The Road Always Wins

I own a “camper van,” but I rarely camp.

When people ask what I do with my rig, I tell them it’s a touring vehicle. I’m not out here to sit still—I’m out here to move. I only get so much time off each year, and I want every day to count. So when I’m on the road, I’m chasing new experiences, trying to pack in as much as I can.

Truth be told, I don’t love sitting around a campsite for more than a couple of days—unless there’s something fun to do nearby, I start to go a little stir crazy. If I really want to relax in nature, I’d rather do it at a cabin in the middle of nowhere just… sitting.

What Kind of Traveler Am I?

It’s not for everyone, but I love to drive. I love watching the landscape change, listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. It’s meditative. I’ve driven twelve hours straight before, stopping only for gas—and I loved every second of it.

I’m a kinetic camper.

The van is my window into the world. Almost every day I spend in it becomes a memory. Back home, the days tend to blur together. Out on the road, I can look back and remember each day clearly. It’s not always easy—but it feels meaningful. It feels alive.

Why a 144” Sprinter Van?

There are other great options—the Ford Transit and Ram Promaster come to mind—but for me, the short-wheelbase Sprinter hits the sweet spot.  I especially like how high it sits on the road. You’re almost elevated to the height of the 18-wheel truckers. The visibility is outstanding and you can see accidents before they happen.

Sure, I wish I had more space sometimes. Shuffling gear around gets old. But bigger rigs come with a cost: you lose agility. Flexibility. My 144 Sprinter fits in a normal parking spot. I can cruise into cities and park at the supermarket without stress. It’s under 20 feet long, and it’s a fairy capable 4×4 with low range. I don’t use those features every day, but they give me confidence to go farther and explore places I might otherwise avoid.

How I Travel

I like to stay on the move.

I’ll camp in the same spot two nights if it’s really good—great scenery, maybe a swimming hole—but most of the time, I’m rolling out in the morning and heading toward the next place. I’m trying to see as much as I can in the time I’ve got. That’s not the best formula for traditional camping, but it works for me.

I travel without reservations—literally and figuratively. I usually know my general direction and how long I’ve got, but that’s about it. Most mornings, I don’t even know where I’ll sleep that night. If I’m pushing late into the night, I might book an RV park. Otherwise, I just drive and follow whatever catches my eye.

I love the spontaneity of it. My work life is structured—wake up at the same time, keep a tight schedule, manage my time. I actually enjoy that life. I love my wife, I like my job. But when I’m on the road, all that drops away. I can change plans on a whim. If I meet other travelers and they ask if I’ll be around tomorrow, I just smile and say, “Maybe. We’ll see how I feel in the morning.”

But in the end, the road always calls. And The Road Always Wins.

Let’s See What’s Out There

I’m sharing adventures and my thoughts on RV and van life here in hopes they’ll inspire you to get out there too—to explore, to move, to make the most of your time off. If any of this resonates with you, you’re in the right place.