Hello, fren. It's been a while. And by while we mean well over a year. A YEAR. "What the heck?! I thought we were cool. Why'd you disappear on us like that?!"

All valid questions. We decided to take some time and make some important decisions regarding the future of our travel. In truth, the road beat us up a little bit. We were exhausted. We were frustrated. We needed to figure out what we wanted without constantly being on the go.

So, with that said....

We sold Maude.

Now, before you start throwing up your hands and shouting, hear us out. Maude went to a very loving owner and is being well cared for by her new travel mom. We settled down in Austin, Texas for the year in order to map out our next steps for getting back on the road. Because that's ultimately what we've always planned on doing, getting back on the road but on our own terms, new terms that had since changed since initially starting this journey four years ago.

With that said, we've decided to tackle two separate projects, a van conversion and a bus conversion, in order to have two different spaces on the road but still retain the ability to travel together. 

Vanessa is going to be converting a 2006 Ford E450 shuttle bus into a house on wheels and I am converting a 2008 Dodge Sprinter Van. Two separate spaces that each represent our own individual style, but also two shared spaces. Vanessa's rig is going to house the bathroom and big sitting spaces (and the cats...more on that later) and my van is going to house the bed and the kitchen. 

We cannot wait to share with your these photos, these experiences, and these builds. Living in a van has been something that I have been gearing up for for a while now and it's going to be one heck of an adventure. We'll be sharing our processes for each of our builds, as well as our supplies used, and then once we get back on the road, sharing our travels again as well. It'll be an entirely new experience, but we can't wait for you to tag along with us.

Until next time...

A few weeks ago, we sat down to a Skype call with Laura Hughes, the host of the She-Explores podcast "Women On the Road". The podcast essentially covers a variety of topics every other week involving women living in the road whether in a camper, RV, travel trailer, van or other form of mobile abode. Not only was it an absolute honor to be included in their latest podcast about relationships, but it was also a blast.

We've been on the road for two years now, living an unconventional life in our small RV Maude. We document a majority of our journey through social media or our blog, however there are many aspects to our life that go unseen. In truth, we put a lot of time and attention into our relationship, working at it every single day. Living in 171-square-feet invites a whole slew of new challenges into the mix, that normally aren't there for other couples. While the stakes can sometimes be quite high for us, it just adds to the resolve we have to make it work. Life together living in an RV full-time has its difficulties, and it is not always as glamorous as other social media accounts make it seem. However, as you'll hear in the podcast, there are many different ways to assess those difficulties and journey forward through it all together.

Feel free to listen to the podcast here, and share with us any thoughts you may have. We love hearing about other full-timers and how they manage to make their relationship work under such unique circumstances.

It's been a while since we wrote and for that, we are sorry. We completely became immersed in our recent travels throughout the California coast and have some truly stunning photography to show for it. We also have some stories to share, vegan food to obsess over, and updates to our small RV Maude that we will start sharing over the next few weeks.

Thanks to our friends over at The Modern Caravan, we were officially introduced to the Mendocino area, which (sigh) we fell in love. But, we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves at this point. Let's talk about a few California RV travel destination highlights in the past month and a half...
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We met up with our friends near Yosemite National Park. We had never been throughout our travels and decided that Yosemite was something we really wanted to do. While driving through was absolutely stunning, we weren't too fond of the park itself. It was way too crowded, people were way too unkind (we're in a huge vehicle and we go the speed limit, please be kind) and not following park rules at all. We're not some brown-nosing trailheads who have to follow every park rule in order to have fun, but watching families along the riverbanks taunt and tease ducks and throw rocks and splash water at them, was not something we enjoyed. I won't get too far into the experience because I'll just get worked up, but the overall consensus: Yosemite = meeehhh but Lee Vining = YASSSS.

Lee Vining is this little town outside Yosemite with a quaint grocery offering alcohol, vegan options, firewood and basically everything we needed to live there for a week. But the best part about Lee Vining was not the grocery, or the gas stations, or the convenience of coffee shops but instead the BLM land which was free and oh-so-glorious. We had an expanse of desert at our doorstep, with mountains in the distance and Mono Lake right within eye shot. The sunsets were glorious and we could hear coyotes at night herding their pack. There was silence and solitude and scenery for days. Not to mention a $10 dump site up the road and FREE mountain spring water about 6 miles away. Here are a few photos.

After leaving the desert, we ended up going to San Juan Capistrano still caravanning with our friends along the way. From the desert to the beach in just a few hours, and we were in heaven. Not only is the Dana Point State Beach a true gem, but you can park your rig right on the water's edge ALL DAY for $15. This means that from 6am-10pm, you can park your trailer, RV, van, Westie right on the beach. We did this for about a week straight and had an absolute blast. Not to mention, Marisa finally learned how to surf! For less than $25, she rented a board and a wetsuit and took to the water, and with the help of Ellen from The Modern Caravan, they taught each other how to surf. It was a life bucket list completed. Dana Point Beach will forever have our hearts for days filled with setting suns, swimming, surfing, and sunshine.

