Jenny's Travel Blog:

New owner of an old camper van, Jenny Rule, tells about her early days making upgrades and exploring with her 1996 Roadtrek 170 Popular.

Jenny Rule sitting down to write, with all the distractions of home and puppy and mind and body, is a terrifying thing.

It's that time of year when parents are planning ahead for the end of the school year and readying themselves for the vast open space of summer when the school age children in their lives once again become their all-day responsibility. (God bless you, teachers, every one. We appreciate you.) I'd like to make a suggestion to all those parents: Find a great overnight camp, find it now, do not pass GO, and do not hesitate to register your children for camp today . You may wonder

It's partly about the open road. It's partly about seeking healing in nature. It's partly about getting out of the home environment; stepping away from constant reminders like his recliner, his toothbrush, his half of the closet. It's partly about "Go outside and start walking." It's partly about escaping from cold Wisconsin winters. It's partly about going places you know he wanted to go. It's partly about finding your smile. It's partly about fishing still waters. It's part

I started my Acadia adventure by driving up Cadillac Summit Road on Mount Desert Island. I secured my reservation on Recreation.gov for $6 and headed there for my 10:00 a.m. entry time.

A while back I put out my list of essential car camping equipment . This post included all my big ticket items, including my car, air mattress, portable power pack, travel fridge, camp stove, 5 Gallon water jug, portable car battery jump starter, rooftop cargo carrier, personal locator beacon, and homemade window coverings. Since writing that post, I've been on two more long car camping swings: Lake Superior and New England/Northeast . I've learned more about myself: what I

Gina (Chapman) Foucault and Jenny (Brightbill) Rule met at Badger Girls State (BGS) - a week-long camp for young women between their junior and senior years in high school. Here is the official description of Badger Girls State: "It is a government and leadership conference where the entire delegation will become a fifty-first state and will function according to the laws of the State of Wisconsin. Each day will focus on the various aspects of state government, God & Country

Campers - I'm going to tell you exactly where to go, what to see, and what to eat when you visit Lake Superior. Usually I just tell you where I've been. I guess I'm feeling bossy today. First, make sure it's hot and steamy weather outside - late June or July, perhaps. Pack light, but be sure to bring a fan (unless you enjoy roasting while you sleep). Second, bring bug spray, citronella candles, bug wands, or any other methods of fighting off mosquitoes. You'll need them. Thir

I'd left home March 15th and it was now April 2nd. I was car camping my way across America, seeing national and state parks and visiting friends and family along the way. Things were mostly going as planned - but then again, when it came to my time in California, I hadn't planned too much. I had ideas of things I wanted to do, places and people that I wanted to see, but I was intentionally not following a strict itinerary. My sister Susan lived in California for 20 years, and

After celebrating my son Luke's graduation the weekend of May 5-7, I returned home to Whitewater and began packing for my EAST COAST SWING! SECOND CAR CAMPING TRIP - May 9 - 26, 2023 May 9: Packed up, gassed up, got an oil change, then hit the road. Kept feeling like I forgot something. I DID! My dressy clothes for Grace's graduation! (Not on my usual camping checklists.) I was only 15 minutes out of town. Drove back, threw the fancy clothes in the rooftop car carrier, hugg

Alternative title: I have not been paid to endorse any of this equipment - I just like it. The most important piece of equipment on my car camping sojourn was my 2016 Subaru Outback, nicknamed Lakester. Lakester is my best friend and travel companion and was the most photographed thing in all photo albums from my adult gap year - humans, objects, scenery included. My late husband Mike found this beautiful vehicle at a used car dealership in Madison, WI back in 2018 after ex

I wake up later than usual. I avoid getting out of my warm sleeping bag. Today is my writing day.

I have decided to take a full year off from my current life. I have quit my job and I will be paying myself to travel and write. My plan is to go on an extended road trip across America, visiting state and national parks, camping, hiking, and visiting friends and family wherever I go.