Rootless Living Issue 22 | May / June 2023

STRIKING OUT ON YOUR OWN: Start Your Freelance Career

Reframing Rootless: THE TULSA

GUIDE TO THE

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

CHOOSING A DOMICILE STATE

• THE SMALL KITCHEN COOK CAREERS ON THE ROAD • FEATURED NOMAD

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23 Local Libraries A Helpful Resource for Nomads

30 A Thrifted Reno Fifth Wheel Shines With Creativity

34 Searching for Home Vanlife Couple Shifts Toward Homesteading

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

THIS SUMMER IS RIGHT around the corner, and you know what that means for us full-timers— crowded campgrounds, endless back-in entertainment, and people running through your campsite.

Probably the first thing I learned as a full-timer is that the summer season isn’t about me; it's more for those who only get a chance to do this a couple of weeks out of the year. So during summer months and three-day weekends, we try our best to stay away from popular areas.

I’m not saying there’s some code for full-timers where we’re never supposed to camp during the summer months. I’m just saying it's a great time to step back and be thankful for the 365 days a year we get to do this, and to help part-timers make it their best camping season to date.

It’s also my favorite time of the year to book campgrounds Sunday night through Thursday morning, as they all seem to be pretty empty during that time. Then on weekends, I’ll find great places to boondock or use services like Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome.

Another thing to consider is staying away from hot spots, like lakes, beaches, or areas like Zion, Yosemite, and the Smoky Mountains. Those areas are packed pretty much year-round, but they’re especially packed during the summer, and even more so on summer weekends.

I started this letter joking about people trying to back in and running through your campsite. I will be honest and say that when I went weekend camping, I didn't know all the rules and etiquette I know now. We full-timers have an opportunity to show a lot of grace when it comes to some of these rules being broken.

Our society loves to complain that kids these days don’t act like kids anymore—mainly that they stay inside on their phones all day. So when kids are out riding bikes, running around screaming, and having a blast, I think we should encourage them to keep doing that.

Let’s make it our goal as full-timers to help one weekender family have the best camping experience they’ve ever had. And I would love to hear those stories so we can encourage others to make sure they’re having a blast, too. Please email your stories to collab@ rootlessliving.com and toot your own horn so we can share ideas on how to help each other.

Until the next issue … stay Rootless.

Demian Ross, Publisher @demianross demian@rootlessliving.com

Throughout every nomad’s journey, there are chapters. The beginning is new and exciting, but somewhat scary. Once we get comfortable, living on the road is easier and the daily challenges we face don’t seem so bad. But, there inevitably comes a time when we are ready to transition to a more stationary lifestyle. The timeline varies, but eventually this plays out for everyone. In each issue, we try to represent all of these phases with authentic stories from our contributors. While every issue of Rootless Living is meaningful and inspiring to me, this issue is particularly special since it contains a small part of my own personal story. Searching for Home is an article I wrote to share how my husband and I are transitioning from full-time travel to part-time homesteaders. It will be a slow journey toward a more stationary life, but as with all things, the process of change will also be one of enormous growth and learning. Wherever you are in your journey, I wish you happy reading in this issue.

Jess Stiles Managing Editor

ROOTLESS LIVING

MAGAZINE

Issue 22 • May/Jun 2023

Publisher Demian Ross

Chief Editor Nikki Kirk

Managing Editor Jess Stiles

Editorial Assistant L. Merredith

Art Director Melinda Galjour

Operations Manager Jamie May

Copy Editor Kristin Skaggs

Advertising sales@rootlessliving.com

LET’S

@rootlessliving

/rootlessliving

@rootlessliving

ROOTLESS LIVING MAGAZINE PO Box 437, Jennings, OK 74038

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

Copyright © 2023 Blue Compass Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited submissions.

CONTRIBUTORS Contributor Spotlight

Sophia Michel

Ann Brampton

Kimberly Crossland

Beth Cronin

Rachel Skytta-Davis

Cole Davis

Carley Thompson

Bibi Barringer

Kat McMahon

Sara Allen

Desiree Fairchild

Grace Kocher

Tiffany Mitchell

Shannon Murray

Jack Huber

Jamie May

Celeste Orr

Alyssa Padgett

Jeremy and Stephanie Puglisi

Joseph Testa

Jodie Meadows

Hannah McCollum

Marie Casey

Kym Tyson

Want to be a part of the next issue? Reach out to us at collab@rootlessliving.com

MICHAEL BOYINK

@boyink

Reframing Rootless

Michael is a nomad and award-winning author whose book, “Driven to Wonder: Eight Years in an RV With Two Kids,” shares his family’s full-time RV journey. Michael and his wife, Crissa, recently settled down through the Tulsa Remote program, but their adventure is far from over! Visit boyink.com for more.

ASHLEIGH BUTLER

@youandiandthesky

The Small Kitchen Cook

Ash and her partner, Jared, have spent more than a decade living and traveling in campervans and tiny homes. She loves to cook and shares how simple it is to make delicious and nourishing food, even in a small space. When she’s not planning the next meal, Ash helps foster the nomad community through connections and gatherings. Her cookbook can be purchased at vanlife.com.au/book

ARI ADLER

@trekersorg

Michigan’s Most Popular State Park

Ari is part of the team at Trekers with his wife, Jessi. They enjoy traveling the country while working remotely in their Airstream Flying Cloud. They hike, paddle, and have adventures every chance they get, and are always happy to share their experiences. You can learn more about their travels at trekers.org or on their YouTube channel, Trekers

KATHRYN FRAZER

@adventuresofaplusk

Crater Lake National Park

Adam, Kathryn, and Kona are an adventurous married couple and their pup living on the road in their self-converted Sprinter van! Find them driving all over, scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream, and enjoying nature. For their detailed travel guides, check out adventuresofaplusk.com and their YouTube channel, Adventures of A+K

NOT ALL SUPER CLASS C S ARE EQUAL

ESPECIALLY THESE TWO.

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SCAN TO SEE THE SUPER C

2024 Supreme Aire

2024 Super Star

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“Let the space change with you. You designed it before living in it, so you will want to change, add, or tweak things.”

“In Costa Rica, it’s easy to come across moments like this, but never take it for granted. Today is an epic reminder!”

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“Tiny living tip: Do not buy too much in the first place! Think about whether you NEED an item before you purchase it.”

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FEATURED NOMAD

meet

Rachel Skytta-Davis and Cole Davis!

AFTER WORKING IN news for nearly a decade and realizing the tough hours, minimal time off, and low pay were preventing her from actually living, Rachel longed for an alternate lifestyle that would maximize travel.

“I felt like I missed out on so much in my twenties because I was always working and didn’t have the means to travel more than once or twice a year,” Rachel said. “I knew I didn't want to live that way through my thirties.”

She and her husband, Cole, began following full-time travelers, which fueled her dream and made the couple realize a home on wheels was possible for them too. “We both love DIY projects and always wanted to renovate a camper,” Rachel said. “When Cole started working remotely, the nomadic lifestyle looked like a real possibility.”

The two were able to set everything in motion after they found a 2007 Frontier Explorer S190. They packed their two dogs, belongings, and dreams inside the 18.5-foot travel trailer, and they hit the road in May 2022.

After six months of roaming, Rachel already had many memorable moments, but reaching the top of Half Dome in Yosemite was a highlight. “The hike was on our bucket list for years, but getting to Yosemite and securing a Half Dome permit seemed like a stretch. Living on the road provided the flexibility we needed to apply for a permit multiple days in a row until we finally got one! It was the most difficult hike we've ever done, so reaching the top was amazing.”

The couple travels full time, and while they are still somewhat new to the lifestyle, they continuously make it work for them. “I think it's important to remember that nomadic living looks different for everyone depending on your circumstances, and it is not a one-size-fits-all lifestyle.”

For more of Rachel and Cole’s story and travels, follow them on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok @workinforthewild

ROOTLESS Reframing

Not All Wheels and Keels

By Michael Boyink

COUNTED THE CASH, signed over the title, and watched the campervan we had dubbed “Sally” drive away with a stranger at the wheel. It wasn’t our first time selling a rig—Sally was the third RV we’d lived in during our eight years on the road—but this time was different. There wasn't another RV waiting.

Instead, we moved into a small house in a small town nestled into the Ozark hills of Missouri. As Sally’s tail lights disappeared into the distance, it felt like a large part of our identity went with her. We’d spent the better part of a decade as a full-time RV family. We created a popular blog filled with articles on how to plan routes, do laundry, homeschool, find community, and make money. We’d been interviewed by multiple newspapers and websites. We’d spoken on podcasts and at conferences. Companies sent us products to review. Now the kids were grown up and off on their own, and we no longer owned an RV.

So … who were we now?

When honestly and quietly asked, it wasn’t an easy question to answer. It was easier to drown it out. Getting used to our new jobs, working on house projects, and writing a book provided noise. The noise lasted a few years, then life quieted down. Jobs became routine,

and the house got comfortable.

People get nostalgic about the empty-nest years—rocking chairs on the porch, rows of family photos on the wall, and plenty of time to start a garden or take up painting. One day, I realized that my parents are in their eighties and in relatively good health. Life is risky and anything can happen, but I could have another 30 years on this earth. Is this where or how I wanted to spend them?