Mendocino.....where to begin? Mendocino really took our breaths away, in more ways than one. Not only is the true beauty of the area such a stunning landscape, but it was the simplicity of it all that really stuck with us. We didn't have the best experience in Fort Bragg to say the least, so Mendocino was the warm welcome we needed to revive our spirits. We happened to pull into town during the exact two hours on a Friday in which they were having their Farmer's Market, which was perfect. We stocked up on fruits and veggies and hung out with some locals. The free boondocking was in abundance, not to mention the fact that we could pull our rig into the beach recreation area during the day and hang. The water was a bit chilly for us so no surfing or swimming happened, but we did some hiking, visited Harvest Market for some vegan goodies and had a memorable, mouthwateringly good meal at Stanford Inn. We won't go into too much detail about the vegan food we ate throughout the trip because that will be a whole other post, but for real.... get ready.

If you're ever in the Fort Bragg/Mendocino area we also highly recommend Glass Beach. Being down in the sea glass and seeing all that beauty in one place was an experience in its own.

After leaving Mendocino (regretfully), we ended up passing through Anderson Valley unexpectedly and found wineries up the wazoo. It was really fun to stop by a handful of places, enjoy the rows upon rows of vineyards being harvested, and sip on some delicious wines. Our favorite winery to visit by far was Husch Vineyards. If ever you're passing through Anderson Valley you have to stop by for a tasting. They offer 6 complimentary tastes of their wide-ranging selection, and they all came with a story. One important tip for this particular winery is to ask for Margaret. Not only will you have yourself a blast with her wit and humor, but she sure does know her stuff.

We're currently headed south at the moment, picking up a few hidden gem spots to accommodate our small RV. In truth, the next month is filled with a lot of question marks as we wander around enjoying the potential of what autumn will bring. Stay tuned for our next post on all things vegan food, where we talk about The Butcher's Son in Berkley, Stanford Inn in Mendocino and probably the best vegan sushi spot we have ever encountered in our lives in San Francisco. 

We didn't think it would be possible to get a regular house mattress into our small RV and level up the sleeping situation. Yet, we had to try. After a bout of some restless nights and terrible tossing and turning, we knew we needed something different. The RV mattress which came with Maude was a thin, very light piece of wood and maybe (?) some springs, which we layered with both a 3 inch-thick foam mattress pad and a very fluffy topper. But still, we were able to sink into the layers and find the hardness of the mattress below each and every night.

We needed something different. We needed a change. Our poor bones weren't getting enough rest and when you're on the road you totally understand and appreciate what a good night's sleep does for you. So we decided to take the plunge and replace the RV mattress. The RV mattress was connected to a few pieces of metal, which were seemingly attached to a hydraulic-type-mechanism. With just a few bolts to unhinge, we got it out with a celebratory sigh.

That's right, we said it-- new mattress. A Tuft & Needle mattress at that. Never did we think that we could rip out the RV mattress and replace it with a full-size, house-intended mattress, but guess what? We did. And the results were freaking fantastic.

We have officially slept on our Tuft & Needle mattress for over a month now and we have a few exciting things to report:

• Marisa no longer has back problems. She doesn't wake up with pains along her spine, nor does she toss and turn during the night.
• This mattress is easily a life-changer. It is thick and sturdy yet soft on the top. The firmness is what makes it such an incredible RV mattress replacement.
• It fits. Our old RV mattress was specifically designed to fit in the bunk, and we were unsure of whether or not the Tuft & Needle mattress would fit. But, it does. Even with the slide completely in, the mattress stays in place wonderfully.
• The company itself, rules. We were first told about Tuft & Needle from a few friends over at  The Modern Caravan. At the time, we heard about it and thought "wouldn't that be nice?" But we didn't think we would have enough room. We did some research before reaching out to Tuft & Needle because we value companies that are transparent in their goals and message, plus actively want to help consumers while also contributing to an eco-friendly mission. Tuft & Needle does just that.

One of the coolest aspects about our Tuft & Needle mattress was that it came in a box, perfectly packaged. We had heard about mattresses arriving in boxes from other fellow-travelers or through podcast commercials, and really admired how simple receiving a mattress could be. It wasn't until we received our Tuft & Needle mattress in this compact box that we really were impressed. 

We can't say enough good things about Tuft & Needle. Not only has it added a huge layer of comfort to our small RV, but it also provides us with consistent sleep night-after-night no matter where we pull off to doze. We are actually excited to climb into bed and rest.

For those who are interested in checking out a Tuft & Needle mattress, you can try it out for 100 nights to see if it is a good fit. Plus, any mattress that is returned after the 100-night sleep trial is then donated to local charities and non-profits across the county. HOW COOL IS THAT?! Tuft & Needle offers one fair price always which means that there are no sales pitches or gimmicks attached. Transparency at its finest.

