Galactic Adventures

ISSUE 31 | October 10, 2025

Camper Vans gathered at a campfire at sunset

Hello, STORYTELLERS! Welcome to the 31st issue of Galactic Adventures -- our community-focused, community-informed newsletter.

This issue's featured photo comes to us from HILT Owner, RS Burcher.

If you would like to see your photo or story featured in Galactic Adventures, please send an email to emma.walsmith@storytelleroverland.com. We love to hear from you!

🌄 15,000 Miles That Changed How We See Home

Ryan Hall, MODE Owner

We decided the time was right to get the van. I was able to work remote, Wyatt was still little, and as a family we all loved camping and being outdoors. That was enough. We bought our 2023 Storyteller Stealth Mode from Rec Van in Fort Myers, Florida and in April 2023 we rolled out of Naples with our son Wyatt, our golden retriever Charlie and the excitement of a family about to live on the road.

Starting Out

One of our first big stops was the Storyteller Overland Galactic HQ. That visit set the tone for the year. Everyone welcomed us like family, checked on the van and made sure we had what we needed. Lee gave us a tour and made us feel right at home. It was clear we were not just driving a vehicle. We were part of a community.

Why We Went

This was not only about adventure. We wanted this trip to help us figure out where to put down roots. At the same time my work with Goose Gear meant I had to attend all four major expos. West, PNW, Mountain West and East became anchor points and the space in between was ours to fill with discovery.

Family Setup

Inside the van we found our rhythm. We figured out the perfect setup for three humans and one golden. The Groove Lounge became Wyatt’s space with a pack and play that took up two thirds of it. Charlie had his bed on the last third near the rear. It worked better than we expected. Charlie even learned a new command, “beep beep,” to shuffle out of the way in tight quarters.

Weather, Bathrooms and All the Rest

The road teaches you to expect the unexpected. The hottest day hit us at Ramble in the desert. The rainiest was in Hollywood where storms kept us inside for days. One night I hopped on the Super73 in pouring rain just to grab In-N-Out. The darkest nights were in the forests of Virginia where an old camp host rocked in his chair outside his cabin. At first it felt unsettling but he was kind and wanted to hear all about our travels.

Bathrooms became their own adventure. You learn to appreciate the good ones and never forget the bad ones. The worst were in Illinois where you wanted to get in and out as fast as possible. In another park we found a different kind of nightmare. Frogs had taken over the bathroom and seemed more at home there than we were. Unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. We ended up removing the Dometic that came with the van and never regretted it.

Highlights on the Road

The year was full of stops that play like a highlight reel in our minds.

Stanley Lake, Idaho. The views were unreal. Wyatt and Charlie loved it. One night I sat by the fire while Kristin got Wyatt ready for bed and a deer walked right past me under a sky full of stars. Charlie swam for the first time there, tail wagging with a stick in his mouth.

Ramble in the desert. Off grid, a clever shower setup and even an app based merch store. We rode a Super73 around their course and laughed until the sun dropped.

Outdoor Adventure X. Wyatt’s first gondola ride. We stayed in an A-frame nearby and the break in routine felt like a reset.

Alvord Hot Springs. A family favorite. We soaked in the hot pools, explored the desert and camped at the site.

The Camp in Bend. The temperature pushed past 90 so we needed electric hookups. The Camp had vintage Airstreams and a cool vibe. It gave us a solid base before Expo PNW and some relief in the heat.

Campfire Hotel. A splurge. Mid century style, a DJ spinning by the pool, drinks in hand as we cooled off. It was less about utility and more about fun and reset.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park. A dead end site all to ourselves. Stars overhead, climbing through wind tunnels and sandstone crevices, the kind of stop you never forget.

Going to the Sun Road in Glacier. The water shimmered aqua like a jewel and the mountains rose straight out of it. The drive was unreal from start to finish.

Grand Teton vs Yellowstone. Both were bucket list stops but if we had to choose it would be Grand Teton. The landscapes felt more dramatic and unforgettable. Yellowstone has history and the classic national park feel. Wyatt got to watch Old Faithful erupt and even sit inside a teepee. But Grand Teton felt more grand to us.

XOverland in Bozeman. Goose Gear sponsors them so we got special treatment. Wyatt toured the hangar and explored the rigs like it was his own playground.

We also made it a ritual to stop at parks in every town. It gave Wyatt space to run, Charlie room to stretch and both of them a break from the road.

The Big Parks and Family Stops

We hit Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier, Little Bighorn Battlefield and even Jellystone for Wyatt. Seeing these places through the eyes of a toddler changed how we experienced them. Everything felt new again.

After Expo East we slowed down. We rented an Airbnb in the Blue Ridge where my parents flew in to meet us. We took family photos with the colors at their peak and celebrated being together. A few days later we spent Halloween with cousins in North Carolina. That stretch was about family more than miles and gave us the pause we needed.

Community Along the Way

It was not only about where we camped or what we saw. The people made the trip what it was. At Freedom Van Go, Warner Vans, Super73, Owl Offroad and Flarespace we met folks who shared the same spark. Each stop reminded us this lifestyle is not just about the rigs, it is about community.

