I am pursuing a greater version of myself.”

A few months back, we met up with a friend we made in the Tetons this summer for the eclipse, Heather Grow (@grow_explore). Back in September/October, we had the pleasure of rendezvousing with her in Telluride, and again in November in White Sands, NM.

Heather Grow, 28, like NOMAD 1 is originally from Virginia, and she’s been on the road full time for 4 months. She lives out of a ’03 Ford F-350 conversion van in around 72 sq ft. She built out the inside on her own.

Heather loving on her travel companions, Tripp and Sadie, inside her cozy home.

A defining moment of her life was her mother’s untimely passing when Heather was only 13. “I wear my mothers high school ring every single day. It helps me appreciate life and all that I’m able to do. Everyday out on the road makes me feel like I’m living for her, going places she never got the chance to. Her absence of life keeps me grounded and connected to each moment,” she told me. “I am pursuing a greater version of myself. Sure, I’m trying to find avenues to propel my passion of photography and i want to have work that can give me even more financial freedom.

But all of that is nothing in comparison to my drive to work each day to become a better woman. With each passing day on the road i find more clarity, my mind declutters, and I’m able to focus on things that have true substance and meaning. Slowly I’m stripping away old bad habits and ways of thinking, I’m living in the moment, and avoid dwelling on past mistakes or the future’s unknowns.”

“My mental, emotional, and physical freedom is the greatest and most beneficial pursuit I’ve ever had the privilege of taking on.”

Her mother’s high school ring is an ever present reminder for Heather that “life is for the living.”

“The only constant in life is change. I don’t know what next week, month, or year will bring. What I do know is I love traveling, the lifestyle that I’m settling in to, and I’m going to do it as long as it feels like the best path for life.”

Ellen and I hit the road full-time in June of 2016. We are on a mission to inspire and educate everyone on the importance of getting outside. Check out my workshops and my prints, made #ontheroad in my mobile print studio. The revenue will help propel us further on this great adventure. Enrich yourself and others… and feel great about it too as you’re helping to ensure our public lands are cherished and to keep the wild spirit of the American Dream alive. Our goal is to visit all 59 National Parks in 3-5 years. LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT WE’RE DOING HERE