The Vanlife Guide to Hitting the Road

It’s finally 2021, and with so many people hitting the road in their quarantine-built vans this winter, I thought it was about time I gave you all my ultimate tips for beginner vanlifers from someone who’s been on the road for almost 2 years. I started my vanlife journey in June of 2019 and have since been to 48 states and over 40 National Parks. I’ve camped in official campgrounds, Walmart parking lots, rest stops, and on BLM land. And I’ve showered at State Parks, with baby wipes, and outside. These are my favorite tips for beginner vanlifers so that you can hit the road easily this year.

Buy a National Parks Annual Pass

My best investment when I hit the road in 2019 was my America the Beautiful Pass. I’m now on my third annual pass, and I could not be more grateful for it and the money it’s saved me. When you’re traveling, especially if you’re in the US, you’re likely going to be hitting a lot of public lands, which includes National Parks. In the US, the average National Park costs $30 USD to enter. If you add up how much it would’ve costed me to pay the entrance fee at each of the 42 parks I’ve visited in my life, that would be over $1,200 USD. Purchasing three America the Beautiful Passes over the past few years at $80 each adds up to only $240 USD. While some parks, especially on the east coast are free to enter, there are over 400 National Park Service sites in the country, and having an annual pass is going to save you a ton of money. If you’re going to be traveling in Canada, check out their annual pass system as well.

My dog, Lassen, at my 42nd National Park, White Sands in New Mexico

Know That You Can Camp For Free

While I’ve done my fair share of paid camping, specifically while I was solo, there is a secret that many people don’t know about, and that’s free camping or boondocking. Of course, there are places you can park overnight for free such as rest stops (in some states) and Walmart parking lots, but if you want to experience the photogenic vanlife you’ve probably been dreaming of, you’ll want to look for National Forest and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Land. Both of these types of public land allow dispersed camping on their dirt roads, which means your backyard for the night can be the woods, the desert, or the mountains!

A National Forest Spot I lived on for 2 weeks in 2020

Invest in a Solar Shower

So many people ask how you shower on the road, especially now that gyms are closed. When I used to pay for camping, I would often find myself at campgrounds that had showers or the option to pay for one. Now that the majority of my camping is done for free, showers are more few and far between. Solar Showers are a super basic concept that involves a black bag to hold water, and a hose that works with gravity. If it’s warm out, you can simply fill the bag with water and sit it in the sun for a few hours and it heats the water for you. If it’s cold, we’ll often boil half our water first. We got ours for about $15 at Walmart. Showering outside is incredibly liberating, and if you need a little more privacy, Wolfwise makes portable shower tents as well.

Download Your Google Maps

If you think you might be losing cell service while you drive anywhere, make sure you download your Google Maps to work offline. This means you’ll be able to get around safely, even without a signal. This has come in handy so many times, especially in Montana near Glacier National Park, and Washington, near Mount Adams.

There’s No Right Way to Vanlife

There’s this weird stigma I’ve realized is present in a lot of vanlife Facebook groups, and that is that there is a right way to do vanlife. The thing is, we’re all individuals on very individual journeys and what might work for one person might not for another. Don’t let anyone you meet influence your adventure. This is your journey, make it yours.

Products I’ve Loved During My Life on the Road (not sponsored)

• Doctor Bronner’s Castille Soap

• Outdoor “Mexican” blanket like the one in the above picture. You can find these at souvenir shops, and sometimes gas stations.

• A wide brimmed hat like the one I’m wearing above

• Tevas or some other type of trekking sandal

Top 5 Most Dog Friendly National Parks

We love traveling with our furry friends, but as a lot of people who like to travel in the US know, most National Parks aren’t super dog friendly. There are a few we’ve found since traveling with our border collie, Lassen, that we’ve loved due to the dog friendly trails. It’s made it easier to travel with him, and we all have so much fun getting to see the sights! These are our top 5 dog friendly National Parks.

Don’t miss the BARK Ranger program at many of these parks—a goal to educate dog owners on where their dogs can and can’t go in the park. Parks with BARK Ranger programs are specified below.

Great Sand Dunes, CO

If you’ve been following a while, you’ll know that we loved Great Sand Dunes National Park. This is a fairly large park, and the whole main area of the sand dunes is completely dog friendly. Your dog has to be on a leash, but we don’t mind! Lassen was able to climb to the top of High Dune with us and run with us down the sides of the dunes. We loved how dog friendly this park was, and so did Lassen!

