Rootless Living Issue 25 | The Final Issue

LIVE | WORK | PLAY

ISSUE 25 • FINAL ISSUE

the

Renovation

Issue

Making Space Thoughtful Changes to Form and Function

RENOVATE OR UPGR ADE ? • WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR OLD RV APPS FOR DIG ITAL NOMADS • 7 RE ASONS TO TR AVEL IN THE FALL

LEARN MORE

Check out our new 2024 Fifth Wheel Buying Guide

21

Life Afloat

The World of Lifelong Nomads and Sailors

27

Decorating Tiny

Designing Your RV to Feel Like Home

46

Beach-Ready Renovation

Couple Updates Truck Camper for Baja Trip

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52

Careers on the Road

Nomads Share Their Sources of Income

55

Traveling Author

Balancing Work and Play

58

Apps for Digital Nomads

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59

Ohio Rails to Trails

Cycling the American Midwest

68

Baja or Bust

Full-Time RVers Head South for Winter

73

Shenandoah National Park

The Best Hikes and Attractions

We didn’t just raise the bar we eliminated the need for sway bars entirely.

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11

From the Publisher

13 Contributors 14 The Feed 15 Featured Nomad 17 FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD Downsizing From a Farm to an RV

20 Happy Nomadiversary to Our Readers 21 LIFE AFLOAT The World of Lifelong Nomads and Sailors

27 DECORATING TINY Designing Your RV to Feel Like Home

31 CHAOS IN MOTION Renovating an RV While Traveling

34 MAKING SPACE Thoughtful Changes Improve Form and Function

39 AIRSTREAM OVERHAUL Renovating an Iconic RV

42 Favorite Things About RV Renovations 43 ONE ROOM AT A TIME Creating a Bright, Boho-Inspired Fifth Wheel

46 BEACH-READY RENOVATION Couple Updates Truck Camper for Baja Trip

51 RENOVATE OR UPGRADE? What To Do With Your Old RV

52 CAREERS ON THE ROAD 55 TRAVELING AUTHOR 58 Apps for Digital Nomads 59 OHIO RAILS TO TRAILS Cycling the American Midwest

63 7 Reasons To Travel in the Fall 65 COMPACT CHRISTMAS Tiny Holiday Decor Ideas

68 BAJA OR BUST Full-Time RVers Head South for Winter

73 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK The Best Hikes and Attractions

79 Boondocking 81 Podcasts for the Drive 82 Gear Guide

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// FROM THE PUBLISHER

FROM THE PUBLISHER SAYING GOODBYE IS HARD TO DO. If you haven't heard, the December issue of Rootless Living will be our last issue. It's been an amazing four-year journey creating 25 issues that have brought us all great joy to produce since 2019.

First, let me explain why. When we announced our new sister publication in 2021 called RV Today, we didn't see a lot of crossover from our subscribers. Over the last year, that's changed.

Rootless Living subscribers have either jumped to RV Today or are subscribing to both of our magazines. This meant we were producing two magazines for the same readers.

Producing two magazines requires more staff and more print costs.

Everything started to fall into place to merge Rootless Living with RV Today.

Moving full-time RV living content into RV Today magazine started to make sense.

Regarding popularity, what took us almost three years in subscriber growth to Rootless Living, we could do in a year with RV Today. Plus, purchasing RV Camping Magazine grew our RV Today subscriber base even more.

All of this comes with good news for you. If you are only subscribed to Rootless Living, starting in 2024 you will now have access to RV Today, where you'll continue getting the best content about life on the road.

If you are subscribed to both magazines, we will add any remaining issues of your Rootless Living subscription to the end of your RV Today subscription.

Now readers only have to subscribe to one magazine to get all the RVing content they want. RV Today will cover everything from shopping for, buying, or owning an RV, to living and traveling full time in one, and everything in between.

So that is my update and last Rootless Living publisher letter. I want to thank the team that helped make this super niche magazine successful. I want to thank you, the readers, our amazing contributors who are out living the Rootless life, and of course, our ad partners who have helped make this all possible.

I truly thank you all!

When we first started Rootless, it was to bring together a community of like-minded travelers who wanted to break free from the norm and create the life of their dreams.

It was an alternative way of thinking, and it brings me great joy to see more people working and living from the road and to know we had a part in helping to bring acceptance to this lifestyle.

I do hope this isn't a goodbye but more of an "I will see you soon" – either in the pages of RV Today or out on the road.

In the meantime, continue to stay Rootless… I will.

Demian Ross, Publisher @demianross demian@rootlessliving.com

ON THE COVER: Carrie and her husband, RW, share renovated RVs on Instagram @driftless_rv_renovators.

ROOTLESS LIVING | 11

FOR

RVers

ROOTLESS LIVING MAGAZINE Issue 25 • FINAL ISSUE Publisher: Demian Ross

BY

RVers

Chief Editor: Nikki Kirk Art Director: Melinda Galjour Operations Manager: Jamie May Copy Editor: Kristin Skaggs

LET’S CONNECT #rootlessliving @rootlessliving /rootlessliving @rootlessliving

ROOTLESS LIVING MAGAZINE PO Box 437, Jennings, OK 74038

Subscribe at RVtoday.com/subscribe

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 Lauren Lynass Gina Walker McKenzie Dorn Roxanne and Gary Brooks Marco and Kim Brugnoli Lauren Lynch JP Latkovic Mark and Joanne Stacy Anne Klumpp David Bristow

Contributor Spotlight EMMA CHRISTIE @theemmachristie Traveling Author With her first and second novels earning her awards at book festivals, Emma’s third novel, “In Her Shadow,” will be published in January 2024. Emma lives in Barcelona, but is spending six months in her Ford Transit campervan alongside her girlfriend, Mari. They're traveling Europe and the Balkans, appearing at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival along the way. Find Emma online at emmachristiewriter.com.

Catherine Lawson Britt Herron Carrie Hansen Anna Springer Connor Holsted Amelia Gardner Andy Greaves Patty Gill Hannah O’Connell Kaylee Techau

GWENDOLYN CALL @chaoskiddosandharmony Decorating Tiny Gwendolyn travels full time with her husband, three kids, and two fur babies in their Jayco Bunkhouse. After losing her mom too early in life, she wanted to spend more time with her family and be present. She hopes to inspire others to travel and live on the road by sharing RVing tips, including her free organizational guide, on her website, chaoskiddosandharmony.com.

Shannon Minner Julia Thomas Emma Christie Jennifer Skinnell AuBrey and Jason King Eric and Marisa Svensson L. Merredith Augustus Taylor Thomas Shadd

To learn how to become a contributor with our magazines, please visit rvtoday.com/work-with-us

SCOTT RUSSELL @theadventuredetour 7 Reasons To Travel in the Fall Scott, Van, and their 13-year-old daughter have traveled full time in their RV for eight years. They’ve worked and homeschooled on the road through 42 states so far. They blog about RVing tips, travel destinations, and the RV lifestyle at theadventuredetour.com.

NICOLL DAVIS @livingtinywithawolf Baja or Bust Nicoll and her husband, Jake, travel full time with their two dogs and a wolfdog.

She shares travel guides for their favorite destinations and tips for traveling full time while living tiny on her blog, livingtinywithawolf.com.

ROOTLESS LIVING | 13

// THE FEED

THE FEED #RootlessLiving “Raising my kids away from the ‘shoulds’ and focusing more on the ‘coulds.’”

@alittlebitunhitche

d

“If you don’t believe in ghosts, then how do you explain this?!”

n

@gina.in.motio

Did you know we have a sister p ublication called RV A magazin Today? e for

by RVers— RVers, check it out!

@kenzdorn

“There is nothing like experiencing new places with your favorite person.”

@dreaminofairstreamin

“He found his picture in RV Today magazine— now he thinks he’s famous!”

14 | ROOTLESSLIVING.COM

// LIVE

FEATURED NOMADS

meet

Marco & Kim Brugnoli!

“

WE HAVE A lust for travel and love to see and explore different places and experience as much as we can while we’re able to,” said Marco and Kim. Starting as weekend warriors in 2017, the married couple became nomadic in 2022, roaming with their two cats, Cheddar and Elle, in their 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 towing a 2022 Cedar Creek 345IK. Traveling alongside them are their best friends, Grace and Andrew, and their three kids. Both couples sold their houses and hit the road within a month of knowing each other, and they have yet to regret their decision. Marco and Kim said they “have no plans to go back to a ‘normal’ life anytime soon.”

They enjoy variety in where they stay, including full-hookup RV parks, Harvest Hosts locations, and beautiful boondocking spots. One of their favorite memories is waking up to a donkey looking for carrots at their back door during one of their Harvest Hosts stays.

They plan to continue adventuring, and they’re especially looking forward to visiting Alaska! For more on their excursions, follow Marco and Kim on Instagram and TikTok @away_everyday.

ROOTLESS LIVING | 15

// LIVE

Love Food FOR THE

OF

Downsizing from a Farm to an RV

By Lauren Lynch

W

HEN MY HUSBAND, Tim, and I moved to our farm, I embarked on a whole new cooking experience. We put in a garden, and I started canning, making jelly and pickles. I cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, and my love for baking became an obsession. My farm kitchen was set up with everything I needed and then some. I went grocery shopping once a month, and I had two pantries and a large freezer to accommodate my storage needs. Then I had an opportunity to start publishing cookbooks, which allowed me to explore our family recipes and create new ones. It was also a great excuse to throw tasting parties for family and friends.

Then one day, we started talking about selling the farm, buying an RV, and traveling full time while still creating cookbooks. I loved the idea from the start. I could still cook and write, but would also get to travel—who wouldn’t be excited about that? The farm sold in two weeks, and we were suddenly faced with packing! Going through everything in my kitchen was the biggest chore. Splitting up my family-size pans and all the canning supplies between our children made sense, but I felt like I needed everything else!

When it finally came time to look for an RV, we knew we wanted a fifth wheel. It was so exciting to look at the different options, and I fell in love ROOTLESS LIVING | 17

when we toured the Keystone Alpine!

The counter space and cabinets were amazing, and the bar area looked perfect for both eating and creating an office space. I knew everything I had packed for my kitchen would fit.

On moving day, I brought all my stuff into my new kitchen and started organizing. By the time everything had been put away, the kitchen was full … and I hadn’t bought any groceries yet.

Somehow, I wasn’t worried.

