ROVA Forty-Nine: June/July 2025

It’s on my mind a lot these days that being too connected is making us less connected. We all know this; we are slaves to our screens of doom. We know too much about what’s going on in the world at large, and not enough about ourselves, each other and our immediate surroundings. That said, we road-trippers are racking up little wins with each mile we drive, each town we visit, each local we encounter. Life on the road is all about connection—largely to the land, but also to our fellow travelers, and to those with whom we travel. It’s a necessary part of road-tripping that we step away from our online obsessions and observe what’s around us. You can’t doomscroll when you have to keep your eyes on the…

Party All Summer Feel like reliving your college party days, or just simply want to listen to some upbeat tunes while driving in the sunshine to your new campsite? Aussie electropop band Confidence Man has just the album for you. The band’s latest LP, 3AM (La La La), is just as fun and quirky as the band members themselves. “I Can’t Lose You” is a track that will have you busting a move and bopping your head, while “Who Knows What You’ll Find?” pairs perfectly with a sunny day. confidenceman.com.au Posh Picnics Bring a touch of elegance to your outdoor dining with the Belmont Picnic Basket for four. This handwoven wicker masterpiece from Picnic Time isn’t just a pretty face—it’s built for comfort and convenience with a fully-lined canvas interior,…

Shake Off Sand Attention all road-trippers! If you’re anything like us, you love a little patio space outside your rig, but you hate finding sand and dirt in every crevice of your rig. For us, CGEAR’s sand-free RV mats are an absolute must. Thanks to each mat’s patented technology, sand, dirt and dust simply fall through, leaving you with a clean, comfy surface to relax on, and a dirt-free RV! Made with military-grade construction, these quick-drying mats stand up to the toughest conditions, offering water resistance, and UV protection. With heavy-duty corner D-rings, they stay put even on windy days, making them ideal for everything from beach trips to camping and RVing. cgear-sandfree.com, from $109.00 In My Bag Era Is it a tote? Is it a backpack? No, it’s United…

Shari and Hutch We began our dream RV road trip in September 2012 with our restored and solar-powered vintage “canned ham” camper. Within six months, this “year-long road trip” had become a traveling lifestyle! What began as a break from careers and home ownership transformed into a passion for simple living, exploring the natural world, living more sustainably, and sharing our insights to inspire others to live out their travel dreams. Web: freedominacan.com; Instagram @freedom.in.a.can Kelley and Renee We’re empty nesters who purchased an RV in 2018, soon after Kelley’s job relocated us to Atlanta, Georgia. We sold and/or donated everything and began living full-time in our fifth-wheel toy hauler. We’ve been full-time RVers for six years. We’ve camped in 20 states, and we continue our goal of camping in…

How did I live for a year with my husband out of the back of a truck in a space smaller than most guest bathrooms— with fewer amenities? How did we build our relationship to be stronger than it had ever been, instead of it being weakened by our lack of space, both literally and figuratively? How did we do this, and have the best time of our lives? Maybe not the way you might think. We compromised. We didn’t compromise. We let the bad times be fun—if not in the moment, then shortly thereafter. And we did the things that made us happy. It goes without saying, but a lot of relationships are built on compromise, and living in a small space is no exception to that rule. And…

When people think of RVs, they often picture bulky motorhomes lumbering down highways, either packed with kids on a family road trip, or carrying retirees who are following the sun. But nestled in the corner of the RV world is a more compact, nimble, and surprisingly capable cousin: the Class B RV, also known as a camper van. While these vehicles might look like your standard delivery van from the outside, taking a step inside can reveal a few surprises. These little rigs pack far more punch than meets the eye. 1. They're Actually Fully Equipped Homes Let’s start with the most obvious surprise: Class B RVs are tiny, but they’re stacked. Despite their size, most come with a bed (often convertible), a kitchenette, a seating area, and—yes—even a bathroom.…