The answer came fast and clear: no. And at that moment, I found a new frame of reference.

Let’s talk physics. To measure an object’s speed, you have to compare its movement to something else. That “something else” is a frame of reference, and there’s usually more than one. For instance, if you’re flying over Montana in a commercial airliner, you feel stationary in your seat, but the fields are moving along underneath you at 500 mph. To a trucker driving on I-90 under you, Montana flows by at a more leisurely pace of 60 mph. To her, you and your plane are speeding off at somewhere between 440 and 560 mph.

Move to a planetary frame of reference and, compared to the speed of Earth’s orbit, you and the trucker are barely moving at all. Looking through my new frame of reference, I realized that our self-identities as experience-seekers were still intact. We’d simply added small town life to a resume that already included experiences with the suburbs, farms, RVs, and a houseboat.

There was both room and time for new experiences. Our “roots” were a self-imposed perception, encouraged by a society that doesn’t understand or encourage mobile lifestyles. Our house was suddenly a future rental rather than any kind of forever home. We opened

ourselves up to new opportunities. We looked at being housesitters, live-in lighthouse tour guides, island caretakers, seasonal pet-sitters in Alaska … I even shopped for RVs again! But nothing seemed like the right fit.

Then a friend mentioned the Tulsa Remote program, which offers remote workers $10,000 to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for a year. It includes a membership to a coworking facility, discounts to various events, and access to a community of other folks who’ve already made the move. We had visited several big cities during our RV travels, and we’d talked about trying a downtown, apartment-based life with easy walking to live music, art galleries, and restaurants. Tulsa Remote offered an affordable, accessible door to that dream.

Tulsa is only a 3.5-hour drive from our place in Missouri, so we could keep our house, and if something needed our attention, we could make the drive back on short notice.

But Tulsa Remote is popular—the

program only accepts 4% of the people who apply!

I applied anyway. The process involved a written application, a video interview, and background checks. I emphasized our non-traditional background and how we were still seeking new life experiences. I must have said the magic words, because they accepted us into the program. We found renters for our house, emptied out a rented office, purged extra stuff, and buttoned up some remaining house projects.

We found an apartment in Tulsa and made the move in early February, knowing a new frame of reference would wait for us. The program lasts a year, and the Tulsa Remote folks say 90% of their people stay on after the year is up. Will we?

When I was young, there was a popular radio program called The Rest of The Story. Broadcaster Paul Harvey would compress a movie’s worth of drama into less than four minutes.

The stories were about everyday

things—a mother who loses all of her children and becomes a recluse, an undefeated champion boxer of ten years who finally gets knocked out, a tourist who introduces skiing to Switzerland. What kept 24 million people listening was the twist Harvey would reveal at the end. The mother was President Franklin Pierce’s wife, it was a woman who knocked out the boxer, and the skiing tourist was Arthur Conan Doyle. You could hear the smile in Harvey’s voice as he would end the show with “And now you know … the rest of the story.” The surprise ending made you rethink the entire thing.

It was a new frame of reference. My hope is that no matter what the rest of our story is, we’ll stay rootless, anxious for new experiences, and able to keep life fresh, surprising, and inspiring.

Michael is a nomad and author whose book, Driven to Wonder: Eight Years in an RV With Two Kids, shares his full-time RV journey. Visit boyink.com for more.

ALWAYS BE READY FOR THE ROAD.

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Libraries LOCAL

A Helpful Resource for Nomads

By Carley Thompson

WHEN I GOT my first library card, I thought I was cooler than a teenager with a driver’s license. I’m not sure that everyone was this excited to get a library card; perhaps it was just the future elementary teacher and homeschool mom in me. Given that the library was such a staple in my earliest memories, when my husband and I hit the road full time with our two young daughters in 2018, figuring out how my girls could have that same experience on the road was one of my top priorities.

I thought you had to be a resident of the county, or at least state, of the library you were using to receive a library card, but thankfully, I was wrong! Temporary library cards are a little-known secret, and a great option for full-time RVers. Most of them are only good for three months and have a smaller limit of how many books you can check out at a time. But when I explain our unique situation, libraries often allow us to have a regular card registered under my name and the campground or resort address. How far you may have to go to find a library can vary, but most everywhere we’ve been has had one within 10 to 15 minutes of the RV park.

Once I figured out that I could get a card, the fun began! My girls and I started attending the toddler story and craft time groups every week. We quickly grew to love the staff there and realized how much local libraries do for the community, and how involved they are with their patrons. The staff learned our

names, what we liked, and how we lived.

They often suggested library activities for our family, and programs and resources out in the community that we otherwise wouldn’t have heard of, including sports programs, festivals, information on local donation centers, and local referrals for anything from RV repairs to the best hairdressers in town! Most of us out here on the road love the sense of community we get in campgrounds and RV groups, and that’s exactly what you get at libraries as well.

Like many families on the road, we homeschool our girls. They get plenty of socialization with other kids in the campgrounds, but I also want them to interact with children who don’t live the same life we do, and the library helps with that. Currently, our local library offers a cooking class for kids and pre-teens every Wednesday. These classes are put on by a local nonprofit that builds homes for children in the area. My girls enjoy learning to cook and interacting with other children. As a mom who cares about teaching community values to her children, I also enjoy activities that open conversations about what the nonprofit does, so we can talk about ways we can help while we’re here. They’re learning life

skills, and they’re also learning to be part of a community.

Though my family mostly focuses on the kid-friendly engagements that libraries offer, there are plenty of activities for teens, adults, and senior citizens as well. For example, the library we’re currently close to has monthly crocheting sessions, technology classes for seniors, gaming nights for teens, outreach programs for food and clothing, adult cooking classes, yoga classes, a community garden, and much more. There really is something for everyone, and the library staff works hard to provide a wide range of activities so that everyone feels welcome and involved. The best part about it all is that library books and events are completely free! I hope next time you find yourself staying in a specific area for a while, you think about joining a library near you and getting immersed in the community. It truly is a hidden gem that enhances the lifestyle we live.

Carley and her family share their travels on Instagram @wherethethompsonsroam_

M A N R V 1 0 1

f e a t u r e s a n i n l e t 4 f u n c t i o n ( 4 p o s i t i o n )

l o w l e a d b r a s s v a l v e t h a t i s u s e d f o r

f i l l i n g t h e h o l d i n g t a n k , p r e s s u r i z i n g

t h e f i x t u r e s w h e n y o u h a v e a w a t e r

s u p p l y , p u m p f r o m t h e t a n k d u r i n g d r y c a m p i n g a n d h e l p y o u w i t h

w i n t e r i z i n g a n d s a n i t i z i n g y o u r u n i t .

M A N R V 1 0 2

f e a t u r e s a n i n l e t 4 f u n c t i o n ( 4 p o s i t i o n ) l o w l e a d b r a s s v a l v e t h a t i s u s e d f o r f i l l i n g t h e h o l d i n g t a n k , p r e s s u r i z i n g t h e f i x t u r e s w h e n y o u h a v e a w a t e r s u p p l y , p u m p f r o m t h e t a n k d u r i n g d r y c a m p i n g a n d h e l p y o u w i t h w i n t e r i z i n g a n d s a n i t i z i n g y o u r u n i t . T h e

M A N R V 1 0 2 a l s o i n c l u d e s a 3 f u n c t i o n ( 3 p o s i t i o n ) l o w l e a d b r a s s w a t e r h e a t e r b y p a s s v a l v e . N o r m a l p o s i t i o n w h e n t h e u n i t n e e d s h o t w a t e r t o f i x t u r e s . B y p a s s p o s i t i o n f o r m a i n t e n a n c e o n h o t w a t e r h e a t e r a n d t h i r d

p o s i t i o n f o r s a n i t i z i n g y o u r f r e s h w a t e r t a n k

CHOOSING A DOMICILE STATE

A Guide for Nomads

ABENEFIT OF SELLING your home and traveling full time is that you get to choose your domicile state, also known as the state you have residency in. Traveling full time has become so popular that services have been established to help provide nomads with an address and a way to receive their mail.

POPULAR STATES FOR NOMADS

The three most popular domicile states for nomads are South Dakota, Texas, and Florida. The biggest benefit to “residing” in these states is that they don’t have a state income tax. These three states aren’t the only ones that don’t collect state income tax, but they offer a few other attractive benefits as well. These are some things to keep in mind as you weigh your options.

• Vehicle registration costs: Most states provide estimates for vehicle registration on their website. Find out how much it will cost for you to register your vehicle and RV, as well as if the state requires annual inspections or smog tests. It’s a good idea to get vehicle insurance quotes as well.

• Residency requirements: This varies from state to state, with South Dakota being the easiest to get, with only a one-night stay required. Determine what each state requires, and what kind of documentation they need to prove it.

• Driver’s license renewal process: Find out how often you will need to renew your license and whether you can do it online. In addition, determine if the state requires a special driver’s license and test to drive your RV (i.e., a non-commercial Class A).