Our first trip was from Texas to Washington state, and we had so much fun. There were a few hiccups, but we did it! Along the way, though, I quickly figured out I was not quite as prepared as I thought. I had enough dishes, pans, and utensils, but nothing fit quite right; the kitchen just wasn’t working. For instance, the pans weren’t the right size, and I didn’t have room for everything I wanted to keep on the counter. I started to realize I needed to cook in a different way—a simpler way, but one where the food still tasted wonderful.

When we got back from our first trip, I unloaded the kitchen and thought about what I wanted from this new kitchen and our new life. The first thing I did was simple—I bought small spice containers, then I went through all my spices, only keeping the ones I really did use every day. Once I got those placed in 18 | ROOTLESSLIVING.COM

the cabinet, everything else seemed to fall into place! I picked out my good plastic nesting bowls, which are very versatile. I can use them to mix dough for bread and let it rise, they’re great for leftovers in the refrigerator, and I can reheat things in them. I bought good containers for my flour, sugar, brown sugar, and powdered sugar, and I chose my favorite measuring cups and spoons from several I had.

The biggest thing I did was replace my KitchenAid stand mixer with a handheld mixer. The handheld came

with a case that holds the beaters, which makes it a good space-saver. I also bought sheet pans that fit both my toaster oven and my gas oven. All my silverware and wooden spoons came with me, because they all fit perfectly into my kitchen drawers.

I also brought only my high-wall skillet, a medium soup pot, and one saucepan. I replaced my wooden cutting boards with a single plastic cutting board, which I love! It’s easy to clean and store, and it’s very lightweight. It also works as a charcuterie board in a

pinch. I had to bring my Ninja blender, because there was no way we weren’t going to have homemade snow cones!

On my countertops I have my Gourmia toaster oven, my Keurig, my knife block, and my wooden stackable for fruits, vegetables, and potatoes.

The kitchen now makes sense. I can cook meals, homemade pizza, bread, cookies, and even Tim’s fried potatoes. I’ve come up with tricks to make cooking easier, including a two-minute breakfast with eggs and bacon using the microwave. I’ve learned that spice packets from the grocery store are actually very convenient for chili and stews.

Tim fixed up the bar area with wooden containers to hold pens, notebooks, and other items that don’t have to be taken down on travel days.

I know that with each move and each meal, I’ll find new ways to make cooking easier, but I won’t change what I cook, because I don’t have to! My philosophy on cooking is now similar to my philosophy on traveling—it may take us a little while to get there, but we will get there.

You can find Lauren and her husband, Tim, on TikTok @brokenroad99 and Instagram @laurenlvn6.

ROOTLESS LIVING | 19

// LIVE

LET’S CELEBRATE!

THOSE OF US who travel full time like to celebrate certain milestones and bucket list items—things like visiting every state, driving Route 66, and more. One of the biggest celebrations in our community is a Nomadiversary! What is a Nomadiversary? It’s the anniversary of pulling up roots and making the shift to a nomadic lifestyle. We’d like to congratulate everyone on the road, no matter how long it’s been.

“Living on the road for the past two years has enabled us to explore so many amazing places, visit family and friends we haven’t seen in years, and meet so many other wonderful people along the way.”

MARK AND JOANNE STACY @stacynomadic

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“We toasted our fourth Nomadiversary with a bottle of great Champagne in Asheville, North Carolina, after a visit to the famous Biltmore Estate.”

ANNE AND BRIAN KLUMPP @ontheroadofadventure

“We celebrated our second Nomadiversay on March 20th. We’ve visited 32 states and have explored 22 of the 63 national parks, with no end in sight!”

JP LATKOVIC @wandertogetlost4

Share your Nomadiversary with us by emailing collab@rootlessliving.com, and we’ll feature you in an upcoming issue of RV Today!

// LIVE

Life

t a o l f A

The World of Lifelong Nomads and Sailors

By Catherine Lawson Photos by David Bristow

T

O LIVE ON the sea is a dream that many of us turn into reality.

All ocean lovers are united by the watery adventures we take, the campfires we strike at sunset to cook our catches, and the feeling that life is better, simpler, and richer when we live it within sight of the sea. That’s how we feel after 20 years afloat.

We are the Hunter and the Gatherer: David, the ever-hopeful angler; myself, a micro-gardener and forager; and our daughter Maya, who has spent her entire life at sea.

We can’t imagine a better way to live, raise a family, and satisfy the adventurers in us.

For us, cruising is so much more than sailing. It’s about travel, exploring empty shores, and plunging into new cultures. It’s about taking time for our passions—freediving, surfing and fishing—and enduring and surviving whatever the sea sends our way. And it’s about living in harmony with the watery world that buoys, sustains, and challenges us in ways we never see coming.

We find that people who become

long-term cruisers often have no experience at sailing when they start. They just have an idea and a dream. When David and I bought our first boat, neither of us had ever sailed or spent any time on a sailboat. We certainly don’t come from sailing families. We just had an idea that it would be a beautiful way to travel and explore.

So we bought this tiny boat—and I mean tiny. It was 20 feet long. It cost us just a couple of weeks’ wages, and we did it up in the backyard of David’s parents’ house. When we launched it, we didn’t even know if we would get seasick. We just slept out on the deck that night and thought, “If this goes well, tomorrow we’ll raise the sails.”

20 years later, we’re on our fifth boat, a 41-foot Grainger catamaran called Wild One. In the early days, people were very doubtful about how we would make everything work.

Being unconventional often makes people feel uncomfortable.

Every day at sea is different. A day that’s blissful and fun can turn challenging in a heartbeat. There are inspiring days and daring days, times of terror and moments of such magnificence that we smile just remembering them.

All of this happy chaos brings an intimate connection with nature and the sea that, while not always peaceful, is deeply enriching. Nothing stops moving—not us, the sea, the boat, or the fish. Even the galley moves while we’re cooking. Plants are growing, bread is rising, seeds are sprouting, fish are being reeled in, and joyful kids are jumping off the bow.

When we started cruising to Indonesia about four years ago, I was really, really shocked by the plastic situation. In developing countries, the problem is just overwhelming. I started thinking, “How can I make a difference?” I decided to start with how I gather my food. I wondered if I could gather food with a tiny footprint, with minimal harm to the environments we sailors get to appreciate every time we weigh anchor and hoist the sails.

I had to do a real double-take about the food I was putting into my shopping trolley. It came down to the fact that eating seafood we’ve caught ourselves, sustainably, hand-picked, without damage to the ecosystems, just really made sense. So we started to explore what we call “nude food,” which is food without packaging; food that comes by the grace of everything around us and feeds us as part of the 22 | ROOTLESSLIVING.COM

food chain.

Our experiences at sea exploring and sourcing our own food informed our new cookbook, “The Hunter & The Gatherer.”

None of these moments are taken for granted.

I remember one hellish sail off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

We’d been on the helm since midnight, braving big swells off the Escape River, racing ahead of gale-force winds gathering quickly to the south. Stormy squalls hid the horizon, but we hoped to be tucked around the tip of Cape York before the weather really went to hell.

Then this crayfishing dory came out of nowhere, tossed clean out of the sea, its propeller spinning mid-air atop one enormous cresting wave. It veered straight for us and sidled alongside, while Dave battled to hold course in the heaving, four-meter swell. Over the roar of the waves we confirmed we would most definitely like a catch of fresh painted crayfish. These were thrown over our rails as we surfed recklessly at 13 knots, and I raced to scoop them up before the sea crashing over the stern stole them back.

The dory peeled away, returning to its mother ship rolling at anchor behind the slenderest of sand cays.

With dinner in the bag, we coasted alone through Albany Passage at dusk, rounding Cape York as the sea finally calmed and toasting a “Tip of Australia” sunset and another outstanding day at

"Being unconventional often makes people feel uncomfortable."

ROOTLESS LIVING | 23

Coral Sea Painted Crays Serves 2 Prep: 10 mins Cook: 15 mins Ingredients 2 painted (or other) crayfish 1/4 cup butter, softened 3 garlic cloves, minced or crushed 2 tablespoons (40 ml) dry white wine 1/2 fresh lemon (or lime) salt and pepper 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, plus extra to serve (optional) Instructions After humanely freezing and splitting your painted crayfish into two halves lengthwise, twist and break the tail pieces away from the head. Give the tails a quick rinse.

Melt the butter in a small pot over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and gently sauté for 1 minute. Pour in the white wine and simmer until slightly reduced (2 to 3 minutes).

Squeeze in the lemon (or lime) juice, and add a pinch each of salt and pepper, and 1 tablespoon of parsley (optional but nice). Whisk until the sauce is well combined.

Take off the heat and pour half the sauce into a bowl.

Barbecue or pan fry the crayfish over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes (depending on the size of your crayfish), turning and brushing with butter sauce as they cook. Serve drizzled with some of the remaining sauce and an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley.

sea with buttery, pan-fried crayfish and the last of our cold beers.

Whether you’re a seasoned salty or just getting started on your watery journey, we hope our book gets you excited about weighing anchor. We hope it arms you with answers and buoys you with the knowledge you need to tackle your big adventures.

And we hope, in its pages, you glean what an extraordinary community of people is out there waiting, supporting each other, raising their families, and being the village that seafaring people need. Most of all, we want you to be tantalized by good, fresh, sustainable food and all the amazing ways you can grow, catch, forage, harvest, and cook with it.

We are drawn to the sea instinctively, lured by water, waves, sunshine, calming blue vistas, and a horizon that reminds us the world is bigger than us. There’s fun to be had in that cerulean strip that laps against the land: riding waves, ogling underwater life, and catching a meal that comes unwrapped and straight from the source in the freshest form possible.

Catherine and David’s cookbook, “The Hunter & The Gatherer,” is available at exploringedenbooks.co.

Connect with Catherine and David on Instagram @wildtravelstory.

ROOTLESS LIVING | 25

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// LIVE

Decorating Tiny Designing Your RV to Feel Like Home

By Gwendolyn Call

I

F THERE’S ONE thing you want to evoke when you walk into your RV, it’s the feeling of home. The smell of your favorite meal on the stove, a picture of your latest travel adventures, and the comfort of a throw blanket laid across a couch are all small things that can conjure that feeling.

Decorating and designing any space can feel overwhelming. The big question is always, “Where do I start?” Luckily, determining where to start can be as simple as figuring out what home feels like for you and your family.

We’re all moved by different emotions, and most tie back to our senses. This is why a certain scent or song can instantly make us think of a specific place or time. We are centered by what we see, touch, and even smell. So think about what smells, sights, and textures feel like home to you—once you have a few things in mind, you can get to work on designing.

