This next review is something that I bought back in July/ August time frame and I feel like I can now give a fair review of this item. The item in question is a 270-degree awning that I purchased off a website called Vevor. If you have never visited the website I highly recommend giving it a look ver. They have a lot of items that they rotate on sale and just from purchasing this awning I think the quality of most of their items lives up to the standard. 

So the first thing to keep in mind is that this is a huge awning. I purchased this to give more coverage when we are out and about for rainy/ hot days. With having Lylah with me on a regular basis I wanted somewhere for us to have coverage that wasn't inside the van itself so of course I decided an awning would be a good option for us both. After looking around I realized that most awnings were too small or wouldn't provide enough coverage for what I needed it for. 

In August I tested it out for the first time when my boyfriend and I went to Glacier National Park and I have now been on the road long enough to test it in other weather conditions. Here are my pros and cons 

Pro

With a 1500 Chevrolet express it gives me full coverage from the exit on the side of the vehicle all the way to the back doors. You can secure the backside of it to the railing on the van so that its steady and keeps it in place. 

Con  

high winds are a big issue (but that is true for any awning) so this is something you have to be aware of depending on where you decide to camp. I have had to put away the awning in an emergency and let me tell you it is a struggle when you are a shorter person who is by themselves. Its doable but you need to keep your wits about you and not let go if you have to put away in a high-wind situation 

Pro 

There is velcro material all the way around the awning which means you can make a screening for those buggy seasons (I hand-made one for the awning) and you could even come up with a way to make a shield if rainy time frames if needed. 

Con 

Install of this awning on any vehicle would take two people. Its around 60 pounds and has a bolt system that needs to be lined up just right, otherwise you could end up with the awning coming off your vehicle while driving which is no go. 

Pro 

Once installed on the vehicle its very sturdy and I have had zero movements from it. I have checked the bolts a few times while being on the road (I have been on some rugged terrain) and there is zero movement from it. High winds, bad roads, rain, and snow. The awning and the bag it comes with have stood up to the elements well. 

Con 

The only part of the awning that I am not a fan of is the polls. I have had some issues with the polls holding up in the high winds. We came up with a stabilizer of sorts for uneven ground but I haven't found a way to "lock" those polls in securely so when you do get those high winds you're not afraid of it being ripped off the side of the vehicle. This awning will also need lots of guy lines to keep all the edges down especially when it rains. Because of the material and the way the awning is made rain easily gets caught on top so you have to make sure you have guy lines on all the corners so you have proper drainage. 

If you guys are interested in how this awning looks click here to look on the website. They have different sizes as well so the one I have isn't the only one available. I also recommend just looking at vevor in general. They have lots of items that are made of high quality and I enjoy checking out their sales. 

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The Lonely Boat Out At Sea $135 16*20

Here we are. At the first review on my list of items that I have been using in the grand vehicle that I call....Gimli. Let me start out by saying that this review is based off my experience and mine alone. I work a job in the customer service area and I have to talk to people on the phone for my job. This requires a certain level of service to make this happen. Almost a year ago I was on the road and with my old job I discovered that a "wired connection" was a loose term for what I had to use to get things done. I could use my phone as that wired connection and everything would load up correctly. I made it happen and enjoyed the freedom that life gave me with that discovery. 

This new job though requires  more secutiry and it became apparent that I needed another way to make this work. So I decided to go for the T Mobile Box. It was a donation and I could write it off on my taxes since I was going to use it for work purposes. After a bit of back and forth on my options, I went ahead and did it. Total costs come out to $750 for the box and unlimited Data with a wired Ethernet connection. The subscription after that is $500 and it's not required. So if you hate it or decide to take time away from the road you can hold off on the renewal. In turn this seemed to be a good solution so I went for it. 

It's been about two months since I've started using it and I'm gonna list the pros and cons. 

Pro

Fee is reasonable if you work from a computer all the time and don't want to be charged by GB or on a monthly basis. You can use this with wireless and wired connections to meet your desired needs. 

Con

When the box is overused it has a tendency to turn off on its own and it struggles for 1 - 5 minutes at a time. In context, it turns on and off repeatedly until it quits and stays off. This mostly happens with overheating so you need ot be aware of what you are using it for and for how long. Also, it seems if you are uploading or downloading it struggles and quickly gets hot. So A fan of some kind is required if you will use it in this context 

Pro

It is very small and fits in my hand so it is easy for transport and doesn't get in the way of van life. In this way, it is convenient if you are tight on space.

Con

It requires you to service. This is not a buy-one-get-all all connection. If you are like me and sometimes stay in places where there is no service or spotty service this could cause problems if you have to work. What's worse if it is in an area that is still being developed and it bounces around on connections often it will then do this dance where it will turn off and on to reestablish that connection and it won't quit. It will sit there for however long it wants just grinding away on turning on and off. So 5g Uc is best but it can go to 4g. But with 4g it is spotty and very uncertain as to how it will hold with certain tasks 

Pro

When it is on 5g UC it works like a charm. There is zero issues with it and it even works with the phone. You can travel a bit away from it outside your vehicle and it still works pretty well but the biggest thing is you can take it wiht you if needed. THeres no hassel with that. Ive taken it to a table by a fire before and it worked just as well as inside my van. 

Con 

This one is the biggest issue I have had. With wired connection is can be unstable. At some point the wired connection became unstable. The inside of the box was not set correctly for the ethernet so when you slide in the cord, it should click and lock but it doesnt which means its loose. This has caused issues with my work (along with other cons listed) and it has caused me to think of other options for future use. 