HEALTH INSURANCE

Each traveler should consider their own needs to determine the best fit when it comes to health insurance. If you don’t have health insurance through your employer, you’ll need to review the plans available on the state government marketplace. Some states offer income-based subsidies, while others may not. Also, check to see if plans cover nationwide care. Finally, compare

plan benefits, premium prices, deductibles, and copays to find the plan that best meets your needs.

OWNING A BUSINESS

If you own your own business, there are a few additional things you’ll need to consider before choosing which state will be your domicile. Most small business owners report their business income on their personal income tax return. This includes freelancers, independent contractors, and anyone who owns a sole proprietorship, such as an LLC, S corp, or partnership.

It’s easiest to register your business in the same state that you choose to be your domicile state. However, there are certain rules you have to follow regarding where your business is registered. For example, if your business has a physical location, you must register your business in the state where that brick and mortar building is located.

It’s also important to consider tax policies when it comes to small businesses and business income. For example, Texas charges a franchise tax that is based on your business’s income, and the state requires business owners to file a franchise tax report regardless of whether or not you owe any tax.

Another factor to consider is that many states require S corp businesses or partnerships to file a separate tax return. If you pay someone to file your taxes for you, this would be an

WHERE TO VOTE?

If obtaining a mail-in ballot is important to you, be sure to do research on how each state that you’re considering handles the process. Recent legislation in South Dakota may change the process and/ or accessibility for how full-time nomads vote.

added cost at tax time.

Lastly, some states, like Texas and South Dakota, tax goods and services. It’s important to understand how your business would be taxed in the state that you choose, based on your specific business and the income you receive.

CHOOSING A STATE

Ultimately, there is a lot to consider when choosing a domicile state, including more minor considerations that we haven’t listed here. Availability of mailing services, proximity to family and friends, other tax considerations (including capital gains tax), and/ or the availability of social services, such as food assistance, could be important factors for you and your family. Make a list of all the factors you’re considering, and compare each state against it to see which state might best meet your needs.

Fifth Wheel Shines With Creativity

By Bibi Barringer

FANCY A PEEK into our Europeanfarmhouse-inspired fifth wheel?

AWhen we made the switch from our Class A to the KZ Durango Gold 382mbq fifth wheel in 2021, my husband, JC, had no intention of renovating. He was still recuperating from the fixer-upper home we sold three years prior, when we became full-time RVers.

But I spend a lot of time in the RV homeschooling and raising the family while JC is at work. And though it makes sense that manufacturers purposefully build their RVs with dark interiors to hide dirt, which is inevitable when spending time outdoors, those dark interiors tend to be a bit gloomy. And ours was no exception.

I wanted to create a natural, peaceful home. We have four kids, and life can get busy! My goal was

to create a safe haven where we can all relax and recharge. The most interesting part is that we’re renovating while living in the camper full time.

After taking out some of the dark furniture and the black roller shade guides, and painting everything in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, I had a good calming base to start with. From there, I began adding in some natural materials with a soft mainstay color as a subtle accent.

As the renovation moved along, my vision for the space started taking form. The kitchen island and the two doors behind it are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter, which adds a nice accent without being too bold or visually cluttering. When you live in a small space, every little color or object adds up fast. It can become overwhelming, which is why I keep to natural and warming neutrals.

One thing we agreed on in this renovation was to put functionality first. We are a big family in a pretty small space, so we needed to keep certain things, such as the microwave, the overhead cabinets, and the room-darkening shades. Don’t get me wrong, I love the look of uncluttered windows. It was really tempting to just take the valance boxes down altogether! But they do serve a purpose, so they had to stay. One by one, I removed the dark, dusty fabric on each window box, every time marveling at how many staples a box could hold. I chose a new fabric with an old world natural feel and stapled it to the boxes.

When I started working on the first areas of the camper, I wasn’t fully settled on my vision. As the renovation moved along, I shifted my thinking and started visiting local thrift stores. I brought home pre-loved vintage treasures and gave them a new purpose in the RV. Slowly, a European-farmhouseinspired home, full of imperfections but with a natural feel, took shape. I only brought home natural materials, ceramics, cast irons, and items that really spoke to me.

Smaller local thrift stores seem to have better vintage finds, and as an added bonus, they often support their communities

with outreach programs. It feels like a win-win for everyone that way—I get the excitement over that perfect find and giving it a new purpose, while also supporting local communities, and helping the environment by keeping items out of the landfill. And most of the items I removed from our camper are offered up for free at our local campground or on Facebook Marketplace.

One of my treasured big-ticket finds was a barely-used burgundy wingback recliner—an item that would cost $1,200 new—that fell into my hands for just $7. I was also very excited about the two custom blackout curtains I picked up for $6 each at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and was able to turn into six separate curtains around the camper.

After endless searching and multiple trips to the ReStore, I did give in and order matching aged cabinet hardware from Amazon. Until I get to buy more, I am making do with spray painting our old cabinet hardware in aged brass. It’s a shade or two off, but works for the time being.

For the kitchen, I found a vintage accordion-style cup holder, spray painted in aged copper to match the metal knife strip. I also found ceramic pots, candelabras, paintings, and

more at various thrift stores. Finding these treasures and making them into my own has brought me such joy—it’s almost addicting.

One of my go-to rules has been to spray paint and fix up what I can before just replacing everything. Not only is it more budget-friendly, but it also gives me more time to either make up my mind or find what speaks to me. This has included the old cabinet hardware, the dining table that I stripped and stained to match the slide-out wood beams, and the bathroom fixtures. The kitchen faucet would have received a coat of spray paint as well if it hadn’t been in such disrepair.

Bibi shares more on Instagram @314sqft

MY HUSBAND, GREG, and I moved into our van full time in 2018, on the day after our 5-year wedding anniversary. Traditionally, couples celebrate this milestone by exchanging gifts of wood, a symbol of strength and timelessness. On our anniversary, we took the last load of our stuff to storage and signed closing papers on the sale of our house. It was a bittersweet day—we were sad to leave the home we had custom-built just three years earlier, but we also had so much excitement for our future.

We became accustomed to living in a van pretty quickly. After the initial learning curve of sharing a small space with another human and everything we owned, it became second nature to us. Pro tip: only one person can be doing something at a time; the other person should just stay out of the way! But around year three of full-time travel, we started to get the itch for a home base again. Despite the financial freedom of not having a mortgage, property taxes, and a house full of stuff that we used to consider an anchor, we yearned for a bigger space. When we initially moved into the van, we didn’t have jobs, and we had zero obligations. But over time, we both found a hustle that we enjoyed, and we started to dream of a place to tinker with creative ideas. Property

with room to grow our own food. Somewhere to shower on a regular basis. A home.

The benefit of spending so much time in the van is that we were able to literally shop the entire country for our future homestead. We had a short list of criteria, including affordability, access to outdoor recreation opportunities (ideally hunting and hot springs), good enough weather for growing food, minimal building requirements, low taxes, and a decent grocery store within 30 minutes. As we drove through every state, we

compared its attributes to our requirements. As you can imagine, every state had pros and cons, and not a single one hit the nail right on the head. Making a choice was going to require a compromise, so we had to weigh each of our requirements and prioritize the combination that we thought would give us the best quality of life.

For example, on paper, Tennessee looks like a homesteader’s dream. No state income tax and really affordable land would make it easy for us to develop property without needing to make a

Breaking Ground for Soil Test

lot of money to maintain it. Areas like Johnson City offer a college town vibe with amenities, and Tennessee dirt is great for growing food. However, there are limited hunting opportunities, as public land is nowhere near as abundant in Tennessee as it is out west. In addition, the humidity during the summer was a big concern for us. Basically every local we talked to mentioned that it was miserable from June through September.

Idaho was on our shortlist for a long time. With abundant public land access and some of the highest concentrations of hot springs in the United States, we really wanted Idaho to work. However, properties in the desirable parts of Idaho are no longer very affordable. Plus, we would be at a disadvantage growing food due to a short growing season. Lastly, Idaho is not as tax-friendly as you would think, making it less desirable for us.

We also looked at property in Washington, Nevada, and Wyoming, all of which have no state income tax. Nevada and Wyoming have amazing hunting and fishing opportunities and pockets of wide open spaces where land is relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, like many states in the Colorado River Basin, Nevada has a serious water shortage that’s unlikely to improve anytime soon. When considering developing a homestead to grow food, water availability is a major factor, and Nevada just didn’t make the cut. While Wyoming doesn’t have the same severity of water concerns, wind and weather had to be considered as a con to moving there. As for Washington, many of the desirable areas are not that affordable anymore, and we couldn’t ignore the growing instability in the state’s politics.

Ironically, this put us back in Colorado, which is where I was born and where we lived before we sold our house. While many parts of Colorado are some of the most expensive places to live in the West, there are areas that are more remote and fit most of our criteria. Southwest Colorado has a longer growing season than most of the state and contains the largest wilderness areas in Colorado. We will have to pay state income taxes, but property taxes are some of the lowest in the country.