Some of the larger and more obvious items to address will be those that you use every day. Your kitchen appliances, shower, and bedroom fixtures, for example, are items that are in constant use and have the most potential to immediately make your RV feel more like your home.

28 | ROOTLESSLIVING.COM

Identifying what areas in your RV are most important to you is another great planning step. One example for us is our kids’ bunk room. We knew immediately that we wouldn’t want to make couches into beds every single day while living in our RV, so this was something we wanted to work on first.

Creating individual spaces for each of our kids was our top priority in order to make the RV feel like home for them.

For your own renovation, you may choose the kitchen, primary bedroom, or even the closet as your highest priority. Once you’ve identified your needs, you can put together an action plan.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that an RV is small—smaller does not always mean less work. In fact, smaller spaces often have construction oddities that need to be considered, which can create more work.

Once you move past your larger design changes, you can dive into the fun part of designing through decorating. One of the major perks of decorating a tiny space is that you won’t have to change much to make it into a space that you love. Some of our top items that touch all of our senses and can really fill up a room with a homey feeling are inexpensive, customizable, and interchangeable.

In your living areas and bedrooms, changing pillows, blankets, and bedding can make your space feel completely new. I’m also a huge fan of fresh flowers to add a little something special to any space—it just feels like home. Candles are another wonderful addition; they can create a calming mood in your home on wheels in the evening.

I’ve saved lighting and rugs for last, and these two items can have such a huge impact on your home. You’ll be amazed by what a rug can do in an open space—it can create a grounded feeling, and it can also pull an entire room together. In a very similar fashion, replacing those bright overhead lights with a side table lamp can instantly set a grounded feeling and mood. Don’t forget hallways and the kitchen—a small rug in those areas can create a great transition from room to room.

Lastly, have fun and play with placement. RV spaces are so unique, and creating your own space will come in time as you experience day-to-day life in your RV. Gwendolyn and her family can be found on Instagram @chaoskiddosandharmony.

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// LIVE

CHAOS

IN MOTION Renovating an RV While Traveling

By Britt Herron

ROOTLESS LIVING | 31

I

TRAVEL FULL TIME in a fifth wheel with my husband, three of our four kids, two dogs, and a rabbit. While traveling, we are also renovating our RV to match our style and make it feel more like home. We move at a fast pace and are in a different state every two to three weeks, so finding time for renovations while also exploring the area, working, doing school, and living our normal life is a little chaotic. We’ve really had to work on keeping a good balance in order to avoid any burnout.

Thankfully, renovation projects make me happy and help me work through the stress that can come from full-time travel.

Because we’re traveling so much, we don’t have all of the tools we need to do bigger renovations. In addition, we like exploring remote areas and small towns, so we have to be mindful of the projects we take on. Since we can’t just run to the closest big box store to grab supplies, it’s important to plan and make a list of everything we need before we head to where we want to camp. If you plan to renovate while traveling, give

32 | ROOTLESSLIVING.COM

yourself a lot of grace. It’s not ideal, but it is doable.

The first renovation project we tackled in our RV was the kitchen.

We took out the residential-size microwave above the stove, painted the walls, and put in some peel-and-stick waterproof wallpaper. We also added hexagon wood tiles. We painted the lower cabinets black, changed out the handles, and added a shelf above the stove for extra storage. Eventually I want to add butcher block countertops in the kitchen, but that will have to wait until we’re back at our home base in Texas so I have the proper tools and help from my brother-in-law.

The kitchen took us about three months to complete. I had a hard time deciding on the style I wanted to go

with and the color palette I wanted to use. When it comes to renovating and decorating, I’m really inspired by my surroundings and what kind of environment I’m in, so when I’m traveling and going from the mountains to the coast, it can be really hard for me to settle on a vibe. I also like to source home items from local thrift stores, which can make things take longer as I have to take my time and hunt for the perfect match.

This can be so much fun while traveling,

"If you plan to renovate while traveling, give yourself a lot of grace."

and I’ve found some amazing items.

Once we finished the kitchen, I moved on to renovating our main living space. I painted the fireplace and the wall surrounding it black, and changed the door handles and light fixtures. I replaced the original furniture with thrifted and vintage items.

I really wanted our space to have a unique vibe that reflected our travels.

It took me a couple of weeks to paint. We have two dogs and a rabbit in our RV, and trying to keep the dogs out of the space was really difficult. Our English bulldog rubbed against the wet paint after I put on the last coat, and his entire backside was black! I had to repaint, clean the dog, and keep him from getting paint anywhere else. I definitely recommend confining your pets to one space while doing any renovation projects!

SOME OF THE THINGS I’VE LEARNED WHILE RENOVATING ON THE ROAD ARE: 1. Research what is going to be around you so you can source the supplies you need for the projects you want to tackle.

2. Know your RV park’s rules. Some will not let you put certain items in the dump or do any sort of woodworking outside, for example.

3. Be mindful of your neighbors—they probably don’t want to listen to your loud tools.

4. Keep pets out of the project area.

5. Have fun hunting for decor treasures while you travel! There is so much amazing stuff out there.

Britt and her family have more tips and RV lifestyle advice on Instagram @herronsonthego.

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// LIVE

MAKING

SPACE Thoughtful Changes Improve Form and Function

By Carrie Hansen

BEFORE 34 | ROOTLESSLIVING.COM

I

T'S UNDENIABLE THAT camping or living in a renovated RV is truly different. As RV renovators, we realize that sounds self-serving, but having traveled in both renovated and unrenovated rigs, we are convinced. Whether you’re weekenders or full-timers, boondocking or resort camping, coming back to an RV that feels like home is magical.

Any way you look at it, RV renovation is an investment, and we believe the best way to protect it is by starting with a solid rig. Whether we’re working on a client RV or one we purchased to renovate, our inspection process is extensive.

After several failed inspections, we were thrilled to find Betty, a 2010 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 30.5 DBSA, which had been very well cared for and stored indoors. Her age was not a concern as we love the construction and potential of RVs manufactured between 2010 and 2012, and the layout was a dream, with bunks, a bath and a half, and loads of storage.

We couldn’t wait to get her back to our home business in Wisconsin.

Betty is 34 feet long and has two slides, which means she has ample living space while still being small enough for state and national parks. We worked from her already-great floor plan and made thoughtful changes to improve form and function. As with every renovation, during the demo we looked for things that should be reinforced, as well as holes that need to be filled to keep critters out. We also addressed any issues, like crimped water lines or signs of water damage. Demo also

provides us with the opportunity to evaluate how the space is used and brainstorm ideas to make it more efficient and beautiful. Demo is where design begins.

Making space for trash, laundry, and shoes is always at the top of our design list, as these things are often overlooked by manufacturers. In Betty, a modification to the cabinet below the sink made space for a trash bin. We found a place for two laundry hampers—one behind the primary bathroom toilet and the other in the unused space between the bunk slide and the back wall of the rig. We hoped to make storage for shoes under the steps, but the demo revealed heat ducts hiding there. Luckily, Betty has a generous entry, so shoes could land there.

In the primary bedroom, we changed the orientation of the ROOTLESS LIVING | 35

bed and moved the closets next to each other, improving the usability of the floor space. In the bunkroom we built drawers in the slide, creating much-needed storage for clothes. We also changed the standard bathroom door to a sliding barn door. This made a huge difference in the flow and floor space in the bunkroom, as the door no longer opened into the room.

Adding a fireplace was also a design priority. In fact, it’s our goal to add a fireplace to every rig. It adds ambience and provides “free” heat when hooked up to shore power.

In Betty, we sacrificed two cabinets below the TV to add the fireplace, and we think it was absolutely worth it.

RV renovation often requires creative solutions to unforeseen

HOW WE WORK: BEFORE

Client RVs We love to transform our clients’ RVs into beautiful, functional tiny homes on wheels.

RV Renovations When we’re not working on client RVs, we’re still renovating, and we offer rigs for sale as soon as they’re completed.

Pre-purchases After we inspect and purchase an RV, we offer it for pre-purchase. That means a client can purchase the RV pre-renovation and partner with us to design the perfect home.

Consultations We offer design and renovation consultations! For those DIYing their renovations, we’re here to help.

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What We Ask Ourselves When Renovating: • Is there enough lighting in the right places?

• Can we add outlets or charging ports?

• Where is the rig lacking storage?

• What appliances or systems should be upgraded or replaced?

BEFORE

• How can we maximize efficient use of space?

problems. When we removed the cabinets in Betty’s slide, for instance, we discovered an interesting mess of wires that could not be disconnected. Rerouting them was not a great option, so we built a box to house the wires and trimmed it to look like a picture frame, making it the perfect spot to highlight artwork. This also allowed us to keep the wall-mounted light in the slide.

Equally important to thoughtful design is an aesthetic that feels welcoming and comfortable. We balance new paint, flooring, lighting, and window coverings with vintage and thrifted finds. Wallpaper and wall treatments add texture and dimension to the space. Rugs and bedding tie rooms together, while wood elements ground them. Finally, appropriately-sized residential furniture invites rest and relaxation.

While we spend a lot of time working on the interior of our rigs, we also take great care with the exterior. We often replace skylights and vent fans, add gutters, recaulk seams, lubricate seals, pack bearings, change tires, and scrub awnings. By the end of our renovations, every inch of the RV has been evaluated and/or upgraded.

Carrie and her husband, RW, share renovated RVs on Instagram @driftless_rv_renovators and their website, driftlessrvrenovators.com

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// LIVE

Airstream Overhaul Renovating an Iconic RV

By Anna Springer • Photos by Stephan Springer

P

ERUSING BEFORE AND after photos is a fantastic way to become inspired to attempt a do-it-yourself adventure. The contrast can be shocking! You have the dull, poorly-lit before, and the glowing, perfectly-polished after. From the photos, you’d almost think the owner snapped their fingers and got instant results, with no sweat and no tears.

In the spring of 2022, we found ourselves the proud new owners of a 16-year-old Airstream. Camper years are calculated similarly to dog years—meaning that what was once the peak of fashion of Airstream styling now felt more than a little outdated. Everything was functional, but when we looked at our new-to-us home, covered in carpet and paneling, it reminded us of staying with our grandparents.

The interior was wall-to-wall fuzzy white, covered generously with what we soon learned was called “mouse fur” in the camping world. This material (which has nothing to do with actual mice) is great for insulation, but it was also covered in stains. An unknown rust-colored substance spotted the interior in multiple places, and no amount of scrubbing could convince it to leave. We decided we needed to sacrifice insulation for cleanliness, which meant the mouse fur needed to go.

