Sunday Summary #148

2025 Wrapped - Van Life Year One

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 148th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in Phoenix, Arizona.

Last few months.

In our last Sunday Summary we had just returned from Katmai National Park in Alaska, and we were headed to our final National Park in Alaska, Wrangell St-Elias. Later in this email we’ll get into why we took a break from this email newsletter and YouTube, and what we’ve bee focusing on in the meantime. But first, let’s catch you up on the incredible last half we had in 2025.

Our last National Park in Alaska was the LARGEST National Park in the US - Wrangell-St. Elias. To put it in context, this park is larger than Switzerland. We knocked off two items off our bucket list here, hiking on top of a glacier, and getting up into the air and taking a flight tour of the Bagley Icefield and the largest Glacier in North America.

While we were sad to leave Alaska, in late August it was time to head out of what became one of our favorite states in the country. We will absolutely be back one day. We drove the Top of the World highway out and made our way to the start of the Dempster Highway and our hardest challenge yet, a 4-night, 5-day backpacking trip through the Patagonia of the North - Tombstone Territorial Park.

With all our food in bear safe containers, packs full of camera gear, and Ollie in tow, we hiked 30 miles and 10,000 feet of elevation over 5 days. With snow on the first morning, we felt extremely tested - this was going to be the most challenging effort similar to our 500 mile bike ride across Iowa for the 50th Annual RAGBRAI. All throughout this hike, the fall foliage was incredible and each step forward, persevering, making new friends made this one of our favorite experiences of the year.

Recovering from Tombstone, we decided to drive the challenging Dempster Highway to the Arctic Ocean. At this point in our trip North we were, honestly, pretty exhausted. Our fear of missing out, was in full force, and knowing we just had a few days of driving to reach an area that few ever get to see, pushed us forward. This long, rough, dirt road is notorious for blowing tires - many drivers plan all year around the trip and have multiple spares. We felt extremely unprepared but figured any issues we ran across, we could figure them out together on the road. Seeing our family and home on wheels on the coast of the Arctic Ocean is a memory that will last forever.

Now, after Labor Day, it was time to begin the long journey south - starting with the Alaska Highway. We were thrilled to visit the areas of the highway we skipped due to fires earlier in the summer. The signpost forest in Watson Lake, Yukon is a cultural icon where travelers bring hand painted signs or license plates and mark their voyage up the Alaska Highway. If you head up to the highway, try and find our sign!

After leaving our mark on the Alaska Highway, we stopped at a place we heard so much about - Liard Hotsprings. Getting the opportunity to relax, in these natural hot springs was the perfect way to unwind after the many mile trip to Alaska.

Leaving Canada, we chose to make the most when heading south. We hiked a few places along the Icefields Parkway, stopped in Glacier National Park, and once we had our first snow of the season - drove the rest of the way to Denver, Colorado to spend the holidays with family! Although we did take the scenic road South, of course.

Bison on the ALCAN Highway heading south.

One of the many waterfalls along the Icefields Parkway.

A bison in Yellowstone National Park.

A geyser in Yellowstone National Park.

Jen and Elliot in Glacier National Park.

Sunset in Grand Tetons National Park.

After ten and a half months on the road, we arrived in Denver, excited to accomplish one of our main van life goals: spend time with family. We caught up on work, enjoyed time with Elliot’s sister, and stayed put for the next six weeks.

Jen and Nicole - Elliot’s younger sister - in Garden of the Gods, Colorado.

After Thanksgiving we headed out of Colorado and made our way to Los Angeles for Christmas but we stopped in Petrified Forest National Park, on the way.

Jen admiring the Petrified Wood in Petrified Forest National Park.

After Christmas in LA, we made our way to Phoenix for our third annual creator meet-up. Adam and Kathryn from @adventuresofaplusk, Chad and Claire from @chadandclaire, Nate and Alicia from @thepassportcouple, Joey and Katie from @katieandjoeonthego, and last but certainly not least - Jordan and Emily from @jordanandemilytravel. Not only did we meet and discuss business strategy, but we also became better friends and family.

Easily the one of our highlights of the year!

Next Year.

2026 is phase two of three in our National Park adventure, and we have some incredible travel plans for the year. We’re still working out our exact content calendar, but our travels will take us to Baja California this Winter, and we’ll make our way up to the Great Lakes for the Summer, New England this Fall, and then Florida and US Virgin Islands at the final part of 2026. Make sure you follow us on Instagram here @schoandjo to keep up with the adventures.

Videos.

It’s been about 5 months since our last youtube video. We last left off with our first National Park adventure in Alaska - Denali. We received many heartfelt messages from y’all, and we wanted to say thank you! We made a facebook post about why we had to deprioritize YouTube, but the TLDR is that our videos costed too much to produce, for what they brought in. We are planning to release videos this year, but just at a longer velocity so if you do enjoy our videos, stay tuned - some great stories are incoming!

Blogs.

While it’s been 5 months since our last YouTube video, we have been releasing multiple blog posts a week without pausing. We’ve mainly focused on releasing our Alaskan travel guides alongside some breakdowns of our favorite gift ideas. Checkout schoandjo.com/blog for the full list, but here are some of our favorites. We’ll be wrapping up our one year of van life expenses very soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

37 Awesome Gifts for National Park Lovers (Any Occasion)

Try to decide what to gift that person in your life who loves the US National Parks? Get inspired with this list of 37 ideas!

schoandjo.com/gifts-for-national-park-lovers/

The 9 Best Hikes in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska

Wondering what the best hikes are in Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park? We've rounded up the top 9!

schoandjo.com/best-hikes-in-wrangell-st-elias

How to Choose an Unforgettable Flightseeing Tour of Wrangell-St. Elias

Trying to decide if a flightseeing tour of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is right for you? We've broken down all your options!

schoandjo.com/wrangell-st-elias-tours

How to Choose the Best Kenai Fjords Boat Tour

Choose which Kenai Fjords National Park boat tour to go on with this guide! We've compared prices, lengths, and what you get to see in each.

schoandjo.com/kenai-fjords-boat-tour

From the Eyes of Ollie.

I turned 10 years young this year. Even though I have much more grey around my nose, I can still keep up with my parents… I even helped pull my Dad up Glissade Pass in Tombstone Territorial Park. Fortunately they let me sleep for a whole week afterwards as they drove many many miles! This year I’m excited to go to another country - hopefully I meet a lot of friendly dogs and I get to taste some tacos!

Gratitudes.

2025 was a whirlwind filled with highs and lows. While we visited some of the most incredible places we have seen to date, it was at the same time extremely challenging for our business. Going through 3 content niche pivots (boat life and great loop > van build > van life and traveling to all of the US National Parks) in the past year and a half has taken a toll on the stability of our business. But, through the challenging and stressful moments, we’ve refined what we actually love to do, what we want out of our business, and shed what doesn’t benefit us. This year of growth made us reflect on what we wanted out of life, our business, and our bigger goals in life. Going through these moments is always tough, but coming out of it on the other end is always so rewarding!

As I (Elliot) reflect on this past year, the gratitude for my little family is immense. Jen, Ollie, and I support each other through the challenging nature of life on the road - the highs and lows, the daily routine activities and new experiences, and helping me become the best versions of ourselves. I feel like we’re just hitting our stride in this current chapter of Scho & Jo, and in 2026 I’m thrilled to see what we can not only experience, but also create.

Thank you to everyone who reads this newsletter, no matter how in-frequent we posted last year, here’s to the end of 2025 🍻 and a healthy new year.

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #147

The Last Frontier

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 147th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in Glacier View, Alaska. We’ve quite the view from our mobile-office today!

Current Office View

Last Month.

When we last checked in, we were in Anchorage prepping for our Kenai Peninsula road trip. If you’re not familiar with Alaska and the regions, the Kenai is the most popular area to travel through. It has this combination of snowcapped mountains, glacier lakes, running rivers, and, of course, the water! This combination of mountains and water is breathtaking, and at each stop we were in love.

View of volcanoes from the Kenai Peninusla

Our first destination was Homer, Alaska - also known as “The End of the Road” - you cannot drive any further in the contiguous US! Homer was this quaint, artsy, seaside town full of culture. The most popular area is the Homer Spit, a glacial moraine, where the marina, local saloon, and has tons of cute shops and restaurants.

The end of the Homer Spit

While we were free camping on the beach with views of Lake Clark National Park, we received a Tsunami Warning. It was a scary realization that we’re in a different area of the world with different natural disasters - there was no hurricane warning a week out! We quickly packed up camp and drove to higher ground - fortunately there was no Tsunami reported but it was still an eye opening experience!

Our beach campsite, beautiful but not where we wanted to be during a Tsunami

The next day, we went on our first backpacking trip to Grewingk Glacier, and it was the perfect first trip - 6 miles in with no elevation and camping at the edge of a glacial lake. Ollie was able to come, and she enjoyed hunting for rocks and icebergs while we had a few hours disconnected to relax and enjoy the scenery.

After almost 10 years of no backpacking, we’re back at it!

This might just be one of the best spots Elliot has read a book from!

We loved our time to disconnect and just enjoy.

Our next stop was Seward, Alaska - a charming town nestled in a Fjord! It gave us plenty of Milford Sound vibes from our time in New Zealand, and the entire location was one of our favorites in all of Alaska. We boondocked on the riverbed of a glacially fed, braided river, with snow-capped peaks across the water, and spent some time on the water! We kayaked with Sunny Cove Kayaking and then took a boat ride into Kenai Fjords National Park. We saw an insane amount of wildlife - bubble-netting humpback whales, transient Orca, puffins, sea lions, and so much more. Kenai Fjords NP definitely made it into our top 5 national parks! It was nice being on a boat with our two good friends, Jackie and Alex from @where.is.ajax. Since they lived on a sailboat for a few years, and now travel in a truck camper, we chatted about the highs and lows of boat life compared to our current adventures. Traveling with friends is one of our favorite parts, and it’s been great traveling with Ajax for the past few weeks!

Jen and Elliot on the boat ride in Kenai Fjords NP

A campfire with Ajax at one of our favorite camps yet.

Jen kayaking in Resurrection Bay

The Harding Icefield was unbelievable - the largest icefield all within the US

Humpback Whales in Kenai Fjords

Sea Lions in Kenai Fjords

A puffin in Kenai Fjords National Park

After leaving Seward and a quick pit stop in Whittier, Alaska, we prepped for our biggest Alaskan adventure yet, Katmai National Park! Katmai National Park is not easy to get to. Located on a very remote part of the Alaskan Peninsula, we had two flights, one from Anchorage and then a float plane from King Salmon! This meant we needed to board Ollie for the first time in her 10 years of life… An already emotionally charged event, when Ollie’s boarding appointment was cancelled the morning of our flight, it put us into overdrive, finding a last-minute replacement. All’s well that ends well, and when we picked up Ollie 4 days later, she was extremely happy and in great spirits.

This was our first time on a float plane.

Our time in Katmai was nothing short of exceptional. The coastal Brown Bears in Katmai National Park are the largest land carnivores in the world, and at Brooks Camp, you live in their midst. Fortunately, they are more full and fat on the plethora of Salmon, and they don’t care about you as long as you follow the rules from Bear School! We have to give a huge shoutout to Katie and Joey from @katieandjoeonthego for planning and inviting us on this once-in-a-lifetime trip. They’ve already started posting some Katmai videos on their IG, so be sure to check it out!

