ROVA Twenty: August/September 2020

I can't say that I'm the most positive person on the planet, but I'm a pretty upbeat kind of gal. Class clown, karaoke partner, adventure buddy—I’m always ready for the fun to start. I enjoy being happy, and I love it when people around me are, too. Don't get me wrong—I can sulk with the best of them (I have the emo-era photos to prove it); I just prefer not to. This summer has certainly challenged global levels of positivity—mine included. It’s not easy to keep things chipper when you’re not sure when you might be able to travel again, you can’t see your friends and family, and your only outdoor space is a fire escape overlooking a hospital (yes, that was weirdly specific). But I also know that there’s good…

Winner of the Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket It was the evening after a day of hiking that I found myself in a local bookstore just outside of Zion. Peeking off one of the shelves was ROVA Adventure Seventeen, and it called to me. After a brief flip through, I instinctively purchased the magazine. Later, back at the spot I deemed home for this leg of the trip, I started flipping through the magazine. Article after article, from “Black Nomads Meet” [an interview with Kadedra Holmes and Bruce Edwards Jr.] to “On the Spectrum and On the Road,” [by Karly Mareka], a community of people from all different walks of life filled the pages. There were people with different ranges of skin tones, people at various stages in their life, and people…

Get space in Wyoming Wyoming is the least-populated state in the United States, making it the perfect spot for social distancing. And with late summer throwing heat around with abandon, Fremont Canyon—with its sheer rock walls and beautiful river—provides the perfect secluded, stress-free getaway for cooling off. Camping here is primitive (score!), the place is quite remote (oh yeah!), and the landscape is unbeatable. Swim, fish and chill to your heart’s content. Handy shandy Many of you will know that we’re partial to beer, but we also realize that it’s not to everyone’s taste. A great way to build up your hops tolerance is with a shandy—a part-beer, part-soda concoction that gives you malty goodness with a sweet, fizzy kick. Mix one part beer (lager is best) with one part citrus soda (Sprite…

Electric feel There’s a reason that good things are often called “electric.” The atmosphere is electric, our chemistry is electric, the lights in our homes are electric… see, good things. When you’re off-grid, electricity can be hard to come by—unless you harness the power of the sun. Renogy’s solar products are universally loved, and the 100 Watt 12 Volt Starter Kit is perfect for the vanlifer looking to download some of the sun’s sweet juice into their vehicle. renogy.com, $199.99 A party for your feet Is there anything better than taking off your steaming shoes and socks after a long hike? You could feel that amazing fresh-feet feeling all day long with Chacos Odyssey sandals, which are part sneaker, part sandal, part river-rock buffer. Made for all genders and in a startling array…

Brittany I was paying $1300 a month to rent a room in a house with four other people, and I knew there must be another way. I fell in love with bus life after watching countless videos on YouTube, and I decided it was for me! Building out my vision for my bus, Domino, has helped me to rediscover what makes me happy. I am an Air Force veteran, and I lost so much of myself conforming to what they wanted me to be. Eleven years, two months and 23 days later, I now have the freedom to be ME, and I’ve put my all into this remodel to showcase my personality and creativity. Instagram: @whereis_brittany Chris and Christi We are artists in music and film with an insatiable thirst to create, whether we’re…

You’ve got your bikes mounted on the back of the RV; you’re all set for an adventure off the beaten track, but you’ve never really been mountain biking before. It’s pretty simple, right? Grab the bike, hit the trails, have a blast. Well, yeah, but if you prepare yourself first, the ride is going to be much sweeter (and smoother, so to speak). Get in gear You’re a beginner, which means you’re going to take a tumble at some point in your mountain-biking journey. Sorry, but that’s just how it is. So, you’ll need some protective gear; essentials include a helmet, eyewear (sunglasses or goggles) to protect your peepers from dirt and rocks, comfortable clothing (think Lycra on the bottom, cotton on the top), and knee and elbow pads if you’re looking…