Life on the Road: The Good, the Bad, and the Instagrammed

Ah, camper life, RV living, van life—whatever you want to call it, it’s totally blowing up right now! Social media is packed with gorgeous sunsets, thrilling road trips, and the excitement of wandering to who-knows-where. You can almost hear the collective sighs of envy as people say, “Oh man, you’re living the dream!” or “I wish I could do that!” It definitely gives off those free-spirited vibes we all crave.

But let’s keep it real—dreaming about this lifestyle and actually living it are two totally different ballgames. Those picture-perfect Instagram posts? Just snapshots of the highlights, not the full story.

As I sit here reminiscing about the last six months my family has spent in our “ cozy “ 23-foot trailer with two kids and two huge dogs and zero doors .

Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if the sugar white sand between my toes was worth the chaos it took just to get here .

I can tell you there are things about this wild ride I wouldn’t trade for the world. There are places I’m dying to revisit, and we haven’t even left some of them yet! I’ve made unforgettable memories and connections along the way that I’ll cherish forever. But, oh boy, there are also things I can’t wait to wave goodbye to, places I’ll never set foot in again, and a whole bunch of surprises I never saw coming when we first hit the road.

People often assume, like I did, that camping is a super budget-friendly way to live. And while it can be, it can also break the bank faster than you can say “campfire s’mores.” Seriously, who knew you could pay over $120 a night just to camp out in a field while dealing with your family’s collected sewage? Dreamy, right?

Now, let’s talk about boondocking—it’s where the real fun happens! You get to soak in stunning landscapes and have unique experiences with fewer people around, all while spending little to no money. Sounds like a win, right? Well, here’s the catch: in some cases you’re also facing minimal power, lugging your own water, and having to haul your camper back and forth to dump stations. For a couple of days, it’s all good fun, but if you plan on sticking around for more than a few days, it can turn into work.

Alright, let me also just mention …Brian and I are artists—yeah, we can whip up some killer drawings and sing you a song… but seriously, we’ve never tackled anything like this before!

You should have seen us in the beginning with our one saved text message  from a friend detailing the steps to hook the trailer safely to the vehicle .

Honestly, just backing a car up on its own was an ordeal for me before.

So fast forward to today, and I’m confidently backing up not just the SUV but also a trailer like a pro! Who would’ve thought? I used to get all kinds of anxious just approaching a four-way stop in rural Nova Scotia. And now? I’m cruising down I-75 during rush hour like it’s no big deal! No sweat, no worries. It’s the little wins.

We had our fair share of breathtaking moments—some that make you grin from ear to ear and others that have you shaking your head in disbelief! Whether it’s a jaw-dropping adventure or total chaos we definitely keep life interesting!

Let’s talk about the wild, unexpected twists of life that always seem to catch us off guard when we’re making plans! You know, that everyday stuff we totally forget to consider.

Picture this: It’s the middle of the night, you’re catching some Zs, and suddenly your 200-pound fur baby decides it’s the perfect time to have a little... accident. And I’m not talking about a cute little “oops” moment. Nope! It’s like a poop explosion—everything 3 feet and lower is suddenly a crime scene. Seriously, it’s like someone turned on a faucet filled with doggy disaster while we snoozed away. What do you even do in that situation? I sobbed uncontrollably, of course!

I’ve had so many moments on this adventure where I’ve cried out loud  “What the fuck did we do this for !?”

Then there are the kids. Imagine being tucked away for the evening and the little ones start hurling from their bunks. Then one runs to the bathroom only to puke on top of not into a covered toilet . “Oops just forgot to lift the seat.” (Seriously?? Ughh )

You’re frantically searching for paper towels, only to realize you forgot to grab any. Oh, and to make matters worse, the public bathroom is closed because it’s the middle of the night! And the washer and dryers aren’t working !

Again, I cry and my husband deals with the mess … The unsung hero of our little circus. The person who navigates the wild world of all things messy and, well, a bit gross. Seriously, it’s a job that requires superhero-level skills and a strong stomach! He tackles the not-so-glamorous side of our life with a sense of humor and a whole lot of love.

Next fun story: Imagine: you’re at the border, trying to calmly explain to the border patrol that you’ve got two gigantic dogs chilling in the back of your SUV. Spoiler alert: they’re not really interested in your explanation.

Before you know it, they’re flinging open the back…And bam! Your English Mastiff bursts out like he’s auditioning for “The Sandlot,” ready to run free. Meanwhile, the border patrol is sprinting after this giant canine who clearly has other plans. For the next half hour you’re watching a full-on dog chase, and guess what? They can’t catch him, so inevitably you’re left to retrieve him yourself when he’s over that fun ! (Hey ! Did anyone get that on video??)

It was actually in that moment, as we were watching our dog outrun these guys through hundreds of parked cars that our travel plans changed… It hit me: Mexico? Yeah, that’s no longer a destination.

We will be shot.

It’s easy for me to share the messy stories, filled with fun, silliness, and a good dose of stress, that are usually just a good laugh in the end. But when it comes to those truly profound experiences, like watching a sunset with your family or seeing your kids’ eyes light up the first time they spot wild dolphins swimming by. Your youngest son getting the biggest catch of the day , or landing that fucking kick flip finally! Words just don’t seem to do these moments justice! Or even just the quiet moments taking in the waves where you realize the infinite nature of it all. It can leave you speechless . Those are the memories that stick with you and remind you just how beautiful life can be!

I could go on and on about plans constantly changing, the anxiety of not really having a destination . Not knowing where we’re headed next? Yeah, that’s a thrill ride all on its own. And there’s always that nagging thought—did we make the right choices?

But deep down, I know we totally did! When we roll into a place,  we’re like a clown car on a mission. Seriously, our family knows how to live on top of each other, and we’re a delightful mix of dysfunctional and way too cozy. The kids have been forging some amazing connections at every stop, and I hope they realize they’ve got buddies all over the map. It’s comforting to know maybe they won’t have to navigate this world alone.

Life is a wild ride, isn’t it?

But amidst all that chaos, those heart-in-your-throat moments—both the thrilling firsts and the bittersweet lasts—are what make it all worthwhile. Sure, there are times when I wish I’d had a heads-up about the curveballs life was going to throw at us. I may also deny it all being worth it depending on the next melt down. But hey, that’s just part of the adventure. it’s a journey filled with bumps and challenges that ultimately shape who we are.

So all this is to say . If you’re thinking about joining the every growing group of full time campers -this adventure is not for the faint of heart! There are moments that will push you to your limits, but you’ll discover what you’re really made of. Sometimes, it’s a humbling experience that shows you just how far you’ve still got to go.

Honestly, this trip has turned into the most beautiful disaster imaginable, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!