Coastal Brown Bears in Katmai National Park

Lynx in Katmai National Park

Jen, Katie, and Joey walking searching for some Bears!

A bear eatting salmon from Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park

View of the Valley of the Ten Thousand Smokes in Katmai

A Coastal Brown Bear

Salmon swimming upstream to spawn.

Our Park Ranger was a great guide! Ranger Gill was a character.

This Month.

Post Katmai, we reunited with Ollie and are now making our way to our final National Park in Alaska (of this trip) - Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This is the largest US National Park, and it has some really neat history that we’re thrilled to learn about! We’re taking it a bit slower and will be catching up on Instagram and YouTube for the rest of August, so stay tuned for the adventures!

Videos.

Incase you missed it, here are all the vlogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

Blogs.

Here are all the blogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

6 Months of Van Life Expenses - How much we actually spent

We've compiled our expenses from living in a van for the past six months to give you a realistic look of how much it actually costs!

schoandjo.com/six-month-cost-of-living-in-a-van

11 Extraordinary Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park

Looking for the best hikes in Capitol Reef? Look no further than these 11 amazing hikes, ranging from easy to challenging!

schoandjo.com/best-hikes-in-capitol-reef-national-park

The Best Spot to Watch the Sunset in Capitol Reef National Park

Head into Utah's Capitol Reef National Park to watch the sunset from this gorgeous lookout, Sunset Point! Here's everything you need to know.

schoandjo.com/sunset-point-capitol-reef

How to Spend 24 Hours in Capitol Reef National Park

Just got one day to visit Capitol Reef? Follow this Itinerary to Capitol Reef National Park and make planning your upcoming trip a breeze!

schoandjo.com/one-day-in-capitol-reef

Temple of the Sun and Moon Guide: Cathedral Valley, Utah

Check out the Temple of the Sun and Moon in Cathedral Valley, Capitol Reef National Park's remote northern area!

schoandjo.com/temple-of-the-sun-and-moon

11 Most Epic Sunrise Spots in Arches National Park

Watch the sun rise over Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, from any one of these 11 amazing sunrise hikes and viewpoints!

schoandjo.com/arches-national-park-sunrise

7 Gorgeous Sunset Spots in Arches National Park

Looking for where to watch the sunset in Arches National Park? Choose from any of these 7 amazing spots dotted throughout the park!

schoandjo.com/arches-national-park-sunset

From the Eyes of Ollie.

Alaska is tied for my favorite with Canada! So many rocks to catch in the streams, I am having the Summer of my life even though I just turned 70 years young… I still have lots of energy and hiking in me! My parents took me on a tram above a river and I loved the views.

Gratitudes.

This month we’d like to call out all our Katie and Joe for planning all of Katmai. They were fantastic trip planners to a huge group of 15, and Katmai National Park was a trip to remember. We are lucky to call them friends and are already planning a return trip for a multi-day kayaking adventure! Maybe in the next few years… Thank y’all!

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #146

We made it to ALASKA

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 146th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in Anchorage, Alaska. It’s been a while since we send an email update, so buckle in - we have a lot to share…

Last Two Months.

Our last update was when we just finished Capitol Reef National Park in early May! It almost seems like last year, with how much we’ve explored since then… After Capitol Reef National Park, we completed our circuit of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks. For all being in the same region of the United States, we were shocked with just how different each spot was.

Hiking a fin in Arches

Delicate Arch

Arches, as the second most popular National Park in the state, as well as one of the most popular National Parks in the country, didn’t disappoint in the slightest. The various and unique arches throughout the park each inspired different feelings, as we spent two days hiking and exploring the park.

View of the Colorado River in Canyonlands

Canyonlands National Park was our final National Park in Utah, and the viewpoints were unlike any we’d seen so far. We only had time to explore the Island of the Sky district in Canyonlands, but it made such an impression that it’s the park we’re most excited to go back to, to explore the other three districts!

In late May, we were starting to get some very warm temperatures in Southern Utah so we decided to begin the drive up to Alaska in earnest! With a short stop in Salt Lake City, Utah for Memorial Day - we were officially on the way!

BTS: Jen cried when we reached Montana.

It was a tough decision to drive straight through Idaho and Montana, however getting to Alaska was the goal this year. We knew we’d be coming back to give these states the attention they deserve - so we kept our sights North. We crossed into Canada in Sweetgrass, Montana and quickly made our way to the Canadian rockies. We started a tradition stopping for Poutine and Butter Tarts when arriving to Canada to celebrate with some Canadian treats.

When we visited Canada on our Great Loop in 2022, it was some of our favorite cruising and exploring of our entire Loop. Entering Canada by van this time, was just as exciting for us, and we were pumped for our travels though Canada to Alaska.

Summit just into Banff!

Our roadtrip through the Canadian Rockies went by way too fast. Although we stopped at many places from Canmore through Jasper including on the legendary Icefields Parkway (Jen cried here, too) - we jotted this area as somewhere we needed to come back and spend an extended amount of time here. We are tentatively hoping to spend some time in early Fall on our way south - so if you have any recommendations, reply to this email or DM us on Instagram with your suggestions!

Icefields Parkway, Jasper

View from the highway in Banff

This roadtrip was just the first part of a much longer drive from Dawson Creek, BC to Alaska! We planned and fully intended to take the Alaska Highway (Alcan) all the way up, but when we arrived to Mile 0 - we found out the road was closed… We were closely tracking a Wildfire about 4 hours into the Alcan, just past Fort Nelson - but the day before (during our time at the International Chainsaw Competition in Chetwynd) we learned of a new fire growing rapidly, in between the first two stops on the Alcan. After lots of back and forth and with feedback from the visitors center, we decided to do what we do best… pivot - to the only other land route to Alaska, the Stewart-Cassiar Highway.

Chetwynd Quick Carve

Chetwynd Quick Carve

While we didn’t do the Alcan on the way up, we started from Mile 0!

The Stewart-Cassiar added about 10 hours of driving onto our already long route, but since we can just take the Alcan on the way back we felt it was an easy decision to make. The first two days of the re-route was just getting to the beginning of the highway at Kitwanga Junction. From here this scenic drive was incredible. We saw tons of wildlife - Moose, Bear, and Foxes - although our favorite night was when we slept next to a glacier! We are currently working on editing this video and can’t wait to share it next Sunday.

Last section before the start of the Stewart Cassiar

The start of the Stewart-Cassiar Highway

Bear Glacier just out of Stewart, BC

Hiking in BC

Camping with a view of Salmon Glacier

Red Fox

Large Moose

Grizzly and her cubs

Sheep Creek Trail in Kluane National Park

Crossing the border into Alaska felt as exciting as if we had made it to another country… Many have asked us why we decided to head to Alaska, in our first 6 months after moving into the van. Why not take it slow, and learn about life on the road, exploring a region of the lower 48? It’s the same reason why we left our corporate jobs in Atlanta and booked a one way flight to South America - and the same reason we bought a boat with no experience and attempted the Great Loop - we believe in front-loading life. Whenever the choice is, shoot for your dreams now, or wait and do them later, we’ve consistently gone for it. Don’t take this to mean theres never a trade-off or opportunity cost to these decisions - we simply know that life will get in the way if we don’t carve time now. If there’s something you’re dreaming about, and you can do it now - even though you may not be as prepared or have everything perfectly planned - just go for it. You won’t regret it.

Delta Junction, AK

Our first stop in Alaska was the 119th annual Midnight Sun Baseball Game in Fairbanks, Alaska - the Anchorage Glacier Pilots vs the Fairbanks Goldpanners (first pitch was at 10pm!). We also met up with two other couples that we’d been chatting with for years since we ALL lived on boats. Alex and Jackie from where.is.ajax and Kate and DJ from venture wild. We had been super close in proximity when we all lived on boats, but our cruising plans and schedules never aligned. All it took was for us to all head to Alaska - literally the farthest state from where we all initially connected - and a landlocked city for us all to meet up!

Left to Right: Elliot, Jen, Kate, DJ, Alex, Jackie

Still plenty of light at 11pm!

After our time celebrating the solstice in Fairbanks where the sun doesn’t set, we headed south through some more wildfires to Denali National Park. Only 30% of the visitors to Denali National Park see Denali and when we explored the park, we joined the exclusive club! We hiked all throughout the park, saw lot’s of wildlife and just enjoyed the time exploring our 13th National Park. We enjoyed going on a DISCO hike (short for Discovery hike) with a park ranger to explore off trail and went bushwhacking for our first time. For the 4th of July we grilled out with Jackie and Alex, who were staying at Savage River before heading down to Anchorage - where we are now!

Jen’s homemade sourdough focaccia

Family photo at the Denali NP sign. (Jen also cried at the NP sign)

View of Denali behind us!

The sled dogs were so cute, Ollie was sad she couldn’t join us.

Finding antlers on our disco hike

Arctic Ground Squirrel

This Month.

Next up, we’re kicking off a 3 week road trip through the Kenai Peninsula. Many of our friends have told us we haven’t seen anything in Alaska until we drive through this region, so we’re beyond excited. On this trip we’ll hit our 14th National Park! If you have any recommendations, we’d love to hear them. Homer and Seward are on our list!

What’s next for Scho & Jo

Just like we’ve traveled many miles since our last Sunday Summary - Scho & Jo is evolving too! As you know, Scho & Jo is our full-time business so we’re constantly experimenting and working to make S&J profitable and living up to our needs and expectations. Here’s what’s new / next:

• As you may have noticed, we skipped a YouTube video this week. We’re experimenting with a bi-weekly cadence for the summer.

• We released a new product on our store! We are now going to share prints from some of our favorite travels so far, only available for for a short period of time. First up is a Great Blue Heron from our time in Everglades National Park, on a 10x8 frame - we have all the details including when and how we took the photo in our shop. If you have a location special to you, let us know and we’ll look at selecting it in future months.

• We’re posting daily series of our Alcan journey on our Instagram, so if you’re interested in what life looks like on this epic drive, check it out!

• As it’s been a while since we posted our last Sunday Summary, we’ll attempt to keep up monthly for now, so expect our next edition in early August!

Videos.

Incase you missed it, here are all the vlogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

Blogs.

