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. 

We have been traveling for almost two months now and I have some items to review for you guys. Here is the list below of what those reviews will be about. 

1:T mobile Box 

2: Full Awning I bought off Vevor 

3: Fridge made by Kohree

4: Blackstone from Walmart 

These are just a few that I am ready to review for you guys and to give you an idea of what works and what doesn't. The one that I have the most reviews about are going to be the T mobile box. I have a lot to say and I think it will be helpful to some people the future that do work like I do. So be ready for a few lengthy reviews and highlights. I will also be dropping links to these items in those articles so you guys can check them out and see what they are all about and if you may be interested in them or not. So make sure to check it out and see what you think. So stay tuned for the next article that will be dropping here soon. 

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Here is also one of my newer art pieces that is for sale and ready to head out. Its part of the lonely boat series. 

The Lonely Boat $135 16*20

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. 

It all started with a glowing recommendation. Seyiah Pass had been suggested by friends, even rangers, who promised breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. After much back-and-forth, we decided to swap our original plans for this hike. The ranger at the visitors center near Logan Pass had been particularly persuasive.

Arriving at the trailhead was an adventure in itself. We parked in a hairpin turn on the road, an unusual setup that made us chuckle. The rangers had assured us that this area wasn’t as popular as the trails on the West side of the park, but we still felt a twinge of uncertainty.

After a day of showers and errands, we returned to the parking lot, ready to camp overnight in our van. We parked and let our dog, Lylah, out for a final bathroom break. As night fell, we settled in, closing the curtains tightly. The world outside felt peaceful, and we quickly drifted off to sleep.

But at 4 a.m., our tranquility shattered with a loud BANG against the side of our van. Jacob and I jolted awake, wide-eyed and silent, exchanging glances filled with confusion. Was it a ranger knocking? Mischievous kids playing pranks? Or worse—a bear drawn in by Lylah’s scent? We lay there, tension thick in the air, hardly sleeping afterward.

By dawn, we forced ourselves out of bed, brewing coffee and preparing Lylah for her morning routine. It was a challenge finding a patch of grass for her, but once she was taken care of, we were ready to hit the trail.

The hike stretched about 10 to 11 miles and was rated as hard. We had been told that starting from Siyeh Bend made the trek more manageable. The ranger’s advice proved wise as we entered a dense forest alive with vibrant wildflowers and the soothing sound of nearby streams. Every turn revealed stunning views that filled us with awe.

As we climbed out of the valley, the trail steepened, leading us through a series of grueling switchbacks. We tackled two or three at a time, pausing to catch our breath and soak in the beauty surrounding us.

Reaching the pass, we were greeted with breathtaking vistas—one of those views you know you’ll carry with you forever. The wind whipped around us, a reminder to stay bundled up, even in summer.

After a moment of admiration, we faced a decision: head back the way we came or push onward to Sunrift Gorge. Curiosity won out, and we ventured on, unaware of the challenge that awaited us. The switchbacks on the other side felt like double the work, stretching on and on.

Then, just as we were finding our rhythm, the skies darkened, and a sudden hailstorm hit. With no shelter in sight, we sprinted down the trail, desperate to find cover. For 15 minutes, we ran through the biting cold, drenched in sweat only moments before. Thankfully, the storm passed quickly, leaving us with warm sunshine but a stark reminder of nature's unpredictability. I learned that day the importance of carrying extra layers and a rain jacket.

Once the hail subsided, we took our time descending the remaining switchbacks, stopping to snap photos and admire a distant glacier, complete with a roaring waterfall. But as we neared the exit, the terrain changed. The stark white trees and bare patches revealed signs of past fires, a stark contrast to the lush scenery we had enjoyed earlier.

About a mile from the trail's end, we spotted a river, tempting us for a quick cool-off, but we decided to keep moving—we were exhausted from our fourth hike that week.

Finally, we emerged from the trail and hopped on the shuttle back to our car, less than ten minutes away. As we drove away from Seyiah Pass, I reflected on the adventure. It was a journey filled with stunning sights, unexpected challenges, and valuable lessons—one that would linger in my memory long after the hike was over.