Our full-time RV hopes
Moving into an RV full-time is a big decision, but we’re hopeful that these things will make it worth it!
We recently previewed the uncertainty we feel as we gear up to move into a camper full-time. While those hesitations are legitimate and guiding some of our preparation ahead of the big lifestyle shift, they aren’t what’s dominating our thoughts.
Instead, it’s our excitement that is setting the tone as the pickup day for our camper approaches. As nervous as we are about certain aspects of living in a tiny space on wheels, the feelings of anticipation and hope are much stronger.
That’s why we’re focusing on the hopes we have for the coming year(s). We have a feeling that this change is going to be good for us, and we’re sure we’ll have our share of memorable adventures along the way!
Things to know:
We’re going to be full-time RVers soon, and we couldn’t be more excited for that chapter of our lives to start. As we look forward to hitting the road full-time, these are the biggest hopes we have.
Full-time travel - What we’re looking forward to
Seeing friends and family
We have family scattered from Florida to Alaska, and plenty of friends and other family members everywhere in between. Traveling full-time will allow us to spend time with people we care about, make memories together, and have adventures we otherwise would never have the opportunity to share.
Gregg is one of our good friends. He often joins us for a week or two on trips. He also has a rad Jeep!
One of the best parts of this decision to be nomadic is that we can allocate as much time as we want to different areas of the country, giving us opportunities to see people for as long (or short) as they’ll have us. Now, that’s a blessing!
Visiting places new and old
Like most of you, we have an ever-expanding list of destinations we want to visit. From majestic views to quirky towns, our travel bucket list is filled to the brim with exciting places to see and exhilarating adventures to embrace. Becoming full-time RVers gives us the unique chance to start checking off a whole bunch of those must-see destinations and must-do activities.
Of course, it’s not all about the latest, greatest, and not-yet-seen. The more we travel and immerse ourselves in different parts of the world, the more we want to return to certain places. We have fallen in love with several small towns, mountain vistas, quaint campsites, and so on. Embracing the nomadic lifestyle lets us revisit those places and explore them to our heart’s content.
New destinations are always exciting, but we have plenty of past places we can’t wait to revisit—including the Oregon Coast!
Challenging ourselves
We have traveled enough–including in much more minimalist setups–to understand that life on the road is not always sunshine and rainbows. In fact, it can be downright miserable sometimes.
While we certainly hope that the majority of our days are positive, we want to face the bad ones head-on and view them as opportunities to grow, not as disappointments, deterrents, or failures.
That’s why we hope to challenge ourselves to become more resilient, self-reliant, optimistic, and adaptable. It may not be as rugged as settlers in wagons, but any great adventure is an opportunity to become a better, more rugged version of yourself, and we look forward to tackling ours together.
Breaking free from our norm
In late 2023, we made a commitment to our business. For years, we had been enjoying the fruits of our labors without pushing to expand or grow too much, but we knew we could only put off the inevitable for so long. So, we designated 2024 as the year to buckle down, put our noses to the grindstone, and really focus on giving our business a long overdue makeover.
A little more of this and a little less time spent in the office will do us some good.
Without going into too much detail, our efforts were rewarded, and the business excelled more than we could have hoped. That said, it consumed our lives. While intentional (and we’re certainly not complaining), our work-life balance skewed heavily toward work over the last 14 months.
We accomplished what we wanted to accomplish, and we’ll no doubt continue to push the momentum forward, but we’re ready to reestablish a bit of balance. Traveling full-time should help us do just that.
Embracing our creativity
Speaking of balancing the scales of work and fun, we are extremely excited to have more opportunities to embrace our creativity and the passions that stem from it. We’re both pretty bad at just chilling, so even our “fun” tends to have a touch of productivity to it. Our creative passions are no different.
Working outside ain’t half-bad when it’s something you want to do.
From documenting our adventures through photography to staying consistent on this blog, our YouTube channel, Patreon, Instagram, and all the other outlets where we can share our creative endeavors, we are ready to pour our hearts, talents, and time into things that we love.
Sharing it all with you
Our connected world has its downsides. Heck, we can’t tell you how many hours we’ve wasted consuming silly content or getting sucked into meaningless internet wormholes. That being said, there are some real advantages to social media and the like.