Here are all the blogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

How to Sand Sled in White Sands National Park in 2025 | Scho & Jo

Here's everything you need to know about sledding in White Sands National Park—from renting a sled to picking the best dune!

schoandjo.com/how-to-go-sledding-in-white-sands

1 Day in Carlsbad Caverns: Itinerary and Ultimate Guide | Scho & Jo

Plan your Carlsbad Caverns trip with our 1-day itinerary, which includes tips on how to score a ranger tour, find free BLM land, and more!

schoandjo.com/carlsbad-caverns-itinerary

South Rim Trail at Big Bend National Park Hiking Guide | Scho & Jo

The South Rim Trail inspired legislators to create Big Bend National Park. Here's everything you need to know to hike to this incredible viewpoint!

schoandjo.com/south-rim-trail-big-bend

How much does Van Life Cost? A Breakdown of Expenses

Want to know how much it costs to live in a van? We share the most common expenses and how much to budget for van life!

schoandjo.com/van-life-costs

1 Day in White Sands National Park: Itinerary & Ultimate Guide | Scho & Jo

Plan the perfect trip to White Sands National Park with our 1-Day Itinerary & Travel Guide—from the top things to do to where to stay, & more!

schoandjo.com/one-day-in-white-sands-national-park

Top 5 Short & Easy Hikes in Zion National Park | Scho & Jo

Looking for short hikes in Zion that still pack a punch? Check out our list of the top 5 easy hikes in Zion National Park!

schoandjo.com/five-easy-hikes-in-zion

9 Fun Things to Do in Zion National Park in 2025 | Scho & Jo

Planning a trip to Zion? We've compiled the Top 9 Things to do in all of Zion National Park in 2025, from stunning hikes to shuttle rides!

schoandjo.com/best-things-to-do-in-zion-national-park

3 Parks in 3 Days: A Quick Southwest National Parks Road Trip | Scho & Jo

Check out our 3 Southwest National Parks in 3 Days Road Trip Itinerary, including White Sands, Carlsbad, and Guadalupe Mountains!

schoandjo.com/southwest-national-parks-road-trip

13 Best Hikes in Zion National Park (Ranked Easy to Hard) | Scho & Jo

Planning a trip to Zion? We've ranked 13 of the best hikes in all of Zion National Park, organizing them from easiest to hardest!

schoandjo.com/best-hikes-in-zion-national-park

Zion Packing List: What to Bring and What to Rent | Scho & Jo

Packing your bags for Zion National Park? Make sure you have everything by crosschecking with our Zion National Park Packing List!

schoandjo.com/what-to-pack-for-zion-national-park

How to Hike the Narrows as a Beginner: Zion National Park | Scho & Jo

First time hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park? Learn what gear you need, how to get to the trailhead, a cost breakdown, and more!

schoandjo.com/first-time-hiking-the-narrows

Our 7 Favorite Viewpoints in Zion National Park (No Hiking Required) | Scho & Jo

Looking for the best views in Zion that don't require a hike? We've rounded up our 7 favorite viewpoints that won't raise your step count!

schoandjo.com/best-viewpoints-in-zion-national-park

5 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Zion National Park

Headed to Zion? Here are 5 must-know Zion National Park tips to help you plan smart, beat the crowds, and make the most of your visit.

schoandjo.com/zion-national-park-tips

How to Spend One Day in Zion National Park

Looking to spend just one day in Zion? These are the trails, drives, and activities we would do if we only had 24 hours to spend in the park!

schoandjo.com/one-day-in-zion-national-park

Zion Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Zion National Park | Scho & Jo

Have just a weekend to spend in Zion National Park? Here's a complete 3-Day Zion Itinerary filled with the best hikes, scenic drives, where to stay, and more!

schoandjo.com/three-day-zion-itinerary

The 4 Scenic Drives of Zion: Top Pull-Offs and Nearby Trails

Did you know that Zion-Mount Carmel Scenic Drive isn't the only scenic drive in Zion National Park? Discover them all here!

schoandjo.com/best-zion-national-park-scenic-drives

Our 9 Favorite Things to Do in Zion National Park Besides Hiking

Tired of hike after hike in Zion? We've rounded up our 9 favoritite things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking so your feet can rest!

schoandjo.com/best-things-to-do-in-zion-national-park-besides-hiking

Our 7 Favorite Short and Easy Hikes in Bryce Canyon

Looking for easy hikes in Bryce Canyon? We've rounded up the top 7 hikes in Bryce that take less than an hour in total!

schoandjo.com/easy-hikes-in-bryce-canyon

11 Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park in 2025

We've rounded up the 11 best hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park. From easy paved trails to half-day treks, find the best trails for you!

schoandjo.com/best-hikes-bryce-canyon-national-park

13 Best Things to Do in Bryce Canyon in 2025

Wondering what to do in Bryce Canyon? Look no further! We've outlined the top 13 things to do in Bryce Canyon for your upcoming trip.

schoandjo.com/things-to-do-in-bryce-canyon

Our TOP 13 GIFTS for ANY HIKER [2025]

Gift ideas for hikers can be overwhelming, so we've demystified the top gifts for all hikers, categorized by experience level.

schoandjo.com/gift-ideas-for-hikers

1 Day in Bryce Canyon National Park: Itinerary & Ultimate Guide

Bryce Canyon National Park makes the perfect daytrip! Follow our one day itinerary for the perfect 24-hour trip to this Utah national park.

schoandjo.com/one-day-in-bryce-canyon-national-park

From the Eyes of Ollie.

I’m a nine and a half year old dog, but I have the enthusiasm of a younger dog. So when my parents ask me if I want to go on a hike, I always respond with yes! Some times I can’t keep up with them - after 8 miles, my little legs are tired. My parents put me in their backpack and carry me which I really like because I get a great view and still get to hang out with them!

Ollie was overheating in Southern Utah - was time to head North!

Ollie climbed 4,000 feet to this viewpoint!

Gratitudes.

When we left boat life and ventured into van life, a few of our goals were to be more active, have more time with friends and family, and have time for the things we enjoy. These past couple months have been a testament to that. From getting to spend time with friends enjoying campfires, roasting s’mores, seeing one of my (Jen) favorite artists from Australia play live in Colorado, seeing Elliot’s sister Nicole, and hiking countless miles, driving up to Alaska, these past months have been what our van life dreams were made of. When we first left on the road, hiking was tough, and even tough it’s still tough, we feel more equipped and more physically capable to do longer and more challenging hikes. It’s a small win that we’re proud of.

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #145

Something new is coming to Scho & Jo…

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 145th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written on public lands just outside of Capitol Reef National Park in Utah.

Jen and Elliot on top of the van, admiring the Temple of the Sun in Cathedral Valley

Last Week(s).

After New Mexico, we kicked off a road trip across Southern Utah with our good friends Adam and Kathryn from @theadventuresofaplusk. If you didn’t know, Adam and Kathryn have lived in their van Brisket for over five years! We’ve had some fun adventures boating with them, as well as biking across Iowa, and now are enjoying vanlife together.

Jen and Kathryn at the top of the Watchman trail in Zion

We’re also joined by some new friends, Katie and Joey from @katieandjoonthego. They have a red van, Clifford, and they’re on a mission to visit all 63 US National Parks!

Jen and Katie in the Narrows

We started in Zion National Park together, and Zion immediately became our favorite National Park yet. Driving through the park entry tunnel was an unforgettable experience, to the point that seeing Zion Canyon for the first time brought Jen to tears (read: sobbing, ugly crying). We hiked for five days and saw multiple different areas of the park.

Jen and Elliot with their waders on in the Narrows

Jen, Elliot, Katie, and Joey all marveling at Zion Canyon

After Zion, we toured the Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park. If you didn’t know, Hoodoo is the Paiute word for “scary,” and the geological formations are unlike anything else.

Jen and Elliot on the Rim Trail viewing an amphitheater

A Stellar’s Jay posing at Tower Bridge in Bryce Canyon National Park

Our last National Park was Capitol Reef, which we just finished exploring this weekend! Amongst the killer hiking, we also took Summit down a 4x4 road to Cathedral Valley. We borrowed Adam and Kathryn’s off-road kit and deflated out tires for the adventure. It was so much fun, hopefully we can do it more in the future!

Jen and Elliot on top of Cassidy Arch in Capitol Reef National Park

This Week.

After the whirlwind of the last two weeks, we are taking this week a bit slower. We’re heading to Moab area to meet with Elliot’s sister Nicole, who we’ve had on the vlog a couple times. We’re excited to get some good quality family time for a few days. After, we’ll be staging our next two National Parks, Arches and Canyonlands!

New to Scho and Jo.

As we’ve traveled over the past 5 years, we’ve started to lean more and more into photography. More than our videos, we try and highlight one particular memory that stands out to us. Towards that end, we’re now selling prints of our favorite photos! Each print will only be available for one month, so if you spot one you like be sure to grab it while it lasts. The photo will rotate every month, so if you have a particular destination you’ve seen in our travels that sparks your interest, let us know!

Videos.

Here are all the vlogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

Blogs.

Here are all the blogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

3-Day Big Bend National Park Itinerary & Ultimate Guide

schoandjo.com/big-bend-national-park-itinerary

Top 7 Hikes in Guadalupe Mountains NP

schoandjo.com/top-7-hikes-in-guadalupe-mountains-national-park

3 Days In Guadalupe Mountains: Itinerary & Ultimate Guide

schoandjo.com/guadalupe-mountains-itinerary

From the Eyes of Ollie.

My Dad and Mom took me to see things things called “hoodoos”. I was very intrigued, i just couldn’t stop staring. I can see so many from this vantage point!

Gratitudes.

We’re extremely grateful for our friend group we’ve traveled with for the past couple of weeks. When your home is in a different state every other week, community is hard. We’re grateful that Adam, Kathryn, Katie, and Joey were able to fit this time in with their busy schedules for us to explore some of these destinations together. We had a killer time together and can’t wait to meet up again. From s’mores around a campfire to Mario Kart projected on A+K’s van to family dinners, this is a time we won’t ever forget!

Campfires and community

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #144

Visiting the Land of Enchantment

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 144th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in northern New Mexico.

We have two questionnaires for you in this email and would love your input!

Well, we didn’t mean for four weeks to pass by since our last Sunday Summary, but it has. Let’s catch you up!

White Sands National Park

Last 2 Weeks.

We spent two weeks working on BLM land in Carlsbad, New Mexico (you’ll notice a slew of blog posts below) and getting caught up on some much-needed work. It felt so good to check so many ongoing tasks off our to-do list, allowing us to focus on our current and upcoming travels. *Insert sigh of relief* During that time, we also waited out a sandstorm, which was a totally new experience for us. Following our “work-cation” we spent some time visiting three more National Parks.

Summit and Jen in the sandstorm.

First up was the Guadalupe Mountains. We climbed to the Top of Texas Guadalupe Peak and took in the incredible views overlooking the desert landscape that used to be underwater millions of years ago! It was incredible. We also hiked Devils Hall Trail and the Pinery Trail. The next day, we had rain, but we didn’t let that stop us as we hiked the McKittrick Canyon trail. Previously, while visiting Big Bend, a National Park ranger told us about the unique smell of the desert after rain. As two east coasters new to the desert landscape, we were blown away by the trail's unique floral and woody smell during the rain. We can see why people love the desert so much.

Overlooking “El Capitan” on Guadalupe Peak.

Jen at the top of Texas

Next up was Carlsbad Caverns National Park. We went from above ground in the Guadalupe Mountains and then hiked down into the caverns below. It was truly a grounding experience seeing the massive scale of the caves. We were impressed with how beautifully the caves were illuminated by the National Park system and felt so lucky to have scored a spot on the only Guided Ranger Tours, which is limited to 24 people.

Entering Carlsbad Caverns through the dramatic Natural Entrance.

Our last park was White Sands National Park. We spent the day playing in the dunes, hiking the trails, and taking another Ranger Guided tour. We learned about the park’s unique ecosystem being located in a basin and what makes these gypsum sand dunes in the world (there are three in the world) so special: water! The cherry on top was watching the sunset over the dunes. It was stunning!

Mixed in with our time in New Mexico, we also spent time with Adam and Kathryn (Adventures of A+K) in southern New Mexico! We enjoyed eating at a local taco shop, family-style dinners, dog walks at sunset, and just hanging out while working during the day. We enjoyed a beautiful backdrop over the Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument, which is BLM land - something we have quickly grown to love!

Jen and Elliot

Adam and Kathryn

Summit and Brisket, the van duo.

Our campsite on BLM land was perfection!

We headed north to explore northern New Mexico! We visited Santa Fe, ate delicious New Mexican food, explored the capital city, and went hiking in Santa Fe National Forrest. The Enchanted State even surprised us with a hot spring, which was more like a warm spring, but we were thrilled regardless. We didn’t have high expectations for New Mexico, but we were blown away by the culture, Pueblo and Spanish architecture, delicious food, and the ease and variety of outdoor activities. This will certainly not be our list time in New Mexcio

Elliot at the McCauley Warm Springs.

