Meet the Family Behind Over the Hills: Why We Chose Full-Time RV Living
Every travel story has a beginning.
Before the scenic overlooks, historic towns, national parks, and thousands of miles of open highway, there was simply a decision.
A decision to leave behind the life we knew and take a chance on something completely different.
We’re Ed and Sandy, and together with our yellow Labrador, General, we’ve been exploring America one campground, one back road, and one unexpected adventure at a time.
If you’re new to Over the Hills, we’d love to tell you a little about who we are and why we chose this unconventional lifestyle.
How Our Journey Began
Like many major life changes, ours wasn’t part of a carefully planned retirement strategy.
It started with uncertainty.
We both found ourselves unemployed at the same time and suddenly had a choice to make.
Do we simply buy another house, find new jobs, and continue life as before?
Or do we finally pursue a dream we’d been talking about for years?
After watching other full-time RV travelers and realizing this lifestyle really was possible, we decided to take the leap.
We sold nearly everything we owned, bought a travel trailer, and set out to explore America.
Looking back, it was one of the biggest decisions we’ve ever made.
It’s also one of the best.
Traveling on a Shoestring Budget
One thing you’ll quickly notice about our travels is that we’re not luxury travelers.
We’re ordinary people doing our best to make an extraordinary lifestyle work.
We travel carefully, watch our budget, and try to show that you don’t need unlimited resources to experience some of America’s most beautiful places.
In many ways, our adventures are proof that meaningful travel isn’t measured by how much money you spend.
It’s measured by the experiences you collect along the way.
Meet General
No introduction would be complete without introducing the third member of our traveling family.
General, our yellow Labrador.
He’s been with us through campgrounds, national parks, mountain trails, lakes, historic towns, and countless road trips.
If you’ve watched many of our videos, you’ve probably noticed that whenever there’s water nearby, General somehow manages to find it.
He’s more than just our dog.
He’s our traveling companion, hiking partner, campground greeter, and often the happiest member of the crew.
What You’ll Find on Over the Hills
Our channel has always been about much more than simply showing beautiful places.
We enjoy sharing a variety of experiences, including:
- RV travel adventures
- Historic sites and museums
- Scenic drives
- Campground reviews
- RV maintenance and repairs
- Travel tips we’ve learned along the way
- National parks
- Small towns and hidden gems
- Wildlife encounters
- Everyday life on the road
Some videos feature spectacular destinations.
Others cover routine maintenance or campground life.
Together they tell the complete story of what full-time RV living is really like.
Learning as We Go
We certainly didn’t know everything when we started.
In fact, we still don’t.
Every year on the road teaches us something new.
One of Ed’s favorite sayings is:
“I’ll show you all the mistakes I make so you don’t have to.”
That philosophy has become one of the guiding ideas behind this channel.
If we discover an easier way to do something—or learn a lesson the hard way—we’d rather share it honestly than pretend everything always goes perfectly.
Because the truth is…
Sometimes it doesn’t.
And that’s okay.
Our Love of History
One thing that quickly became obvious as we traveled was just how much history surrounds us.
We both enjoy visiting historic homes, museums, battlefields, frontier forts, and preserved communities.
Sandy has long enjoyed creating historical clothing and researching America’s past, while Ed loves discovering the stories hidden behind old buildings and forgotten places.
Some of our favorite travel days have been spent simply walking through places where history comes alive.
Nature, Photography & Wildlife
Travel also gives us opportunities to enjoy many of our favorite hobbies.
Ed rarely goes anywhere without a camera nearby.
Photography, bird watching, and wildlife are all part of the adventure.
Whether it’s a breathtaking mountain vista, a grazing bison, or an unexpected sunset over a quiet campground, we love capturing the moments that make each destination unique.
More Than Destinations
As much as we enjoy visiting famous places, we’ve discovered that some of our favorite memories come from unexpected moments.
Conversations with local residents.
Quiet evenings around the campground.
Small roadside museums.
Family-owned restaurants.
A forgotten historical marker.
Sometimes it’s the people we meet—not the attractions—that make a place unforgettable.
That’s one of the greatest gifts of slow travel.
Why We Share Our Journey
We started Over the Hills because we wanted to help others.
Maybe you’re considering RV travel yourself.
Maybe you’re planning a vacation.
Maybe you’re simply curious about places you’ve never visited.
If our experiences help you choose a campground, plan a road trip, avoid a costly mistake, or discover a destination you hadn’t considered, then we’ve accomplished exactly what we hoped to do.
Join Us on the Road
Our adventure is still unfolding.
There are countless roads we haven’t driven, historic sites we haven’t explored, and stories we haven’t yet discovered.
We’re grateful you’ve decided to spend a little time traveling with us.
Whether you’re here for RV tips, scenic drives, campground reviews, history, or simply to enjoy America’s incredible landscapes, we hope you’ll continue following along.
There’s always another adventure waiting just over the hill.
Continue the Journey
If you’d like thoughtful road wisdom, practical RV tips, and reflections from life on the road, join our email list.