Full time adventures, living in our van/converted utility trailer. Living off solar & high on life
Happy Anniversary to the love of my life. I couldn't decide on my favorite photo or video, so I decided to share this recap from 2021 instead. We've had so many more adventures since then, but I still love this video of our life together. Happy Anniversary Roland!!! I love you!!
From the Everglades to Yellowstone, from the desert to the Tetons, and from the manatee to the bison I have we have had an year of adventure together.
I was nominated by Wonderers Chasing Horizons to post 10 images in 10 days with no explanation …day 10 Today I nominate Jarhead & Ginger’s Journey
Tonight's sunset.
Our friend Laura owns a salon back in home. Yesterday I made this cute little video of her doing hair out in the desert.
Laura from Lola's doing her thing......... IN THE FREAKING DESERT!
I was nominated by Wonderers Chasing Horizons to post 10 images in 10 days with no explanation …day 9 Today I nominate Rubirose Wingman
I was nominated by Wonderers Chasing Horizons to post 10 images in 10 days with no explanation …day 8 Today I nominate Your Jesus Journey
We played some music last night at the Quartzsite Yacht Club along with some of our bandmates who just came in to town. Our friend Harley joined us on the Sax. Harley and his wife Ramona have a YouTube channel as well. It's called RV broke.. check them out! https://youtube.com/?si=Khik3gBBqsk6cslx
I was nominated by Wonderers Chasing Horizons to post 10 images in 10 days with no explanation …day 7. Today I nominate Huron Out
This is in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula (UP). We had the most amazing time there last year. There are fun outings, great music, community bonfires, and so much to do. You do not have to have a bus (we don't). We will definitely be going again.
Link in comments
I was nominated by Wonderers Chasing Horizons to post 10 images in 10 days with no explanation …day 6. Today I nominate Scott and Nikki RV Journey
I was nominated by Wonderers Chasing Horizons to post 10 images in 10 days with no explanation …day 5 Today I nominate S & S RV Adventures
I was nominated by Wonderers Chasing Horizons to post 10 images in 10 days with no explanation …day 4. Today I nominate The Outdoor Adventures of Sam & Tim
I was nominated by Wonderers Chasing Horizons to post 10 images in 10 days with no explanation …day 3. Today I nominate Hassies On The Move
These are great! A few years ago I would have had zero idea what any of these were.
Guilty of crackerdocking. (That one I learned today)
I was nominated by Wonderers Chasing Horizons to post 10 images in 10 days with no explanation …day 2. Today I nominate Life After Kids Journey Unknown
Today I was nominated by Wonderers Chasing Horizons to post 10 images in 10 days with no explanation …day 1. I nominate The Vagabond’Z, Jim N Amy
Have you ever been to White Sands National Park? We sure thought it was awesome. Beautiful white sand, blue skies, and dunes for miles and miles. I'll drop our YouTube video of White Sands National Park in the comments below.
🎤 🎶 🎸 We've been practicing a little music together. Roland on Guitar, and Julie on the bass. Let us know what you think! 🎶
Also, tonight's storm clouds were amazing!
Thanks The Vagabond’Z, Jim N Amy for the sticker!! Enjoyed our visit today! You guys are great, and I'm so glad we have met!
We had a great time at the Q24 drum circle last night!
In the middle of the night we had to shew this guy out of our trash. Normally we never leave trash outside, but yesterday we tried to take it to the dump stations and they were closed/full until today. We thought we had it in a safe enough place, but apparently houdini got to it anyway.
Hey everyone! I hope you are having a spectacular Monday (well, as spectacular as Mondays can get anyway).
Since we have been in Quartzsite we have be doing a lot of sxs riding. Also, since we have been here, we have found out that sxs (side by side) is sort of like the word "pop". Pop/soda/coke..... sxs/utv/buggy, it just depends on where you are from. There are group trail rides often. This week, Julie was able to go out on a couple rides with her girlfriends, and met some new friends along the way.
Here is a short video of her most recent trip to b***o Canyon!