The Next Two Weeks.

This week we’re heading to our next state and will be seeing two sets of friends to share some memories visiting new (to us) National Parks and enjoying vanlife at it finest! Any guesses where we’ll be heading next? Honestly, this state is what I (Jen) was most looking forward to when starting van life, so traveling there, is probably going to make me emotional. I’m excited and a bit nervous… will it meet my expectations? TBD!

Videos.

In case you missed it, here are all the vlogs we’ve released since our last Sunday. Summary:

Blogs.

We’ve been working on getting caught up on all of our previous content work so we can focus on National Park and travel content. We’ve completely finished our Great Loop and Van Build blog posts and have published several great posts on some of the National Parks we’ve visited to help you during travel planning!

Great Loop Blog Post

Great Loop Map, Route, and Destinations

We share our interactive Great Loop map, break down the route into sections, great destinations, and FAQ about the Great Loop!

schoandjo.com/great-loop-map-route-destinations

Van Build Blog Posts

How much does a Van Conversion Actually Cost?

We're sharing the detailed cost breakdown of our DIY Van Conversion! We include what we splurged on & share cheaper options for every budget.

schoandjo.com/van-conversion-cost

The BEST Composting Toilet is the OGO Origin, and here’s why.

We did tons of research to determine what makes a good composting toilet, and we've found (what we consider) the best.

schoandjo.com/the-best-composting-toilet

Our Guide to RESEARCHING and INSTALLING a 12V Van Air Conditioner

We researched the best van ac, installed our choice, and have lived in our van for three months! Here's everything we learned.

schoandjo.com/van-air-conditioning

Best Starlink for Van Life

The differences between all the Starlink models can be confusing, so let us explain what is the best Starlink for van life!

schoandjo.com/best-starlink-for-van-life

Don’t Miss these TOP 5 features in a Sprinter Van Build

Building a sprinter van is an exercise in decision fatigue. Here are our top 5 items that you need to include in your Sprinter Van Build.

schoandjo.com/top-5-components-for-sprinter-van-build

Congaree National Park Blog Posts

How to Kayak Cedar Creek: Congaree National Park Kayak Guide

Interested in kayaking Congaree National Park? Learn about Cedar Creek boat rentals, various paddling routes, and safe water levels!

schoandjo.com/cedar-creek-kayak

The Most Underrated National Park: Congaree Ultimate Guide

Discover all there is to know about Congaree! This travel guide covers the top things to do, where to camp, when to visit, & more!

schoandjo.com/the-most-underrated-national-park-congaree-ultimate-guide

Big Bend National Park Blog Posts

How to Camp in Big Bend National Park: Tent & RV Camping Guide

Your ultimate Big Bend National Park RV camping and tent camping guide! We're sharing the best campgrounds, necessary permits, and tips!

schoandjo.com/big-bend-national-park-rv-camping

Our 9 Favorite Hikes in Big Bend National Park

Looking to plan a hiking trip to Big Bend? Plan ahead by learning about our 9 favorite hikes in Big Bend National Park!

schoandjo.com/best-hikes-in-big-bend

Boquillas, Mexico: The Perfect Half-Day Trip from Big Bend

Ever been to Mexico? Hop over the border from Big Bend National Park and explore the charming small town of Boquillas del Carmen!

schoandjo.com/day-trip-to-boquillas-mexico

What to Pack for Big Bend: Ultimate Packing Guide

Here's everything you need to pack for Big Bend National Park! Easily divided into clothing, hiking, toiletries, and miscellaneous sections!

schoandjo.com/big-bend-packing-list

The 5 Visitor Centers of Big Bend: What You Need to Know

Discover Bid Bend's 5 visitor centers, where to get permits, pay entrance fees, find exhibits, and pick up essentials for your adventure!

schoandjo.com/big-bend-national-park-visitor-centers

17 Must-See Attractions in Big Bend National Park

Discover the 17 must-see attractions in Big Bend National Park, from iconic hikes and scenic drives to hidden gems and unique experiences!

schoandjo.com/top-things-to-do-in-big-bend

From the Eyes of Ollie.

I had the best time visiting White Sands National Park! My parents buried me under the cool sand, and it felt great. I had a blast playing in the sand and running around the dunes. This might just be my favorite national park yet!

Have travel recommendations for us?

As we travel from Sea to Summit and explore all 50 states and 63 National Parks, we would love your recommendations for best restaurants, can’t-miss hikes, excellent camping spots, and favorite things to do around North America. Share your recommendations with us here!

Gratitudes.

One of the things we wanted more of in this van life chapter was the ability and ease of seeing family and friends more often. We just spent three nights with Adam and Kathryn in southern New Mexico and had such a great time. From eating delicious tacos to dog walks and a family-style dinner. It’s been so nice to see friends while traveling and even better yet, to get to create so many great memories together.

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #143

Visiting Texas' Last Frontier (Big Bend NP)

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 143rd Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in a Love’s Gas Station in West Texas!

Last 2 Weeks.

After a recommendation from Elliot’s Aunt, we had to visit Fredericksburg as our second city on our Texas Hill Country road trip, and we were impressed. Fredericksburg was settled by German immigrants, so the entire town has a cultural mix of Texas and Germany. It’s fascinating! We tried some classic German food and some famous Texas Hill Country Wine!

Us at the Pioneer Museum learning about the German community that founded Fredericksburg

The last city on our road trip was none other than the capital, Austin, where we met with some great friends. Adam and Kathryn from Adventures of A+K showed us around town and their homebase of Austin and took us to some of their favorite spots, including… Texas Barbecue!

All of us, including my buddy Jake went to a Honky Tonk and Two-Stepped!

From Austin, we drove straight to our 3rd National Park, Big Bend National Park. Big Bend was everything we were hoping for and so much more. We were fortunate enough to secure 6 nights during the peak season and explored as much as we could. From the trails in the Chisos Mountains to the different canyons of the park, and even a border crossing into Mexico, Big Bend was a wonder at every turn. I can’t wait for us to release this video. We have over 7 hours of footage to go through!

These past two weeks have filled our travel cup. Big Bend was an entirely different landscape than we’ve ever seen. As I finish this email, we’re in a new state for Jen and I, New Mexico. It feels like a combination of our international travels and Great Loop!

Big Bend is an International Dark Sky Reserve, so we were able to do some night sky photography and even see the Milky Way! 🌌

The Next Two Weeks.

Well… the intention was to keep our Sunday Summary weekly, along with our YouTube videos, BUT we’re learning how to balance everything while traveling full-time! We hope, with two weeks of heads-down work in New Mexico, we can release more often, but time will tell. We want to ensure we release high-quality work.

Videos.

In case you missed it, here are all the vlogs we’ve released since our last Sunday. Summary:

Blogs.

Here are all the blogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

Top Things to Do in Downtown Punta Gorda: Ultimate Travel Guide

Here's everything there is to do, eat, and see in downtown Punta Gorda, a hidden gem nestled on the shoreline of the Peace River!

schoandjo.com/downtown-punta-gorda-travel-guide

Ultimate Guide to RV Parks in Punta Gorda, Florida

Complete guide to RV Parks in Punta Gorda, Florida, fit for both short and long-term stays. Find your next destination here!

schoandjo.com/rv-parks-in-punta-gorda-fl

Our 15 Favorite Free Activities in Jacksonville, Florida

Check out 15 of our favorite free activities in Jacksonville, FL—perfect for exploring the city on a budget!

schoandjo.com/free-activities-in-jacksonville-fl

5 Underrated Destinations in Northern Florida

Explore the best things to do in North Florida, from flea market shopping in Jacksonville to hiking on Big Talbot Island!

schoandjo.com/things-to-do-in-north-florida

From the Eyes of Ollie.

I LOVE Texas. My parents gave me a piece of moist brisket and I liked it a lot. I couldn’t hike around Big Bend National Park because pups aren’t allowed, but I didn’t want to hike. One night, I heard a large growl, and my parents said it was a Mountain Lion. I don’t know what Mountain Lions are, but my parents said they were bad news for pups.

Ollie staring at the Javelina (on the right)

The Javelina Ollie was staring at.

Gratitudes.

Visiting the National Parks has long been a dream of mine (Jen). From hearing about them as a child to planning to visit them as an adult, I always imagined they would be amazing. All of this lead time gave me high expectations of the National Parks. Well… they don’t disappoint!

When we visited our first National Park, the Everglades, I cried when we left. It was dark, and I was driving, silently balling my eyes out, when Elliot looked over and asked what the plan was for dinner. I told him how grateful I was to have seen Everglades National Park.

When we visited our third National Park, Big Bend, I cried when we first saw the Chisos Mountains, Rio Grande, and Milky Way. I actually cried several times during our five days in the park, for the sheer beauty of the landscape brought tears of joy, peace, and gratitude.

I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for these places that people worked so hard to protect, making sure the conservation of these special places would be able to be enjoyed by generations to come. I think it’s safe to say we feel fortunate and grateful to be visiting the National Parks and United States in our van on our Great American Roadtrip: Sea to Sumit.

There’s a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes to fulfill our dreams, but none of it would be possible without you. Thank you for watching our videos, reading our emails, engaging on our Instagram, and sharing our blog posts. Without you, I wouldn’t be crying tears of joy as we visit the US National Parks. Thank you for being here!

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #142

National Park #2 and Entering a NEW REGION of the US

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 142nd Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in San Antonio, Texas, right next to the Riverwalk.

Last Week.

We’re officially at it folks, last week we drove over a thousand miles, visited the 7th largest city in the United States and explored our 2nd National Park 😳 If that sounds like a lot, it is… we’re pretty tired BUT we have some plans to remedy this in the next few weeks.

Starting off last week we left Atlanta for a short trip to Congaree National Park. Congaree is a relatively unknown park, despite being only a few minutes out of Columbia, South Carolina nad having no entry fee! It’s also dog friendly so we took Ollie adventuring with us. Here are some fun facts we learned about Congaree:

1. It has the highest density of Champion trees in North America. A Champion is the largest tree of its species!

2. It is an active floodplain, and the park floods roughly 10 times a year. If you visit during a flood, you’ll have a very different experience.

3. It’s some of the last Old-growth Bottomland Forest in a Floodplain in the South-East and is more similar to the Amazon than anywhere else in the world.

After leaving Congaree, we had a one-night pit stop in Atlanta before starting our longest road trip in Summit—1,000 miles to San Antonio! We split the drive into two days, but we still didn’t arrive in San Antonio until after 10 p.m. You may be thinking, “You skipped three states - Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana?” That is correct, we did skip those states. Our original plan was to spend February visiting those three states, but we had to pivot our plans due to final preparations taking longer than expected. So, instead of shifting our plans back, we had to skip them for now and will return to them later to explore them 😊

We stealth-camped downtown and spent a couple of days exploring the city! As the 7th Largest City in the United States, San Antonio has lots to offer. We wanted to get some bearings on this new region, so we learned some history about the Missions and the beginning of San Antonio. We also ate some FANTASTIC Hispanic food. It feels great being in a new region of the US! Added fun fact: San Antonio was where Elliot was born!

This Week.

This week we are visiting Fredericksburg and Austin before heading to our third National Park of the trip.

Videos.