Apart from sharing our creative work and on-the-road experiences with all of you, platforms like YouTube and Instagram (and even this blog) allow us to meet, learn from, and share with all of you. It’s like having an expansive community of amazing people right at our fingertips, and that is pretty awesome.
Spoiler alert: we’ll even be at some industry events in the coming months where we might meet some of y’all for real–you know, like in person!
So, please feel free to engage with us, offer pointers, share your stories, and interact with ours. We’re new to the whole full-time travel thing, and we’ll take all the guidance you offer. If we’re lucky, we’ll make some good friends along the way!
- Riley + Hanna
Our full-time RV fears
We’re stoked to hit the road full-time, but we also have some hesitations.
Any dramatic shift in life comes with its share of hesitation and uncertainty. Heck, even minor changes can induce a certain level of anxiety.
When we decided to move into a camper full-time, we did so with a healthy dose of excitement and more than a spoonful of nerves. Call it measured optimism or a mix of yeehaw and whoa, Nelly.
As the time approaches for us to pack up our things and call our camper home, we’ve been trying to pinpoint exactly what our full-time RV fears are so that we can face them head-on.
What better way to explore those trepidations than by jotting them down and calling it a blog?
Things to know:
Moving into an RV is a daunting life change, and it comes with some pretty prominent fears. Here, we’re discussing the biggest concerns we have as we transition into full-time RV living.
Full-time travel challenges
We haven’t lived in a camper full-time (yet), but we have done multiple months in a row in a rooftop tent and nearly four straight months in a minimalist truck camper (Scout Kenai), so our list of perceived full-time travel challenges isn’t totally without context.
We’ve had many nights like this.
Still, we know this lifestyle will be an entirely different ballgame, so we’re looking forward to discovering new challenges along the way!
Working full-time on the road
We have to work full-time as we travel, which comes with a host of potential setbacks and frustrations. That makes this particular challenge a lot like opening a can of worms.
There’s no doubt we’ll dedicate future blogs to this topic because it deserves a dedicated space to be fully explored. For now, we’ll break our work-from-the-road dilemmas into some basic categories.
Connecting to the Internet on the road
Anyone who has spent time on the road–whether they have to work or not–has experienced the frustration that comes with limited or spotty connectivity. Whether you’re relying on mobile data or using satellite internet, there’s no such thing as a perfect solution.
We used Starlink on the road in 2023, and it served us well—but it isn’t perfect.
Because we rely on an internet connection nearly every day for our livelihoods, inconsistent access can be more than irritating–it can disrupt our ability to work and bring in an income.
We have enough travel experience to know that this is a big challenge, and while we’re taking steps to mitigate those issues, they are inevitable (to some degree).
Staying focused (and disciplined)
Look, travel is exciting. New places to see, activities to do, and food to eat can get you buzzing with anticipation. It’s part of what makes the nomadic life so appealing.
We have developed a healthy amount of discipline through our years of being self-employed, but we’d be lying if we said it was easy to remain focused in the face of such tempting distractions.
As we adapt to full-time travel and establish routines, this area of concern will surely fade (we hope).
Limited (office) space
For the last year and change, we have had ample space to stretch our legs, separate our work from our relaxation, and do our best to avoid feeling cooped up and cramped.
While the great outdoors will soon be our living room, there’s no question that our living space will be reduced dramatically. No dedicated offices, no individual desks, no dedicated computer monitors… you get the idea.
Cooking and counter space in a camper
We don’t want to project our experience with our previous truck bed camper to the camper we’ll be living in. They are totally different products intended for entirely different usages. They’re also not in the same price bracket.
The Scout Camper Kenai was stylish, rugged, and minimalistic, but counter space was severely limited.
That said, one of our biggest struggles in the Scout Kenai was the limited counter space for food prep and cooking. We had to change our approach to cooking and split up cooking duties so only one of us was in the “kitchen” at a time.
Not only was this frustrating and prone to messiness, but it also discouraged us from cooking as often as we normally do. If our camper is going to feel like home, we need to overcome this challenge and learn to be comfortable and efficient when cooking most of our meals.
