Why We Chose Full-Time RV Life (And What Changed Everything)
- Jon & Rich
- Feb 15
- 5 min read
In 2023, we made a decision that changed the course of our lives — we traded a traditional home for a fifth wheel and an open map.
From the outside, it might have looked spontaneous. But the truth is, the decision had been building for years.
We’ve been together since 1997, building a life rooted in careers, family, and responsibility. We’re proud parents and grandparents, and for most of our adult lives we worked in the hospitality industry as hotel managers — long hours, weekends, holidays, and schedules that often left little room for anything beyond work and routine.
Travel existed, but only in short windows — vacations squeezed between responsibilities, quick trips that always seemed to end just when we were starting to relax.
Like many people, we told ourselves we would do more someday.
When we had more time.
When life slowed down.
When retirement came.
But life has a way of shifting perspective.
When Perspective Changes Everything
Over the years, we experienced significant loss — losing parents far too young. Those moments change you. They remind you that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed and that time is the one thing you can never get back.
That realization stayed with us.
It planted a quiet question in the back of our minds:
What are we waiting for?
The Unexpected Influence of COVID
Then COVID happened — and it shifted our perspective even more.
Like most people in hospitality, our world changed overnight. For a period of time, our hotels were essentially empty. Operations slowed dramatically. But despite the uncertainty, we still went to work every day.
Meanwhile, we watched what felt like the rest of the world transition to remote work.
Working from home was something completely foreign to us. In our careers, it simply wasn’t an option. Hotels don’t run themselves remotely. You’re either there — or you’re not.
There was a strange contrast during that time.
We were driving to empty buildings while others were discovering flexibility we had never even considered possible.
And somewhere during that period, something shifted internally.
We started asking different questions about life, time, and possibilities.
The Conversation That Started It All
About a year into COVID, the conversation happened.
It started as an idea — almost hypothetical.
What if we traveled?
What if we did it full-time?
What would that even look like?
Jon loved the idea immediately — the adventure, the freedom, the experiences.
But there was one thing that stopped the conversation.
Our daughter and her family lived nearby.
The thought of leaving them was incredibly difficult. Family has always been central to our lives, and the idea of putting physical distance between us didn’t feel right at the time.
So the conversation ended.
Life continued. Work continued. The idea quietly stayed in the background.
“I Think I’m Ready”
Then one day, Jon said something that changed everything.
“I think I’m ready. I’m ready to take the leap.”
It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t impulsive.
It was clarity.
In that moment, the idea stopped being theoretical and became real.
Taking the Leap
Once the decision was made, things moved quickly — and slowly at the same time.
We put the house on the market.
Then came the waiting.
Anyone who has sold a home knows that strange in-between period where life feels paused. We were still working, still living our normal routines, but mentally we had already started stepping into the next chapter.
Eventually, the house sold.
And suddenly, the dream wasn’t a dream anymore.
It was happening.
Excitement, Fear, and Everything In Between
This was one of the most exciting decisions we had ever made — and also one of the scariest.
When you leave a traditional home, you realize how many things you take for granted:
Stability
Familiar surroundings
Convenience
Space
Predictability
There’s comfort in knowing exactly how life works day to day.
Stepping away from that means stepping into uncertainty.
But we believed in ourselves — and in each other.
And we did it anyway.
People’s Reactions
When we first started telling people what we were planning, the reactions were fascinating.
Some people immediately understood.
Some didn’t get it at all.
Some assumed we were running away from something.
Others thought we were going to be on a permanent vacation.
The reality is somewhere in between.
This lifestyle isn’t about escaping life — it’s about designing it differently.
Still Working — Just Differently
One thing we’re incredibly grateful for is that we’re still working for the same companies we were with before hitting the road.
Our employers saw enough value in us to keep us employed remotely (most of the time 😄), which made this transition possible in ways we hadn’t originally imagined.
It was something we never even considered earlier in our careers.
And we don’t take that opportunity for granted.
What Changed
Everything — and nothing.
We still work. We still manage responsibilities. We still face challenges and stress.
But our environment changed.
Now our “front yard” might be mountains, deserts, forests, or coastlines. Our mornings start with fresh air instead of traffic. Our evenings often end with sunsets instead of screens.
We’ve learned to slow down.
To notice more.
To appreciate time in a way we hadn’t before.
The biggest shift wasn’t geography — it was perspective.
Growth We Didn’t Expect
This journey has changed us in ways we couldn’t have predicted.
We’ve grown individually.
We’ve grown together.
We’ve learned more about ourselves and each other than we ever expected.
When you step outside your comfort zone, something powerful happens.
You realize you’re capable of more than you thought.
Why It Matters to Us
Part of our motivation has always been bigger than just us.
We want to be an example for our grandkids, our nieces, and our nephews.
We want them to see that life doesn’t have to follow a single script.
That it’s okay to take risks.
To try something different.
To believe in yourself.
Why We Share This Journey
NomadsTrekkn was born from this life change.
We wanted to document the places, the experiences, and the lessons we’re learning along the way — not just the highlights, but the reality of what it looks like to live and work on the road.
Through our films, stories, and travel-inspired creations, our goal is simple:
To inspire others to explore life beyond the map.
Not everyone will choose RV life — and that’s not the point.
The point is realizing you have more freedom to shape your life than you might think.
The Best Decision We’ve Ever Made
This lifestyle isn’t always easy.
There are long drives, unexpected repairs, tight spaces, and moments of uncertainty.
But there’s also clarity, connection, adventure, and a deep appreciation for time.
Every mile has reinforced one thing:
We didn’t want to wait anymore.
And we’re incredibly grateful we didn’t.
The Journey Continues
We’re still learning, still growing, and still discovering what this life means to us.
And honestly — we feel like we’re just getting started.
If there’s one thing this journey has taught us, it’s this:
You’re capable of more than you think.And sometimes the biggest growth happens just outside your comfort zone.
Thanks for being here and following along with us.
— Jon & Rich
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