In-case you missed it, here are all the vlogs we’ve released since our last Sunday. Summary:

Blogs.

After the Everglades and before we filmed our Van Tour video, we stopped for a weekend in Punta Gorda, Florida. We LOVED visiting this small town and worked with Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach to find the best spots!

Our 15 Favorite Things to Do in Punta Gorda, Florida | Scho & Jo

Here's everything there is to do in Punta Gorda, Florida! From sculpture gardens to airboat tours, this town just about has it all!

schoandjo.com/things-to-do-in-punta-gorda-florida

Our 11 Favorite Restaurants in Punta Gorda, Florida | Scho & Jo

Here are the top 11 restaurants we ate at in Punta Gorda! From Classic Italian to Modern Mocktails, this Floridian city is a foodie paradise!

schoandjo.com/punta-gorda-restaurants

From the Eyes of Ollie.

Congaree National Park was my favorite National Park so far! I got to see some wild pigs, and while Dad calls me a little piglet sometimes, I look nothing like them.

Gratitudes.

This week we’d like to say we’re grateful for Ollie and how she has been able to keep up with us on our hikes. If you didn’t know, she’ll be turning 10 in a few months. She was first in line when we hiked out into the Kingsnake trail for over 8 miles!

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #135

Our First State! 🍑

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 141st Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written on i75 on the way to Atlanta, Georgia.

Last Week.

We had a grand plan for leaving Florida and our next two YouTube videos until Wednesday came along and we had a major Pivot…

You see, we had noticed the outside of our front tires were becoming more and more worn, much faster than the inside of our tires. As our van doesn’t even have 10k miles, we were concerned. When we brought it up to the Naples Mercedes service shop, they mentioned we still had a lot of life in the tires, and they didn’t recommend an alignment until we were going to replace the tires.

Fast forward a few weeks to Wednesday - Jen and I agreed that we should try and get an alignment as our wheels continued to wear down unevenly at an exceptional speed. Considering we planned to drive to Atlanta on Wednesday, we had an appointment at 7:30 AM to get the alignment. Well, lo and behold, our tires were too worn down to get the alignment, and we needed new tires. The explanation given was that since building out a van adds a considerable amount of weight to the back of the van, it pulls the front tires in and wears the outside. Ten hours later, I left the dealer, now too late to go to Atlanta, which cascaded to us having to change our schedule for the entire next week 😵‍💫

Like everything, life throws you curveballs, and you either let it trip you up, or you embrace the pivots! We switched up the plan, and it turned out even better.

This Week.

Leaving home was exactly how we imagined it so many months prior. We left at sunset, driving into the amber light, knowing that we had everything we needed. Our home, and our family.

As I mentioned above, we are officially on the road to Alaska! We’re visiting family in Atlanta and then heading to our second official National Park in the van. Can you guess where? 🤔 After our second National Park, we are putting some miles in and heading to… Texas!

Videos.

In case you missed it, here are all the vlogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

Blogs.

After visiting Everglades and Biscayne National Parks, our website now includes our National Park guides. We’ll be adding countless more guides to our website over the next few years. Here are all the blogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

Our 9 Favorite Things to Do in Biscayne National Park: Ultimate Travel Guide

Check out our top things to do in Biscayne, from boat tours to snorkeling shipwrecks! Plus, budget tips and where to stay!

schoandjo.com/things-to-do-in-biscayne-national-park

From the Eyes of Ollie.

Why are we driving North in the winter… Mom, it’s coooold. Good thing I have my great Grandma’s blanket to keep me warm.

Gratitudes.

Leaving Florida, officially, we’d like to share gratitude for everyone that helped us through this passage of life. All our family and friends that supported us through a challenging van build. It was a wild ride, but we wouldn’t be here, basking in this moment of joy and gratitude without the help of so many friends and family. Thank you!

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #140

Saying Goodbye to Florida

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 140th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in Summit in North East Florida.

Currently.

Wrapping up our time here in Florida has been… oddly refreshing. We’ve been able to spend some final time with our family before leaving, and we feel content. We entered the state of Florida on Pivot as we left Mobile, Alabama, in December of 2022, and this week we leave!

We’re wrapping up some Jacksonville, Florida, blog posts this weekend, and after that - we’re off! Next week, we’ll drive to Georgia to say bye to our East Coast family before heading West at the end of the week!

Videos.

Last week we released our van tour! If you missed any steps of our van build or just want to see what our new home is like, be sure to check it out!

Blogs.

Here are all the blogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

How to See Everglades National Park in One Day: The Perfect Itinerary | Scho & Jo

Discover two 1-day itineraries for the perfect day trip to the Everglades! Featuring top wildlife spots, scenic trails, and more!

schoandjo.com/day-trip-to-the-everglades

From the Eyes of Ollie.

When I was asleep last week, I heard this weird noise for the first time. It was a HOWL! I immediately knocked down my parent’s window cover and looked for the source of the noise. I kept looking all night long.. maybe it’s a new friend.

Gratitudes.

This week, we’d like to thank Jen’s parents, Carol and Luke. They have been here for us, letting us move in and out as we’ve returned from each adventure over the years. They watched Ollie when we traveled abroad and when we arrived back in the States from India, it was our home base as we outfitted Pivot for the Great Loop. Over the past two years, preparing Summit, they’ve been rocks!

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #139

Playing catch up after our Maiden Voyage 💨

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 139th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written on i-95N as we head to Elliot’s Dad’s house for the Super Bowl!

Last Week.

It has officially been ONE MONTH living in Summit 🎉! It honestly felt like a few months in one, and that’s one of the things we love about traveling; time seems longer, probably because every day is very different.

Once we got home, we enjoyed time with some family and returned to van prep mode. While the last thing we really wanted to do was more projects, we needed to buckle down and finish everything that remained. Here’s all we accomplished:

1. Installed our Stealth Curtain from The Wanderful. This is a curtain in between our two cabin seats and serves as a privacy wall, a thermal break, and makes our living area feel more like a home and less like a vehicle.

2. Fixed the leak in our shower. Where our shower drain left the van, we had a tiny leak! Fortunately, the water didn’t pool on our floor, but it still needed to be fixed. Jen and I took it all apart and were able to fix it with some marine sealant 😅

3. We added a spare tire! This was a huge addition and one needed before heading to Alaska. For some reason, the outfitter deleted the spare tire from the van. And when I say deleted, I mean deleted… At the Mercedes dealer, they couldn’t even quote it because it wasn’t on our VIN, and when I went to install it on the used rack, the welded connections were missing from the van! Luckily, I figured out a solution, but it was a wild ride!

4. Some small quality-of-life changes, like a new reading light over the salon, organized our garage and tightened up some drawer fronts.

Marking where we want our Vancillary Doorstop

Jen installing our Wanderful Stealth Curtain

We weighed our van in November just before starting our shower. We were 8,600 lbs, and the max weight for our van is 9,050. Afterward, we loaded the van, filled our tanks, built our shower, headliner shelf, and a few other projects. One of our going out West tasks was to get weighed again, this time fully equipped, and….. we were 240 lbs over capacity. So we’re leaving our large dumbells at home (115 lbs) and will reduce, reduce, reduce. We’re measuring everything we take out and then will see if we need to drop some of our 70 gallons of water, which collectively weighs over 580 lbs 😅 I think we were spoiled on the boat!

The Palatka Farmer’s Market Weigh Station

This weekend we just finished filming our Van Tour. We are thrilled to show our last van build video. It has been 8 months since we broke ground and cut open our Flarespace flares as the first project in our van build. We’re excited to show you how it all came together!

Our home, Summit

This Week.

Since Van projects and filming were the goals this week, next week we’re cleaning 🙈 After not traveling for over a year, we accumulated quite a bit of stuff. This week, we’re organizing, decluttering, and putting our last final belongings away before hitting the road. We will be asking the Marie Kondo question…. “Does this bring joy?” Hopefully (🤞), this is our last week in Florida. After over two years in the state, we’re ecstatic to see what the rest of this country and Canada have to offer!

Videos.

We’re hard at work editing our full van tour video, so stay tuned for that one! In the meantime, here are all the vlogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

Blogs.

Here are all the blogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

How to Camp in the Everglades: RV + Tent-Camping Guide | Scho & Jo

Everything you need to know about camping in the Everglades! From classic campgrounds to backcountry spots, there's something for everyone!

schoandjo.com/how-to-camp-in-the-everglades-rv-tent-camping-guide

From the Eyes of Ollie.

We stayed at our first National Forrest last week, and I heard something I’d never heard before… Coyotes! They were howling really loud at midnight. I kept looking for them all night, but I didn’t see any… maybe next time!

Gratitudes.

Today, we’re leaving our family in Viera, Florida, which epitomizes why we built Summit. We could stay in my Grandma’s driveway and spend two nights with family, traveling with our home and office. While on our boat, we missed some family events and the sense of community that comes with that. Living nomadic in a van will also have its challenges, but we’re grateful this weekend worked out!

We hope you have a great week! See you next Sunday ☺️

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #138

Leaving the Everglades and Exploring South-West Florida

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 138th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in Summit as we drive to see some friends. One of things we love about Summit is that we’re easily able to work and move at the same time!

Last Week.

We wrapped up our time in the Everglades National Park with a slog and a kayak tour. If you’re not familiar with slogging or going on a “wet walk” in the Everglades, it’s essentially a hike off the trail into the marshy waters. We took a ranger-led slog and got up close and personal with the biodiversity present in the Everglades. You might wonder about Snakes, Alligators, and Crocodiles (all abundant in the Everglades) and if we were worried about any interactions, and the truth was that they are more scared of us! As soon as we started walking in the slough, they could feel our movement and all escaped further into the Everglades. We highly recommend going on a slog if you have the chance, we are writing about all the details in our hiking guides below!

The final adventure in the Everglades was our kayak tour with Jenny’s Eco Everglades, and learning about the ecosystem, wildlife, and conservation efforts was the cherry on top of our Everglades visit. Jenny was knowledgeable about the ecosystem, present on current challenges the Everglades face, and patient with us as we navigated in a tandem kayak.

After the Everglades, we noticed our Alternator belt was loose and coming apart! Considering all the rainy, overcast weather, our Wakespeed and secondary alternator kept us at 100%. Fixing this was a top priority, so we went into Naples, ordered a new belt, and got it installed, and now we’re back to fully charged!

At the end of the week, we kicked off our time in Punta Gorda at the Botanical Gardens and ChiliFest 2025, where Jen ranked the top Chili’s around!

We had a fantastic time in Punta Gorda! We explored local festivals, toured the area’s attractions, went on some great hikes, and enjoyed some fun outdoor activities. Here’s a few highlights:

Location: Punta Gorda Botanical Gardens

Location: Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center

Location: Myakka State Forest

Location: Peace River Airboat Tours & Charters

Finally, we went to the AGLCA Looperpalooza and met so many wonderful in-progress, current, and gold Loopers! We loved leading our round table on “how to budget for your loop” and hearing everyone’s unique story. It brings us immense joy to meet the faces of those who watch our videos, read our blog posts, and enjoy our content. Thank you to everyone who said hi 👋

This Week.

This week we’re back home! We have a few small van projects, and take-aways from our month on the road. After we finish the upgrade to Summit, we’ll be filming our full Van Tour and cost breakdown, which will come out next week!

Since the plan is to visit Alaska this year, we aren’t planning on driving back home for a couple of years. Before we head out West, we’re seeing friends and family this week while we’re still close. After we leave, we hope our friends and family join us for trips while we’re on the road.