White Sands, NM

White Sands National Park, NM is very similar to Great Sand Dunes. Dogs are allowed all over the dunes as long as they’re on a leash, which made this the perfect sunrise park for us. We love being able to take Lassen along on adventures, so it was great to not have to leave him in the car to experience the park. White Sands is also part of the BARK Ranger program.

Petrified Forest, AZ

While Petrified Forest is a small park, and one of the least visited, it’s also one of the most dog friendly. Lassen was able to come everywhere with us. Most of the trails in this park are paved, so as long as your dog is on a leash and stays with you on the trail, they’re allowed to accompany you throughout your entire trip through the park. Petrified Forest also has a BARK Ranger program where you can get a free treat for your dog.

Olympic, WA

Olympic was actually the park that coined the BARK Ranger program! Olympic is a huge park, and while not all of it is dog friendly, many of the beaches are! This was where Lassen first saw the ocean. Our favorite beaches to take our dog to were Rialto and Ruby Beach. Your dog is also allowed around Crescent Lake and on the Spruce Railroad Trail.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO

While your dog can’t hike down into the canyon with you, this is the perfect National Park to take your dog to if you’re a sight-seeing type of traveler. Dogs are allowed to join you at all of the park lookouts, even the ones that are unpaved. Lassen and I had a great time driving to each viewpoint while Jared did a bigger hike into the canyon.

It’s unfortunately very hard to get a picture of a dog with a canyon you have to get very close to the railings of to see. But I promise he loved it!

Honorable Mentions:

City of Rocks National Reserve, ID

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, NE

How to Find Work on the Road

One of the most common questions I get as a full time traveler is: What do you do for work? Or some variation of the question. “Do you have a job?” and “So, do you just have a bunch of money saved up?” Are common too, but the truth is, there are so many ways to make money on the road, so you can keep your trip going infinitely. I know there are so many of you wanting to do full time travel, whether that means vanlife, backpacking, or something of your own creation. Here are some of the best ways to make money on the road.

Work Online

One of the most common types of jobs on the road is a remote job that will allow you to work online while you travel. This will require you to have a fairly stable hotspot connection, or for you to stay near places that provide public WiFi. An online job can take many forms. Some people are fully employed by a company that allows them to work remotely, but some people, like myself, are self employed and part of the so-called gig economy.

My personal full time job outside of Halle’s Wandering Soul is freelance writing. I do everything from copywriting to content writing to social media, on a freelance or independent contractor basis. This makes me a small business owner, and allows me to work on my own schedule, and take days off whenever we choose to go off the grid.

I was able to take this vacation with my family with no notice given to my clients because I was able to work while on the trip.

Content Creation

This option definitely may not be for everyone, but it is a fraction of how I work on the road. Content Creation is a great option if you’re comfortable in front of a camera, and don’t shy away from pitching yourself to others. Content creation includes everything from YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and any type of influencer work. I work with brands to promote their products, in exchange for a free product, and payment for my ad creation. Content Creation can also include affiliate links, which allow you to make a commission for helping a business make a sale through your platform.

If you’re interested in keeping this platform alive by supporting a couple of my affiliate links, or you’re just curious how they work, and what they look like, check out some of my brand partners below!

Another amazing option for content creation is Patreon, where people support you as a creator and you provide extra content to them outside of what you’re normally creating.

Content Creation is my second full time job on the road, and while it’s a ton of work, it’s also a ton of fun!

Seasonal Work

While I personally haven’t used this option, this is something a lot of my vanlife friends do on the road. When it arises that they need to make a little money, they’ll find a short term job on the road that’ll allow them to make some money in a cool place while living in their van. This means they can have a stable income for a few months, while still living rent free. There are a lot of jobs around the US and around the world that are like this, and you can find outdoorsy jobs through sites like Occupation Wild.

Run Your Own Shop

This is something a few of my friends do already (@_littleroamer is a great example), and something that I’ll be venturing into very soon! The main problem here is that you have to have enough room to keep inventory up, and have the means to ship out products while on the road as orders come in. The most effective way people generally do this is by creating one shop update a month, rather than creating certain products. This is a great option for people who want to create something more hands-on than just content.

This can include things that aren’t necessarily physical too though, such as photography prints (which can be sold through sites like Redbubble). You can also create a print on demand type of clothing line, which allows you to create products without having to hold inventory.

