Meet the woman behind Chipmunk's RV Life: Stacey!

How to find history on the road. Living a life focused on exploration. Truly- the best road trips in America. Here is how Stacey Arrowsmith breaks down her version of maximizing RV life and her travels on her website:

I met Stacey online (surprise surprise!) and it turned into a friendship. We've connected using Facebook video chats and continued to follow each other for the last few years.

Our initial connection came with my Free At 50 blog adventure. Ditching corporate life and the 9-5 mindset. We were both doing that. Building our next chapter out of the office and into life on our own terms.

Now, as I'm on this history-lovers adventure, we've talked about Stacey's perspective as a Canadian wandering the United States (U.S.) She's a firm believer in people, their history, their cultures, and doing it from either her Class B RV or "touring in my Custom 1969 Econoline."

Necessary disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.

Note: all photos courtesy of Stacey Arrowsmith.

Stacey on the road.

Question 1: Tell us about the decision to switch to van life.

As always, there were a few reasons I switched to van life.

Newly divorced after 30 years, I bought a cute little house with an acre of land. (Other than a few short periods I have always lived in the country with lots of space).

I also traveled for a living and have a love for travel. I was gone for sometimes weeks at a time. I found with the travelling, trying to upkeep the house was exhausting.

Financially.
Physically.
And mentally.

I had to change something. Then I met a gentleman who lived in his Roadtrek. It was the perfect solution. I could always be home.

Question 2: Please share what draws you in when you make the decision to explore a local area.

A lot of time it is road signs. I am known with my friends to a 'see something interesting happened here' sign and follow the sign.

I will also use apps to see what is in the area. My favorite by far is the Atlas Obscura app. It will give me weird and obscure sites to visit as well as tourist attractions and historical sites. Google Maps can also help with the search.

Here is a great exploring hint: find a small town in the area you want to explore and go to breakfast with the locals. Ask them if there is anything in the area you should see before you leave. I have found some very cool adventures doing that.

A great breakfast, great conversation and a great adventure. Its perfect.

RELATED from Daphne: in addition to Atlas Obscura, download ExploreHere which gives you coordinates for sites and markers! Click here to open my link in a new tab.

Question 3: What are one or two memorable historic sites you’ve discovered traveling in the United States?

Oh I have been to a few. I think the most interesting was Montezuma's Castle in Arizona. It was a fascinating journey back to a past you can not even imagine. How they lived in basically holes in the side of a cliff side was unimaginable.

I think my next favorite was the archeological dig in Waco Texas. I had never seen an actual dig before. Looking at the bones, nestled in the ground of a 67,000 year old Columbian Mammoth was both humbling and interesting. The method of extraction was fascinating.

Question 4: Why would you encourage road travel as a way to find history and learn about any specific place?

So many of my greatest memories were from seeing something driving down the road.

I will often put my GPS on the 'off highway' setting and travel the backroads. What I have found with just traveling a backroad have been breathtaking and sometimes amusing.

Question 5: Please share an a-ha moment you’ve had about American history or culture through your travels.

Well there have been a few since I am Canadian. The size of Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts was not what I was expecting. Lol

The sheer number of historical homes and preservation is really what I "ahhh" at in the U.S.

Around every corner can take you back in history. Its a beautiful country to traverse and experience U.S. history at all levels.

Question 6: If someone isn’t planning to sell up and go all in like you, are there options or suggestions you have to get the most out of a road trip?

When I was working I would have a limited time to travel. I would research the area with my apps and choose locations that I really wanted to see. Making sure I got the most of my experience of the area.

I also do not like a lot of structure when I road-trip. I do not make reservations ahead, unless there is somewhere I have to be at a certain date. I give myself lots of time to get there and back. Leave a little early to get there because there may be a sign you have to follow.

The best road-trips are the ones where you just pick a direction. See where you end up. Every time I stop, I look around the area and see if there is anything to see, follow attraction signs, and the vibe.

7. If there’s one piece of knowledge or advice you’d like readers to walk away with about finding history by traveling in a van or RV, what would it be?

Pay attention to the signs. Lol.

History is everywhere. From old majestic houses you pass by to major historical sites. Look around when you drive, take the backroads, have a chat with the locals. Use the apps available to research your trip and relax and enjoy the ride.

Bonus topic from Stacey: safety.

A lot of people are afraid to travel by roadways because of the bad stories. Being a single woman traveling into unknown places can be a scary experience for some.

Even for myself, sometimes I scare me. Lol.

People often ask me about the safety of road travel. In the 9 years I have been living in my van and travelling and the many years before that travelling in my custom van, I have never had an issue. I have always gotten myself out of whatever has happened. Whether it be a breakdown or a creepy neighborhood.

My 2 pieces of advice whether travelling alone or with a partner:

1. Lock your doors. Whether you are driving or parked.
2. Be aware of your surroundings. Your spidey sense will tell you if something is not right. You just have to be listening. You are on 4 or more wheels. You can just drive away.

Follow Stacey on her adventures:

YouTube

Website

And when you're on the road: use the ExploreHere app to see the historical markers on your journey following those back roads and wandering in any direction as Stacey suggests! Download it using my code after clicking here!

Stacey in Louisiana finding history!

Closing words from history.

As we celebrate America's 250th, I'll close Stacey's interview about a life exploring the U.S. and finding history of all eras. This time with John Bradbury's letter to Thomas Jefferson, primary author of our Declaration of Independence. And a man committed to exploring our new United States.

This letter's theme: uncovering more about science, exploration, and American rivers. Excerpt below; you can read it in full on Founders Archives by clicking here.

Note: I've broken one long paragraph down for easier reading.

John Bradbury to Thomas Jefferson, 5 March 1812

...
I ascended the Missouri last Summer to a little above the Mandan Nation; and found the Soil and aspect of the country changed after passing the River Platte and consequently abounding in natural productions almost wholly different from those to the eastward of that River. The Plants which I there collected and which do not appear to be discribed in the last Edition of the Systema Naturæ exceed 100 Species Some of which are beautiful.

In Zoology I think I shall add two Species of Crotalus a Talpa a Sciurus, and an animal with cheek Pouches as Mus Bursorius of Linnæus, but differing from that animal Specifically yet agreeing in Generic character and both so mu[ch] disagreeing with the Genus Mus that I am of opinion they must constitute a new Genus betwixt Mus & Arctomys

I have an ardent wish to ascend the Arkansas & Red Rivers confident that their Borders would afford a Rich harvest.

If I can obtain the Situation mentioned above perhaps an opportunity may be afforded me whether or not there is any probability that I may I beg Sir you will have the goodness to cause me to be informed by Letter to the Post office Newark State of New Jersey
I am Sir Your most obliged Servant

John Bradbury

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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.