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  • All US - Free Downloads - Illinois - Travel Destinations - Weird Places

    Popeye’s Playground: The Best Things to Do in Chester, Illinois

    April 26, 2024 - By Jen

    Welcome to Chester, Illinois- home of Popeye the Sailor. Join us as explore this historic town nestled along the Mississippi River. Our guide to Things to Do in Chester, Illinois will give you a blueprint for your journey. You’ll encounter not only iconic Popeye sights, but also the history and…

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  • All US - Campground Reviews - Illinois - Travel Destinations

    The Complete World Shooting and Recreational Complex Camping Guide

    April 23, 2024 - By Jen

    We camped at one lesser known Illinois DNR campgrounds- the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, IL. Although it’s well-known in the shooting sports world, we’ve found that most people don’t know that it has a huge campground open to the public. There are over 1,000 campsites at the…

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  • All US - Illinois - Travel Destinations

    Immerse Yourself in French Colonial Life at Fort de Chartres

    April 11, 2024 - By Jen

    Let’s step back in time and explore Fort de Chartres, a French colonial fort in southern Illinois. This massive stone fort is now managed by the Illinois DNR as a state park. Featuring the oldest building in Illinois, the fort is an important part of the history of the French…

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  • All US - Illinois - Travel Destinations

    Small Town, Big History: Exploring Route 66, Atlanta, IL

    April 3, 2024 - By Jen

    Our first drive as full-timer RVers would have been at least 6 ½ hours (probably more with towing) so we decided to split the drive into two days. We found a Harvest Hosts spot at almost the exact halfway point in Atlanta, Illinois on historic Rte. 66. (Read more about…

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  • All US - Campground Reviews - Illinois - Travel Destinations

    Argyle Lake State Park: An Under the Radar Nature Retreat

    March 2, 2024 - By Jen

    Argyle Lake State Park, near Macomb, is a hidden gem of the Illinois State Park System. We took a long weekend trip in 2022 full of hiking, paddling, and visiting some cool nearby places. Our trip recap will give you all you need to know about the park and ideas…

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  • All US - Illinois - Travel Destinations

    The Best 15 Things to Do in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois

    January 31, 2024 - By Jen

    Nestled in Central Illinois, the towns of Bloomington and Normal are full of hidden gems. Blo-No is 2 hours from Chicago, and accessible by Amtrak, making it the perfect day trip destination. They are most well-known for being the home of Illinois State University, but there is so much more…

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Newer Posts 

Welcome! We’re Josh and Jen, full-time RVers exploring the country. Join us on our adventure as we share all the amazing places we visit, RV living tips, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Recent Posts

  • Route 66 in Springfield, MO: The Most Unique Stops in the Birthplace of the Mother Road
  • Route 66 Missouri: Unexpected Stops from Pacific to Eureka
  • Standing on Cold War Secrets: Visiting the Weldon Spring Site
  • A Long Weekend in Madison, WI featuring the PBS Garden Expo
  • Visiting the Wisconsin State Capitol: A Must-Do Free Attraction in Madison

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Okay friends, I finally pulled together something Okay friends, I finally pulled together something I’ve been working on for a while and I’m SO excited to share it!

I made an interactive Google map with 300+ things to do in Philadelphia (food, museums, historic sites, murals, playgrounds, concerts, parks, you name it) and I’m giving it away for free on the blog!

If you’re planning a visit to Philly, this map is such a fun tool. You can even save your own copy and customize it- color code spots, add notes, delete things you’re not interested in, etc. I use maps like this to plan our trips and figured… why not share?

The post breaks everything down and has the link to grab the map 👇
link in bio!
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#philadelphia #philly #pennsylvania #thingstodoinphilly #familytravel #travel #travellover #travelplanning #freedownload #freebie #freetraveltool #rvlife #roadtrip
We’ve learned that the Blue Ridge Parkway is so mu We’ve learned that the Blue Ridge Parkway is so much more than a pretty road you cruise through with the windows down. 

In fall 2024, we spent a week in Roanoke, Virginia, and our campground was right on the parkway- so scenic drives became part of everyday life. Some mornings we’d hop on “just for one overlook,” and other days we’d wander for miles, stopping whenever a patch of color or a peek of mountains caught our eye.

But the real magic happened when we got out of the truck.

One of our favorite surprises was the Roanoke River Overlook. We pulled over expecting a quick photo and instead found a short trail dropping down to the river. A few minutes later we were standing on the riverbank, soaking in the quiet water views and checking out the old 1906 Niagara Dam powerhouse across the river. Such a fun little slice of history tucked into the trees!

So here’s your reminder from the road:
Don’t just drive the Blue Ridge Parkway… step off and explore. 

#virginia #rvlife #travel #nationaparks #roanokeva
New trip recaps just hit the blog! 🌵 Amarillo, Te New trip recaps just hit the blog!

🌵 Amarillo, Texas
We checked out the “Grand Canyon of Texas” (aka Palo Duro Canyon), wandered the Amarillo Botanical Gardens, and obviously had to eat at the Route 66-famous Big Texan Steakhouse (yes, it’s exactly the over-the-top Texas experience you’re imagining).

🦬 Edmond, Oklahoma
We camped just outside Oklahoma City and packed SO much into the week- the OKC Memorial & Museum,  the OKC Zoo, a peek at the US Capitol Tree, and even an evening stroll through the charming nearby town of Guthrie. Plus a few more surprises we squeezed in between work days!

If you want to follow along or plan your own route through these Route 66 towns, both posts are up now 👉
link in bio!
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#travel #triprecap #adventure #roadtrip #route66 #rvlife #fulltimervlife #fulltimervers #rvliving #oklahoma #oklahomacity #okc #amarillo #amarillotx #texas
If you love hikes with a reward at the end, Nuttal If you love hikes with a reward at the end, Nuttallburg has your name all over it.

This trail literally dropped us into a piece of West Virginia history- conveyor belts, coal tipples, old foundations, and a whole abandoned mining community just hanging out in the woods like it never left.

New River Gorge keeps blowing our minds. You go in expecting a walk in the trees… and end up time-traveling.

Highly recommend adding this one to your list if you’re exploring the park!

#nationalparks #newrivergorge #newrivergorgenationalpark #hiking #abandoned
Low tide is like a secret door to a whole other wo Low tide is like a secret door to a whole other world

We made it to Yaquina Head right as the tide dropped, and suddenly the rocks were alive- sea stars, anemones, crabs, the works.

One of our favorite simple joys on the coast: no admission, no reservations, just good timing and a willingness to get your feet wet.

Tide charts are our love language at this point . Oregon, you’re magic.

#oregon #oregoncoast #pnw #pacificnorthwest #tidepools nature ocean travel adventure
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