Upon narrowing our search down and picking an area, it was time to make the plunge and buy land. That process is worthy of another story all on its own, containing many hurdles that buyers need to overcome. The short version is that we approached it in a similar manner to how we chose Southwest Colorado. We made a list of requirements our property had to meet and compared it against every property for sale. There were many factors, but we prioritized price, the ease of building a home and growing plants (i.e., how flat it is), proximity to utilities such as electricity and water, county building and HOA requirements, and lastly, the views and location. Once again, each property was a compromise of our wants and needs. Some had amazing views, but the prices were ten times higher than properties with similar amenities without the view.

It was tempting to spend more money to get a larger

Fishing in Colorado

property with more privacy and better views. If we spend more, we can just take out a loan or get another job, right? Buying land that will eventually become your “forever home” feels like a good enough reason to justify that thinking.

However, we’ve worked so hard for our financial freedom that our commitment to live simply and maintain a debt-free lifestyle won out. It’s hard to assign a tangible value to the freedom we have, but it is a direct result of the sacrifices we’ve made, including keeping our life simple enough that we don’t have to work that much. We desperately wanted to maintain that simplicity, and the reality of not having all the money in the world hit hard while shopping for property. It turned out that buying a property was another exercise in making hard choices between a minimalist alternative lifestyle and spending more than we had for more than we needed. I think we passed the test—our property is just enough.

As we approach our 10 year anniversary, I look back at the years we spent in a van with nothing but astonishment that this is my life. Although living in our van doesn’t hold the same glamor and excitement as it once did, we are on the precipice of a new adventure—a new chapter that will

most certainly be a level up from the one before. This new adventure will require every ounce of the resilience and adaptability that we have learned while living in a van.

Jess and her husband Greg share their journey on YouTube @drifterjourney and on Instagram @drifter.journey

Camping near Wilderness in Colorado

Baja

Breaking Ground for Soil Test

STRIKING OUT ON YOUR OWN

Steps to Starting A Freelance Career

By Kat McMahon

IF YOU HAD told me less than a year ago that I would be location-independent and earning an income as a freelance writer, I would have laughed. As a 41-year-old with zero freelancing experience, the odds seemed to be stacked against me.

I had been interested in freelancing, but had never given it serious consideration. Then, as my partner and I prepared for full-time RVing, we distilled our life and possessions down to the essentials. During this process, something shifted, and I started to think, “Why not give it a try?” Pursuing a writing career had been my dream ever since I was old enough to pick up a pen, and our savings weren’t going to last forever!

If you find yourself in a similar situation, timidly skirting the edges of that deep and rewarding freelance pool, keep reading. I’ve broken down how I went from absolutely zero experience to getting paid to do what I love in the places I love.

GET RID OF EXCUSES

I had many excuses, and most were based in fear. I was terrified of rejection and failure. All of my excuses were flimsy, but I believed them without question and clung to them for years. When I finally had my aha moment, I saw how unsubstantial my excuses were, which made it easier to dismiss and override them. So get to know what’s behind your excuses, because you may be surprised!

CHIP AWAY AT OVERWHELM

Overwhelm is normal, especially when it comes to new experiences. Be very specific about exactly what feels overwhelming—put words to it instead of getting swept up in the feeling. Once you’ve narrowed it down, a Google search bar is your friend. In my case, hoping to work as a freelance writer, searches included:

• How do freelance writers get started?

• Where can I go to get work as a freelance writer?

• What can I do to get a freelance writing job with no prior experience?

• It’s easy to stay stuck, but breaking it down leads to clarity and individual, doable steps.

SHOWCASE YOUR WORK

Having an online presence is vital. You get more comfortable releasing or promoting your work, and potential clients have a place to go to check you out. Since I’d never been published, I started a blog to showcase my writing. I committed to a weekly post and spent time researching blogging tips.

PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE

I decided to use Upwork to look for my first freelance gigs. Upwork is a site where people looking for freelance talent (writing, web design, photography, accounting, etc.) can connect with those who provide it. I watched YouTube videos

The best way to combat discomfort is to recognize it’s all part of the process.

with tips on how to land a gig, then crafted my profile while trying to ignore the butterflies. Depending on your field, you may want to start by establishing a website highlighting your work, emailing potential clients, or trying to find gigs via word of mouth.

YOUR FIRST GIG

The first job I got paid $20, but I still gave it my all. When getting started, you want to establish credibility and, if applicable, earn a five-star review. My

next job paid a couple thousand dollars. As the months continued, I’ve gotten more work, along with some rejections. When working with clients, maintain boundaries, clarify job expectations, and stick to deadlines. As with all relationships, communication is key.

PUSH PAST DISCOMFORT

Putting yourself out there is uncomfortable, and you will definitely experience rejection. You’ll have moments where you feel as though your work is absolute garbage. You’ll spiral after submitting something you poured your heart and soul into. When you start feeling this way, celebrate! You’re a freelancer; you’re actually doing it! The best way to combat discomfort is to recognize it’s all part of the process. The feeling will pass. Stick with it, and you’ll grow. You’ll gain more experience, confidence, and ability.

SUPPORT YOURSELF

I wish I had started my freelance career while I was gainfully employed in a tediously reliable job. While I unfortunately didn’t have the foresight to do that, I did have a substantial amount of savings and a rent-free nomadic existence to see me through, at least while I got started. This helped because money worries weren’t nagging and nibbling at the edges of my mind, compromising my work and adding an additional layer of desperation. Supporting yourself also includes not letting rejections or disappointments define you.

Not many people are brave enough to set out on their own and pursue a freelance career. It takes a special kind of person—someone who craves living life on their own terms and doesn’t want to shrink into the shadows. Someone with a taste for adventure. Someone like you!

For more from Kat, visit her website at katswanderingmind.com or Instagram @kats.wandering

CAREERS ON THE ROAD

FINDING A WAY to fund travel is essential, which is why this is the number one most-asked question. The answer, however, is not so simple—from creative businesses to seasonal gigs to unique side hustles, our readers reveal how they make money on the road.

@theall.enfamily

“Storm chasers—my husband is a union lineman.”

@destn8tion

“Nate is a site operations manager providing equipment, tools, and scaffolding services throughout North America.”

@reelandwildflower

“Creative marketing and freelance illustrating!”

@snorkelsandsnowpants

“I oversee continuing education, which includes accreditation management and booking speakers for national conferences.”

@tifforelie

“Steve is a musician and tours as a drummer occasionally, but his main income is from royalties and sync licensing.”

Here are other unique jobs from our readers:

• Freelance writer and editor

• Content creator

• Financial analyst

• Airbnb rental

• Consultant

Share your job by emailing us at collab@rootlessliving.com

Nate and Christian, the husband-and-wife duo Project Trek, are full-time RVers who love to experience the outdoors with their two kids, Ella and Andersen.

After suffering from the financial collapse of a failed business, Nate and Christian decided to take matters into their own hands and began the process of pursuing financial freedom. After completing their debt-free journey, they realized there was still something missing. They had a deep rooted desired to travel and spend more time with their children. Inspiration for full-time travel came from a week-long trip in a borrowed RV. Shortly after, the family dove head first into full-time RVing in April of 2017, when they hit the road in their Open Range Fifth Wheel by Highland Ridge RV. They have no plans of going back to the suburban life! Follow along with them as they navigate road schooling, healthy living and forming a community for other full-timing families.

PUBLISHED NOMADS

AUTHORS SHARE THEIR PROCESS AND INSPIRATION

MICHAEL BOYINK DRIVEN TO WONDER

“I’ve always been in love with words,” Michael said. Growing up, he spent many hours in the library reading, which led to writing. His budding interest was recognized by teachers, who suggested he attend a Young Authors Conference. Inspired by his family’s travels during their eight years of full-time RVing, Michael wrote his book, “Driven to Wonder.” The book, which took three years to bring to life, is a collection of stories and images from the road. Michael wanted to do as much of the book publication work as he could, and he waited until he moved into a home to tackle the task. “If we had still been on the road, it would have taken much longer,” he said. When asked if there are more books coming, Michael said, “I hope so and I have no idea. I haven't written fiction since college. It scares the crap out of me, so I should probably try it. Face your fears and all that.”

boyink.com/blog

JACK HUBER

PAT RUGER MYSTERY SERIES, AND MORE

Jack has published works of fiction and nonfiction, including mystery/crime thrillers, and books of poetry and photography. As a lifelong writer, Jack honed his skills writing poetry, publishing many books of poems that went well with his photographs. “I published my first mystery novel in 2014 and added six more in the Pat Ruger series,” Jack said.

In addition to writing, Jack was determined to self-publish. His IT background made the path to self-publishing easier. When asked about his creative process, Jack said, “In the height of writing my mysteries, I made it a point to write one to two hours each weekday, but, of course, that doesn’t mean I wasn’t formulating paragraphs, action scenes, and sub-plots in between sessions actually sitting in front of my laptop.” Jack plans on writing more mystery novels, including adding an eighth book to the Pat Ruger series.

jackhuber.com

JAMIE MAY THE PROVING GROUND

As a trained journalist, nonfiction writing has always been Jamie’s strength. She enjoys sharing the slower side of RV travel, including the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical benefits of spending time in nature. When she felt ready to publish her book, “The Proving Ground,” the hardest part was knowing where to start. Jamie said, “I explored different options and started down a wrong path before finding the right one. With perfect timing, I met another full-time RVer who was a published author, and she provided the insight I needed to make the right decision for my first book.”

