When I was a teenager, two of my friends and I decided to go swimming in a river not far from my home. It had been raining for days, and with the sunshine back and summer in full swing, we decided to get in the water.

The South Canadian River is a place we knew well. We had partied there hundreds of times in the summer, climbing to the top of the old bridge at night while being drunk, or noodling for catfish along the banks during the day. It was a place to escape and get high with friends, but it was also very dangerous for many reasons. Only we were young and believed the rules didn’t apply to us.

It almost cost us our lives.

Despite the quicksand and the fast-moving river, and the adults standing there telling us we shouldn’t attempt to swim, we ignored all the warnings. Within minutes, the calmer waters turned into an unstoppable force, dragging us to the deeper water under the bridge. We were good swimmers, but nothing could have prepared us for the moment we were violently taken under and forced against the loads of debris trapped around the bases of the bridge support columns.

It felt like being hit by a truck while being stabbed by dozens of sharp branches. I was trapped, almost out of breath, and it was then that I realized I was going to die. The only thing that saved me was remembering to stay calm.

So I felt my way around in the murky and strong currents, navigating a relentless patchwork of trees and garbage, while pulling myself upwards towards the top, and finally, before I lost the last bit of air in my body, I surfaced.

As I climbed to the top of the pile of debris smashed against the huge concrete base, I noticed that both my friends were stuck on other bridge columns. We were spent and scared as hell, but we were alive.

But the battle was far from over; we still had to make it back to shore.

After waiting what seemed like an eternity to regain our strength and composure, we figured out our best shot at survival was to pick a landing spot downriver and jump out into the raging water at a 45-degree angle while holding onto driftwood like a life preserver, hoping the current would carry us to our destination back on land. The three of us summoned the courage and leaped out in faith.

We cheated death and lived to talk about it.

…

When I think about how many times I’ve needlessly put myself in danger, it’s amazing I’m still alive, and as stupid as those decisions were - many I’d never choose to make again - those moments have also led me in overcoming some of the greatest challenges of my life. They’ve also left me with some very memorable stories!

Isn’t that the point of adventure, though? To experience those moments where we embrace the unknown, setting aside our fears to try something many people think is stupid, and hoping we don’t die in the process.

It seems foolish now to put ourselves in harm’s way to achieve something we’ve set our minds to, but then what would life be like without ever taking any risks?

Jeanne Baret. Ernest Shackleton. Amelia Earhart. Jacques Cousteau. Jenny Tough. Felix Baumgartner. Gerline Kaltenbrunner. Alex Honnold.

These are just a handful of courageous people, past and present, who set aside their fears to attempt the impossible for the sake of adventure and who have cemented their legacies in history. I admire them all for their daring feats, and I’d argue that without their accomplishments, we’d never believe the impossible is possible.

Still. I don’t have the guts to attempt the kinds of things they did.

I have no desire to push myself in that way anymore because I love life too much to take that kind of risk and I’m OK with that. However, I can still take other kinds of risks that make for great adventures and stories.

You can too!

…

As we age, we tend to make smarter decisions based on our life experiences, and more often than not, we’ll go out of our way to reduce our risk, which is understandable given how much we’ve learned since our youth. Yet I also believe doing so robs us of the adventures our hearts continue to seek and the stories we could be telling today. It often feels tragic that our “best days” are behind us.

Here’s my case in point.

In my conversations with older people from all walks of life, I rarely hear exciting tales of modern adventure. There’s no discussion about them doing something dangerous yesterday, unless it was forgetting to take a medication, nor is there any mention of them doing something exciting on the road less traveled. I can see no spark within their eyes as they strive to remain comfortable.

Then, when I ask them about their past, these same people will spend hours telling me about the harrowing adventure stories of their youth with such passion and energy that it’s intoxicating. The spark is reignited as they remember those days when they faced crazy challenges or came close to dying. They felt alive again.

It’s both funny and sad. Interesting really.

We spend our earliest days doing stupid things that are scary, yet exciting to the soul, but as we get older, we stop taking any risks, while our souls cry for more adventure.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

…

In The Dark Side of Van Life, I shared a bit of the drama we’ve experienced lately in our little world of travel. It really resonated with readers, which surprised me, and it was amazing to receive all the comments and advice! Interestingly, the responses that really stood out were from people who didn’t think it was worth the adventure.

I totally get it.

The thought of traveling in a wind-blown box all day, every day, with your significant other can seem a bit self-abusive, especially with the added stress of driving into a city under government siege or wondering if all the crazy ass drivers in Florida are going to kill you before the humidity does. It sounds risky, right? Of course, our challenges are nothing compared to the real dangers the adventurers mentioned above faced, but hey, we could still die.

However, how would we know if van life is worth it without ever trying it?

The same could be said for when we started our full-time travel adventure in 2020, when, despite all the warnings and dangers around us, we decided to go for it. People shook their heads, said we were stupid or irresponsible for going out in a pandemic, and feared it could potentially kill us or others.

In both instances, the risks were absolutely worth it.

Our road life adventure has been far from perfect, but we’ve faced some of the greatest challenges of our lives while making new, exciting memories almost every day, and rather than sitting around thinking about the past, we’re focused on the future. We’re still creating sparks. That’s a huge difference!

Now let’s talk about you.

I believe some of you are constantly dreaming about adventure and your soul is crying out to experience it, but you’ve convinced yourself that it’s not worth the risk and that it’s better to be safe than sorry. You’re letting fear control every decision about moving forward with your own story.

Here’s the irony in it all.

You can do everything possible to avoid the shitty consequences in life and still end up in a shitty situation. All the planning, preparation, and precautions won't guarantee you’ll be safe, and it certainly won’t keep you from dying eventually. So why not take those risks and enjoy this life to the fullest?

Here’s one thing you should also know.

Adventure doesn’t require you to be dangerous.

We often romanticize the idea that real adventure involves summiting the tallest mountains, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, or rafting down a raging river, and though they are inspiring feats, you don’t have to put your life in harm’s way to make it count.

Adventure is what you make of it. The important thing to remember is to challenge yourself by doing something uncomfortable or difficult, or by achieving a goal you didn’t think was possible. That’s what matters and makes for a good story.

Now for the big question.

Maybe it’s finally time for you to take some risks before it’s too late.

With so many problems in our country right now that could prevent us from pursuing our dreams in the future, and with life getting shorter every day, it could be a great time to let go of the fears holding you back so you can experience the joy your soul longs for. And rather than thinking about all the bad things that could happen, start focusing on the good things that are likely to happen.

Going for it could will change your life. You owe it to yourself to try.

For me, living out the rest of my days just trying to be comfortable in the safe zone sounds boring, and I’d rather die pushing the limits of what I think is possible, rather than allow fear to keep me from experiencing more adventures. I want more incredible stories to tell. I hope you do, too.

Remember, the best days are not behind us if we don’t want them to be.

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I was scrolling through Substack recently when I came across a great note by Brandi Wiatrak. It had some great discussion in the comments as well and it really started me thinking. She was saying she doesn’t like sharing her article links on Facebook for the people she knows in real life - that it’s easier to write for strangers on the internet, basically.

I can 100% relate to that. I’m a fairly private person and I don’t necessarily want to bare my soul to people I know in real life. But sharing with people who don’t know me is much easier! I told her I used to have a blog many, many years ago, and not only did I name it something else, but I also didn’t put my real name anywhere on it. I wanted it to remain anonymous so that nobody could search and find my writings. I felt like it was easier to write about the things on my mind and be truly authentic if I didn’t have to worry about what people I knew were thinking of my words.

So what does this have to do with travel and why am I sharing this here?

I discovered early on in our travels that that’s one of the things I love about our lifestyle. Being able to go to a new place where nobody knows us and we don’t have to live up to any expectations, act a certain way, dress a certain way, or anything like that is so freeing. I kind of felt like I could truly be myself and even reinvent myself if I wanted to.

It was an amazing feeling. One that I didn’t even know I was missing.

While community is great and it’s amazing to be around friends, I think we sometimes end up in a rut and just do what’s expected of us, without bringing any sense of adventure or spontaneity. I love that our travels allow us to do just that. It’s not like I’m out there being a completely different person and I’m totally inauthentic when I’m around people I know, but the pressure to follow the status quo disappears when you’re around people you don’t know and will probably never see again. I feel like it truly opens your eyes to things you may not have seen or experienced before, when you don’t have to worry about what others think of you.

Do you feel that way as well? Whether it be with your writing or while you’re out exploring the world, do you get a sense that you can truly be yourself and feel a little freer when you’re writing for strangers, or when you’re in a place where nobody knows you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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When I published my frustrations with van life earlier this year, I never expected it to resonate with so many people!

The responses we received were insightful and deeply appreciated, but we also we feel like we connected with a group of adventure travelers we’d love to meet in person someday as we continue our journey. There is so much we can learn from each other and having a community of kindred spirits is priceless. So thank you to everyone who has shared their thoughts so far.

…

As a writer, I used to struggle with the idea of being real because so often in society, we are taught to only share the good life with our readers. Afterall, the feel good stuff is what sells whether it’s about business, health, wealth, or travel. The idea is to make people believe in the fantasy and get them to buy into it. That just isn’t me.

While I never want to come across as pessimistic or negative, there is a reality of life where things don’t always go as planned, contrary to what those beautiful, glossy magazines or Instagram photos lead us to believe, and having traveled full-time for almost six years now, I can say the good life isn’t always so good.

Therefore, when we get the opportunity to share our experiences with you, we certainly want it to be honest and real because you deserve the truth, which is why I think this article did as well as it did.

But I don’t want the conversation to end there either.

In thinking about our overall experience so far, as well as some of the comments from readers, I don’t want it to come across as in I hate traveling because that’s not the truth either. I absolutely love being a digital nomad couple and having the freedom to explore no matter what the mode of transportation might be, even in times it feels uncomfortable or stressful, or when I’d really prefer a hybrid approach1 instead.

However, there are great benefits of van life, too.

In February for example, we visited Navarre Beach, Florida, while boondocking in a guy’s backyard only five minutes from the beach. We’d get up in the morning and drive over to the mostly empty parking lot to spend the day overlooking the ocean, while working from the comfort from the van. Aside from the gas and food we paid for anyway, this was all free. A hotel there would’ve easily cost $150 per night or more.

Thanks to Harvest Host, (affiliate link) we’ve crashed at breweries, farms, a military museum, and a church parking lot, mostly for free or from purchasing beer or food that we’d buy anyway. They haven’t all been epic experiences with great views or perks, most of those moments have been memorable and fun.

Along our routes, we’ve also camped at several state and national parks, all for less than $30 per night for full hookups and facilities, while being very close to beautiful places to explore. The most memorable ones this year so far were Quartz Mountain State Park in Oklahoma, E.G. Simmons Conservation Park in Florida, and Padre Island National Seashore in Texas. And that’s only a few.

So there is a huge benefit to van life in this way because you can easily find free or cheap places to stay that are close to epic destinations.

Aside from the angry and impatient drivers on the road, or the high winds blowing us around like paper and making my butthole pucker, traveling in the camper van has been mostly easy.

Unlike the bigger rigs or trailers, we can park in a standard parking spot, and when we figure out where we want to stop, the most difficult thing we do is getting the van level and plugging into shore power if we need it. It’s just that simple.