I,(Julie) went on my first all ladies trail ride this week. We drove 78 miles to B***o Canyon. It was blast, and I can't wait to do it again!
We finally found a minute to add some of your stickers!! Love them all! Thanks friends!
Yay Michigan!!!
Well hello Mr. Coyote! He came through this morning at 7:09am. He's about 3-4 feet away from our trailer.
It's so WINDY here in Quartzsite today, that my fitbit already had 773 "steps" on it before I even put it on this morning.....FROM THE VAN ROCKING!!!!
When the windows look like paintings. Dinner with a view.
Arizona sunsets never get old.
A life with time to live!!
Yesterday was our 1 year Nomad-versary!
Jan 1, 2023 we took off for a 3 month venture to see what we thought of living more fulltime on the road. For the past couple years we had dabbled in the whole "vanlife" thing, taking 1-2 week trips here and there. We had loved every second of those trips, so we figured it was time for a longer trip. (You know.. to see if we had what it takes to live in the same tiny space for months at a time 😉) So, after a couple years of watching Bob Wells on YouTube, we decided that we wanted to see what Quartzsite Arizona was all about. We stayed in Quartzsite for 1 month. That month was like a whirlwind of amazing views, music playing, and treasured new friendships. It by far exceeded our expectations and we vowed to return one day. From Quartzsite we traveled to Florida to visit family and a few friends for a month or so. On our way back home to Michigan we drove through the Carolinas to visit more friends. After 3 months we were finally entering back into Michigan, which felt bitter sweet. The weather was still grey and cold, which was depressing after months of beautiful sunshine. But, we were sooooooo excited to see our family and friends again. Pulling into our home town felt amazingly familiar, yet also strangly not familiar at all. Home, just felt a little different. Smaller perhaps, after just seeing so many other dirt colors, landscapes and weather patterns. After unloading the van, we both sat on the couch in silence, we both felt a little lost. Roland looked around the room, and then looked at me and asked "did you miss any of this stuff?" To which I replied "not a thing!". It was at that moment that we decided it was time. Time to do what we had been talking about, scratch that.. DREAMING about for a couple years. The very next day we were sorting though everything we owned, putting it in piles to sell, donate, or to give away. Going through all of your belongings and purging it was both terrifying, and liberating all at the same time. So many things were sentimental and pulled on my heartstrings more than I truly wanted to admit. All in all, it was less painful than I ever imagined it would be. We stored the few things that were treasured heirlooms that I simply couldnt part with, and got rid of everything else that wasn't coming with us. We decided if we were going to do this fulltime thing (and be completely comfortable doing it) we may want a little more space than just the van. So we added a converted utility trailer to the mix. We call the whole shebang our Van-castle. Within 2 months we had completely moved out and were ready for our new lifestyle. Our plan is to stay local to enjoy our family and all that Michigan's beautiful summers have to offer. Every year we hope to escape Michigan Winters, God willing. 🙏 We have not one time regretted this choice! Infact, many times a week I catch myself saying " I love our home"... and I do, we both do. The views are ever changing! Some days we have a beach front home & some days we have mountain views. Every thing that we ever need is always with us. It now feels odd to go somewhere without the van (like..what if I need comfy shoes, a hairbrush, sweater, a bandaid or a bathroom?) It's kind of like a emotional support vehicle now. 😁 I actually just heard another vanlifer refer to it as she "feels a little lost without her van, like a turtle without her shell" and that totally resonated with me. And even though the daily chores are slightly different/more tedious, things just feel less stressful & more carefree. I think living this way is so hard to explain to anyone who hasn't experienced it themselves. It seems so far fetched, impossible or even crazy. 🤪 I too, may have had those thoughts at one time in my life. But now I know, I know the feeling of freedom and peace it brings. I know it gives you more opportunity for experiences, and less room for unneeded "things". People with less, truly do seem to have more. I see it all the time in the nomad community. They are some of the happiest, kindest, selfless, caring people that I have EVER met. As we reflect on this 1st year of our houseless (but far from homeless life) we are very thankful and blessed that we have this opportunity. We will never ever take it for granted. We will enjoy every sunset, snow capped mountain, bright stary sky, and new friendship made. We will cherish every single day that we are blessed enough to open our eyes to such a amazingly beautiful world. 🌎 Thank you all for being there with us! ✌️
Here is a little map of our first year as Fulltimers
Lapeer, MI
48446
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when VANtastic Journey posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Our trip to Joshua Tree National Park.