When asked about her inspiration, Jamie said that she is always writing her thoughts down. “Morning writing came most naturally to me when living on the road full time, and I filled up several notebooks and journals in my year on the road. From there, I ended up turning those into a memoir and my first published book,” Jamie said.

As for future plans, Jamie shared that she hit the road with the intention of finishing a book she had drafted at the time. Since then, she’s made progress and is working on revisions. She’s also launched a line of inspirational notebooks and journals to help others record their experiences with the goal of publishing their own work.

jypsythreads.com

JOSEPH TESTA RVING FOR NEWBIES: THE MANUAL

Joe comes from an IT background, having written and presented numerous topics related to Oracle Database Administration. “I've been RVing for 15 years now and decided to write a book, ‘RVing for Newbies,’ as I met so many people at campgrounds who just bought their RV and had hundreds of questions,” Joe said. He loves to dig into topics that RVers have questions about, and considers RVing to be “a never-ending learning experience.” He often gets inspiration for topics from browsing online forums and finding questions that people within the community are asking. As a certified RV Inspector through NRVIA.org, Joe meets a lot of people and gets asked a lot of questions, many of which inspired chapters of his book. “Publishing was the easy part,” Joe said. “Getting all of the information organized into a logical order was the most challenging.” As for future books, Joe plans to create a second edition of “RVing for Newbies,” including chapters that cover all-new topics. The first four chapters of Joe’s book can be downloaded from rvfn.net

Are you an entrepreneur or self-employed RVer who wants to share your work with our readers? Email us at collab@rootlessliving.com

ALYSSA PADGETT

LIVING IN AN RV, RVING ACROSS AMERICA

When Alyssa dreamed of RVing, it was synonymous with writing. “I took that first year on the road— what I thought would be my only year on the road— to chase my dreams of traveling and writing,” Alyssa said. After testing out a few topics, she kept coming back to the travel genre and loved sharing her experiences. For Alyssa, the logistics of self-publishing her books weren’t all that difficult. The challenge came when facing the mental hurdles of overcoming selfdoubt and imposter syndrome, and worrying that she would have to beg people to buy her work. But those challenges haven’t stopped her, as she is currently working on her third book. “I have every single chapter of the book lined up on my to-do list, and in my writing software, I have bullet points of things I want to cover in each chapter,” Alyssa said when describing her writing process. When everything is laid out this way, she can jump on any segment whenever inspiration strikes. Alyssa currently has four additional books in mind. “Hopefully, by the time this article is printed, I'll have two of them published,” she said.

heathandalyssa.com

JEREMY AND STEPHANIE PUGLISI

WHERE SHOULD WE CAMP NEXT?, RV VACATIONS, SEE YOU AT THE CAMPGROUND

Jeremy and Stephanie have enjoyed writing since they were teenagers, and Jeremy said they even attended some “very cheesy poetry readings” while they were dating. With degrees in liberal arts and experience in teaching, their passion for writing easily transferred to RVing when they bought their first RV in 2010.

Their writing covers a lot of tips and tricks for daily life, but Jeremy and Stephanie truly love sharing travel destinations. “We had a strange introduction to the world of book publishing that few other writers have,” Jeremy said. “An editor at Penguin Random House actually emailed us and asked us if we would like to write ‘The Idiot’s Guide to RV Vacations.’ At first we thought the email was spam or a joke of some kind. We ended up with our first book contract.”

“Where Should We Camp Next?” is a national bestseller, and is now a series. The second book in the series, “Where Should We Camp Next? National Parks,” was released in April 2023, with a third scheduled for September. When asked if they are working on anything new, Jeremy said, “You can definitely expect more books from us!” thervatlas.com

CELESTE ORR

TOGETHERNESS REDEFINED: FINDING A DIFFERENT KIND OF FAMILY TOGETHERNESS

“I have been writing ever since I was a freckle-faced 8-year-old girl with a sparkly pink diary I carried everywhere (padlocked, of course), but it took traveling full time to help me find the courage to share my writing online and get serious about writing books,” Celeste said. While aspiring to write fiction in the future, Celeste currently shares her creative nonfiction about finding the courage to redefine your life in her weekly email group and on her blogs celesteorr.com and togethernessredefined.com.

Celeste was able to overcome two major hurdles to publish— sharing her writing even though she didn’t think it was as good as she wanted it to be yet, and not spending a ton of money publishing. “The only thing about living on the road that made the publishing process more difficult was spending early mornings writing without coffee because I didn’t want to wake my kids by boiling the kettle for pour-over,” Celeste said.

Currently living in Maine near Acadia National Park, Celeste is committed to writing every day and is working on her next project. “I’m currently working with a watercolor artist to publish a book of quotes and journaling prompts related to finding contentment,” Celeste said. She is also exploring young adult fiction. celesteorr.com

The Small Kitchen Cook

One-Pot Mushroom Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce

By Ashleigh Butler

MY CHILDHOOD HOME was the place where friends and family would gather and share food. My mother loves bringing people together by preparing and cooking meals, and our front door was always open. She would plan and cook for days, and her thoughtful feasts never left anyone hungry. Music, wine, and heartwarming conversation would flow well into the night.

I am forever thankful that I was taught at a young age that food is not just for nourishment, but also for sharing with the people you love. So, maybe it’s no surprise that I have such a love and appreciation for good, wholesome food.

My partner, Jared, and I lived in campervans for half a decade, trekking across Australia, North America, and New Zealand. On those epic journeys, we shared our passion for thoughtful, responsible, and sustainable food with the campervan community. Even though we only had a small space to work with, our campers’ kitchens were the center of communal meals, and new places we visited and travelers we met inspired new flavors, tastes, and culinary exploits. In those remote towns and sleepy campsites, I always wanted to share the food that we made with the community around us.

We no longer live in the campervan—we shifted to a bigger space in a sleepy coastal village in Victoria, Australia, to make room for our twin daughters. Jared is building us a new campervan in a second-hand Fiat Ducato so we can fit all four of us and keep the adventure going. Our first trip in it featured just a couple of mattresses on the floor and a simple gas hob on a table outside.

Although cooking when we travel now has extra challenges, we love experimenting with the meals we used to cook together to make them more family-friendly. The girls have a joy for food which I believe comes from our ritual of sharing and eating together. Those experiences are echoed within my book.

Creating recipes and cooking food is one of my greatest passions. It’s a creative outlet and a form of relaxation for me. I hope you enjoy this recipe from my collection that you can cook from your tiny kitchen, wherever that may be.

Ash shares more of her travels and food inspiration on Instagram at @youandiandthesky

One-Pot Mushroom Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce

SERVES: 4

PREP: 15 mins

COOK: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

Extra virgin olive oil

1 yellow onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, finely diced

1 handful parsley stems, finely chopped

Flaky sea salt

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1/4 cup dry white wine

400g canned tomatoes

600g mushrooms, roughly chopped (I recommend Swiss brown or oyster)

1 sprig rosemary

1 sprig oregano

2 cups vegetable stock or chicken broth

2 cups water

350g short pasta

100ml full cream

Handful of fresh parsley leaves

Parmesan, to serve

Cracked pepper

DIRECTIONS

In a medium or large pot, sauté the garlic, onion, and parsley stems with a couple of glugs of olive oil and a few pinches of salt on medium heat.

When the onions and garlic are soft and fragrant, add the tomato paste. After a minute or so, the tomato paste, garlic, and onion will begin to caramelize on the bottom of the pan. Stir frequently to prevent burning.

After a few minutes, add the white wine to deglaze the pan, which will bring extra layers of flavor to the sauce by releasing the caramelized tomatoes, onions, and garlic that are stuck to the bottom. Next, add the canned tomatoes and give the sauce a good stir.

Add the sliced mushrooms and sprigs of oregano and rosemary, followed by the stock. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes with the lid on while the mushrooms soften.

Meanwhile, bring two cups of water to boil.

Once the mushrooms have softened, add the pasta and two cups of hot water and turn the heat back up to medium. Place the lid back on and simmer for another 20 minutes, or until the pasta is almost al dente. Check the pot every few minutes and stir to make sure nothing is sticking to the base of the pan.

When the pasta is nearly done, add the cream and cook for five minutes, stirring regularly, as this is when it might stick to the base.

Remove from the heat and add the fresh parsley leaves. Serve seasoned with lots of parmesan cheese and cracked pepper.

The Small Kitchen Cook is published by Exploring Eden Books. Order a copy from exploringedenbooks.co

Photo Credit: Thimios Photography @toddthimios

A Perfect A Perfect Fit Fit

RV Life Reduces the Stress of Work Travel

By Jodie Meadows

MY HUSBAND, KORY, has been an industrial radiographer for 10 years now. We have worked in 14 states, and we never know where we’re going next—it’s always a surprise!

Kory works on pipelines, and his job is to come in after the pipe has been welded together and take X-ray images of the entire weld to analyze and ensure weld quality, making sure there are no defects such as cracks, pinholes, or slag that could cause the weld to fail during operation. There are many forms of NDT (non-destructive testing) that Kory works with.

