TravelEssary

Jeremy and Misty Essary

Join our journey as we explore America one destination at a time. From small town festivals to hole in the wall eats, we explore the places that give travel its heart. Family adventures, travel tips, RV life, and stories from the road. New episodes every Friday!

  1. What We'd Do Different After a Year of RV Living

    May 22

    What We'd Do Different After a Year of RV Living

    Send us Fan Mail What We’d Do Different After a Year of RV Living After seven months of full-time travel and more than a year living in a fifth wheel, we’re looking back at all the things we thought we’d need, the things we absolutely didn’t, and the little changes we’d make if we could start this journey all over again. In this episode, we talk about the lessons we’ve learned from life on the road so far. Some practical, some funny, and some that only make sense after you’ve lived in a tiny space with your entire life packed into 500 sq feet. We also share a small update for the podcast. Going forward, new episodes will release every other Friday so we can focus on making each episode more consistent and higher quality, while still keeping monthly bonus content going over on Patreon. We chat about what we’d do differently if we had a do-over, including: Starting sooner instead of waiting for the “perfect” timePreparing earlier so we could slowly collect RV-specific gear before hitting the roadBringing way less stuff and letting go of all the “what if we need this someday?” totes that have barely been touchedStocking up on favorite regional foods and hard-to-find ingredients we’ve discovered along the wayAdding more outdoor gear for parks without many amenities, since we spend way more time outside than we expectedRelaxing our travel planning and relying more on local recommendations instead of over-researching every stop before we arriveFrom missing Best Maid pickles and Alabama white sauce to realizing some of our favorite memories came from completely unplanned moments, this episode is a fun and honest look at how travel changes the way you think about home, routines, and what actually matters. Support the show You can follow us on:  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560303402595 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/travelessary YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TravelEssary TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@travelessary Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TravelEssary Misty's Author Website - https:mistyessary.com/

    26 min
  2. Brunch Cafes: The Ultimate Local Experience

    Apr 17

    Brunch Cafes: The Ultimate Local Experience

    Send us Fan Mail Brunch Cafe's: The Ultimate Local Experience When you’re traveling, some of the best experiences don’t come from big attractions… they come from where you choose to eat. In this episode, we talk about why supporting locally owned businesses matters and how it directly impacts the communities we visit. From funding local events to keeping small towns thriving, where you spend your money really does make a difference. We share why local brunch cafés have become our go-to “sweet spot” on the road. They bring together great food, local flavor, and that sense of community you just can’t get from a chain. Most of them are one-of-a-kind spots, open early, closing around 2 PM, and serving up breakfast favorites with a local twist. We also dive into what makes these places special. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Regional flavors you won’t find anywhere else. Bulletin boards filled with local events. Shelves with handmade goods. And those small, real conversations that give you a glimpse into what life is actually like there. Of course, we know chains have their place when you need something quick or familiar. But if you really want to experience a destination, we believe brunch cafés are where it starts. This episode is for those who want to travel deeper, connect more, and eat really good food along the way. Support the show You can follow us on:  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560303402595 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/travelessary YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TravelEssary TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@travelessary Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TravelEssary Misty's Author Website - https:mistyessary.com/

    28 min
  3. Are Tourist Traps Worth it?

    Apr 10

    Are Tourist Traps Worth it?

    Send us Fan Mail Are Tourist Traps Worth It? We’re back on the road and settling into our East Coast stretch after leaving Texas over a month ago. Right now, we’re spending some time in Florida, and along the way, we’ve been thinking a lot about one big question… are tourist traps actually worth it? At the same time, Misty just released her third book and her first fiction title, which makes this season of travel feel a little extra special. In this episode, we talk about what we consider a “tourist trap” and why the answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. Some of these places are popular for a reason. But when you’re traveling full-time, especially with kids, the crowds, long lines, and higher prices can quickly take the fun out of it. We share how timing and planning can completely change the experience. Visiting during off-peak hours, doing a little research ahead of time, and knowing what to expect can make all the difference. Using Silver Springs State Park as an example, we talk through how even well-known spots can still be enjoyable when approached the right way. We also share why we like to balance those bigger, well-known stops with quieter, local experiences that often end up being the most memorable parts of a trip. We’re not anti-tourist… we’re just learning how to travel in a way that feels slower, more intentional, and a whole lot more enjoyable. Support the show You can follow us on:  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560303402595 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/travelessary YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TravelEssary TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@travelessary Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TravelEssary Misty's Author Website - https:mistyessary.com/

    28 min
  4. When Travel Stops Feeling Magical

    Apr 3

    When Travel Stops Feeling Magical

    Send us Fan Mail When Travel Stops Feeling Magical We talk a lot about how much we love this life… and we do. We really do. But sometimes, the magic fades a little. In this episode, we’re opening up about a harder stretch of full-time travel. Since mid-November, it’s been one thing after another. Breakdowns, flat tires, our RV fridge completely giving out… and trying to figure all of that out while constantly on the move. Because when something goes wrong out here, it’s not just inconvenient. It’s figuring out where to go, who to trust, how to fix it, and how to keep moving forward without your usual support system. We also talk about what it looks like when sickness hits on the road. Especially with kids. No regular doctor, unexpected costs, canceled plans, and long travel days that are just plain hard. And then there’s the little things you don’t always think about. Rising gas and food prices changing how we travel. Cutting back on eating out.  This lifestyle is still something we’re incredibly grateful for. But this episode is about the reality behind it. The moments when it feels heavy. The days when the magic takes a back seat. And why, even then, we still choose it. 🤍 Support the show You can follow us on:  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560303402595 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/travelessary YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TravelEssary TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@travelessary Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TravelEssary Misty's Author Website - https:mistyessary.com/

    31 min
  5. Tales From Our RV Window

    Mar 6

    Tales From Our RV Window

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of TravelEssary, we’re recording outside of Texas for the very first time after two long travel days that brought us to Alabama and yes, the scenery (and accents) have officially shifted. But today’s stories? They’re still straight out of Texas campground life. When you live full-time in an RV with near 360-degree windows, you don’t just travel, you observe. And campground life is its own kind of entertainment. We’re sharing what we see from our RV window, including: The wild differences in rigs, budgets, and setup stylesMulti-day “garden oasis” setups (that look like they require a blueprint)Outdoor laundry situationsTotes. So many totes.And what happens when Texas windstorms meet awnings and canopiesWe also talk about how watching other campers has influenced our own RV setup, from adding a rear stabilizer to finally buying an outdoor rug, and how different parks shape the experience. We compare community-focused campgrounds like Thousand Trails and KOA with more spacious stays at Corps of Engineers and state parks. Full-time RV travel constantly teaches us something, sometimes through our own mistakes, and sometimes by simply watching what unfolds outside our window. Season five is carrying us beyond Texas, and we’re just getting started. Support the show You can follow us on:  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560303402595 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/travelessary YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TravelEssary TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@travelessary Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TravelEssary Misty's Author Website - https:mistyessary.com/

    38 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Join our journey as we explore America one destination at a time. From small town festivals to hole in the wall eats, we explore the places that give travel its heart. Family adventures, travel tips, RV life, and stories from the road. New episodes every Friday!