Videos.

In case you missed it, here are all the vlogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

Our video this Sunday is waiting copyright checks so stay tuned for our van build time-lapse coming out in the next couple days!

Blogs.

Here are all the blogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

Our 9 Favorite Hikes in Everglades National Park

Check out 9 of our favorite hikes in the Everglades! There's something for everyone in this national park, hikers, bikers, and even birders!

schoandjo.com/best-hikes-in-everglades-national-park

The 5 Visitor Centers of the Everglades: Decide Which is Right For You

There are a total of 5 visitor centers in the Everglades! Find out which one is right for you to visit in this guide!

schoandjo.com/everglades-national-park-visitor-centers

From the Eyes of Ollie.

In Punta Gorda, I saw a dolphin! I sounded the alarm so Mom and Dad would know. They were really appreciative, they kept telling me “shhhh” - they love me so much.

Gratitudes.

Thank you to everyone who said hi during the Looperpalooza. We’ve been heads down into building Summit and learning about life on the road for the past eight months, so when we went to Looperpalooza, it was a massive breath of fresh air. Whether you are planning your Great Loop, on the water, or already Gold, all of you are full of joy and have that enthusiasm for travel that we love.

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #137

Our First National Park (in the van)

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 137th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in South West Florida!

Last Week.

This conversation epitomizes our week last week, we had it a few different times in the week:

Elliot: “Can you believe we have only been on the road for 5 days?”

Jen: “Hasn’t it been a couple of weeks?”

Elliot: “We only left on Tuesday… 😂”

It was a wild ride, starting with our first-ever RV event! We went to the Tampa RV Supershow, and boy, we were SHOCKED. It was like a crash course in RV culture, and we enjoyed being flies on the wall. Coming from AGLCA events and the Annapolis Boat Show, we had been to similar events, but nothing like this. The scale was incredible, and we only saw about a quarter of the show during our one day! We went for one of our sponsors, Battle Born Batteries, and met the awesome team. We also got to meet a few of you, so THANK YOU for coming by and saying hi!

Our GameChanger 270 ah Battery!

Scho & Jo meet Kateyln and Howard who are the faces of Newstate Nomads

After the show, we visited our FIRST NATIONAL PARK, THE EVERGLADES! As both Jen and I were raised in Florida, we thought we had a decent grasp on the Florida ecosystem and history, but visiting the Everglades showed us just how much we didn’t know! Here are (just) a few fun facts that we learned:

1. The Everglades National Park is not a swamp but a marsh! One of the key differences is that a Swamp has water that doesn’t move, but the water in the Everglades is a slow-moving river called a slough!

2. The Everglades have had a water crisis since Lake Okeechobee was dammed in the early 1900s. Since all the non-rainwater entry into the Everglades comes from the Shark River Slough in the North, this dam and other developments have restricted the water the Everglades need. The issue is huge considering that Everglades sits upon the Biscayne Aquifer, which is responsible for Miami’s water. Check out Captains for Clean Water, which is a grassroots organization helping raise awareness on the issues. Because of the importance of this ecosystem, the Everglades are an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

3. The Everglades is the only place in the world where you can find Alligators and Crocodiles. We saw so much wildlife, even with the cold weather across the Southeast!

We still have a few more days planned in the Everglades before heading North!

A gator getting sun on the Anhinga Trail

Mosquito protection was clutch in the Everglades

50th Anniversary of the Nike Missile site in the Everglades had many family activities

Jennifer standing in front of a Cold War missile replica at the Nike Missile Site.

We can’t wait to share our video on the Everglades, the first few days have been incredible!

We’ll debrief some of what we learned on this trip in next week's newsletter… There have been a lot of lessons!

This Week.

We are in the Everglades for two more nights and then head to Southwest Florida! We will be in Punta Gorda for the AGLCA Looperpalooza, leading a round table on Looping on a Budget on Wednesday, January 29th. Make sure to say hi if you plan on attending! The other main task this week is…. van projects! As with any maiden voyage or shakedown cruise, there are a few things we need to address!

Videos.

In case you missed it, here are all the vlogs we’ve released since our last Sunday Summary:

 From the Eyes of Ollie.

My parents left me a lot these past couple of days. They say oh, “Dogs aren’t allowed on trails in the Everglades National Park” or “You’re perfect size for Alligator food”… but I think they are just having fun without me. I mean, how dangerous could “Swamp Puppies” be?

I just want to hang out with my parents. I’ll help and eat all the mosquitos!

 Gratitudes.

This week (and probably going to be a repeat theme) we’re grateful for having our own home again. After Pivot, we stayed with family for about 9 months, and then rented a house for the build, so it was quite a long time without having a home, and now that we are living in Summit - it’s our new home! Our kitchen, bed, working area, all the different facets of Summit are starting to feel right.

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #136

The Goals of 2025

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 136th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in the Florida Panhandle.

This Year.

After seven long months of building our van, we’re excited to announce our next goals:

visiting all 50 States and all 63 US National Parks. But first, let me take you back and explain why Jen and I are thrilled.

Back to the Beginning

As many of you know, the Scho and Jo origin story came from a desire to travel and break out of the corporate ladder. We took a gap year where we backpacked internationally, visiting eleven countries and three continents, and it opened our eyes. We knew we couldn’t go back to our lives in Atlanta and instead had to see if we could make it a business where we inspire others to travel.

Us on a tour boat in New Zealand

Our Pivot to traveling the US on our trawler wasn’t in the 5-year plan but it impacted the rest of our lives. The boating and Loop culture, the adventure with a goal, and slow life aka “trawler speed” with our family was a joy.

Reflecting on our Loop as we pass through Miami for the last time

This travel around Eastern North America, through two countries and eighteen states inspired us to see more.

The 2025 Goals

Starting in Florida, we will be traveling up to Alaska this summer. Some might say that Alaska is a bit ambitious for your first year in your self-converted sprinter van without any RV experience, but I guess that’s just par for the course for Scho and Jo considering we hadn’t travelled much before backpacking and never boated before starting the Loop... We plan to visit many states along the way, national and state parks, and beautiful small towns - taking it “trawler speed” just like our last adventure.

Like with the Loop, there are so many anchorages, or towns off the beaten path so if you have any suggestions for places we should visit, restaurants to try, or fun activities, we’d love to hear them! We created this Google Form for any recommendations!

Naming Our Van.

The story of our Great Loop was “Pivot”. Learning to move with the changes in life and accepting the pivots instead of pushing against them. Embracing the Pivot will always be one of our mottos.

While our Sprinter Van is a Pivot, it’s more a direction. We know we like traveling with Ollie and the comforts of home, like a full kitchen and bed. Building our van without a lot of prior experience was challenging. We knew we wanted to incorporate the feeling of doing hard things, reaching for what sometimes seems impossible, and our van is a reminder that challenges make us stronger.

If you watched our Great Loop Documentary, you may remember the quote from Brianna Wiest at the end of the video, “One day, the mountain that is in front of you will be so far behind you, it will barely be visible in the distance. But the person you become in learning to get over it? That will stay with you forever. And that is the point of the mountain.”

We have huge aspirations, and our van will be the home that takes us there. So without further ado, we share “Summit” as the name of our van. Let’s climb the mountains in life together!

What’s Next

Stay tuned for our next Sunday Summary, and we’ll share our first National Park and official destination in the van, The Everglades National Park!

Videos.

In case you missed it, here are all the vlogs we’ve released since our last Sunday. Summary:

 From the Eyes of Ollie. 

2025 is going to be a great year. I will smell so many new places and read so many more “p”-mails. I can’t wait!

Ollie at our AirBnB in the Panhandle - “Do you think the other van dogs will like me?”

 Gratitudes.

After a stationary year, we’re grateful for the environment we had building Summit. With both our families near, we were able to experience a part of life we miss out on in our travels.

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #135

2024 Wrapped - sharing the behind the scenes to a challenging year

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 135th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in the Florida Panhandle.

Last Year.

Writing our 2024 wrapped two weeks into 2025 tells the story of 2024 in and of itself… It seems like 2024 was a few years in one. Here are the highlights and lowlights:

We focused on healthy habits:

• Elliot ran his first organized Marathon and Ultra Marathon

• Before the van build consumed our lives, we had 90 days of consistent 3-mile dog walks and strength training.

We wrapped up our Great Loop Adventure:

If you remember, back to our Sunday Summaries in 2023, we had over 120 videos in our backlog to edit and release when we moved off Pivot.

• We released our final 37 daily videos of our time on Pivot around the Great Loop.

• We published our Great Loop Documentary, which currently has 340k views. Thank you to EVERYONE who watched our journey!

We built our NEW HOME:

• 7 months after beginning our van build, from July until just before New Year’s, we officially left the driveway for good.

• Our Sprinter Van was an empty shell, and now it has all the creature comforts of home - and it will be our full-time home for the next two or so years!

We’re on the road!

There’s a saying, “The days are short but the years are long” but that didn’t feel accurate to this year. With so many early morning till late night van build days, we felt our days were short and the year was short. With no experience in construction or building, we fell quickly into the deep end. Fortunately, we had a few key friends who taught us the basics of woodworking and building while lending their time to help build our home. I can say with 100% certainty that the van would have been worse without their help!

We struggled with burnout and overwhelm at almost a daily rate. It was a combination of the difficulty of learning and failing, the financial challenges of building out a van, and the fact that we did not do any traveling in 2024. For Jen and I, who started Scho and Jo to make a business around traveling, we completely missed out in 2024. This was tough mentally and one of the most significant changes we look forward to in 2025.

This all being said, we are in high spirits and excited for 2025 for quite a few reasons:

1. Jennifer and her Mom had a mother-daughter trip to visit Christmas Markets in Germany and France. This was the perfect way to refill her empty cup at the end of December.

2. We FINISHED the van build.

3. We had our 2nd Annual Mastermind Meet Up for New Year in the North Georgia Mountains. Chad and Claire hosted, and we were joined by Nate and Alicia from The Passport Couple and Adam and Kathryn from The Adventures of A+K. The week was filled with community, which is hard to find in this industry, games, fantastic food, cold plunges, gua-sha, puzzles, pickle ball, and just general happiness.

4. We are currently in a Beach House with Nate and Alicia, planning out and prepping for 2025. Almost all last year was spent chasing the next project and challenge, so planning for 2025 nourishes the soul.

The Mastermind Family

Big Announcement.

We are happy to announce that we are a new partner with Waterway Guide! 🎉 If you aren’t familiar, Waterway Guide is the go-to resource for boating guides and cruising on our waterways. We cruised with a few different guides on our Loop and always checked https://www.waterwayguide.com/ for current fuel prices or notices to mariners. As a result of this partnership, we’ll be posting some content on Waterway Guide, and you’ll notice that we’ll be featuring Waterway Guide information more and more on schoandjo.com .

Come Meet Us.

Next week we’ll be attending the Florida RV Supershow and at the Battleborn Battery booth at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, January 15th! If you’re coming to the event, let us know by replying, and we’ll look out!

On January 29th we’ll lead a roundtable discussion on Budgeting at the AGLCA Looperpalooza in Punta Gorda. We hope to see some of you there!

What’s Next

Stay tuned for our next Sunday Summary and we’ll go over our huge plans for 2025! It’s going to be a great year!

Videos.

 From the Eyes of Ollie. 

I made sure my parents built the best most comfortable-est spots in my new home. I’m still trying to figure out where to sit… the front seat has a really good view though. I had a talk with my new friend Geppetto and he said we need more treats.

