Table of contents for Forty-Two: April/May 2024 in ROVA

People have told me, from time to time, that I’m a little bit different. I’ve done a lot of things, gone a lot of places, made strange fashion choices and done things my own way. But the concept of being different confuses me. Different from whom? Aren’t we all unique? Think about it. Who’s the most normal person you know? For me, it’s almost impossible to name someone, because everyone I know has their own quirks. Odd obsessions, intriguing behaviors, interesting opinions and left-of-center philosophies. That’s what makes people so cool—we’re a bunch of weirdos living alongside each other. In this issue of ROVA, we celebrate doing things differently. It’s pretty easy in this community to find folks who are living an authentically individual life—it’s what we do, after all.…

Trusting the road can be an exhilarating experience. When you travel with no reservations or plans, chance happenings and opportunities emerge in the most unexpected places. But to be on the road with abandon also means the inevitable will happen: You’ll blow a tire, or run out of water or gas. Perhaps you’ll roll into town too late to find food. Or you’ll be desperate for a place to do laundry and take a shower, but there’s just no availability anywhere. When these inevitabilities happen, I call to mind the words of Fred Rogers, the creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find…

It was day four of a 10-day road trip through the Southwestern deserts and the mighty Rocky Mountains. So far on this trip, I had enjoyed the sweltering 118-degree heat of Arches National Park, tackled the steep cliffs of Canyonlands at sunset, taken a tear-jerking walk in a wash in Capitol Reef, gone on a trip on the Transcontinental Railroad at Golden Spike National Historic Site, stumbled upon 170-year-old gold mines and hot springs in backcountry Idaho, and, lastly, run through a whirlwind six-hour tour of Glacier National Park. I know, it’s a lot in four days. By the time I had set up camp in the national forest just outside the west border of Yellowstone for the night, I was feeling every minute and mile of it all. But…

Cruising through the rolling hills of the White Mountains, road-trippers will quickly discover that there is much more to Upstate Vermont than maple syrup, ski hills, and the echoes of Julie Andrews. While a trip to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Stowe makes for an excellently tasty afternoon, there’s a lot more to discover; curious travelers will find that these hills are indeed alive—and these hills have secrets. Reasons to visit Upstate Vermont are abundant. Wandering through quaint New England towns, getting lost in the charm of the region is easy. A lush and vibrant atmosphere of green accompanies you while you uncover almost endless opportunities hidden in plain sight. Whether trying local cuisine is your flavor or the mountains call to you, even the crankiest traveler will enjoy…

Certain hobbies can be hard to maintain on the road. If you’re a potter, a gardener or a vase collector, there’s only so much of your hobby that you can indulge while you’re lugging your home around atop an axle. You might not have enough space for your pottery wheel, and indoor plants won’t satisfy those with a deep-green thumb. And don’t get me started on the dangers of transporting fragile vases across rutted roads. I’m lucky. My hobby is something that I can take with me anywhere, as long as I have space for a pair of binoculars. I’m an amateur twitcher (that’s what those in the know call birdwatchers), as well as a full-time roadtripper, and I can indulge my hobby regardless of where I am in the…

The United States is full of amazing places to fish. Many anglers stick to the areas they know and love, which are usually close to home, but this can limit your fishing experiences—and there are plenty to be had. Of course, if you’re a road-tripper, you can hit spots further from home for a diversity of landscapes and fishing adventures, but it also takes a little more planning. Logistically, packing up fishing gear and taking it across the country has the potential to be tricky—but it doesn’t have to be. Options for fishing gear are almost endless, so it’s never been easier to get portable gear, take it safely with you in the RV, and explore countless areas filled with fish that you’ve never tried catching before. Let’s start by…

When nature lovers plan a road trip, national parks are almost always on the top of the list; but it’s time we start talking about the true underdog for a nature-based vacation: the state park. Featuring equally breathtaking views and recreational opportunities without the crowds, state parks really need to start earning some recognition. And on top of the natural beauty you’ll encounter, a visit to a state park usually means you’ll be driving through a charming town with an adorable main street and plenty of local restaurants to choose from. Is there a better way to get a real taste of the state you are visiting? As someone who has been on countless road trips, I can honestly say that I wish I had learned this adventure life hack…

When you’re traveling on the road, it’s impossible to ignore the majesty of the natural world that exists in the United States. As road-trippers, we’re closer to nature than a lot of folks, which means we can also see the effects that our actions have on our environment. So, let’s get a little smug about how easy it can be for RVers and road-trippers to live sustainably, and contribute to the preservation of our landscapes. 1. We Live Small The more space you have, the more stuff you collect. You can only fit so much into a van or RV before you’re packed to the gills, so the levels of consumption and waste are automatically decreased by downsizing to a home on wheels. 2. The Industry is Getting Greener With…

The northeastern corner of Washington State usually flies under the radar. In a state with such spectacular destinations as Mount Rainier National Park, the San Juan Islands, the Olympic Mountains, and on and on, you could be forgiven for turning your attention elsewhere. For those who want to enjoy a peaceful yet adventurous road trip, the fact that this part of Washington gets overlooked is great news. Despite abundant natural beauty and plenty of outdoor activities to be explored, the crowds are nowhere in sight. Where you could wait hours to simply get inside the park at Mount Rainier, you can often explore the northeast portion of Washington without seeing another soul for hours on end. Okanogan Highlands: An Introduction The Okanogan Highlands is the name given to this quiet,…

Some of my fondest memories are of camping with my family in the north Georgia mountains. Now, with a family of my own, I get to relish the experience of camping even more by watching my kids find their own sense of adventure in the outdoors. My wife, Madison, and I had our sights set on a mountain camping trip for the summer, and we didn’t take long in deciding on a destination. We had ventured to Vogel State Park a few years ago on a weekend trip and were enamored with the location. Vogel is nestled in the heart of the ChattahoocheeOconee National Forest, near the town of Blairsville, and is a true hidden gem for RV camping enthusiasts and tent campers alike. We announced the trip to our…