Tag: travel

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Adventure Finance travel

Nomad Jobs: Get Paid While Traveling

The kids are back at it again, living in the van down by the river without a care in the world. “What the heck do they do for money?” you might ask. The answer is different for everyone. Some nomad jobs include camp hosts at campgrounds, have customer service jobs, work as insurance agents, or if you’re of the new-fangled age of kids, you can work remote freelancing. That’s what we’re going to focus on in this blog today! As always, I’d like to thank you for your time today. You’re in good hands!

Estimated time to read:

13–19 minutes

Real Quick …

Before we jump in, I’d like to remind you of the fact that money will not buy you happiness. Even nomad jobs can not produce happiness. It is merely a currency that allows us to exchange for products or services. Money really just is a tool – and it’s up to you to decide whether you want to have good, or bad, intentions with it. You tell your money what to do.

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– Table of Contents –

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1. Fiverr

Plenty of people are talented in their own right, and Fiverr is the platform for them to grow and create their own business. It’s the first on the list of nomad jobs.

Fiverr is a great choice for nomad jobs.

With Fiverr, you can search for just about any computer-type task that can be done. These range from: trip planning, video editing, graphic design, accounting, etc. You pay a basic fee for a service, enter your requirements and criteria, talk to the seller, and then they’ll return a finished product to you quick! Don’t forget to be nice and tip well.

As a seller you can work as much (or as little) as you’d like and Fiverr allows you the flexibility to work when you want to. With their huge categories of jobs available currently to work, feel free to jump in and start earning a commission today!

Fiverr categories for work.

2. UpWork

Upwork is number #2 of nomad jobs.

Are you looking for another alternative to the above Fiverr? Introducing UpWork! We recommend this one as well because there are plenty of other jobs available.

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You can create a seller account to sell your services to others as a 1099 contract employee, and work when you want to. The only “boss” you have is UpWork’s guidelines, and a different client to work for every time.

3. Start a Blog!

Plenty of digital nomads nowadays have a blog, course, YouTube channel, or something similar. It’s basically the work of the digital world – teaching others how to do very specific or niche skills.

I have seen quite a few of them to claim to make into the $10k-$30k per MONTH range. I obviously can’t back this one up with evidence as we aren’t a blog that huge (yet?), lol.

Regardless, if you are creative and love sharing your thoughts with the world, a blog should be as second nature as journaling is to most people.

4. Become a Freelancer Writer

You can write about anything, especially if you’ve got a knack for any given niche genre. If you know how to write, and have knowledge to share with others, this is the sign for you!

There are people who make a living reviewing video games and news, others who write scientific research papers, and the occasional blog-writer (that’s us!)

You can write about pretty much anything, as knowledge goes for a pretty penny when sold to the right mind.

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5. Become a Bookkeeper

It’s easy to go online and get certified as a bookkeeper in little time at all!

Plenty of businesses are thriving yet need someone to help manage their numbers. That’s where you come in. Get certified, take invoices and expenses and help them know their numbers.

Websites like National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) offer plenty of options for educational materials, exams, and getting you certified to help businesses in no time. You can save $50 right now and then the certification bundle becomes $449.

*We are by no way affiliated with the NACPB, we just want to help provide you guys with the most resources that we can.

6. Be a Virtual Assistant From Anywhere!

This is one dear to my heart because it’s what my girlfriend currently does. She’s been helping multiple business owners get crucial tasks done while we’ve been on the road.

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A personal (or virtual) assistant would traditionally book flights, plan events, get in contact with bill companies, hunt down clients for payment, and many, many other daily tasks. Here’s a website listing statistics and more information.

This is a very practical job, because everyone from CEOs to small-business owners need help handling billing, taxes, conferences planned, and so many other routine tasks.

7. Sell Handmade Products (Etsy, Farmer Markets, Facebook Marketplace)

Do you have a knack for creating knick-knacks? Can you sew, paint, carve wood, make jewelry, or anything else creative? Of course you can – and we won’t settle for anyone saying that they have no talents or skills. Everyone knows how to do something. Everyone has something that excites you. Maybe you like how things tick, maybe you really like people, or possibly you are great at organization.

Combine your passion with some crafting skills, then you’ve got a solid business model for markets like Etsy.

With Etsy, you can get super creative products from a small business and makers. Plus you are supporting a single person or merchant most of the time, and not a corporate shill seeking profit. I kind of like the feel of that personally.

8. Become an Educational Tutor

Not every student learns in the same way. Some are auditory learners, some are hands-on and learn by doing, and others need to hear information in a different way than their teachers will present it. That’s where you can come in as a tutor!

If you’re good at any subject, or even have the credentials of a teacher already, you can start helping students today! The Tutor website seems to be a great resource for this.

There’s potential for tutoring in any subject: math, science, English, Spanish, music, and plenty others. Get started helping kids grow smarter now!

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9. Learn Graphic Design

Have you dabbled with Adobe Photoshop creating memes in the past? How about self-learning how to use a platform like Canva for social media graphics? Regardless, the world is your oyster in this category.

If you have an eye for logos, creating graphics, flyers, social media posts, or virtually anything else, you’ll thrive here. It really is a build-your-own adventure sandbox software. You can design flyers for a business, wedding invitations, social media posts, logo designs, and anything else you can possibly think of. Canva is amazing – I’m not paid by them to say that, we just use them for everything design-wise.

There’s always something that a business needs to look good in this marketing driven world of today.

10. Online Marketing

It’s no surprise that businesses are easier than ever to start with the rise of the internet. Basically, anyone can pop up a shop with platforms like Shopify and get started selling a product right away.

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A core thing you need with any business is an audience, and a brand worthy of them telling their friends about. You have to be eye-catching, humorous, a great product, and also stand on good morals.

A marketing agent is someone who comes in and focuses on developing your brand, colors and schemes, designs, and more. They help make your product look better and better, and bring it to new heights, and eyes.

Is Van Life as Glorious as Instagram Lets You Believe?

Could you imagine living on the road as a digital nomad? Do you want to see different states, countries, and parts of the world? Are you bored of the sameness: sitting at the same desk, driving the same route to work, talking with the same people, doing the same old routines?

I know that I was, and that’s when we set out on this adventure. We’ve lived in 15 different states over the last 10 months. Literally. We sold our house, cars, and live full-time in a Class C motorhome. It sounds CRAZY! But, that’s the life that we have chosen to live. As awesome as this all sounds, we want you to see the realities of this life as well!

11. Social Media Assistant

If you would have asked me before writing this blog if I believed that being a social media assistant was a real job, I would have been baffled. But, here we are.

Yes, there are literally people whose entire jobs are to schedule posts, engage with comments, share their content on the internet, and run customer service fronts. Now hows that for making the list of nomad jobs?

I’m personally amazed at some of these jobs on the list as they’re all unique in their own way, but this one has me chomping at the bit. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that this work is easy, or bad. I just want to snatch this job for a huge company like Skittles or something. Sponsor me!

12. Website Designer

It’s no question that with the rise of the internet, websites are more important than ever. To get your name or business out there, you have to have an online presence. Eventually, brick and mortar stores limit you nowadays. Not to mention that the majority of people look up a business online to see their Google reviews before considering a visit.

The internet helps you quickly connect to anyone, anywhere, in the world. The better your website is designed, the more people will be likely to find it and stay engaged with its contents. Don’t skimp too much on this front, as you want a great product.

Find a great web developer right now on Fiverr to get started. You can actually learn a website builder like WordPress or Wix to help jumpstart your career in web development. To become great at it though, you definitely need to learn C++ and web coding at a later point.

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13. App Developer

It’s no question that with the rise of the internet that website designers and app developers are more important than ever.

Apple offers plenty of resources from software development kits, digital textbooks to learn from, video explanations, and more. Although, some of these require a small yearly fee to get involved in their programs.

Every great app starts with a great app developer. Learn today, or commission someone on UpWork to help you turn your brilliant idea into reality. You never know what’s waiting for ya!

14. Get Paid to Walk Dogs

We’ve all seen that one person walking down the street. They’re walking six different dogs, and you are left perplexed by this. Most likely, they are probably walking dogs for a living, literally!

Yep, you heard me right. You can get paid to board dogs, babysit them for the day, and even walk them with apps like Rover. For what its worth, the name Rover is incredible.

Next time you find yourself planning a vacation trip or have to work and can’t plan to be around your doggos for a while, you can hop on the app and schedule someone to help you watch them.

This functions similar in the way that AirBnB works, where you open the app, find a local dog sitter and see their reviews, then contact them. Usually, when you go to drop off you will be able to meet the people and chat with them about all of their policies and vet (hah – good joke) if you want to use them!

15. Life or Career Coaching

It goes without being said that not everyone has ended up in a great spot in their current life. Sometimes we need help and we might turn to a friend, family member, pastor, or even advisor/counselor.

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There exists plenty of certifications online if you’d like to get them as well, that offer to train you in the ways of helping people and their largest life decisions. The one I found online by the Certified Life Coach Institute claims to be $995 for the initial course and certification.

There is a lot of grey area in places like this, because you don’t technically need any kind of degree or training to be a “coach”. But it really gets down to the brass tax when you see the experience the coach possesses, which is much more important.

16. Create Online Courses

I know a fantastic woman who has various years of experience and certifications in dog behavior and psychology. Not only does she offer consulting one-on-one to help teach dog owners, but she decided to launch a course.

By viewing her course here online, you can get the majority of the educational information and what she teaches, but at a lower rate and at your own pace. It’s not personalized for you like the one-on-one opportunities are, but that’s kind of the point with the course is to learn the general skills for your pup at a cheaper price point.

Desiree uses a very wholistic method of training – not strength and dominance.

Teaching a course is always a great way to help others learn a new subject or skill they didn’t have before. Udemy is a great resource for courses online, and I’d also recommend SkillShare (who is giving a free month trial RIGHT now).

17. Edit Videos like a Pro with Final Cut Pro

Everyone needs video edited for social media – specifically YouTube and TikTok nowadays. Whether it’s an individual person who doesn’t have the time to string together all of their travel vlogs, or a company needing to edit together promo videos. Oh, and if it wasn’t implied – yes, some people are making money from their videos!

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You can get started for free editing videos by using iMovie on Apple products. There’s also HitFilm which is free but has optional upgrades.

Once you get into the upper echelon, the majority of people use Sony Vegas, Final Cut Pro, or Premiere Pro as they are the top of the line softwares jam packed with movie-quality features.

18. Uber or Lyft Driving

Did you know you can become an Uber or Lyft driver even without owning a car? Let’s say you are a digital nomad like us, wandering across the USA, and you only have a motorhome (which is not fit for driving around city streets picking people up – trust me). Uber will let you rent a car through a partner company like Hertz for as low as $260/week. That’s discounted well below how much it costs to rent a car normally – usually double that number.

In larger areas like LA, Atlanta, New York City, you can rent just about any car that you want. Feel like driving people around in Mercedes-Benz luxury? How about saving the environment with an EV like a Tesla Model 3? You can get them all as a rental car, and make sure your passengers are safe, sound, and happy!

Another great thing about Uber and Lyft is that you get to pick when you’d like to work. Feeling sick today? Call out and sit home! Want to pick up three shifts tonight? Hop on the app and get going in your car! They make it seamless to transition from work-mode to chill-mode.

19. Uber Eats, GrubHub, PostMates

The barrier for entry here is low, as you just need a car, a phone, and some gas money (that’s the most expensive part). When you swipe one of these apps on, you can start driving to a store to pick up food for a customer.

You don’t have to cook the food, pick the order, shop for groceries, or anything. Usually, you arrive at the restaurant or store and go to the delivery pickup counter where the order should be ready for you.

This works on base pay plus tips, so treat your customers well to make BIG MONEY!

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20. Instacart, Shipt, DoorDash

Feel like delivering groceries and other quick convenience store runs? You can often deliver prescription medicines from CVS, Walgreens, and other big box stores directly to a customer.

There’s plenty of people wanting grocery delivery straight to their door. They place their order on the app, you go shop it, and you get paid to hand deliver it to their door.

Me over here grinding at my third job once upon a time.

These apps make it so easy to hop on and do a few deliveries, then shut off the phone and take a break at any time. Your pay is heavily dependent on tips the majority of the time, because base delivery pay is usually not the best here.

Budgeting is Also Very Important

Although we’ve equipped you with plenty of ideas to work and make money, the fact still stands that you need to know how to handle your money. We have a sample RV-life budget with actual numbers, not made up, within this read below.

https://atomic-temporary-195534999.wpcomstaging.com/10-tricks-for-the-perfect-trip/

Thanks for Giving Us [Your Time]

We know how valuable your time is, and that’s why we don’t want to waste a second of it. We want to help you build a quality life which begins with deciding how you want to live. By finding new ways to make money, you can afford to create this new life full of your passions, goals, and dreams. We aren’t here trying to sell you anything. We simply want you to be better off after every new read here on our blog. Thanks for reading today!

