Where to Next?

I was asked at a gathering last week how I decide where I’m going next on my amazing adventure. 

I don’t have any structured plans of travel or a fixed time schedule, I sort of wander around like a nomad!

Since starting this journey in October of 2022, I’ve visited 46 States, 5 Canadian Provinces, and 2 short visits into Mexico. It’s been a real adventure and I am looking forward to more exciting travels in 2025. One destination I’m planning is a 5 week trip to Newfoundland, Canada. More about that later. The only reason that’s ‘scheduled’ so far in advance is that you need to make ferry reservations as early as possible because they fill up fast.

So back to the original question - how do I decide where I’m heading next, what will I see on my travels, where will I stay, etc.

I try to get back to Virginia at least once a year to see family, friends, and my doctor but other than that I pretty much wander around enjoying myself.

Over the last 5-7 years or so I’ve compiled an Excel Spreadsheet on all the places I would like to visit if I ever became a nomad, sort of a bucket list. I use that to loosely plan my route and adventures. I have the places listed by name, city, and state, so I can sort by state and off I go.

Here are a few of the sources for my spreadsheet:

Friends - I’m fortunate to have met a lot of nomads in my travels and we always exchange tips and ideas on travel destinations. I not only get information on cool places to visit but also suggestions on where to stay. Nothing better than quality recommendations from good people.

YouTube - I subscribed to a lot of RV channels and travel channels and have gotten some great ideas from them. Very informative and fun to watch!

Pinterest - I recently started looking at Pinterest to get destination ideas and things to do in various locations around the country. It's a bit cumbersome in my opinion using Pinterest this way but it has been a source of things to do and places to go that I didn’t see anywhere else. So I am trying to use it a bit more these days.

Google Maps - I use Google Maps for routing but I also use it to find neat places to visit after I’ve identified my next destination. After figuring out my direction of travel over the next 2-3 days, I click the ‘things to do’ button in Maps and it shows a variety of places to stop along my way. I look them over and decide what I want to see and add the destination to my route on that particular day. I will also take a screenshot of the route so I can easily enter it on the correct day. Makes things easy.

Google's 'Things to Do has been very helpful 

Screenshot of possible stops

Road Signs/Billboards - I keep my eyes open for landmark signs and other ‘attractions’ as I move down the road. I try to find unique off the beaten path kind of places to stop and explore. 

Books - I have a few book that I look at for suggestions; Great American Roadtrips, National Parks Guide, and The Most Scenic Drives in America . I don’t use these that often but they have been helpful in a few areas around the country.

When planing the next few days, I’ll pick a target destination from the resources above, trying to keep the drive between 2.5 and 3 hours. Then I will try to find a hike along the way, a museum, or something else interesting to see/do. The plans are very flexible, if I see something that I want to do along the way..I stop! 

Where I stay at night is very flexible as well. I usually have 2-3 options for where to stay for the night…last option usually a Walmart or Home Depot parking lot. Once a month or so, I’ll make reservations at a campground to get off the road for a couple of days and see the area but otherwise everything is subject to change.

By staying flexible with no fixed schedule life is very stress free, I don't get lost, everyday has wonderful surprises, and I enjoy every day!