I’ve been following along with Savannah’s journey for the past three years now. She and her partner Drew, both musicians, have been rambling down desert and dirt roads, sharing music from their travels. Savannah has headlined her own shows, but also has opened for artists such as Emmylou Harris, 10,000 Maniacs, Harpeth Rising, Ernie Halter, Field Report, and performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Find out how they found their rig, where they travel to on tour and what it’s like working and sharing a small space with your significant other.
Lisa in a Nissan Van
About a year ago, Lisa wrote a post on my blog about solo female traveling. That post resonated with a lot of women living on the road and sparked conversations about fear as a solo traveler and safety. I caught up with Lisa recently and she revealed it was her one-year van-niversary. To celebrate, we are sharing Lisa’s story of how she got inspired to convert a 2012 Nissan NV2500 and live on the road in the first place.
Bri Bol in a Scamp Trailer
When Bri Bol wrote me in an email asking for a feature, I nearly fell off my chair. I had seen her work on Instagram and was in awe of her handmade jewelry pieces. Not only do the beads carry stories, but Bri does as well. Discover how Bri and her partner live small and how she mixes art with her travels.
Travis in a Sprinter Van
Travis and I met a year ago, became fast friends and in that time, we’ve dived into some deep conversations. Travis’ story isn’t an easy one. In fact, Travis has had a rough childhood, and when Travis was 25 years old, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The reality for Travis is that not everyday is a good day, even though some might assume he’s living the dream, traveling with his dog Ayla in a Sprinter van.
Haily & Romain in a Dodge Campervan
Haily is from Connecticut. Romain is from France. Their dog, Pinto, is from Nicaragua. They all met on a tiny Caribbean island. And now they live in Canada in an even tinier place, a 1996 Dodge Campervan. Together, they offer online yoga and wellness products to travelers on a budget. Find out how they help people through their journey in a van.
Arley & Claire in a Toyota Van
Meet Arley + Claire and let's not forget Winona, their 1985 Toyota van. Before the two of them got married, Arley asked Claire to live in a van with him. That sparked a road trip that left them with a new perspective on their time together and what they want to do next. While they have prepared for this trip to come to an end, they have learned that their connection to nature is important and one they want to embrace in whatever home they live in.
Jay in a Matchbox Tiny House
With a heavy heart, we are sharing an article we published back in 2015 about Jay Austin. Jay and his girlfriend Lauren Geoghegan, both 29, quit their jobs a year ago to bike around the globe. On Sunday, July 29, they were killed in an attack in Tajikistan.
This is the story of Jay Austin, the owner and designer of a tiny house that sits at Boneyard Studios. If you are in the DC area, I'd encourage you to stop by and tour the house Jay has lived in the past three years.
Jacob, Tiffany & Two Children in an Airstream
How do you raise a family on the road? This is a question I get asked often from families curious about how it's possible. Tiffany and her husband Jacob have been traveling in their Airstream for a while, but it wasn't until recently that they moved into it full time and took their jobs on the road. I wanted to find out from them what it was like to live in a 30-foot Airstream Flying Cloud and how their children were adapting to the lifestyle.
Amanda & Matt in a Cortez Motorhome
Here's the story of how Amanda & Matt met, their unique adventure mobile and why they choose to travel even when it gets difficult to continue. A van at rest will stay at rest. But put a passionate crew of adventurers behind the wheel and get ‘er rolling down the hill, and that van—now in motion—is a force no breakdown or speed bump can stop.
Kyle & Jodie in an Airstream
One of my favorite things about these stories is the ripple effect they have on people throughout the world. Three years ago, I met Kyle through mutual friends when I was living in a camper trailer outside of Denver. We shared our love of photography and travel, and discussed how we could make it a full-time job. Now, Kyle, his partner Jodie, and their three dogs are living in a renovated 1955 Flying Cloud Airstream, and have found a way to make their passions sustainable.
Jayme & John in a Chevy Van
Jayme and John have an infectious positive energy. They can make you laugh by merely looking in your direction and want to help you in any way they can. I was fortunate to spend two months living on a farm and working alongside them. And now, they are helping me co-host the first-ever Midwest Vanlife Gathering May 18-20. As we gear up for this event, I thought it would be a great time to share their story and learn more about how they are using their knowledge from living on the road to make a difference.
Andrew Muse in a Ford Van
Andrew Muse, a professional multi-sport athlete and photographer, has been through a lot in the past three years. After a devastating car accident, Andrew lost everything, including his best friend (his dog Booter) and a truck camper that was his tiny house on wheels. He thought his life was over and wondered how he could get back everything he lost. In this story, Andrew takes us through what his life was like before the accident and how he's rebuilt it from the ground up.
Abbi & Callen in a ProMaster Van
Abbi and Callen, a husband and wife photography team, have been calling home to some of the most incredible places in the western U.S., such as Moab, Utah, and Yosemite National Park in California. I asked Abbi to share their process for building out the van, some of the hardest moments on the road and navigating a small space with a dog and another human. Get a glimpse into why they live and run their business out of their van and what's next for the two of them.
Noël Russell
Meet Noël Russell. Growing up, Noël found her community through the outdoors. Her favorite memories as a child include camping trips and traveling in their Winnebago to reservoirs and swimming holes. Now, she travels with her husband Jonnie in a van on the weekends to relive these experiences. During the week, she works full-time at a youth homeless shelter.
Peter & Shruthi in a VW Vanagon
For Peter & Shruthi, vanlife was a way to be together throughout their long-distance relationship. It was also a safe haven and a free place to stay when visiting disgruntled parents who disapproved of them being together. Little did they know that over the years the van would become a permanent home and a vessel for adventure.
Kim & Nash in a VW Bus
Katch & Ben in a Sportsmobile
Katch & Ben live a simple life in their van, a 4WD 2016 Mercedes Sprinter Sportsmobile. As full-time photographers, they travel to shoot couples and edit their photos inside their van. With so much equipment, it was important for them to choose a rig that could safely store their gear, while also giving them the comforts of a home.
Ron in a VW Vanagon
Bradley & David in a School Bus
Bradley & David met each other on a road trip and became fast friends. While they were driving through Oregon, they talked about converting a school bus. So they bought one for $6,000, and with zero mechanical or construction experience, they spent around $300 and installed flooring and added a bed frame to the interior.