See you later – ciao!

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Categories
Adventure travel

10 Tricks for the [Perfect Trip]

Estimated time to read:

<img alt="Matt with
Matt with
No Place Like Gone

Hey! I’m the man behind the magic – A.K.A. the camera and blog. I’m also a purveyor of craft beer, grill master, and chief RV driver.

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[Table of Contents]

  1. [Table of Contents]
  2. First, start with the right [tools]
  3. Now that you have the tools, here’s a step-by-step guide for using them:
  4. 1. Select a Destination.
  5. 2. Search Google for Activities in the Area.
  6. 3. Make a Schedule or Calendar
  7. 4. Look for Discounts!
  8. 5. PACE Yourself. No, Really.
  9. 6. Set a Budget for Vacation
  10. I’ve Created a Realistic Budget:
  11. 7. Don’t Book the First Flight, Hotel, or Vacation Package That You See
  12. 8. Plan Your Trip Far Ahead of Time
  13. 9. Reduce Your Dining Budget
  14. 10. Bring Your Pet Along!
  15. [Make Memories]
  16. Social Media Links

Have you been pushing through grueling 60 hour work weeks at the office, struggling to keep up? Has life been keeping you busy with the new baby, endless social obligations to show up at, and constant notifications blowing up your phone? Maybe you need a break, and a road trip sounds like a nice respite. Regardless of your reasons – planning the [perfect road trip] begins with having a destination in mind. Where do you think you want to go?

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada!

If you are lucky enough to be a resident in Florida or California then you are probably enjoying the ability to soak up the sun and hit the beach during this winter. Consider yourself among the lucky bums! But if you live in one of the 48 other states then you’re probably freezing right now. How about an escape to Las Vegas this winter? Maybe you just need some warmer weather – because seasonal depression definitely exists.

Yes, it’s 80 degrees almost everyday in Tampa, FL. While the rest of the country is experiencing below freezing temperatures, the people of Florida-land stay warm!
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I’m going to let you in on the best tricks around for planning out the [perfect road trip]. Whether you’re just planning a one week vacation, or ready to take off on the cross-country road trip of your dreams (something we’ve recently done and still going strong,) you are in the right place with this blog!

Before we jump in, one last speed bump in the road – I ask that you subscribe to our email list below. It’s 100% risk-free, and if you aren’t happy with your purchase – we’ll refund all of your money. 😜

P.S.: We won’t send you any spam mail. We will only update you about the BEST experiences to have, RV life, and much more!

First, start with the right [tools]

Google Travel: This wonderful tool from our friends at Google can pretty much do it all. In addition to road trips it can search for flights, hotels, and vacation rentals; you can search for the best deals around with multiple options by using this tool. This travel tool combined with the powerful capabilities of Google Maps, will allow you to plan each piece of the puzzle for any trip. And you have the freedom to decide if you want to drive, fly, or take a cruise for your vacation.

Google Travel is 100% free, and so is Google Maps.

The only downside is that Google is using every one of us as a product to market out to other companies. It’s no surprise that when you start looking at vacation packages online that you will soon start seeing advertisements popping up all over your Facebook and Instagram feeds from travel companies. That’s how their tools remain to be the great price of “free.”

Here’s a video tutorial for how to use Google Flights within Google Travel by Insider Tech.
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RV Trip Wizard: This is OUR go-to. We use this in combination with Google to search for and plan out each leg of our roadtrip route. Of course, we are full-time RVers so we are constantly driving from city to city, state to state, and staying at new campgrounds along the way. RV Trip Wizard is a wonderful tool for roadtrip planning, especially when you have a camper or motorhome. Also, it has a solution for all of those low bridges, narrow city streets, and dirt roads – it’ll route you around those based on your vehicle’s dimensions within account settings. It also alerts you when it’s time to fill up with fuel. Not only is the software powerful enough to let you plan a trip, add multiple stops, and plan out your safest route with your big rig – it can also help track your trip expenses. This financial tracker includes everything you’ll need from campground fees, fuel, maintenance costs, food and entertainment costs. Check it out today!

The interface for RV Trip Wizard might look confusing at first, but it’s not too bad once you jump in. You can see all kinds of useful information about our road trip in this screenshot.

RV Trip Wizard costs $59/year, and gives you an RV Life Pro account which will unlock access to RV Trip Wizard planning, RV Life app, and also RV GPS routing. They also have plenty of wonderful blogs on their platform for newbies. You can’t go wrong here!

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Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome: This subscription allows you to have [free] destination-stays along the way as you plan out your next road trip.

Right now, you can get 15% off a year of unlimited overnight stays at wineries, breweries, farms, and more! The Harvest Host stops may become your favorite stops along the way of your next trip. For only $85 per year, a Harvest Hosts membership will give you access to trip-planning tools, $1500 worth of Member benefits, and 3000+ overnight RV stays for a whole year. Start a membership today and see where the road takes you.

P.S.: We were able to stay on a working farm and bottle feed baby llamas with our membership – if you love animals definitely check this out!

Boondockers Welcome is a sister program to Harvest Hosts and opens up another whole world of camping opportunities. Escape the crowded and noisy campgrounds in favor of a private spot on beautiful property, a coveted city parking spot, and, if you’re lucky, a meaningful connection with a friendly host. City spots can be hard to come by when you’re parking an RV but with BW, you won’t have to sacrifice comfort as 70% of Boondockers Welcome hosts offer hookups. Branch out of your comfort zone and make new friends with Boondockers Welcome, here’s 15% off with our link – make sure to use code BWFRIENDS15 at checkout to apply the full discount.

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Now that you have the tools, here’s a step-by-step guide for using them:

1. Select a Destination.

It’s as simple as that. Where do you want to go? For how long? Nail down these specifics so that you have an end goal in mind and parameters for your trip. Every good plan starts with direction (nice pun, lol.)

2. Search Google for Activities in the Area.

You can Google simple terms like:

And typically the best places to look for great attractions quickly are here, after a little scrolling down the search page:

The red outline sections are recommended because they will immediately show you the best rated things to do around the area that you’re traveling to. Sometimes these are free like parks or shopping, and other times they cost admission like a museum.

Look for “Tripadvisor” and “Top sights” – these are always super useful to me. Search through these two sections and links to get activity ideas and local recommendations of things to do. Now, based on how much time you will have in the area, you can make a list of things you want to do while you are there.

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3. Make a Schedule or Calendar

Now I know – not everyone likes to plan ahead and make schedules or to-do lists. But if you do, you’ll optimize your trip because you’ll have the freedom of knowing what you’re doing – and when. Plan your time wisely, with a great balance of activities and plenty of rest. Don’t feel like you have to plan every minute, just block out times for the major events of the day and leave time for spontaneous adventures in between.

Whether you fancy old fashioned paper, or making an excel sheet, it ultimately doesn’t matter. Throw together a quick calendar like the below image so you can make the most out of the time on your trip.

I recommend something even as simple as this, or using the Calendar app on your iPhone. Whatever works for you to keep track of times and activities on your next trip is fine.

4. Look for Discounts!

Check places like Groupon that offer travel discounts to save money on activities and restaurants. Checking with a local tourist information office can also be a great resource. It only takes a little time, and often you can save big! Ask for any discounts they offer with local activities, and also what they recommend to do in the area! You never know what exciting new thing you’ll find out about.

5. PACE Yourself. No, Really.

I feel like every time you talk to someone who just got back from vacation they’re exhausted and say they need a vacation from the vacation. They’re emotionally and physically drained, and there is no way in heck that they can smoothly transition straight back into working right away. Who would ever want to go back to work anyway?

Many people try way too entirely hard to do every possible thing that they can on vacation. Of course you have to go snorkeling, dolphin watching, to the gift shops, paddle boarding, on a sunset boat ride, to a nice restaurant, to see your family in the area, to take family portraits, to the museums – you get the point. You can’t possibly do it all, and you’ll wear yourself out quickly trying to. Vacations are meant to be enjoyable and relaxing for the most part – not jam packed with too much stress!

6. Set a Budget for Vacation

This one might blow your mind away because the concept of a budget and limiting your spending on vacation may seem a little ludicrous! The truth is, if you set a budget and stick to it, then you will have a gauge for what you can afford and won’t add extra stress upon your return. The activities, tours, shopping, and restaurants quickly add up. Often times, there is way too many things to do in a short vacation timespan anyway, so it’s wise to only plan for what you have time and money for so you don’t break the bank. The money experts at Ramsey Solutions have super helpful guidance on this.

I’ve Created a Realistic Budget:

Type of ExpenseAmount ($)
RV Payment$600 ($87k purchase price, 180 months @ 3.5 APR – with 10% down payment ($8,700))
RV Insurance$100
Campgrounds$1800 (Assuming $60/night for 30 nights)
Gas + Propane$350
Groceries$700
Health Insurance$300
Internet$270 (Starlink $150/month, Verizon $65/month, T-Mobile $55/month)
Other Things$1,000/month OR SO (depends heavily on each person)
Grand Total$5,120
Sample RV-Lifestyle Budget
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7. Don’t Book the First Flight, Hotel, or Vacation Package That You See

We all get excited to take off on the glorious vacation trip. But, don’t let your impatience ruin your chance of getting a much better deal in the long run! Check various places when you are ready to book the trip.

For us, we check between RV Trip Wizard (shows quick stay options all around your planned route), Recreation.gov (great for finding cheap Core of Engineer parks), Google (for finding campgrounds in a big city or town), and Harvest Hosts (when we plan to stay short times at breweries, farms, and unique stays).

Here’s a general search for hotels in Las Vegas, NV to help you get started with your million dollar winnings at the slots!

If you are booking flights and hotels, I’d definitely check out Hopper, Hotels.com, or Kayak. I also personally recommend Cheap Caribbean for pretty inexpensive, all inclusive vacation packages to travel to the Caribbean and other tropical places. We’ve used this platform for three separate out-of-the-country trips and loved every one of them. They do a great job helping you travel plan and stay informed about what to do next when you arrive in a foreign country.

8. Plan Your Trip Far Ahead of Time

When you plan far ahead, you have the option to book anywhere you want to be. Sometimes you can even get an “early-bird” discount. The longer you wait, the more expensive the trip will be. Not to mention that most vacations or stays end up getting booked within 6-12 months in advance most of the time.

9. Reduce Your Dining Budget

I know as a foodie myself, it’s almost impossible to resist eating out and trying new restaurants, especially while traveling. I’m not saying you can’t eat out at all, but, eating out is a great luxury. If you need to save money, then cut the dining out from your trip budget. It’s significantly cheaper to make a sandwich or pop open a can of soup at your Airbnb instead of going out for every single meal. Save money by eating at “home,” especially if this allows you to do more experiences!

10. Bring Your Pet Along!

Our pretty girl Luna, almost 2 years old!

Don’t leave Fido at home this time! The truth is, plenty of hotels and condos nowadays are willing to make accommodations for a dog companion. And no, they don’t even have to be certified as a service animal. There’s also plenty of options on Airbnb and Vrbo that allow pets. So come on, and bring your fluffy friend!

A great experience we suggest is always related to the great outdoors. Look at camping, renting a RV, and other nature-related trips. You can almost ALWAYS bring a pet along on these types of trips. This way, you don’t have to make a plan for someone to watch them, or board them for a price at a local vet.

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[Make Memories]

The most important part of your vacation trip is to ENJOY it! After spending weeks, or even months planning, make the most of your time and make memories that will last you a life-time. There really is [no place like gone] and we’d love to see your travel pictures – tag us on social media – @noplacelike.gone. I’ve put a link button below, and also our latest posts on Instagram so you can quickly find us.

Social Media Links

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Categories
Adventure travel

What’s Your [Camping] Type?

There’s A LOT of options on the market for camping. You can get as simple as a tent, but if you aren’t a purist then you probably aren’t tent camping very often. For the rest of us, your options are typically between truck camper, travel trailer, fifth wheel, camper-van, motorhome, or a self-made conversion. Warning: If you’ve never RV camped before, you’ll be shocked by how small these are compared to the average home of today. Fair warning!

The different types of RVs (recreational vehicles)

We’re No Place Like Gone and we’ve been full-time living and traveling in our Class C motorhome for 9 months now, nice to meet ya! We’ve driven from the East coast to the West coast during our trip so far and have got to see 15 different states along the way! We are currently camping in the country of California. (That’s a joke – because California is HUGE and it’s literally named the Republic of California.)

Here’s the most common variety of campers and the likes:

Truck Camper
Travel Trailer
Fifth-Wheel
Camper-van
Motorhome – this is us!
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Are You Ready to Hit the Road?

