Room to Roam is your guide to RV travel adventures off the beaten path. Learn how to turn your land into a money-making opportunity by hosting RVers seeking unique, off-grid escapes. Get tips on RV hosting, chat with fellow hosts and RVers, and discover the latest on RV life from the CurbNTurf community.
Patrick Buchanan, RV Life's Director of Partnerships. Patrick delves into Patrick's journey from an IT career to becoming a key figure in the RV community. Patrick and his wife became avid RVers after a transformative trip to the Grand Canyon, leading him to manage partnerships at RV Life and contribute to their blog and podcast. RV Life, centered on community, offers extensive resources including forums, campground reviews, trip planning tools, and a navigation app.
Highlighting the importance of community, Patrick explains how RV Life's user-driven initiatives provide vital support to RVers. Essential tools include IRV2.com for forums, RV Life Campgrounds for reviews, Trip Wizard for planning, and the RV Life Mobile App for navigation. Future developments aim to enhance mobile trip planning and introduce day trip options. Patrick concludes with a special 40% discount on RV Life Pro for convention attendees, offering access to premium features at a reduced rate. See the end of this day’s article for a VIP link to access the code.
Jim Nelson, a long-time RVer who has been on the road for over 17 years with his wife Rene and their dog Jerry, who lost a leg to cancer. Jim shares their journey from entrepreneurs in California to full-time RVers, inspired by their desire to give Jerry a fulfilling life despite his illness. They sold everything and hit the road, starting a blog documenting their travels and eventually creating the Tripawds community, a support network for amputated pets. Over time, this community has grown to 140,000 members, offering resources like discussion forums, live chat, e-books, and a nonprofit foundation providing rehab and surgery support for three-legged pets.
Jim emphasizes the importance of budgeting, debt-free, and having an emergency fund for a sustainable RV lifestyle. He also highlights the significance of finding purpose and community in RVing, which has led them to diverse work camping experiences and meaningful connections. Additionally, Jim hosts the RV Entrepreneur podcast, sharing insights and success stories from digital nomads and entrepreneurs on the road. Jim promotes his book "Income Anywhere" and offers a free shipping code for viewers, encouraging them to pursue a well-prepared and purpose-driven RV lifestyle.
https://therventrepreneur.com/
Alyssa Padgett is a veteran traveler, bestselling author, travel blogger, and film producer. Alyssa and her husband, Heath, embarked on their RV journey with a 50-state honeymoon, despite having no prior RV experience. Their initial trip was filled with challenges and learning experiences, from vehicle issues to logistical hurdles, which they financed through a small sponsorship and various freelance gigs. Alyssa produced the documentary "Hourly America" about their journey and became a travel blogger.
Alyssa and Heath have been involved in multiple business ventures, including a tech company, consulting, and selling a podcast, prioritizing decisions that support their traveling lifestyle. They have traveled in RVs in countries like New Zealand, Japan, and Europe, each with unique challenges, such as different RV types and logistical issues. Alyssa advises new RV travelers to renovate their RVs to make them feel at home for a more comfortable experience, especially when traveling with children. She has authored "A Beginner's Guide to Living in an RV" and "RVing Across America," offering practical advice and personal stories. Alyssa and Heath continue to plan international RV trips, emphasizing the importance of creating memorable experiences over accumulating material possessions.
Heath & Alyssa - https://heathandalyssa.com/
Renovate your RV - https://rvinspiration.com/
Grant and Bonnie Sinclair are experienced RV travelers and bloggers at https://wanderfilledlife.com/ Grant and Bonnie, both full-time teachers, utilize their off-time to explore the United States in their travel trailer, which they purchased in 2016. They have traveled to all the lower 48 states and visited over 300 units of the National Park Service. Their blog and recently published book, "USA RV Adventures," provide itineraries, tips, and insights for RV travelers of all experience levels. The book includes 25 detailed itineraries, complete with routes, campground recommendations, and nearby grocery store locations, designed specifically for RV travelers.
Grant and Bonnie share personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of planning and preparedness. They recount memorable trips, such as dealing with extreme heat in Redding, California, and navigating wildfire conditions near Crater Lake. They also discuss the technical aspects and challenges of maintaining a blog and authoring a book, advising aspiring bloggers and authors to focus on preparation and learning technical skills. The Sinclairs continue to inspire others through their travels, educational endeavors, and commitment to sharing valuable travel information.
Cherie Ve Ard and Chris Dunphy, veteran nomads, and full-time RVers and boaters since 2006. They share their extensive experience in mobile technology and internet connectivity for RVers. Cherie and Chris discuss their backgrounds in the tech industry and how they transitioned to a nomadic lifestyle. In 2014, they launched the Mobile Internet Resource Center (MIRC) at RVMobileInternet.com to help the RV community stay updated with the rapidly changing mobile internet options. They emphasize the importance of reliable internet connectivity for those working remotely while traveling.
They explain how they have navigated internet connectivity, starting with essential mobile internet and evolving to include technologies like LTE and Starlink. Starlink, a satellite internet service, has been a game-changer, allowing RVers to access fast internet in remote areas despite its high power consumption and cost. They also highlight the use of peplink routers, which allow users to combine multiple internet sources, providing a more reliable connection.
