ROVA Eighteen: April/May 2020

After years of trying to figure out what’s going to happen next, I’ve come to realize that pretty much the only thing that you can count on happening is the unexpected. Five-year plans aren’t something I can fathom; I might get a call tomorrow telling me I’ve inherited a cabin in the Faroe Islands and enough money to live on for the rest of my life. And if that happens, you guys, I’m going. There’s something beautiful about letting go of planning and trying to control the direction of your life. You can nudge it towards what you want, and, because you’re you, your personality will definitely shape the events and trajectories of your existence. But there will always be an element of surprise—and that’s what keeps things interesting. In…

Winner of the Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket I am a high-school teacher who sits on our school improvement and professional development committee. One of our focuses is how to reach the struggling learner, focusing on those on the autism spectrum. Imagine my excitement when I saw your article “On the Spectrum and on the Road” [ROVA Adventure 17, by Karly Mareka]! Karly’s account, the way that she travels, how she gives her daughters experiences and how her husband is supportive of her wanderlust, is going to be the platform for my professional development presentation. Thank you so much for your wide variety of articles, for always sparking an idea, and for having a presence for the adventurous people. Melissa W “Finding Thoreau at Walden Pond” by Sam Brown [ROVA Adventure…

Vans on vans If you’ve been to an RV show, you’ll know the vans make up a pretty small percentage of what’s on display. At the Adventure Van Expo 2020 at Big Bear Lake, California, it’s all about adventure vans. Check out rigs and accessories, indulge in great food and beer, and meet some of the coolest people in the country—die-hard vanlifers. adventurevanexpo.com Band in a Van There are some rigs out there that have amazing sound systems, but the folks over at Van Sessions take it to a whole new level. Musicians who are invited onto the show crowd into a van-turned-studio where they perform their songs for a live audience. Talk about an intimate set! thebanyancollective.com/vansessions It’s raining vodka Sadly, it doesn’t actually rain vodka; in the absence…

Caffeinate en masse If you’re the type to travel with a group, or host campsite coffee sessions at events and festivals, the Eureka! Camp Café has your back. Brew pour-over coffee super-quickly—the kettle is designed to boil twice as fast as a regular kettle—and serve up to 12 people from the coffee carafe. You’re about to be best friends with 11 wired campers. $109.95, eurekacamping.johnsonoutdoors.com Get it for the ‘gram As much as we all like to rag on “Instagram travelers,” there’s not one of us who doesn’t want to capture epic pics of our travels. Joby’s GorillaPod Starter Kit is a great place for amateur photogs to start—the tripod has a smartphone clamp, GoPro mount and flexible legs that work overtime to get the best angles for your snaps.…

Missy When I’m asked why I chose this lifestyle, I’m never entirely sure what that answer is. There are probably 1,000 reasons that I decided to buy my home on wheels, but in retrospect it’s that this life chose me. I was always going to end up in my vehicle somewhere near the ocean, in the middle of the desert, or up high in the mountains. It all came naturally. Instagram: @_littleroamer The Proha family We hit the road in 2018, after we sold our 10-acre farm in Spokane, Washington. We wanted to let our kids fully experience all of the history of the US and meet different people from different cultures. This year, we are going up the east coast to learn about the region’s history, and then we’ll…

There’s bourbon to drink in Lexington, bacon-studded pastries to devour in Portland, and photo op lines to wait in... everywhere. There are bottomless beers on Bourbon Street, rock shops in Holbrook, and Dungeness crab in Friday Harbor. I’ve had that chowder, snapped that photo, and marveled at that freedom to walk the streets, booze in hand. I’ve been there and done all that, and let me tell you: it’s not always worth the trouble. Recommendations from everyone and everywhere will undoubtedly find you as you make your way along this country’s highways and byways—of once-in-a-lifetime hikes and dinners and drinks and drives. These lists will form your understanding of how to “properly” enjoy the places you’re lucky enough to visit. There’s even a feeling of “doing it justice,” and the…