We’re so excited to be back on the road again in Stan the Tan Van. We’ve missed his rumbles and creaks—here’s hoping that three times a charm with radiators. Currently we’re en route to the sunshine state for some vitamin D replenishment. You may have noticed that we’ve been stationary for a while, spending the last few months in Wisconsin. Before you think we’ve gone completely mad by choosing to winter in Wisconsin, the truth is we didn’t plan to…
This week’s post is a throwback. It’s not Thursday so let’s say it’s a Memory Monday post. That’s a thing, right? Orcas Island is part of the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state. Visiting this region was on our PNW bucket list for years. We finally got around to it shortly before leaving on our long-term travels. We spent Christmas on Orcas Island last year and it was exactly the relaxation we needed after the busy holidays….
Of all the places we visited last year, Moab, Utah was by far one of our favorite. Yes, even with Utah’s watered-down grocery store beer, we still loved it here. We spent more time in Moab than anywhere else—10 full days—and could’ve easily stayed a month or more. The most striking thing about the area is the land, but the city also offers tons of activities and a laid-back creative atmosphere. Imagine a colorful busy little city set in a…
The Work Vanlife Balance, Volume 4 Congratulations! You’re going to do what you’ve been dreaming about for years – traveling the world and taking your career with you. Say goodbye to florescent lighting, office politics, and smelly lunches in the microwave (oh, wait that last one was my bad). Also, say goodbye to your company computer, software, and internet (not to mention donuts). That’s right! It’s now on you to get online and work from your own equipment (and supply…
With the end of one year and the beginning of another we think about where we are, where we want to be, and most importantly what we want to do. How will we spend our time this next year? What will we accomplish? Since the new year stimulates reflection and planning we thought it was time to share the back-story of how we came to live this simple roaming existence in Stan the Tan Van. When I sat down to write…
2017 was probably the biggest year of change and travel plans in our lives yet. We got rid of almost everything we owned, moved into a van, and started road tripping around the US. We created this blog and a few of you lovelies actually read it. Tom started working remotely as an eLearning Developer. We met new people, tried new things, and learned so much. Here’s our year by the numbers. 18,545 miles driven 21 national parks explored 29…
Arches National Park may just be the most iconic place in all of Utah. Delicate Arch particularly gets a lot of limelight. It’s even featured on the state’s license plates. This is just one of the astounding formations in this surreal park that boasts the highest concentration of arches in the world. I’ve seen a bunch of 1-day itineraries for Arches. While it’s a small park compared to some of the giants like Glacier or Yellowstone we think that you…
After our sandy and snowy time in Colorado we made our way to the last stop on this leg of the journey—South Dakota. While the comforts of family, friends, and (let’s be honest) showering regularly are inviting, we’re sad to end this travel session. We plan to go out with a bang though and have many grand plans for South Dakota. There’s not one, but two caves close in proximity to one-another—Wind Cave and Jewel Cave. If you haven’t noticed,…
The Work Vanlife Balance, Volume 3 You want to travel long-term. Be free from daily commutes and office lighting. Watch sunsets by the ocean, count the stars in the Milky Way, and sleep by mountain streams. But you don’t want to starve. You don’t want a vehicle break down or medical emergency to end all your travel plans. And, admit it, you still want an iPhone with unlimited data. That means you need to find a career conducive to travel….
15 Awesome Things for Living in a Van Down by the River (or really anywhere outside) It’s been a few months since we shared our outdoor and van life gear lists. We’ve recently added some awesome items to our rolling home so it’s time for an update. You don’t need to live in a van down by the river to appreciate these things though. Many of them are perfect for any outdoor adventure. We’ve found that outdoor products aren’t always…