Where is “There”?

kiera and steve with at honeymoon lake with coffee

Honeymoon Lake, Alberta Canada - a delicious spot for morning coffee

first travel route

The Journey – Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and What’s Next (Hint: ALASKA!)

How Do You Know Where to Go?

When we set off on our initial journey, we had a general idea of our destination for the first night and our route towards the Redwoods of California, but no concrete plan beyond that. We used apps to help us find places to camp along the way. With many parks not allowing wild camping or boondocking, having backup options for campgrounds was essential.

We’re not fans of organized campgrounds; we prefer being off-grid, away from the crowds, and exploring natural wonders. On our first 13,000-mile adventure, we spent about one-third of our nights off-grid (free camping), another third in parks where boondocking was not allowed, and the remaining third visiting friends and family. We only spent four nights in hotels. Despite the lack of a detailed plan, the journey was incredible, and we’re eager to hit the road again.


Tools for Your Adventure

Whether you’re into short weekend getaways or long-range off-grid travel, there are plenty of tools to help you along the way. We started with over 20 different travel apps but eventually narrowed it down to a few that we use regularly. Here are our top picks:

These apps have been invaluable for navigation, finding places to stay, and uncovering hidden gems. However, we quickly learned the importance of being prepared for when cell service is lost. Knowing your alternatives can make all the difference.

Navigating Parks and Public Lands

Exploring National Parks in the U.S. or Crown Land in Canada requires flexibility. Whether you prefer boondocking, first-come, first-served sites, or reservations, it’s important to be adaptable. A useful tip: even if a site shows as “fully booked,” check the site tags. Sometimes reserved sites aren’t occupied yet, and a quick check-in with the host might secure you a night’s stay.

Pro Tip: Collaborate closely with your navigator to avoid unnecessary detours—like driving miles out of the way just to capture a photo of a state sign (yes, we’ve done that!).

What’s Next?

With our sights set on Alaska for 2025, we’re continually refining our planning tools and staying connected, even in the most remote areas. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our adventure!