Kerouacs Cruising | Where Off-Grid Living Meets Soulful Awakening

Two and a half years ago we were gripping the steering wheel so hard our knuckles were white. Trying to figure out how to keep this life we'd built from slipping away before it had even really started.This week... we're not doing that anymore.This episode is a road dispatch from Kansas and Iowa; tornadoes we almost panicked over, soul people we tracked down in Kansas City, a wedding memory that hit James somewhere tender, and a quiet realization that we've actually, genuinely arrived at the life we were fighting so hard to keep.We also talk about what it felt like to drop into the grind-pace of regular life while visiting people we love... and how strange it is to live outside that rhythm now. Not better or worse. Just different. And how much we notice it.What you'll hear in this episode:The tornado that turned out to be mostly in our heads (and the neighbors playing in the rain while we were ready to flee to a storm shelter)Kansas City through the windshield of a 26-foot trailer; six lanes, kind strangers, incredible foodCheyenne (from our Safe Space episode) in real life; her bookstore, her world, her peopleThe wedding James doesn't remember attending... because he was very, very drunkWhy Iowa might become a twice-a-year stop on our routeWhat "white-knuckling it" actually felt like in year one... and what it feels like now to just... relax into itWhere we're headed next (Montana, Yellowstone, Beartooth Pass...?)Resources and mentions:Cheyenne's podcastOur episode with CheyenneThe Reinvention ProjectIf something in this conversation is stirring something in you, the gap between the life you're grinding through and the one you can feel waiting... that's exactly what The Reinvention Project is for. It's a quiet space to look honestly at what you're building and who you're becoming. Come find us when you're ready.You're always welcome at our campfire. Everything: the blog, the show, social, Ko-fi, and how to reach us, is linked. We're glad you're here.

If you’re heading into family gatherings with an inner critic (or a loud uncle), this one’s for you! Your inner critic doesn’t have to drive your life. In this powerful conversation, therapist and hypnotherapist Dr. Margaret Cochran shares a simple “bus” mindfulness tool to name the loud voice in your head, stop arguing with it, and keep moving toward your goals—without toxic positivity.In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we talk about the inner critic, healing old wounds, and why “words create realities.” Dr. Cochran breaks down a mindfulness practice you’ll remember forever: you’re the driver of the bus, and your thoughts are passengers—including the ones that shout fear, shame, and “you didn’t do it right.”We also explore:Why fighting the inner critic drains your energy (and stalls your momentum)How to name the voice and keep driving anywayThe “hole in the sidewalk” pattern—and the steps to finally choose a new roadCognitive distortions, narcissistic family systems, and why kids internalize blameA simple “three questions” reset when you’re spiralingA 28–30 day gratitude practice that can shift your brain over timeBoundaries at family gatherings: limits, exit plans, and not taking the baitA grounding meditation: Embracing the Golden LightManifestation vs. “toxic positivity”: you can’t clean the kitchen if you won’t see the dirtThe question that cuts through fear: What would I do if I weren’t afraid?Connect with Dr. Margaret Cochran: Website: DrCochran.comMore from us: Blog + episode resources: kerouacscruising.com Email: join@kerouacscruising.com Follow: @kerouacscruising (IG/FB)

What do you do when a botched surgery leaves you without an Achilles tendon… and a therapist tells you you’ll be “compromised for the rest of your life”? In this episode, author and hiker Jo Giese shares how she clawed her way back to the trail, one waterfall, lucky stone, and hopeful step at a time.When a “routine” Achilles repair went horribly wrong, doctors told Jo Giese that life as she knew it was over. The Achilles died, infection set in, and even a trusted PT told her she’d be compromised forever.But Jo refused to accept that story.In this conversation, Jo shares how she went from barely able to walk to becoming what doctors now call a medical outlier — the 0.01% of people who recover function without an Achilles tendon. With brutal honesty and a lot of humor, she talks about rebuilding strength, finding the right medical team, and why killing someone’s hope is one of the worst things we can do.We also dive into:Why some people succumb to injury while others overcome itHow waterfalls, wild places, and “waterfall medicine” became a big part of Jo’s healingThe importance of community: doctors, therapists, friends, and the people who simply show upWhy Jo is firmly against hiking alone in remote places — and how to find safer ways to adventureThe joy of lucky stones, “walkie talkies” walking groups, and discovering that your pace doesn’t define your worthJo’s upcoming memoir, You’ll Never Walk Alone: A Hiker’s Memoir of Adventure, Tragedy, and Defying the Odds, releases February 10, 2026 — and this conversation is a beautiful preview of the grit, vulnerability, and awe packed into her story.🎧 Listen if you’re navigating injury, burnout, or big life change and need a reminder that your body — and your spirit — might be capable of far more than you’ve been told.💻 Watch this episode on YouTube: @KerouacsCruising📸 Blog & travel stories: KerouacsCruising.com💬 Instagram & Facebook: @KerouacCruising📧 Email: Join@KerouacsCruising.com✨ Support our journey on Ko-fi: Every little bit helps us keep creating from the road! If this episode moved you, the kindest thing you can do is like, subscribe, and leave a review. It’s a small action that makes a huge difference in helping us keep the journey going. 💚🩷💚🩷 Thank you for being here — your presence means everything.