My shop: WANDERING SOUL COLLECTIVE will be launching on December 21. Make sure you sign up for my email list on the bottom of this page to find out when it launches!

There are so many ways to make money on the road. There are even some I didn’t list here, so think about your skills and what you enjoy, I’m sure there’s a job out there for you!

Best Gifts for Wandering Souls 2020

The holidays are almost here, and with hope for travel looking up for 2021, you might be thinking of what to get your favorite traveler. I’ve been traveling full time for a year and a half now, and over that time, I’ve truly found products that I’d consider travel essentials. These are my favorite must have’s for any traveler—full time or not. These are the best gifts for travelers in 2020.

Reversible Clothing from Splice Clothing

I never knew I needed Splice Clothing until I met Splice Clothing. Splice is a female owned business specializing in travel apparel with the goal of making it easier to pack lighter. All of their clothes are reversible, and they even offer other products that have been created with the idea of packing light and becoming a carry on only traveler. They even offer Capsule Wardrobes where you can get a few full outfits, perfect for anyone planning a trip soon!

This Poncho and Pants combo can be bought at Splice Clothing

Functional Sunglasses from Tifosi

We all know you can’t travel without sunglasses, which is why I love mine from Tifosi Optics. Tifosi sunglasses are made for adventure. They’re durable and made to stay on your face, no matter what you’re doing. If you’re a cyclist or runner, they also have specific sunglasses for your sports. If you’re a hiker like me, you’ll love the fit of their sunglasses and the beautiful lens colors that somehow make nature look even more spectacular.

These Svago sunglasses can be found at Tifosi Optics

Travel Inspired Clothes from The Wanderful Soul

The Wanderful Soul is just wonderful! This is the perfect gift for any traveler, especially those who don’t travel full time. The Wanderful Soul’s clothes are perfect for encapsulating the personality of a traveler, and allowing them to remember their time on the road through their clothes. For backpackers, there’s even a perfect packing list available to help people pack light when traveling overseas or by plane. This is an amazing female owned business that I love working with, and all of her products make the perfect gift for travelers.

Find the National Parks Founding Fathers Tee at The Wanderful Soul

Any Outdoor Gear from Madera Outdoor

USE CODE HALLESWANDERINGSOUL FOR 20% OFF

Madera Outdoor is an awesome small outdoor company that plants trees for every product purchased. This means they make sustainable and practical gifts for travelers. I personally love their 0 degree sleeping bag and hammocks and have used both of them while camping and backpacking (overseas and trekking in the states). They also have smaller gifts for travelers and campers like microfiber towels designed by small artists and pocketknives. And remember, every product plants trees!

The holidays are almost here, so if you have a traveler on your list, be sure to check out these four sites, they have everything your traveler needs!

How to Travel to The Outdoors During the Pandemic

As winter comes in close, many states and cities are beginning to shut down again. Traditionally, winter is the second most popular time to travel. So many people have given up holiday travel, visiting family, and even bigger trips that would normally take place during breaks from school or PTO from work. And with grey skies and colder temps, we might be feeling the travel blues a little more than we did even last spring.

I know we can’t go very far, but the outdoors are always going to be there, even if it is cold out. So, this time, let’s grab our warmest jackets, maybe invest in some waterproof hiking boots, and head to the outdoors, adventure can be closer than you think!

Try Out a Local Hiking Trail or Nature Center

As long as you have a mask ready to go whenever you pass other hikers, hiking is a great way to feel a sense of adventure, even if you have to stay close to home. Even for those of us who live in cities, hiking trails and nature trails are never that far away. The app All Trails (not sponsored, I just actually love this app) is great for finding hikes near you that you might not have heard of before.

Hiking trails can consist of much more than just hard trails that are there to send you to mountain peaks—many cities have nature centers and arboretums to explore, just so you can get out of your house for a little bit and explore something new. These usually have very easy trails accessible to all levels and unique plants and wildlife to experience, even if you’re stuck in your own city.

Favorite Nature Centers and Arboretums for me include the Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, OR and the Cincinnati Nature Center in Cincinnati, OH.

Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, OR

Visit Your Local State Parks

Another great option if you’re looking for a slightly bigger adventure is to see what the restrictions are at your local state parks and choose one of those to visit as a day trip! There are over 10,000 state parks throughout the US, and many are actually located near cities, so even if you think you can’t get away from it all, there is probably a great option for you! And the thing is, there are so many state parks, there’s more than likely one you haven’t heard of yet! State parks are a great option that allow you to have a more local outdoor adventure, learn about your local native wildlife and plants, go on a hike or two, or have a picnic outside. State parks can be huge, but they can also be small enough to explore in just a day. These are great options for anyone looking for an awesome day trip adventure!