The Miles

We tracked our journey and the GPX file tells the story in numbers. Ninety four routes, more than 23,000 kilometers which is close to 15,000 miles. From the humidity of Florida to the alpine air of Montana, from the California coast to the deserts of Nevada. The lines on the map look simple but for us they hold nights under the stars, long drives, new friends and laughter.

What We Learned

Living in a Storyteller with a toddler and a dog taught us plenty. We learned that playgrounds in small towns are lifesavers. That treating yourself to a pool or hotel bed once in a while keeps spirits high. That vanlife is as much about the people you meet as the roads you drive. That you do not need a perfect plan to find your way.

Most of all we learned that home is not always where you expect it.

Looking Back

We thought we were driving to see the country but we were really driving toward home. Grand Junction was waiting for us. The mesas, the Monument, the San Juans, Moab just down the road, it all added up to something that felt right. Kristin found friends, Wyatt has space to grow, Charlie has trails to run and I still have the wild places that fuel me. The road gave us what we were looking for. It gave us a place to belong.

But looking back it was not only about where the road ended. It was about the moments in between. Wyatt splashing in lakes, Charlie chasing sticks, new friends at every stop, nights under stars in places we may never see again. Living in our Stealth showed us the best part of the road is not the destination. It is what you find along the way.

If you are on the fence about going, our advice is simple. Go when you can. It will not be perfect but it will be worth it. The road will take you where you need to be.

🚐 Back Road Collective

Tara Hall, MODE Owner

I recently hit my 4 year vanniversary…crazy how time flies! When I first hit the road, I was chasing freedom and adventure...what new place could I explore and what new adventure could I find? What I didn’t expect was the vast community I quickly found myself intertwined in. To this day, I’m still shocked at the number of close relationships and family-like bonds I’ve forged through being part of the Storyteller community and how much of an impact owning my van has made on my life.

Because of all the amazing experiences I’ve had over the years, I’ve been wondering how I could contribute to this amazing community, encourage others to explore more and help build more connection. Being a full-timer, I know the grind of searching for safe camping spots, figuring out where to fill up water, do laundry, dump toilets, get gas, go to the gym…all the things. Throw in trying figure out the adventure stuff of finding real local gems (not just the tourist traps), exploring new back roads and small towns (the real reason I got the van)…the exhaustion and brain fatigue start taking over.

That’s what inspired me to create Back Road Collective. I wanted a resource where vanlifers can find everything they’re looking for in one place. Safe, verified (no knock) overnight parking spots, local hidden gems that aren’t overcrowded along with exclusive perks from small businesses, vetted & trusted service providers if we find ourselves in need of repair, unique route recommendations (on and off-road) to keep the adventure going and of course more local gatherings and meetups because we all can’t seem to get enough of those!

I created a membership site with an interactive map that will have everything mentioned above…one map, everything you need. Insider Guides to select cities will be released monthly along with monthly route recommendations. No more wasted energy trying to plan your trip, I’ve done the hard work for you. Just hit cruise control & enjoy the ride!

Any plans for NYE? We’re kicking our quarterly events off with a NYE campout in the CA desert (most likely either Joshua Tree or Death Valley) and Collective members get early-bird invites to all events along with free/discounted entry.

You can learn more about Back Road Collective at www.thebackroadcollective.com

From the HQ: Mark Isbell named "Top Operations Leader" by Birmingham Business Journal

Mark Isbell, Vice President of Production at Storyteller, has been instrumental in shaping who we are and how we build. With over 30 years of manufacturing experience and as a founding team member of Storyteller, Mark oversees all Birmingham-based production operations, spanning two factories and three product lines, and has successfully scaled, realigned, and optimized teams to meet the demands of our growing business.

In recognition of all he does for Storyteller and the incredible impact Mark has had on Alabama’s manufacturing industry, the Birmingham Business Journal has awarded Mark the accolade of 2026 BBJ Manufacturing Awards “Top Operations Leader.”

From the BBJ website,

“The Birmingham Business Journal’s Manufacturing Awards are back for a second year, shining a spotlight on the incredible companies powering Alabama’s economy. This annual luncheon honors the manufacturers who are driving innovation, overcoming challenges, creating jobs, and making a lasting impact across the state.

Manufacturing is often a behind-the-scenes world, but this event brings those stories to the forefront—highlighting the remarkable journeys, successes, and contributions that typically go unseen. From rising leaders to industry giants, manufacturers from across Alabama will share their path to success and the obstacles they've conquered along the way.”

“Mark’s impact is woven into every vehicle we deliver. His leadership, dedication, and craftsmanship have helped us build not just world-class adventure vans—but a world-class production culture. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of recognition for their enduring contribution to building the most excellent adventure overlanding vehicles on the planet.” - Storyteller’s Chief People Officer, Christina Linton

Congratulations, Mark! This is a well-deserved honor and we are grateful to have you as a valued team member and inspiring leader at Storyteller.

Life's Greatest Luxury is saying YES to the Next Grand Adventure!

We'd love to hear your stories and see your pictures from the road!
Send to Emma at:

Emma.Walsmith@storytelleroverland.com

Emma Walsmith with her STO Classic MODE Adventure Van

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