I certainly don’t miss having to shimmy myself under a hardshell tonneau cover and rooftop tent on the truck for what we need or lugging in a full rolling cart of supplies like we did while staying in hotels.

Living in the camper van has made my life a hell of a lot better in that respect, especially now that we’ve figured out what we need and where to store it.

I’m also very thankful for our van despite those challenges I wrote about before because without it, we probably would’ve had to settle down and live a conventional life, and I can’t even begin to think about how much that would suck!

When we started our journey, we lived in hotels and resorts, which were a lot cheaper then. Now, the standard rate in a fairly decent hotel is $100 per night, but if you want a better experience, those rates are a lot higher without any added benefits. Even our Hilton Vacation Club points don’t bring us the crazy value we used to get, which saved us thousands of dollars and earned us weeks of free stays between 2021-2024.

With the cost of everything rising and income fluctuating, the van provides a solid living option. Even if we couldn’t continue to drive around the United States full-time, we could park it at an RV resort like Southern Aire, and manage to survive in a nice community. Additionally, we could also rent out the van for income to offset the costs.

All that being said, there are bright sides to van life, and I don’t want everyone to think it’s horrible, because it’s not. It’s nowhere near perfect (nothing ever is) and there are those things I wish could be different, but I’m mostly glad that we took this leap of faith. We would’ve never known what van life was like if we didn’t do it, plus it gives us more content to write about and share. LOL!

In conclusion, I’d like to give you this advice if you’re thinking about going this route as a solo traveler or as a couple.

Spend the money and rent a camper van for at least a week or a month if you’re able. Take it somewhere where there are hills and wind, and do it without much planning in advance. Drive it on the highways and backroads. Cook in it and poop in it, preferably not at the same time. Park in a secluded place and close to railroad tracks. Pack only what you need and don’t take a shower for days. Then, you will have a small taste of what van life is like. Maybe this will be better in helping you decide.

As for us, we will continue on. We’ll get more comfortable with it and learn how to adapt as we go. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Thanks for reading! 🚐

From the vibrant streets of Barcelona, Spain, to the scenic charm of Estes Park, Colorado, travelers from all over the world will visit incredible destination cities like these every year to make memories of a lifetime – and they will collectively spend billions of dollars to make it happen!

Without this steady flow of visitors and the money they bring, many popular tourist destinations would not survive. Local businesses would struggle to stay open, entire communities could face economic collapse, and once-vibrant places might eventually become ghost towns. Tourists are their lifeline.

So it’s perplexing why these places are starting to threaten their survival through the choices they make about the tourism industry as a whole.

If you travel full-time like us, you have likely experienced these seismic shifts, mostly in the form of asinine price increases or hatred towards tourists, but also in other ways, like restricted parking or entry to National Parks.

Understandably, some of these cities must rethink the challenges of tourism, such as overcrowding and disruptive visitor behavior. These unforeseen problems can cause a wide range of hardships for local communities long after our visit is over – something all travelers should be aware of.

But it’s the growing trend of greed and exclusion that’s most concerning.

Price gouging is becoming widespread.

With the average vacation cost now at $7,249, most Americans can no longer afford to travel, and for those who do, it often requires going into debt.

It’s easy to blame inflation for this problem, but the reality is that the tourism and hospitality industries have become extremely greedy, doing everything possible to squeeze every last dollar from your bank account.

Hotels are notorious for this.

Weekly rates are cheaper for the average room, while weekend rates are at least 50% higher. If there’s an event in town, these prices can soar to 300% more than the typical daily rate. Same room, same service.

But it doesn’t stop there.

In the most desirable locations, hotels are now charging extra for things that used to be included. Parking, breakfast, WiFi, and other amenities are being tacked on as ‘resort fees’, inflating the final price far beyond what was advertised. And that $2 can of Pringles in the lobby will cost $5. It’s not about inflation but about exploiting customers.

Tourist destinations are no different.

Walk into almost any shop or restaurant in a popular destination today, and you’ll feel it immediately. Everything is grossly overpriced! A beer that should cost $3 is now $10. A simple burger? $20. That t-shirt, which probably cost $7 to make, is marked up to $40. Except for Brownfield’s. They do it right.

You might even have to pay to park just for the privilege of spending more money.

As Americans continue to face economic struggles and income inequality grows, we hope the greedy tourism and hospitality companies will suffer long-lasting consequences for price-gouging their customers, because it’s uncalled for.

Of course, the capitalists who run these businesses probably don’t care.

Elitism and exclusivity are growing.

Take a good look around some of the country’s most popular tourist destinations today. You’ll notice a huge shift in demographics.

Towns like Lake Tahoe or Vail have become playgrounds for the wealthy, built to serve the elite few. The average American isn’t just being priced out; they’re being pushed out. Worse yet, this trend is spreading.

Cities and towns around the world are following their lead, turning once-accessible places into exclusive havens for those with money and status. Even our public lands, which were meant to belong to everyone, are no longer exempt.

Beaches along the coast now require special permits and expensive parking. Hiking trails that were once free and open to everyone now come with costly permits, if you can even get one. Mountain regions, scenic lakes, and wilderness areas that used to be accessible to all are being closed off in favor of the locals or those who can pay for the experience.

Can you imagine the day when Yellowstone National Park will only be available to the wealthiest people? The current administration would like it that way.

Bit by bit, access is being restricted, monetized, and taken away. And if we don’t speak up and push back, we may soon find that the natural beauty of this country and the right to enjoy it belong only to those who can afford it. There won’t be any space left for ordinary people to rest, explore, or belong.

Silence today means exclusion tomorrow.

How do we keep tourism alive for all?

We believe it begins with you. We need more travelers who are willing to push back by speaking out, choosing alternatives, and demanding that these unscrupulous practices change.

• Boycott hotels that price-gouge customers by charging resort-type fees.

• Stop supporting restaurants and breweries that overcharge customers.

• Write to the local government officials taking away access to our public lands.

• Avoid destinations that grossly exploit tourists.

• Tell others on social media about those who do all of these things.

No one should have to go into debt just to enjoy a weekend getaway or visit a National Park, nor should they be excluded from public lands that were once free and available to all.

Take a stand against these injustices!

Finally, there’s one more critical part of this conversation: we have to be better tourists.

In a culture increasingly defined by self-interest and entitlement, travelers themselves often contribute to the very problems we complain about. When we abuse public spaces, disrespect locals, mistreat hospitality workers, or act like the rules don’t apply to us, we become part of the reason access gets restricted and prices go up. When tourists behave poorly, communities respond—often by pushing people out, raising barriers, or limiting access entirely.

So please, travel with respect. Be mindful of where you are, how you behave, and the impact you leave behind. Because if we want these places to remain open and accessible, we have to earn the right to enjoy them.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a sense of adventure. Whether it was exploring the old creek behind our house or gazing out the car window as we drove in the country, my spirit has always longed to explore the unknown.

I immersed myself in travel and adventure publications, envisioning one day becoming a vagabond, making my way around the world, discovering new cultures and experiences that would provide a lifetime of epic stories.

But I never believed it could really happen.

Everything I read about traveling painted an obvious picture. Unless you were on a family road trip or summer vacation, you had to be rich or a hippy to find your adventure. It just wasn’t possible for the middle-class American.

So I could only dream and hope for one day.

A renewed awakening.

Ten years ago, my passion for adventure and seeing the world was reawakened with a fervency I hadn’t felt since childhood. I had a thirst for travel that could not be quenched. I must live a life on the road.

It didn’t matter how it happened; I just knew it had to happen.

Like pouring gasoline on a flame, my dream was ignited, and there was no stopping the raging fire burning inside me.

The only things keeping me from achieving it all were convincing my wife to sell everything we owned to travel, and having the money to actually do it.

Making the dream a reality.

There was no need to hone my sales pitch for a life of adventure because Donetta was entirely on board for becoming a houseless wife in a pickup truck. Now all we had to do was figure out a plan.

We owned a house but were buried in debt. We were self-employed and without any savings. We lived paycheck to paycheck like many other Americans. So retirement felt like nothing more than a fantasy, and our running joke was, “We’ll be hustling until we fall over dead.” How the dream could ever come to pass was beyond us, but we did find a solution.

First, we had to eliminate our debt.

This was really hard because we had credit card debt and owed the IRS a hefty sum for accidentally filing our business taxes incorrectly. It was strangling us to death. But we fought our way out of it and put it all behind us.

Second, we decided to sell our home.

We wanted to sell our house for years, but the circumstances were never right–until 2020, when it was a seller’s market! Within a day of listing our property, we received a dozen offers. We were finally free from home ownership.

Third, we started selling everything else.

The road life affords you no space to take everything with you. No matter how you travel, you will be forced to become a minimalist. So we sold or gave away almost all our stuff, keeping and storing only the most essential things in our lives.

There’s a valuable lesson in all of this.

Choosing to follow your dream will require hard work and difficult decisions. There’s no way around it. And while it feels insurmountable to overcome all the things you must do to travel, once you have a plan, it’s not as difficult as you think.

Travel doesn’t require financial wealth.

It’s good to have some savings in the bank to rely on before you head out on the adventure, but being wealthy is not a prerequisite for traveling. You might have to adjust your expectations based on your budget, but you never have to give up the dream because of money. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

When we meet other digital nomads on the road, most often they’re ordinary people like us who don’t have an endless income stream. They live below their means, work from the road, make their own food, stretch their dollars, and often live like modern-day hippies. And rather than waste their money on stuff, they invest it in experiences.

It’s not always a glamorous lifestyle, but it definitely works.

Of course, there are the retired folks with discretionary income who own fancy trailers and can afford to enjoy steak and craft beers every night, but don’t let that discourage you from chasing your dream because traveling full-time does not require that level of standard to make it a reality.

Don’t believe me?

Right now, we earn about the average American salary from our business ventures, and we have a little savings in the bank. Our only debt is our camper van, and we have the typical monthly expenses, including vehicle insurance, food, gas, phones, and WiFi. We have no retirement funds, no investments, and no backup plan. There are times we can’t do everything we want, or when we have to sit still to save money, but we’re living our dream and seeing the world.

So if we can do it, so can you!

For ordinary, everyday people.

I recently watched a YouTube video by an amazing van-life couple I admire. They’ve been on the road for a while now and have amassed over four million subscribers by publishing their content online. They get invited to exotic places to do review videos and have monetized their brand with excellence. I think they’re doing quite well.

Anyway, a follower’s comment inspired me to write this post.

So what about the ordinary, every day people?

This sentiment was echoed many times in the comments, and it reminded me of how I felt years ago, when I believed adventure travel and exploring the world were only for other people.

Most people believe they will never enjoy the things this couple has done without lots of money, luck, and an elite influencer status. While some of this might be true — and to be fair, it took them years to reach this level — you don’t have to be like them to experience your own epic adventure.

It was at that moment that it occurred to me that most travel publications focus on the affluent crowd. They market to people with the means to enjoy fantastic destinations or experiences. This unattainable side of adventure is utterly meaningless, since most Americans cannot afford it. It’s depressing. And I hate it.

Road Life Adventure is about doing the attainable.

When we create content, we want it to feel real and tangible to most people. We want you to feel like living your dream IS possible, and that with some hard work and outside-the-box thinking, you’ll also be on the journey of a lifetime.