Before ya do, follow us on social media so that you don’t miss our next adventure. We post camping advice, hiking trails, nature photography, and stories from our travels, click below:

Truck Campers

Earthroamer SX – build shown is close to $1,045,000 (yes, $1 MILLION)

Starting off with a beauty, Earthroamer is in the upper echelon of truck campers. Priced as a luxury vehicle, they are self-contained and include all of the necessities that you need, while also including all of the things that you want. If you’re looking to go off-roading in style, while doing it self-sufficient and off-grid, this bad boy is for you.

Lance 650 mounted on short-bed Ford
Lance 650 interior
Lance 650 floorplan – dinette, toilet/shower, fridge, range, sink, closet, TV, bedroom and more in a small package!
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Lance truck campers are at a great price point, starting as low as $25,000 brand new. They’re available for Chevy/Dodge/Ford/GM trucks whether they’re short or long-beds. They have them for select Toyotas and Nissans as well. You get the modern luxuries in a very small package, that is still just an extension of your truck.

There are PLENTY of other truck campers on the market, for every size and shape of truck. We’ve even seen plenty of people that have custom built their truck camper, if you’re a handy type of person. You do sacrifice quite a bit of space over the likes of campers and motorhomes, so I’d recommend truck campers for 1-2 people and rarely more. There’s also options of truck campers with 1,2,3 slide-outs that help gain A LOT of space and storage for these. Expect to spend a little more money on these larger-sized $50,000-$100,000.

3 slide-outs (sofa, dinette, kitchen)
Loki Basecamp
Host triple slide-out with plenty of space on larger trucks

Pros: If you already own a truck, you just need to buy the camper portion to get started. For recreational campers, you can easily detach the truck camper and leave it at home while you still commute to work like normal. Truck campers detach and can be self-contained on most surfaces, just like any other camper. This makes your truck still usable if you want to leave the camper portion behind and go explore. Otherwise, it’s small and easy enough to drive with for any adventure. No pesky backing in a trailer or motorhome. No hitching or unhitching required

Cons: Not much storage, plus you sacrifice the truck bed to live in this monster! This is a difficult space to live in full time because of the tiny space and minimal storage.

Travel Trailers

Where do I start with travel trailers … when there’s a MILLION different layouts and options available.

Lance travel trailers with weights and info.
Airstream travel trailer size variations

As a beginner, many opt to get the smallest travel trailer – and that’s reasonable. It looks scary to drive a freaking 18-wheeler- length rolling home. Most people will aim to get between a 25 and 35 foot travel trailer, especially if you have kids or any pets. Although, you can definitely exist in a much smaller space if you are willing to be minimal about your camping.

Airstream Classic interior
Grand Design Imagine
Keystone hideout, bunk beds for the kids!
Old school Shasta (we stayed in one of these)
Tab camper – “I just a baby!”
Riverside Retro in teal/turquoise
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There’s plenty of very, very small options that are well under 20 feet as well, but I know that scares most people away when they actually see how small it is, these are things like Tabs. In this small of a vehicle, you’re sacrificing a lot over your traditional at-home living and I’ll admit that.

We personally accepted that we want a smaller space to save money, and to pair down into a more minimalistic lifestyle. We have a 26 foot Class C motorhome, don’t tow a car, and it’s been a dream for us. Camping, and life in general, really is a “choose your own adventure!”

Pros: You can pretty much pick your dream floor plan, with as many slide-outs and storage as you want. They literally have thousands of options here. Another good thing here is that if you already own a truck or large enough SUV, you’re pretty much ready to buy a trailer and take off!

Cons: If you’ve never driven a big truck or pulled a trailer, then be prepared for a learning curve. Also, backing in a travel trailer is somewhat frustrating for newbies – expect fights with your spouse (LOL). Difficulty of hitching, unhitching, setting up levels and chocks.

Fifth-Wheels

The difference between fifth-wheels and travel trailers are that the fifth wheel hitch mounts within your truck bed, and the space above is generally used for a bed or additional storage. Fifth wheels generally have much larger turn radiuses.

Fifth-wheels are pretty common nowadays, and for great reason. You combine the great size of a Class A motorhome with the ease of use of a travel trailer. Not to mention that you get to also include the space above your truck bed as additional living space, which travel trailers just can’t match. The turning radius on these bad boys is quite large too, much better than your pull-behind campers that can jack-knife (turn too hard and the trailer and hitch will crunch in on itself).

Finding a fifth-wheel for just about every price point is practical, with floor plans to appeal to everyone. Slide-outs here can almost double your living space in some cases.

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Scamper (small camper)
Older fifth-wheel still works great!
Grand Design Reflection, a very common fifth-wheel that has it all

Pros: Gain the space over your truck bed as a living quarters, compared to travel trailers losing that. Quite easy to level and balance out once un-hitched from a truck. Can get these as large as a Class A motorhome, basically 45 feet of usable floor plan PLUS slide-outs and storage underneath.

Cons: Price, usually between $50,000-$150,000.Very bulky and usually between 25 and 45 feet. Harder to drive especially for newbies if you’ve never pulled a trailer. Hitching, un-hitching, and setup is more than a smaller travel trailer or motorhome/van. You must have a special hitch to connect to your truck.

Camper-vans

These are sometimes called Class B motorhomes (see below motorhome section), although not always. Sometimes simply called vans, these things are literally a mini-van that you sleep in. You can see the yellow VW below and this thing is beautiful.

1976 Volkswagen Westfalia – man, we’d love to have one of these!

Because of the size of these, you obviously won’t get very much storage space. Not to mention living space, which is basically non-existent. You usually have the front seats to drive, bench seating that converts to a bed (or in the case of the VW you can sleep in the pop-up camper top portion), a mini-fridge, little camping range, and a few cabinets. That’s about the extent of what you get here with vans.

A huge mention here is that these will not typically include a bathroom of shower, some of the most crucial luxuries for many of us. Expect to use the campground showers and toilets!

Of course, you can spend much, much, more on the higher end Class-B motorhomes. These would be camper-van conversions such as the Airstream Interstate, Thor sanctuary, and the Storyteller Overland.

Lexus camper-top
Honda Element interior
Dodge Promaster
Interior of a Ford Transit campervan
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There’s a wide differential in prices of camper-vans, and there really is a different vehicle for everyone. They all vary widely with features, sizes, bed types, and more. If you’re considering one of these, make sure to do your extensive research and expect to pay a pretty penny. You’ll spend between $25,000-$225,000 whether you want a used little Dodge Promaster that’s been partially renovated, or a brand new ready to live in beast like the Winnebago Revel.

Pros: These are as small as your basic SUV or truck that you’re probably driving already. Picture a plumbing or construction work truck, but converted into a living space. Can be 4WD or lifted for plenty of driving clearance.

Cons: Basically zero storage – you’re living in a van, man. These rarely even can fit a shower or toilet. You’ll either have to use the camping bathrooms, or opt for a composting toilet and outdoor shower spray wand.

Composting toilet that slides outdoors
Composting toilet inside a van
Outdoor shower wand for exterior bathing
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Motorhomes

Very important to note that this “class” system does not jump from A, to B, to C depending on length or price by any means. In general, Class A motorhomes are the largest and most luxurious or expensive. Class C motorhomes are a budget version of that, and in much smaller form factors. Then, you have Class B motorhomes which are heavily improved camper vans with all of your modern accessories, usually at a smaller package than both Class A and C motorhomes. I know, it’s pretty confusing, but I didn’t create this system!

Class A: The “Crème de la crème” (French, literally means cream of the cream, or translated further to mean cream of the crop, or the best of something) of motorhomes. These bad boys are usually starting at $50,000 for a VERY used model. You can expect to pay close to $250,000 for a decent motorhome here, and easily up to $1 million dollars for some of the top of the line options like Prevost.

Prevost, top of the line of motorhomes. This thing is like close to $1 million brand new.

These Class A motorhomes have all of your luxuries of a modern home, albeit in a much smaller package. They have sprawling living spaces, slide-outs to add additional space, king beds, dual-vanity sinks in the bathroom, and huge residential refrigerators (RV fridges are typically much smaller than a home/residential fridge). Expect to pay quite a pretty few pennies for these though.

Another super important thing to note is that Class A motorhomes can range from the smallest at about 22 feet, all the way up to 45 feet of living space.

Pros: More space than you should ever need. Easy setup: you pull-in, park, use your auto-levelers and hook up power, water, and waste. That’s basically it! You can tow almost any car, truck, or SUV. These things are beasts and way a ton, plus have massive diesel engines capable of pulling just about anything.

Cons: These motorhomes are huge and when you see them out, they’re usually 35-45 feet long. You’re basically driving a school bus with much more weight and features inside. Most engines here are diesel – expect HIGH fuel prices especially in these hard times. Good luck parking this thing anywhere, as its too large to fit in a lot of places.

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Class B: These are also lumped into the “camper-van” category quite often. In reality, Class B motorhomes are larger and considerably more upscale over the traditional camper-van. Usually Class B motorhomes have a bathroom and shower, even if they’re tiny and hard to use, where as camper-vans almost always do not. The length of a Class B motorhome caps out at about 22 feet in most cases, so these are typically easy to maneuver and drive anywhere!

Storyteller Overland
Dodge Ram Promaster
Airstream Interstate
Winnebago Revel

Pros: Very small and easy to drive, not much of a difference from your daily commuter. You can park it just about anywhere, standard parking spots are big enough. Most of these vans are available with 4WD making them beasts to go off-roading or onto a beach.

Cons: Very small space, good luck with storage, because you don’t get much. Usually your dining table/dinette converts into your bed. Although, in certain models you can definitely use the front driving seats as your dining space. Vans or Class B motorhomes are VERY expensive … usually starting at $100,000 and exceeding well above that!

Class C: This is where WE fit in! We have a Class C motorhome, and it’s a 2022 Coachmen Crosstrail XL 23XG. Yep, that’s a mouthful – why do they name these things like freaking extraterrestrial planets?

Our dining table
Our baby – 2022 Coachmen Crosstrail XL 23XG
Simple bathroom
“If I fits, I sits” – words of a cat (but I’m a dog)
One happy customer!
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Class C motorhomes vary greatly between about 22 feet and 33 feet, and you can’t get much larger than that. Once you step above that threshold, you’re looking at either a travel trailer, fifth wheel camper, or a Class A motorhome because each of these have options to go much larger.

Pros: These offer a nice blend between the Class A and the Class B, which is why I’m baffled why it’s called a Class C. (I guess Class C was the third thing invented by combining the other two?) Budget friendly for the whole family, and Fido!

Cons: These cap out at about 35 feet, so if you want larger you’ll have to get a Class A or travel trailer/fifth-wheel. Very low ground clearance – expect to scrape a lot when driving. Not the most luxurious, if you want that instead: look to Class A or B.

The Others

We’ve seen just about everything on our trip over the last 9 months of full-time RV living. We’ve seen plenty of music festival-goers basically living in their vans and school buses. I spotted a Honda Element with a pop-up rooftop camper once. Plenty of SUVs like Toyota 4Runner, Subaru Outback, and others that people have slapped a rooftop camper top on. We’ve even seen a few people using “Camp mode” on their Tesla as they sleep in it at their campsite pedestal charging overnight.

“Life really is about creating your own adventure.”

-No Place Like Gone, 2023

We’ve Had Fun Today – Did You?

We can only hope that you had a blast reading our blog today. We love camping and traveling full-time so much that we have dedicated our time to help others do the same. It’s truly a lifestyle fit for just about everyone, with many, many options to suite your needs. The experience of camping is how you can live simply, see plenty of beautiful landscapes, and experience the world through your own lens.

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<img alt=" Matt with
Matt with
No Place Like Gone

Hey! I’m the man behind the magic – AKA the camera and blog. I’m also a purveyor of craft beer, grill master, and chief RV driver. Connect with me on social media below:

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Adventure travel

Campground Dos & Donts

We’ve been on the road for about 8 months now and we’ve driven all the way from the east coast (South Carolina) to the west coast (California). The memories, adventures, and laughs have been worth every second. And that’s a lot of sitting in a campground. We have a 26 foot Coachmen Class C motorhome with no slide-outs (basically an oversized camper van), and it’s perfect for us. We’ve camped at national parks, COE campgrounds, fancy pants RV resorts, an amusement park, private RV parks, and state park campgrounds (and in a Walmart parking lot that one time – that was fun). Below is an overview of things we’ve learned about camping along the way. Some of these may seem like common sense – common sense isn’t always common, though.

Our 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail XL 23XG sitting in a campground.
Our 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail XL 23XG

This is what we’ve learned on our cross-country roadtrip:

Are you just getting into #vanlife or RV travel? Maybe you just bought your new camper and are ready to hit a nearby campground for the first “shake-down” trip? Or maybe you’ve been camping for a while and you’re seeking ultimate relaxation?