The former owners had various nautical decorations tacked up, which nicely complemented the blue and white window valances that blocked most of the natural light. The toilet seat showcased my favorite decorative item, a cling-on stained glass sticker. At a loss for what to do, we began to search “Airstream before and after photos.” As soon as the comparison images began to pop up, we knew our camper’s first adventure with us would be a significant overhaul.

The shiny before and after images filled us with confidence. We had never undertaken a serious renovation, but it looked so easy! We allotted one month for the job, and we were able to park in my parents’ driveway. This allowed us to call on my dad’s building expertise, and it gave us access to a bedroom while our new one was being torn to shreds.

Tearing everything out was the easy part. We attacked the inside with vigor, starting with the carpet, then moving on to the mouse fur. It left reluctantly, exposing a sticky, glue-like substance underneath. We had hoped to restore the walls to the signature Airstream aluminum finish. First, we tried a heavy-duty adhesive remover, which did nothing. Then we attempted gentle sanding, which only smoothed the glue’s rough edges. Ultimately, we had to grind the adhesive with the sander, smoothing it enough to allow us to paint over it.

ROOTLESS LIVING | 39

Once the camper was stripped to its bare bones, we stared at the blank canvas and had no idea what to do. All the before and after photos had yet to show this part! There was no instruction manual for how to bring our dreams to life. After a day or two of pondering what to do with all this creative freedom, we decided to start by setting pen to paper. Writing out what we needed and wanted was really helpful. We knew we would need a designated shoe rack.

We also wanted to widen the bed to fit a regular queen-size mattress and raise it to accommodate additional clothing storage underneath.

The ideas began to flow! Words turned into sketches, and we began to feel more confident. Our goal was to keep the interior light and airy, and we wanted hardwood floors. As we started acquiring supplies, we even found butcher block counters with a hairline crack at Home Depot—typically much outside our price range, but perfect at 75% off. Flooring, paint, and lumber arrived, and we were ready to begin construction!

The renovation was a learning experience. We cut countertops from the butcher block and fit them into place, then stained, finished, and sealed them ourselves. Making perfect holes to match the bathroom and kitchen sinks was terrifying. My dad’s guidance was invaluable—at least one of us knew what we were doing!

All the camper hardware got a coat of black paint to modernize it. Then we prepared for the major step of painting the interior. Amazingly, Dad had a professional-grade paint sprayer stored in the basement. We picked a neutral white for the interior, then began the process of removing and spraying the many, many cabinet doors that made up our storage compartments.

Finally, it was time to paint the inside.

We covered the windows and other

Remodel Progress

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non-paintable surfaces in clear plastic gift basket wrap, which we had also conveniently found in the basement.

Spraying the inside was painstaking.

We were far from professionals and soon learned that the Georgia heat made the paint extra prone to dripping.

We had to spray the walls in thin layers so streaks didn’t form. And we wore

complete head-to-toe hazmat suits and professional-grade masks while working. It was a tremendous unintentional exercise program—we were sweating inside our own personal sauna. As the walls began to transform, the end result started to come into sight more clearly.

Once the interior was decked out with fresh white paint and a light brown faux wood floor, we were ready to build! We decided to craft a desk and storage cabinets where the front sleeper sofa had once been.

Our beloved shoe rack was placed adjacent to the front door, and the elevated bed frame began to come together. It was starting to look like home.

After the building was complete, then came the fun part! We scoured IKEA for storage components and accessories. Amazon packages arrived daily, and the Home Depot trips seemed endless. We began to move our belongings in, which meant it was time to organize! We designated areas for everything and categorized our lives into sections—kitchen supplies, clothing items, etc. The camper’s storage capacity pleasantly

surprised us. We had pared down our belongings to what we thought was absolutely necessary, and once everything was loaded up, we had room for more!

We had put in 12- and 13-hour days trying to stay on schedule. A little more than a month after starting, the camper that stood before us was almost unrecognizable inside—it was light, airy, and mouse-fur-free. We took “after” photos of our own, now with a personal understanding of the blood, sweat, and tears that filled the space between. And then we hitched up, pulled out of the driveway, and headed out for our first camping trip in our new home!

Find Anna and Stephan on Instagram @uprootandadventure.

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// LIVE

Favorite Things About RV RENOVATIONS

Photo by Mystache Photo

From improving layouts and creating new ones to adding accessories and fixtures, renovating an RV can make a huge difference. We polled our readers to ask what they enjoyed most when it came to their RV renovations!

@siptaptow

“Finding water damage and repairing it better than before.” @living_large_camping

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Photo by Mystache Photo

“Designing it and seeing our vision come to life!”

“Hearing our classic V8 engine fire up for the first time after months of upgrades!” @soulofaseeker

// LIVE

One Room

at a Time

Creating a Bright, Boho-Inspired Fifth Wheel

By Patty Gill

W

E PURCHASED OUR fifth wheel five years ago with the intention of living in it, but initially, we were still living in our sticks and bricks home, only camping a few weekends a month and a few weeks a year. The RV was really dark inside—it came with light brown walls, and dark brown trim, valances, furniture, and cabinets. At the time we didn’t mind, because it was just our vacation home. But when we were ready to sell the house and live in our RV full time, I knew it was time to start renovating. I wanted it to be light and bright, and I really wanted it to feel like home. After selling our house and moving in, we were stationary for a year before we started traveling, and I wanted to use that time to renovate. I knew I had to work quickly in order to

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get it all done before we hit the road.

Since we were living in the camper during the remodel, we renovated one room at a time. I decided to start small, just in case it was too much, so the first thing I did was pull down all the horrible wooden valances that covered every window. Then I replaced the blinds with ones that let in more sunlight. We also removed the heavy, ornate trim around the slides and replaced it with cedar trim.

The first big project we tackled was the bathroom, and I learned a huge lesson right away—the cabinets in our RV would not take paint unless I sanded them first. This is when I realized it was going to be a much harder project than I thought. Sanding down all the cabinets in our RV took forever, and led to a lot of frustration, but it was totally worth it

in the end. In the bathroom, we painted all the cabinets and walls. We originally added peel-and-stick wallpaper and tile, but we had to take that down because of the humidity in the bathroom. We ended up adding some black molding, artwork, and a shower curtain.

Next, we tackled the bedroom. We ripped out the huge, dark headboard with its unattractive gold panels, and we replaced it with a much lighter bamboo headboard from IKEA. We also painted all the walls and trim a cream color and the doors and dresser white. For our dresser, we wanted a two-toned contrast, so we took the top off and stained it a light brown. We also added some macrame art for a little boho influence.

The living room was next, and it was a bigger project. We started by sanding

and painting all the cabinets, then painting all the walls and trim. We added wallpaper behind the wall of the entertainment center, and we took out the ugly black speakers that we never used and made a shelf with a light inside.

There was ornate wood trim around the fireplace, so we ripped that out—only to find a huge hole! We decided to make a fireplace mantle with hidden storage for our soundbar. My husband, Shane, made it from pine wood with some hinges, so the front opens when we want to use the soundbar. Eventually, we also replaced the dark recliners and couches with much lighter furniture.

The kitchen/dining room was the largest area, so we tackled it last. We

put up wallpaper in the dining room and stained the table a much lighter color. I added new, modern chairs and some plants. We painted all the walls the same cream, and sanded and painted all the cabinets and the hutch. I wanted something different for the island, so I painted it a really pretty blue color, and I love how it turned out!

To match the blue island, I added rugs, wallpaper, and accessories that had a touch of blue in them.

We also added blue peel-and-stick wallpaper that looks like tile on the steps.

I added two bar stools for the front of the island, and we replaced the light fixtures. The light fixtures over the island are small, upside-down trash cans.

Several of the cabinets in the kitchen and living room had glass panels; we took out the glass and replaced it with cane webbing, which gives it a boho look.

In the end, all our hard work was totally worth it. Would I do it again?

Probably. I just love my RV! It really feels like a home to us, and it makes me smile every time I walk in the door.

We get so many compliments about it, which is always nice to hear.

Anyone who lives in an RV does what they can to make it feel like a home, but you certainly don’t need to do everything we did! Even adding a few things that you love or a few bright pillows, blankets, and some artwork can make a huge difference. All that matters is that you feel like you’re at home.

You can find more of Patty and Shane’s travels on Instagram @gills_on_wheels.

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// LIVE

Beach-Ready Renovation Couple Updates Truck Camper for Baja Trip

By Hannah O’Connell

M

Y HUSBAND, CHRIS, and I have been traveling full time throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada for the past year and a half. We came into this nomadic lifestyle for respite; a retreat from the rat race. We were both workaholics, often juggling many projects at once on top of each running our own business, and we had become increasingly aware of how our lifestyle was affecting our mental and physical health. The idea of selling everything and moving into a camper to travel seemed like a pipe dream, but the more we explored what it would take, the more feasible it became. So we worked very hard to get ourselves into the position where we could actually do it. We renovated the house we’d been living in and sold it. Chris sold his construction and contracting business, we sold most of our belongings, and we bought our new home, a 30-foot fifth wheel that we would renovate in order to travel the country.

We didn’t know how long we would be on the road; initially, we planned to reevaluate after a year.

But we quickly fell in love with the lifestyle, the community, and the freedom that a nomadic life brings. I don’t mean to glorify this way of life, as it’s definitely not for everyone! It comes with a unique set of problems and stressors. It teaches you how much you took for granted in a conventional life, like the convenience of electricity, water, and trash pickup.

But it also offers a vast array of benefits that greatly outweigh the struggles, in our opinion. We’re able to work while we travel to make the experience sustainable. I have a jewelry studio built into our camper where I create one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry inspired by nature and the places we travel. With 10 years of experience running his own contracting business and nearly 20 years of carpentry experience, Chris picks up projects while we travel, including RV design and renovations, solar installs, and everything in between.

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We travel in a self-renovated fifth wheel, but after being on the road and getting a better idea of what we want in our tiny home on wheels, we wanted to do another build customized to our specific needs. We made the decision in the fall of last year, so we thought it would be best to head home to Massachusetts for the holidays to visit family and plan out that project. Plus, we knew it would help to do the build at home, where we have a plethora of resources.