If your goal is to hit the open road in 2026 and beyond, we want to encourage you to go for it—and we want to offer ideas and advice to make it a reality—because the dream you have for traveling is within reach!

We look forward to sharing more with you in the days ahead. If you’re in the planning stages for next year, let us know. We’ll do what we can to help.

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¡Buenos Días! Guten Tag! Konnichiwa!

Today, I’d like to write about the experiences of meeting people from all over the world and from all walks of life because I believe it’s essential in our understanding of humanity, as well as separating facts from fiction.

So often, a family member or friend will tell us, “I wouldn’t go there,” or “that seems to be a dangerous place with those people,” and it always perplexes me. My response is always to ask them why they believe that.

“Well, haven’t you seen the news lately?”

At which point, there is a long explanation about whatever tragedy is happening in any particular city, country, or border at that moment, or how the people are rioting, protesting, robbing, or killing the visitors in their region. Even family members who were born in Europe will tell me what it’s like there now, even though they haven’t been back in decades.

I don’t blame them.

After all.

They watch the news.

While we genuinely appreciate everyone’s concern for our safety, and it means a lot that people care about our well-being, what they see from the media isn’t always the whole picture. Sometimes it’s not even reality.

In the past decade alone, we have been to numerous countries, including Mexico, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, England, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and many of the Caribbean Islands. We’ve crisscrossed the United States multiple times, as well as visited Hawaii and Alaska.

When I think back to all of the places we’ve been, I can count on one hand the times I’ve felt in danger or uncomfortable1.

This doesn’t mean criminal activity and dangerous circumstances don’t exist; it’s just that these things aren’t running rampant everywhere you go. Yes, you gotta be careful, but don’t be so scared that you miss amazing experiences.

Many of the people I’ve met along the way have been welcoming or friendly. Whether they were Afghan, Hindu, Palestinian, Colombian, Navajo (Diné), Portuguese, Mexican, Dutch, or Parisian, we’ve been treated well.

Here are a couple of examples.

A few years ago, I was walking around our hotel near Mexico when I came across a large group of men who were drinking cervezas and having a cookout. I simply waved and smiled. Within minutes, they motioned me to come over and join them. Only one person spoke English, yet we spent an hour drinking beer, trying to converse about LaLiga and Liga MX futbol. I was welcomed into their community.

A similar thing happened in Sweikhuizen, Netherlands. We would visit Cafe Meels several times a week, and every time, the Dutch noticed my American accent and engaged me in conversation about politics, travel, entertainment, guns, and whatever else came to mind. It was a great time, and even though I spoke horrible Dutch, the people were nice and respectful.

Friendliness has been a common theme on our adventures.

Maybe it’s because we personally respect others and their cultures, but it’s amazing how many beautiful moments we've shared with people unlike us.

I think the reason why many Americans often struggle and are fearful of others is that we’ve all been indoctrinated to believe the worst about those who are different. It doesn’t matter if it’s related to politics, race, gender, sexuality, or religion; we are taught to see the negative biases and then to act upon them with hate or ignorance. So we never get to know the good in the people around us.

While we might look different on the outside, we’re mostly the same on the inside.

We share the same hope for freedom and liberty. We desire to be loved unconditionally and to love others the same. We hope to keep more money and pay less taxes. We want to enjoy life and make great memories. We pray for peace and stand against war. We mistrust the government and those in power.

That’s what I’ve learned in my conversations with people around the world.

One of the best shows ever to highlight these kinds of experiences is the Long Way series with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman. While I’ve not done the cool things these blokes have, the friendliness principle remains the same. Another great video series comes from Mike Okay, a YouTube creator who visits countries like Afghanistan and North Korea.

These are wonderful reminders about the beauty of humanity!

Of course, there are exceptions, and we’ve encountered the worst in humanity as well, but a majority of people we’ve met on the road have been fantastic, and we don’t see all the bullshit the media is telling us.

Do me a favor.

Next time you feel fearful of strangers you’ve never met, ask yourself why you feel that way. Are those feelings based on reality or personal experience? Or are they based on fiction or perceived biases? This is important.

Now I encourage you to get out there and meet people from all walks of life.

It will be rewarding to your soul.

I hardly feel qualified to write about van life, only after four months of this new lifestyle, but it’s been quite an experience!

We’ve spent years fantasizing about buying a camper van and living in one, probably because of all the amazing photos and videos we see about it, but I’m gonna tell you: the honeymoon is over. There are things to it that I never considered.

Don’t get me wrong.

We are fortunate to take our home with us now and park it in beautiful, welcoming places, but it’s not always that way. So please allow me to share the dark side of van life to put it in perspective.

Where in the hell do we go?

With great freedom comes great responsibility — along with the stress of deciding where to go next. I know, real-world problems. 🤷‍♂️

Since I’m happy to drive almost anywhere, Donetta often spends countless hours researching possibilities, discussing routes and ideas with me, and then plans out our trips. It’s an overwhelming task, for which she deserves much credit. But the reality is that just because you can go anywhere, it doesn't mean it will work out. Even the best travel plans can be easily thwarted by unforeseen circumstances.

Finding good, cheap campgrounds or RV parks is a pain in the ass. Staying in desirable places is chaotic and busy. And chasing great weather can be totally wrong.

Speaking of.

What happened to the great weather?

Our first month in the van took us to Ohio to see our amazing friends, Brent and Michelle. It was in October of last year, when we believed the fall temperatures would be amazing and the season would change slowly.

We. were. wrong.

In a matter of days, the winds shifted, the rain came, and the temperatures dropped over the course of a few weeks; it was a bipolar weather experience. By the start of November, we were forced to haul ass southward as winter approached and campgrounds were shutting down for the season. We were constantly moving.

After our holiday stop in Oklahoma, we made our way back to Big Bend National Park in Texas. Because, you know, it’s warm there in January and a great time to hike. Only it didn’t work that way because the temperatures dropped to above freezing, and our van almost caught on fire, which I’ll discuss soon.

After our van repair back in Oklahoma, we chose to go to Padre Island and Galveston. Lo and behold, an Arctic blast was on its way. Within a week’s time, we had to make the decision to drive long days to reach the warm beaches of Florida.

Only now, the record-breaking frigid temperatures have caught up to us in Tampa.

Nowhere seems safe.

I guess that’s karma after I gloated about our amazing decision to chase warm weather while poking fun at all the people suffering in the cold. Damn it!

Why are we doing maintenance already?

In the first month of camper van ownership, we broke a part of our bench because it wasn’t properly installed, and I drove over my extension cord while it was plugged in, breaking the shore power connection. We also had to replace TPS sensors on two tires, replace tag lights, and clear warning codes from the vehicle. It wasn’t the worst that could happen, yet, but we got it all fixed and were back on the road ASAP.

Then, a few weeks ago, as we tried to run from the cold and camped at Big Bend, the worst happened. 🔥 💨 😱

At approximately 0430 one morning, I was lying awake thinking about emergency preparedness and what we’d do in case of a fire in the van, and I don’t really think I can speak things into existence — if I could, I’d have a million dollars — but all of a sudden I smelled something burning and saw smoke. I immediately got us out of the van and unplugged the shore power. The smoke cleared, and we could see no clear evidence of a fire, but our nerves were frantic!

Hours later, after the same experience, we realized the Ardroit battery charger had failed and was overheating. Apparently, these things aren’t supposed to be hooked up and running 24/7, something we weren't told, and since we couldn’t use shore power anymore and no longer felt safe sleeping inside, we drove two long days back to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to have it replaced.

And as they say, when it rains, it pours!

Last week, we were staying at Galveston State Park when a torrential downpour hit, and water began seeping in beneath our refrigerator because the window was not properly sealed. Now we have to go back to Tulsa to have our van guy fix the issue and possibly replace the insulation and flooring. Seriously???

When you spend this much money on a camper van, you’d like to think it would take a while to have maintenance problems.

Next.

How will we survive living in a box?

Years ago, I wrote a post, How to Survive as a Travel Couple. At the time, we were living in hotels and resorts, and Donetta and I were no strangers to being around each other most of the time. But something about van life made it different.

When we’re in bed, someone has to climb over the other to get down. When we get on the dance floor (the walkway between the bed and the front seats), we have to shimmy past each other. When she’s cooking, I have to be in the passenger seat or on the bed. Plus, we’re constantly shifting things around in such a small space. It’s not that these things are horrible; they're just very annoying.

Van life rage exists and is very real! 😜

I’ve learned to pee sitting down on a plastic toilet and can manage living in the same clothes for a week without a shower, but living in a small box is a real adjustment.

It could be worse.

Right now, it feels wrong to complain about the dark side of van life when there is so much turmoil going on in this country. These hardships are insignificant compared to what’s happened in other places over the past several weeks, and it’s difficult to write about traveling or adventure when people have been murdered in cold blood. We are sickened and angry with our government. But I don’t want to dive into that here, as this is not the right place to discuss these tragedies.

That said, it could be a lot worse for us, and I’m grateful to just be alive and healthy.

In wrapping up, I just wanted you to know that van life is far from perfect, and that every day presents new challenges or frustrations. We don’t want to sell you on the idea that being digital nomads is always hunky dory, because it’s not, and it’s better to know the good and bad before embarking on a journey of a lifetime.

Still, there are no regrets, and that’s the important part.

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to our publication here. It’s free entertainment and advice, and it helps show us you like what we do. Thanks!

As a kid I always loved being outdoors. Staring at the sky for hours would unleash my creativity and imagination, while playing in the creek behind our house gave me a great sense of adventure. When I climbed the tallest trees in our neighborhood, it provided a sense of accomplishment, while allowing me to escape the world below.

Those days spent outside were always rewarding and over the years and I’ve missed that feeling, because when you disconnect from the comforts of being inside, it has a way of enriching your soul. It awakens your spirit in ways you can’t imagine. So my new love for hiking is not unexpected.

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” - John Muir

When Donetta and I started traveling fulltime, we knew being outdoors would be a part of that lifestyle. Besides, you can’t drive by all the majestic scenery in the mountains without immersing yourself into its beauty. The wilderness must be experienced, and there’s no better way to do that than hiking.

So in our first couple of months on the road, we invested in expensive hiking boots and a couple backpacks, grabbed my survival gear, and we just started walking.

Now, I’m not an expert at hiking in the mountains, and even though I did plenty of wilderness activities as a teenager and in the Army, there is still a lot for me to learn, but I vividly remember what a Marine friend once told me. He said, “you can read everything you want about living a life from the road, but you won’t know shit or understand it, until you actually do it.”

Sometimes the best way to conquer your fears is just by doing it.

And we did.

“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”
Sir Edmund Hillary

Choosing a path and walking into the woods is scary. You don’t know what lies ahead on the trail or in the forest. There could be an insurmountable elevation to climb or hungry black bear having a bad day. Yet traversing into the unknown is where your mind and body become one, and eventually you start to realize your life really is insignificant against the magnitude of nature. It is here where you begin to change, inside and out.

To many, it might seem foolish to just go for it, but facing danger or the unknown makes you stronger, and it will allow you to become more confident, while feeling fully alive.

We accepted the totality of it all and that is freeing.

Hiking has now become a spiritual and healing part of our lives, and it has transformed us, mentally and physically. It is a calling that must be answered and we’re always glad to do it.