We know camping can be a scary thing … you’re literally deciding to go sleep in the woods and become one with nature. (Bears, coyotes, snakes, and bugs live out here!)

Well, step 1 is to read this blog & learn how to camp like a pro. Step 2 is to unplug from all of your devices so that you can embrace the great outdoors and enjoy your camping trip! Let’s get started.

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The Dos and Donts of Staying at a Campground:

Do:

  • Do make a list before you pack up: If you don’t, you’ll end up forgetting something – and it’s usually something super important. Checking off items on a list helps keep you organized so that you won’t miss any of the important items you’ll need in the woods to survive.
  • Do say hi: Be sure to say hello to your new neighbors for the weekend (or longer depending on your stay). If you’re an introvert, wave at your neighbors when they look over. If you’re an extrovert, strike up a chat when someone walks by. You never know what you could learn from someone new. Do keep in mind that some people like camping to get out in nature (and away from people) though – don’t be overbearing.
  • Do act like the neighborhood watch committee: Keep an eye on your neighbor’s stuff, especially if they leave for the day. Most of the time there are no problems, but some campgrounds can be hotspots for thieves. Be sure to lock up bicycles and anything else that can “grow legs” and if you see someone fishy in your neighbor’s spot, report it. You’d want them to do the same for you, right?
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  • Do arrive before sun set: Ideally you’ll arrive right at check-in time and be able to maximum your trip, but at a MINIMUM arrive before the sun goes down. I can’t emphasis enough how important it is to actually be able to see while you setup your campsite. Arriving on time also lets you to enjoy the sunset from your new campground spot. If you arrive after dark, good luck – you will be getting frustrated…
  • Do share your location: Let your family and friends know where you are staying and your plans for the trip. This is especially important if you expect your phone won’t have signal, you never know what can happen out in the boonies. If you’re in a more developed area tools like Apple’s “Find My” are a great way to share your location with loved ones.
  • Do make a plan for your pooch: Most campgrounds will allow pets buuuuut, some don’t. Sometimes, you’ll have to pay an extra fee to bring your pup with you or there could be breed restrictions. Pets are not allowed on any trails within a National Park – so be sure to plan accordingly for a safe spot for your pup (DO NOT leave your dog in a hot car). Some campgrounds will even have dog parks on site – just make sure to check the rules beforehand and plan accordingly. Oh – and pick up your pup’s poop!!!
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  • Do observe fire safety warnings: Sometimes, especially out west, there are fire bans in place. These aren’t because they don’t want you enjoying s’mores by the campfire. Bans are because conditions are so dicey that devastating wildfires can begin from just a single hot ember. Decade-long droughts and strong winds create conditions that can spread wildfires in the blink of an eye causing millions of dollars worth of damage and potentially loss of life for animals and humans in the area. If you do have a campfire, pour water on it to put it out, stir with a shovel, and then douse with even more water to completely smother the flames. This is the only, and best, way to make sure the fire won’t reignite and become a problem. Make sure you listen to Smoky the Bear and check local conditions before starting any fire.
  • Do check the weather: With today’s technology and weather apps available in the palm of your hand – there is no excuse for not knowing if storms are coming through. Check the weather multiple times before your trip and then again each day during your trip. A weather radio can be especially helpful in remote areas. It may seem tedious, but while camping you are especially exposed to the elements without the protection of a sticks-and-bricks home. Keep in mind that large bodies of water like lakes or oceans can make conditions worse. We learned this the hard way while tent camping on a point in Georgia during a hurrican-ado (hurricane-tornado, lol). Conditions can change QUICK, so be alert.
  • Do pack extra layers: Bring extra clothes, you’ll need them. Temperatures can vary widely between daytime and nighttime – it’s usually colder outside than you realize at night. You’ll also want an extra pair of shoes and socks in case yours get wet (no one wants to hike in wet socks).
  • Do enjoy the great outdoors: Ultimately, you booked this trip to get outside and experience nature. So, enjoy your time! There may be bad weather or bugs, but if you embrace it all with a smile on your face you’ll have memories to last a life time.
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Don’t:

  • Don’t forget the necessities: There are thousands of gadgets and all types of gear for camping. Those are great, but don’t forget the basics. These are food, water, shelter (tent or camper), and a first aid kit. Making a list before you pack is helpful to ensure you don’t forget a single item.
  • Don’t bug folks during set up: We encourage you to say hi to your neighbors. But pleaaaaseeee don’t smother a fellow camper the second they pull in – no matter how cool their rig is. After a long drive, people need time to settle in and set up – give them time and space. After they’ve set up their temporary home, let the friend-making begin.
  • Don’t be the campground DJ: Blasting music assuming the whole campground wants to party is a no-no. Your site is your space & your music shouldn’t be audible beyond it. Keep in mind that your fellow campers may have small children, or consider your music offensive. A lot of people camp to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature – not Miley Cyrus’ newest hit blaring through your bluetooth speaker.
  • Don’t let your dog be a nuisance to others: We’ve yet to see an off leash campground – campgrounds require your pet to be leashed or confined to your space. This is for their safety and yours.
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  • Don’t keep everyone up: If it’s past quiet hours – be quiet. Quiet hours usually begin after 10pm at most campgrounds and end around 7am – be sure to review your check-in paperwork for specific instructions. This includes generators, kids, dogs, and anything else that emits sound.
  • Don’t be trashy: Use the dumpsters and recycling bins provided by the campground. Don’t leave trash all over your campsite, or overnight where animals may get into it. Nature isn’t a trash can for our garbage – we have to preserve its beauty so that we can continue to enjoy it.
  • Don’t feed the natives: While they may be fuzzy and cute – wild animals are meant to be just that – wild. Don’t feed any wild animals and don’t leave food out where animals can get into it either. Be on high alert in areas that bears frequent. You can usually tell if there’s been a problem with animals searching for food if there are heavy-duty-bear-proof trash cans or locking food boxes on site.
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  • Don’t leave your awning out overnight or when you’re away: Very often, strong winds or rain can come in unexpectedly (which is why we recommend you check the weather often). Your RV awning or stand alone pop-up canopy cannot withstand winds over roughly 20 mph (miles per hour). We also learned this lesson the hard way when our 10 foot x 10 foot tailgate canopy crumbled in the Colorado desert during a sandstorm that blew in randomly in the middle of the day with 50-60 mph winds.
  • Don’t cut through spots: Use marked pathways to get around the campground and be sure to keep an eye on kids playing. They may unintentionally run through your neighbor’s spot and get the “Hey you stinking kids – get off my lawn!!!” talk.
  • Don’t burn firewood from another location: Typically, the rule is don’t bring firewood from further than 50 miles away from the campground you are staying at. The reason for this is that you may unintentionally introduce new harmful species of bugs or plants that aren’t native to the area. This can severely hurt the wildlife and ecosystem of the new area you’ve brought the wrong wood to.
  • Don’t camp alone: Camping is always better (and safer) with friends – the more the merrier! With the right prep work, solo camping can be a restorative time in nature but we recommend always having a buddy with you. Be sure to bring camping buddies with you to enjoy the great outdoors safely; you may even help your friends discover a new hobby in the process. At the very least, make an Instagram post after your trip to share your adventure and the things you discovered during your time outside to get your followers curious about the great outdoors. Sharing is caring!
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What Did You Learn From This Blog?

We’d love to hear your feedback. What did we miss? What are some of your campground do’s and dont’s? We are always looking to improve our quality of content so that we can help newbies and veterans of camping alike.

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Here’s some more great reads if you’re interested! 🤙

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The Valley is on Fire!

Runnnnn Forest runnnnn – quickly! The valley is on fire in Nevada at Valley of Fire State Park! A short one hour trip from the bustling city of Las Vegas will land you here in an appealing, yet unsure, landscape. It’s part desert & part Martian planet – including cacti who love the harsh heat and out-of-this-world sandstone formations towering above in all directions. The combination of wind, rain, and natural erosion over millenia have created this perfect (albeit HOT) little paradise at Valley of Fire State Park.

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Table of Contents

We’ve organized all of the sections & park highlights below in alphabetical order. There’s also a handy table of contents to help you navigate around this read quickly! We hope that you put Valley of Fire State Park on your list if you ever happen to be around Las Vegas, Nevada!

  1. Table of Contents
  2. If the threat of fire hasn’t scared you away yet…
  3. Atlatl Rock
  4. Beehives
  5. Campgrounds – Atlatl and Arch Rock
  6. Oh, and we left a small surprise behind:
  7. Hidy Holes
  8. Elephant Rock
  9. Ready, Set, Action! 🎥
  10. 🔥 Fire Wave 🔥
  11. Doggie Adventures in the Valley 🐶
  12. Mouse’s Tank
  13. Natural Arch
  14. However Dark the Night, Tomorrow’s Light Always Follows
  15. One Punch Man!
  16. Petrified Logs
  17. Petroglyphs
  18. Potato Chip Rock?
  19. Our First Slot Canyon
  20. So … You Made it Through the Fire?
  21. Let’s connect on social media!
  22. Look here for similar reads:
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If the threat of fire hasn’t scared you away yet…

then let’s proceed into the Valley of Fire, but prepare to get burned.

A shot of the road that runs through the center of Valley of Fire SP, Nevada.
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Here’s a map to help you navigate your way around the park!

This is literally the same map we used to get around the park and plan our day trips. There’s no cell signal in the park so be prepared to go “old-school” and use your paper map & navigate like Lewis and Clark. You can conveniently download this map by clicking on the image above.

If you check out the map above, you’ll see you can enter from either the East or the West side of the park. Either way, there’s a park ranger operated pay gate at each end of the park so that you can pay the admission fee to get in. We also recommend asking for all of the paper resources they can give you. Usually this will land you the above map, detailed trail guides, recent local wildlife sightings, and things to do in the area nearby. Park rangers are your friends!

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Atlatl Rock

Atlatl Rock is the name for this naturally-occurring rock formation, and there’s good reason. An atlatl (pronounced at-latl) in history, is a stick used by some indigenous peoples of North America to propel a spear or dart. What’s even cooler is that this formation includes scaffolding built by the park which allows you to get up close and personal with petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings by native tribes). These figures are one of the major pieces left behind by the ancient cultures who once resided here – potentially thousands of years ago.

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Beehives

What’s that in the distance? BIZZZZ! Oh, wow! I didn’t know that bees could survive and thrive in the desert. On closer examination, they’re not beehives. But they do look just like them!

Over time, the wind has eroded these rocks into nature’s “perfect” shape – a circle. At this stop, you can literally park your car and hop right out to see them – with no athleticism required at all. The beehives are located directly inside the western entrance gate and make a great first stop in the park.

Natural beehive formation?
Beehive, shown for reference of the similarities.
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Campgrounds – Atlatl and Arch Rock

We saw multiple big-horn sheep walk through the campground, they seem used to campers and generally uninterested in our presence. I was lucky enough to capture this shot of them grazing on the mountain top the next morning. Although they seemed quite benign, be sure to keep your distance from them and their big horns to avoid a potential “ouch”!

Two big-horned sheep on the mountain top!

We stayed at Atlatl campground, which is first-come first-served. Yep, they don’t take campground reservations. There are a few spots with full RV hookups (and these go quick!) but most are “dry-camping” – this means no power, water, or sewer connections – a.k.a. “hike-in” or primitive camping only. This probably doesn’t interest most people who like to plan their trips months in advance or go “glamping” but hey, when you live life on the edge, the reward sometimes outweighs the risk. And we knew the reward of Valley of Fire certainly would be worth the small inconvenience. The pictures of this hotspot destination look incredible online.

We were, however, unlucky enough to watch the last RV spot get taken. We ended up squeezing into a site with no water or power, but that’s fine because we are set up for boondocking (camping without any hookups & being self-sufficient – almost like you would in a tent).

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I considered sleeping underneath this rock shelter here. Quite spacious compared to our RV. (lol)

Arch Rock campground is definitely geared more to your purists. We didn’t stay here, but I can tell you that tent camping or #vanlife is recommended at this site with most sites being hike-in only. Not only do they not have any hookups, but the spots are much smaller here as well. Either way, the views are incredible in either campground and you will be surrounded by incredible sandstone formations.

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Oh, and we left a small surprise behind:

It’s probably been found by now, but we left some hidden “artifacts” from our brand among the formations in the Atlatl campground. Good luck hunting!

Hidy Holes

Listen, this section was titled this way intentionally. How else would you name this? lol.

Through the looking glass…

Maybe my girlfriend, dog, and I are just Luna-tics (Hah! Our dog’s name is Luna) but we found plenty of cool looking “hidy holes” all over the park. You can’t miss them. You’ll see them on every hike, every trail, and in most little sections of rock if you keep your eyes peeled. They’re plenty of fun for you to take EPIC pictures in and take a break from the intense heat.

