They say dreams don’t work unless you do—and I admit, I’ve been working. After years of planning and stubbornly chasing a life of freedom and fresh wonder, I finally got the keys to my next big adventure: meet Dustcatcher—a white F350 4×4 with a Lance 805 camper riding proudly on its back.
Dustcatcher represents a lot more than a new set of wheels. She’s the payoff for one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made: to go back to school in my 40s and become a nurse. I walked into that first class surrounded by bright-eyed 20-somethings who had no idea I was silently panicking. But I stuck with it—every lecture, every clinical, every “what-am-I-doing” moment—because I knew I was building a life I wanted more than comfort or certainty.
I chose the name Dustcatcher not just because she kicks up a little trail magic wherever she goes—but because she’s built to chase the dusty, winding backroads where the best stories (and photos) are hiding.
His & Hers Rigs: The Adventure Begins
Now, here’s where things get really fun. While living a life of freedom and fresh wonder was still just a dream on paper, Vance floated the idea of us each having our own rig. I stared at him like he had two heads. Two rigs? For two people? Completely ridiculous.
Except… it wasn’t.
Flash forward to now, and I can’t believe I ever doubted the brilliance of that plan. Having my own space in Dustcatcher means I can come and go as I please, nest away to my heart’s content, and keep things cozy and (mostly) clutter-free. Meanwhile, Vance has fully embraced his organized chaos in Opt Out, his 2020 Wayfarer Class C motorhome. It’s stuffed with all his favorite toys—including, I kid you not, an entire homebrewing setup. Honestly, having two rigs might be the most effective form of adventure marriage therapy out there!
Our first official “his and hers” rig meetup was pure magic. Vance dropped me a pin to his campsite on BLM land in Idaho, and I plugged it into Google Maps and hit the road. When I rolled up, I saw Opt Out parked against the backdrop of stunning high-desert cliffs that looked like they were straight out of the video game Red Dead Redemption. There was Vance, grinning ear to ear, stirring a Dutch oven full of stew over an open fire while “old-timey” Western music drifted through the air. I parked Dustcatcher beside him, and just like that—we were home.
The next morning, fueled by campfire coffee and a sense of adventure, we set off to Blue Heart Springs. Vance had visited this spot before with my brother Trace and couldn’t wait to share it with me. We rented paddleboards from Blue Heart Kayaking and made our way upriver. The water was glassy and calm, and we passed wildlife galore—a bald eagle, white pelicans, beavers, and more fish than I could count.
When we reached the spring, I was floored. The water glistened a surreal deep blue, and sand bubbled up from the ground like nature’s own lava lamp. We couldn’t resist climbing the sun-baked lava rocks to explore the cliffside above. It was raw and wild up there—lizards darting, cave openings hinting at hidden lives, and two very territorial hawks circling overhead, loudly encouraging us to move along (we got the hint, eventually).
Vance found a pheasant feather and tucked it in his hat. I found a few old bones that might just become wearable art someday. It was the perfect blend of wonder, effort, and discovery—everything we love about being out here.
That day felt like the beginning of something big. Dustcatcher and Opt Out, side by side. Me and Vance, building this crazy life we’ve dreamed of. One dusty road, one bubbling spring, and one wild idea at a time.
Cheers to making dreams a reality—and to having the better rig. 😉
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