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

Henry David Thoreau

Our love for hiking grows every day, along with our insatiable thirst for new adventures. And for the first time in a very long time, I have rediscovered a peacefulness I thought would never return. Can taking a path into the unknow really make a difference? It absolutely can!

When we sold everything and took a minimalistic approach to life in order to pursue our adventure travel dreams, it was scary, but it’s one of the best decisions we’ve ever made together. The freedom to explore has been exhilirating and hiking has elevated that experience we encounter every single day. Sometimes you have to venture into the unknown to find the happiness and joy you are seeking.

Despite the dangers the wilderness or a life on the road can offer, we will continue our journey because it’s better to live fully and die, than to die half full.

“To travel, to experience and learn: that is to live.”
Tenzing Norgay

As the end of 2025 arrives, it’s fun to look back over the year and see what it held for us. We had so many great adventures and we’re so thankful for them all!

As I look back over the things we did this year and the places we went, I’m amazed at all the incredible experiences we had. There were some challenges this year, but overall, we were incredibly blessed to have some great adventures.

We headed west at the beginning of 2025 and spent January and February in northern New Mexico, Arizona, and southern Colorado. This part of the country seems to draw us in over and over again, and we enjoy seeing new things every time we visit.

Some of our favorite things from this part of our adventures:

• Petrified Forest National Park

• Hiking in Sedona, Arizona

• Canyon de Chelly National Monument

• Enjoying Pagosa Springs in the snow

We made a quick trip “home” to Oklahoma for a visit, then headed to South Texas to explore the region in March. We enjoyed so many things in this area.

Some of the highlights were:

• Dinosaur Valley State Park

• Hiking to the top of Enchanted Rock in Enchanted Rock State Park

• Visiting the towns of Luckenbach, Fredericksburg, and Wimberly

• Camping on the beach at Padre Island National Seashore

• Visiting Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

• Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

• Waco Mammoth National Monument

Honestly, most of those stops really surprised us with how much we loved them. We didn’t expect to enjoy all those places as much as we did, but they were all amazing!

After that, we headed out west again on (what was supposed to be) a huge summer adventure. We were going to venture all the way to the West Coast and up into the Pacific Northwest, then work our way across the north to Minnesota. We spent May and June traveling around New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. It was the best time, but for a variety of reasons, we ditched that summer itinerary and made new plans.

Spoiler alert - one of those reasons was that we started the process for buying a camper van! 🥳 That ended up taking quite a bit of time, so we decided to change our plans and do something a little different to make that dream a reality.

While we were out this way, some of the things we did and absolutely loved were:

• Riding the train from Durango to Silverton in Colorado

• Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic & Historic Byway

• Colorado National Monument

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

• Valley of the Gods in Utah

• Monument Valley, Arizona

• Horseshoe Bend

• Antelope Canyon

The list for this area (northern Arizona and southern Utah) is so full of amazing things that it could go on and on. Needless to say, we absolutely LOVED this whole region. You could spend weeks in Page, Arizona, alone, to explore the surrounding area and never run out of places to see!

From there, we headed farther north into Utah and explored many other areas of the state. There is so much to see in Utah that you could spend months there and still not see it all. 😂

Some of the highlights from this part of our trip would be:

• The scenic drive on Highway 12 through Utah

• Capitol Reef National Park (Bryce Canyon and Zion are a must, too, but we’d done those before and didn’t take the time to see them again on this trip)

• The mountain pass between south Salt Lake City and Heber City, Utah

• The town of Vernal

• Dinosaur National Monument

• Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

Eventually, we made our way into Colorado, spending time in Loveland and Estes Park. Loveland has an amazing sculpture park that I absolutely loved exploring. Definitely recommend it if you’re in the area. And Estes Park is a place we never tire of returning to. We absolutely love it there. We love the people, we love the scenery, we love the town, we love Rocky Mountain National Park, we love the hiking trails - there is so much to love about that spot. ♥️

In July, it was off to Minnesota for a business trip, making stops along the way. We explored a bit of Kansas, stopped in Omaha to see the place where my family lived when I was born, and then visited some very dear friends in Iowa.

I attended my company’s annual convention in Minneapolis, where we rented an Airbnb with a bunch of friends and had the best time. Our convention is one of my favorite weeks of the year. I always look forward to spending that time with dear friends. Once the convention was over, we explored more of Minnesota and Wisconsin before working our way south.

Some highlights from this part of the country:

• Visiting the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum in Walnut Grove, Minnesota

• The Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in the Minneapolis area

• Stillwater, Minnesota, and the St. Croix River

We then headed back to Oklahoma to wait for our van to be delivered, but the first deal fell through, and we had to find another solution. Luckily, we discovered Next Chapter Camper Vans in Tulsa, and we purchased our new home. Woot woot!

This all took a bit of time, so we hung out with our daughter in OKC and visited family while we waited for it to be finished.

Once we got the van, we headed northeast and made stops in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

We loved exploring in our new van and the freedom it offered us. We stopped at campgrounds, stayed in parking lots through Harvest Hosts, and even hung out in Walmart parking lots occasionally to get some work done. Additionally, we made some new great friends at one of our stops in Illinois.

After arriving in Ohio, we stayed with amazing friends of ours in the Cleveland area and had so much fun catching up and hanging out at their house. They took us to see a handful of really cool places and we enjoyed staying in their peaceful oasis away from the city.

Some of our favorite places to visit in Ohio:

• Toledo Botanical Garden

• Cleveland’s West Side Market

• Great Lakes Brewing Co.

Even though it was only early November, winter was moving in fast. Temperatures were dropping overnight, and snow was in the forecast, so we bugged out to find better weather!

Heading south, we enjoyed visiting West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia—stopping at several National Parks along the way and having fun despite some areas in each park being closed because of the government shutdown. Our stops included Cuyahoga Valley National Park, New River Gorge National Park, and Congaree National Park. In case you hadn’t noticed, NPS sites are something we love. 😊

The new friends we made in Illinois invited us to meet up at Jekyll Island, Georgia, so we made our way there. We were introduced to a whole new group of friends thanks to them, and we had a wonderful time camping, exploring the island by car and bike, and hanging out with all of these great folks.

We finished up there in mid-November and began our way back to Oklahoma to spend the holidays with family, stopping in Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas before arriving home.

As you can see, it’s been a very adventurous year and we’ve had an absolutely great time exploring different areas of the country! We are so thankful for the opportunity to live the way we do and can’t wait to see what 2026 holds for us.

But before we end the year, we have to say how thankful we are for the old friends we've seen and the new friends we’ve made along the way. Here are just a few photos of the fun memories we made with them.

In wrapping up this long post — thank you so much for reading — I’d like to wish you a Happy New Year, as well as encourage you to get out and explore in 2026, if you can. This country is filled with incredible places to visit and make new memories.

And if you had the opportunity to travel this past year, let us know where you went, or if you’re planning a trip next year, let us know where you’re going. Maybe we can meet you along the way and have some fun.

See ya next year! 🎉 🥂

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When we started traveling full-time in 2020, we chose an unconventional approach to road life—living in hotels rather than buying an expensive travel van or a large RV.

Understandably, most people would choose the other route, yet there were several reasons we believed hotels and resorts would be a better fit, and what it really came down to was the following:

1. Not wanting to deal with maintenance issues. After 15 years of home ownership, we were ready to be free of these hassles and expenses.

2. Not wanting to haul anything behind us. The high stress of driving a big rig on mountain roads or in high winds would definitely kill us.

Avoiding these two problems would allow us to have a happier, safer experience as we explore the world. So, was it worth it?

The Hotel Living Experience

After a long day of traveling and exploring, it’s wonderful to walk into a hotel room, set down your gear, and unwind. There’s no setup or teardown, and depending on which hotel chain you choose, you can enjoy several great amenities like happy hour and breakfast at no extra charge.

We’ve been in some amazing places that provide more benefits than we could ever get or use at most RV parks, and because we racked up a ton of points and achieved the highest level for guest status, we’ve received some fantastic perks and many free stays.

Overall, we loved it, and it makes the adventure travel so easy.

But it’s far from perfect.

The post-pandemic revenge pricing and price gouging for hotel rooms in specific locations are totally absurd. You’ll pay more on weekends or three times the amount if you’re close to a National Park or other desirable venue.

Then there are the shitty hotel guests who think they’re the center of the universe and care nothing about other guests. Screaming children, partying neighbors, and door slammers can push you into a murderous rage.

Sometimes the WiFi and food sucks, or you get an occasional cockroach for a visit.

That said, we’ve had mostly good experiences, and I think this is a worthwhile solution for traveling full-time. Now that we live in a camper van, though, I believe this is the best way to go for anyone wanting to live on the road.

The Pros of Living in Hotels

• Less stress: Book the room, park your car, unload your belongings, walk in, and relax after a long day of driving or exploring. It’s that simple.

• Free perks: Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee, breakfast, exercise rooms, swimming pools, and other amenities — but not always.

• Better safety: Rest easier knowing you can deadbolt your door, have some level of security and fire alarms, and also be safer from severe weather.

• Rewards programs: Earn extra rewards and free nights based on the hotel brand or services offered.

The Cons of Living in Hotels

• Stupid and rude guests: Dealing with jackasses who think they’re the center of the universe and don’t care about your feelings.

• Ridiculous pricing: Paying more than you should for what you get, especially on weekends or during special events in town.

• Lack of services: Losing out on amenities thanks to corporate greed or because there’s no workforce to offer them anymore.

What Advice Do We Have?

If you’re considering traveling full-time and feel like living in hotels is a better option for your lifestyle, here are some valuable tips for having the best experience possible.

1. Choose the top floor. You won’t have to listen to obnoxious people above you, and it seems there are fewer problems the higher you go.

2. Avoid rooms by the elevator. These areas are the noisiest in the hotel and can be constantly busy.

3. Get a room with a kitchen. In-room kitchens are rare these days, but if you can find one, you will save money by cooking in rather than going out.

4. Book rooms during the week. If you book your stay Monday through Thursday, the rate is better — even if you stay through the weekend.

5. Ask for a room with a view. Having a better view than concrete and plenty of sunlight will be great for your psyche.

6. Bring an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Roku. If you love watching your favorite shows, you’ll want to have one of these, but they don’t always work.

7. Consider a WiFi hotspot. Most hotels have free and consistent internet, but there are places like Sedona where it sucks. WiFi hotspots can help with this.

8. Negotiate on pricing in person. This isn’t as easy now due to online booking options, but it’s still worth trying, especially if you’re good at flirting.

9. Decorate your room. When we stay in a place for a week or more, we decorate with a few items to make the room feel a little more like home.

10. Check behind dressers or under the beds. This has less to do with finding yucky stuff, but sometimes you do find money.

11. Sign up for rewards programs. Most hotels offer horrible rewards programs, but some great ones make it worthwhile, like Choice Hotels.

12. Treat staff members with respect. Kindness goes a LONG way! Some of these people work really hard for little money. Being nice doesn’t take much effort and makes their day.

Of course, there are other things like packing light in case the elevator is broken or avoiding any motel in the middle of a cornfield, but these ideas will be a great start.

If you’re considering living in hotels and have any questions, let us know. We’d be glad to share more as we can!