I can see my house from up here!
Becoming one with the spirits.
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Elephant Rock

Ever seen an elephant in a desert? No? Well us neither, until today.

Dad joke of the day: How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time.

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Ready, Set, Action! 🎥

You can’t avoid how beautiful and “other-worldly” feeling this place is. Of course, being near Las Vegas and Hollywood, many big names have been attracted here from all around the entertainment industry. Plenty of film scenes were shot within the valley:

Viva Las Vegas starring Elvis Presley had multiple shots filmed in the park for the racing scenes in the movie.

The above brick wall is the only prop that remains from the shooting of The Professionals in 1966.

The outside Mars scenes from Total Recall starring Arnold Schwarzenegger were almost totally shot in Valley of Fire.

The scenes from Planet Veridian III from Star Trek Generations were shot here in 1994.

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🔥 Fire Wave 🔥

This wouldn’t be a top-notch blog unless I squeezed in one of my childhood passions, RuneScape. If you didn’t play this browser based game 10-15 years back then you just simply will not understand the phenomenon. RuneScape was one of those types of games that kept you coming back for more. There was constant progression, hundreds of quests, over twenty skills with branching paths of gameplay, and also it was multiplayer. You could talk with friends and new people on the internet all the time … and this was early at the dawn of the 2000’s (notably 2004-2007) where we used AOL (America On-Line) dial-up internet and AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) to interact. Oh, how times were different. Many of the younger generation are already forgetting how hard it was before the internet! Some of my favorite child hood memories came from playing this game along with plenty of friends, and grinding away as a teenager. Man, what a feeling it was to escape reality … try out Old School RuneScape today if you know what’s good for you! 😜

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Anyways, back to the main point of this section … Fire Wave! Fire Wave is a medium-level fire spell in RuneScape that does decent damage to armored foes.

The Fire Wave spell from RuneScape:

Video games aside, these IRL (in real-life, an internet gaming term) fire waves were incredible to see:

A’hoy matey!
Shiver me timbers!
Sploosh!
“Fire Wave” where the sandstone terrain has been swept by the wind and rain for thousands of years – leaving this beautiful effect across the landscape.
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Doggie Adventures in the Valley 🐶

Whenever we go on a hike we love to take our pup with us (when permitted); luckily Valley of Fire trails are dog friendly! If you do decide to bring your pup on trail at Valley of Fire be sure to check the temperature of the ground and rock as the high temperatures in the valley can quickly cause damage to their soft paw pads. Doggie boots are also a great option for hot days. We did our hike in the early morning so temperatures weren’t a problem for us. But the most important thing to consider is WATER. Bring lots and lots – way more than you think you need for yourself AND your fury friend(s).

Here’s our cutie, Luna – she’s a year-and-a-half old chocolate Labrador Retriever crossed with a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. If you aren’t familiar with her breeds, she is basically known as a “duck dog” or “sporting dog” because of her natural instinct to retrieve ducks and other waterfowl when hunting. Do we hunt? No, not really. Does she hunt everything that moves? Yep, pretty much. She has more energy than three espressos and a bag full of sugar … and constantly keeps us on our toes. Taking her on hikes with us is a great way to let her get her energy out and let her “hunt” in nature – no ducks were harmed in the making of this blog.

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Mouse’s Tank

These incredible rock carvings, are expected to date back as far as 2,000 years ago.

While this area has a strange name, the story behind the name is even more obscure. A Southern Paiute Indian renegade who went by the tribal name, “Little Mouse,” used this area of Valley of Fire as a hideout in the 1890’s. He was accused of gunning down two prospectors along with many other crimes in the area. This natural oasis held two pothole”tanks” of water and provided a natural hiding spot for him to escape his captors. He was eventually found in the valley and killed while trying to escape his pursuers.

Petroglyphs all over the park paint the ancient languages of. a past society who lived here.
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Natural Arch

Few things are as awe-inspiring as a natural arch in the desert. Towering high above the rocks below, this arch is a highlight of the park. I’ll let you & the scientists try to figure out how the inside of the arch has managed to disappear leaving the remaining arch shape intact. Somehow, this shape has managed to survive thousands of years without losing the battle its duking it out with – gravity.

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However Dark the Night, Tomorrow’s Light Always Follows

Thanks to the lovely iPhone 11 Pro Max I have (yes, I know there are three year’s worth of newer iPhones now) I was able to capture this amazing shot from our spot at the Atlatl campground one night. Look closely to see a rock balancing on the top of the formation. It’s amazing to see the capability of technology even in this remote wilderness.

Within this image, you can count the individual stars in the night sky – just like the once great philosopher Plato did. And I promise that this picture isn’t edited, it’s shot raw with the iPhone 11 Pro Max night-mode feature. You can definitely see the night sky beautifully at night here, and we highly recommend camping at least one night to witness it.

While we were there, the moon was almost full, so we could see fairly well at night; well enough that we were able to do a few short hikes around the campground without flashlights or other artificial light sources.

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One Punch Man!

Have you seen the rants and raves about the anime One Punch Man? No? It’s fine, I’ll give you a quick summary here!

One Punch Man defeats all of the bad guys in the world by punching them – one impactful time. The anime is a hilarious comedy about saving the world, but looking cool while doing it.

I’ve recaptured in perfect detail how to defeat someone with one punch. Look at my form, and the velocity of punchy-ness. Spot on. I showed that rock who’s boss … and who says that heroes wear capes?

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Petrified Logs

Millions of years ago, it is understood by scientists that the entire valley (and most of the continent) was covered in lakes, trees, and animals. Now, very desolate – as it is now a desert climate – not many trees or animals can be found here. Small bushes are sparse and most animals spend the hot days underground.

A petrified log is just what it sounds like – and it’s kind of freaky too. Instead of being wood like you expect normal trees to be, over time the trees that were found here have transformed into fossils.

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Petrified wood is indeed a fossil, like animals bones. It forms when plant material is buried by sediment and protected from decay due to oxygen and organisms. Then, groundwater rich in dissolved solids flows through the sediment, replacing the original plant material with silica, calcite, pyrite, or another inorganic material such as opal. The result is a fossil of the original woody material that often exhibits preserved details of the bark, wood, and cellular structures.

Some specimens of petrified wood are such accurate preservations that people do not realize they are fossils until they pick them up and are shocked by their weight.

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Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs along the rock faces – expected to have been here for over 2,000 years.

Petroglyphs represent an ancient language of yester-year .

On close inspection, you can see big-horned sheep (I put pictures of some of the sheep we saw in the Atlatl Campground section of this blog), a family or tribe, water, and many other depictions of the natural environment found here thousands of years ago. Scientists have done extensive research here to decode these drawings to understand the people that once lived here.

It makes you wonder what future generations will think of the English language and the notebooks with pen and paper writings we will leave behind.

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Potato Chip Rock?

Someone call Lays … I think their potato chip ran away! What appears to be a distorted sandstone potato chip is actually a very thin rock holding on for dear life. Nature often finds ways to make things uniquely beautiful – all it takes is a little imagination. This is a wonderful depiction of that.

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Our First Slot Canyon

Slot canyons are a fun phenomenon commonly found out west. Being from the east coast, our tourist hearts leapt for joy when we found this one along the White Dome trail. Simply put, slot canyons are spaces between two rock faces where the rock on each side narrowly misses touching each other. They’re nature’s playground and many enjoy hiking, climbing, and squeezing through these tight spaces. Sometimes you can find hidden areas to explore like waterfalls or caves.

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Luckily for our first, this one was pretty easy to walk through and only required a few side-steps near the end – no squeezing necessary. Although, it was beautiful every single step of the way and we enjoyed geeking out over the rock stratification. Something about looking up and only seeing a narrow stretch of blue sky is mesmerizing.

The entrance to the slot canyon

So … You Made it Through the Fire?

Valley of Fire State Park got it’s name for obvious reasons – it’s hot, the sandstone is bright red, and at sunset the entire place glows a warm red, as if the valley were on fire. But there’s something else hidden in this valley.

It’s sense of whimsy, of curiosity, and child-like play around every corner. Each turn of the trail beckons, “What will you discover next?” There’s incredible vistas, slot canyons, dry falls, petroglyphs, towering bee hives, unique plants, rock formations, miles of hiking trails, and incredible creatures to discover.

We often say that nature is mankind’s’ playground and this park has been one of the coolest we’ve explored so far. If you’re in the Las Vegas area, step away from the glitz and development and see what lies just an hour up Interstate 15. It makes sense that over half a million people visit each year to discover the wonder of nature within – and we’re glad we got to be some of them.

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Adventure Lifestyle

Is Van Life as Glorious as Instagram Shows?

Estimated time to read:

9–13 minutes

Is van life as glorious as Instagram lets you believe? Yes, yes, it is. Case closed, stop reading here, let’s all go home!

I’m kidding – but really, every time you go on Instagram and TikTok you see them young kids livin’ their best life in a van down by the river! The worst part is that you can’t escape this content, because it’s all so appealing. Of course it sounds amazing to buy a kitted-out van, decorate it hella cute, and slap your Instagram handle on the outside. Trust me, I get it … we are currently living that life right now!

My girlfriend and I standing with keys in my hand for our new RV.
My girlfriend and I standing in front of our RV.
Me sitting in the driver's seat of our new RV.
Our new RV with great lighting.
Our puppy Luna riding shotgun in the RV.
Me pointing at our brand new RV.
The inside kitchen of our RV.
Dining table and window in our RV.
Plant wall with nine different succulents.
The overall interior of our RV.
Another shot of the inside of our RV.
Here's the tiny bathroom sink and shower.
The front of our RV parked.
Home decor that says, "More Home, Less House".
Luna in the storage compartment.
"Making Memories" flag at the campsite.
Surfboard ready to go in the back of our RV.
No Place Like Gone logo on license plate.
Our RV parked on a beach in Florida.
Sticker map on the back of our RV. Only one sticker is filled in - South Carolina.
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Got any questions about van life? Hit us up in the DMs!

Yes, #vanlife looks AMAZING! But …

Starting out on a strong note, I hope that you like the smell of poop in the morning. When you go to pack up your campsite and leave in the morning, you’ll have to stand out by the lovely “dump station.” What’s that you might ask? Well, it’s exactly how it sounds – your RV takes a dump. You have to connect a hose to your black and grey tanks (black being toilet waste, grey being sink and shower waste). Then you pull a valve, and hear the lovely sound of water rushing through. Oh, and it smells great! Just like a wonderful sewer sanitation facility. Welcome to van life, my friend.

Shitter’s Full – clip on YouTube from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
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Much like being a parent to a newborn, expect to have poop all over you at some point. Well, it’s not always that bad, but sometimes it can be. If your waste hose decides to throw a tantrum, expect poop on you. Did you forget to weigh down your hose connection to where it connects to the ground sewer connection? As the waste water is rushing out, the hose could jump off of the connection and hit you in the face. At any single time. Hah – what a life. Even better, if you’re camping in below freezing temperatures, you may be greeted with a “shit-sicle” – where your tanks and/or hoses are frozen solid. The joy.

Snow covering our RV.
Frozen power cord and water hose on our RV.
A few inches of snow on the waste sewer hose.

Not all campsites are created equal. Camping life can often be compared to “roughing it in the woods” as the good old phrase goes. If you’re lucky enough to have a shower in your house on wheels, they’re incredibly small and difficult to use especially if you’re boondocking (no power, no extra water, no waste connection hook-ups to your rig; you are completely self-contained & self-sufficient).

Basically, you’re living primal-style out in the woods like our ancestor cavemen and cavewomen and surviving off the land. Sometimes you only end up showering once every week or two, because you’re traveling so much. And guess what, while some campgrounds have showers – not all do in the wilderness!

Occasionally, you’ll find a nicer shower to use if you pay for the very expensive RV resorts and KOAs. Honestly, most of your cheaper campsites do have a shower – albeit not very luxurious. Picture crouching low enough to fit under the midget-sized shower head, avoiding touching any of the ick of the walls, keeping an eye on that spider’s web & spider staring at you from the corner – all in an ill-lit (non-heated) “outhouse” for lack of a better term. Camp showers can be a real treat.

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The majority of RVs, campers, and motorhomes are just made to fall apart. No, I’m not joking … it’s a pretty common thing. Many, many, MANY of the campers and motorhomes of today are built so quickly that they just simply don’t have the same quality of most houses, or even the cars of today. Even if you spend a crap-ton of money on buying a brand new rig, expect it to have problems.

This doesn’t mean buying used is necessarily the better option. The previous owner may not have taken the best care of their vehicle, or fixed the problems that it had when it came off the lot. What’s worse is if you are full-time traveling and every few weeks you’re in a new state and not able to return to your original dealership to get work done – no one wants to do “free” warranty work if they don’t have to. It’s a whole complicated process sometimes. Be prepared to get very handy yourself! An emergency fund is a MUST.

