Archives

From a Parking Lot to a Mountain: A few days ago, the view from my office window was a parking lot in Ohio. Today, it’s a mountain. And honestly, that’s exactly why I built a rolling office. There isn’t anything particularly glamorous about working from a parking lot. You make some coffee, open the laptop, fire up the second …

Sometimes the Best Night Could Be at a Rest Stop in Iowa: Good morning from Iowa. Last night wasn’t spent at a campground with a lake view. There was no fire crackling outside, no mountain silhouette in the distance, and definitely no resort waiting on the other side of the door. It was a rest stop. And you know what? Sometimes the best night could be at a …

The Rolling Office: Some offices have a view of the parking lot. Mine changes every few days. Today I’m writing this from my van, parked somewhere in Ohio on my way to Colorado. Outside the window is another snapshot of America passing by. In a few days, the flat fields will give way to mountains, and my office window …

I Cooked Dinner for “Free” Using Solar Power: Well… sort of. Before anyone gets too excited and starts looking for the secret homesteading loophole where vegetables, rice, spices, and olive oil magically appear without a trip to the grocery store, let me clarify: the power I used to cook dinner was free. The food itself? Absolutely not free. …

I Baked a Cookie on My Camping Stove, and It Actually Worked: There is something about camp cooking that makes me want to try things I would never bother doing at home. Maybe it is the challenge, or maybe it is just that everything feels a little more satisfying outside. Either way, on this trip, I decided to see if I could bake a cookie on my camping stove …

Why a Heated Foot Mat Is One of the Smartest Heating Upgrades for Vanlife: When people think about staying warm in vanlife, they usually picture diesel heaters, propane systems, electric blankets, or thick sleeping bags. But one of the most efficient and underrated ways to stay comfortable is much simpler: a heated foot mat. A heated foot mat works so well because it …

Why Fire Is So Relaxing When We Camp: There is something about a campfire that changes the whole mood of a campsite. Before the fire is lit, camp can feel practical. You are setting up chairs, unpacking food, finding a headlamp, and figuring out where you put the lighter. Then the fire catches. A little smoke curls upward. The flames …

Is the Hot Dog the Lunch Version of Oatmeal?: There are certain foods that are less about the thing itself and more about what you put on top of it. Oatmeal is one of those foods. A hot dog is another. And the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that the hot dog might just be the lunch version of oatmeal. Stay with me here. Oatmeal, …