Inspiration
These are the people I follow and am inspired by:
Cheap RV Living.com: Bob Wells His web site, YouTube videos, and organization of the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous have all guided and inspired me as I look to make #vanlife a reality. I was finally able to attend the RTR in 2025 and got to meet Bob in person.
Campfires & Concierges: I first met Leigh in Chicago when I was living in the area and found a local kayak club with a diverse membership. She has since relocated to Arizona then Utah but maintains her excellent travel blog that covers everything from gourmet food tours in Europe to pet friendly outdoor activities across the country. She is my go to source for gear advice for Sandy.
Thinking of a trip to Arizona? (Buy her book) While you're there pick up her book on Utah Day Trips by Theme as well.
William Least Heat-Moon: His book Blue Highways is a must read for any traveler!!
Grand Adventure - Marc Guido and Mrs. Grand Adventure chronicle their travels in a massive 5th wheel trailer. They spend about 9 months on the road each year and debut a new video "each and every Wednesday" at 9PM Eastern time. When not on the road they are camped in the Salt Lake City area getting ready for next year.
SUV RVing: Tristan has an excellent YouTube channel and several web sites devoted to his passions. SUV RVing is probably closest to how I dreamed of traveling when I was young and in line with my dad's ideal of a Chevy Suburban with most of the back seats removed for sleeping. I highly recommend his stuff. I was happy to meet Tristan at the 2025 Rubber Tramp Rendezvous
Adventure Van Man: Brian has a nice YouTube channel. I get a lot of location ideas from his videos. I met Brian while he worked as a campground host in Colorado in June 2024.
Mobile Solar Power: Great information on different power options for an RV or camper. His YouTube videos are super detailed. If you watch them you may recognize the influence on my electrical system when it's complete. I bought the Kindle version of his book.
Camping/Boondocking Resources
Love's Travel Stops/RV Stops
Truck stops generally make a good place to boondock if it is not prohibited by local ordinance. I use the Love's app on my phone to locate stops and check their amenities and gas prices. I also save 10-cents per gallon on gas except in New Jersey & Wisconsin. The app will tell you if they have RV parking.
Love's has stepped it up a notch and has started putting dedicated RV hookups at some locations. Some have a completely separate RV Park. You connect through Camplife.com and can make reservations online. I especially like that you can make a reservation any time of day unlike many campgrounds that limit reservations to times when the office is open.
Pilot/Flying J
Much like Love's the Pilot/Flying J app is a great resource to find locations and check amenities. It also lists fuel prices at each location and you can save 5-cents per gallon using the app to pay. No RV hookups yet.
KOA
I have the KOA app on my phone and use it frequently to find campgrounds. One limitation is that you generally have to get your reservation made before 4-4:30 local time on the day you plan to arrive. Many of the campgrounds are older and show their age but many have also done some renovations and have really nice facilities. The Leavenworth, Washington campground is really nice. I wouldn't count on the wi-fi if you plan on streaming video though. I generally pull out the Starlink when I'm at a KOA.
Good Sam
The Good Sam app and Membership helps locate campgrounds as well. I don't use it as often as KOA but it is still a good resource. I picked up a printed copy of the Directory when I renewed my membership over the summer.
Harvest Hosts
I haven't used them a lot but they are a good choice for bookdocking locations if you are self-sufficient. Stays are usually limited to a night but that varies and some even have partial hookups. One unique location I really want to check out is featured in Grand Adventure's Episode #381 where they camped at a Drive-In Theater in North Carolina. Click here to check them out (referral link).