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On September 26, 2025, Donetta and I entered into a brand new phase of our lives together, one that could test our resiliency as a digital nomad couple and the strength of our marriage.

We moved into a camper van.

Having spent the last five years of our road-life adventure living in hotels and a rooftop tent, it was finally time for the Next Chapter of our journey.

Van life has been a dream of ours for years. Whenever we saw someone passing by in a camper van, we always thought, “Those lucky bastards.” We believed that experiencing such freedom would significantly improve our lives.

So, has this lifestyle lived up to our expectations so far?

A resounding YES!

The stressful days of spending hours searching for a good and reasonably priced hotel, as well as the constant struggles to set up and tear down our overlanding gear at campsites, are finally over. Traveling is so much easier now.

I know our van life adventures are still in their infancy, but it has been a game-changer for two Generation Xers on a budget.

The camper van experience so far.

In full disclosure, I’d like to say living in a camper van has been far from perfect, and there have been a few times I’ve wanted to scream violently into a dark abyss.

Learning how to drive a new and tall vehicle has been tough, especially in high winds, and pissing people off because I’m moving so slowly has been stressful. Negotiating with my wife about how to organize or pack things has been even tougher. Learning to move around each other in tight spaces while constantly shifting our belongings to different sections in the vehicle has been maddening.

Van life has been an adjustment for me.

But I wouldn’t change it for anything! I know Donetta feels the same.

In the last week alone, we’ve camped next to the water at three beautiful lakes, a fantastic brewery, and a woodsy KOA at Lake of the Ozarks, and we’ve spent an average of $28.47 per night for 11 nights so far. That’s a hell of a lot cheaper than hotels, plus we’ve had a way better overall experience.

Additionally, we park in our spot, plug in when power is available, and settle in to work or relax. It’s been glorious.

I know it won’t always be this way and that there will be other challenges, but having our home self-contained and ready to roll at a moment’s notice has been worth it all so far.

Even as I write this, we’ve pulled into Three Story Coffee to work and get an Americanno. The van fits easily into a regular parking spot, and when I get tired, it’s a short walk to the bed for a nap. Living in a camper van is not a bad way to go!

If you want to see more about our van, here’s a video from our YouTube channel.

What’s Next?

I’m currently working on a full review of Next Chapter Camper Vans, including what we like and don’t like so far, as well as the rest of our camper van buying experience. I can’t wait to share that.

But I want to wrap up this article by asking you a couple of questions.

Have you ever lived in a camper van? What was your experience like? We’d really love to know. Please drop us a comment below. Thanks!

A couple of weeks ago, I celebrated my 55th birthday on this planet, which feels so crazy because my mind still thinks I’m in my early 20s. The years seem to pass much more quickly these days!

Regardless, every day is a gift, and I’m incredibly grateful for each moment I’ve been given, even as days grow shorter and the aging process sets in. And although I move more slowly and have more pain, life is good.

Yet things are changing, especially when it comes to travel.

I have always been drawn to the philosophy of taking the road less traveled and pursuing the dream of romantic adventure travel. Like many other brave adventurers, I yearn for the opportunity to explore the wilderness with reckless abandon and wonder, testing my abilities to overcome arduous challenges in the quest for self-sustaining and self-reliance.

So when we first began our adventure five years ago, I envisioned spending most of our time on remote wilderness roads, utilizing my survival skills, and boondocking in isolated spots, all while taking epic 15-mile hikes to explore the beautiful summits of mountains throughout the country.

Of course, the mass commercialization of the overlanding industry only helped fuel this dream. Watching the high-definition YouTube videos of off-road gurus, along with the brilliant advertising of outdoor brands, cemented the belief that I, too, could embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

I bought into it fully—hook, line, and sinker!

The billions of dollars spent on gear and vehicles confirm that we, as humans, are eager to discover a thrill that we will likely never experience again. The thirst for adventure speaks volumes to our souls, convincing us to be entirely in, no matter what the cost, because it is our destiny.

The story is so beautiful, so mesmerizing.

Only the stories told by marketing departments and brand influencers don’t tell you the whole truth: the epic journey can be challenging, especially for those of us over 50.

It’s been said that age is just a number, and for the most part, I would agree. With proper nutrition, strength training, and the benefits of modern science, we can prolong the effects of aging and enjoy more opportunities to pursue our desires. We’re not done until we are done.

But that only goes so far.

There are moments when our bodies can no longer withstand the physical demands of driving through rugged terrain, hiking steep grades, carrying heavy equipment, or sleeping on inadequate camping mats. There comes a time when the exchange between pain and adventure is no longer worth it.

Over the last several months, this has been my reality as I battle severe arthritis and nerve pain in my hips and legs, likely brought on by years of abuse in sports and the military. And while my youthful mind tells me I can still endure the extreme adventures, the truth is my body cannot.

It’s why we’re adapting our travel lifestyle and buying a camper van.

Accepting this fact has been difficult because I’m not ready to give up on the dream that those marketing campaigns sell me. I’m the Generation X guy who didn’t wear a helmet or seatbelt, who lived and breathed Red Dawn, and the self-trained ninja who jumped off roofs and out of trees. I did the crazy shit and lived to tell about it.

Unfortunately, those days are gone.

Yet all is not lost!

The truth is that I, and people like me, can still discover the thrill of adventure travel, even if it requires giving up living in a rooftop tent for more appropriate comfort, or not taking that 8-hour climb to the summit of Twin Sisters Peak and riding a bike around the lake instead.

When I consider our plans for the future, they're not focused on significant accomplishments like summiting Mount Hood or hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. Instead, I think about enjoying the activities I can do, like watching elk in Estes Park, taking an easy hike in Sedona, snorkeling in Aruba, or sharing beers with friends around a campfire at an RV park. That’s good enough for me.

So, the journey is what we make it.

My encouragement to those of us over 50 is to embrace our age and any limitations we may face, without feeling guilty or less than for not being the poster child for the extreme adventurer sold to the youth. It’s normal and acceptable to set aside those crazy dreams for simpler ones.

Perhaps there are still opportunities to push the limits, but it’s OK if there aren’t.

What do you think?

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A couple of months ago, we announced that we’re in the process of buying a camper van — a place to call home and ultimately to help us travel more effectively.

While I’m super stoked about this new opportunity and the possibilities it will bring, the process hasn't been without its share of stress and frustration, as well as fear and uncertainty — all of which I’ll share in this post.

I’m going to be fully transparent with you, as it’s a huge decision, and we’ve learned some valuable lessons so far that could help you, should you decide to choose van life in the future.

We’ll also share ongoing updates to this post and other articles as we move through the rest of the process.

The Money Situation

We’ve discussed living in a van for a couple of years. Not only would it make travel easier and open up exciting places to stay, but it would also be more cost-effective.

Today, a ‘decent’ hotel room costs, on average, $100 per night. If you travel full-time, that’s $3,000 per month just for lodging! While we’ve enjoyed staying in hotels and resorts for their convenience, it’s no longer economically viable for us to continue doing so. Even with a monthly payment of $1,300 for a camper van, we would be saving money.

And if you want to know the pros and cons of hotel living, you can read that here.

So why didn’t we do this sooner?

Purchasing a new Class B vehicle isn’t cheap. The lower end of the spectrum is $85,000, but the average price tag today is $150,000. Even used travel vans with higher mileage seem to hold their value, ranging from $60,000 - $85,000.

Finding a lender who will finance Class B vehicles is also tough, and if you manage to secure a loan for one, you typically have to put at least 10% down or more, and the interest rates can be high depending on your credit score and down payment.

Because we try to keep at least three months of income in the bank and didn’t want to deplete our savings, and with the uncertainty about our income-earning potential amid economic changes, we felt it was a huge risk to take. So we decided to keep living in our Chevy pickup truck and rooftop tent.

But we’ve reached a crossroads.

If we want to continue our road adventure lifestyle, we must take another leap of faith and hope it works out, despite the fear and uncertainty; otherwise, we have to settle down somewhere and rent an apartment, which we can’t even fathom.

I began conducting some new research and discovered a company that manufactures camper vans at a reasonable cost, which brings us to the next part of the story.

The Van Buying Process (Part 1)

Before we started the loan process, we had to find an affordable camper van.

I discovered a company in Western Colorado that builds vans for a price we were comfortable with paying. The average cost was $85,000 for a Dodge ProMaster, which included the essentials (bed, toilet, sink, counter) for travel. They aren’t fancy, but just what we needed.

After contacting three RV financing companies, we got approved with My Financing USA, which has been a great experience. Our loan officer, Andrew Wyatt, did a fantastic job and the process was simple.

Trying to work with the van company, on the other han,d was an absolute nightmare!

We found two prebuilt vans we wanted. The first was a 2025 model with newer upgrades, but several thousand dollars more. The second was a 2024 model with similar features, but it was more affordable and was sunset orange. We decided on the latter to save some money. And why not have a bold color?

The next ten days were incredibly frustrating as we tried to get this van company to complete the paperwork, accept our deposit, respond to our financing representative, and answer our questions. Our point of contact would call us and then disappear for hours or days.

Next, we practically begged to meet a salesperson so we could conduct another walk-through of the van for which we had a purchase order. When the meeting finally got scheduled, we drove three hours back across I-70, only to have him reschedule — without an apology or explanation.

When we arrived at their location, he was polite enough, but he kept looking at his watch as if he were in a hurry. Apparently, they had a team meeting, and all he could spare was 30 minutes for us to inspect the van, ask questions, and take a test drive, which wasn’t even the one we wanted to buy.

Still, we were determined to finalize a deal.

I tried to call the company owner about the problems, but he was too busy traveling. Next, I sent him an email explaining the situation, but he passed it along to someone else to handle rather than address it himself.

This new contact was easier to work with, although they attempted to retract their original offer to provide free upgrades and ship the van to us at no cost. He promised to have the van ready no later than July 2nd, with delivery expected in Oklahoma the following week. On July 3rd, we received an email from my first contact stating that it would be several more weeks before the van arrived.

Then they went dark.

We were pissed off, so I sent another detailed email directly to the company owner, stating how unhappy and frustrated we were with the entire process.

Six days later, we received this response.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. We’re grateful for open feedback—it helps us keep refining the experience for every future van owner.

For the past seven years, our small but dedicated team has guided more than 650 customers through this same journey, always with one promise in mind: a high-quality camper van at a great price, backed by an incredible service team. That’s the standard we’re committed to delivering for you, too.

You’ll continue to hear timely updates from the crew as we work through the purchase and upgrade process. If anything ever feels unclear—or if new ideas come to mind—please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here for you every step of the way.

Looking forward to celebrating New Van Day with you soon!

As you can see, there was no apology, no addressing of the real issues, and no explanation for why the sales representative made us feel rushed. Additionally, none of our other concerns were taken into consideration—just a bullshit email.

I guess they didn’t want to sell us a van. 🤷‍♂️

Perhaps we were unreasonable to believe we could buy a van in 14 days. Still, you’d think in this economically unstable time, when people aren’t spending money, they would choose to make a sale a priority, especially on a van that had been sitting on the lot for a year.

We spent a lot of time and money trying to work with them, and aside from offering a discount for our troubles, they didn’t seem to give a damn.

