A dream on wheels: This couple relishes full-time RV life
Michele and Mark of Two Happy Campers are out there living their best lives
Ever wondered what it’s like to live life on the road full-time? Meet the adventurous couple who turned their wanderlust into a way of life. Mark and Michele DeVries (known for their popular website, Two Happy Campers) started their RVing journey after a costly overseas trip in 2011 left them craving a more affordable and flexible way to travel. Since then, they've transformed their seasonal getaways into a full-time lifestyle. Their story is not just about the places they've been but also the passion that drives them to seek new horizons.
What began as a series of month-long trips in a new truck and camper evolved into full-time RVing by 2017, briefly interrupted by a unique job offer. In 2020, the pandemic reignited their desire for the open road, and they’ve been living the RV life ever since. Their setup includes a versatile four-wheel camper and a 21’ Desert Fox toy hauler, allowing them to enjoy both the comforts of home and the rugged backcountry. From photographing weddings in the Colorado Rockies to following the sun in Arizona and Mexico, these RVers know the joys of a life lived on wheels.
We wanted to know more, and Michele took the time to answer our questions:
- Photo courtesy Two Happy Campers
What inspired you to start RVing together, and how long have you been doing this full-time?
It was when my husband Mark and I took our first ever overseas trip in 2011 that we first began to ponder other ways to travel. Our young selves thought international trips around the world were what we were aspiring to. However, that weeklong trip went by in the blink of an eye and cost us thousands. Due to the seasonal nature of our business, we began wondering if there was a way to travel more but spend less. This is when we began searching for a 4x4 van or truck camper that would allow us to explore all corners of the American West.
Starting in 2012 we began taking 1-2 month long trips in our brand new truck camper. In 2017 we paired our truck camper with a Casita travel trailer and embarked on full-time RVing for a year. A unique job offer caused us to return to a solid foundation. Then in 2020, when the pandemic motivated us to question what was most important to us, we couldn’t ignore the pull back to the road. We’ve been full-time RVing ever since.
What kind of RV unit do you currently call home?
We actually have two. We have a four-wheel camper (a lightweight pop-up truck camper) that hasn’t come off of our truck since we purchased it in 2012. We also have a 21’ Desert Fox toy hauler that we were drawn to because the back door opens and allows for an airy indoor/outdoor feel to our living space. For 3/4 of the year we call the Desert Fox home. In the winter we put the trailer in storage and travel around Mexico in our truck camper. The trailer is a luxury with all the amenities and comforts of home but it can’t get deep into the backcountry. Our truck camper is tiny and requires foregoing many creature comforts but it can get just about anywhere. We love that the combination of the two rigs allows us to enjoy the best of both worlds.
- Photo courtesy Two Happy Campers
How do you choose your travel destinations?
In the summer and fall our work as wedding photographers dictates where we travel, which means we’re usually in and around the Colorado Rockies. In the winter and spring we’re all about following the weather, which takes us to Arizona and Mexico. We find the full-time RVing lifestyle to be more fun, comfortable, and affordable when living in mild weather conditions.
What’s your favourite campground or RV park?
Both of our rigs are fully outfitted for off-grid living. We tend to seek out wild campsites over campgrounds. However, there are tons of awesome campgrounds and RV parks out there, Lake Havasu State Park in Arizona being one of our favourites.
What are the biggest challenges of living in an RV?
One of the biggest challenges is receiving mail and packages. There are ways to do it but it’s tricky and requires planning ahead. Another challenge, which pertains more to our off-grid style of travel, is resource management. We have to keep close track of our solar production and energy use, as well as our water use. Unlike when we lived in a traditional house, living in an RV has taught us how to be intimately aware of how much water and power we use.
- Photo courtesy Two Happy Campers
How do you stay connected with friends and family while travelling?
Through random encounters we’ve met and become close friends with several other full-time RVers. We’ve spent weeks at a time travelling alongside one another which is a really fun perk of this lifestyle that we never would have predicted. As for our friends and family that don’t roam for a living, they tend to have a general idea of what region we’re in based on the time of year and will make plans to come camp with us for a weekend which is really fun.
What are your tips for budgeting while RVing?
We believe RVing can be either expensive or affordable, it all depends on how you go about it. If you buy a top-of-the-line RV, pay for sites every night, seek out paid tours and events, eat out frequently, and drive a lot, you’re going to spend a lot of money. On the contrary, if you buy a modest RV, seek out free camping and free recreation like hiking, and cook for yourself, RVing can be a great low-cost way to live and/or recreate.
- Photo courtesy Two Happy Campers
What has been your favourite travel experience so far?
Paddling with a massive school of stingrays off the coast of Baja California, Mexico is a highlight of our travels we’ll never forget. Three days in a row we would paddle out a short ways off the coast and hundreds, if not thousands, of rays would swim beneath our paddleboards. It was an incredible experience and something we never could have planned or sought out. We love being spontaneous in our travels and open to the unexpected and unpredictable, such as the ray experience.
What are some essential apps or tools for RVers?
The Campendium app and iOverlander app are essential for finding resources like propane, water, dump stations, and places to camp.
- Photo courtesy Two Happy Campers
What hobbies or interests do you pursue on the road?
I enjoy writing and photography and love sharing about our unconventional way of life on our blog, twohappycampers.com. Outside of that, we let our environment be our entertainment. If there’s hiking nearby, we hike. If we’re camped on a beach we snorkel or paddleboard. We never get bored when our environment is ever-changing.
What are your future travel plans or bucket list destinations?
The last several winters we’ve spent exploring Baja California, Mexico. This coming winter we’re really excited to head to Mainland Mexico. While the media paints a picture of danger, we’ve heard nothing but great things from dozens of fellow travellers. (There are places in Mexico to avoid, but the entire country isn’t dangerous) Mexico has a lot to offer from the culture, the food, the landscapes, and so much more. We can’t wait to see what we find.
In terms of bucket list destinations, driving the entire Pan-American highway down to South America is on our radar and something we would absolutely love to do in our truck camper. It’s a lot to figure out logistically but the pieces are slowly coming together.
- Photo courtesy Two Happy Campers
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It can be easy to get caught up in outfitting yourself and your rig with all the perfect gear before hitting the road. We’ve learned over the years that it’s impossible to determine everything you might need or want until you’re out doing it. Outfit yourself with the essentials and then get going. You can always add to your setup as you go. Try not to be too rigid in your plans and be open to whatever the road might have to offer. There are so many unexpected delights to discover along the way.