The reality is van life is not always what you see on Instagram.
Behind the scenes of #vanlife.

I’ve learned that sometimes you just have to laugh about things in life … like when your radio literally blows up and catches on fire in a 6-month old RV. It leaves you questioning the workmanship of these rigs. Oh – and since warranty work takes forever to get done with most dealerships (think at least a six week waiting list) it’s just a whole hassle and headache.

So, $2,000 later, we skipped the warranty work and opted for a high-end radio with Apple Car Play capability in place of our original toxic waste of explosion that was installed by Ford and misleadingly called “a radio.” Plus, not to mention that we are full-time traveling so we can’t easily abandon our home on wheels for it to sit in a dealership’s lot waiting for work to be done – we love the outdoors but certainly prefer our bed over sleeping on the street.

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Van life can be expensive. Can it also be cheap and a cost effective way to live? Sure, that’s possible too. There are some options for FREE camping like boondocking on BLM land, Harvest Host (click our link here to get 15% off your membership with Harvest Hosts – they offer unique stays at wineries, farms, museums, and more!) or the good ole’ Walmart parking lot if you’re not picky.

Yes, there are ways to literally park your 1987 Chevrolet van down by the river (BLM land offers this frequently out West) and live for next to free if that’s what you want to do. Mad respect, no hate here my brother.

But, if you go the traditional route and stay at average run-of-the-mill state park campgrounds and the like, expect to pay $30-$45 per night of camping. Not too bad, right? But if you find yourself in a place like Arizona, California, or staying at KOAs and RV “resorts,” you can expect to pay more like $60-$80 per night on average. We’ve seen campgrounds charging over $120 per night for premium spots in highly sought after locations. If you’ve opted for a larger rig, expect to pay even more at every place you stay to accommodate the sheer size of your land yacht.

Camping fees alone can be expensive, not to mention that while you travel you will have to consider the cost to fill up with gas and propane as well. If you end up with a monthly payment on your rig, it can sometimes be close to a mortgage payment. Then, you’ll need insurance, of course. And let’s not forget about all of the maintenance items (remember RVs don’t typically have the highest build quality). Then factor in groceries, internet connectivity, cell phone bills, clothing, and all the other necessities you need – the dollars stack up QUICK. You need a budget!

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Van life is truly a “choose your own adventure” experience though; and there are, literally, thousands of different ways to camp and enjoy time outdoors. Whether you’re in a tent, million-dollar Prevost, a Subaru, or a travel trailer – we’re all here to camp, just in different boxes.

Shot of our RV under the Moon.
Looking out the window at a beautiful desert canyon, that's van life.
The RV parked under the moonlight, we're basically living the van life dream.
Our RV parked in front of the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado, van lifing it up.
Our RV parked next to Little Painted Desert County Park.

♫ Let’s talk about SPACE, baby. ♫

Are you absolutely in love with the HGTV-inspired DIY project that is your house now? The sprawling 2,000 square feet? Extra bedrooms you hardly ever use? How about the reading nook, loft, great master bedroom, hot tub, backyard, and all of the other spaces that you currently have? How about that three car garage that’s stacked to the ceiling with “yard sale” items and Christmas decorations from your childhood? Well, if you’re considering RV life, say goodbye to it all.

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A joke meme about people on HGTV.
A joke meme about people on HGTV.

Hey, I’m not hating – just stating facts. Your average house on wheels will not be much larger than 250 square feet. Yes, you heard me right – 2-5-0. This is probably the size of your current master bedroom if you’re an average American. Most campers are microscopic compared to our luxurious “mansions” of today. And they have to be this way in order to be safely driven down the highway and maneuver under bridges. Having a slide-out (or multiple slide-outs) can help greatly expand your living area but these come with a whole other can of worms worth of issues – and don’t expect more than 400 square feet, even with this addition.

Again, RV stands for RECREATIONAL Vehicle. RVs, motorhomes, and campers were never intended to be lived in and traveled with full-time. Sure, with the right perspective, you can live in just about anything.

While some models are insulated and more suited for forever living, they still aren’t a sticks-and-bricks home. Often campers are made with cheaper, lighter-weight materials, with the intention of decreasing your towing payload and gas mileage. Longevity is typically an afterthought, if considered at all. For example, our toilet, sink, and shower (things we use every day) are all made out of cheap plastic and have already had issues – oooohhh the luxury. Don’t just believe my opinion – here’s the same sentiment from another RV and travel blog.

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Out of Touch with Reality – a Van Life Nightmare

Here’s another fun reality for you millennials & Gen Zs: imagine not having internet or cell phone reception. Oh. my. God. That’s possible? Yes, there are still plenty of places that you can drive to and camp that will not have a speck of signal. Wi-Fi is most certainly out of the question a lot of the time as well.

WeBoost RV cell phone booster kit with antenna.

Surely in 2023, they have something to help, right? Sorta. We’ve been in spots where even with our fancy (and expensive!) cell signal booster and Wi-Fi ranger you still can’t connect to the outside world. Sometimes it’s just you, your travel partner (if you have one), and your dog. Imagine this – no internet, no TikTok, no Instagram, no Google maps, no texting or calls. You may be (forced) to connect with the nature around you or to have to talk to your camping companions via real face-to-face human interactions. Oh, the misery.

Woman hanging her head out the window trying to talk on the phone.
Sometimes you gotta hang out the window to find that magical bar of cell signal.
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Wrapping It Up:

Is Van Life as Glorious as Instagram Lets You Believe?

The short answer is – well, sorta. Just like anything, there is good and bad. Can it be incredibly enjoyable and look as pretty and glamorous as Instagram shows? Sometimes; but be prepared for plenty of “fun” along the way! You can’t have flowers without any rain – such is life.

My girlfriend and I standing with keys in my hand in front of our new RV.

Overall, selling my house, our cars, every piece of furniture, lawn equipment, and almost every worldly possession we had, was the best decision of our lives. This has been a meaningful stepping stone in my life, that has morphed into much, much more than just traveling the United States. We have learned how to live more simply, to appreciate the small things. We are experiencing all kinds of different cultures. We’ve eaten more than our fair share of new foods. We’ve seen some of the most incredible vistas and unique landscapes on the planet. And, we’ve grown closer together as a couple along the way – especially when the black tank sprayed its wonderful goop on us both. The memories, experiences, and joys of RV life do not have a monetary value. They’re priceless.

Would we recommend that everyone experience the world through travel like van life? Absolutely yes! Every single time. It’s worth it, even if you don’t think the lifestyle fits you – you’ll customize it to allow you to experience the world in new shades of beautiful. We hope to see you on our next adventure.

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Adventure travel

Little Painted Desert County Park

We were luckily enough to speak with a veteran park ranger at a local campground here in Arizona where he gave us some insider details on the most adventurous things to do nearby! We would have had ZERO clue that there is a beautiful work of art right around the corner from the campground where were staying at the time.

A quick 20 minute drive away from Winslow, Arizona is how you get off the beaten path to this excellent wonder of Mother Nature. What is Winslow, Arizona known for you ask? If you’ve heard of the famous song “Take It Easy” by The Eagles, then you are in good company. Not only is merchandise available all over the town for the infamous Route 66, but also you can get yourself wonderful pictures by Standin’ On The Corner.

Standin’ On The Corner – Winslow, Arizona
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What is the Painted Desert like?

100% worth it. It’s a little sketch though, I won’t lie. Since the county and state authorities have given up on maintenance and taking care of this park, you’ll be greeted by potholes and graffiti all over the place. Heck, the ONLY other person that we saw there was sleeping in their car… but they didn’t bother us the whole time! No big deal for us.

Seriously, though. This place is worth the views. And even if you don’t want to get out of your car, you can drive around most of the rim and get excellent views without walking. Now the roads are pretty awful and falling apart, so you might feel better driving an SUV or truck, but definitely not required.

Here’s some images we got there:

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You can’t deny that the views of this place are magnificent. It’s so unfortunate that the park isn’t funded and taken care of by the government anymore. However, if you are planning on swinging by the beautiful town of Winslow, Arizona then now you know this place is a hop, skip, and a drop away!

Plan your trip of the Little Painted Desert County Park today! The address to plugin your GPS is: Painted Desert Rim Dr, Winslow, AZ 86047.

Do you want exclusive camping discounts to stay nearby Winslow, AZ?

Check out my partners for 30% off of signing up right now:

Harvest Hosts: Celebrate the season with 30% off a year of unlimited overnight stays at wineries, breweries, farms, and more! For only $69.30, a Harvest Hosts membership gives you access to trip-planning tools, $1500 worth of Member benefits, and 4000+ overnight RV stays for a whole year. Start a membership today and see where the road takes you. Hurry, the sale ends on 12/31/22!

Use my exclusive link here for 30% off of your yearly Harvest Hosts subscription. You must use the code FRIENDS30 at checkout for the discount to apply!

Boondockers Welcome: Boondockers Welcome opens up a world of new camping opportunities. Escape the crowded and noisy campground in favor of a private spot on a beautiful property and a meaningful connection with a friendly host.  Enjoy truly unique stay experiences often without any sacrifice to comfort as 70% of Boondockers Welcome hosts offer hookups.

Use my exclusive link here for 30% off of your yearly Boondockers Welcome subscription. You must use the code BWFRIENDS15 at checkout for the discount to apply!

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Uncategorized

Lessons Learned From the Worst Day of My Life

Guest post written by Breanna, my lovely girlfriend.

Never take for granted the blessing to be alive, and also the people that you love. Hold each and everyone close. Spread love every day that you exist.

Two 2️⃣ years ago today while tent camping on Lake Hartwell, Matt asked me to be his girlfriend. 

This was our tent camping spot.

In my heart it was an immediate “Yes!“ 

…. but what came out was, 

“Are you sure?!” 😳😬😅

Sitting under the stars that night by the campfire we laughed and agreed that fate had brought us together, camping is awesome, and to give it a go at being “official.”

The sunrise was so beautiful, especially when I woke up realizing I now had my boyfriend next to me.

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Two years later and this has been the best, craziest, most sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat adventure. But it’s also been the most “feels like my heart is at home” adventure.

Last November, to celebrate our very first anniversary, we spent the weekend in Savannah, GA. Our Airbnb host had remodeled a vintage 1960s Shasta camper as a “glamping” experience. Since we were used to tent camping, this seemed like a luxurious splurge. 

Me in front of the Shasta, it was 40 degrees and raining outside but that didn’t stop us from having a blast.

We fell in love. 

Not only with each other – but also with the idea of “glamping” in an RV. By the time we were on the drive home we had a spreadsheet going of costs involved with owning a camper, pros and cons, and what future camping trips could look like if we were to buy one. 

Fast forward to February ‘22 and (with completed spreadsheet in hand) we’re at the RV dealership. We decided to keep adventuring – in style – and bought a motorhome. 

Proud owners of a 2022 Coachmen Crosstrail XL 23XG – brand new off the lot.

Four short months later, we say yes to chasing adventure and abandon “normal.” 

We set our sights on living and traveling full time in the RV. We sell the house, our cars, and 90% of everything we owned. Matt quit his job as a Mechanical Engineer to be our full time driver and to take a break from what is corporate America. Thanks to the power of the internets, and the COVID-inspired shift to working remote, I’m still working with clients & they afford me the flexibility to travel full time and embrace this lifestyle – ya girl got bills to pay! Lol. 

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In the six months since we’ve:

  • Visited ✨10 states ✨ (our goal is to hit all 50 before we turn 30). 
  • Camped at state parks, US Army COE campgrounds, wineries, an alpaca farm, national forests, a casino, city parks, beaches, lakes, private RV resorts, and music festivals. 
  • Swam in waterfalls, lakes, rivers, the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, & countless campground pools.
  • Driven just under 10k miles.
  • Watched and photographed many sunrises and sunsets.
  • Matt taught me how to change the oil in the generator – #feminism. lol. 
  • Set up and taken down camp at least 62720932 times. 
  • And we’ve met folks from all different walks of life; we even met someone from our hometown in Greenville at a concert in Arkansas! 

Okay, so those are all the “humble-brag-worthy” things. There have also been plenty of not-so-great things. Things like traffic jams, flat tires, missed turns, mechanical issues, no cell service, wild animals getting into our trash bin, Luna being a puppy and causing chaos, poop hose debacles like in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and baddd weather (like 9 degrees bad 🥶). 

But, on Labor Day weekend, the thing of my worst nightmares happened right before my eyes. 

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We haven’t really posted about this yet, but, I feel like I’m ready to now that I’ve had time to process and he’s had time to heal. I really do feel like I’ve learned one of the fundamental purposes of our humanity through this tragic accident & I want to share it publicly here. 