Please note: We were not financially compensated for this post. We received a mattress for review purposes. However, the opinions are completely our own based on our personal experiences with the product. We only choose to review products and brands that we love.

US-1 is a nearly 2,400-mile long highway that stretches all the way from Maine to Florida. Along the way, it passes through all the major cities on the eastern seaboard, like New York, Boston, Miami, and so on. And major cities mean major culinary attractions:
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• Start your trip in North Carolina at Plant, one of the area’s most flavorful vegan restaurants. With a cozy, modern setting and dishes overflowing with savory, mouth-watering flavors, you won’t believe that you’re eating completely meat-free food in what looks (from the outside) to be an out of the way diner.

 

• Next, head up the coast to Vedge in Philadelphia, PA. Vedge is a high-end restaurant that serves up your typical Philly deliciousness, sans meat, of course. They’ve painstakingly reinvented classic Philly flavors using locally-sourced vegetables and a little progressive thinking. Consistently receiving top marks from foodie authorities across the country, Vedge is definitely a must-see while you’re traversing the East Coast.

 

• Your next stop is in the Big Apple, where you can get some seriously good vegan sushi. “Vegan sushi” sounds a bit odd, right? You would think sushi without fish is just…seaweed and rice, I guess. But the chefs at Beyond Sushi have managed to replace the lack of fish with an abundance of flavor and color. Check out their new location on W 37th Street for both signature dishes and new menu options.

 

• Veggie Galaxy in Cambridge, Massachusetts is your final destination on this East Coast tour. If you’re a fan of retro diners, you’ll love this place. It’s a 1950’s style diner that doesn’t take itself too seriously - a fun place to go and enjoy New England diner food that’s vegan, like a shaved seitan sandwich with baked mustard beans, or a black bean burger with mashed sweet potatoes.​​

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You can’t say “road trip” without thinking of the Pacific Coast Highway. This 1,650-mile stretch runs between the Northwestern tip of the United States all the way to the Mexican border. The PCH winds along the west coast, cuts through majestic forests, and even meanders through desert-like climate. If the sights aren’t enough to pique your interest, the food will be:
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• Start your trip in Seattle, Washington, where Plum Bistro takes the cake for flavorful comfort food without meat. Traditional American dishes like mac and cheese and buffalo burgers get a vegan reimagining, so you can still enjoy the flavors of the classic American backyard barbecue.

 

• Next, head to the city that keeps it weird, Portland, Oregon. Here, you’ll find Natural Selection (NOT the Darwinist theory), known for its twist on European-style cuisine. The nifty thing about this restaurant is that they cut out the meat substitutes and only use plants in their dishes. Since their menu is locally sourced and seasonal, it changes depending on what time of year you stop in for a bite.

 

• A little further south down the PCH, you’ll find Greens Restaurant in San Francisco, California. They’re a vegan veteran – in service since 1979. This award-winning eatery started the farm-to-table movement and is still wowing patrons with its creative menu to this day. Bring your wallet though; Greens is a high-end restaurant with high-end pricing. You’ll enjoy views of the San Francisco Bay while you dine on classic vegan dishes that influenced some of the best restaurants in the world.

 

• Finally, stop by Los Angeles and check out Crossroads Kitchen on Melrose Ave. It may be another expensive option (it’s Melrose Ave, after all), but the food will make you forget about your money woes, and all your other worries, for that matter. Crossroads Kitchen specializes in Mediterranean tapas, like artichoke oysters and “crab cakes” made solely from plant-based ingredients. ​

You may need to take a few extra roads, but US-34 is a 1,122-mile highway that will take you from suburban Chicago to Northern Colorado. Stop into a few of these locations for vegan dining with a Midwestern flair:
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• Chicago is known for its exquisite dining, and vegan food is no different. Ground Control is a fixture in the Chicago vegan scene, with everything from Buffalo Tofu Wings to southern fried food and Puerto Rican dishes. In fact, you could stay here and get a taste of vegan culture from around the country without ever having to go anywhere else. But that’s no fun, is it?

 

• Another must-see on the Chicago list (hint, hint: spend more than one day in Chicago) is Mana Food Bar in Wicker Park. Specializing in small, shareable dishes, like their infamous Mana sliders, it’s the perfect place to go with a few friends. Their dishes are inspired by everything from Greek Mediterranean cuisine, to Indian and Korean flavor profiles.

 

• You could spend your whole food trip in Chicago, but if you ever make it to Colorado, check out Leaf in Boulder. Boulder is a great place to hang out and shop, and thanks to Leaf, is now on the map as a vegan-friendly destination. Their menu features plates that are bursting with flavor, like the Jackfruit-Carnitas Enchiladas and Jamaican Jerk Tempeh.​