We are grateful for all of our friends, family supporters and everyone joining our journey, as we figure out this thing called life together! We hope you have a wonderful weekend, see you next week for our next adventure episode 💚🩷

We finally made it to North Idaho — and this week, we’re taking you with us as we tour a remote one-acre property deep in the mountains. The road is wild, the views are unreal, and the reality check hits hard. Is this the spot where our new life takes root… or not?After weeks on the road, we’re back in North Idaho, the place that already feels like home even though our roots aren’t in the ground yet. In this adventure episode, we take you along as we check out a remote one-acre lot tucked deep into the mountains near Lake Pend Oreille.From rough forest roads to steep terrain, from big hopes to big reality checks — we walk through what it’s really like to try to build a home base while living full-time on the road.Along the way, we talk about:what we’re looking for in our future homesteadchallenges of off-grid access in winter (hello, snowmobile-only roads)the pros + cons of remote landhow our three pups (including sweet Jewels in this video) shape every decisionthe behind-the-scenes chaos of travel days, Starlink glitches, laundry hunts, and keeping the camper functioningsurrendering to the unknown and trusting the right place will reveal itselfWe also share updates on:the Arizona homestead salethe next property we plan to tourhow we’re navigating decision-making while still living on the moveour setup, our workflow, and the truth about what this lifestyle really takesIf you’ve ever dreamed of relocating to the mountains, buying remote land, or building a simple life on your own terms, this episode offers a real, unfiltered look into the early stages of that journey.📍 Watch the full episode for the views, the honesty, and a few laughs.📍 Visit the blog at KerouacsCruising.com for detailed notes & resources.📍 Join the conversation on Instagram & Facebook @kerouaccruising.If you enjoy the episode, please consider liking, commenting, subscribing, and leaving a review — your support helps us reach more people walking the same path.

From a sketchy canal in Nevada to a dreamy lakeside spot in Oregon, this leg of our journey had biting flies, blown-up Starlink, surprise mice, and a whole lot of dog hair. We’re towing our 26-foot trailer with three dogs, chasing cooler temps, and trying to keep our truck alive while we inch toward Idaho and grandbaby smoochies.You’ll also see our sweet girl Jewels all throughout this episode—this was filmed before she passed, so this one is extra special to us. 💛In this adventure episode, we roll out of the Yosemite/Virginia Lakes area and start making our way toward Idaho with a few memorable stops along the way:Humboldt Wildlife Management Area near Lovelock, Nevada – including why we wouldn’t let the dogs in the water, how biting flies + mosquitoes changed our minds, and what it’s like crawling down a washboard road at 10 mph with a trailer.Antelope Reservoir, Oregon (near Jordan Valley) – a beautiful free camping spot with swimmable water, big skies, and first-come-first-served lakeside sites that fill up fast.Spring Creek Road (Forest Service Road 21) near La Grande, Oregon – high pines, Oregon Trail history, Labor Day side-by-sides, hunting season, and how we handled the heat when we really just wanted a quiet few days in the woods.We also talk honestly about full-time RV life with three dogs (Jewels, Bella, and Norman):laundry math when you haven’t washed clothes since you left Arizonadog hair avalanches every time you crack a windowmanaging an elderly dog’s incontinence on the roadwhy we keep snap traps on board for surprise furry stowaways 🐭On the “logistics & life” side, we share:our truck upgrades (that new transmission cooler and why slowing down on mountain passes changed everything)a weird AC thermostat glitch in the camper (hello, Celsius)Starlink reality when clouds roll in and your upload speed disappears right when you’re trying to deliver a podcast episodethe emotional roller coaster of selling our Arizona homestead and the excitement of possibly buying a small treed acre in Idaho near the lake—just enough space to park the camper, fence the pups, run shore power, and build a big “dog house” shed.Through it all, we’re just two humans and three dogs doing our best to travel slow, stay safe, and keep things honest—even when the fire pits are full of trash, the temps hit the 90s, and the laundry basket is begging for mercy.🎧 In this episode you’ll hear about:The truth about Humboldt Wildlife Management Area as an overnight stopWhy we highly recommend Antelope Reservoir (and why you should arrive early)Free camping on Spring Creek Road / FS 21 near La Grande, ORTraveling with three dogs: hair, heat, and hard decisionsOur Starlink struggles and website rebuild in the wildTruck temps, towing safety, and how a transmission cooler changed our driving styleOur next chapter: hunting season, baby cuddles, and a potential home base in Idaho🔗 Places & resources mentioned:Antelope Reservoir (near Jordan Valley, Oregon) – free lakeside camping with vault toilets and fire rings (check current fire bans)Spring Creek Road / FS 21 near La Grande, OR – dispersed camping + Spring Creek Campground (fee area with vault toilet)GC Asian Fusion, La Grande, Oregon – delicious, affordable Asian fusion spot we loved in downtown La Grande💛 A note about Jewels: You’ll see our girl Jewels a lot in this video. This episode was recorded before she passed, and we chose to share it as a way to honor her joy out on the road. She was such a big part of Kerouacs Cruising, and we’re grateful you love her too.📸 Blog companion: Read the full blog with camping details, tips, and photos: 👉 [Add your blog link here once published]🗣 Join the conversation:Website & blog: kerouacscruising.comFacebook & Instagram: @kerouaccruisingEmail: join@kerouacscruising.comIf this episode made you laugh, cringe, or plan your own trip, please like, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps more adventure-curious folks find us and keeps this journey rolling.