The past 2 days around here have been hilarious!!! We are blessed to be friends with, and parked next to some of the best (and funniest) people ever. Stay tuned, I am sure there will be many more adventures with Harley and Leroy! :) PS, Harley and his wife Ramona have a YouTube Channel too. Subscribe to RV Broke!
We played some music last night at the Quartzsite Yacht Club along with some of our bandmates who just came in to town. Our friend Harley joined us on the Sax. Harley and his wife Ramona have a YouTube channel as well. It's called RV broke.. check them out! https://youtube.com/@RVbroke?si=Khik3gBBqsk6cslx
Have you ever been to White Sands National Park? We sure thought it was awesome. Beautiful white sand, blue skies, and dunes for miles and miles. I'll drop our YouTube video of White Sands National Park in the comments below.
🎤 🎶 🎸 We've been practicing a little music together. Roland on Guitar, and Julie on the bass. Let us know what you think! 🎶 Also, tonight's storm clouds were amazing!
Thanks The Vagabond’Z, Jim N Amy for the sticker!! Enjoyed our visit today! You guys are great, and I'm so glad we have met!
We had a great time at the Q24 drum circle last night!
In the middle of the night we had to shew this guy out of our trash. Normally we never leave trash outside, but yesterday we tried to take it to the dump stations and they were closed/full until today. We thought we had it in a safe enough place, but apparently houdini got to it anyway.
Luckily it's only this busy here for about 2 weeks.
Yay Michigan!!!
Well hello Mr. Coyote! He came through this morning at 7:09am. He's about 3-4 feet away from our trailer.
We enjoyed our stay at Deere Run Resort, a quirky little oasis in the middle of the desert.
Gold Eye mine and Potty Garden
Yesterday was our 1 year Nomad-versary! Jan 1, 2023 we took off for a 3 month venture to see what we thought of living more fulltime on the road. For the past couple years we had dabbled in the whole "vanlife" thing, taking 1-2 week trips here and there. We had loved every second of those trips, so we figured it was time for a longer trip. (You know.. to see if we had what it takes to live in the same tiny space for months at a time 😉) So, after a couple years of watching Bob Wells on YouTube, we decided that we wanted to see what Quartzsite Arizona was all about. We stayed in Quartzsite for 1 month. That month was like a whirlwind of amazing views, music playing, and treasured new friendships. It by far exceeded our expectations and we vowed to return one day. From Quartzsite we traveled to Florida to visit family and a few friends for a month or so. On our way back home to Michigan we drove through the Carolinas to visit more friends. After 3 months we were finally entering back into Michigan, which felt bitter sweet. The weather was still grey and cold, which was depressing after months of beautiful sunshine. But, we were sooooooo excited to see our family and friends again. Pulling into our home town felt amazingly familiar, yet also strangly not familiar at all. Home, just felt a little different. Smaller perhaps, after just seeing so many other dirt colors, landscapes and weather patterns. After unloading the van, we both sat on the couch in silence, we both felt a little lost. Roland looked around the room, and then looked at me and asked "did you miss any of this stuff?" To which I replied "not a thing!". It was at that moment that we decided it was time. Time to do what we had been talking about, scratch that.. DREAMING about for a couple years. The very next day we were sorting though everything we owned, putting it in piles to sell, donate, or to give away. Going through all of your belongings and purging it was both terrifying, and
Roland created some desert art today. Welcome to "Thunderbird Alley".
After a cloudy rainy day yesterday in Quartzsit AZ…the sunshine has returned! 🌞
