Outland Adventures

  Spring Campsite Essentials ⛺🌿 Tuesday, April 9 Spring camping is a little chaotic—and that’s exactly why we love it. One minute you’re soaking up sunshine in a t-shirt, and the next you’re digging out hoodies, blankets, and wondering if that cloud rolling in is “just a sprinkle” or a full-on downpour. Spring doesn’t play by the rules, especially when you’re living the RV life. But with the right setup, it can be one of the coziest, most rewarding seasons to camp. Here’s what we always keep on hand to make those unpredictable spring nights feel less like survival mode and more like a vibe. 🌙 Cozy Comes First When the sun drops, so does the temperature—fast. Even after a warm day, nights can get downright cold. We swear by: Extra blankets (the fluffier, the better) Warm hoodies and thick socks A heated blanket or electric throw (if you’ve got power) Hot water bottles for a low-tech, no-power option There’s nothing better than bundling up, listening to the quiet hum of the campgro...

  RV Winter Survival Without Hookups: How Wildebeest Stays Warm & Functional ❄️🚌 Winter RV living looks a lot different when you don’t have hookups—and even more so when your rig is a 1990 Ford E350 EMS‑converted shuttle bus . Welcome to life with Wildebeest , our off‑grid , no‑nonsense, former mobile command unit that refuses to hibernate just because the temperatures drop. This isn’t a glossy, luxury‑RV winter guide . This is the real‑life, boots‑on‑the‑ground version—what works, what doesn’t, and how we stay warm, mobile, and functional without shore power , water hookups , or holding tanks . Grab a hot drink ☕ and let’s dig in. Know Your Rig Before Winter Hits 🧭 Wildebeest has quirks—and winter doesn’t forgive ignorance. Our setup at a glance: 🚑 1990 Ford E350 Shuttle Bus (former county EMS command unit) ❌ No water hookups ❌ No black or grey tanks 🔥 Propane stove(s) ⚡ Limited electrical capacity 🚐 Built to move, not sit forever Because we don’t rely on tanks or hoo...

  ❄️ Cold-Weather Camping: Cozy Tips & Gear We Love There’s something magical about cold-weather camping — the crunch of frost under your boots, the smell of woodsmoke drifting through crisp air, and the way coffee somehow tastes better when you can see your breath. We’ve camped through snow flurries, icy rain, and those sneaky “it’s 60° at noon but 25° by sundown” kind of nights. So trust us when we say: being cozy is an art form. Here’s how we stay toasty, cheerful, and (mostly) frostbite-free when temps drop: 1. Layer Like a Pro Forget fashion — think survival-chic. Merino wool base layers , flannel shirts , and a puffy jacket are our holy trinity. Amanda swears by fleece-lined leggings , while Chris has an ongoing love affair with thermal shirts that make him look like a mountain hermit. 2. Hot Drinks, Always Cocoa, coffee, cider — if it’s warm and steamy, we’re drinking it. Our secret weapon? A heavy-duty thermos that keeps drinks hot long enough to survive an...

  🍽️ Easy Snacks & Minimal-Cook Meals on the Road We’re Amanda & Chris, full-time travelers in Wildebeest , our 1990 Ford E350 shuttle bus conversion . Not every day on the road calls for a full stovetop or Blackstone feast — sometimes, you just want something quick, satisfying, and low-effort . Over the years, we’ve discovered our go-to snacks and minimal-cook meals that keep us fueled without taking over our small space. 🥪 Sandwiches & Wraps Simple, versatile, and portable — sandwiches and wraps are a road trip staple. A few favorites: Turkey, cheese, and spinach on whole wheat Peanut butter, banana, and honey on a tortilla Hummus, cucumber, and roasted red pepper wraps Pro Tip: Keep ingredients pre-sliced in small containers so you can grab-and-go anytime. 🥗 Quick Salads A little prep goes a long way. Mix pre-washed greens, chopped veggies, canned beans or tuna, and a drizzle of olive oil or vinaigrette. Bonus: Add croutons, nuts, or cheese ...

