Welcome to our Van Life blog. The stories highlighted on this website are journals of our favorite places and our best days while traveling. In reality, we have a lot more stories we haven’t posted yet. Our blog is always adding and updating our content. Thank you for visiting our site. We hope you will enjoy our travel journal and will return routinely for travel ideas and information.
TRAVEL SLOW – STOP OFTEN
Life Flows Like a Stream
Life flows like a stream. When I walk next to a stream, it reminds me of life. I look at the moving water as an analogy with its twists, turns, and uncertainties along the way. It is amazing how streams are so different, as is our journey in life. Some streams start small and change course… Read more
Black Elk Peak Hike: Trail Guide to the Highest Point in South Dakota
Hiking the Black Elk Peak Trail is considered by many to be the best hike in Custer State Park. The 7.5-mile loop starts near Sylvan Lake and winds through the Black Forest Wilderness area. At the summit, hikers stand on a 7,242-foot granite peak—the highest point in South Dakota. Perched on top of the mountain… Read more
The Remarkable Scramble to Little Devil’s Tower
Little Devil’s Tower was one of our favorite hiking destinations when we visited Custer State Park in South Dakota. On our second day in the park, we met a local couple who strongly suggested we climb the rock tower. They were very knowledgeable about the park generally and convinced us we should add the hike… Read more
A Tranquil Morning on the Custer State Park Cathedral Trail
On a morning in September, the stone spires on the Cathedral Trail in Custer State Park stood tall and imposing. Contrasting the towering rock was a vivid blue-sky background draped with fluffy white cumulus clouds. We were on the trail at the break of day and the picturesque landscape in front of us was stunning.… Read more
The Chiricahua National Monument Jewel
When we were planning our trip to Arizona, I contacted a person who follows us on Instagram. Knowing she lives in the state, I asked her for recommendations on places to see. She ranked Chiricahua National Monument as her favorite place in the entire state, and she also encouraged us to hike the Echo Canyon… Read more
White Sands National: What to Expect, What to Do, and Why It’s Worth Visiting
When we decided to visit White Sands National Park, I wasn’t especially excited. I couldn’t quite explain why. Maybe it was the idea of spending a day surrounded by nothing but sand. That changed almost immediately when we pulled into the parking lot near the visitor center. The landscape didn’t feel like a desert in… Read more