Life on the Road: Minnesota and Vermont

Looking Back: Life on the Road

Settling down after years of full-time RVing has given us a new appreciation for that incredible chapter in our lives. 

While we are grateful for our home base now, there was something truly special about those days on the road—growing together as a family, experiencing adventure after adventure, and deepening our faith with every mile.

The Joy of the Journey

Have you ever seen the sticker maps of America on the side of campers?

When we first hit the road, we got one. 

Our rule was simple: you had to spend the night in a state or have a meaningful experience there to earn the sticker. 

Two of those states for us were Minnesota and Vermont—places we might have otherwise passed by but instead became part of our story. 

We spent nights there on our way to Maine, chasing fall down the East Coast, and eventually landing in Florida for the winter.

Minnesota

One of the things we loved most about RV life was the unpredictability—like the night we stayed at Rolling Forks Vineyards in Glenwood MN, thanks to our Harvest Hosts membership. It was a beautiful winery, and we treated ourselves to a delicious dinner. 

That night was unusually hot and muggy, but the owners graciously offered us electric hookups for $30. We were beyond grateful! 

Small kindnesses like that made RV life feel like home, no matter where we parked.

That stop was also memorable because I towed our (seemingly massive) fifth wheel for the first time. 

Thankfully, it was a one-lane road, so no lane-switching stress! Even now, I wouldn’t call myself a fan of towing, but I’m forever grateful Scott enjoys driving.

While staying in Wisconsin, we reconnected with friends in Minneapolis—people we had met years before in Joshua Tree. 

This lifestyle wasn’t just about places; it was about people.

Vermont

One of our overnight stops was Killington Resort, a well-known ski destination in central Vermont. 

Though we weren’t there in the winter, we got to watch mountain bikers tackle the rugged trails in one of the best lift-served mountain biking parks in the East.

The resort’s parking area had tables and a campfire, making for a peaceful evening under the stars.

If I could go back and change one thing, it would be to stay longer. The Appalachian Trail runs through this area, and I would have loved to hike it. 

And don’t even get me started on how incredible a fall gondola ride would have been! Vermont had a quiet beauty that made us feel both small and completely at peace.

A Season of Growth

Looking back, those years of full-time travel shaped us in ways we never expected. 

As a family, we visited 48 states and three Canadian territories. 

Only Iowa and Hawaii remain on our list, and we’re planning to check off Iowa this summer—maybe with a Field of Dreams movie night before visiting the site. 

Let us know if you have any suggestions!

RV life wasn’t always easy. There were long drive days, unexpected breakdowns, and plenty of moments when we wondered what in the world we were doing. But through it all, God was growing us.

Every challenge reminded us to trust Him more. Every new place revealed His creativity. Every mile drew us closer together as a family.

Holding On to the Lessons

Now that we’ve settled down, we carry those lessons with us. 

Philippians 3:20 reminds us, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

That mindset shaped how we traveled, but even more, it shapes how we live now. 

We would never be going to Africa (check out my post here) -if we didn't settle in Indiana- and meet some incredible mission minded people. 

We may not be on the road full-time anymore, but adventure doesn’t stop when you park the RV. 

The biggest adventure of all is walking with Christ—no matter where He leads.

• Do you have favorite road trip memories? Or have you considered full-time travel? We’d love to hear your stories!

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