  🍳 Cooking on the Road: Easy Meals for Your Propane Stove or Blackstone We’re Amanda & Chris, full-time travelers in Wildebeest , our 1990 Ford E350 shuttle bus conversion. One of our favorite parts of life on the road? Cooking our own meals wherever we park. Whether it’s a cozy propane stove inside the bus or a sizzling Blackstone griddle outside, good food keeps us fueled for adventures, workamping duties, and long drives. Life in a small space has taught us a few things: you don’t need fancy ingredients, and a little creativity can turn a simple meal into something memorable. 🔥 Tips & Tricks for Cooking on the Road Plan for Limited Space: With limited counter and prep area, we keep ingredients simple — chicken, ground beef, or sausage, paired with a handful of fresh or frozen veggies, can turn into multiple meals. One-Pan Wonders Are Lifesavers: Skillets and griddles mean less cleanup and more time for exploring or relaxing. We often cook protein and ve...

  🌦️ The Challenges of Camping in Every Season We’re Amanda & Chris, full-time travelers in Wildebeest, our 1990 Ford E350 shuttle bus conversion. As much as we love camping in every season, we’ve learned that each one brings its own quirks and challenges. Life on the road isn’t always picture-perfect — sometimes it’s muddy boots, sweaty nights, or frozen hoses. But those challenges? They’re part of the adventure. 🌸 Spring: Mud & Allergies Spring is beautiful, but it can also mean muddy campsites, unpredictable rain, and pollen covering everything (including our camp chairs). We’ve learned to always have tarps, good shoes, and allergy meds at the ready. ☀️ Summer: Heat & Crowds Summer is prime camping season, but it can be hot — really hot. Shade and fans become essential, and sometimes you have to get creative to beat the heat. Campgrounds are also busiest this time of year, which means more noise and less privacy. 🍂 Fall: Shorter Days & Chillier Nights ...

  🌿 The Joys of Camping in Every Season We’re Amanda & Chris, traveling full-time in Wildebeest , our 1990 Ford E350 shuttle bus conversion . One of the biggest surprises we’ve found on the road is just how different — and magical — camping feels in every season. The landscapes, the routines, even the way we connect with fellow campers all shift with the weather. Instead of chasing only “perfect” weather, we’ve learned to embrace the joys each season brings. 🌸 Spring: Fresh Starts The world feels like it’s waking up again — blooming flowers , longer days, and that perfect “not too hot, not too cold” air. Campgrounds start buzzing as travelers return, but it’s often still quiet enough to feel peaceful. Nothing beats that first campfire of the year with a chill in the air and a hoodie pulled tight. ☀️ Summer: Classic Camping Vibes Summer is what most people picture when they think of camping. Long days, swimming holes , cookouts , and kids riding bikes until the sun set...

  💀 The Nightmare Campground: A Cautionary (and Slightly Funny) Tale Hey y’all — Amanda & Chris here from Outland Adventures , coming at you with something a little different today. We just shared our dream campground , and now it’s time to explore the dark side — the kind of campground that makes you rethink everything. The one where you wake up and immediately start Googling where to go next. We’ve stayed at a few of these in our time. You know the type… 🐭 Filthy Bathrooms (If They're Even Open) Let’s start with the classic red flag: bathrooms that haven’t seen a mop since the Bush administration. Think: Muddy footprints, mystery puddles One flickering lightbulb A half-used roll of toilet paper dangling sadly from the wall Bonus points if they advertise “clean facilities” and then you walk in and immediately nope back out. 📶 Wi-Fi? You Mean... Lie-Fi? They said free Wi-Fi . What they meant was "You might get one bar if you stand near the dump...

  🛞 RV Life Isn’t Always Glamorous: The Hard Truth from the Road Hey y’all — it’s Amanda & Chris from Outland Adventures . We love the RV lifestyle. We really do. The freedom. The weird towns. The starry skies. The cornbread from strangers. But here’s the truth no Instagram filter can fix: RV life is also hard. And weird. And sometimes really gross. So today, instead of showing you another peaceful campsite or slow morning coffee, we’re talking about the parts of full-time travel that don’t make the highlight reel — because being real is part of the adventure too. 😩 1. Things Break. Constantly. Wildebeest is a tough old gal — a 1990 E350 shuttle bus that’s seen a lot of action. But still, something’s always rattling, cracking, leaking, or randomly falling off the wall. Just in the past few months: We've had noises for no reason. Our door was flapping in the wind at 50MPH. A propane regulator hissed at us like an angry raccoon. Our “new” fan quit mid-hea...