The previous winter, we had traveled with a group of friends down to Baja California Sur, Mexico. We had an incredible time living on the beaches with our community of friends, and we really couldn’t imagine missing out on the experience this year. But it didn’t make sense logistically to drive our fifth wheel from Washington all the way to Massachusetts for the holidays, then drive it back down to Mexico, then come back to Massachusetts in the spring to start our next build. Instead, we came up with a different plan—we decided to leave the fifth wheel at home for the winter and pick up a little truck camper to take down to Baja California with us. It could be a quick, fun renovation, and a truck would be a lot easier to maneuver around and travel in Mexico with.

We found a truck camper in Portland, Maine. It was a fair price, but it had some damage, so we

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were able to negotiate a better deal.

As excited as we were for the renovation, we didn’t start the work immediately, since we wanted to spend time with friends and family during the holiday season. We did, however, have a hard timeline, because we were planning to meet our friends in Arizona at Skooliepalooza before

caravaning down to Mexico together.

That meant that after the holidays, it was crunch time. We completely renovated our truck camper in three weeks before driving it across the country in three days.

We knew we had limited time, and we also knew we didn’t want to invest a lot of money into the truck camper. Our hopes were that after using it to travel to Baja California, we would return in the spring and sell it, helping to pay for our winter in Mexico. We also planned to pick up our next project, a skoolie or a box truck, on our way home, and one of us could easily drive the truck camper while the other drove our new rig home.

We work really well together.

Chris has the carpentry expertise, and I love interior design. We really enjoy rehabbing old projects and bringing them back to life. Since this camper would be our Baja California beach house, I had a modern desert design in mind. Since it was such a small space, I wanted it to be bright and airy, and I wanted to add vibrant,

sandstone-colored accents. Once we had the vision, we began working away on our new little home, which we would later name Taco.

We kept the renovations minimal, but they made a huge impact. Chris repaired some water-damaged areas, buffed and waxed all the fiberglass, and resealed all of the exterior joints. There was limited storage, so he built in some additional closet and shelving space in the bedroom loft area. We also removed all the carpet, window valances, blinds, and anything that felt old and outdated.

We painted the entire camper white, replaced the flooring, refinished the countertops, replaced or painted the cabinetry hardware, replaced the kitchen faucet, reupholstered the dinette, and added a Maxx Air fan and an inline water filter.

It was important for our tiny home to be optimized for boondocking, so we did a small, simple solar install consisting of one 100 amp-hour Battle Born lithium battery and 400 watts of solar. Doing the

ROOTLESS LIVING | 49

renovation in the dead of winter in New England was less than desirable, but we still had a lot of fun on this project.

Here are some further specs on the camper and costs of renovations: Camper: 2005 Lance 845 Cost of camper: $3,500 Cost of camper mounting hardware: $600 Total cost of renovations, including solar: $4,500

Overall we absolutely loved our four months with Taco. Spending time in this smaller, more accessible setup has really made us reconsider our next build. Initially, we thought we wanted a 40-foot flat nose bus, but we’ve now realized we definitely don’t want to go that big. So now we are considering a medium-sized rig, more geared toward overlanding. We are grateful for our time spent in this truck camper and are excited to dive into our next project!

Hannah and Chris can be found on Instagram @chasing_inspirations.

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// LIVE

RENOVATE or UPGRADE? What To Do With Your Old RV

BENEFITS OF RENOVATING A “New” RV Without the Price Tag Although renovations inevitably cost time and money, you can decide how much of each to put in. Thrifty DIYers can make a big difference with just a few thousand dollars by using secondhand and lightly-used items.

Plus, RVs often only need a light facelift to look much more modern. For example, if your RV still has good bones, adding new faucets, flooring, paint, and a backsplash can make the space feel entirely different.

Consider the types of renovations you want to implement in your RV and what they will cost. Even if you’re planning on a major overhaul, you might be surprised at how much less you would spend on a renovation compared to a brand new RV.

Customize Your Space Renovating gives you the opportunity to customize your space to your lifestyle. Families with young children can add

bunks and a space for creative learning, while people with lots of outdoor gear can design their space to accommodate their storage needs. You can optimize your furniture and living space by designing your renovation to match your priorities. Most new RVs don’t come with this level of personalization, so if you’re looking for designs tailored to you, you would likely have to make modifications anyway. Also, if you can’t stand the generic brown and beige interiors of many RVs, a renovation is a great way to choose your own color palette.

Feeling of Accomplishment No matter what level of renovation you implement, you’ll have a beautiful final result to admire and show off to friends and family. Completing an RV renovation gives you the opportunity to take pride in your work and your home. And if you’re looking for a project that will teach you a few new skills, a renovation project could be just the thing for you!

Illustration by Andy Greaves

THESE DAYS, it seems like everything is renovation-worthy.

Whether it’s a house or a piece of furniture, people are rolling up their sleeves and joining an evergrowing group of ambitious DIYers in order to breathe new life into old things. Owners of outdated RVs are no exception, and for good reason.

A well-done renovation can add value to your RV and extend its life, not to mention create a cozy space for you and your family. But how do you decide if an RV renovation is right for you? We’ve listed some of the benefits of renovating and reasons to upgrade in order to help you decide.

REASONS TO UPGRADE TO A NEW RV Avoid Repair Costs Unfortunately, older RVs often have underlying problems that must be addressed before you can even start a renovation project. If your RV isn’t running great, or has infrastructure issues with the appliances, roof, plumbing, or electrical system ( just to name a few), a renovation may not be worth it for you. However, it’s important to understand the cost of the repairs you need, as they still might add up to less than a new RV would cost. Adding everything up and comparing costs can give you a better idea of which route you should take.

Save Yourself Time There’s no doubt that renovations can take a lot of time, especially if you don’t have construction experience. Every major project will take time to research, plan, and implement.

Most people who have done an RV renovation can attest to the

fact that it almost never finishes on schedule! If you don’t have time to take the necessary steps to execute each project right, a renovation project may end up costing you more time and money than it’s worth.

Resale or Trade-in Value In most cases, a renovation will increase the value of your RV. But if you design the new space to be specific to one lifestyle, you will limit your resale options. For example, removing an extra sleeping area and putting in a desk will eliminate people who need that sleeping area from your potential buyer pool. In addition, if you’re interested in selling your renovated RV at some point, consider your color choices and the style of your installations, like furniture.

Styles that seem interesting and trendy to you may not evoke the same adoration from the mainstream consumer. But if renovating would allow you to keep your RV for many years to come, then resale value may not be a priority!

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// WORK

CAREERS ON THE ROAD

FINDING A WAY to fund travel is essential, and there are many different ways to make the full-time lifestyle work for you. From creative businesses to seasonal gigs to unique side hustles, our readers reveal how they make money on the road.

@theemmachristie “My main income is from my novels— I’ve got two published novels and am contracted for two more.”

@exploringoutsidethe303 “Engineering consultant and content creator”

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@thecampinglibrarian “Teaching English-language learners!”

Here are other unique jobs from our readers: • IT work, from network installs to support • Graphic designer • Project manager building lab and radiology interfaces Share your job by emailing us at collab@rootlessliving.com.

@this.quaranstream.life

istock.com/Kyle Little

“CPA and M&A consultant”

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Traveling

// WORK

AUTHOR Balancing Work and Play

By Emma Christie

I

’M WRITING THIS while parked in the shade of a Mediterranean stone pine tree in one of Spain’s national parks.

It’s a place of vast wetlands, thick forests, and towering sand dunes; home to lynx, eagles, and flamingos. And temporarily, it’s home for me, my girlfriend, and our little blue campervan.

We’ve been living in our Ford Nugget, a Transit van converted by legendary German firm Westfalia, since the spring. Our plan is to spend at least 6 months traveling through Spain, Albania, Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria.

I’ve backpacked extensively in the past and lived abroad for most of my adult life, but this is the first time I’ve traveled long-term in a campervan. It’s also the first time I’ve fully embraced the benefits of being a digital nomad.

I’m the author of two Edinburghbased psychological fiction novels—“The Silent Daughter” and “Find Her First”—and am under contract to write two more for one

of the UK’s biggest publishing groups, Hachette UK. I’m currently editing the third, “In Her Shadow,” which will be released in January 2024. I also write scripts for a history podcast.

So how does vanlife fit with my writing life?

The Ford Nugget is a small camper—about 16 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 6 feet tall before you lift the canvas pop-top roof. With the roof closed, we can’t even stand up straight. But once it’s open and the window blinds are unzipped, it’s a marvel. From the outside it looks similar to our old van, a Volkswagen California Ocean T6. But it has a completely different layout, and suits our needs perfectly.

In my opinion, the key advantage to the Ford Nugget is the layout.

The entire back end is furnished with a full-height kitchen that sits under the highest part of the roof.

This means I can set up my office in the dining area while Mari hangs out in the back, either cooking or lounging on the floor with the ROOTLESS LIVING | 55

back door open and her feet hanging loose over the edge. And if Mari wants the sofa, I can switch sides and use the kitchen unit as a standing desk.

We’re together in this tiny van, but the ingenious design means we each have our own space. For me and my writing work, that’s key.

As is routine. I write for three hours five days a week, either very early in the morning or in the late afternoon. On the remaining two days I work a full eight hours, which also enables me to catch up with emails and those dull-but-essential admin tasks that stalk me wherever I go. This is far fewer hours than I’d work back home in Barcelona, and when I say it out loud I notice a slight contraction in my chest. Is it stress? No, it’s shame. Society has trained me well.

If I hear about an artist living in a van and working minimal hours, my mind pops out an instant judgment: they’re lazy.

But now that artist is me.

Here lies the first bamboozling

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paradox of vanlife for me: I’m writing the same quantity and quality of words as I do when I’m back home, but I’m done and dusted in far less time. Why? I have a few theories, but I think the key difference between office life and vanlife is focus. Once I’m at my desk, there are fewer distractions. If I know for sure I’m only working three hours in a day, I make the most of it. I don’t spend time on social media, because I know I’ll have plenty of time to check it later if the urge strikes me. I don’t slip across the street to drink coffee halfway through my day. I sit, I set alarms, and I write. My motivation is on overdrive, partly because the prize at the end of my working day is another adventure.

I absolutely love my job and would

happily spend all day drumming out stories. But I also love exploring new places with Mari, and with our current setup, I have both.

It’s not always easy, but it’s not the small space that’s my biggest challenge. Alongside the van trip is a self-generated guilt trip.

