Hi, we’re Vern and Kati — we’re 52 and 51, and you might be wondering how we ended up living in an RV – and why we do. Well, here’s our story. And while you’re here, we’d also love to know more about you. Be sure you’re following us on social media so we can connect and share stories together.
Where It All Began
Back in 1999, we were living in Orlando, Florida. At that time, we had three kids ages 2, 4, and 6, and another baby on the way. One day, we took the kids to the Florida State Fair, and while walking around, we stumbled upon an RV dealer’s display. Neither of us had ever stepped inside an RV before, so we decided to peek in.
The kids were instantly exploring every corner, and as we sat there, Kati began to imagine what life would look like living and traveling in an RV. Now keep in mind – this was long before Starlink, smartphones, and remote work. Vern humored her, saying, “Well, maybe one day.”
But for Kati, that “one day” became an obsession. Even the kids would groan every time they passed an RV on the highway because Kati would light up, excitedly dreaming about what RV life could be. Around the same time, we started homeschooling our kids – which wasn’t very popular then – and we began wondering if we could combine travel, family, and a lifestyle where Vern wasn’t stuck working the 9–5 every day.
Our First Adventure
Fast forward to 2004. By then we had moved to Texas, and it was HOT. Kati convinced Vern that it would be fun to buy an old pop-up camper, fix it up, and take the kids on a summer camping trip. She packed up the kids and started the adventure in Galveston – and somehow ended up in Seattle.
What was supposed to be a one-month trip turned into five months. They slept in campgrounds and Walmart parking lots, and every day was a new adventure. The only problem? We were missing Vern.
One of the most romantic things Vern has ever done was during this trip – he flew out to Seattle for a visit, bringing a gift with him. It was a wooden sign popular with RVers that read: “Home is Where You Park It” and it had all our names (and even the dogs’ names). He told Kati that he could see how much she wanted to try RV life and that when they got home, they’d figure out a way to make it happen. He didn’t give her a timeline, but he gave her a “yes.” That was all Kati needed.
A month later, Kati and the kids returned home.
Taking the Leap
Just a few weeks later, Vern went on a business trip. During those weeks, we had been dreaming together, planning what RV life could look like, and wondering how we could make it work financially. At the time, unless you were in a carnival, a seasonal worker, or retired, it wasn’t easy to live and work on the road.
But Vern came home to a surprise – the house was nearly empty. The neighbor was carrying out the TV, the couch had been replaced by lawn chairs, and Kati told him she had let the landlord know they were moving in a month. The game was on.
Now let’s pause here to appreciate Vern, who somehow didn’t lose his mind over this. Instead, it gave us three weeks to find an RV and a truck. With little savings, we decided to keep it simple – buy something affordable, give it a year, and see if RV life was truly for us.
Spoiler alert: it was.
We ended up traveling for almost nine years as a family of six, along with three dogs, lizards, hamsters, and countless little pets. Over time, technology made working from the road easier. Smartphones became common, satellite internet got smaller, and the dream kept growing.
A Pause and a Restart
In 2013, we got off the road due to changes in Vern’s business. We settled down for nearly nine years – bought a farm, built our dream home, started and sold businesses, and even followed our grown kids to another state. For a while, it felt right. But eventually, the travel bug returned.
By then, we had built a home right next to our daughter and her family. When we told them we were heading back out on the road, they surprised us by saying, “Guess what? We’re buying a rig too, and we want to join you!”
So we did – and two and a half years ago, we hit the road again. Our daughter’s family joined for two years before deciding to settle back down so their kids could return to school. But for us? We’re still rolling – and loving it.
Why We RV
RV life isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. From raising our kids on the road to starting our empty nest years full-time in our fifth wheel, we’ve learned that adventure doesn’t have to wait for retirement. It can happen right now.
We love sharing the joys, the challenges, the tips, and the laughter of this life. And more than that, we love hearing your stories too.
So thanks for being here – we’re Vern & Kati, and this is our RV life story. Make sure to follow us on social media so we can get to know you too. Because RV life may be about the places you go, but it’s also about the people you meet along the way.