Staying Close When You’re Miles Away: Connecting with Family on the Road

📞 Staying Close When You’re Miles Away: Connecting with Family on the Road



Hey everyone! It’s Amanda & Chris from Outland Adventures, here to share a part of life on the road that can be both tricky and rewarding: keeping close with family — even when we’re far, far away.

Being full-time travelers means we’re often hundreds (or thousands) of miles from home, holidays, birthdays, and just the everyday moments we used to take for granted. But family? They matter. A lot.

Here’s how we keep those ties strong — and why it’s worth the effort.

📱 Technology Is Our Lifeline

Thanks to the magic of smartphones, video calls, and social media, we’re never really far away.

  • Weekly video chats with siblings and loved ones keep us in the loop on birthdays, big news, and sometimes just to see familiar faces.

  • We share real-time updates — photos from our latest hike, clips of campfire stories, and silly moments from inside Wildebeest.

  • Group chats keep the day-to-day jokes, memes, and random thoughts flowing, so even when miles separate us, laughter stays close.

📬 Old-School Mail Still Means the World

There’s something special about a handwritten note or postcard, especially when you’re on the road.
We love sending and receiving snail mail — it’s tangible proof that someone was thinking of you.

Plus, mailboxes become little treasure chests of memories — postcards from national parks, funny magnets, or even care packages with favorite snacks.

🎁 Celebrating From Afar (and Sometimes In Person)

Not being physically present for holidays or milestones can be hard.

So we get creative:

  • Sending care packages with local goodies or handmade crafts.

  • Hosting our own mini-celebrations on the road — like sharing birthday cake by campfire.

  • Coordinating meet-ups when our routes overlap or when family visits us at a campground.

It’s not the same as traditional family gatherings, but it’s real, and it’s ours.

🤝 Making New Family Traditions

Traveling full-time gives us the chance to start fresh traditions, whether it’s:

  • Sharing a weekly playlist inspired by places we visit

  • Sending monthly photo journals

  • Inviting family to join us virtually for campfire chats or live streams

These new rituals help bridge the distance and build connection in unexpected ways.

💖 The Upside of Distance? Appreciation

Being away makes us appreciate family moments more deeply.

When we do get to see loved ones — whether in a cozy living room or a campground picnic table — it feels like a reunion of worlds.

We’re learning that family isn’t just about proximity; it’s about the heart, effort, and intention we bring, no matter the miles.

📍Currently connecting: Somewhere between a cornfield and a campfire, scrolling through a video call with loved ones, feeling right at home.

How do you keep close to family when you’re far away?
We’d love to hear your stories, tips, or favorite ways to share love across the miles. Drop a comment or message — we’re all about building community no matter where the road takes us.

Want a guide to easy tech setups for video calls on the road? Or tips on sending care packages to and from the RV? Just say the word!

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