My favorite California state parks (where I’m from) include Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Topanga State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. My favorite state parks outside of California are Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada and Itasca State Park in Minnesota.

Disclaimer: all state parks will have different restrictions and closures, and every state is different. Please check conditions before heading out.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park, CA

If You Live Near a National Park, Go For It!

I do want to start off this section by saying: PLEASE don’t travel more than 3 hours to visit a National Park right now. If you live nearby, and the park is open, by all means, go for it. Unwind, social distance, go on a hike, have a picnic. But if you have to travel across multiple state lines, wait a little longer so that you don’t put anyone in danger. National Parks are tourist hotspots, and the point of this post isn’t to increase tourism, it’s go give people options for spending time outside safely.

National Parks are amazing. They’re my favorite thing about the US, and they’re home to some of the best landscapes in the country. And the good news is, they’re not limited to the “Big 62.” These parks are simply the ones with “Park Status,” but the thing is, there are over 300 more parks that are listed as National Rec Areas, National Monuments, National Reserves, National Historic Sites, and more! (National Forests are NOT part of the National Park System). Each park will have its own restrictions, but if you live nearby, it might be a good option to visit for a day trip and take a hike or go on a scenic drive just to get out of the house for the day.

Always check the National Park Service for updates on closures!

My favorite National Parks that are near big cities are:

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Los Angeles, CA

Mount Rainier National Park: Seattle, WA

Rocky Mountain National Park: Fort Collins, CO

Grand Teton National Park: Jackson, WY

Colorado National Monument: Grand Junction, CO

Indiana Dunes National Park: Chicago, IL

Santa Monica Mountains National Rec Area, CA

Create a Vacation In Your Backyard

Seriously, I’m not joking about this one. If none of these options are feasible for you, create your own mini vacation by getting outside in your own backyard! That way you don’t even have to leave your house. If you live somewhere where it’s warm this time of year, plan an at-home yoga retreat by looking up yoga videos on YouTube and guided meditations on your favorite app (mine is Insight Timer—again, not sponsored, but I did get to test this app for a job, which was pretty cool!). Make some tropical smoothie bowls and give yourself time to rest (even if you don’t live in a warm climate)—believe me, we all need it!

If you live somewhere where it snows in the winter, spend time outside building snowmen (yes, even if you don’t have kids, it’ll make you smile, I promise), and drink your hot coffee, tea, or chocolate on the porch to clear your head every morning.

It’s also never a bad idea to invest in a fire pit and roast some marshmallows, tell stories, play music with your family, and pretend you’re camping, even if you just go inside and sleep in your own bed!

In the meantime, you have tons of time to start thinking about your next big adventure! Make sure you go ALL OUT this time!

This pandemic is hard on all of us, but just know that there are options nearby for anyone living anywhere to be able to get outside, clear their head, and recenter, at least a little bit. Tell me in the comments what your favorite local places are, and share this post with friends and family who are missing travel a little extra right now.

Top 4 Most Spiritual Places in the US

Since college, I’ve been what some might call “into spirituality,” and in my travels around the US, I’ve come across quite a few places where the energy is high, and it’s exceptionally easy to connect to the earth. These are places full of local legends, spiritual awakenings, and metaphysical connections, and I love coming across places like these when I’m traveling, so I decided to compile a list of my favorites so far, so if you’re looking to get away from it all, one of these places might be for you.

(I’ll likely create more of these later on, as I explore more places around the world. This piece is centered around the Continental US)

Joshua Tree, CA

1: Sedona, AZ

There’s no question Sedona had to be on this list. Sedona is known as a spiritual vortex—a place where the spiritual energy is high, and healing is possible. Sedona has many points that are specifically known as Vortexes, and these areas are known to help aid in meditation and self exploration. You’ll also find spots like metaphysical shops and health food restaurants in town for the full experience. The people of Sedona are as interesting as the land, and you might just run into people selling sage (but please don’t buy from anyone who isn’t of Native ancestry), meditating, doing yoga, or handing out Sedona heart rocks.

Some of the most powerful places in Sedona for experiencing the Vortex magic are:

·       Boynton Canyon

·       Cathedral Rock

·       Airport Mesa

·       Bell Rock

Sedona is a great place to ground yourself, be one with the desert, and spend some time under the stars, and if you’re not into spirituality, it’s worth going just for the views.

