Dust, Dogs, and Dreamy Views: Our Favorite Campsite Yet
Our most recent campsite might just be the best view we’ve had in the EarthRoamer so far. We were perched high above the valley of Hood River, looking down at the Columbia River winding through light green fields dotted with trees. To our right—majestic Mt. Hood. To our left—Mt. Adams. I sat there working (yay for Starlink!) and kept thinking to myself: I get to do this? I get to work with this view? It didn’t feel real. What a dramatic contrast from the end of our first EarthRoamer trip, when I felt overwhelmed and lost in the infinite possibility of being everywhere and nowhere at once.
This campsite backed directly into a dead-end trail, tucked against a mountain biking network. Jacob—no exaggeration—hopped on his bike and onto a trail 20 feet from the rig. That kind of setup is his dream: being able to work, ride, cook, and live without driving all over town for each piece of his day. No back-and-forth. Just wake up and go.
While close access to trails was absolutely Jacob’s favorite part of this spot, my highlight might’ve been watching Nia, our pup, completely live her best life. Her step count was through the roof, her tail didn’t stop wagging, and she happily gnawed on every stick in sight. At night, she curled up in her bed and fell fast asleep. It’s the coziest kind of joy.
My one complaint about the campsite? The dust. And if I’m honest, that might end up being my biggest challenge with EarthRoaming in general. It’s not that I’m afraid of getting dirty—I’ll happily dig my hands into the soil—but it’s that dry, clingy, chalky dust that sticks to your hands, clothes, and gear. My skin’s been so dry it’s actually made me feel uncomfortable in my own body. Some exposure therapy might be in my future. Ha.
I’ve also felt a little out of whack with the sudden shift in pace. In the weeks leading up to this trip, we were in go-go-go mode—running our businesses, packing up the house, working nonstop. Now, in the EarthRoamer, I suddenly have these little pockets of free time, and I’m not quite sure what to do with them. Don’t get me wrong—my project list is still a mile long. And there’s always something to do in the EarthRoamer (laundry, dishes, adjusting things). But I’m learning that adjusting to new rhythms is going to be an ongoing process.
The entire point of this trip was to test out the rig and our packing setup. So far, we haven’t really forgotten anything. If anything, we may have overpacked—but everything fits, so no complaints. I probably won’t wear my jeans more than once or twice, but I’m definitely not leaving them at home. My goal is for the EarthRoamer to feel like whatever I want it to feel like in the moment: a rugged campsite or a luxury townhome. We’ve also figured out a few more systems this time too—how to better manage our water while showering, how to use the outdoor grill, and cooking with the induction stovetop. The only real hiccup? A big crack in the windshield from our drive up to Hood River. Oof.
Country Girl Cherry at Solstice Wood Fire Pizza
By morning three, we were ready to move on. It felt like we’d gotten what we needed out of the spot and were itching for a new adventure. We made a quick pit stop for pizza—highly recommend the Country Girl Cherry at Solstice Wood Fire Pizza—before heading to our next campsite. Except… we never quite made it.
Option #1 was too narrow, with downed trees blocking the way. Option #2 was buried in snow. Suddenly, I was hit with déjà vu from our first EarthRoamer journey—the endless campsite search, the creeping anxiety of not knowing where we’d sleep that night. That weird mix of being totally free yet totally ungrounded. Thankfully, Jacob always has a backup plan for his backup plan. (Thank God, because if it were just me, I’d probably be halfway home looking for a campground reservation with a guaranteed check-in time.) We ended our last night lakeside near Mt. Hood—peaceful, quiet, and another beautiful spot to add to the list.
Watch our YouTube video of this trip!