Safety and security as nomads
We have a good amount of travel experience and know many people who RV full-time, so we know (logically) that it can be done safely and securely. Still, there is that voice in the back of our heads that questions how safe we actually are and causes a touch of paranoia. The lack of surety of what’s outside our door is enough to set us on edge.
There are inherent security risks in living on the road, but this particular challenge feels more like a mental hurdle than anything. We are confident that we will adapt to our new lifestyle without losing that valuable gut feeling that alerts us to danger.
Full-time travel and the bathroom
Call us divas; we can take it.
We’ve tried a variety of bathroom solutions while on the road. From digging holes to those fancy bags you get at REI, every option has pros and cons.
If you look carefully, you might spot a bathroom tent.
Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution, and that can be a frustrating barrier that prevents full-time RV life from feeling like a true home. While we think we’ve picked the most convenient option for this camper, even it has a downside–cost.
Full-time RV budgeting
It’s possible to save money with this non-traditional way of life, but it’s not easy. In fact, it can be downright hard, leading to the complete opposite–expenses can pile up real quick.
We’ve gotten a lot better at budgeting in recent years, and Riley has been keeping detailed records for quite some time now, so we know we can stay locked into a reasonable budget.
The question is, will the expenses of frequent travel, eating out, exploring new places, and otherwise leaning into our adventurous side overwhelm our desire to be disciplined? Only time will tell, but it’s bound to be an adjustment either way!
Water usage, hygiene, and relaxation
We’re clean people who enjoy a nice long shower to stay fresh and unwind after a long day. Given the limited water storage of our camper, standing under a steady stream of hot water for more than a few minutes simply isn’t practical.
Campgrounds and vacation rentals can occasionally supplement this lack of endless water, and we have no doubts that we’ll quickly adapt to this relatively minor inconvenience, but we’re also confident that it’ll be a challenge!
Despite our uncertainties, we have no doubt that embracing life on the road will be an exhilarating and rewarding experience for us. So, don’t let us fool you–we’re champing at the bit to pick up our camper and get this adventure underway.
Have you experienced any of these full-time RV fears? Do you have anything else we should worry about? If so, drop your knowledge in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you and welcome you to our little community.
If you’re interested in following our journey, you’re in the right place. We’ll be posting weekly blogs, as well as regular updates on YouTube and Instagram. For a more in-depth look into our life on the road, we even set up a Patreon.
Thanks for reading. We hope to see you on the road!
- Riley + Hanna
Top travel destinations we're going back to
We’ve been many places, and these select few keep calling us back.
Bucket lists are great, but what about those epic places you’ve already been to?
We think that some (okay, most) places deserve more than a checkmark next to their name, so we’re reflecting on a few of our favorite destinations and planning our return trips to them. After all, who doesn’t love an encore?
We’re firm believers in immersion. While it’s impossible to truly know an area without living there and calling it home, we like to try to go beyond the superficial tourist level and really dig in deep when we love a place. Otherwise, we leave feeling unfulfilled and craving more.
Take us back here, please!
This type of travel isn’t always possible, which is why we have a long list of places we want to return to and explore properly. For now, we’ll start with our top four favorite travel destinations that we will go back to (time and again).
Things to know:
We’ve been blessed to travel extensively around the good old USA, and we’ve found a few favorite places along the way. Based on those experiences, this is our list of our top travel destination in America that we’re definitely going back to!
Travel spots that keep calling us back
As we hit the road full-time in 2025, there are a handful of places that are pulling us back. We might not revisit them all this year, but you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll get to them all in the near future!
Ouray, Colorado
Ouray, CO, is the epitome of “small but mighty.”
The entire town may only encompass a few blocks, and half the roads may be unpaved, but this gem of the San Juan Mountains is a vibrant and thriving community that has an irresistible charm to it.
From the shockingly good eats and warm, welcoming local shops to the frequent community events and stunning scenery, there’s a lot to love about Ouray. No matter how many times we return, we find something new to admire about the town and its people.
We first visited Ouray when we eloped, and it was mostly by chance. We picked a photo of a gorgeous basin that we’d like to exchange vows beside, and it just happened to be nestled in the mountains outside of town. Needless to say, that kicked off our love affair with the area (known as the Switzerland of America), and the passion has only grown since.
It’s hard to top Colorado wildflower season.