Back home in Barcelona, Mari is a yoga teacher. She’s taken six months off work for this trip, and there are times I feel like she spends half of it waiting for me to join her. She doesn’t complain, and she doesn’t sit around waiting for me, either. In fact, as I write this, she’s out for a hike in the national park, blazing trails on her own. I confess I’m jealous. I wish I could have gone with her and shared the experience, but I forced myself to resist. Writing on the road requires a hefty dose of willpower. On other days,

Mari stays close to the van, practicing yoga, meditating, or studying English.

I’m fine, she says. But still guilt strikes.

The trouble is if I don’t sit down and work, the same thing happens.

Another issue is my lack of sleep.

Long hikes and late Spanish dinners mean we’re often doing the dishes around midnight, which is not conducive

to my proposed 5:30 a.m. wake time.

And an unexpected heatwave at Easter meant temperatures were hitting almost 100 degrees by mid-morning, around the same time I was packing up my laptop and hoping to hit the trails. Not ideal.

So what’s the solution? Change my sleep and wake times, or change the schedule.

I’ve experimented with working early in the evening instead. On a practical level, it’s fine. I get the words down.

But on a psychological level, it feels really different to be clock-watching when we’re out hiking or biking, making sure I’ve got enough hours to work once we finish. I’m also tired and hot when I start work, rather than typing away in the cool of the dawn, and my mind is full of thoughts and images from the day rather than fresh and rested. So despite the sleep deprivation, sunrise sessions get my vote.

People have asked if it’s difficult to write novels based in Scotland when I’m sweltering abroad, but this has never been a problem for me. I wrote my first book

while living in Guatemala, my second in Barcelona, and started the third during an extended road trip to the Balkans.

I love sitting down at my campervan desk and conjuring up the sights and sounds of Scotland, regardless of whether we’re parked in spectacular mountains or in a grubby city car park.

Writing about home helps me feel more connected to the places and people I left behind. And I think vanlife has strengthened my bond with Mari, too.

The lack of space in the van can be an issue inside, especially on days when Mari is working on her laptop, meaning we’re literally banging elbows at the dining table. But long-term, vanlife compensates for all of these fleeting discomforts.

For me there are few things more inspiring than waking up in wild places with Mari—just us, the van, and birdsong. Nothing beats that moment when I step out of the van at sunrise with my first coffee of the day and witness the world around me wake up. It’s a whispered reminder of the endless joy that lies in the simple things. And that, for me, is vanlife.

Find Emma on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @theemmachristie or at emmachristiewriter.com.

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// WORK

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Standing for People I Meet On Holiday, Pimoh is an app for digital nomads who are looking to make genuine connections with locals, other travelers, and people working abroad. The app matches you with people who have similar interests, hobbies, and travel goals. As Pimoh says, “Explore the world, meet people within it.” pimoh.com

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OHIO RAILS TO TRAILS

Cycling the American Midwest

By Jennifer Skinnell

I

LOVE TRAVELING THE country and finding rail trails to ride with my husband, Mike. Our home state of Ohio has some great trails, and most are paved. The trails are very scenic, from the Ohio to Erie Trail, with its many offshoots, to smaller trails like the Richland B and O Trail. Here are some of the trails we rode and enjoyed on a recent visit.

Ohio to Erie Trail

The Ohio to Erie Trail is 326 miles and goes from the Ohio River all the way to Lake Erie.

The route takes you through small towns, Ohio farmland, and even Amish country.

CEDARVILLE TO XENIA AND BEYOND Length: 50 miles round trip We began this section just north of Cedarville at Massie Creek Park and rode the trail south to Xenia. If Xenia sounds familiar, it may be because this town faced enormous damage from a large tornado in the 1970s. Today it is a vibrant town, and a trail hub with offshoots to other trails.

From Xenia, we took the Little Miami Scenic Trail south for 15 miles before turning around. Once we got back to Xenia, we took a connector trail northwest for 5 miles before returning and getting back on the Ohio to Erie Trail to complete our route to Cedarville.

SUNBURY TO MOUNT VERNON Length: 50 miles round trip This section of the Ohio to Erie Trail goes from Sunbury through Centerburg, which is the midpoint of the Ohio to Erie Trail, and on to the town of Mount Vernon.

As with many of the towns along the trail, there is a lot of history to explore. At Mount Vernon, we checked out the location of an old glass factory. The factory has long been out of operation, but the town has made the location into an amazing park and outdoor museum called the Ariel-Foundation Park.

You’ll definitely want to stop and take some time to explore this historic location.

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SPRING VALLEY TO KINGS MILL Length: 62 miles round trip Our longest ride of the summer took us from Spring Valley to Kings Mill. We parked at Walton Park in the small town of Spring Valley and rode the trail south. This section of the Ohio to Erie Trail is also part of the Little Miami Scenic Trail. The trail follows the Little Miami River and is sometimes referred to as the Scenic River Route. We could see why! The route was lined with trees, which made it a relaxing and cool ride, even in the summer.

KILLBUCK TO FREDERICKSBURG Length: 32 miles round trip This part of the Ohio to Erie Trail is unique because it winds through beautiful scenery in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country. The trail has been worn in sections due to shared use by cyclists, pedestrians, and the Amish. That’s right—this section is used by the Amish traveling by horse and buggy to the local Walmart and other locations in Millersburg. We began our ride by parking at the Millersburg Walmart and riding north to Fredericksburg, then turned around and continued south past Millersburg to Killbuck before returning to Millersburg for our 32-mile loop.

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Simon Kenton Trail

The Simon Kenton Trail goes from Springfield north to Bellefontaine.

URBANA TO BELLEFONTAINE Length: 40 miles round trip (including riding from our parking location) The small town of Urbana is the approximate midpoint of this trail.

There is a restored depot in Urbana with restrooms and a coffee shop, but there isn’t much parking at this trailhead, especially for our F-350 dually. We parked at Melvin Miller Park, which is just a short ride from the trail.

The northern section that we rode is 18 miles long and goes from Urbana to Bellefontaine. The scenery is much like the Ohio to Erie Trail, going through scenic farmland and along the existing train tracks. However, this section is also crushed gravel, so plan your tires accordingly. President Lincoln’s funeral train came through Urbana on this track.

URBANA TO YELLOW SPRINGS Length: 51 miles round trip We went back to Urbana and Melvin Miller Park to head south on the Simon Kenton Trail. This section is paved and took us south to the town of Springfield.

From there, we rode the Little Miami Scenic Trail down to Yellow Springs. This section is very scenic and well marked as you navigate your way through Springfield.

RICHLAND B AND O TRAIL Length: 25 miles round trip The Richland B and O trail begins in Lexington, where there are amenities and a bike store, and travels through farmland and the small town of Belleville before ending in Butler. It’s not a long

trail, but it is scenic and paved.

Signs along the way speak to the history of the area. One sign tells of a train wreck on September 5, 1872, when a train leaving the Ohio State Fair in Mansfield collided with a Chicago-bound train, killing eight and injuring 45 . As you can see, we rode a lot of miles in Ohio, and we didn’t even do half of the trails. Mike rode his Trek Domane hybrid and I rode my Trek Verve+ 3 e-bike, but you could use a road bike for most of these trails. If you prefer trails to roads, we highly recommend checking out the rail trails of Ohio.

Jennifer and Mike are on Instagram @theramblingquilter and their travel blog can be found at theramblingquilter.com.

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7 Fall

Reasons to Travel in the

By Scott Russell

I

THINK FALL IS the best time of year to hop in your RV and hit the open road. The gentle, cool breeze combined with the vibrant foliage painting the landscape is something to see. It’s simply the most magical season for enjoying the outdoors. Grab your sweater and hot cocoa, and let’s dive into why fall is the ultimate season to hit the road in your RV. Perfect Weather for Outdoor Activities Finally, the oppressive summer heat abates, and a bit of chill is in the air.

For those who love to spend time outdoors, this is always a welcome feeling. Whether you’re hiking, biking, paddling, playing yard games, or just hanging out at the campsite, it’s all better when the heat and humidity are lower.

Bugs also tend to calm down when the cooler fall temperatures settle in. I don’t know about you, but the insects I encounter while camping or exploring the outdoors can be just as bad as the heat and humidity. For our family, spending time outside just feels more comfortable in the fall.

Fewer Crowds Summer crowds wind down when school is back in session. If you enjoy a quieter experience in national parks or other outdoor locations, fall is often the perfect time to explore—especially at the more popular parks, like Rocky Mountain National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Sightseeing on autumn weekdays is usually a sweet spot for enjoying locations with fewer crowds. The shoulder season can result in a more peaceful experience in the parks, as well as less-packed campgrounds.

Even if you can only visit on the weekends, many areas are still much quieter in the fall than they are during summer weekends.

Campfires, Anyone?

Nothing says campfire quite like a cool, crisp fall evening. We love sitting around a campfire, but sometimes they aren’t very pleasant during the summer. We spent a lot of time camping in Florida this summer, and it was brutal to have a fire in the heat.

Morning fires at dawn turned out to be the most bearable, and even then, the bugs and humidity were not ideal.

Fall is the season that makes you want to linger at the campsite. We even enjoy all-day campfires while we listen to music and play yard games during cool fall days. We’ve also been known to cook breakfast sausages followed by s’mores in the morning with our coffee. It’s just the perfect time to relax and enjoy the weather.

Cheaper Rates Some campgrounds have a more expensive rate for holiday weekends and throughout the summer season.

Depending on the area, rates can be significantly lower in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, helping you to save money on your trip.

It can also be much easier to get a camping reservation in the fall. As the camping season wraps up and RVers begin to winterize or store their RVs for the off-season, you can scoop up campsites.

Savings and availability will depend on the area, though. For instance, in areas of peak fall foliage, campgrounds may not be quieter or ROOTLESS LIVING | 63

cheaper until later in the fall, past the peak color. And in some places, fall is the peak season! We’ve camped outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park for two fall seasons. The campgrounds are full, and the prices are high compared to other seasons. We still think it’s worth it to camp in the fall in this beautiful mountain area!

Tailgating While Camping There is just something special about camping during autumn while enjoying your favorite fall sports. We are huge football fans, and we love to watch the games on TV outside with our favorite snacks while also enjoying a fire or playing fun yard games. There is no time like the fall to be able to enjoy camping while tailgating.

Fall Festivals We love to check out local events when we RV, and there’s no shortage of special local events to enjoy while traveling in the fall. You can pretty much bet that wherever you decide to travel, there will be local fall fun to participate in. You’ll find pumpkin patches, hayrides, cultural festivals, renaissance festivals, food festivals, and more.

