ROVA Forty: December 2023/January 2024

If you've been following ROVA for a while, you'll know that we love things that are a little out of the ordinary. Ghost towns, campsites that you can't find on a map, cocktails inspired by the wilderness, offbeat travelers… that kind of thing. With more and more people jumping onto the road-trip wagon, it might feel like there are fewer places where you can be alone, or find something unique, or let your freak flag fly. But fear not, seekers of original adventures—there's still plenty out there to discover. In this issue of ROVA we delve a little deeper than the usual highway attractions. Anne Nagro introduces us to some giant trolls living in far-flung places; Grace Finnell-Gudwien explores America's state parks and discovers plenty of beauty to rival that…

Heavenly Sent If you haven't heard the song “Boy's a Liar,” then you've probably been living under a rock (which is honestly a plausible excuse for us nomads). But in the case that you've been online, then you no doubt know the song by heart (whether by choice or against your own will). British singer and producer PinkPantheress is behind the smash hit, and her debut album, Heaven Knows, is out now. After first gaining popularity for her short-but-sweet drum and bass tunes on TikTok in 2021, Heaven Knows sees the 22-year-old moving away from her usual formula and embracing a more polished indie sound. “Capable of Love”—complete with church-like harmonies in the background during the chorus—is best listened to when you reach a summit and look out onto the…

Boil It, Baby! Camp cooking is far from glamorous, and it sometimes feels as though normal camp stoves take a million years to even bring your water to a simmer. Bust those wait times with Jetboil's Flash Cooking System—a nifty camping stove that gets water to boiling point in a lightning-quick 100 seconds. The attached one-liter cooking cup means that your coffee, soup, or dehydrated meal will be ready in mere minutes. It's perfect for an all-day or multi-day hiking trek, or for quick and easy camp meals after a long day driving or exploring. jetboil.johnsonoutdoors.com, from $124.95 Winter Warmth for Your Ears It's easy for the cold weather to stop us from venturing outdoors. But as any RVer or van-lifer would know, some of the most epic sights are…

Meg and Mason Life on the road has been the process of distilling down everything we love into its purest and most condensed form. No longer do the dogs have toys and chew bones, instead they're entertained by long hikes and new smells. Rather than our walls being filled with art, our space is now surrounded by Mother Nature's finest work. Getting rid of our stuff was bitter, but it's made our lives so sweet. Instagram: @meg.and.mase.gomobile The Perry Family Our family of four (plus a fur pup) has been traveling across Canada in our Salem travel trailer since April 2021. We made this decision because, like many families, we wanted to spend more meaningful time together. The goal is to slow down the way we rush through life. We…

N o matter where you live in the US, you're a road trip away from a magical experience with a giant troll. Yep, you read that correctly: a giant troll. Created by artist Thomas Dambo, these incredible troll sculptures are tucked into the forest, hiding in public parks, and lurking in urban neighborhoods from Maine to Washington to Miami. They're awesomely impressive and a little bit scary, and they are certain to surprise and delight those who are lucky enough to find them. Consider Benny the Beard Fisher, who lounges along the Manistique River in rural Germfask, Michigan. At about 15 feet tall and 35 feet long, Benny uses his long beard, which spills over the riverbank, to commune with fish and learn the mystery of the water. He is,…

Just like their customers, RV manufacturers are always going further. They use newer or better materials to build their vehicles; incorporate new technologies for safety, improved performance, comfort, and entertainment; and offer more floor-plan and amenity options. You could also make the argument that the RV industry is one of the fastest when it comes to responding to customer demands. Sure, it may take a year or three for them to work out the logistics or put in the infrastructure, but when more and more people want something, the manufacturers roll it out as fast as possible. Who was the first person to ask for solar panels on their rig? No idea, but it quickly caught on, and now they're commonplace. And when you purchase a new motor home, your…