Ouray has blessed us with free summer concerts beneath the stars, endless hiking and off-road driving trails to explore, hot coffee and scrumptious dining, and even a few wardrobe additions. We’ve traversed the main street a few dozen times, indulged in top-tier pizza, and felt our breath catch in our throats every time we paused to simply look at our surroundings.
It’s safe to say that–like a couple we met at a local campground–we’ll be returning to Ouray regularly for decades to come. Heck, we may just make it an annual pilgrimage for our anniversary!
Orcas Island, Washington
A while back, Hanna took a work-trade job at a resort on Orcas Island, WA. During that time, she spent her days building fences, harvesting apples, and making cider. She fell in love with the little island off the coast of Washington, and spent the next few years scheming to go back with Riley.
Lo and behold, we returned as a married couple in 2023. We camped at Moran State Park on the island, explored every corner we could get to (the island isn’t very big), and ate a whole bunch of delicious seafood.
A view of the West Sound from Orcas Island.
Orcas Island is quirky–as most island communities are–and that’s precisely what makes it so wonderful (well, that and the mind-blowing scenery).
Here, you can find local artists creating and selling their goods, mouthwatering cuisine, stunning views from atop the island’s mountains, and plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy. No matter how long you stay, you’ll be clambering for more time when finally boarding the ferry to leave.
Stanley, Idaho
If it’s absolutely bonkers scenery you’re after, Stanley, ID, has to be on your list. While the town itself is even smaller than Ouray, there’s enough to sustain you (including one of the best bakeries you’ll ever visit) as you explore the surrounding Sawtooth Mountains.
What makes Stanley so unique? Simple–the practically infinite backcountry to explore. Whether you choose to spend your days wading in the Salmon River, traversing the endless forest roads, or enjoying a peaceful lake view, one thing is certain–you’ll be in constant awe of the beauty this area offers.
Stanley, ID, is home to some truly jaw-dropping scenery.
We only spent a few days here, and we’ve been longing to go back ever since. From camping on a small lake with jagged peaks rising abruptly just beyond the shore to stopping every five minutes along the twisting road that follows every curve of the gorgeous Salmon River, 48 hours somehow felt like both a blink and an eternity.
Next time, we plan to venture down a few more forest roads and find some breathtaking dispersed camping spots where we can settle in for a while.
North Cascades National Park, WA
It may be remote, but the journey to North Cascades National Park in Washington is worth the drive. With soaring peaks, unbelievable turquoise lakes, and old-growth forests that will leave you in awe, it is a one-of-a-kind landscape that draws you in and doesn’t let you go.
We spent a few days in North Cascades National Park in 2023, shortly after we purchased our first truck camper. We had grand plans for exploration, but made a few mistakes. We didn’t schedule enough time there, we weren’t familiar enough with our camper, and we didn’t plan our itinerary thoroughly enough to make the most of our visit.
PNW vibes, turquoise lakes, and epic mountains - what more could you ask for?
Adding to our own oversights, we experienced some troubles with our power system and internet, making delivering on work deadlines and keeping essential things powered (you know, like phones and the refrigerator). Ultimately, these issues (and the subsequent stress) were a wet blanket on our mood and our ability to hang out in the park longer.
We left feeling unfulfilled–like we didn’t get to fully experience the gorgeous landscape and unique experience it had to offer. We’ve made a pact to go back and right those wrongs, and we can’t wait to leave with nothing but smiles when we do!
Don’t get us wrong; this list could be a lot longer. We left plenty of fantastic bucket list spots off that we may dedicate a follow-up blog to–including places like Whitefish, MT, Sandpoint, ID, Death Valley National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park.
While we may not get to revisit these top four favorite places to visit in the USA this year, we have no doubt that we’ll return to them in the near future. When we do, we’ll be sure to share our experiences with you, give you insider insights into must-do activities and must-see sites, and collect GPS data on all of it!
If you made it this far, thanks for reading. We hope you’ll continue to follow along on our adventure blog, YouTube channel, Instagram, and so on. We love sharing our adventures with you and learning from you in return. Please feel free to drop a comment below and connect with us and our growing little community of travel enthusiasts and full-time RVers!