Cherie and Chris also talk about their personal blog, Technomadia, where they share their adventures and insights on RVing and boating. They offer detailed advice and resources through MIRC, including educational materials, a YouTube channel, and member-exclusive content. They offer a $10 discount on new MIRC memberships for RV convention attendees. See the end of this day’s article for a VIP link to access the code.
http://www.rvmobileinternet.com/
Annette Jalbert is a full-time RVer, professional counselor, and RV park entrepreneur. Annette and her husband became intentional snowbirds at a young age, inspired by her parents, who were snowbirds. They bought an RV park in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and transitioned into full-time RV living, managing the park during summers and traveling in their 40-foot Class A motorhome during winters. Annette also runs a counseling practice, "Deliberately Designed Life," helping clients achieve their dreams through deliberate planning and action.
Annette emphasizes the importance of community, clean facilities, and the unique features of their park, including a shoes-off policy to maintain cleanliness. Annette shares insights into balancing various roles and maintaining mental health, highlighting the need for support and accountability. She offers a 10% discount for RV convention listeners who stay at their park. Just mention that you heard about it on the RVConvention. Annette's story encourages viewers to pursue their dreams and take steps toward achieving a deliberately designed life. She offers an additional free nights stay by mentioning RVConvention.
https://www.deliberatelydesignedlife.com/
Jimmy and Lisa Cox from FindUsCamping.com are a full-time RV couple who share their experiences and insights through their camping and RV travel blog, YouTube channel, and social media platforms. They began their RV journey 17 years ago, gradually upgrading from a popup to a large toy hauler. Their children have grown up and now they focus on their RV community.
The couple enjoys planning and organizing campouts and events, fostering community among RVers. They started with small gatherings and now host more significant events like the "Find Us Camping Crawl." This year, they and six other RV families will embark on a 6,800-mile trip, visiting various destinations, including Yellowstone, the Black Hills, and Pigeon Forge. They will hold community campouts along the way, inviting others to join them and participate in local give-back activities, like supporting food pantries and cleaning up campgrounds.
Jimmy and Lisa emphasize the importance of building connections and supporting each other within the RV community. They have created a Facebook page, Find Us Camping Villagers, where members can share their experiences, ask for recommendations, and offer help to fellow RVers. This platform aims to strengthen the community and provide support when needed.
Additionally, Jimmy and Lisa offer product reviews and advice on RV living, sharing their honest opinions and experiences with various RV products and accessories. They invite people to approach them and engage in conversations, promoting an open and welcoming environment.
Dustin Reed, UX/UI designer and creative director for CurbNTurf. Dustin shares his journey from studying architecture and civil engineering to becoming a graphic designer, eventually leading to his role at CurbNTurf. He highlights the company's mission to connect RVers with landowners, offering unique places to stay, similar to an Airbnb model for RV spaces. The platform allows landowners to list their properties, set their own prices, and provide necessary details for RVers to book and stay.
Dustin discusses the importance of providing clear site descriptions and quality photos to attract guests. He also emphasizes the convenience and ease of use of the CurbNTurf app, which includes filters for specific needs like hookups or secluded locations. Additionally, Dustin explains the affiliate program that allows users to earn revenue by referring new hosts. Dustin concludes with the Recurring Plot podcast, which he hosts. The podcast focuses on helping property owners earn recurring income and sharing insights from various industry experts and influencers.
Dave and Jacqueline Hudson, a musical duo known as The Border Hookups. They share their journey from traditional jobs to full-time RV living and performing music on the road. The couple transitioned from their careers, with Dave having a background in music and Jacqueline managing departments in healthcare. They decided to pursue a nomadic lifestyle, inspired by their love for camping and travel.
The Border Hookups perform a mix of cover songs and original music, entertaining audiences across the U.S. They also maintain a solid social media presence, sharing their adventures and music through platforms like YouTube and Instagram. They emphasize the importance of community and connections in the RV world, hosting events and concerts at various locations.
They discuss the challenges of RV life, such as limited space and the need for proper equipment. They also highlight their involvement in the RV community, including their upcoming festival, Romp It Up, in Sonoita, Arizona. The event features live music, local artists, wine tours, and various activities, emphasizing community and charity through a toy drive.
Throughout the video, Dave and Jacqueline share insights into their lifestyle, the importance of maintaining positivity, and advice for aspiring RVers and artists. They stress the need for suitable promotional materials, quality equipment, and a willingness to connect with others. They conclude with a live performance of their song "Living the RV Life," showcasing their musical talent and passion for the RV lifestyle.
Sign up for the VIP for free to access any promotions our speakers may offer (most offers will expire on 6/30/24). Also, when you sign up for VIP, you’ll get access to all the RV Convention 2024 content for one year. You can sign up for RV Convention 2024 VIP here.
Also, feel free to follow RV Cast; most of this content will be added starting July 1, 2024. You can follow RVCast here.
Dave and Traci Stanley are host consultants for CurbNTurb, traveling full-time in their Sprinter van RV. They also host the RVCast podcast, where they primarily showcase interesting places to stay and offer insights into RV living. They are originally from the great state of Utah, where they grew up in the heart of National and State Park paradise. Sharing their passion for travel is a personal joy, and you can feel that passion as you follow their adventures.