Sometimes we find the town calendar and see what’s going on, and other times we inquire at the campground for local recommendations. It’s always a blast to celebrate holidays or seasons the way locals do in different areas of the country. These one-ofa-kind travel experiences are exactly why we love RVing.

Speaking of seasonal local fun, don’t forget to check out the campground calendar!

Many privately-owned campgrounds and RV resorts offer fun seasonal activities for guests to enjoy. We’ve hopped on campground hayrides and participated in other fall or Halloween events. It’s always a great time, and it’s the perfect way to meet new camping buddies!

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Fall Foliage The best part of fall RV travel for nature lovers is fall foliage.

The blanket of bright colors across the landscape provides a fresh and stunning way to see an area. It’s wild how the scenery really comes to life in the fall. As I mentioned before, it’s important to keep in mind that destinations known for fall color will not usually be cheaper or less crowded in the fall. In fact, peak fall foliage areas are extremely popular with RVers during September and October. But if you enjoy fall scenery, it’s worth it to camp in these coveted spots.

Some of our favorite locations to enjoy fall foliage are Stowe, Vermont; Branson, Missouri; Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Estes Park, Colorado; Eastern Washington; and Asheville, North Carolina.

It’s easy to see why fall is the perfect time for RV travel. From the perfect weather for outdoor activities to the serenity of fewer crowds and the joy of gathering around a campfire, fall offers a truly magical camping experience that just can’t be matched during any other season of the year. Whether you’re seeking thrilling adventures in national parks, immersing yourself in local fall festivals, or simply taking in the beauty of nature’s palette, fall RVing promises unforgettable moments and cherished memories.

Scott, Van, and their 13-year-old daughter share more RV tips and travel guides on their website, theadventuredetour.com, and on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok @theadventuredetour.

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Compact

Christmas

Tiny Holiday Decor Ideas

By Gwendolyn Call

W

HEN WE THINK about the holidays, we think about all the traditions around home decoration, like selecting the perfect tree and hanging the lights. Decorating is a big part of getting into the holiday spirit, and living tiny does not mean you have to skip your traditions or miss out on that holiday feeling. In fact, you might find you enjoy it more than usual, because less really is more!

Here are a few helpful tips as we move into the Christmas season, which happens to be my favorite! With a smaller area to decorate, you’ll have more time to truly enjoy the holiday and cultivate meaningful moments.

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N g n i t C r ea

Use your Space Think creatively for holiday decor placement.

We found that the best location for our tree is at the end of our kitchen island. Of course, this is not a traditional tree spot, but it really works! Move your belongings around and see where your perfect placement is—you may be surprised.

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s n o i t i d a r T ew

Tradition One of the traditions we started while traveling was purchasing a Christmas tree ornament from the national parks we visit. This gives us an opportunity to purchase a keepsake and Christmas decoration in one.

All in the details In the kitchen, add hand towels, mugs, salt and pepper shakers, or a cutting board

More is More Decorate all the rooms.

In a small space, you’ll be able to decorate areas that you may not have been able to in a traditional home. Decorating our kids’ full bunk room is always a favorite for us.

Bedding Add themed bedding in bedrooms, and throw blankets and pillows in the living room

Ambience Small stockings, greenery, soft twinkle lighting, or a pine-scented candle can work in almost any room.

Pick a Theme With such a small space, it can help to pick a theme. You might choose to limit your decorations to a couple of colors or motifs.

Try not to overthink this part of the process, because you want to have fun decorating.

I hope you find that small living during the holidays feels better. You can keep traditions alive and create new ones. Remember the holidays are to be spent with loved ones, not stressing over decorating.

Happy holidays, and happy decorating this season!

For more tips and tricks, follow Gwendolyn on Instagram @chaoskiddosandharmony.

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BAJA OR BUST Full-Time RVers Head South for Winter

By Nicoll Davis

A

S WINTER’S ICY grip spreads across much of North America, a vibrant and intrepid community of full-time RVers finds solace and adventure in the sun-soaked landscapes of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. This enchanting region beckons with its warm climate, breathtaking vistas, and rich cultural experiences.

From the rugged shores of the Pacific Ocean to the tranquil Sea of Cortez, Baja California’s allure lies not only in its idyllic beaches and scenic wonders, but also in the tight-knit community of fellow full-time RVers who travel there for unforgettable journeys.

AuBrey & Jason @barelysqueakinby

AUBREY AND JASON headed south to Baja California after two years of traveling the United States full time.

When asked about their inspiration to start RVing in Baja California, AuBrey and Jason said, “We wanted to stretch our boundaries and explore beyond our comfort zone. The U.S. is such a small place in the grand scheme of things, and of course, we chase weather.”

So, what sets Baja California apart from other RV destinations? AuBrey said, “The Baja lifestyle is simple, laid-back, and slower-paced. Locals are incredibly happy, friendly, and always laughing. It’s a place that fills your heart with gratitude and leaves you with unforgettable memories.”

When it comes to finding the best places to park your RV, AuBrey and Jason recommend iOverlander, a trusted app for RV travelers. “We prefer boondocking with no hookups and fewer people,” they said. However, in Baja California, they opted for campgrounds ranging from $20 to $50 per night. They highlighted Club de Pesca in San Felipe, which offers beachfront camping and proximity to the town. Near La Paz, they highly recommended Carlita’s Casitas and Campground, run by welcoming owners, Bill and Carla. And for adventurous souls, they mentioned free camping near the hot springs in La Ventana.

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Navigating Baja California’s roads and highways can be an adventure in itself. AuBrey and Jason emphasized the importance of caution, especially on narrow highways with just two lanes. “Watch out for potholes, topes (massive speed bumps), and free-roaming cows and donkeys,” they said. They also shared a handy tip: signaling with your left-hand blinker lets the driver behind you know it’s safe to pass. As for navigation, they recommended using multiple map apps and keeping a paper map handy for backup.

Baja California is renowned for its stunning scenery, and AuBrey and Jason were happy to share their favorite spots.

“San Ignacio, located between Guerrero Negro and Santa Rosalía, is home to a beautiful palm oasis. There are rows of campgrounds along the riverbed where you can stay nestled beneath the palm trees.” Another gem is “Bahía Concepción—a bay with breathtaking beaches including Playa Santispac, Playa Los Cocos, and Playa El Burro.”

The crystal-clear waters and stunning bay views make it a must-visit destination.

AuBrey and Jason suggested exploring the small towns, where culture thrives.

AuBrey expressed a fondness for Santiago, located near the southern part of the peninsula, where natural hot springs can be discovered. “We enjoyed staying at Rancho Ecologico Sol De Mayo in the countryside,” she said. “You can hike to a gorgeous waterfall with a swimming hole in the middle of nowhere. It’s a great hidden gem.”

As with any adventure, there are challenges and risks associated with RVing in Baja California. Vehicle insurance is required, and AuBrey and Jason advised being aware of coverage limitations. They stressed the importance of carrying spare parts and being prepared for vehicle issues. Communication can sometimes be a challenge due to sporadic cell service, but they found Starlink to be a lifesaver.

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Eric & Marisa @thecumminscamper

ERIC AND MARISA are full-time RVers who have embarked on exciting journeys across the United States, and now they’re Baja California pros.

According to Eric, Marisa has been eager to conquer the Pan-American Highway since they became full-time RVers. Eric, on the other hand, has been a bit more cautious about their rig’s capabilities. “I think if we did that trip, I would want a smaller truck camper that’s not quite as tall or heavy,” Eric said. They both agreed that Baja California was the perfect starting point for their international travel aspirations.

What makes Baja California so appealing? Marisa explained, “The weather is absolutely amazing during the winter months. If you want to escape the cold, Baja is the place

to be!” And let’s not forget about the food. “The food in Mexico is incredible! The seafood is amazing,” exclaimed Eric. “You’ll be offered fresh shrimp, ceviche, all different types of fish, scallops, clams, and more from local vendors. You won't find seafood this good in the U.S.” Finding the best spots to park your RV in Baja California can be an adventure in itself, and Eric and Marisa shared their favorite camps with us.

“Bahía Concepción near Mulegé is a must-visit,” Eric said, seconding AuBrey and Jason’s recommendation. “You'll find beautiful beaches where you can camp for around $10 a night. Plus, you

can rent kayaks, take boat tours out to islands, paddleboard, snorkel, and more!” Another cherished spot for them is the East Cape region. “The dirt road along the southeastern section of Baja is dotted with stunning free beaches,” Eric said. “From December through March, you can watch thousands of whales migrating through the Gulf of California to give birth to their calves.”

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your mirror up against an oncoming semi-truck mirror.” They both agreed that driving at night is a big no-no.

“Cows tend to have a thing for standing in the middle of the road,” Marisa said.

To navigate the roads successfully, Eric swears by Waze. “Google sometimes leads you astray, but Waze has been my trusty companion in Baja,” he said.

While many people mention safety concerns in Mexico, Eric and Marisa said they hadn’t encountered any issues personally. “We take precautions, like choosing safe border crossings such as Calexico/Mexicali East, and 72 | ROOTLESSLIVING.COM

traveling in a group when possible,” Eric said. “We also rely on our Starlink for connectivity and make sure to park our rig in visible sight. Besides, we believe the chances of theft are just as high in the U.S.” Resourcefulness is key when RVing in Baja California. According to Eric, finding necessary resources in Baja California is not too different from finding them in the U.S. “iOverlander is a lifesaver—it has everything from camping spots to mechanics and groceries,” he said. “And don't forget to indulge in the local laundry service—it’s cheap and efficient!” As for fuel, Eric advises topping up at every city to ensure a smooth journey.

Eric recommends the whale tours in Guerrero Negro. “It's an incredible experience where you’ll be able to touch multiple gray whales as they swim right up to the boats,” he said. He also mentioned the Cabo Arch as a standout attraction, as well as the joy of off-road tours and exploring waterfalls and hot springs.

But when it comes to his ultimate Baja

California activity, Eric said, “I’m here for the tacos.” He recommended the tacos at Tacos El Muelle in Guerrero Negro.

For first-timers in Baja California, Eric had some valuable advice: “Exchange dollars for pesos in America; the exchange rate is far more favorable.”

He also stressed the importance of not paying fines on the side of the road. “If pulled over by the police, do not pay the police directly. Instead, request to go to the police station for payment.”