 Gratitudes.

2024 taught us how to be patient with a van build that took four months longer than planned, how to persevere through failures and difficulties outside our comfort zone, to support each other every day, and that we can do hard things.

Thank you to everyone who reads this newsletter, no matter how in-frequent we posted last year, here’s to the end of 2024 🍻 and a healthy new year.

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

 P.S.

If you are new to our Sunday Summary, you can take a look at previous issues here.

Sunday Summary #134

Black Friday Deals and the van is starting to look like a Home 🏠

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 134th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in northeast Florida.

Black Friday Sales

All of the products in our Scho and Jo Shop are between 25-50% off from now until December 2nd.

• Great Loop Budget Calculator

• Great Loop Locks

• Looper’s Guide to Your Electrical System

• Great Loop Anchorages and Free Docks

• Anchoring and Loving It Course

• PIVOT Sticker Pack

We know this season is full of emails with brands promoting various products, which can be overwhelming. As much as we try not to be consumeristic and like to keep life simple, we also love a good deal. We’ve compiled some of the best deals from brands we love to help make your Black Friday shopping easier!

• Mantus Marine has a sale of up to 20% off until December 6th. We loved our Mantus M1 anchor and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new anchor.

• Nebo is having a 25% off sale on their Nebo Link until December 2nd. Use the discount code BF25 at checkout.

• Battle Born Batteries has over 25% off their Game Changer Batteries! An electrical system is a huge part to any van or boat, so getting batteries while they’re on sale is huge.

• Campervan HQ is having a sale up to $2,500 off Gen 1 EcoFlow Power Kits, 20% off storage solutions, and huge markdowns on top campervan gear. We bought our windows, Lonseal flooring, Thinsulate insulation, marathon plus fabric, wanter tanks, Nova Kool Refrigerator, Guzzle H2O water filter, and so much more from Campervan HQ.

• Orion Van Gear is having a sale from now until December 2 or until inventory is sold out. The roof rack and ladder we bought is several hundred dollars off.

• Lowe’s has a ton of tools on sale! Wether it’s a basic tool set to have on board or you’re starting your tool collection tackling a van build, now is a great time to score some great deals on tools!

• The composting toilet we selected for our van, OGO, is on sale for $850, which is 13% off. It has a great, sleek, simple design, with a large tank.

• Heatso is having a sale, and the 12v Espar diesel heater we installed is $150 off!

• The Swivel Shop has a great sale for anyone looking to expand the space in their front cab by installing a swivel seat. Use code BF24SWIVEL for $100 off swivels.

• The Bug Wall has 20% off bug screens, which is great for anyone in a campervan, especially those traveling to Alaska! We’ve heard the mosquitos are terrible. This is their only sale of the year.

• The Wanderful is has 15% off sitewide and 30% off orders of $600 or more. We’re using The Wanderful for window covers, but they also have bug screens and they just released their brand new StealthShade Privacy Curtain.

Although our van build is coming to an end, here are some of the deals we scored during this Black Friday:

• AllTrails+ is 50% off! We hope to incorporate a lot more activity in our daily lives with our van and hope to do that as we explore many hikes across the US.

• REI is having a great sale until December 2nd. We bought the Garmin InReach Mini 2 for 25% off, saving us $100. We’ll be taking it on all of our hikes to stay safe on the trails.

• Amazon has several deals. We bought this projector for our van; however, this similar compact projector is on sale for over 25% off.

Last Week.

In our last Sunday summary, we shared that our good friends, Andy, Gwen, and Aiden from Abroad Reach Travel, were visiting us in their new van. We had a wonderful few days with them, loved seeing their new van (named Penny, short for Penobscot as all of their homes have been inspired by Maine). Andy and Gwen were a huge help as they cut, painted, and installed our upper cabinet doors. I don’t know how we got so lucky to have such great friends like Gwen and Andy!

Since Andy, Gwen, and Aiden left, we’ve been busy installing our banquette seating, spending late nights painting, installing our entire plumbing system, and our butcher block kitchen countertop. We are beyond excited for how the van build is coming together! Elliot tackling plumbing for the very first time was nerve-wracking but really invigorating when we turned on the water pump for the first time. We christened our plumbing system by giving Ollie a bath. She did not approve.

Lastly, we installed our butcher block countertop, which required Elliot to learn how to use the router tool, seal it with polyurethane, and attach our undermount sink. It’s so exciting seeing the van build come together! It’s really starting to look like a home now that we have our kitchen counter, sink, and stovetop installed.

This Week.

It’s official; we’re at the final countdown of our campervan build! I don’t know who’s more excited, you or me? We’re trying to finish our build by Jen’s birthday next weekend, which means we’re in hustle mode. We’ve been working off a sticky note wall for the past few weeks, and let’s just say we have quite the week ahead of us based on the sticky notes left. Wish us luck! 🍀

Videos.

Since our last newsletter, we published two videos on YouTube. We hope you enjoy watching the van come together. 😊

Blogs.

We’ve been writing many new articles on our website that are great FREE resources for anyone traveling by water or land. We include a Boater's Guide in our travel guides that compiles pertinent resources for people traveling on the water, from marinas, anchorages, provisioning, and more!

101 Gift Ideas for Boaters and Loopers 2025

This guide is packed full of unique gift ideas for boaters in your life. We’ve included super fun and practical gifts for all budgets and needs.

schoandjo.com/gift-ideas-for-boaters

11 Mouthwatering Restaurants in Fernandina Beach FL: Ultimate Eating Guide

We share our top 11 favorite restaurants in Fernandina Beach, FL. From Asian street food to fresh seafood that you can't miss.

schoandjo.com/restaurants-in-fernandina-beach-fl

11 Must-Try Activities in Fernandina Beach FL: A Quick Guide

Discover the top 11 activities in Fernandina Beach FL, from Victorian homes to pinball museums, this Floridian city has it all!

schoandjo.com/activities-in-fernandina-beach-fl

Ultimate Guide to Downtown Fernandina Beach: Top Things to Do, See, and Eat

Discover the top things you MUST do, see, and eat in downtown Fernandina Beach in this Ultimate Travel Guide!

schoandjo.com/downtown-fernandina-beach-ultimate-guide

5 Magical Ways to Experience St. Augustine's Christmas Lights

Explore our top 5 favorite ways to experience the St Augustine Christmas Lights, from festive trolley tours to breathtaking lighthouse views!

schoandjo.com/st-augustine-christmas-lights

Currently on the Great Loop?

We wrote a few articles on our website that are great resources for anyone traveling down the Midwest rivers or preparing for the Gulf Crossing this time of year on the Great Loop.

• Tennessee River Cruising Guide (Chattanooga Side Trip)

• Muscle Shoals, Alabama Guide

• Big Bend vs. Gulf Crossing

• Big Bend Cruising Guide

• Okeechobee Waterway Cruising Guide

From the Eyes of Ollie.

I love going to my grandma’s house. She makes sure I never leave hungry, and this last visit was no exception. I got a lot of turkey in my bowl, and it was delicious!

Gratitudes

This time of year always makes us reflect on the countless things to be grateful for, from good health to family and friends. We hope this time of year brings gratitude and joy to your heart.

See you next Sunday!

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

Sunday Summary #133

Paint, Installation, and Building

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 133rd Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in northeast Florida.

Last Week.

We had a few unexpected pivots in the past few weeks. Two days after returning home from our friend Chris and Aly’s house, our fridge and freezer arrived. We are super excited with our fridge and freezer as it’s larger than the typical van fridge and freezer with a dedicated freezer. After opening the fridge and measuring, we compared the size to the compartment we built in our kitchen cabinets only to find out it didn’t fit 👎 We were in denial for rest of the day and decided to deal with that challenge the following day 😂

Elliot screwing in an upper cabinet.

Jen painting our cabinets green.

The next day, we made the tough decision to cut our beautiful kitchen cabinet we had just made in half. 😳 After cutting the cabinet in half, we did another test fit with our fridge before starting the multi-day process of painting all of the cabinets. We choose a cream color for all the cabinets, except a dark forest green for the kitchen cabinets. We love how they came out and are so excited to see the van vision coming to life 💚 Installing our cabinets was invigorating. For the first time we were able to see our vision really coming to life and envisioning ourselves using the space, cooking, working, and lounging.

Elliot is building our seating area.

Elliot is cutting out our window from our wall.

Next, we created our seating/lounge area through our driver’s side window. Jen, the architect, had a specific vision for this area, including a solid wall instead of a shiplap often used for van walls. Well… we know why people use shiplap over the 1/4” plywood for walls in vans as we did… because it’s easier. After we attached our wall to our furring strips, Elliot cut out our window from the 1/4” plywood and mistakingly cut it too short with the router around our window sill. So, like most projects, we learned from our mistakes from the first trial and then retried the second time with much better results. 💯

This Week.

This week, we’re finishing up our seating area with paint, finishing the installation, and installing drawers under the seats. After, we’ll start plumbing! Elliot is particularly excited about this task since it’s a completely new skill set he’s going to learn.

We’re also excited to welcome two very good friends visiting us in their new van: Andy, Gwen, and Aiden from Abroad Reach Travel. We could not be more excited to see them and check out their newly converted van. If you remember from our Great Loop Documentary, Andy and Gwen were our good samaritans who became friends. We saw them last summer when they welcomed us aboard their sailboat, Acadia, for a week of sailing the Penobscot Bay. After a change of plans due to Gwen’s cancer diagnosis, Andy and Gwen bought a van earlier this year and finished their own van build this summer. Gwen and Andy have converted two vans into campervans, so we’re excited for their upcoming visit. 💕

Videos.

Since our last newsletter, we published three videos on YouTube. We hope you enjoy watching the van come together. 😊

Blogs.

We’ve been writing many new articles on our website that are great FREE resources for anyone traveling by water or land. We include a Boater's Guide in our travel guides that compiles pertinent resources for people traveling on the water, from marinas, anchorages, provisioning, and more!

Things to Do in Muscle Shoals AL: Ultimate Guide to The Shoals Region!

Learn the top things to do in Muscle Shoals, AL, and surrounding areas, as well as where to stay, eat, dock, park, and more in this ultimate guide!

schoandjo.com/things-to-do-in-muscle-shoals-al

Exploring Historic Portsmouth, VA: Ultimate Trip-Planning Guide

Make planning your upcoming trip to Portsmouth, VA, a breeze with our ultimate guide to activities, eateries, accommodation, and more!

schoandjo.com/top-activities-in-portsmouth-va

Currently on the Great Loop?

We wrote a few articles on our website that are great resources for anyone traveling down the Midwest rivers this time of year on the Great Loop. Most boaters (all that we know) stop in Paducah, Kentucky, after the 200+ mile stent on the Mississippi River. We have a detailed guide that’s perfect to read on your cruise so you can best utilize your time in the charming little town. We also wrote two articles on each of the side trips going down the Cumberland River to Nashville, with a wonderful stop in Clarksville, Tennessee, and the Tennessee River to Chattanooga, with a highlight of visiting Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Lastly, we have our Great Loop Locks Spreadsheet that lists all of the locks with their contact information, mile markers, notes, and more for sale in our store.

• Best Things to Do in Florence and Muscle Shoals, Alabama

• Ultimate Guide to Paducah, Kentucky

• Cumberland River Cruising Guide

• Best Attractions in Clarksville, Tennessee

• Tennessee River Cruising Guide

• Great Loop Locks spreadsheet

From the Eyes of Ollie.

