Outland Adventures

  Outland Adventures Blog: Life Inside Wildebeest This one’s for the “but how do you actually LIVE in there?” crowd. We’re pulling back the curtain on what day-to-day life really looks like inside Wildebeest—from cooking setups and storage Tetris to the little routines that make this lifestyle work (and the moments that absolutely don’t). Spoiler: it’s equal parts cozy and “why did we think this was a good idea?” 😅 First things first: yes, we really live here Wildebeest isn’t a weekend toy or a staged travel setup. It’s home. A 1990 Ford E350 shuttle bus conversion that’s seen more miles than most people’s family cars and somehow still manages to hold our entire life inside it. It’s tight. It’s loud when the wind hits it right. And it absolutely has opinions about how we organize things. The kitchen: minimal space, maximum strategy Cooking inside Wildebeest is less “culinary experience” and more “carefully choreographed survival routine.” We don’t have the luxury of sp...

  Waterfront Wonders Spring has officially started doing what it does best—dragging all of us straight toward the water like it has a magnetic pull. And honestly? We’re not fighting it. Medina Co. Ohio | River Styx Park This month on Outland Adventures , we’re diving into Waterfront Wonders 🌊—a little love letter to hidden lakes, winding rivers, and those quiet, almost-too-perfect spots you stumble across when you take the “wrong” turn on purpose. We’re talking about the places that don’t always show up on big travel maps. The ones where the water is so still it looks like glass in the morning, where the only soundtrack is wind through the trees and the occasional splash from something you didn’t see but definitely heard. Some spots are perfect for paddling—slow, easy kayak drifts where you’re more likely to daydream than race anywhere. Others are made for picnic blankets, thermoses of something warm, and sitting long enough to forget what time it is. And a few? Those are stric...

  The Great Roadside Snack Test Thursday, March 5 – Outland Adventures There are two types of road trip people: The ones who pack sensible snacks… And the ones who slam on the brakes when they see a neon sign shaped like a hotdog. You already know which ones we are. As full-time travelers, we pass hundreds of diners, snack shacks, gas station grills, and mysterious “World Famous” food stops. Some look questionable. Some look legendary. Some look like they haven’t changed since 1974—and that’s either a red flag or a glowing review. So we decided to put them to the test. Welcome to The Great Roadside Snack Test . 🧪 The Official (Very Scientific) Rating System Every stop gets judged on: ⭐ Flavor (obviously) 🧂 Seasoning confidence 🧼 Cleanliness vibes 💵 Price vs. portion 🚐 “Would we pull Wildebeest over again?” No mercy. No nostalgia bias. Just honest, road-weary tastebuds. 🍔 Stop #1: The Neon Burger Barn You know the place. Giant glowing cow on t...

  Hidden Gems of the Midwest Tuesday, March 3 – Outland Adventures When most people think about travel, they think beaches, mountains, or big cities with skylines that scrape the clouds. But some of our favorite places? They don’t make the brochures. They’re tucked between cornfields. Sitting quietly along two-lane highways. Blink-and-you-miss-it towns with one gas station, one diner, and one really weird statue no one can quite explain. The Midwest is full of hidden gems — and we live for finding them. The Towns You Almost Drive Past You know the kind. Population: 642. One flashing stoplight. A mural on the side of a brick building that hasn’t changed since 1978. And somehow? It ends up being the highlight of the week. These towns aren’t trying to impress anyone. They’re just… themselves. Local cafés where the pie is homemade. Antique stores packed floor to ceiling. A barber shop that still uses a striped pole out front. We’ve learned that if something makes us ...

  Odd Museums and Local History Stops That Are Actually Fun Not all museums are the kind where you shuffle quietly from one display to the next. Some surprise you, make you laugh, and even leave you wondering how you didn’t know about them before. On our travels, we’ve discovered that the quirkiest museums often end up being the most memorable—and surprisingly fun. Take the car museums we’ve stumbled upon along the way. From classic muscle cars to rare vintage models, these stops weren’t just about looking at shiny vehicles—they were mini time machines. Walking among cars that once roared down old highways, reading their backstories, and spotting unique oddities like cars with unconventional designs or quirky modifications made the experience both fun and fascinating. Even if you’re not a car fanatic, the passion and creativity behind these collections are hard not to admire. Then there’s the Fur Trappers Museum we visited. At first glance, you might think it would be dusty an...

Planning the Perfect Travel Day A smooth travel day doesn’t happen by accident. Over time, we’ve learned that a little planning makes a huge difference—not just in getting from point A to point B, but in actually enjoying the journey. Here’s how we plan our travel days to keep them as stress-free as possible. 1. Start with the Route (But Stay Flexible) The first step is mapping out the general route. We look at: Distance and estimated driving time Road conditions and major construction areas Weather along the route We try to avoid pushing too far in one day. Shorter drives mean we arrive with enough energy to settle in, cook, and relax instead of collapsing into bed. Of course, flexibility is key. Detours sometimes lead to the best unexpected discoveries— quirky roadside stops and small towns are kind of our thing, after all. 2. Plan Fuel and Stretch Stops Driving for hours straight isn’t fun or safe, so we plan stops ahead of time. We look for: Gas stations wit...

  Small Towns We Didn’t Expect to Love When you travel full-time, you learn something quickly: the places you circle on the map aren’t always the ones that steal your heart. Sometimes it’s not the big-name destinations or the “Top 10” travel lists that stick with you. It’s the towns you pulled into for gas. The places you planned to stay one night. The spots you almost skipped. Today we’re sharing a few kinds of small towns that completely surprised us — and why slowing down in places like these can turn a simple stop into a core memory . The “We Just Needed Groceries” Town You know the one. You’re low on snacks. The propane situation is questionable. The GPS says it’s the closest stop. You pull in expecting a basic strip mall and leave three hours later because: There’s a locally owned diner with pie that tastes like someone’s grandma made it. The hardware store still has creaky wood floors. The cashier calls you “hon” and means it. There’s a tiny mural tucke...

  A Day in the Life of Workampers Ever wondered what daily life looks like when you live and work on the road? Being a workamper means your office might be a campground, a park, or a roadside attraction—and your coworkers could be squirrels, campers, or a very friendly dog. Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes of a typical day on the road, from morning routines to evening adventures. Morning: Check-Outs, Coffee, and Sunrise Views Our days usually start early, with a cup of coffee brewed in our trusty RV kitchen. While I review our itinerary and handle camper check-outs, Chris is busy with maintenance tasks around the campground. Early mornings are quieter, making it the perfect time to tackle projects that keep the park running smoothly. And of course, there’s always time to pause and enjoy a new sunrise—it’s a perk no office can compete with! Mid-Morning to Afternoon: Maintenance and Daily Tasks Most of Chris’s time in the mornings and early afternoons is spent on hands...