Sedona is located on Honanki and Palatki land and you can visit the ruins of their old dwellings during a visit.

Learn more about Sedona, AZ here:

Cathedral Rock Hike, Sedona, AZ

2: Devils Tower, WY

Devils Tower is most recognizable from its movie role in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and while you (likely) won’t run into any extraterrestrials at this famous National Monument in Wyoming, you might find yourself connecting to the earth a little more than usual here. And the good news is, the devil is no where to be found either. Most importantly, Devils Tower is a Native American holy site, known to the Cheyenne as Bear Lodge. Other tribes such as the Mandan and Arapaho refer to it as Bear’s Hat and Bear’s Tipi respectively, and many Native Americans have used it as a site for ceremonies and rituals for centuries.

As this is a holy site for Native peoples, it is important to respect that during your visit. Do hike around the tower and appreciate its beauty and energy, but don’t touch prayer flags and other holy objects left around the tower.

Learn more about Devils Tower here:

Devils Tower National Monument, WY

3: Mount Shasta, CA

Mount Shasta is an incredible site to see, but it’s also one of the most significant spiritual centers in the world. Many spiritualists know Mount Shasta as Mother Earth’s root chakra, and some connect it with legends of ancient Lumeria, whose people supposedly live beneath the mountain today, waiting for the earth to experience a spiritual awakening. Many people flock to Mount Shasta to experience growth, healing, and finding their life’s purpose, and when we went to fill up water at a local spring, there was talk from locals about it being the water of the gods. The energy is strong here, and in town, you’ll find plenty of metaphysical and crystal shops to explore.

Mount Shasta is also home to many legends from Native tribes, including the Shasta, Wintu, and Modoc tribes just to name a few.

If you aren’t sure about spirituality, don’t fret, Mount Shasta is still worth the visit, and a dip in Lake Siskiyou can’t be beat.

Hiking in Mount Shasta, CA

4: Joshua Tree, CA

My first trip to Joshua Tree was in 2018, and if you’ve been following along for a while, you’ll know that it’s one of my favorite places in California. On our way to that trip, a friend of mine said “there’s a special desert magic in Joshua Tree,” and she was right! From the dark sky zone level stars, to the silhouettes of Joshua Trees in the sunrise light, there truly is magic here. On top of that, this National Park actually does have its own vortices, just like Sedona, and is known for spiritual and healing retreats.

I personally love to visit Joshua Tree for the solitude, the rock scrambling, and that old desert magic, but it’s not uncommon to find yoga and meditation retreats here.

Joshua Tree is located on Serrano, Mojave, Cahuilla, and Chemehuevi land.

Learn more about Joshua Tree here:

Secret view in Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Honorable Mentions:

·       Moab, UT

·       Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO

·       Mount Hood, OR

Spirituality can mean something different to everyone, but when it comes to finding places with strong energy that allow for the best connection to the earth, you can’t go wrong with these. So whether you’re just looking to get away from it all, or maybe plan a retreat for people looking to heal, these spots should be on your list. (And if you’re just a traveler looking for adventure, you can’t go wrong with a visit here either!)

Where To Go As a First Time Visitor: Rockies

The Rocky Mountain States hold some of the highest elevation in the country, and some of the most beautiful landscapes. From sprawling mountains, to deep thermal pools, this section of the country is on so many people’s bucket lists. From Colorado to Montana, we’re going to explore exactly where you should head if you’ve never been to the area before, so that you can experience the best the landscape has to offer.

Glacier National Park, MT

Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado is easily one of my favorite states. There is so much to do, and so many beautiful places to see, but for a first time visitor looking to get the most out of a visit, I’d say don’t miss Rocky Mountain National Park. The Rockies are located in Northern Colorado, and have some of the highest elevation roads in the country. These mountains are home to bears, moose, and more, and are full of winding trails, rivers, pine trees, and everything else you picture when you think of Colorado. Stay in Estes Park and explore the Stanley Hotel (where they filmed The Shining), and the rest of those mountain town vibes when you’re not in the National Park.

Things to do:

·       Go to the Alpine Visitor Center and hike the Alpine Ridge Trail (12,000 feet)

·       Go to Bear Lake

·       Hike Hallett Peak (for advanced hikers only due to the elevation)

·       Do the Scenic Drive

When visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, be aware of the elevation and oxygen levels. Elevation sickness is not uncommon here, so don’t attempt any hikes that are out of your athletic ability.

