highway for us! A quick, 0.7-mile round trip hike takes you to a gorgeous multi-level waterfall that winds through a gorge, with different viewing platforms to admire its beauty.

CHAMPNEY FALLS

While a bit longer than Sabbaday Falls at 3 miles round trip, the Champney Falls trail takes you to a series of waterfalls, including one that is hidden. The trail is pretty flat, with some minor river crossings, but it becomes a bit steeper once you reach the loop. If you go clockwise on the loop,

Before you hit the road, here are some important things to know so you’re prepared for the drive!

you’ll first come across a smaller waterfall, which is the bottom part of Champney Falls. Follow the side pathway off the main trail and keep going across the rocks and stream, past the waterfall, to Pitcher Falls, which is a waterfall that flows down the side of a cliff. It is really easy to miss this waterfall from the trail. In our opinion, it was more impressive than Champney Falls, which is a multi-level waterfall that goes along the side of the trail.

ROCKY GORGE

For a quick roadside stop, visit Rocky Gorge, a narrow gorge carved by glaciers with water rushing through it. You can view this gorge from the rocks if the water level is low, as well as from a bridge.

LOWER FALLS

At Lower Falls, the Swift River flows over granite rocks, creating small waterfalls and swimming holes. In the summer, this is a popular spot to cool off and swim, but in the fall, it’s more of a quick stop to admire the scenery.

ALBANY COVERED BRIDGE

Covered bridges are one of the main things we think of when we think of New England! Back in the 19th century, New England bridge makers wanted to ensure bridges could withstand the harsh New England weather, so they covered the tops and sides of the bridges to prevent damage to the interior beams and timbers.

At the end of the Kancamagus Highway is the Albany Covered Bridge, which makes for a great photo opportunity. You can even drive across the bridge if you’re driving a small enough vehicle!

WHERE TO STAY TO DRIVE THE KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY

Although the Kancamagus Highway begins in either Lincoln or Conway, there are many other towns nearby that make for convenient places to stay, including Littleton, Bethlehem, and Franconia. These towns all offer hotels, inns, B&Bs, and campgrounds to choose from. We stayed at the Twin Mountain / Mt. Washington KOA for a few days and it was a really nice property!

The area is also home to a few free camping areas, like Gale River Road and Haystack Road. Camping is only allowed in designated sites and they can fill up quickly, so be sure to have a backup plan, especially if you’ll be visiting on a weekend or in peak season.

WHERE TO EAT BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR DRIVE

If you’re looking for fuel before or after road tripping along the Kancamagus Highway, here are some good restaurants and coffee shops to check out.

Western side of the highway (close to Lincoln)

The Inkwell Coffee & Tea House

Polly’s Pancake Parlor

White Mountain Bagel Co.

Black Mtn. Burger Co.

Eastern side of the highway (close to Conway)

Frontside Coffee Roasters

Cheese Louise

Wicked Fresh Craft Burgers

(we recommend the Wicked Hangry Burger!)

Flatbread Company

Delaney’s Hole in the Wall

No matter what time of year you visit the Kancamagus Highway, you’re guaranteed to be amazed by the mountain views and waterfalls along the way. We hope you enjoy this scenic and fun drive as much as we did!

Sandwiches from Cheese Louise

BOONDOCKING

Duck Creek Village

St. George, Utah

GPS: 37.5105, -112.618

One of our favorite things about full-time RV life is being able to camp in spots like this one! We love boondocking and being immersed in nature. This mountain oasis (10,000 ft. elevation) is near Duck Creek Village and was a much-needed escape from the summer heat in St. George, Utah. Our spot was tucked back away from the road where the cell service just begins to drop, so we balanced the rustic wood surrounding with practical cell coverage. We got to see lots of wildlife while taking our dog, Autumn, for walks in the morning, and loved sitting by the fire and stargazing at night. In order to get to this spot, we turned left at the Uinta Flat Designated Camping Area sign and drove for about a mile until we found a large flat opening, which could fit multiple large rigs. There is a huge forest area behind our campsite where we had free range to hike and roam about. In the springtime, the nearby creeks are likely full of water, but were dry when we went. We had a fun day playing in the water at Navajo Lake and enjoyed eating dinner at Hot Mama’s Pizza. This would also be a great place to visit if you enjoy UTV adventures—there were several rental options and lots of places to drive them.

MATTHEW KING @familyadventurejourney

Hurricane Cliffs, Utah

GPS: 37.20057, -113.23166

Hurricane Cliffs dispersed camping, a Bureau of Land Management site located in Virgin, Utah, is a 25-minute drive to Zion National Park. We had a beautiful cliffside spot overlooking the Virgin River. We recommend having a high clearance vehicle and four-wheel drive if you want to make it to the top, where the cliff is. The roads have ruts and potholes, but we were able to make it to the top with our 42-foot fifth wheel. There are plenty of dirt campsites at the bottom of the mountain with amazing views as well. The spots are all spaced out, so you have plenty of privacy.

