The purchase of our truck camper changed our perspective on travel. Not long after it changed our lives entirely.
Hi there! I’m Michele, I do all the documenting around here. Mark is my husband, master problem-solver, and jack of all trades. Back in 2004 we started a photography business together. Since then, we’ve been perfecting the art of seasonal work and perpetual travel.
the rigs that we’ve called home
After our first overseas vacation together, we decided we’d rather spend more time and less money exploring the Mountain West than saving up for bigger but fewer “vacations”. That decision led to the purchase of our Four Wheel Camper in 2012. A few years of part-time travel in our truck camper, plus the later addition of a 15′ homemade utility trailer, eventually led to off and on full-time travel out of 3 different trailers…a 30’ Avenger travel trailer (2014), a 17’ fiberglass Casita (2017/2018), and currently a 24’ Desert Fox Toy Hauler (2020-?) All towed behind our 2001 Ford F250.
Related post: Why we have a truck camper and travel trailer for full-time travel
Adding an airplane to the mix
In 2016 Mark’s passion for aviation led to the purchase of a Kitfox tailwheel bush plane. After four months and hundreds of hours poured in to refurbishing it, we had a plane that could fly. What Mark taught himself about all things Rotax engines and Kitfox airplanes in that time led to a job offer as a mechanic and flight instructor at a flight school in Idaho. In 2018 we left our home-base in the Colorado Rockies to begin an entirely new chapter in Idaho.
Then 2020 happened
In April & May, while the world was shut down, we contemplated the uncertain futures of our non-essential careers. Sick of waiting around to see what the rest of the year would bring, we decided to sell our house in Idaho, as well as our plane, and return to full-time RV living. Life on the road for us has always meant less stuff, less expense, and less stress. It’s always suited us well but the timing was never as right as it was in May 2020. In 30 days we sold our house & our plane, bought our current RV, and haven’t looked back since.
Six months later we bought a dreamy 35 acre parcel in Colorado where we now spend a few weeks every Spring & Fall. It’s the perfect basecamp to take a little break from the road and enjoy the many things we love about our home state.
Wintering in Baja
In 2022 we finally realized a decade-long dream to travel the length of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. The culture, food, people, landscapes, and endless camping opportunities made an impression on us. We now return every winter for 3-4 months.
Related: Check out our Beginner’s Guide to camping in Baja, Mexico.
The one constant in our ever-changing lifestyle
The one thing that remains for us that we can’t imagine ever parting with is our Four Wheel Camper. It has been at the heart of many of our most memorable travels and greatest life experiences. We purchased it back in 2012 and still believe it’s the best money we’ve ever spent.
Our tiny home on wheels and slow-paced travel style allows us to maximize our freedom while minimizing our expenses. It took a lot of trial and error to get here but we’ve arrived at a place where every day we delight in a life that we absolutely love.
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Thank you for sharing your life experiences that give the rest of us the courage to follow.
Thank you John! That’s exactly what Two Happy Campers is all about!
Thanks for taking us along on your travels! My wife and I really enjoy your site and look forward to future posts. We have great plans for our own traveling lifestyle in the near future and love to gain insight from those already doing it. Keep posting!
Thanks for reading! We’ve got many posts in the works now that we are living on the road full-time so stay tuned. Best of luck to you and your wife on all your travel plans!
Thanks for sharing. I am a single 68yr old retired social worker (Canadian). Currently I tow a little 16′ Bambi airstream—wonderful but considering selling. Love the 4 wheel popup campers. i would require Fleet (or Eagle model) to fit a Tacoma 6′ bed pickup. Tired of towing though Bambi is still wonderful–currently in California waiting for me for 4 months use next November.
I know 4WpopupCs are hard to find used. Just wondering if you have any leads as where I might look. Cannot afford new unfortunately.
cheers,
Judy
PS If you are in Vancouver BC area in summer, come see me on Sunshine Coast and I will take you crabbing in my little boat if you are so inclined…
Hi! My name is Darien and will be buying an Avenger 25RL next week (I know you sold yours but your initial impression and requirements for a travel trailer are what we also wanted), but was tired of shopping and getting short on time. I’ll be living and working in Mississippi and my wife Cyndi will be selling our home in Alabama so not really sure how long the transition will take. Anyway, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and especially like the Dalai Lama quote. So true.
Keep em’ coming.
Darien
Thanks so much for reading and congrats on the new purchase! Although it ended up not being our preferred RV choice, it’s a great trailer with an awesome floorplan. Enjoy!
[…] up staying a few days in Joshua Tree National Park and headed to Lake Havasu City, AZ where I met Mark and Michele! This was followed by a brief stay at the Grand Canyon where I saw the weather inversion and then […]
I found you guys because I was researching Casita vs. FWC. I see you’ve had both at the same time, do you still have both? If you could pick only one of the two which would it be and why? If both is the answer which would you start with? Thanks in advance for any feedback and be sure to reach out should you ever make it to the Matagorda, TX area.
We no longer have our Casita. We now have a 21′ toy hauler that we live in 3/4s of the year. The other quarter of the year we live in our FWC. If I could only keep one (and I hope I never actually have to choose) I’d go with the FWC. We’ve had ours 12 years and have never stopped feeling like it’s the best money we’ve ever spent. If you enjoy exploration and getting outside your comfort zone, go with the FWC. If you want a little more space and some more creature comforts start with the Casita.