Wyoming: Yellowstone National Park

There’s no question: you cannot go to Wyoming for the first time and not go to Yellowstone. Yellowstone is not just the National Park—it’s all the surrounding mountain towns, and it’s become a vacation destination. Yellowstone is known for its thermal pools, abundant wildlife, and the famous Yellowstone Falls. There is so much to do just in this park and its surrounding areas, so I’d suggest planning at least a 4 day trip, perhaps even a week if you can take the time.

Things to do:

·       Go see the popular spots: Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful

·       Spot wildlife in the Lamar Valley

·       Walk the boardwalk at the Norris Geyser Basin

·       Go to Artists Point and take photos of Yellowstone Falls

Like at any National Park, please respect the nature when visiting Yellowstone. Stay on the boardwalks, don’t climb over guardrails, and please, DO NOT APPROACH WILDLIFE.

Montana: Glacier National Park

I have a whole post you can read about Glacier, but there truly is no better place to visit if you’re visiting Montana for the first time. Glacier is an incredible landscape full of wildlife, mountains, and of course, glaciers. This national park is also home to the famous Going to the Sun Road, which connects east and west Glacier on one of the most beautiful scenic roads in the country.

Things to do:

·       Hike to Grinnell Glacier (hard)

·       Hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook (easy)

·       Drive the Going to the Sun Road (not open to vehicles over 21 feet long)

Learn more about Glacier at the link below:

The Rocky Mountains are an incredible landscape full of beautiful national parks and tons of wildlife. This is an area I could spend months exploring. Not sure where to start when planning your trip? Head to the shop to schedule a phone call with me and allow me to plan your trip for you!

Where To Go As a First Time Visitor: West

PART TWO

Last week I started a new series to help people venturing out west for the first time decide where exactly they should visit in each state or region. This week, we’re heading a little further from the coast, and visiting three of the most underrated western states. So, pack your car, and get ready to drive, these spots are about to change your whole view of the west.

Sawtooth Mountains, ID

Idaho: Sawtooth Mountains

I have heard from other travelers that Idaho is only okay, but in my opinion, it is a place that needs to be on everyone’s bucket list, and here’s why: The Sawtooths. The Sawtooth Mountains are some of the most unique peaks in the Rockies, and they’re home to countless lakes, and some of the most expansive landscapes I’ve seen in this part of the country. There are tons of boondocking spots nearby, and the town of Stanley is adorable. There are even opportunities for you to go rafting or rent kayaks when in town. Even the park has beautiful views, and the hiking and backpacking in the mountains in unmatched.

Things to do:

Backpack to Sawtooth Lake

Kayak on Pettit Lake

Go find a hot spring

Idaho is the best hidden gem out west, so seriously, don’t knock it ‘til you hit the Sawtooths for the first time.

Nevada: Valley of Fire State Park

Nevada to me is the gateway to the Southwest from California, where I grew up. It is the first place to find red rocks, and one of the most underrated deserts in the country. I’ve picked Valley of Fire State Park as my first destination for people visiting Nevada because it’s beautiful, it’s a great way to see some of the state’s most beautiful landscapes, it’s fairly close to places like Vegas, and it has its own campground. It’s also very close to Lake Mead, which you can hit if you’re on your way to Arizona from here.

Things to do:

Drive the scenic road

Find some Petroglyphs (I like AtlAtl Rock for this)

Go on a hike (but bring lots of water)

Valley of Fire was actually once underwater, and is home to so many desert animals (including the biggest lizards I’ve ever seen). It’s definitely the best place to go if you’re trying to truly experience Nevada’s desert on a trip out west.

Arizona: Sedona

I easily could’ve picked the Grand Canyon for Arizona, but since everyone who visits Arizona goes here anyway, I thought I’d mix it up a little bit. Sedona is a town known for its spiritual energy, red rocks, and vanlife friendly facilities. It’s a popular vacation spot, and many people flock here to hike trails like Devils Bridge. But it’s really the best way to truly experience what the Arizona landscape can hold, and embrace the desert in its fullness. Sedona is a place full of love, beautiful sunsets, and endless hikes, and I think it’s a great idea for anyone wanting to spend a longer trip in Arizona (since the Grand Canyon can be seen in about 3 days or less).

