Just a Couple of People Wanting to Explore
Learn more about who we are and how we found ourselves living in a van, traveling the country.
What Are We Doing and Why Are We Doing It?
Early in 2023, we decided we wanted to travel more. We were in a season of life where Kendra was working a remote job and Trevor had the capability to work remotely. We were living in Kendra’s parent's basement so under no lease contract. We didn’t have kids or pets or anything tying us down. We decided that living and traveling in a van would be the most cost efficient way to travel.
In July 2023 we pulled the trigger on buying a van and started to convert it! Trevor has background in carpentry so he was excited about the idea of taking on a van build. We watched many YouTube videos and read many blogs to put together a layout that would be the most functional for us and our needs.
We started our travels in Texas and hope to make our way up the West Coast over several months and then the East Coast in the fall hitting many National Parks along the way.
Our plans are far from being set in stone but the general plan is to move back home once the weather is too cold in the fall. Our dream would be to keep the van for a little while after our trip to allow others to do their own exploring in the van.
Once A Van, Now a Camper
With Trevor’s background in construction, we were drawn to the idea of tackling this project on our own. Little did we know, it would be one of the biggest challenges we have taken on as a couple. The process had its challenges, but it proved to be extremely rewarding as well.
Trevor is an adventurer, who has been so blessed to have been able to see many places across the country and beyond. Each trip has inspired him and helped him grow. It was a natural fit for him to continue the adventure with van life. Trevor was a carpenter for years and gained a lot of knowledge in the construction industry. He has enjoyed being able to put that into practice with this van conversion. Trevor is now a freelance web designer and developer (he built this blog 😉). Trevor enjoys spending his time nerding out about a variety of subjects, whether it be the latest tech, MLS soccer, brewing an excellent cup of coffee, Biblical studies, woodworking, and of course the design of all sorts of things that nobody cares about. In his free time, Trevor likes just about any sort of competition and spending time with those that he loves.
Kendra is not your typical vanlifer. She is an introverted homebody who loves to hang out with friends and family. Kendra works remotely for an organization called the Mutual Aid Sharing Plan which provides a risk sharing mechanism that allows church related organizations to provide a self funded health plans for their employees. Kendra is the Program Coordinator and her day to day includes a lot of administrative tasks. In her free time, Kendra enjoys reading, playing games, taking a walk or going on a hike, watching a good TV show, listening to true crime podcasts, and learning about functional health and wellness.
Our Latest Blog Posts
Read our latest articles to see what we have been up to lately.
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The One Where We Go Home
This week we finished up our trip by visiting two parks - Glacial Lakes in Minnesota and Indiana Dunes National Park. And at the end of the week, we finally pulled into the driveway of home sweet home!
Glacier National Park, Animal Scares, and Long Drives
We started our journey toward home, traveling from Washington to North Dakota, stopping at Glacier National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We saw more animals this week than any other week on our trip.
We Had Visitors!
This week we had Mandi and Nathaniel join us in our van adventure. We had fun exploring Olympic and North Cascades National Parks and navigating 4 people living in such a small space.
Vacationing in Portland and the Incredible Mount Rainier
After exploring Portland for a few days, we left the beautiful state of Oregon to start our time in Washington at Mount Rainier National Park.
Fourth of July Week in Crater Lake National Park
The sights this week included lots of beautiful water, including the blue water of Crater Lake, the nearby Toketee Falls, and the gorgeous Oregon coast. We also toured a cheese factory in Tillamook, Oregon.
Week 17: Saying Goodbye to California
After 3 months of “living” in California, we visited the Redwoods this week before leaving this beautiful state for Oregon next week!
Week 16: A Volcano in the Snow
Despite the heat wave, the snow remained at Lassen Volcanic National Park, disrupting our trip, but ultimately adding to the beauty.
Week 15: A Relaxing Week in Shelter Cove
We spent this week at a campground along the northern California Coast. We enjoyed a more chill week and the beautiful scenery along the coast.
Week 14: We’re Back, Baby! The Beautiful Cali Coast and Pinnacles
This week was full of adventure along the beautiful California coastline and in the hot Pinnacles National Park.
Week 13: An Unforgettable Week in the Impressive Yosemite Valley
We spent our last week before heading home for a bit in Yosemite National Park. We both agreed this was our favorite national park we’ve seen on this trip!
Week 12: A Series of Unfortunate Events
This week started off quite rough. But despite a stressful start, we were still able to enjoy some giant trees and beautiful mountains.
Week 11: Making It Out of Death Valley Alive
As it turns out, Death is actually quite beautiful. This week we survive the valley’s heat and make it out the other side unscathed.
Week 10: Let’s Go to the Beach
We have been excited to reach the west coast and enjoyed spending lots of time at the beach and exploring a little bit of Los Angeles this week.
Week 9: Adventures in the Deserts of SoCal
This week was filled with lots of hiking between two large parks in southern California: Joshua Tree National Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. We filled in the cracks with a couple van fixes and chores.
Weeks 7 and 8: Goodbye Arizona, Hello Cali
These past two weeks we finished up our time in Sedona, Arizona and Saguaro National Park, and finally made it to sunny California.
A Photo Tour of Our Camper Van
Join me for a quick tour of our home on wheels! Kendra and I did loads of work to get our van to where it is today. We enjoyed the process, but are glad to be on this side of the build. Hope you enjoy seeing our space!
Havasupai: Our Backpacking Trip to Paradise
We spent the past few days on an unforgettable backpacking trip to the Havasupai reservation. Our days were filled with stunning waterfalls, lots of hiking, and enjoying a peaceful time in the beauty that surrounded us.
Weeks 5 and 6: Big Canyons, Texas-Style
The last number of days were defined by beautiful canyons in Texas and New Mexico. Unfortunately though, some of our tire problems overshadowed the incredible things we got to experience.
Week 4: This Ain’t Texas
We survived our first month in the van! This week we visited White Sands National Park to do some hiking and playing around in the dunes.
Week 3: Exploring the Guadalupe Mountain Range, Inside and Out
Join us as we explore the Guadalupe Mountain Range through its incredible cave system and scenic trails filled with a fascinating history. Follow along with some of the highs and lows of a week spent towing the line between Texas and New Mexico.
How We Converted Our Van Into a Camper and Our Home on Wheels (w/ Photos)
An overview of the steps we took to turn a cargo van into an adventure machine. See the progress through the images we took along the way.
Week 2: Canyons, Rivers, and Mountains, Oh My!
Despite a few hiccups, week #2 seemed to go a lot smoother. We enjoyed exploring Big Bend National Park and basking in the sunshine and warmth.
Week 1: What Did We Just Get Ourselves Into?
Our first week on the road was spent in southern Texas. We had a lot to learn and figure out and sometimes wondered if we were crazy for doing this.
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