Hitting the Road: We Bought a Camper – A New Way of Chasing Adventure

We finally did it—we bought a camper.

It wasn’t impulsive (okay, maybe a little impulsive), but it was absolutely the right kind of wild idea. For over 20 years, Jenn and I dreamed of owning a camper and seeing more of this beautiful country—not just flying over it, but feeling the miles stretch beneath our wheels. We wanted small-town diners, national parks, dirt under our boots, and stories told by firelight AND to be able to do it with our pups by our side! We dreamed of a small airstream – but well, they are super pricey! We began shopping last year, but decided we didn’t have time to really enjoy it.

But as of yesterday, with two Dalmatians in tow (Goose and Sheffield, the real stars of this show), we’re officially chasing the dream of open road.

Our new home on wheels—a Jeep Gladiator pulling a cozy camper—has already become more than just a vehicle. It’s a promise: to live slower, see more, and collect memories like postcards.

Traveling with Dogs: Chaos, Comedy, and Cuddles

A big reason we wanted a camper is that we want to travel with our pups! And that is really hard in a tent! Traveling

with dogs takes a little more planning (and a lot more treats), but it’s also the best kind of fun. They remind us to stop often, sniff the air, and never underestimate the joy of a good nap in the sun.

We’ve scoped out some dog-friendly campgrounds, packed the collapsible bowls and paw wipes, and planned for dog beds and TOYS! They love road trips and we anticipate their joy when we open the camper door makes every extra step worth it.

The Road Ahead: Baseball, Backroads, and Big Dreams

We’re not just wandering—we have a mission (okay, several). Jenn and I are on a quest to visit every Major League Baseball stadium, and the camper gives us a way to make that dream a whole lot more feasible. We’re planning to roll into small towns, discover hidden gems, and cheer for teams we’ve never seen before—from Fenway to Petco and every field in between.

But it’s not just about the ballparks. It’s about the spaces in between—the scenic highways, the dusty trails, the breweries that welcome dogs on the patio. It’s about making dinner under the stars and laughing when it rains and your campsite turns into a muddy obstacle course (OKAY, we might not be relishing that – but it sounds better in a camper than in a tent (which we have experienced too often). It’s about becoming the kind of people who get to know strangers at campsites just because we’re all out here trying to do life the best way we know how.

The Name

Our camper’s name, Turas-dùraigidh, is a Scots Gaelic phrase that means “adventure”—a fitting name for the journey we’re embracing. Gayle’s Scottish heritage runs deep, and naming our camper in Gaelic felt like honoring that legacy while leaning fully into the spirit of exploration. Just as our house is named Dhachaigh (Gaelic for “home”), this camper is our adventure on wheels—a moving extension of who we are and how we live. We believe life is meant to be explored, stories are meant to be gathered, and adventures are always worth chasing. And hopefully documenting here on taboradventure.life

Incase you’re wondering how to say Turas-dùraigidh – we’re still learning – here’s the best the internet can give us:

Turas-dùraigidh = TOO-russ DOO-ra-ghee

• Turas (journey): “TOO-russ”

• Dùraigidh (derived from “dùrachd” meaning hope/wish, possibly a creative adaptation): roughly “DOO-ra-ghee”

  • “dh” often sounds like a soft “y” or “g” in Gaelic, depending on placement and dialect. (we think we’re giving it the gy sound (DOO-ra-gheey)

 

Why Now?

Because life is short. Because we’re are getting older. Because sometimes, you’ve got to stop waiting for “someday” and hitch up the camper today.

We’ll be documenting the highlights, the hiccups, and the hilarity of it all right here on taboradventure.life. If you love travel, dogs, baseball, or just living life a little outside the lines, we hope you’ll come along for the ride. Of course I, Gayle, ordered us some stickers for us, to remind us to go, and for the camper (let us know if you’d like one!

Let the adventures begin.