Table of contents for Thirty-Nine: October/November 2023 in ROVA

I'm going to let you all in on a little secret—something that many may judge me for. Are you ready? Okay, here goes: I love fall. You're probably reading this, thinking, “Okay? So what?” But as an Australian, if your favorite season isn't summer, then people look at you as if you're a weirdo. Okay, so I'm exaggerating a bit. But regardless, the fact remains that fall is my favorite season by far. There's something magical and whimsical about the way the leaves transform, turning from a lush green to golden browns and reds, slowly floating down from their perch and coming to rest on the earth. It's mesmerising. So much so that I have a tattoo of a fall maple leaf on my upper arm. There's a lot to…

Alex and Kristal We made the bold decision to sell everything we owned and convert an ambulance into a camper so we could travel full time with our dog, Lincoln. We spent months meticulously planning and designing our new home on wheels. Now, we roam the country, exploring new places, and meeting interesting people. Our journey has taught us to embrace minimalism and live life on our own terms. We wouldn't have it any other way. Instagram, YouTube and Facebook: @emergencygetaway Megan I grew up road-tripping everywhere with my family. I drove off-road for the first time when I was six, so I fell in love with the road long ago. I knew that's what I really wanted to do, and I decided to figure the rest out along the…

Spending winter in a van will make you feel alive, with magic uncovered through every adventure. It's riveting, raw, beautiful, and empowering. As you slide the doors to greet the morning light dancing atop freshly laden snow, endless opportunities to leave the tracks of a snowboard or skis await. If winter's whisper entices you, the best thing you can do is listen. For those of you who wish to go north when most go south, I'm thrilled about the memories you'll soon make. From my own experiences, I'd like to share a bit of insight to help you out along the way. How We Started Out I didn't mean for it to happen, but with an apartment lease ending in December and a freshly converted van eager to take its…

Itraversed Route 50 (“The Loneliest Road in America”) for the first time several decades ago. As I drove through Lahontan Valley, a sign read “Welcome to Fallon, The Oasis of Nevada.” Okay, I thought, there are trees and green fields with happy cows. But why an oasis? I was soon to find out. As fate would have it, I ended up moving to the area not long after, and experiencing the beauty and endless adventure firsthand. From watersports, bird-watching, and walking Native-American petroglyph sites, to off-roading and camping, and seeking out ghost towns and wildlife refuges, it was evident that my journey had only just begun. Fallon is at the heart and center of this oasis, with the Carson River flowing through it. Here, there are RV campgrounds, a super…

As summer's warmth gives way to the crisp embrace of fall, the timing is perfect for a visit to Vermont, where you can witness the spectacular seasonal color change, and explore the best that the region has to offer. Aside from feeling like you've just stepped into a classic picture book, complete with quaint villages, red barns, and mirror-perfect lakes, you'll also discover that Vermont has plenty of activities on offer aside from the purely aesthetic. Seeking a nature escape? A gourmet adventure? R&R? Or just want to make some wholesome New England memories? Vermont has you covered, so let's go! 1. See the Trees From a New Angle Vermont's fall foliage is renowned for its breathtaking beauty. Popular routes like the Green Mountain Byway and Vermont Route 100 offer…

Put a Poster On It If you're anything like us, you love a good national park and a great poster. Your teen years were probably spent admiring the coolest indie bands or the hottest flared-jean-wearing heartthrobs plastered on your bedroom walls. Now as an adult, you get to put your posters in fancy frames and hang them up around your abode (van, RV, or—God forbid—a regular house). Combine both your loves—the great outdoors and pretty pictures—with National Park Posters. Created by photographer and graphic artist Rob Decker, these posters showcase unique, compelling designs that have an air of nostalgia about them. Not only do they look amazing, but they also feature information about each park's history, ecology, and geology. The posters are printed on high-quality, sustainably sourced paper, and make…

− As of press time, Oregon is one of only two states requiring attendants to pump gas for customers, so don't be alarmed when someone pops out of nowhere and fills your tank. (I forgot this and thought I was getting robbed. Whoops!) − As it's a popular route, sometimes permits are required to drive on the Historic Columbia River Highway. Check the state travel website before your trip to see if one is needed. − The section of roadway that's considered the Historic Columbia River Highway is the 70-mile stretch from Troutdale to The Dalles It's even a National Historic Landmark!…

The Perfect Pack Trying to find the perfect backpack can make you feel like Goldilocks slurping up porridge, waiting to find one that is just right. Skip the trials, tribulations, and fairy tales, and pick up Duluth Pack's Wanderer Pack. This go-to backpack is optimized for the outdoors, and is made of durable, rugged canvas with hand-cut leather reinforcements. Complete with a range of storage compartments (two side pockets for water bottles… need we say more?), the Wanderer Pack will take you from the sand to the slopes, the beach to the forest, and everywhere in between! duluthpack.com, $310 Hangin’ Around Who says hammocks are only for the summertime? Not us! Admire the changing leaves this fall from the comfort of Parks Project's Two-Person Hammock. Whether you snuggle up to…

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming a promising solution for our transportation needs as the world shifts to sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives. As EVs revolutionize the way we travel, the way we road trip will have to evolve, too. EVs have come a long way in recent years, with advancements in battery technology pushing more and more environmentally conscious drivers to make the shift from traditional vehicles to electric ones. Sustainability is one of the main driving forces behind making the switch to electric. While it does take more energy to manufacture an electric vehicle, EVs still produce 54 percent less carbon pollution over their lifetime when compared to their gas-guzzling counterparts. And even after it's kicked the bucket, an EV's battery can be refurbished or repurposed, saving even more…

When we think of Idaho, we think of delicious potatoes (boiled, deepfried, roasted— ROVA doesn't discriminate), and lots of mountains. After all, the Gem State is best known for its agricultural offerings and rugged peaks. But beyond the towering Rockies and the abundance of fries, Idaho is rich in natural experiences. Sure, you can opt to wander the tree-lined city of Boise and admire its Basque heritage, gawk at Shoshone Falls (known as the “Niagara of the West”), or even head straight to Yellowstone. But stay a while and you'll find that this seemingly quiet state is the perfect place for some welldeserved rest and rejuvenation. You probably wouldn't believe me if I said that Idaho's best-kept secret is its water. The state is home to a plethora of natural…

THE CRUNCH OF DRY LEAVES UNDERFOOT AND THE sound of pristine water trickling past envelope you. You stand beneath a golden cottonwood that's almost ready to drop its leaves like confetti, and pause to experience the tranquility in full. The high, cascading whistles of canyon wrens burst through the calm. A raven soars into view above you, circling the updrafts, a dark shadow against the deep blue sky. How fortunate you feel to have discovered this leafy hidden pocket in the great sea of rock that is Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.…