When reminiscing about their most memorable experiences in Baja California, Eric and Marisa recounted a range of remarkable moments. From breaking down for 37 days with a broken rear axle, then revisiting the same spot a year later and staying for three weeks by choice, to attending the van life event “Escapar a La Baja” at Playa El Tecolote, every experience held a special place in their hearts. But what truly stood out were the connections forged with new and old friends.

Nicoll and her husband, Jake, share their travels on Instagram @livingtinywithawolf.

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Shenandoah NATIONAL PARK The Best Hikes and Attractions

Courtesy Ash Carr/Hazel Witch Farm Florals

By L. Merredith

S

HENANDOAH IS OFTEN skipped when it comes to must-see lists of national parks, and I understand why. The mountains are not as tall as ones found elsewhere, so other parks may have more dramatic cliff-edge views. There are also other parks that are more well-known for uniquely beautiful landscapes. And Shenandoah is not as steeped in history as some other parks, either.

However, I’m here to say Shenandoah National Park is as special, if not more than, the parks that find themselves at the top of those lists.

Nestled next to Monongahela National Forest and George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Shenandoah’s Blue Ridge mountain range is one of the oldest in the world. Native Americans once called Shenandoah home, as did European settlers and many others following them—evidence of house foundations

and farmed crops can still be seen today. The well-trodden Appalachian Trail even weaves through the park, which means Shenandoah is home to part of the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, as well as part of the highest elevation long-distance trail in the U.S. And yet, Shenandoah is less crowded than other national parks.

I admit the history and allure are not why I favor Shenandoah. For me, it’s personal.

This national park is on my doorstep. It’s where I first learned to hike, camp, and backpack long-distance trails. It’s also where I met my hiking partner turned husband, and it’s where we eloped. It’s where we’ve amazed park rangers with the amount of bears we’ve stumbled upon on hikes. Shenandoah National Park became my home away from home. When the world gets a bit too crazy, this is where I dip under the protection of its leaves.

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I want to highlight my 10 favorite trails, based on years of hiking in this park.

Other hikes can be added onto these for longer and more difficult adventures.

Overall Run Falls It’s not often that you find a hike with both a beautiful waterfall and a summit view, which makes this one pretty special! Overall Run Falls is the tallest waterfall in Shenandoah.

Length: 5.4 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Old Rag Mountain This hike is so popular that day-use tickets are required. Intense rock scrambles to a 360-degree view make this hike coveted. At the top, you can dart in and out of the many hideaways created by the large rock outcrops.

Length: 9.3 miles Difficulty: Hard

Bearfence Mountain

Bearfence

For another 360-degree view of the Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont, challenge yourself with this (less intense) rock scramble!

Length: 1.0 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Mary’s Rock A few different trails will get you to the vista— some with more solitude than others. Still, the view at the top makes this a must-do!

Length: 3.4 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Dark Hollow Falls

Three Falls (Dark Hollow Falls, Lewis Spring Falls, and Rose River Falls) This loop takes you to three waterfalls that range from 25 feet tall to more than 30 feet tall. In the summer months, many hikers seek not only the beauty of the falls but also a cooldown in the swimming pools.

Length: 9.3 miles Difficulty: Hard

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Stony Man Mountain This is one of the most popular hikes and rock climbs in Shenandoah National Park, and it’s no wonder with this payoff view at the top!

Length: 1.6 miles Difficulty: Easy

Compton Peak Trek along the white blaze Appalachian Trail to spot a geologic feature called columnar jointing. The grand vista at the top will be sure to impress!

Length: 2.4 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Moorman’s River Moorman’s River is a magical hike that leads to Big Branch Falls, where water plunges over a beautiful blend of purple- and blue-colored greenstone.

Length: 5.0 miles Difficulty: Easy

Hawksbill Loop Trail Whiteoak Canyon and Cedar Run The most talked-about waterfall in Shenandoah is Whiteoak Falls.

This beauty can be witnessed from below and above. Add onto the trail and walk Cedar Run to spot another waterfall.

Length: 8.3 miles Difficulty: Hard

Get a hawk’s-eye, 360-degree view from Shenandoah’s highest peak. Add on the Franklin Cliffs trail for a longer, more rewarding hike. If you also add on this Appalachian Trail walk, there’s an incredible tucked-away spot to catch the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Length: 2.7 miles Difficulty: Moderate

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Overall Falls

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Natural Bridge

If you’re looking for a different type of hike, Virginia’s Natural Bridge has both history and grandeur. This awe-inspiring bridge is a unique limestone arch that towers 215 feet tall.

Hikes aren’t the only reason to visit!

Outside of the national park, the area offers attractions, breweries, wineries, and much more. Here are my top five recommended stops.

Blue Ridge Tunnel More Virginia history can be found here!

This tunnel was built in the 1850s to allow for railroad access to nearby Afton Mountain. The tunnel stretches for nearly a mile, making it the longest in America when it was created.

Microbreweries and wineries This area has built a great reputation for craft beer and wine; it’s now seen as a top destination in Virginia and on the East Coast. You’ll find beer and wine trails, unique brewery and winery features, and flights with award-winning beers and wines.

Luray Caverns These caves are the largest on the East Coast, and they stretch so far that the underground wonder was named a national landmark.

Blue Ridge Tunnel

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Courtesy Ash Carr/Hazel Witch Farm Florals

Moormans River

Blue Ridge Parkway One of the best ways to take in the Blue Ridge Mountains is by slowly traveling down the Blue Ridge Parkway. This national parkway runs through Virginia and into North Carolina, so regardless of where you start or stop, you’ll find breathtaking views.

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In the end, what matters most is not why I’m drawn to Shenandoah National Park, but the reasons you will be.

I encourage you to give this park a chance and let it surprise you.

Follow L on Instagram and YouTube @soulofaseeker.

BOONDOCKING Forest Service Road 9020D Lake Montezuma, AZ 34.69180, -111.72870 North of Phoenix and off Forest Service Road 618, this entire area has dispersed camping – There are more than 50 sites and pull offs accessible to two-wheel-drive vehicles, and plenty more for four-wheel-drive vehicles. I have a two-wheel drive Ford Transit 350 HD with V6 turbo and my dog, Sunny, and I got in and out without a problem as long as we didn’t go too far from the main service road. Sunny and I also had hundreds of feet between us and the nearest camper.

On foot, explore toward Wet Beaver Creek following the dirt road, and you’ll catch a trail that takes you to the creek in a few places. Cross over the creek and explore the trail to the plateau top or deeper into the valley for miles.

Don’t miss the sunrise or sunset—the stars won’t disappoint, too.

You can get cell reception from your site. We stayed a few days, then explored other dispersed camping off Beaverhead Flat Road. While you’re in this area, enjoy the bald eagles that fly low to the north or the ravens that scavenge the sites. If you’re lucky, you’ll see families of javelinas or coyotes. We saw a black bear track on our hike.

By Augustus Taylor Tweito @auggie_tay and @alife_outsidethebox

BOONDOCKING Buffalo Gap National Grassland Conata Township, SD 43.89309, -102.22897 I was completing my final military move and had my truck camper and transport trailer loaded to capacity as I made my way from Montana to my new home in West Virginia. I had planned to stop at national parks along the way, and this boondocking spot, located right outside Badlands National Park, was extremely convenient.

The area is designated for boondockers and is first come, first served. There are several pull offs that overlook the cliff. I got there early in the evening in July, and there were still plenty of spots available. The road is dirt, so be careful if it has rained. Otherwise, it is traversable by all types of RVs, but you should take your time and go slow in some of the dips and ruts.

There is cell service, but nothing else except the views. If you need supplies, load up in Wall, South Dakota, which is also home to the tourist attraction, Wall Drug.

By Thomas Shadd @ramblin.tom

PODCASTS FOR THE DRIVE

In Defense of Plants Podcast

National Park After Dark

Hosted by friends who share a passion for the outdoors and a fascination with what can go wrong there, this podcast tells tales of death, dark history, tragic events, and more at national parks.

Self Care IRL A brave space to create better wellness experiences and become your best self, despite your traumas or circumstances.

BEEF with Bridget Todd

Plants are everything. They are also incredibly interesting.

From the smallest duckweed to the tallest redwood, the botanical world is full of wonder. Tune in to celebrate botany.

How to Talk to [Mami and Papi] about Anything Each episode features expert advice for listeners with problems ranging from navigating relationships with parents who disapprove of their spouse to maintaining relationships with difficult parents for the sake of the grandchildren.

Indigenous Vision A show where business wars and pop-culture history meet. Hear how legends in their fields tried to stomp out competition only to find their enemies became the driving force behind their success.

Bad Dates with Jameela Jamil

Two aunties share and examine the world through the lens of an Anishinaabe and Blackfoot experience. Their aim is to revitalize Indigenous communities by providing educational resources.

Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest Here’s a wildly enchanting fairy tale podcast for kids. Each episode features a classic fairy tale, bringing to life a world full of curious creatures and mischievous foes.

Everybody has had them. Everybody can relate to them. Now it’s time to laugh at them. This show features comedians and celebrities sharing epic and true dating nightmares and misfires.

Podcasts are listed as a courtesy to our readers and compiled from recommendations in various social groups.

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// COMMUNITY

GEAR GUIDE

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1. RECPRO VINYL FLOORING Made specifically for RVs, RecPro's vinyl flooring comes in different lengths, and with or without glue.

2. 12-VOLT LED PUCK LIGHT Recessed puck lights save space and brighten up your home on the road.

MACRAME 3. HANGING BASKETS

Check out these boho hanging baskets for a customized storage solution.

4. FLEXIBLE TRIM MOLDING

Lightweight and flexible, this peeland-stick trim molding is perfect for adding a finishing touch wherever you need it.

5. FIREPLACE MANTEL

This fireplace mantel adds beautiful ambience as well as extra storage! It's perfect if you are looking to make some changes to the stock furniture in your RV.

SHOWER HEAD WITH 6. RV ON/OFF SWITCH

Upgrade the look and use of your shower head. This one comes with an on/off switch to help you save precious water.

COMPACT 7. COMPLETE KITCHEN

Need to fit a kitchen in a small space? This unit is a compact all-in-one solution.

8. PEEL-AND-STICK TILE

Elevate your space with this peeland-stick tile or backsplash.

Have a product you love and want to share? Tell us about it!

Visit rootlessliving.com/ products for a chance to have your product review featured in an upcoming issue of RV Today.

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A collection of smaller, lighter and more affordable RVs designed for today’s owners who want to get back to camping basics without sacrificing the features they love.

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