My Top Spots Right Now:
Zion National Park, UT
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Zion National Park, UT
Zion National Park never misses. It truly is one of the best travel spots for hotels and for camping. If you're up for a desert trip, I'g highly recommend Zion! No matter the season, you can have a memorable experience in Zion National Park! Check out the Narrows, or try your hand at the Angel's Landing lottery.
San Francisco, CA
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Zion National Park, UT
San Francisco is a beautiful city that you'll never get bored of. If you want to go on a spontaneous trip, but don't know where, you found your spot. San Francisco has all sorts of iconic activities, and I promise you'll make amazing memories!
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
If you're into ocean activities, this one's for you! Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica is an great location for surfing, beautiful water, snorkeling, fishing, and everything in between! The town also boasts amazing culture and the 'pura vida' vibes that will bring you down to earth.
how to travel cheap - the rundown.
Affordable LODGING
Flight Hacks & Rental Car Deals
Flight Hacks & Rental Car Deals
Lodging is arguably the most important thing when it comes to traveling affordably. Hotels & lodging can be insanely overpriced.
My ideal price range is $40-80 a night. I'm able to achieve this in most places through VRBO, camping, hotel deals, and more.
Keeping it under $100 a night will knock a ton of money off your expenses.
Flight Hacks & Rental Car Deals
Flight Hacks & Rental Car Deals
Flight Hacks & Rental Car Deals
Everyone has heard of ways to find cheaper flights, and it's such a good thing to keep in mind. Flexibility with your days, looking at all different airlines & companies, checking Expedia, and using different airports and transportation methods can all save you big bucks!
If you can master the cheap-flight game, you're winning.
Savings & Budgeting
Flight Hacks & Rental Car Deals
Savings & Budgeting
When I've traveled in the past, it's been completely off of savings and budgeting. I lived off of $3500-4000 for 7 months, which took a lot of budget planning. Making sure to keep expenses low and keeping track of your savings is huge!
Finding jobs that can make you money while you're traveling can also be lifesavers too!
Our Tent-Camping Trip to Wyoming
Driving Between Spots & Setting Up Camp
There is something so amazing about throwing your life-necessities into the truck and running off. We moved spots every single night while on this 8-day trip. This way, we were taking down & putting up the tent every day. This seems obnoxious, but it's actually one of the best parts. You're setting up your little home for the night & you're sleeping with the Earth. It's amazing.
Dispersed Camping
It's very freeing to sleep in nature for free. If campground are your thing, that's perfectly fine. My thing is finding a spot in the woods to sleep. You shouldn't have to pay to experience your planet. If you look on apps like "iOverlander", you'll be able to see places that people recommend for free camping!
Throwing the Tent in the Truck & Running to the Mountains
After picking up camp in the morning, you can just move to wherever your heart takes you! This is so exciting and freeing. You don't have anything in your way of sleeping and going wherever you want on any given day. How exciting! This is why adventure vehicles are so amazing. We just packed up Daniel's truck and impulsively headed to the Tetons because we got bored one day. How lucky were we to end up with this campsite that night? Last minute decisions are awesome, and having the option to make them is a gift.
Adventure Topics From My Blog
Buying or Owning Vehicles that are Suited for Adventure
Buying or Owning Vehicles that are Suited for Adventure
Buying or Owning Vehicles that are Suited for Adventure
If you're big on adventure, I believe your vehicles should be too. I have a couple different posts on adventure vehicles including 'Making Your Vehicle Equipped for Camping & Why' & 'Reasons to Own an Off-road Vehicle.' Both can be found in my Travel section of my blog.
Surfing
Buying or Owning Vehicles that are Suited for Adventure
Buying or Owning Vehicles that are Suited for Adventure
Surfing is one of the most amazing things that's I've learned how to do, and it's a common theme that I post about. If you're interested in giving surfing a go, I have plenty of tips for getting started!
The Magic of Trying Things that Scare You
Buying or Owning Vehicles that are Suited for Adventure
The Magic of Trying Things that Scare You
Leaving your comfort zone is where you're able to find your true self. That's why I'm a firm believer in doing everything that scares the sh!t out of you. I have posts on choosing to do things that make you uncomfortable and why!
Adrenaline-Boosting Activities
Adrenaline-Boosting Activities
The Magic of Trying Things that Scare You
Adrenaline is an awesome feeling. In this section of my blog, I'll give you ideas of exciting things to do and how!
Day or Weekend Trips
Adrenaline-Boosting Activities
Hiking & Alpine Lake Swimming
Traveling doesn't have to be extraordinary. It can just be for a couple days, and it can be close to your home. You can find posts on little ways to adventure in the Places section of my blog!
Hiking & Alpine Lake Swimming
Adrenaline-Boosting Activities
Hiking & Alpine Lake Swimming
Growing up in the mountains of Colorado, I've grown to love hiking to lakes and jumping in. I'll mention that a lot in my adventure blogs.
The Great White Van
This is our little van, we chose it because it's small and stealthy. It is a 1994 Ford E-150 van. We painted it like a great white shark & named it the great white. We've taken it on many adventures across the United States including the California and Oregon coastlines, the Mighty 5 Utah National Parks, through Idaho and Wyoming, all over Colorado, and through the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree National Parks. We also have lots of new trips in the books, so keep an eye out!
Inside the Great White (Our Build)
These are a couple pictures of the inside of our van. I have a blog post talking about everything there is to know about our build, but here's a quick snapshot. We have a bed in the back, a cozy bench, a nightstand, a table for our fridge, and a shelf cabinet to hold all our kitchen stuff and food.
Here's a better look at our kitchen/food cabinet!
Van-life State of 2025: ~•UTAH•~
Exploring the Beauty of Southern Utah
Southern Utah is absolutely charming, from its colorful cliffs to its abundant wildlife. Camping and exploring in Southern Utah is a one-of-a-kind experience. I recommend checking out this area of the United States by dispersed camping. Being one with the landscape fits so well in the atmosphere of the red desert.
Finding Peace in the Canyon of Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks
Zion National Park is astonishing. You will find a piece of yourself that you didn't know was missing. There are countless hikes and adventures to go on in Zion, and I know you'll have the best time. The same goes for Bryce Canyon. You'll be in awe of the insane landscape that is Bryce. The orange hoodoos and the beautiful pathways make for an adventure.
Discovering the Hidden Gems of the Desert
Besides National Parks and popular locations, there are lots of hidden gems waiting for you. They wouldn't be hidden gems if they were all over the internet, but I promise you they're out there. There are hot springs, waterfalls, caves, and so much more that you can find. Google Maps is your best friend. Create yourself an adventure & go treasure hunting for beautiful views!
Adventures in Moab
Moab is a very popular destination in Utah, and for good reason. It is a hub for all sorts of adventure. You can off-road, bike ride, check out national parks, hike, go rafting, go skydiving, go base jumping, and so much more.
Exploring the Beauty of Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City has a lot of little gems. Antelope Island is one of them. Here you'll have a beautiful view of the mountains behind the Great Salt Lake, and will have a chance at seeing beautiful wildlife. The mountains that sit behind Salt Lake City are breathtaking, and you have to check them out!
Some of Our Favorite Vanlife Photos