While traveling to a new campsite one morning we found the rock face in the picture below in Rolla, Missouri (you can see a very small version of Matt in the top left of the picture). Being the adventurous tourists that we are, we pulled over and thought this would be a great spot to grab some pictures. If you look at that picture you’ll notice that the boulders were almost stacked like stairs so we thought it’d be an “easy up, snap a few pictures, and come back down” 15-minute pit stop. 

Matt standing at the top of the rock face – proudly conquered.

I’ve never been more wrong. 

After he climbed to the top and I take a few pictures from the ground, it happened right in front of me. 

On the way back down from the top, Matt looses his footing.

I watch as his body ricochets off of the rock face – falling, falling, falling to the ground. He smacks the ground, landing on unforgiving rock.

Mortified, I run to him. 

Blood. Lots of it. 

I call 911 screaming for help. 

Bystanders rush over giving me T-shirts to wrap his head in to stop the bleeding. It felt like a lifetime before the first ambulance arrived. They start to stabilize him and I notice one of the EMS guys making a circular motion with his hand while the others nodded. “What is that? What does that mean?” I thought, trying to remember to breathe. 

A police officer named Jenna (I’ll never forget her face) quickly pulls me aside. She calmly explains what would happen next. 

Due to the severity of the fall, after a quick triage, the ambulance would take Matt to this small town’s hospital with a helipad where he would be medivac’d via helicopter to the trauma center back in Saint Louis. 

I physically heard her words but they weren’t comprehensible to me. She escorts me to the local hospital behind the ambulance. I’ve never been more appreciative of a law enforcement officer; if you know someone working this incredibly complex and emotionally demanding job – thank them. 

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While on the way to the helipad the EMS team triaged Matt as best they could. This included cutting away all his clothing so he could go directly into surgery if needed, shaving his chest and hooking him to monitors, wrapping and re-wrapping his head wounds, and pumping him full of chemicals to keep him as stable as possible. The helicopter arrived, I kissed him on the forehead and told him I loved him, and he was up and away. The helicopter ride to the trauma center would be 45 minutes for him. I plug the trauma center’s address into my phone’s GPS, it’ll be an hour and a half drive for me and Luna in the RV. 

The EMS guy that had been calling for the helicopter earlier pulled me aside as silent tears rolled down my cheeks and I counted my breaths to try to stay calm. 

“I don’t lie to my patients and I don’t lie to their families. This doesn’t look good.”

My heart plummets through my chest down to my stomach, landing with a sucker punch to the gut. 

He went on to explain the injuries they were seeing and that their main concern was a brain bleed/swelling or internal bleeding due to the height of the fall and his spiking blood pressure. At the end he reminds me, “You’re no good to him if you’re not calm. You’ve got to stay calm and get to the trauma center, safely. He’s in the best hands possible and your only job is to drive safely.”

I walk back over to the RV and sit in the driver’s seat. I completely fall apart under the weight of what I was just told. The worst outcomes swirl through my mind. 

Luna jumps over to me, trying to understand what was happening, why I’m so distraught, and where her dad is. I shifted her, trying to put the key in the ignition and get going. I kid you not, she crawled over me, down onto the floorboard, and sat on the pedals blocking me from moving. It’s like she knew it wasn’t safe for me to drive until I calmed down. After a few minutes I gather myself, she hops back into the passenger seat, and we leave. 

What should have been an hour and a half drive in the RV turns in to two and a half hours because of rain and traffic jams. I called Lauren (my best friend in the whole world) hysterically on the way explaining what was happening. No doubt, I have the absolute best friend in the entire universe. She stayed on the phone with me – keeping me calm and praying. 

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I hang up with her and call the hospital. I needed answers. I ask them if a helicopter with the patient Matthew has arrived yet and for an update. They say they have no one by that name in the system. 

What?!? 

I get transferred what felt like 5000 different times to people trying to find where he is and give me an update. They keep telling me they don’t have anyone by that name under their care and transferring me to different departments. I’m panicking. Later, I learned that because they had to cut off his clothing, and I had his wallet with his ID, they entered him in the system as a “John Doe” until they could verify his identity. After the worst 2.5 hour drive of my life, I finally get to the hospital, whip the RV haphazardly into a spot, crank the generator and AC for Luna, and run into the ER. 

I get through security and walk to the room with the “John Doe” sign.

I knock. 

No response. 

Nothing. 

Heart pounding, I ease my way into the room.

There he is. 

He’s awake, covered in bandages, there’s blood all over the bed, he’s hooked to too many monitors to count. We lock eyes. He’s alive. I run to him and burst into tears.

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Here’s where I finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel and this story turns around. 

His nurse comes in and walks us through what’s happened since he’s arrived. To say he is lucky, blessed, has a guardian angel, has nine lives, or whatever else you may want to call it – is an understatement. Testing shows no brain injuries or internal bleeding- the best, most seemingly impossible, news ever on what was arguably the worst day ever. 

His injuries include 22 staples to close his head, 4 broken ribs, multiple strains of the ligaments in his neck resulting in bulging discs, severe deep tissue bruising across his back and butt, lacerations all over his body, a sprained ankle, and a severely mangled hand/wrist. 

But NO internal damage. 

Lucky, blessed, has a guardian angel, has nine lives, or whatever else you may want to call it. Understatement. 

The last two months until now have been a blur. His mom flew to Saint Louis to meet us and be with him. THANK GOD for a mother’s love, I was so thankful to have her with us. Brooke (another one of my amazing friends) and her brilliant doctor brain walk us through MRIs, scans, test results, and physical therapy exercises. Lauren and I share several teary phone calls talking through his daily updates and progress. Close family and friends reach out as the news spreads and they offer to help however they can and pray. We’re enveloped in love and empathy by the people closest to us. 

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After two months, I’m happy to share that Matt is off pain medication, has been cleared to remove the cervical collar on his neck, had his staples removed, is walking, has healed wounds that only left faint scars, and has clearance from neurosurgery to start (safely) traveling again. We’re starting to slowly travel again and have plans to have family fly out and meet us for the holidays. He’s in good spirits and is cracking jokes about it all. 🤪 Humor is cathartic. 

Never been happier to remove this after 8 long weeks of feeling like a giraffe.

There have been so many examples of what I personally call “God Winks” along this journey. Moments where I could tangibly feel the presence of the Divine working directly through someone to help heal, support, or care for him. For instance, if you look at the picture of him standing on the top of the rock face you can see a faint cross above his head in the clouds; this was taken literally seconds before the accident. Even when we felt completely alone and helpless while waiting for EMS to arrive, we were never alone. 

Post accident there hasn’t been a single day that family or friends didn’t check in on us. Through this horrible accident, I was able to experience the outpouring of love and support from our circle of people – and I will be forever grateful for it. 

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As I reflect on our two year anniversary, I can’t help but find the correlation between the love Matt & I have for each other, the love of the Divine, and the love between members of our small community of family and friends. Love. 

Love. Love. Love. 

Love is all you need. 

(Beatles reference there for ya 😉). 

Love your partner, love your neighbors, love your doggos, love your karen of a coworker, love your enemies – just be freakin’ kind. Life is too short to be filled with hate. If we all embrace each other with empathy, the world will be a better place – and you’ll be a better person for it.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading my short novel and coming to my TED Talk, lol. This post feels like a blend of a life update, diary entry, and therapy session.

On a serious note, reading this much shows that you love me enough to take time out of your day to read my post and hear our story. Thank you for showing me love, I hope to show you the same. ♥️

Real love,

Breanna

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Here are some JOYFUL pictures from our recent adventures, you always have to end on a good note! 😄

Categories
travel

Amazing Camping Stays for Virtually Free!

With Harvest Hosts, you can choose many incredible stays that come with unique experiences, privacy, or even life on the farm! Boondockers Welcome is a nice partner program to stay with locals and use their hookups for the night! Keep reading for more.

Have you been scrolling Instagram looking at all of those hippie kids living their happiest life in a van down by the river? Or maybe you’ve seen our top notch social media posts about full-time RV life and it looks like what only happens in dreams. Either way, we want to help you get into living your best life as a digital nomad – or a traveling financial minimalist.

If you weren’t enticed already about outdoors experiences, how about the beautiful face of an Alpaca?

Two Roots Fiber Mill (Harvest Hosts member) – Greeneville, TN
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OK, now that I’ve got your attention

One of the best things about owning a motorhome or camper is that you get to set up home wherever you desire next! Are you tired of seeing the same mountain every day? Well, pack up and head to the beach!

Whether you are new to the camping game, or have been doing it for years, there’s so many different ways to experience this lifestyle. The thing I hear from campers the most is that they want new fun ways to stay in the great outdoors, but they also are fed up with packed campgrounds and overpriced nightly rates.

I have the answer!

Harvest Hosts – awesome camping stays!

With Harvest Hosts, you can choose many incredible stays that come with unique experiences, privacy, or even life on the farm! The great thing about Harvest Hosts is that once you pay the yearly subscription, which you can save 15% off with our link here, you don’t have to pay additionally for camping at every stay you choose. It is recommended to buy something from the farm, winery, or museum that you stay at, though. What a small price of admission for an amazing stay.

So what kind of stays can you expect? Well, I can tell you first hand what we have done so far! Scroll through the pictures below to see.

Roos and Coos Farm – Plant City, FL (Harvest Hosts)
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Haystack Farms – McAlpin, FL (Harvest Hosts)
Northfield Vineyards – Sparta, TN (Harvest Hosts)

These are just a few of the unique stays we have got to enjoy with Harvest Hosts! There’s so many more though. Recently, we’ve discovered a missile silo that offers tours, a bison ranch, and even a ski resort!

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So how does all of this work?

  • Harvest Hosts normally costs $99/yearly as a subscription.
  • You can get $15 off yearly subscription with our code here, just use discount code HHFRIENDS15 at checkout for instant savings!
  • Stay at over 4300+ hosts with no camping fees.
  • Pick from stays at museums, farms, wineries, attractions, breweries, and more.
  • Over $1500 in exclusive member discounts to companies such as Goodyear, Jackery, Thousand Trails, and more!
  • Easy to use Harvest Hosts app you can download on iOS or Android.
  • Check hosts availability within the app or website anytime.
  • Plan stays along your travel route with trip routing features within the app/website.
Harvest Hosts – exclusive camping experiences are only a click away!
Boondockers Welcome – safe overnight stays!

There’s also a partner program called Boondockers Welcome

Want to stay at even more places? Maybe you want to stay closer within a big city, or need hookups so that you don’t have to run your generator all night. Boondockers Welcome is a partner program with Harvest Hosts that allows you to stay at even more places!

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What’s it like?

  • Boondockers Welcome normally costs $79/yearly as a subscription.
  • If you have Harvest Hosts already, and purchase Boondockers Welcome, you save $10 making it $169/yearly to combine the two.
  • You can save 15% off your Boondockers Welcome subscription with our exclusive link here, just use discount code BWFRIENDS15 at checkout to save instantly!
  • Stay at over 3000+ places overnight, next to someone’s house or land, so that you can feel safer overnight not being alone!
  • Hosts can provide unique experiences, tell you about local things to do, and so much more!
  • Over 70% of hosts provide electrical hookups on site, so no pesky generator needed in most cases.
  • Small donations are recommended to give to the host if you enjoy your stay.

Take-aways:

We have thoroughly enjoyed our stays with both programs Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome. Between the wineries, museums, and lovely farms, there’s something for everyone. It’s not just the location, but even more so, it’s the people that you get to interact with during your stays. You will get to meet farmers who work their butt off every year to provide food to society. You will see beautiful animals that you don’t even see in many zoos. The kids can enjoy awesome museums and learn about history! Or maybe we can find you at a winery or brewery, discovering your favorite new drink!

We’ll see you at the next farm! 😄

Disclaimer: I am affiliated with Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome, which is why I am able to provide 15% discounts to both services.

Here’s some similar reads to keep you up to date with RV’s:

Categories
Adventure

My FIRST Roller Coaster?

Audio podcast version on Spotify.

Carowinds – Charlotte, NC

The front entrance to Carowinds – we can’t even do it justice! When you enter this park, you are greeted by the Fury 325 screaming through the park, EPIC music blaring on the speakers, and all kinds of beautiful colors.
Are we in North or South Carolina? The world may never know … as you travel through this thrilling amusement park, you’ll cross both state lines many times.
Another thing to mention is that the majority of the kids’ areas in Carowinds are themed after Peanuts and Snoopy, you’ll find plenty of these cuddly creatures in larger than life sizes! Perfect for the kids … or the adults that are still like kids! 😉
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Roller Coasters:

Listen, I tried guys. I really did. I was going to bring my GoPro with chest mount into the park to video all of the rides first hand so you could seem them! Or more accurately, document myself screaming like a little child on all of the rides. Unfortunately, I was told that they do not let cameras onto the rides. One, I’m sure that they have had problems with them flying off in the middle of the ride, and being lost. Or worse, knocking someone out in the face. Two, their rides are proprietary and they do not want them all over the internet. Fair play.