To become a radiographer, you have to pass a 40-hour radiation safety course. Then when you’re hired on by a pipeline company, you take a variety of courses to become certified in different methods of NDT. There are multiple levels of each certification, so there’s a lot of growth potential!

On average, each job is six to eight months long. We’ve spent as little as a week on one job, and another lasted two years! It all depends on how much work is out there, how long the job is, when you arrive on the job, and how much you actually want to work.

The pipeline is very fast-paced—when you get a call for work, you usually have to be there within four days! That means you have just a few days to pack, find a place to stay long term that won’t break the bank and has availability, and start work on Monday after a 12-plus hour drive. After a couple of years of this, we realized that buying an RV would basically eliminate our stress—we could simply throw in the slides and go!

We have worked in 14 states, and we never know where we’re going next— it’s always a surprise!

After months of searching, we found our beloved Keystone Montana 385BR. We had no idea how abundant the full-time RV community is. From families to couples to solo travelers, it’s full of people who already know the struggles, beauty, and freedom of traveling the country in an RV. I never imagined we would be meeting up with strangers and having the most epic adventures of our lives!

Our RV truly opened up a whole new world. It’s of course great for Kory’s work, so we can quickly and conveniently travel to where we are needed, but I also love that we can now have the comforts of a home, such as sleeping in our own bed, a kitchen and full fridge to cook our meals, and storage space for all our seasonal clothes. We also have the opportunity to travel wherever we want once each job is completed. Best of all, we were finally able to get a dog—a sweet beagle we call Kallie!

If you’re considering this lifestyle, I think you should go for it! Pipeline life encouraged us to start RVing, which now allows us to support our lifestyle and the unbelievable adventures we get to have during our times off. RV life can be intimidating, and there’s a huge learning curve, but my best advice is to dive straight in. Once you take that leap of faith, you’ll be dancing outside your RV in some magical location, grateful for the twists and turns your life took to get you there.

For more on Jodie and Kory’s adventures, follow them on Instagram @jokotravels

Our RV truly opened up a whole new world.

TRAVEL SMART

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

PORT ANGELES, WASHINGTON

Travel Guide to the Olympic Peninsula

By Hannah McCollum

THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA of Washington is one of the most underrated places I’ve ever been. The trees are so green, the water is so blue, and the mountains towering above the beaches will take your breath away. I’ve never been somewhere where you could hike, bike, ski, golf, and surf all in the same place—or even on the same day, if you could find the time. We went there planning to stay for three months and ended up exploring the area for almost two years. The peninsula is so big that it’s hard to narrow our experiences down, but here are our highlights of Port Angeles and Olympic National Park.

WHERE TO STAY

There are two campgrounds right next to each other in Joyce, along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Snag a spot here for epic views and excellent proximity to everything.

Crescent Beach & RV Park

If you need Wi-Fi, this is your spot. Crescent Beach is one of the only privately-owned beaches in Washington state, so only registered campers and those who pay for a day pass have access. A half-mile of sandy beach, a bathhouse, laundry facilities, and some of the best surfing the Olympic Peninsula has to offer make this campground ideal.

Salt Creek Recreation Area

Up on the cliff above the tide pools, Salt Creek Campground has killer views of Canada across the strait. This park is county-owned, so you can also spend the day here with no fees if you’re not camping. Hiking trails, World War II bunkers, some of the best tide pools around, day use areas, a playground, and two separate camping areas make this spot worth visiting.

WHERE TO EAT

Head into Port Angeles to find the nearest grocery store, and while you’re there, stop at Buena Luz Bakery for the freshest coffee and treats. Swing by The Strait Slice Pizza Co. for the best pizza on the Peninsula, and check out the owner’s surf photography from all over the world. On the healthier side, you’ll want to stop by Country Aire Natural Foods and New Day Eatery. After a long hike, be sure to grab a pint and a burger from Spruce downtown. Also, while you’re downtown, check out Moss, one of the coolest shops I’ve found along our travels.

Lake Crescent

THINGS TO DO

First things first, whatever you do, you must go up to Hurricane Ridge

Whether you want to take in the views from the parking lot, go snowboarding or sledding in the winter, or take an epic hike in the summer, Hurricane Ridge will give you what you’re looking for.

Looking to surf? After a couple of years, I can confidently say the spots on this side of the peninsula with the most consistent surf are Crescent Beach, Elwha Beach, and the Lyre River mouth.

You can hop over to Canada on the Black Ball Ferry out of downtown

Port Angeles and head across the Strait to spend the day walking around Victoria, British Columbia. You won’t need a car—just walk onto the ferry in Port Angeles and

walk straight off into downtown Victoria. While you’re on the Joyce side of Olympic, pack a towel and head out on the paved Spruce Railroad Trail, part of the Olympic Discovery Trail, to Devil’s Punchbowl. Jump in the crater-formed bowl of turquoise water for an unrivaled core memory.

From there, go spend the day swimming in the crystal clear waters of Lake Crescent at the East Beach day use area. You might need to get there early to snag a spot, especially if it’s a nice day! If you have paddleboards or kayaks, be sure to bring them, as well as inflatable floats.

Visiting the picturesque Lake Crescent Lodge is a must. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available, or you can simply swim

around and jump off their Instagramfamous dock. Bovee’s Meadow has more swimming areas if you find the Lodge area to be too crowded.

Before you head to the Lodge to cool off in the lake, enjoy the scenic Marymere Falls Trail or the more strenuous Mount Storm King. Marymere is our favorite for all ages and abilities, and offers a ton of variety before you even get to the falls.

Plan a full day to head farther into the national park and visit the Sol Duc Valley. The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort has a relaxing pool and amenities, and is located near the campgrounds. If you’re willing to climb down a small bank outside of the resort, you can climb right into a small hot spring along the river. Be sure to hike to Sol Duc Falls first thing in the morning so you can avoid the crowds and still have time to relax in the spring after.

Another full-day activity that you can’t miss is driving out toward Forks and

Lake Crescent

Hurricane Ridge

Marymere Falls

exploring the Hoh Rain Forest. The Hall of Mosses trail that leaves from the visitor center is perfect for kids. I highly recommend finding a spot along the gorgeous water of the Hoh River for a picnic lunch and stopping at the Peak 6 Adventure Store on your way back out of the rainforest.

The west coast of Olympic National Park probably needs its own travel guide, but here are a few of my very favorite spots. If you’re looking for tide pools, look no further than Second Beach. The hike down is awesome, and the marine life can’t be beat. Rialto Beach is also a must-see due to its unique rock formations and massive driftwood trees. Kalaloch Lodge and Ruby Beach are within 8 miles of each other and can be done in the same trip. Be sure to visit the Tree of Life, and bring some binoculars for whale watching and bald eagle viewing along the shore.

Deer Park Road is another great area of Olympic National Park. If you’re visiting before June or July, the road will likely still be closed due to snow. There is an unbeatable first come, first served campground at the top for sprinter vans or tent camping, but the drive up is not

suitable for anything larger than that. If you want unobstructed views of the entire Strait of Juan de Fuca, you can get them from the Blue Mountain Trail parking area.

Last but not least, if you’re visiting in the summer, go visit a lavender farm in Sequim. Purple Haze Lavender Farm is our favorite for photos and for their amazing lavender lemonade and ice cream. Especially if your trip to the Olympic Peninsula falls during the Washington Lavender Festival, stopping at one of these farms is an absolute must.

No matter what you choose to do on your visit to Olympic National Park, you’ll never see anything like this area. We’ve seen many of the lower 48 states in our four years of full-time RVing, and the Olympic Peninsula is the first place that made us want to put down roots. If you’re looking for a place where the mountains meet the sea and the people fight to keep it untouched, look no further.

Find more of Hannah’s travel tips on Instagram @hannahalwaysmac

Hurricane Ridge

Hoh Rainforest

Lavender Farm

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WHENEVER,

Michigan’s Most Popular State Park

By Ari B. Adler

UDINGTON STATE PARK has been the most popular state park in Michigan for generations, and it’s easy to see why. There are endless activities, including camping, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, hunting, backpacking, swimming, wading, tubing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, birding, and lighthousing—totally a word. You could easily spend weeks there; it’s hard to decide which activity to start with!

The 5,300-acre park is located along the shore of Lake Michigan in northwest lower Michigan. There is something magical about the woods, water, and beaches that keeps families coming back year after year.

BIG SABLE POINT LIGHTHOUSE

One of Ludington State Park’s most defining and notable features is the Big Sable Point Lighthouse. At 112 feet tall, it has been guiding sailors since its construction in 1867. The lighthouse has seen many restorations and was the last Great Lakes lighthouse to be automated.

For a small fee, visitors can climb 130 steps to the top for a spectacular panoramic view of Ludington State Park and Lake Michigan. The original keeper’s quarters at the lighthouse’s base serve as a museum and gift shop.

Getting to Big Sable Point Lighthouse requires hiking or biking in the sand for about 1.5 miles from the main parking lot. Bus transportation is available for an extra fee a few weekends a year.