The Van Buying Process (Part 2)

Since we were told it would be several more weeks before we received the van, I decided to make one last-ditch effort to find another option while we sat idle in Oklahoma. By accident, I discovered a local builder on TheVanCamper.com.

Even though it was Independence Day weekend, Doug Smith from Next Chapter Vans accepted my call, and we talked for 45 minutes. It was a great conversation.

The following Tuesday, we drove two hours to Tulsa to meet him at his shop, where he spent the next three hours answering our questions, showing us two van builds, and outlining the entire process.

What a completely different experience from the other company!

As a person who built cabinets and did carpentry work with my dad, I immediately noticed Doug’s focus on craftsmanship and desire to do things better. Instead of using cheaper materials and wood, he uses higher-end materials and oak. He also creates spaces that prioritize simplicity and functionality, with a well-thought-out layout.

Not only that, Next Chapter Vans is giving us more bang for our buck.

This van features an awning, a 2-gallon hot-water tank, an outdoor shower, a flushable composting toilet, additional storage space, increased solar power, custom interior colors and materials, and a desert tan vehicle wrap. And it’s going to cost less than the other van would have.

The only downside is that we have to wait until October before it’s finished.

Overall, we know we’re gonna love this van more, and it will feel more like a home, so we’re happy to wait for a better product. We’ll provide updates about the build and process as we move forward.

Important Lessons We’ve Learned

Whatever mode of transportation you choose for a digital nomad lifestyle, there are some basic lessons we’d like to share.

Don’t be oversold on features and sparkle.

Marketing often convinces us to purchase more features and comforts than we need, and even though we haven’t lived the van life yet, we know from five years of full-time travel that less is more.

The overlanding Mercedes Sprinters on social media look bad-ass, and I love what people have done with them, but in most cases, they’re an unnecessary expense.

People who own these vehicles often tell us they don’t use all the bells and whistles, rarely go to places where an off-road option is genuinely needed, and typically face frequent maintenance issues and expenses. And in our own experience, we’ve been “off road” maybe three times, and most of the stuff we’ve carried in our Chevy Silverado has gone unused.

So why pay $50,000 or more for stuff you may never use? That’s a significant amount of money that can be used for other things.

At our age, all we need is a mobile home with a comfortable bed, a toilet for emergencies or overnight stays, a space to cook healthy food for ourselves, AC for when it gets too hot, and a vehicle that’s easy to drive and park. Some of the extra features we will have with the new van will be nice, but they’re not required.

All that being said, we’ve realized that less is more and better for our investment.

Don’t rush into a decision.

In conversations with other nomads and adventure travelers, we have heard that people wish they hadn’t made impulsive decisions. I also feel the same.

For example, some people bought bigger rigs because they thought that’s what they needed, only to discover it was too much. Recently, we met a couple with a Storyteller GXV who thought their vehicle looked awesome, but were finding that gas mileage sucked, driving it to many places was scary or stressful, and they couldn’t park it in most areas. They didn’t seem that happy with it.

On a smaller scale, I chose to purchase a rooftop tent, the Billie Bars, and several overlanding supplies so we could live off the grid. It was a cheaper option, but my setup doesn’t work well for middle-aged people who travel full-time and is best for weekend excursions. In hindsight, I wish I had waited a few more months before I bought it all.

OH. And don’t choose the wrong van dealership or builder. 😉

Don’t overthink it either.

As many YouTube videos as we’ve watched and blogs that we’ve read about adventure travel, there is no way to know what will work until you try it.

In the example above, the rooftop tent experience looked amazing on those overlanding channels, as did the idea of going way off the grid; however, it’s just not what we want to do in the long term, so it’s time for a change. Yet we would’ve always wondered what that life was like unless we lived it.

So my advice is this.

Start small and get out there to explore.

Don’t overthink everything to the point you never make a decision, or you’ll still be sitting in the same spot ten years from now. The truth is, you will make mistakes, lose money, and have some regrets, but that is a part of the journey.

It’s better to try and fail than to never try at all.

We’re almost there!

Our new van delivery date is quickly approaching. We’re so excited!

Now we need to sell our truck, a rooftop tent, and some other gear before moving into our new mobile home, and to finalize the details with Next Chapter Vans on our build. It’s going to be a few crazy weeks.

Donetta and I look forward to sharing the rest of the story with you soon, and we’ll be putting more effort into creating fun videos. So be sure to subscribe to stay updated on the finished product.

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Five years ago, I remember sitting in my home office, sorting through large boxes of collectibles, tearfully upset and anxious as I decided their fate.

Each item represented a part of my life or the people I loved dearly; decades of personal keepsakes, all with priceless memories attached. They included pictures of my children, love letters from my past, drawings from my dad, immigration documents from my mother, and even wooden puzzles over a hundred years old.

There were pieces from all over the world, memorabilia from wars fought, and my childhood toys and gifts since birth, each with something meaningful about it, all with wonderful stories.

And it was time to decide whether to keep or discard it.

The quest for less.

Before selling our house to travel full-time, I read Packing Light by Allison Vesterfelt, along with other essays advocating for the “less-is-more” ideology, and I quickly became obsessed with the minimalist philosophy. It all made perfect sense to me!

As Americans, we’ve been indoctrinated to believe that stuff will make us happy. Our desires for consumption and materialism are so strong that we’ve been trapped on a never-ending hamster wheel, relentlessly sprinting to find joy and happiness, yet never realizing we’re killing ourselves in the process.

Rather than spending our time and money on great experiences, we throw it away to accumulate things that will ultimately be sold at a garage sale, donated to a thrift store, inherited by someone we hate, or discarded as trash in the city dump.

Damn!!!

So, in this process, I realized the following truths:

All this stuff didn’t make me any happier.

I had been severely depressed for years, some of which was brought on by excessive debt from buying crap we didn’t need or have anymore.

All this stuff couldn’t travel with us.

There’s only so much space in a pickup truck or travel van, so options are limited, and why pay for a storage filled with things we won’t need again?

All this stuff doesn’t matter when I die.

In the end, we can’t take it with us, and as already stated, it’s likely to end up on eBay or in the dump.

All this stuff is holding me in bondage.

The mental drain of keeping the special memories alive and protecting these assets was also taking a toll on me. It was time to start letting go.

The painful process of liberation.

It all started by getting rid of the things we no longer needed or wanted, like furniture, decorations, tools, clothes, and household items. This was the easy part, and it also helped us make extra money.

Then we scanned thousands of family photos and documents, saving perhaps a third of them before burning or shredding the rest. There were tears, but at least we had copies.

Next, we worked through our childhood collectibles; some we donated or sold, but the most important ones were set aside in buckets for later. We did the same with our kids’ toys, asking them what they wanted and what they didn’t.

Finally, we had to focus on family heirlooms and keepsakes, with some being easier to say goodbye to, while others we refused to let go of. This was the most painful part!

Each time we went through the process and purge, we experienced mood swings, but we also noticed how lighter we felt. It was as if heavy burdens were lifted from our shoulders and we became much happier. And over the years, I’ve discovered I neither miss nor want any of those items back! There’s never been a day of regret or sadness for letting those things go, and in fact, I wonder why we never started that process decades ago.

However, we still had some unfinished business.

The final purge.

When we left Oklahoma in the summer of 2020, we had no idea how long our journey would last or whether things would work out in the long run. What if we ended up hating the road life?

So we decided not to sell everything. We filled a 10x20 storage unit with our bed, small pieces of furniture, household items, tools, and dozens of buckets of items we weren’t ready to part with yet. Given that we downsized from a four-bedroom house, a two-car garage, and a shed filled with stuff, it felt pretty good.

But with no plans to quit our adventure anytime soon, and $5,000 in storage fees down the drain over five years, it was time to make the final purge.

Months ago, we started the painful process again.

First, I sold my entire G.I. Joe collection — toys that were the center of my universe for many years. Gulp! Within 12 hours of posting it on a collector’s Facebook page, every piece was sold, regardless of whether it was in excellent condition or broken, netting me $800 in sales. I was sad but excited.

Then I turned my attention to the last bit of collectibles, comic books, tools, and antiques in my possession, while Donetta did the same with all her buckets of keepsakes and holiday decorations.

How did it all turn out?

Right now, we have a total of 36 buckets of various sizes, neatly stacked on metal shelves, half a dozen pieces of small furniture, and our bed — all stored in our daughter’s garage and guest bedroom. While we hope to eliminate more of these things, it takes time to work through, especially since we travel full-time.

Parting words of advice.

It’s not easy going through decades of belongings and momentos when you decide to downsize or embrace the minimalist lifestyle, but in the end, you will be better for it.

You will feel sadness and guilt, partly because you are saying goodbye to things that mean a lot to you, and also because you or others invested so much time and money in collecting them. Getting rid of it doesn’t seem right at its core. But it also doesn’t make sense to pay for storage or to hoard items you may never use again, especially when most of it will end up elsewhere eventually.

There’s another reason to consider purging these things from your life: you aren’t getting any younger, and one day you will be gone.

I’ve watched numerous family members, including my dad, die early in life from unexpected causes. These tragic deaths are devastating, but then you add to that the hardships of funerals and settling estates, and it’s unbearable. Seeing your family fight over the things left behind is not pretty either. This is why I highly recommend attending to your end-of-life details before it’s too late.

Maybe it seems morbid to think about, but I promise you, the stress and unhappiness it will bring to your loved ones is more than they might want to carry.

If your dream is to travel full-time, whether you’re living in a small vehicle or a 40-foot trailer, you’ll need to adopt a minimalist mindset. You can’t take everything with you on the road, and you definitely can’t take it with you when you die.

So get started now.

“That’s an interesting and unique way to do it”, was a comment from an older RVer at our recent stay at the KOA in Grand Junction, Colorado.

The man, probably in his 70s, was admiring our grit and spirit for taking an unconventional approach to our road-life adventure, while confirming we made the right decision not to haul around a large rig, based on his list of complaints about driving and maintaining a $500,000 RV.

It’s become quite humorous as we stop at RV parks and campgrounds across the country, because unless we’re in places where RTTs (rooftop tents) are popular, there’s always someone intrigued by our mobile home choice.

People want to know what the experience is like, why we chose this method of travel, or ask for recommendations on which brands to consider.

So today, I’m going to answer some of the most common questions we get and share more about our experiences so far, just in case you might want to do the same.

Why a rooftop tent and truck?

The biggest reason we chose our Silverado 1500 Trail Boss and our 23 Zero RTT for adventure travel was based on price.

Because we already had a truck and hotels were getting expensive, we invested a total of $4,500 in the RTT and the Billie Bars. This gives us the ability to truck camp for free on public and BLM lands or spend less money (often $30 or less per night) at cheaper RV parks that allow us to stay.1

The second reason we love this option is due to mobility.

Having watched numerous RVs and trailers struggle to find parking or maneuver in tight spaces, we didn’t want to deal with the added stress of those challenges, and, with anxiety sometimes driving in the mountains, pulling a rig was not an option!

The third reason for our decision was less hassle and maintenance.

Every person I’ve talked with who hauls a rig or drives a motorhome talks about the never-ending frustrations of things that go wrong. Screw that! Our setup is quick and easy, requiring little maintenance.

And the last reason is way better gas mileage.