- Riley + Hanna
Our 2025 full-time travel itinerary, bucket list, and New Year’s goals
As we shift from sticks and bricks to full-time travel in 2025, we have a few key goals guiding us.
Howdy, y’all!
We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a memorable New Year’s Eve. Since we try to post every Wednesday on this here blog (we fondly call it Wander Wednesday), we figured the first day of the new year falling mid-week was a sign.
So, we’re going to share our hopes, dreams, goals, and plans for 2025 with y’all. Hopefully, doing so will hold us accountable and inspire you to pursue your own big adventures over the next 12 months.
Things to know:
We’re traveling full-time in 2025, and there are a few locations (and activities) on our bucket lists that we can’t wait to check off.
2024 had a lot of this. Here’s to hoping 2025 has even more.
A new season of full-time travel
Not everything on this list will center around our lifestyle shift from homebodies to full-time RVers, but that change is an overarching theme that will surely color our experience this year. Embracing travel as our everyday reality instead of a temporary adventure is a challenge we’re looking forward to and can’t wait to share with you.
With that in mind, let’s kickoff this meandering little blog with some travel-forward thoughts.
Our 2025 travel plans
In the process of picking our camper (and now waiting for its completion), we’ve put a bit of thought into our itinerary for 2025. It’s still a vague calendar, and we can’t solidify any plans until our camper is in our possession, but here’s what we have so far:
January - March: Florida (family) and the Southeast
April - May: The Southwest (Arizona and Utah)
June: The PNW (Oregon and Washington)
July - September: Canada and Alaska
October: The PNW (Washington Islands)
November - December: Texas and back to Florida
It’s a packed schedule that’s subject to change, and we hope we planned enough time in each region to fully immerse and enjoy. If not, I guess we’ll have to run it back in 2026!
Expect the coming year to be filled with amazing views like this.
Our travel bucket list in 2025
While our full-time travel itinerary is dictated by many things–including friends, family, and a handful of events–some bucket list destinations also informed our loose plans. If you notice any glaring “must-see” omissions from our list, please drop a comment below–we don’t want to miss out on anything while we’re in these new-to-us locations!
The San Juan Islands
The Oregon coast
California redwoods
Jasper, Canada
Denali
Vancouver Island
Moab (and nearby deserts)
Personal goals
Despite the somewhat overwhelming nature of planning out a year of travel, choosing destinations and building timelines is easy compared to setting personal goals. The prospect of full-time travel is new and unfamiliar, making it difficult for us to set clear goals in the context of the relative instability of not having a traditional home and lifestyle.
That said, we have a few personal goals that either transcend the uncertainty of our new lifestyle or apply directly to it.
Date each other. We’ve found that it has become increasingly difficult to “date” like we did before work and life responsibilities increased. We want to be intentional about getting back to that romanticism in 2025.
Workout on the road. We both hike regularly and go to the gym faithfully. This will undoubtedly be more difficult while traveling full-time (especially weight lifting), so we are exploring ways to facilitate physical fitness while on the road.
Balancing work with other interests. We are blessed with the unique opportunity to work for ourselves in an industry that fits our strengths. Still, we want to carve out time (and mental capacity) for our other interests this year–photography, creative writing, reading, and so on.
Stay in the moment. If there’s one thing we’re good at (especially Riley), it’s dreaming big. Unfortunately, those dreams sometimes distract from the amazing things we’re doing at the moment. This year, we’re going to root ourselves firmly in the moment and appreciate it fully.
Chowder is a big fan of life on the road. We think he’ll love every second of it.
Sharing it with all of you
While we have our private goals–as individuals, a couple, and business owners–we wanted to keep the resolutions shared here brief. Consider them a little taste of what we want to share with you during this year of travel. We hope you’ll hold us accountable and watch us flourish as a result!
What are your goals entering the new year? Do you have any bucket list destinations you’ll visit, lifestyle changes to make, or interpersonal growth to work toward? Drop them in a comment below, and we’ll give you a hearty dose of encouragement.
If you’d like to keep tabs on us as we pursue our full-time travel dreams in 2025, be sure to check back regularly for updates, follow our Instagram for consistent content, and visit our YouTube channel for in-depth looks at how life on the road is treating us.
- Riley + Hanna