  🌤️ Lazy Days at Camp: Why Doing Nothing is Sometimes Everything Hey friends — it’s Amanda & Chris from Outland Adventures , coming to you live from the most important part of the full-time RV lifestyle: the lazy day . You know the one. The sun’s warm but not too hot. The birds are doing their thing. Your to-do list is “maybe later.” Your biggest decision is whether to make coffee now or wait 15 more minutes just because you can. Yep — we’re talking about the gloriously slow , refreshingly quiet , do-nothing-all-day-and-feel-good-about-it kind of campground day. 🪑 What a Lazy Day Looks Like for Us We’re not sightseeing. We’re not working. We’re not filming, cleaning, organizing, fixing, uploading, dumping, driving, planning, or packing. We’re just… being . Here’s how a lazy day at camp usually unfolds in the Wildebeest: ☕ Coffee outside , in chairs that squeak slightly, facing whatever view we’ve got — trees, fields, fellow campers walking their chonky golden re...

  🔥 Campfire Chef Life: Our Favorite Outdoor Cooking Tips & Recipes Hey friends, and welcome back to Outland Adventures ! If you’ve ever caught the scent of bacon at a campground and immediately turned into a cartoon character floating through the air — you get it. There’s just something about cooking outdoors that hits different. Whether it’s propane stoves, cast iron over the fire, or the magic of foil-wrapped anything, meals made outside always seem to taste better — maybe it’s the fresh air, or maybe it’s just because Chris is the cook and Amanda insists on snacks while she supervises. So today, we’re sharing how we make outdoor cooking easy, delicious, and doable — plus a couple of favorite go-to recipes that even work on the road. 🍳 Outdoor Cooking, Outland Adventures Style We keep things simple, flexible, and packable . Our current setup includes: 1 propane stove  A portable cast iron grill grate A 17 inch Blackstone (yes, it’s heavy — yes, it’s ...

  🏕️ The Campground Next Door: Shoutout to the Great Neighbors We’ve Met on the Road Hey there, fellow travelers and tent-side philosophers! It’s Amanda & Chris from Outland Adventures , and today we’re getting a little sentimental (don’t worry, we’ll blame the campfire smoke). Because while RV life is full of gorgeous views and weird roadside attractions, one of the best parts of this lifestyle is something that rarely gets the spotlight: 🫶 Really great campground neighbors. Not the kind that blast music at 2 a.m. or let their dog poop on your rug mat (you know who you are) — we’re talking about the kind, helpful, hilarious folks who make this lifestyle feel like a real community. The ones who wave in the morning, chat by the fire, and lend you a wrench before you even realize you need one. 🧰 The Guy With Every Tool Ever Made There’s always one . He rolls in, sets up camp in eight minutes flat, and somehow has a spare part for your rig stashed under his stairs. ...

🏕️ Life at Pioneer: Our Current Campground Home Hey y’all! We’re Amanda & Chris — the full-time RV couple behind Outland Adventures . We’ve been workamping here at Pioneer in beautiful Northwest Indiana for a few months now, and we figured it’s about time we give you a little tour of the place we’ve been calling home this season. Let’s take a walk through it together, shall we? 🌲 First Impressions As you pull in, you're greeted by a lovely row of pines lining the entrance — it gives the place a peaceful, tucked-away feel right from the start. Just ahead is the camp office and store , where Amanda spends her days helping guests, answering phones, handling reservations, and keeping things running smoothly. Right past the office is the gated entry — every camper gets their own unique code for secure, easy access. 🧭 Left Turn Tour If you hang a left after the gate , you'll cruise past the essentials: The dump station (not that we need it — Wildebeest has no black tank!)...

 Hey Y'all! Brand collaborations really make us feel like we're doing something right... like we've "made" it on social media .   That said we vow to only take sponsors/collabs that:  1) Make sense for us (and you). For example we recently got an offer for a milk frother, but we don't drink our coffee that way, so it didn't make sense for us. We also have limited room, so we can't say yes to just anything. 2) Are a product we have used/will use regularly. All the items we'll mention today we are currently using. We like all of them! 3) We can be honest about. Integrity above all else. We will let you know if something doesn't work, isn't as great as other products in the category, or isn't as expected in general. In no particular order: 1) Viking Bags- https://www.vikingbags.com/ collections/motorcycle- backpacks   We're working on getting a promo code for y'all! We were sent the bag to test out, in exchange for mentioning it in...