Unless it’s windy or we’re driving the hills, we average 18 mpg, but on good days we can get 24 mpg, fully loaded at 6,000 lbs. Compare that with the man I talked with in Grand Junction, who is lucky to get 6 mpg. We save more money.

What’s it like living in a rooftop tent?

In full disclosure, we don’t always live in our RTT; we break up our travel adventures by staying in hotels and resorts if they’re affordable, or by crashing at our friends’ houses if they want to put up with us. But overall, it’s bittersweet.

On one hand, it’s awesome to pull up to a great location off the beaten path near lakes, mountains, and beaches, while enjoying the outdoor life all around us. Our RTT is spacious enough for both of us to store some gear and sleep in, plus we can be ready to camp in five minutes or less. Our views are typically stunning, so we enjoy them.

On the other hand, being in our mid-50s, we lack consistent comfort and sometimes experience cold weather, which takes a toll on our bodies. It’s not fun trekking down the ladder to pee in the middle of the night, especially after a few beers. And even though it’s six feet off the ground, it’s not entirely safe and secure like a trailer.

Also, because most of our gear is stored under a hardtop tonneau cover, it can be a real pain in the ass to get everything we need out.

In my opinion, this is a cost-effective short-term solution designed for short excursions or people who are younger and have stronger bladders. 😂 But it’s still doable for older people who implement a great mattress, use a heater, and run a funnel with a hose from inside the tent to a pee bottle outside.

What brands of RTTs do I recommend?

Honestly, I don’t know all the brands or options available on the market today, but I thoroughly researched the industry leaders, ROAM, Roofnest, iKamper, and 23 Zero before deciding on the 23 Zero Armadillo X2 in early 2024.

For the most part, we liked our X2, but we recently noticed defects and problems that cannot be fixed, which is frustrating given it’s only a year old! Thankfully, we were offered an upgrade to the new Armadillo AX3 model if we paid the difference and shipping, but I chose a free replacement with the A2 version.2

I can say that as we travel, the most popular RTT brands I see on vehicles are 23 Zero or iKamper, though there are many cheaper knockoffs I haven’t heard of.

Additionally, I’ve learned hard-shell RTTs are the way to go because they’re better designed and last longer, are faster to set up, and are more dependable in high winds, but they’re also more expensive and heavier.

My recommendation is to research the product’s reliability, warranty, and customer service before purchasing it.

Would we do anything different?

Oh hell yes!

For starters, we never considered buying a camper van back in 2020 when we began our adventure. Purchasing a converted Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit would have made way better sense for us, even with the higher price tag.

When you consider all the options you can get with living in a travel van, paired with the ability to park almost anywhere to sleep regardless of the climate, this would have saved us a ton of money long-term and been easier for our lifestyle.

The next best option I would’ve considered is a Lone Peak Camper, which we may upgrade to this year; it would be closer to a travel van setup. This product allows more space and easier access to our gear, plus it includes an RTT.

Lastly, I would’ve ripped out that worthless and uncomfortable mattress in the Armadillo X2 and replaced it with something thicker, or at least, found a better sleeping mat to put on top, as long as the shell could close. Getting good sleep makes a huge difference in your life, and this is not always possible with an RTT.

Living from a vehicle, whether it’s a truck or a car, is a great way to experience life and see the world. If you do it right, you can save a lot of money and enjoy incredible freedom as you explore new places. And it’s finally starting to be accepted as something normal and not weird, though we don’t give a damn what others think.

Yet it’s not a perfect situation either and it’s not always easy. Some challenges come with this kind of nomadic lifestyle, and if you’re not adaptable or flexible with your plans, it can get frustrating.

But we wouldn’t trade the experience for anything!

If you’ve ever considered this unconventional way of living, go ahead and take that leap of faith into the unknown to see what it’s like, because you will never know without doing it.

That’s it for today.

Feel free to ask questions and share your comments below.

People often ask us what it’s like to travel full-time as a couple and how we manage to spend nearly every minute together. For some couples, the idea of being together 24/7 feels as appealing as a root canal without anesthesia, and you'd expect us to want to strangle each other at some point. 😝

But the reality is it’s not as horrible as you think!

While there are challenges and disagreements, like who’s the better driver or how we should pack the vehicle, we typically get along very well.

Maybe it’s because we’ve been around each other for so long while working from home, or since we’re both extremely passionate about road life, but traveling together has never been a problem. Besides, you can survive any relationship issue with counseling and modern drugs. 😘

Here’s the deal.

If you truly care about your partner, you can work through almost anything, and I’m gonna give you some tips on how to do it.

The Best Survival Tips I Can Offer

In 33 years of marriage, I’ve messed up countless times and learned many valuable lessons about making a relationship work — though, to be honest, I still don’t always get it right. For some reason, I enjoy kicking hornet nests and dealing with the consequences.

Anyways. If you want to make your road trip enjoyable, here’s what I know.

1. Have a positive mindset.

The most valuable advice for getting started as a traveling couple is to have a positive mindset from the very beginning.

If you go into it thinking the experience will suck, you’re going to have a huge problem. And I guarantee there will be no nookie for you! On the other hand, if you decide it will be an awesome adventure and focus on the good, you'll have a much better outcome overall.

But let me be clear. It’s not always easy.

My moods can swing like a deadly pendulum, causing serious chaos, and there are times she has murderous menopausal moments. Sometimes we have to work harder to avert World War III.

Yet overall, we look at all the positives, strive to practice love and patience, and then mix in some make-up sex and a lot of good laughs!

2. Practice clear communication.

Couples aren’t always good at communicating, especially when it’s between a man and a woman, because interpreting those words doesn’t always come across correctly. And despite what women think, men can’t read minds.

Regardless of whom you have a relationship with, it’s essential to communicate clearly with each other. Sometimes this requires patience and breaking things down so even a six-year-old could understand it.

Those who learn to communicate will adapt nicely.

3. Avoid unnecessary fights at all costs.

There are times when going into battle is a good idea, like when packing a van for travel. Then there are many more times when it’s even better to just keep the peace.

Pick and choose your battles wisely as a couple. Often, we let the smallest things turn into a war, and it’s unnecessary.

Take a deep breath, give it some time before speaking, and then see if it’s worth the fallout. Most of the time it’s not.

4. Work together as a team.

You will always need someone to support you. This means you need to trust each other completely and find ways to collaborate on everything you do. Sometimes, it will require compromises and sacrifices. But that’s true in any situation relationship.

It’s important to encourage and support each other through challenges because there will be times when life on the road gets tough.

Help each other out and you’ll be amazed at the results.

Don’t be afraid to give it a go.

When I was younger, I never imagined in a million years I’d be married and traveling full-time as a couple, yet it’s been one of the most rewarding times in my life. We love our time together and look forward to every opportunity to be out on the road.

If you’re thinking about exploring the world and jumping into the unknown as a couple, just know you can do it.

Many fun adventures await you both.

Just remember to laugh a lot!

Since 2020, we’ve learned a lot about the art of living in hotels or resorts. Overall, the experience has been great, and we’ve been able to stay in some incredible places, getting spoiled while traveling around the world.

Of course, there are downsides to this type of lifestyle too!

It’s not always like a beautiful Instagram moment, and there have been many nights when we had to hole up in a dump, not to mention dealing with other unpleasant things like cockroaches, barking dogs, or blaring fire alarms.

But the worst part of it all has been the hotel guests.

So many people these days seem to lack common sense or respect for others, choosing to ignore any ounce of decency for those around them. I guess when they aren’t at home, it gives them some license to be extremely rude and complete assholes.

I don’t understand why hotel guests have to act like this, and I’ve told many hospitality workers that I could never do what they do because of that.

This is why I want to talk about hotel etiquette.

How to Be A Great Hotel Guest

Most of my advice is based on common sense and treating others the way you want to be treated. It may all sound simple, but it’s amazing how easily these things are forgotten.

Treat Hospitality Staff Better

Working in the hospitality industry is a challenging and demanding job. Staff members often work long hours for very little pay, all while dealing with unruly guests, clogged toilets, wifi issues, and transients stealing from the hotel. Many workers are taking on more responsibilities than they were hired for.

While not every hotel worker is perfect, most of them are good and doing their best for you!

You have a chance to improve their lives simply by being kind, patient, and understanding. Thank them for doing a good job, or better yet, give them a bottle of wine, a gift card, or even a tip if they’ve been outstanding. I know they’d appreciate it.

Respect Your Neighbors

It can be easy to forget that we’re not the only hotel guests on the property. Sometimes we overlook how our actions impact others around us, and it’s important to remember the people on the other side of the walls.

Here are some fantastic tips to make a difference.

• Don’t let your room door slam. Hotel guests sleep at different hours, and the constant barrage of slamming doors is horrible.

• Stop the loud noise by 10 pm. Many hotels implement quiet hours, but they are not always adhered to. Save security a trip to your room and let others rest.

• Control your children. Kids are excited creatures wanting to jump and play, but it can be a hellish nightmare for others, especially when you’re on the top floor!

• Use inside voices. Hotel rooms don’t usually have excellent soundproofing, and you would be shocked at the conversations and fights we’ve heard.

• Smoke your weed or cigarettes outside. No one really wants to smell your guilty pleasure. Take it outside to the smoking section or your vehicle, please.

And by all means, if you want to have some kinky sex, go for it! Just remember to shove a pillow between the headboard and wall if you prefer to be discreet.

Clean Up After Yourself

You’d be amazed at how many people trash the breakfast area, destroy rooms, or leave the swimming pool soaking wet and then walk through the halls.

Not long ago, a housekeeper showed me a video of a room where cake, pizza, soap, and other trash were mashed on practically everything!!! Apparently, the parents let their kids have the room and didn’t care what happened.

I’ve also seen where people have shit — yes, literally shit — in trash buckets in their room right next to where the toilet was.

Staying at a hotel doesn’t give anyone the right to live like a troll or trash a place that doesn’t belong to them.

Please clean up after yourself or your kids. It’s the right thing to do.

Be Respectful of Others

The first three hotel etiquette tips mentioned above fall within this scope, but I want to go further by encouraging hotel guests to respect others' values, ethnicity, or lifestyles.

Or let me say it more bluntly.

If you happen to be racist, misogynist, crude, homophobic, or generally say hateful stuff to people unlike you, please do us all a favor and sleep in your car. Better yet, just stay in the hole you crawled out of.

No one wants to put up with those things. Have the decency to act appropriately around others in public.

Make it a great experience for everyone.

Hotel etiquette doesn’t have to be a lost art. It’s something we should strive to practice every time we travel, whether it’s for business or pleasure. And we can all work harder to treat others with respect, making life a better experience for everyone around us, or those on the other side of the wall. Together, we can make it happen.

Happy hoteling!

Ever since I was a child, the American Dream has been sold to me, one way or another, by those who believed it was the only way to live.

Get your education.

Work a job.

Raise a family.

Own a home.

Love your country.

Pay your taxes.

Retire at 72.

Travel the world.

It was a perfect lifestyle created by the marketing machine after our victory in World War II, one that shifted from the dream of equality to the dream of consumerism.

We were taught that if we just worked hard enough, we could have a slice of the American Pie, one that would satisfy our deepest hunger and fill our belly with happiness until the day we died.

This country ate it up! People began giving their lives and money for something far sweeter.