Things to do:

Hike Devils Bridge

Go see the Hononki and Palatki Ruins

Meditate on Cathedral Rock (after the best hike in the area)

Sedona is a place that I personally could spend weeks in. There are so many hikes, so many famous rock formations, and so much to see. It’s also largely dog and van friendly. For first time Arizona goers, there’s no place better.

Want help planning your trip? Give me a call! Schedule a phone call with me to day at the link below!

Where You Should Go As a First Time Visitor: West Coast

PART ONE

This month, Jared, Lassen, and I are staying put to build our new tiny home on wheels, and while I’ll be writing a big post at the end of this giant adventure talking about the whole process, I decided to start a new series while we wait, talking about some of the states I know well, and leading up to a bigger project I’ve been working on in the sidelines. The goal with this series is to talk about the ONE place you should visit if you’ve never been to a state or region. A lot of you are planning road trips, or simply planning domestic travel in general, so if you’re looking for the best place to see what a state has to offer, you’re in the right place. For the first installment of this series, we’re gonna talk about my absolute favorite part of the country: the West Coast, which includes California, Oregon, and Washington.

Olympic National Park, WA

Southern California: Joshua Tree

I decided to split California into two sections because the north and the south are so drastically different from each other. Southern California is known for three things: beaches, cities, and desert. While I could have easily picked a beach for this, I truly think the Southern California desert is one of the most unique places in the country, so, let’s go to one of my favorite National Parks: Joshua Tree.

Joshua Tree is located about halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles, in adjacent to the towns of Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley. It’s also less than an hour from the Salton Sea and Slab City. This unique National Park is home to the largest population of unique Joshua “trees” in the country. The trees are actually part of the agave family, and the oldest is over 300 years old!

What should I not miss?

·       Hike Ryan Mountain

·       Find the Hall in the Hall of Horrors

·       Walk through the Cholla Cactus Gardens

This unique desert is one of my favorite destinations in Southern California, and because of its proximity to other SoCal hotspots, you’ll be able to make a whole road trip out of it!

Northern California: Yosemite

Seriously, if you thought I’d pick anywhere else in NorCal for a first time visitor… you haven’t been to Yosemite! Yosemite is one of the three most famous National Parks in the country (the others being Grand Canyon and Yellowstone), and it’s a hiking, rock climbing, and sight seeing destination for travelers coming from all over the world.

Yosemite is known for its giant rock formations, or monoliths, including El Capitan (which you might recognize from documentaries like Free Solo and The Dawn Wall), and Half Dome. It’s also known for having the tallest waterfall in the Lower 48, which you can hike to the top of.

What should I not miss?

·       Drive up to Glacier Point

·       Hike the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls

·       See Mirror Lake (in the spring and summer only)

·       See Yosemite Falls

·       Watch the sunset from the meadows over Half Dome

Yosemite was the National Park that made me fall in love with National Parks, and I hope it does the same for you, first time visitor. Have fun, and keep an eye out for black bears!

Oregon: Mount Hood

I easily could’ve picked Crater Lake for this spot, but nowhere in Oregon captures the beauty of the Pacific Northwest quite like Mount Hood. Mount Hood is a National Forest (run by the USFS, not the NPS like Joshua Tree and Yosemite), and it’s home to lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and of course, the famous mountain itself.

The Pacific Northwest is the best place to experience wild nature, and Mount Hood definitely has plenty of that. From opportunities to climb the mountain, to places to relax by the water, to more civilized excursions, like visiting the famous Timberline Lodge for some awesome views, this National Forest has a little bit of everything.

What should I not miss?

·       Trillium Lake

·       Tamanawas Falls

·       Timberline Lodge

Mount Hood is truly a Pacific Northwest destination that will give you the best of Oregon and keep you wanting to come back again and again.

Washington: Olympic

Olympic is truly the place that embodies everything Pacific Northwest. Here, you’ve got the coast, the forests, the mountains, the animals… everything you think of when you think of the PNW, Olympic has it somewhere within the Park boundaries.

Olympic is definitely a difficult place to get to, though, especially if you’re flying into Seattle, rather than driving from Oregon. You will have to either cross the Puget Sound by ferry or drive around it, and then you can decide which direction you’d like to loop around the Olympic Peninsula. Olympic is a huge National Park, but most of the park is wilderness and isn’t accessible by car. This makes it one of the best parks for backpacking in the entire country.

What should I not miss?