HISTORY OF LUDINGTON STATE PARK

In the mid-1800s, Hamlin was a small logging community along the bank of the Big Sable River, near where the river enters Lake Michigan. Hamlin Lake was created when a dam was built to control the flow of lumber from the nearby forests to the Hamlin sawmill, then out to the barges.

It was a bustling village in the 1870s, with boarding houses, sawmills, stores, and a schoolhouse. But twice, the dams broke, flooding and washing away portions of the village. After the second break in 1912, with the lumber industry dying, there was no need to rebuild the community.

However, with the Hamlin Lake shoreline now a prime spot for resorts, private homes, and businesses, a concrete dam was built in 1914 to keep the lake levels steady. In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps established Camp Ludington-Pere Marquette to create Ludington State Park. The CCC constructed the camp from the ground

up, including trails, buildings, campsites, roads, and picnic areas. They also planted dune grass and trees and constructed erosion control structures to stabilize the soil from all the logging damage. Ludington State Park was completed and officially dedicated in 1936.

BEACHES

If you’re into laying on the beach or playing in the water, you have two great choices—Ludington State Park boasts 7 miles of shoreline on Lake Michigan and 5 miles along Hamlin Lake. Along Lake Michigan, you’ll find a large beach with white sand where you can sunbathe, play beach volleyball, or build sandcastles. A short, ADA-accessible walkway to the beach and a mobi-wheelchair are available.

Be sure to visit the historic Beach House, constructed in 1935 by the CCC for the park’s grand opening. It underwent a significant renovation in 2013. Today, the Beach House has interactive interpretive displays and an outside veranda on the top level, with concessions and changing facilities on the first floor.

If the Lake Michigan beach is too crowded or the lake is a bit too chilly, head over to Hamlin Lake on the other side of the park. Since Hamlin Lake is inland and more shallow, it tends to be warmer. The beach is smaller, but there is a nice playground, pavilion, picnic tables, and watercraft rentals.

A one-mile stretch of the Big Sable River connects Hamlin Lake to Lake Michigan. Floating down the river using inner tubes, paddleboards, and kayaks is very popular.

TRAILS

Visitors can hike eight marked trails totaling more than 20 miles through dunes, woodlands, and wetlands. A paved walking and biking path also runs alongside the Big Sable River connecting the campgrounds, two beach areas, the dam, and the amphitheater. A 4-mile canoe trail also can be found in Hamlin Lake. During the winter, cross-country ski and snowshoe trails are available throughout the park, along with a heated shelter at the trailhead.

AMPHITHEATER AND INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS

Ludington State Park offers a wide range of events year-round for guests of all ages. Guided hikes, interpretive programs, and concerts are just a few ways to spend your time. We especially liked the free Saturday night concerts in the outside amphitheater hosted by the Friends of Ludington State Park. All summer long, they bring in different Michigan-based musicians. Donations are suggested to help with maintenance and programming in the park.

FISHING, HUNTING, AND BOATING

Fishing is a popular activity in the Big Sable River and Hamlin Lake, and fall is a good time for salmon, lake trout, and steelhead. During appropriate seasons, part of the park is open to hunting and trapping. An official boat launch with plenty of boat parking is located above the dam in Hamlin Lake for motorized boats. For kayaks or canoes, there are several unimproved access points for Hamlin Lake and Big Sable River.

CAMPING

Despite having four different campgrounds, the park’s popularity makes it challenging to get a camping spot in the summer—you’ll need to book six months in advance the minute reservations open.

The three modern campgrounds are Pines (99 campsites), Cedar (106 electric and eight non-electric sites), and Beechwood (147 sites). All feature modern restrooms and 20/30-amp hookups, though some sites have been upgraded to 50-amp service. There is no privacy between sites, and site sizes vary. Each modern campground has one mini cabin available for rent; they sleep four and are furnished with a microwave and a small refrigerator, with no linens or cookware.

One mile north of the Pines Campground is a fourth camping option—the Jack Pine rustic, walk-inonly campground, which has 10 sites. Only a vault toilet and a hand pump are provided. This campground may be closed at times due to high groundwater levels.

Although Ludington is the most popular state park in Michigan, it never feels overly crowded like some other well-visited state parks. Due to its size, there is plenty of room for visitors to spread

out. The Lake Michigan parking lot fills up quickly on weekends, but don’t be discouraged, as there are hundreds of other parking spots throughout the park.

We recommend visiting for a week if you can get camping reservations, and visiting at different times of the year

for various experiences. If you haven’t been to Ludington State Park, be sure to add it to your must-visit list!

Ari and Jessi can be found at their website, trekers.org, or on their YouTube channel @trekers

Crater Lake

Crater Lake

NATIONAL PARK

Exploring the Deepest Lake in the United States

By Kathryn Frazer

SITTING AMONG THE Cascade Mountains in Southern Oregon is the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest in the world. At 1,943 feet deep, Crater Lake is famous for its pristine, deep blue water, which comes solely from snow and rain. Due to its lack of sediment or mineral deposits, it is one of the cleanest lakes in the world.

We spent a jam-packed day seeing as much of Crater Lake National Park as we could, including going for a swim in its chilly waters, and can confirm that it is truly as magical as it looks in photos. In fact, it’s listed as one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon, and we couldn’t agree more!

Crater Lake National Park offers a wide variety of scenery beyond its impressive lake, with unique rock formations, waterfalls, forests, and views of the Cascade Mountains.

HISTORY OF CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK

Crater Lake was formed approximately 7,700 years ago, when a 12,000-foot volcano named Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed.

While the area around Mount Mazama was frequented by the Makalak people both before and after the eruption, Crater Lake wasn’t known by others until gold prospectors found it in 1853. By 1865, other groups had come across the lake and it was given the name Lake Majesty, which was changed to Crater Lake after a visit in 1869 by a newspaper editor.

Just one year later, William Gladstone Steel read about the lake and started his quest to see the park for himself. When he finally did, he declared that it should be a public park. His dreams came true in 1902, when Crater Lake became the fifth national park in the United States, and Oregon’s only national park.

WHEN TO VISIT

Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, but your experience will vary depending on the season. In the winter, the park receives up to 41 feet of snow, and certain entrances as well as the Rim Drive are closed. If you visit in the winter, you can only explore the park by snowshoeing or cross country skiing.

While Crater Lake looks magical in the winter, you’ll likely want to plan your first visit for the summer, when the road is open, it’s warm enough to go for a dip, and you can hike around the crater.

The western part of the park road typically opens in early June, and the eastern part opens by mid-July and stays open until late October or early November, but the exact dates change every year. We’d suggest timing your visit between late July and late September to ensure everything is open.

WHERE TO STAY

There are several lodging options in Crater Lake National Park, which makes it very easy to visit. Inside the park you can find the Crater Lake Lodge (71 rooms), cabins at Mazama Village (40 rooms), and two campgrounds—the Mazama Campground (reservable), and Lost Creek Campground (first come, first served).

Outside of the park, we suggest staying in Klamath Falls, which is less than 1.5 hours southeast of the park, or Bend, which is 2 hours northeast of the park, and visiting as a long day trip.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING

Entrance Fee

It costs $30 per vehicle to enter Crater Lake National Park from mid-May to October 31, and passes last for 7 days. We recommend purchasing an America the Beautiful annual pass for $80, which gives you access to all national parks.

Dogs are not allowed

Dogs are not allowed on trails in the park, but they are allowed in the campgrounds, parking lots, on paved walkways, and within 50 feet of paved surfaces. They can also join you at the paved overlooks!

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED IN THE PARK?

We visited Crater Lake National Park in one busy day, starting at sunrise and ending in the dark, and were able to do almost all of the hikes listed in this guide, plus go for a swim and drive Rim Drive. It was a busy day, but doable if you are fine moving at a quicker pace and driving at night. For a more leisurely visit, you could easily see the park’s top sights in two full days.

THE BEST THINGS TO DO

Catch the sunrise on Watchman Peak

If you can sacrifice a bit of sleep, we highly suggest getting to Crater Lake in the dark and hiking up to Watchman Peak for the sunrise. This 1.7-mile round trip hike has incredible views facing east, making it the perfect spot to see the sun pop up over the lake and Wizard Island below.

DID YOU KNOW?

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. The lake holds 4.6 TRILLION gallons of water

It was created by a collapsing volcano

The water temperature can be 38 degrees at 300 feet deep

Rim Drive

One of the best ways to see Crater Lake is by car! The Rim Drive is a 33-mile road that goes around Crater Lake’s rim and has 30 overlooks to check out. Each one offers a different perspective of the lake, plus other sights, like Phantom Ship, which is a unique rock formation in the water.

If you plan to hike multiple trails in the park, you will drive this road to get between trailheads, so be sure to build in some extra time to stop at the viewpoints. We loved watching the sunset at the Cloudcap Overlook.

Discovery Point Trail

The Discovery Point Trail is an easy 2.4-mile walk that goes along the rim of the lake, close to the road, starting at the Visitor Center. You don’t have to walk the entire trail to get the beautiful views, so feel free to go as far as you’d like!