They traded the sense of adventure for a sense of false security, the open roads for concrete jungles, and the ability to live comfortably for overwhelming debt. They gave up their souls to have the best of everything this country had to offer.

Now, many decades later, that sweetness is gone. It’s been replaced by the bitter taste of suffering and despair. And it’s all because of overconsumption.

What started out as a beautiful dream had become a hellish nightmare.

The great awakening.

In the last ten years, many Americans have finally awoken to the reality that we were all sold an ingenious lie, one that shackled us to the love of consumerism and imprisoned us in a life of debt. Some people realized they were chasing a dream that was never their own, and it was leading them to a life of unhappiness.

My own awakening happened several years ago.

My son and I were talking about how younger people were fed up with trying to live the way our older generations had taught them. His generation wanted a different type of life, which had nothing to do with lasting careers, property ownership, blind patriotism, or an expensive education, which they deemed worthless values in today’s culture.

Rather than sell their souls to buy things they didn’t need or want, they were investing their money into experiences, choosing to pursue jobs and activities that brought them meaning and happiness.

These youthful visionaries chose to opt out of the lies sold to them by greedy capitalists and their aging grandparents, and to follow a dream of their own.

And his thoughts resonated within my soul.

On that day, I realized the seemingly delicious slice of American Pie I’d slowly been eating since childhood was poisoning and killing me.

So I threw it all away!

The new dream belongs to you.

We’ve wasted too much time letting others define the American standard of success, and then convincing us we should achieve it. It’s time for us to take our lives back and decide what is best for ourselves.

For my wife and me, this has meant selling almost everything we own to travel the world, while investing our income into living amazing experiences now. We’ve stopped chasing the American Dream and started chasing our own, doing everything we can to ignore what the world around us tells us to do.

Your dream might be completely different and that’s great, but you must define it in order to achieve it. This also means you must ask yourself what really matters.

Is it endless debt, huge mortgages, high interest rates, shiny objects, prestigious titles, and being guilted into living how our parents lived?

Is it endless freedom, cheaper living, beautiful memories, wonderful vacations, experiencing joy, and living how you want to live?

There’s nothing wrong with wanting a better life, but very few Americans can define exactly what that means because the great marketing machine has already done that for them. What does that mean for you?

On our journey, we’ve met so many people who have chosen to do something different, and they’re extremely happy and fulfilled. So are we!!!

My hope today is that you will take time for yourself to figure it out.

Dream it. Define it. Live it.

Years ago, when I told my mother about my plan to sell everything to travel the world, I expected her to say I was absolutely crazy and that I should rethink my plans, but I was completely caught off guard when she told me to go.

No hesitation. No concern. No guilt.

She was excited because she had traveled extensively in her youth and experienced many incredible adventures. Her only regret was not being able to do more of it because my dad unexpectedly passed away at age 51. Their plans and life together were cut short. So my mother encouraged us to get out there and live our lives now because we never know what tomorrow will bring.

Additionally, she said that as we get older, it will be harder to do the things we love, such as hiking in the mountains or playing in the ocean, and that we’d likely want to stay closer to our doctors and take fewer risks.

I think she’s right!

It’s ironic if you think about it. We work our asses off to achieve some level of financial success so we can retire and travel someday, but when we finally reach that point, it’s possible we might not be able to do all the things we hoped for because our health has deteriorated and our energy levels have diminished. And so our desire for endless adventure is exchanged for safety at home.

Of course, that’s even if we make it that long. With the average life expectancy being 76 years of age and all the horrific diseases and tragic events we face in this country, someday may never come.

So why give our best days to wishful thinking for the future?

The time for adventure is right now.

The idea of working your ass off for fifty years, then taking time to enjoy life as a retiree, is dumb and outdated! Why should we dedicate all of our attention to building a future while not living in the present? Why do we believe the best things in life should come at the end?

I know there’s a sense of responsibility here. We have to make money, pay the bills, and hopefully save whatever’s left for down the road. But then some of us will do everything right, only to never have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

There is another way.

We have proven that you don’t have to be retired or wealthy to travel the world. You don’t have to wait until you’re some golden age to live your adventure. You don’t have to follow the outdated ideal of the American Dream.

All you need to do is make a decision.

You must decide if you’d rather gamble on the ever-changing hands of fate or take a chance on yourself by taking a leap of faith now before it’s too late.

Think about it this way.

Retirement and living comfortably for most of us as we get older is a long shot in today’s economy, and the chances things will get better don’t look all that promising, especially as we struggle to keep up with price increases, interest rates, and other forms of corporate greed robbing us of every penny.

Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to have plenty of money to retire on.

I know I won’t.

If you don’t take the chance to fulfill your travel desires now because times are hard, do you really think the chances will be greater as you age? All those hopes and dreams could be lost forever. I think you should consider an alternative.

Hit the open road now while there’s still time!

The Semi-Retired Life.

Instead of putting everything on hold for the future, take an unconventional approach to travel now. Downsize your needs, learn to work remotely, spend money on experiences, and live fully in the present. It’s not gonna be easy, but it’s worth it.

I’ve been fortunate enough to experience a semi-retired lifestyle for the past four years, all the while visiting some of the best places on the planet, and I’m able to do this because we sold almost everything we owned and work from the road.

It’s a great way to live.

Donetta and I decided years ago that we’d rather risk everything to become digital nomads rather than be an old couple talking about regrets. So far, there are none.

None of us is promised tomorrow. None of us is guaranteed a future. And I’ve seen plenty of people lose everything or die early deaths because of things they couldn’t control. Life happens.

Please don’t wait until you’re too old to travel.

Experience the ride of a lifetime now.

We’ll do our best to help you.

Last year, we experienced more challenges traveling full-time than we ever have as digital nomads, and 2025 wasn’t much better.

Many experts weighed in at the beginning of the year, stating that the best days for traveling were ahead, but often these pieces were written by vacation writers whose perspectives are vastly different from those of us who live on the road. Those of us who do this 365 days a year know the reality of what’s really happening.

Since we started our own journey four years ago, the landscape has really changed!

We’ve learned a lot about the lifestyle during this time, and even though we’re no experts like Kara and Nate, Christian Schaffer, or Marc and Tricia, Donetta and I have some very valuable lessons to share with you.

Hotels are price-gouging travelers.

Hotel living used to be a great way to travel without spending a buttload of money to get started. In 2020, hotel rates were mostly affordable and an incredible deal for all you received. That’s no longer the case.

Post-COVID hotel room prices have exploded due to revenge pricing.

Paying an average of $65 per night for a decent hotel like Comfort Suites has almost doubled for a standard room on weeknights, but on weekends or near a tourist destination, you can expect to pay over $200 per night. If you want a higher-rated option, then be prepared to fork out a lot more.

What’s even more appalling is having to pay a couple of hundred dollars for a shitty Rodeway Inn in the middle of nowhere or shelling out your hard-earned money for zero additional amenities or reduced services.

Corporate greed is raking us over the hot coals and we’re being taken advantage of. 😡

Some hospitality experts expect the prices to drop, but I don’t believe it. The cat is out of the bag and there’s no catching it now. Perhaps our only hope is if travelers get sick of being gouged and stop staying at these hotels.

So if you plan on traveling full-time in 2025, you’ll probably be better off investing in an RV or travel van, because even with the payment, it will save you money.

Travelers are out of control.

I honestly don’t know what’s happened to humanity, but people no longer care about anything but themselves.

Hotel etiquette is almost non-existent as trashy guests create an ongoing list of problems for the hospitality industry, and tourists' behavior has become so annoying and destructive that locals want them gone.

Maybe this is the real reason prices are going up,

During the last four years, I’ve seen abusive guests berate hotel workers, unsupervised kids destroy rooms, grown adults screaming at each other, drug-induced addicts do unspeakable things, and herds of assholes trashing National Parks while ignoring every rule as though the world belongs to them.

Then there’s the drunk guy who smeared his feces up and down a hallway.

People are absolutely horrible, and it doesn’t matter where they come from; there are hordes of these nasty cockroaches in every group. And obviously, these disgusting creatures ruin it for everyone.

Vacation rentals are ruining housing markets.

We used to rent homes on Airbnb and VRBO, but now we’re doing our best to avoid these platforms because these properties have hurt the housing market and made housing inaccessible to people in their own communities all over the world.

There are places we love, like Sedona and Estes Park, where the locals have to rent small apartments for astronomical rates and then get half a dozen roommates just to afford them. Sometimes they have to travel over an hour to work (often for subpar wages) because there are no other options.

The only people winning are the wealthy investors and greedy corporations.

Thankfully, some cities and towns are now passing laws to prevent this, but in many tourist destinations, the damage is already done.

Finally, there’s another reason we despise these rentals: their rates are misleading and not transparent. It all seems like a good deal until you add on all the asinine fees!

Overcrowding is killing the joy of it all.

Many tourist destinations cannot survive without visitors. Their entire economy and livelihood rest solely on the people who visit and how much money they spend while having a great time. But in some places, tourism is getting out of hand, and overcrowding is killing the joy of it all for everyone.

Take our National Parks, for example.

It’s amazing so many people are visiting and experiencing the great outdoors, but with larger crowds come more problems like longer wait times or required reservations. Plus, there’s way more damage to the ecosystem because visitors leave their trash and feed the wildlife.

It’s a tough and delicate balance to maintain.

We, as visitors to other places, have a responsibility to do our part to make the experience better for all; otherwise, we might not have the opportunity in the future, as local economies eventually get fed up with the tourism industry. Just look at what’s going on in Spain and Italy.

The airline industry is a mess.

If you spend any time on social media or news sites, you’ve probably seen plenty of unruly passengers causing problems on airplanes or airplanes having mechanical failures, like losing a door in flight.

This makes air travel very concerning!

Of course, there are the rate hikes, the benefit downgrades, ongoing delays, and changes to the awards or point systems. Then you have to deal with the stupid people who think baggage rules don’t apply to them.

Right now, the TSA is also totally understaffed and underpaid. Sometimes you have to wait hours to get through security.

Flying on an airplane these days is becoming too expensive and stressful. I’d rather drive 2,000 miles and avoid these unpleasant things than to get somewhere “quickly.” Hopefully, the government will require the airline industry to do better.

Prices are increasing all across the board.

If the rising cost of hotels and airfare wasn’t enough, almost everything else is going up in price as well.

Restaurants and fast food places are more expensive. A typical meal for two people now costs $30-$40 on average, and if you add a couple of craft beers to the mix, you’re down at least $60 for a night out. This is one reason we try and cook all of our meals.

The fees for amusement parks, zoos, museums, or any other fun activities have also increased. Then there’s the parking on top of that, which can be $20-$40 per day.

So it’s very important to create a budget; otherwise, you can go broke quickly.

Despite these challenges, don’t give up.

I know this outlook sounds pretty negative and it’s not meant to discourage you from living the road life adventure, but I believe you’re better off knowing what 2024 was like and how things might be as we move forward into the new year.

The good news is we can change it.

If we remember our actions impact the world around us, we can make better choices as we travel. If we use our voices and money wisely, we can influence the hospitality and tourism industry to improve. If we treat locals with respect, they will welcome us with open arms and want us to return.

Whether you’re already on the road or just dreaming about it, we can all do our part.

Don’t give up.

Get out there and experience it all.

Just make wise choices.