Category: Vanlife

Endless Adventure Opportunities in Hood River, Oregon

Zachary Kenney0 Comments

I first visited Hood River 4 years ago on a road trip through Oregon with our friends during the summer of 2020, and it was such an eye opening experience. I had never seen anything like it. Hood River wasn’t a beach town, it wasn’t a mountain town, it wasn’t a populated city center, it was somewhere mixed in between all of them. A place that wind sport lovers flock to in droves during the warmer months of the calendar. Better still, on the outskirts of town, Hood River has that perfect Pacific Northwest mountain biking scene and volcano skiing. …

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Surviving a Heatwave in Mount Shasta, California

Zachary Kenney0 Comments

It’s easy to change a weekend plan to avoid rain, cold temperatures, or whatever the reason. It’s slightly more difficult when you plan a month of travel on the road, and an abnormal heat wave blankets Northern California for two weeks during our trip. During the peaking temperatures, rising over 110 degrees, we found ourselves in the town of Mount Shasta with plans to camp that were quickly dashed and required immediate change of plans. Needless to say, working inside of a van that felt like an oven was a recipe for disaster, but we made the most of it …

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Long-Term Travel and Mental Health // #VanLife

Zachary Kenney0 Comments

I wanted to start off by saying that I won’t be the person that chimes in with, “Well… you need to spend at least double the time than you’re planning to visit in order to really make it worth it. A weekend (or week) just isn’t enough.” And though that may be true, it’s just not the reality for so many of us. Before traveling in the van, my wife and I were restricted, like most, to weekend trips and the week of vacation a year to somewhere new.  We never had the luxury of traveling for weeks or months …

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Winter Vanlife Adventures in Sedona, Vegas, and the Grand Canyon

Zachary Kenney0 Comments

After spending January and February on the road, traveling through the Southeast, we were back home in a excessively snowy Utah. It just so happened that as soon as we returned, the winter machine turned on and up full blast, which turned into a foot of snow every few days. Needless to say, after two weeks of it, we were anxious to get back on the road to chase some desert sun. That meant we were loading up the van again, and pointing it south, down I-15, with our eyes set on the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. With almost …

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Redwood National Park Road Trip // Largest Trees in the World

Zachary Kenney0 Comments

Even if you’ve been surrounded by forest your entire life, whether it’s Red Maples of New England, the Douglas Firs of the Pacific Northwest, the Hemlocks of Pennsylvania, nothing will prepare you for the colossal coniferous trees of the Redwood National Park. And when I say tall, I don’t just mean a few stories tall, I mean the tallest trees on earth are located along this stretch of California coastline, and accessible to nearly everyone. Trees, that defy the imagination of how large an organism can grow to be. Width at the the base larger than a swimming pool. Trunks …

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Best Vehicle for Road Life & Camping? Van, RV, Camper, Trailer, Truck Shell, or Tent

Zachary Kenney0 Comments

I wanted to share my comprehensive summary on which vehicle is best (for you) to hit the road in for long term living or just weekend getaways. In order to save you from going down the endless rabbit hole that I’ve been on for the past two, probably more like 5, years. I’ve compiled my countless spreadsheets, notes, and blog posts to show you which vehicle will work best for the various situations, budgets, time, etc. Of course, there is no one solution that works for everyone. Some people need size for a family, others need off-road capability, all while …

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Driving Across the Country in a Single Weekend | 2,300 Miles and 32 Hours behind the Wheel

Zachary Kenney0 Comments

Having driven across the country in a single weekend, not once, but twice in year, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. Having said that, I don’t think there is a better way to get from one side of this country to the other. Contradictory, I know, but it’s one of those necessary evils that accompany the decisions any van dwelling person has to make. That decision is a simple one, how would you like to spend your time? Most of us would answer with the obvious response, “Doing the things you love to do in places that you want to …

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Unforgettable Week in Bend, Oregon: Mountain Biking, River Adventures, and Dog-Friendly Breweries

Zachary Kenney0 Comments

Every year, we visit Bend, Oregon, captivated by its outdoor activities and dog-friendly culture. Despite the town’s growth and rising house prices, our love remains unchanged as we follow the same routine: camping, mountain biking, floating the river, and exploring breweries. Bend’s charm and our memorable experiences ensure we’ll return.

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First Experience in the Extraordinary Grand Canyon National Park

Zachary Kenney0 Comments

I’ve been to a lot of National Parks since moving out west to Utah, from the desert red rocks in Arches up to turquoise glacial lakes of Banff. Every single National Park is beautiful in its own way, of course, some more stunning than others. Beyond the national parks, there are so many incredible mountains and canyons through the American West that aren’t protected by the National Park System, and that has sort of taken the excitement and “wow-factor” away from visiting new national parks. Well, our stop at the Grand Canyon was happenstance on our way home from 2 …

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Week Trip to Savannah, Georgia to Ring in the New Year | VanLife

Zachary Kenney0 Comments

Returning to a place you’ve already visited might seem like a waste of time if your superficial goal is to see as many places as possible. Admittedly, as I get older, I’m enjoying returning to places I’ve only briefly visited before on a weekend trip, and trading that in for a longer stay to really experience a place. So when Courtney’s family picked Savannah to celebrate her father’s 70th birthday, I couldn’t have been more excited to get back to that charming, little southern city. Over that week, we did a lot of walking, a lot of working, a bunch of celebrating, …

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