adventure – Free Range Life

Toadstool Hoodoos Trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, in Southern Utah

By Rachel Puryear The Toadstool Hoodoos Trail at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument feels like more than just a hike – it feels more like a portal walking into an otherworldly desert. One minute, you’re in familiar desert terrain – sagebrush, wide skies, the soft crunch of dust under your feet – and the next you’re…

Valley of Fire State Park in Southern Nevada

By Rachel Puryear From the moment you start driving into this park, the landscape looks carved – bright, layered rock glowing in the sun, rock formations that seem to shift as the light changes, and wide-open desert quiet that makes your brain slow down. Our visit here immediately reminded us why people fall in love…

Whale Watching on the San Francisco Bay

By Rachel Puryear We hopped aboard The Kitty with San Francisco Whale Tours for an afternoon outing and came away with one of those rare, small-moment adventures that make exploring the outdoors feel so full of wonder. The crew – warm, informative, and clearly experienced – put everyone at ease; the boat is a comfortable…

Income Ideas for Van Lifers With Limited Internet Access

By Rachel Puryear Van life offers one a tremendous amount of freedom, and it’s known for being popular with digital nomads everywhere. But not everyone wants to work at a computer, and besides, spotty internet access is a reality in many of the remote, unspoiled places that many van lifers enjoy spending time in. However,…

The Volcanoes of Hawaii, Part 1: Haleakala National Park

By Rachel Puryear The beautiful Hawaiian islands are known for their warm tropical weather, abundant rainforests, and laid-back culture – but did you know that these islands are also home to some pretty magnificent volcanoes, too? Hawaii’s two national parks both showcase these volcanoes fantastically, and this post will cover Haleakala National Park, on the…

Choosing Travel Vehicles for Large and Tall People

By Rachel Puryear If you’re a large or tall person, you know how challenging it can be to literally try to fit into a world that isn’t always designed for those with your size gifts. RV’s, campers, and travel vehicles, though, tend to be – in a word – small spaces. Everything in camping vehicles…

Boondocking? Your Guide to Being Well-Prepared

By Rachel Puryear Bookdocking (parking and camping in a travel vehicle without hookups for power, water, and sewage) is the ultimate way to experience van/RV life – parked somewhere out off the grid in beautiful nature, self-contained, and free to move around on your own terms, and schedule. Truly living the dream! Sure, campgrounds have…

Towing and Roadside Assistance Options for Van Life

By Rachel Puryear It’s happened to all of us at some point – having your vehicle break down can put a damper on a day, or a good time. We all need a little help on the road sometimes. Luckily, there are towing and roadside assistance services out there to come to the rescue should…

Wonderful Tropical Forest Images

By Rachel Puryear In the world’s tropical regions, year-round heat and abundant rainfall makes for many lush, gorgeous tropical rainforests teeming with diverse, amazing life forms. These pictures will help showcase that natural beauty – but you’ll have to visit there yourself in order to also experience the awesome sounds, smells, and humidity of these…

Reasons to Travel While You’re Still Young

By Rachel Puryear People often dream of traveling “when they’re older,” usually because they assume they’ll need to first achieve certain milestones in life – finishing education, establishing a career, making a certain amount of money, becoming sophisticated enough, finding a partner, raising a family, and perhaps even retiring; before they can freely hit the…