We stayed in early October and had no problems with wind, but we did read a lot of reviews saying it was very windy and dusty at times. The sunsets here were gorgeous, but the stargazing at night was my favorite! My kids loved all the mountain bike trails—we saw a lot of dirt bikes and four wheelers. We did day trips to Zion National Park and felt safe leaving our rig behind. It is free to park here and you can stay for 14 days. There are no amenities, but there is a dump station and water fill up at the local convenience store. We had decent cell service with Verizon. I highly recommend camping at this spot when visiting Zion National Park!

BROOKLYN DURELL @durellsdownsize

GEAR GUIDE

SHOP ALL OF OUR GEAR GUIDES AT ROOTLESSLIVING.COM/GEAR

BLACKSTONE TABLETOP GRIDDLE

If pancake breakfasts around the picnic table are your jam, then your family needs a compact and portable griddle like this. Easy to set up and take down, plus you get to cook in the great outdoors!

YETI COOLER

Tired of the kids running in and out of the RV to get snacks and drinks? Set up a high-quality cooler outside so they have easy access to provisions at camp!

COLEMAN KIDS QUAD CHAIR

With the same strong steel frame, comfortable seat, and cupholder as a traditional camp chair, this kid-sized version is bound to be a hit with the kids while camping.

BREVILLE BAMBINO ESPRESSO MACHINE

If camping with the family has you wishing for more sleep or stronger coffee, this compact Breville Bambino will help! With the coffee, at least. Its small size allows you to keep it on your counter without sacrificing a ton of space, and still produces an excellent cup of coffee.

SOLO STOVE

Love roasting s’mores around a fire, but don’t always have a fire pit at camp, use a Solo Stove. This freestanding, portable fire pit creates very little smoke and burns wood more efficiently.

RUMPL BLANKET

Get cozy around the fire or star gazing with the family and stay warm with a Rumpl puffy blanket. It’s packable, water and odor resistant, has a ripstop shell, and is made of 100% recycled materials.

PORTABLE POWER PACK

Working outside and charging all of your devices is super easy with a portable power pack. No matter what kind of charger you’re using, this unit has a plug for it. Run your projector, laptop and fairy lights for the family outdoor movie night, without any pull on your house batteries.

OSPREY POCO LT CHILD CARRIER

Not only does this child carrier offer great comfort and suspension for carrying a child, but it also folds flat and is very lightweight for transport.

GAZELLE GAZEBO DAY TENT

Create more living space at your campsite with this 8-person, pop-up gazebo that will provide shade and protection from bugs! With integrated fiberglass poles, this gazebo goes from packed to popped in under 60 seconds!

AWNING MAT

Living life outside is a whole lot easier when the kids aren’t playing in the dirt! Get an easy to clean, weather resistant outdoor mat that is reversible and has corner stakes to help extend your living space outside, without the mess!

CONTRIBUTORS

Anjikay Loth

Christina Stawiasz

Kaitlin Musser

Anne Klumpp

Amy Miner

Trevor Jones

Alexis Nascimento

Susan Ferguson

Christine Skelton

Halle Homel

Isak Kvam

Maria Thompson

Kaycee Bowick

Ashley & Eric Cohagen

Jessica Wilson

Joel Baker

Chelsea Forsythe

Adam & Kathryn Frazer

Matthew King

Brooklyn Durell

ROOTLESS LIVING MAGAZINE

Volume 3 | Issue 14 | March/April 2022

Publisher Demian Ross

Chief Editor Nikki Kirk

Managing Editor Jess Stiles

Art Director Melinda Gonzalez

Operations Manager Jamie May

Copy Editor Kristin Skaggs

Social Managers Brandi & Jonny Peterson

Advertising Information: sales@rootlessliving.com

ROOTLESS LIVING • 3916 N POTSDAM AVE #3194, SIOUX FALLS, SD 57104

Disclaimer: One of the great things about digital publications is the ability to link you directly to the products or services you want to hear more about. Some of the links in this issue are affiliate links where we earn commissions on goods or services you buy. These commissions help us to continue to publish the magazine. Rootless Living is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@rootlessliving.com

PODCASTS FOR THE DRIVE

The Dutton Report

Pull up a chair, they’ve saved you a seat! Join best friends Berry and Will in The Lodge as they recap and discuss the TV show, Yellowstone.

American Scandal

Every scandal begins with a lie. But the truth will come out. And then comes the fallout and the outrage.

HypochondriActor

Dr. Priyanka Wali is a licensed and practicing physician who specializes in Internal Medicine and is also a stand up comedian. Sean Hayes is NOT.

The Improvement Association

From the makers of Serial and The New York Times, a five-part series about allegations of election fraud — and the powerful forces that fuel them.

Family Road Trip Trivia Podcast

Fun for the whole family!

The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd

The first, and longest running, professionally produced audio drama podcast! A family friendly new twist on “old time radio”.

No Stupid Questions

Stephen Dubner and research psychologist Angela Duckworth really like to ask people questions, and came to believe there’s no such thing as a stupid one.

One Year

The people and struggles that changed America— one year at a time. What were the moments that transformed politics, culture, science, religion, and more?

Podcasts are listed as a courtesy to our readers and compiled from recommendations in various social groups. If you have a podcast you think we should include, email us at collab@rootlessliving.com