As I stated in the beginning please keep in mind that I work a job where I have to TALK to people. If I didn't have to do that I'm sure this box would be sufficient enough for most. But for my job and what I need it unfortunatley didn't pass the test and is now being used as a side piece for internet use (such as writing this post, looking up shows, ect). If you just want something like that for your ride of your trip then this is a good option but otherwise, if you need full remote access no matter where you are then this is not a good option for what you are needing. 

Hope this helps some people with their decisions about having internet on the road. Stay tuned for the next review. 

Adjusting back to van life feels strange yet satisfying. You go from being in a home to having the ability to move around and stretch to being in a box on wheels where you are limited if the weather isn't any good. The first few weeks have been tough but slowly I've been readjusting back to the feeling of living in my home on wheels. It's like being free once while also being limited in some context and yet I have never felt more alive than I do when I am on the road. For a few weeks now I have been in southern Illinois rock climbing, working, and sitting by a fire once my work is done. It's been a joy to cook with fire instead of having to use propane and it has been wonderful to be able to just go out on a hike in the woods with Lylah without having to go very far at all. 

This week I will be driving over to Salt Lake City and getting ready for my stay in the city. I do enjoy the options I have there and look forward to exploring more of that city and get to hike more of the trails. Once I am done in salt Lake I will be heading into southern Utah to go explore and probably make my way to Moab and then to Colorado where I will more than likely be meeting Dad for a snowboarding/skiing trip/time. I'm excited to see him and ready to get back on a board and try out more options for what I want to purchase for future times out in the snow. 

Im wondering if any of you have any suggestions for Utah? I have been to many locations already but I am always ready to expand my horizons and take recommendations. Please let me know if you have any thoughts on places to visit in the state. 

Short break from posting about Glaicer as I fill you in on real time events. We are back in the van and we are slowly making our way west. I will admit right off the bat that adjusting back into van life is harder than I thought it was going to be. We started Last Friday and we have made it through our first week of climbing, working, and resting in cracker barrel parking lots. Right now we are in Southern Illinois and will be for about a week to soak in the views, climb some fun routes, and just be with nature and in a site we can call home for a bit. 

The reality of this venture is that I am a little unsteady on this one. I have a new box for my internet and I am testing the waters with it and making sure that it does what is advertised and as we make our way west I wanna make sure my connection works properly. It seems silly but, this is a newer job (just hot my one year with them) and I'm a little on edge about the connection and them not approving entirely. Not saying that I'm NOT allowed to travel in the van but you never know with companies and what they mean when they say "remote". I am following the guidelines as said in my contract and making sure to stay out of certain states but in reality, those states wont be apart of this go-around so I'm not too worried about that possibility. 

The other change I made this time was purchasing the black card for planet fitness. The black card allows me to shower and workout at any planet fitness around the U.S without hassle and I think that in itself will make a huge difference in how I feel while on the move. I love being outside and running but when it gets cold and rainy then I rather have the option to go indoors to workout. But in honesty, the ability to get clean and not have a restriction on hot water is a blessing. In one week I already have been to planet fitness three times and I never realized how much a hot shower can really change your mood on the road and make you feel complete before you settle for the night. 

I am excited for the travels, I'm happy to be back outside and have the outdoors BE my office. It makes me feel more alive and relaxed. While I miss my Dad and my boyfriend back home they both are super supportive of this decision and know that me getting out in the van helps to make me better and keep me happy. Plus it gives them both an excuse to come out west, visit me and play (and have a few brews of course) and I couldn't be more excited to make those kinds of memories with them. 

So we are one week in, we are slowly going west and so far things are going as planned. I will give you guys updates, stories and photos. Per usual I expect to have something happen. It always does. Stay tuned. 

Our next hike was a delightful surprise in many ways. Logan Pass is one of the most popular trails in Glacier National Park. While the steep steps leading to the overlook might make you reconsider your feelings about the stair climber, this hike offers ample opportunities to spot and photograph wildlife. Despite being the busiest trail we tackled, the chance to see everything from marmots to mountain goats made this short hike truly rewarding.

The trail begins at the same parking area as the Highline Trail, so I recommend arriving early to secure a spot. Keep in mind that parking passes are required from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. during peak season. If you arrive late and haven’t managed to snag a pass, you’ll need to either wait at the bottom west side or head to the east side where no pass is necessary. Planning ahead is essential for a smooth experience on this hike.

Starting right next to the visitor center, the trail features steps winding through vibrant fields of wildflowers. You'll spend just under a mile enjoying the flora and spotting wildlife before reaching the lookout over Hidden Lake. From here, you have two options: head back to your car or continue down to Hidden Lake, which adds another mile and a half to your trek. We opted to descend to the lake, savoring our coffee and snacks by the water. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a dip, but be warned—the water is quite cold, hovering around 40 degrees, so proceed at your own risk!

Please remember to pack out whatever you bring in, as there are no trash cans down by the lake, and it’s home to fish as well.

The return journey can be a bit challenging due to some switchbacks leading out of Hidden Lake, but once you clear those, it’s a gradual incline back to the lookout, followed by a descent down the steps to the parking lot.

Lastly, please do not feed the animals. While they’re stunning to see up close, like the mountain goats, they are wild creatures. They may tolerate your presence, but they can be dangerous if provoked, so always respect their space.