GARFIELD PEAK

Garfield Peak is a 3.4-mile round trip hike (with more than 1,000 feet of elevation gain) that takes you to the top of the peak, which has sweeping views of Crater Lake and the surrounding mountains. This is one of the best views in the park!

Mount Scott Trail

If you want an even higher view than Garfield Peak, head up Mount Scott, which is the tallest peak in the park at

8,929 feet. To get there, you’ll have to conquer a 4.2-mile round trip hike with 1,259 feet of elevation gain.

Go for a swim in Cleetwood Cove

Do you know what’s cooler (literally) than seeing Crater Lake from the trails or roads? Taking a swim in the lake itself!

Cleetwood Cove is the only legal area to access the shoreline in Crater Lake National Park and requires a steep 1-mile (one way) hike, with about 600 feet of elevation loss. Of course, you’ll have to hike back up afterward, so keep that in mind before tackling it.

Our favorite experience in the park was jumping into the water here. But we will warn you, Crater Lake is very cold. The average temperature at 300 feet is 38 degrees, with surface temperatures warming up to 55 to 60 degrees in the summer. It’ll be a cold plunge, but it is more than worth it to be able to say you jumped into the deepest lake in the country!

Pinnacles Valley Trail

For something a bit different, hike the Pinnacles Valley Trail. This easy, 0.8-mile round trip hike takes you to spires made of volcanic particles from the Mount Mazama eruption and formed over time through erosion. It’s unlike anything else in the park!

Plaikni Falls Trail

Another unique stop in the park is Plaikni Falls! Along this 2-mile round trip hike, you’ll walk through the forest, before ending at the base of the beautiful falls.

Take a Boat Tour

If swimming in Crater Lake’s frigid waters doesn’t sound appealing to you, a boat tour is another way to get out on the water! The park offers two tours—one takes you around the lake, while the other takes you to Wizard Island, where you can hike to the top (2.3 miles round trip), swim, and fish. If you don’t want a full tour, you can also take a shuttle to Wizard Island.

Go Fish!

Crater Lake is home to both rainbow trout and kokanee salmon, which were stocked in the lake between 1888 and 1941. Fishing is allowed in the park at Cleetwood Cove, Wizard Island, and on various streams. No license is required, but you can only use artificial bait.

Ride the Rim

In September, Crater Lake closes East Rim Drive to vehicles for two days and opens it to cyclists and walkers.

If you want the chance to explore the road by bike, without any cars, be sure to visit during this event!

Oregon’s only national park offers a variety of experiences. Whether you view the lake from above or jump right in, prepare to be in awe of the color and magnitude of the deepest lake in the United States.

Kathryn shares more travel destinations on Instagram and YouTube @adventuresofaplusk at adventuresofaplusk.com

BOONDOCKING

Trona Pinnacles

Ridgecrest, CA

35.61868, -117.37233

Located in the California Desert National Conservation Area, the Trona Pinnacles make for a unique overnight stay if you’re on the way to Death Valley National Park or the Eastern Sierra Nevada range in central California. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Pinnacles consist of more than 500 tufa spires, spread throughout the Searles Dry Lake Basin. The Trona Pinnacles have been in many films and TV shows, including Star Trek.

Dry camping is allowed for up to 14 days, with a single vault toilet being the only service available. There is no water, trash, or any other facilities, so go prepared to camp fully self-contained. Stick to established roads and trails, as the delicate desert ecosystem takes decades to repair itself from damage done by careless footprints and tire tracks.

The geology in the area is extremely unique, and it is also considered one of the best places for night photography and capturing photos of the Milky Way.

Greg Williams @drifter.journey

BOONDOCKING

Powder River Depot Near Terry, MT 46.76075, -105.42925

This little-known gem in Montana is perfect for those who aspire to live in a van by the river!

The dirt road that leads to camp is rutted and gets extremely muddy after precipitation, so a standard four-wheeldrive clearance is recommended. Scout by walking—there are two spots to get under the railway trestle, one with more overhead space. The roughest part ends when you get through the first gate, conveniently near the entryway. Bear right when the road splits.

Captain Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition camped here July 30, 1806. 70 years later, the surrounding prairie became a staging ground for the Battle of Little Bighorn. The Far West steamboat floated down the river, and docked briefly at the spot where we camped, allowing just enough time to bury a mortally wounded soldier on the prairie. Headstones marking the location are still there.

Anglers will delight in the variety of fish found in the Yellowstone River, and many of the camping spots are right on the riverbanks. I set my camp chair in the shallow part of the river and enjoyed a refreshing work day as the cool water and gentle current swirled past my ankles. Bird watchers (our cat who travels with us is one of them!) will take note of the variety of birds that thrive in this habitat—we spotted numerous bald eagles gliding above.

We spent two weeks at our spot on the bank and saw only a handful of people. Walking our dog along the wide expanse of prairie, we felt as though we were strolling through an oil painting depicting the Old West.

Nearby attractions include the Terry Badlands, which adds visual interest to the horizon.

Cell signal is excellent—AT&T had no problems. Miles City, the best place to stock up on provisions, is less than an hour away.

This is the spot for those who crave reprieve from the hustle and bustle. The vibrant sunrise and sunsets are spectacular, and they take full advantage of the big sky.

Contributor Kat McMahon

@kats.wandering

BOONDOCKING

Beas Lewis Flat Road Torrey, UT

38.29710, -111.38730

This large BLM area is located off UT-24, 10 miles west of the Visitor Center in Capitol Reef National Park. For our 35-foot Class A towing a Honda CR-V, access to and from the highway was easy and smooth, and the main dirt road was well graded.

There were more RVs parked closer to the highway, but we drove past the first cattle guard and found this spot on the left fork. The right fork opens up to more area, but there was a decent dip to conquer at the start. Overall, it was fairly quiet for most of the seven days we were there in early April 2022. Most of the traffic was from a quarry farther down the road, so the trucks were infrequent.

Torrey seems to be in some sort of weird wind tunnel, so expect wind. We parked into the forecasted wind direction and even had some decent bush cover in front of us. Fortunately, the ground had large crushed sedimentary rock that defined the area, so dust was minimal.

We were there because of the proximity to Capitol Reef National Park, and we spent most of our free time in the park. Cell service was good on both AT&T and

Verizon. The vast area outside was great for our two dogs to explore, with no visible signs of animals to worry about. Gas, propane, groceries, and other eating options were readily available, with more choice and selection less than 20 miles west at Loa. Garbage disposal, fresh water, and a sani-dump were available in the park, too.

We found this spot on Campendium. We checked a couple of other, busier national forest areas on the north side of UT-24, but found them a little more challenging, though doable, in terms of exiting the highway for a big rig.

Contributor Marie Casey @awesome.journies

BOONDOCKING

Lake Creek Road Dispersed Camping Sun Valley, ID

43.735, -114.3662

Sun Valley, Idaho, is one of the most unique and beautiful places to boondock. Known for its incredible natural beauty, it has some of the best hiking and mountain biking in the United States. Of course, the best way to experience it is by camping, and it is very RV-friendly, though big rigs are not recommended to go past the corrals. Of the miles of free camping places, our absolute favorite is Lake Creek Road.

The road starts 3 miles from town, close to the beginning of the paved path, near Lake Creek Trailhead for mountain biking and Taylor Canyon Trail, which has the best views in the spring. There is also a small lake along the road with a stream for fishing. Another bonus: At the Sawtooth National Recreation Headquarters, north on Highway 75, there is a free dump and potable water fill.

One of the most unique things about this location is that during the summer, you will probably get to see about 3,000 sheep grazing. Ranchers have brought their herds here for more than 100 years. Watching a single shepherd move 3,000 sheep on his own with four working dogs is nothing short of amazing. These shepherds come from South America on three-year contracts. They stay in a covered wagon and are with the herd almost every minute of the day. At the end of grazing season, you can watch them corral the herd by finding that one lead sheep.

Contributed by Kym Tyson @33_and_free

PODCASTS FOR THE DRIVE

Consider This

The hosts of NPR’s All Things Considered help you make sense of a major news story and what it means for you in just 15 minutes.

Scamfluencers

The power of influence can be the quickest path to money and fame, and it often ends in ruin. These are the stories of the world’s most insidious Scamfluencers.

Daily Proverbs Podcast

Daily Proverbs Podcast is a five-minute proverb-a-day reading to help revitalize your soul and give you daily wisdom for life.

StarTalk Radio

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explores astronomy, physics, and everything else there is to know about life in the universe.

Families Who Kill

One murderous family went curiously unnoticed. The McCrarys roamed the country robbing, kidnapping, and killing up to 20 people, most of them taken from donut shops.

The Black Tapes

This podcast discusses topics including marriage, relationships, faith, self-love, and personal development, while helping people reflect on their life’s journey.

The Moth

Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers. The storyteller and audience embark on a shared experience, which is both terrifying and exhilarating.

Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!

NPR’s weekly news quiz. Have a laugh and test your knowledge with today’s funniest comedians.

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.

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Have a product you love and want to share? Tell us about it! Email collab@rootlessliving.com for a chance to have your product review featured in an upcoming issue.

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