·       Rialto Beach

·       Hoh Rainforest

·       Hurricane Ridge for sunset

·       Obstruction Point (if you’re not scared of heights)

·       Crescent Lake

Olympic is easily one of the most unique National Parks in the country, and one of the places you’re sure to experience the best of the Pacific Northwest in its rawest form.

If you’re a first time west coast traveler, you have so many amazing landscapes to look forward to. So, why not start with one of these and go from there? If you’re looking to travel soon, but have no idea where to start, check out my new consulting services outside of Patreon for new travelers looking to plan a one time trip.

Top 5 Underrated Destinations of 2020

Despite 2020’s strange circumstances when it came to travel, the magic of vanlife is that I still got to see quite a bit of the country. We passed through more than 15 states on our way from California to Kentucky, between mine and my boyfriend, Jared’s family. Even though we dealt with COVID-19 closures, restrictions, and stress, there were still quite a lot of places that truly stood out to me. I have a whole list of places I’d love to return to one day, but I’ve complied my top 5 underrated destinations for you to add to your list for future travel.

Ranch horses in the Alabama Hills

The State of Idaho

Idaho is seriously one of the most underrated places in this country. From unexpected mountain ranges to flowing waterfalls to abundant hot springs, Idaho has natural beauty around every corner. Idaho is located in the west, in between Oregon and Washington on the coast and Montana and Wyoming inland. It’s known for its potatoes but it is so much more than that!

City of Rocks, ID

Places worth seeing:

·       Sunbeam Hot Springs

·       Stanley

·       The Sawtooth Mountains

·       City of Rocks National Reserve

·       Craters of the Moon National Monument

Sawtooth Mountains, ID

Badlands National Park, SD

This is an interesting one because I actually visited the Badlands in 2019 too, but didn’t like them nearly as much as I did this time. I recently wrote a whole post on the Badlands so I don’t feel like I need to go into too much detail, but the Badlands are spectacular. They are located in western South Dakota, and are home to animals such as coyotes, pronghorns, bison, prairie dogs, big horned sheep, and more.

Places worth seeing:

·       Yellow Mounds

·       Roberts Prairie Dog Town

·       Toadstool Rock

Alabama Hills, CA

The Alabama Hills were actually the first place we chose to live during quarantine in the vans. Located just outside of Lone Pine, CA in the Eastern Sierras, the Alabama Hills are located on BLM Land, which means free camping, lots of hiking and climbing, and stunning views. The Alabama Hills are known as the “Whitney Portal—” the gateway to Mount Whitney, the Lower 48’s tallest mountain. Because of that, you’ll get both desert rock formations and mountain views when you visit this iconic spot.

Places worth seeing:

·       Mobius Arch

·       Whitney Portal (drive or hike to the Whitney trailhead, depending on the time of year. If you’re up for it, and the trail isn’t snowed over, it’s 11 miles one way to the summit!)

·       Death Valley (This famous National Park is only an hour away and worth the day trip)

Hiking the road up to Whitney Portal

Crested Butte, CO

We spent about a month in Colorado, and while I loved so much of the state, Crested Butte will always stand out to me as my favorite. Famous for being a ski town in the winter, Crested Butte is surrounded by mountains such as Gothic Peak and Crested Butte itself. This area is home to some incredible wildlife such as elk and bears, and mountains that resemble those of Glacier National Park. This is the first place I heard an elk bugle, so in the fall, make sure you keep an ear out!

Places worth seeing:

·       Gothic Peak Trail (even if you don’t make it to the top, the views are pretty incredible)

·       The town itself (the town of Crested Butte is adorable and reminded me of places like Telluride)

·       Crested Butte (this towering formation is hard to miss, and you can hike or bike to the top if that’s your thing)

Mount Hood National Forest, OR

I’d wanted to visit Mount Hood for a really long time, but I didn’t realize how incredible it would really be. This is a place to climb mountains, swim in lakes, dip your toes in an ice river, and camp with a view! Mount Hood is easily my favorite National Forest in the country, only rivaled by the Sawtooth and Wind River Wildernesses. Mount Hood is also full of waterfalls, stunning pine trees, and dog friendly trails.

Trillium Lake

Places worth seeing:

·       Trillium Lake

·       White River

·       Cooper Spur (if you feel like climbing a mountain)

·       Timberline Lodge

·       Tamanawas Falls

Tamanawas Falls

While 2020 wasn’t the adventure we thought it would be, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t plenty to be seen. How many of these places have you visited? How many are on your bucket list?