Matt, 26 years old, roller coasters = 0

Hi, I’m Matt and I’m 26. I have avoided roller coasters for the majority of my life. I have always had this intense, knee-shaking fear of heights since I was a kid. Roller coasters, heights – not my thing. Although recently my girlfriend and I sold my house, cars, possessions and took off on this grand road trip of America. I have promised myself that we would constantly be trying new things, and that I would be brave every step of the way. Here it is at 26 years old, Matt finally gets on a roller coaster – and spoiler alert – rides many of them, and actually has a blast by day 3 of being here!

Presenting: Carowinds of Charlotte, NC

After Burn

After Burn: a furious 113 feet tall coaster that speeds up to 63 mph, and performs various fighter jet pilot moves for an almost 3 minute ride. The screaming sounds of this coaster echo through the park like a jet reaching Mach speed.
After Burn video – Ground POV

Carolina Cyclone

Carolina Cyclone: Two vertical loops, two barrel rolls, up to 41 mph, for a 1 minute ride! This one was a blast (Matt says)!
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Carolina Goldrusher

Carolina Goldrusher: This wooden coaster keeps it chill with only a 43 foot drop, speeding up to 30 mph, and lasting an entire 2 minutes, 20 seconds. Honestly, this was Matt’s favorite coaster for the first two days. A great beginner ride for a scaredy cat.

Copperhead Strike

Copperhead Strike: The Carolina’s first double launch coaster. Prepare for 5 inversions as you launch from 0 to 42 mph in 2.5 seconds, then launch a second time from 35 mph to 50 mph in 2 seconds during the middle of the ride. This is an INTENSE ride. Matt basically closed his eyes for the entire time, and was scared out of his britches.

Fury 325

Fury 325: This is the tallest, fastest, longest giga coaster in North America. You ride up to 325 feet high, instantly drop over 300 feet down, soaring up to speeds of 95 mph for a solid 3 minutes, 25 seconds. This thing is INTENSELY terrifying.

Hurler

Hurler: This bad boy wooden coaster built in 1994 is one to leave you feeling nauseous by the end. Experience multiple jumps with air time and quick turns, getting up to 50 mph. Plus it’s a wooden coaster. You know how that goes.

Kiddy Hawk

Kiddy Hawk: The seats are inverted so that your legs and feet dangle freely from the ride seats. After climbing up a 49 foot hill, you take multiple turns flying up to speeds of 26 mph. You’ll feel like a bird soaring through the skies! This was one of Matt’s favorite rides, as it is very calm and relaxing compared to the rest of the roller coasters here! 😉
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And Here We Have It Folks

The moment we have all been waiting for …

Matt’s FIRST Rollercoaster, at 26 yrs old

Ricochet

Ricochet: Looks like your average kiddy coaster at first. It’s only a four seater, and about 25 feet in the air. However, looks can always be deceiving. This sneaky ride has turns with enough jerk to make you think this little cart will fly off the rails at any moment. Great for a beginner … clearly not!

Matt’s first – and last roller coaster. Just kidding, I rode almost every coaster in the park within three days, against my will of course. This one was intense … we thought it was a kiddy coaster, but it feels INSANE! It’s also pretty high up in the air, at least for someone who struggles with a fear of heights. Let me say I was in shock after this one. I’d rather die than get back on one of these death contraptions. And you are telling me that people like to do this for fun? Wow.

The Flying Cobras

The Flying Cobras: Prepare for this 125 feet tall ride that speeds through multiple inversions at up to 50 mph. Oh but there is a trick, half way through the ride you’ll go up a hill … and be launched backwards through the entire ride again. Spicy noodle.

Vortex

Vortex: I hope you don’t get sick easily. This ride spins you through multiple high-speed loops. Oh, but did I mention that you STAND up on this roller coaster? Yes, no sitting allowed. This one is a doozy. Matt enjoyed this one, even though it was scary looking.

We Didn’t Get to Ride:

Intimidator

Intimidator: This MONSTER of a coaster is based off of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, who was a North Carolina native. Prepare for a 232 feet climb, speeds up to 80 mph, and a total ride of almost 4 minutes. They say this one is like taking the victory trophy home with you.
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Nighthawk (closed)

Nighthawk: Try laying on your back with a 115 foot hill climb, to then be flipped upside down so that you are facing the ground as you soar up to 51 mph and spiral through multiple inversions for 2 minutes. This one looks fun, and it goes over a nice pond. We wish that it had been open when we were there.

Other Kiddy Rides:

Wilderness Run

Wilderness Run: This is roller coaster training 101 – this features kid-friendly hills with a top speed of up to 6 mph, multiple sharp turns for your kiddos to get their confidence up for the Fury 325! That’s a joke, almost. I did see many kids excited about the Fury. Bless their heart.

Woodstock Express

Woodstock Express: A kid friendly exhilarating adventure speeding up to 35 mph, being the fastest ride in Camp Snoopy (the kid’s area in Carowinds).

Honorable Mentions (these aren’t rollercoasters, but just rides):

Drop Tower: Ready to hurl up your lunch? We weren’t. Once you get 174 feet up in the air, prepare for a free fall of 100 feet in seconds – reaching speeds of up to 56 mph.
Electro-spin: I don’t know about you, but I don’t particularly like being spun viciously in circles, upside down and all around. This one will make you feel intoxicated, to say the least. I’d rather drink a beer personally.
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Ripcord: Basically like jumping out of a plane … you rip the cord and free fall up to 65 mph down towards the Earth, skimming it by mere feet as you continue to swing at the mercy of this cord. No thanks.
Scream Weaver (closed): Do you like ferris wheels? How about Ferris wheels that spin faster and faster until you tilt 90 degrees from horizontal to vertical orientation? Wow.
Slingshot: Do you see the little black speck in the picture? Yeh, that’s you if you choose to go on this ride. See you on the Moon, Buzz Lightyear.
WindSeeker: The second tallest ride at Carowinds, only behind the Fury 325. This 3 minute chair lift takes you up 301 feet high, and swings you around and around, allowing magnificent views of the Charlotte, NC area. I can see my house from up here! Just kidding, I sold it.

Water Park:

Barracuda Blasters

Barracuda Blasters: Grab a tube and pick your opponent to race through this ride of total darkness, twisting and turning until you fly out of the end into a pool! Who won?

Blackbeard’s Revenge

Blackbeard’s Revenge: Contains multiple rides. Pirate’s Plank is a near vertical drop down through a water slide to your doom. Captain’s Curse is a tube ride that has four intense 360-degree turns. Cannonball Drop goes through spectacular drops and turns with a tube as your best friend.
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Boogie Board Racer

Boogie Board Racer: Doesn’t this picture look fun on its own? Grab a board and race the competition down this high-speed and thrilling experience.

Seaside Splashworks

Seaside Splashworks: Even if you’re an adult, this kiddy playground has something for everyone. You can’t walk through this area without getting SOAKED, it’s the ultimate Summer fun time. There’s slides, sprayers, twists, rain, and a HUGE bucket that sends avalanches of water down. Joy for the whole family.

Tidal Wave Bay

Tidal Wave Bay: Carowinds Ocean. No, literally. This huge 400,000 gallons of water pool has intense wave generators for the entire park to enjoy. I JUST WANNA SOAK UP THE SUN … AND TELL EVERYONE! (song: Soak up the Sun – Sheryl Crow)

We Didn’t Get to Ride:

Coastal Currents (closed)

Coastal Currents: You know what a lazy river is! We all enjoy this fun experience. Grab a tube and soak up the sun on this 1,000-foot long river of bliss.

Hurricane Falls (closed)

Hurricane Falls: Grab your best friends’ arms and slide down this HUGE water slide together on a raft! Everything is better with friends!
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Storm Surge (closed)

Storm Surge: The tallest water slides at Carowinds. Over 80 feet in the air, zip through winding tunnels of water sliding goodness. See you at the bottom!

Other Kiddy Rides:

Kiddy Hawk Cove: shallow pools of water with slides, spray jets, splash areas to entertain all of the kiddos!
Myrtle Turtle Beach: This is the name of our RV! Seriously, lol. Bring your tinies here to have a blast, while you can sit on the ground and help entertain them with various interactive water toys.
Pelican Plunge: This one here is a horizontal water slide with barely any slope. You must be a kid, or a parent accompanying a kid to ride this one! A GREAT introductory slide for your little ones.
Pirate’s Landing: This is a much smaller version of Seaside Splashworks which we thoroughly enjoyed! Let the kiddos run around on this one – no adults really here except the ones watching their monkeys jumping on the bed!
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Time to Eat!

It’s worth mentioning quickly that Carowinds offers various Drink and Dining plans – whether as a season pass, or day pass. If you do not purchase one of these, you can pay for food individually (albeit expensive per meal). However, we recommend the Premium All Day Dining Pass for $39.99 (at the time we were there). This includes soda refills every 15 minutes and a meal or appetizer every 90 minutes. If you are going to be at the park the entire day, just grab the pass. Otherwise, you will spend close to $15-$20 per meal. The pass is worth it!

Restaurants

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels

Beach Bites: Huge hot dogs, hamburgers, fries.

Beer & Snacks: Good beer tap selections, popcorn.

Beer & Snacks: Matt’s favorite ride at Carowinds.

Boathouse Bites & Beer: Decent beer taps near the waterpark, popcorn.

Chickie’s & Pete’s Sports Grill: BEST food we had at Carowinds. Highly recommend.

Dippin Dots Ice Cream: Everyone likes ice cream, yum! And they were out of chocolate self-serve ice cream everywhere else. They also have an exclusive Fury flavor modeled after their premiere ride.

Granny’s Ice Cream Shop: OUT of chocolate ice cream… but I got popcorn.

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Harmony Hall Marketplace: Food hall, offers 4-5 different styles of food. American (hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders), Grilled Cheese (plain, with chicken, or pork), BBQ Restaurant (Ribs, pulled pork, turkey leg), Pizza Restaurant (cheese, pepperoni, breadsticks), Poke restaurant (health food bowls with veggies, fruits), they also have ice cream, snacks, and soda fountains.

Panda Express: Asian food! Chicken and rice is still undefeated. They were out of rice, which was disappointing. Noodles are a good backup.

Papa Luigi’s: Pizza! Cheese, pepperoni, bread sticks, salads. Absolutely banging food if you love pizza as much as we do.

Schooners: Beer selection, pretzels.

Sharky’s Grille: Pizza, hot dogs, chicken tenders, fries, by the water park!

Honorable Mentions:

We did not try: Blue Ridge Country Kitchen (rotisserie chicken and country sides), Burrito Cafe (Mexican snacks), Camp Cookout (American food burgers, hot dogs, fries), Carolina Candy Shoppe, Chic-fil-a (come on, these are everywhere), Cinnabon (chain), County Fair Funnel Cakes, Fair Fries, Juke Box Diner (American food), Rita’s Italian ice (chain), Shake Central (HUGE milkshakes, hardly open), Starbucks (really?), Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt (chain).

If you can’t tell by now, they have quite a lot of options to choose from. Getting the Premium Dining Pass allows you to eat at the majority of these places every 90 minutes in a day. Worth it!

Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

We camped on site at Camp Wilderness! You know we are loving that RV life, hotels aren’t for us.
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We pulled our beauty into Camp Wilderness Resort by Carowinds and enjoyed every minute. Here they have plenty of tightly touching campsites, although we were by ourselves without any neighbors the whole time! They have a camp store with all of your basic necessities on site, bath houses with showers, a laundry room, and a pool. There’s no playgrounds or dog parks here, but they also have a volleyball court and even cabins on site that you can rent as well. I’ll admit, the nightly rate is pretty high for what you get here … but it’s cheaper than a hotel and there’s shuttles that run all day back and forth from the campground to the amusement park!

Our beauty, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail XL 23XG – Class C motorhome.

Our Thoughts:

Overall, we had a blast at Carowinds. Matt got to experience his first roller coaster, along with many more afterwards. After having rode many of the coasters by day 3, Matt was definitely starting to enjoy them. It’s no longer a wonder why people enjoy these crazy metal contraptions. Breanna, being a veteran roller coaster lady from the glorious land of Florida, thought that the roller coaster selection at Carowinds was superb. Every ride seemed to have a different theme, or gimmick to it, as compared to other amusement parks. The food options were plenty, shopping was located all over, and we spent multiple days walking the park to find new things. We definitely recommend that you stay AT LEAST 3+ days, as we found that still was not fully enough time for the entire park. Well done Carowinds.