For Halloween, I was Super Woman! I’m the hero everybody loves, and my superpowers for making food disappear are quite strong. We went trick or treating in my neighborhood, but nobody had dog treats. That’s okay; maybe I can show them my superpowers next year. I’m always superwoman, but I only dress up once a year.

Gratitudes

Between our visit with Chris and Aly a few weeks ago and our friends Gwen and Andy visiting us this week, we feel so fortunate to have so many handy friends in our lives! By far, the greatest gift Chris gave us was his time and teaching us so many valuable lessons and techniques of woodworking (he took 7 days of PTO for us 🤯). Andy helped us on our boat when we traveled southbound with them, and to have friends who are genuine teachers… they let us learn from them, including making our own mistakes, and give us that space to grow is so incredibly valuable. We feel beyond grateful to have such kind friends who reach out and help us 🫶

See you next Sunday!

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

Sunday Summary #132

It Takes a Village

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 132nd Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in northeast Florida.

Last Week.

It feels like the van build has said “hold my beer” a few times in the past few weeks. Each task we expect to take a certain amount of time always blows us away and takes double the amount of time. Our saving grace with our van build has been the support we’ve received from our friends!

When Elliot received a text from his good friend, Chris, offering to take PTO and help us build cabinets in his woodworking workshop, we were shocked and amazed. Of course, we were left speechless after saying yes!

To give you a little back story, we’ve both known Chris since high school (2006) as we all completed IB together and then went on to college where Elliot and Chris were roommates. We’ve shared countless memories and are grateful to call Chris and his wife, Aly, friends. We were overjoyed with their invitation.

Elliot and Chris used the table saw.

Chris and Elliot measuring the Passenger Upper Cabinets

We spent ten days in Lakeland, working with Chris in his workshop, building cabinets, and learning a ton from Chris’ experience. It was such a gift and something that we will be grateful. It was a memorable experience, including being at the center point of Hurricane Milton - thankful that we (or Chris and Aly) didn’t have any major damage.

Fortunately, we only lost power to the storm, but that couldn’t stop Catan!

The van is starting to come together!

Upon returning home, we officially started our sticky note wall. Back in 2021, when we drove back to Florida after Elliot broke his wrist on Smith Island, we started a sticky note wall to track our ongoing projects. Starting our sticky note wall really cemented that we’re in the final push of our van build and it feels so, so sweet!

As we continued working on our ceiling and wall installation that coincided with wiring for lights and electrical outlets, I (Jen) quickly became overwhelmed by decision fatigue from choosing finishes. I reached out to my college best friend and roommate, Jeff (who co-founded TreeHause furniture ), to toss ideas with. I was able to see the interior finishes come together after making some pivots from my original idea.

The past few weeks have been tough as it feels like our van build is draining us, but thanks to the help of our friends, we’ve made some great progress forward. So much of life takes a village and this van build is no exception. We’re grateful to everyone who encourages us and pushes us.

This Week.

Today we’re finishing our ceilings and walls before we start painting our cabinets that we made with Chris to put them into the van next week. We can’t wait for the van to transform after installing the cabinets! Once the cabinets are in, we’ll begin plumbing 🛠️🚰

Videos.

Since our last newsletter, we published three videos on YouTube. We hope you enjoy watching the van come together. 😊

Blogs.

We’ve been writing many new articles on our website that are great FREE resources for anyone traveling by water or land. In each of our travel guides, we include a Boater’s Guide that compiles pertinent resources for people traveling on the water from marinas, anchorages, provisioning, and more!

Our 15 Favorite Free Things to Do in St. Augustine, Florida

We've rounded up our top 15 favorite free things to do in St Augustine Florida, in hopes that you get inspired to explore this amazing city!

schoandjo.com/free-things-to-do-st-augustine-fl

Everything You NEED to Know About the St. Augustine Trolley Tours

Discover the key differences between several St Augustine trolley tours to book the right one with confidence!

schoandjo.com/st-augustine-trolley-tour

7 Fun Date Ideas in St Augustine for Couples

Discover our top picks for unique things to do in St Augustine for couples to make planning your visit a breeze!

schoandjo.com/things-to-do-in-st-augustine-for-couples

The Perfect Weekend in St Augustine: A Complete Guide

Plan the perfect 2-day weekend in St Augustine with our complete guide to historic sites, sunny beaches, best eats, and more!

schoandjo.com/weekend-in-st-augustine

A Local’s Guide to Historic St Augustine, Florida

Explore historic St Augustine like a local with our ultimate guide covering things to do, where to eat, where to stay, and more!

schoandjo.com/ultimate-guide-to-historic-st-augustine

Top Things to Do in Beaufort, SC: Our Guide to the Best of the Lowcountry

Experience the best of the Lowcountry in this best things to do in Beaufort, SC guide! Discover what to eat, where to sleep, and what to do!

schoandjo.com/things-to-do-in-beaufort-sc-ultimate-guide

Top Things to Do in Georgetown, SC: An Ultimate Travel Guide

Discover the best things to do in Georgetown SC, from visiting historic plantations to walking charming waterfronts, in this ultimate guide!

schoandjo.com/things-to-do-in-georgetown-sc

Our Favorite Things to Do in Beaufort, NC: Ultimate Travel Guide

In this ultimate guide, we've compiled our favorite things to do in Beaufort NC—From 300-year-old graveyards to stunning nature preserves!

schoandjo.com/things-to-do-in-beaufort-nc

Our Guide to New Bern NC: Things to Do, See, and Eat in Bear Town!

Discover the top New Bern, NC, things to do with our ultimate guide, featuring must-see spots like Tryon Palace and Island Creek Forest!

schoandjo.com/new-bern-nc-things-to-do

Currently on the Great Loop?

We wrote a few articles on our website that are great resources for anyone traveling down the Midwest rivers this time of year on the Great Loop. Most boaters (all that we know) stop in Paducah, Kentucky, after the 200+ mile stent on the Mississippi River. We have a detailed guide that’s perfect to read on your cruise so you can best utilize your time in the charming little town. We also wrote two articles on each of the side trips going down the Cumberland River to Nashville, with a wonderful stop in Clarksville, Tennessee, and the Tennessee River to Chattanooga. Lastly, we have our Great Loop Locks Spreadsheet that lists all of the locks listed with their contact information, mile marker, notes, and more for sale in our store.

• Ultimate Guide to Paducah, Kentucky

• Cumberland River Cruising Guide

• Best Attractions in Clarksville, Tennessee

• Tennessee River Cruising Guide

• Great Loop Locks spreadsheet

From the Eyes of Ollie.

I had a great time at my friend Blue’s house (Chris and Aly’s Beagle) even though there were three cats, and I’ve never lived with cats before. One of the cats became my friend, while I became an acquaintance with another cat, and the last cat, well… we co-existed. Blue and I supervised our humans. We had to make sure they were making my home comfy-cozy.

Ollie and Blue supervising the van build

Ollie, Blue, and Winston - Co-Existing

Ollie fit right into the workshop! But she couldn’t stay in because she wouldn’t wear her PPE.

Gratitudes

We are beyond grateful to call Chris and Aly friends and to have had the opportunity to spend ten days with them catching up, building cabinets for our van build, and learning more new skills from Chris. They welcomed us into their home with love and hospitality. Grateful doesn’t seem like a robust enough word to describe how thankful we feel for our friendship and time spent with Chris and Aly.

See you next Sunday!

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

Sunday Summary #131

Starting Electrical 🔋⚡️🔌

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 131st Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in northeast Florida.

Last Week.

Our van build has officially exited the “follow the instructions manual” stage and has now entered the “figure it out yourself” stage. Immediately, two things stuck out to me:

1. I don’t think I’ve ever missed an instructions manual so much in my entire life.

2. I never expected to say the previous statement.

We decided to move from back to forward in framing our van because our specific layout made the most sense. First came building the structure for the bed, which spans 72” from side to side. Figuring out what type of wood to use (we eventually went with 3/4” sanded ply) and being confident in our decision of how we’re securing it to our van (with rivnuts) was mentally a lot.

That overwhelmed me and led me to about five days of analysis paralysis as I went into architect mode and dusted off some very dull skills. I created a lot of drawings and diagrams of how the bed and adjacent areas would fit together so we would have a plan as we made our cuts into the wood. Overall, it looks really good, and we’re really happy with it; we simply wish it had taken less time.

This Week.

Since last week was Jen’s most anticipated step of the van build, this week is Elliot’s. The start of our electrical build has brought a lot of research and planning. Electrical can be tricky… it requires the correct sized wires, fuses, components, and hardware. The consequence of getting this wrong is starting a fire, which is super dangerous. I’m so proud of Elliot and how hard he has been working hard to plan our electrical system. Elliot learned a lot about electrical on our boat, but creating an electrical system from scratch is another level.

Videos.

Since our last newsletter, we published two videos on YouTube. The first was 5 Lessons from Building our Campervan while we installed the 3M Thinsulate into the van. The second was the beginning stage of framing! We hope you enjoy watching the van come together. 😊

Blogs.

We’ve been writing many new articles on our website, focused primarily on our van build and our favorite local destination, St. Augustine. St. Augustine is accessible by land and water, making it an excellent stop for anyone visiting Florida. It’s known as the oldest city in USA but has much to offer from the history, architecture, and… food!

19 Must-Try St Augustine Restaurants

Discover our favorite St Augustine restaurants, from fresh seafood and tacos to expertly crafted cocktails and delightful cupcakes!

schoandjo.com/st-augustine-restaurants

Our 13 Favorite Spots for Breakfast in St Augustine, Florida

Looking for the best breakfast in St Augustine, Florida? Look no further. Discover our top picks, from classic to contemporary eats!

schoandjo.com/breakfast-in-st-augustine-florida

How we Insulated our Camper Van (A Detailed Guide)

Van Insulation is CRITICAL to a comfortable time on the road. Here is our journey of WHY and HOW we used 3M Thinsulate to insulate our van.

schoandjo.com/van-insulation

Currently on the Great Loop?

We wrote a few articles on our website that are great resources for anyone traveling down the Midwest rivers this time of year on the Great Loop. Most boaters (all that we know) stop in Paducah, Kentucky, after the 200+ mile stent on the Mississippi River. We have a detailed guide that’s perfect to read on your cruise so you can best utilize your time in the charming little town. We also wrote two articles on each of the side trips going down the Cumberland River to Nashville, with a wonderful stop in Clarksville, Tennessee, and the Tennessee River to Chattanooga. Lastly, we have our Great Loop Locks Spreadsheet that has all of the locks listed with their contact information, mile marker, notes, and more for sale in our store.

• Ultimate Guide to Paducah, Kentucky

• Cumberland River Cruising Guide

• Best Attractions in Clarksville, Tennessee

• Tennessee River Cruising Guide

• Great Loop Locks spreadsheet

From the Eyes of Ollie.

The past week has been so rainy that it’s been cutting into my walk time. I’m not too happy about it because I love my daily morning and evening walks, but I enjoy smelling the fresh air when it’s raining.

Gratitudes

Although we’ve had quite the analysis paralysis over the past week, we’ve been so happy with how the van is coming together. It looks great and gets us so excited for the upcoming changes. Building a van yourself is tough, but it’s helped me grow a greater appreciation for those who take on DIY projects. It’s slowly coming together, making us so happy because we’ll be exploring the road soon. In the meantime, we’re sponges as we learn something new every day and put our skills to the test.

See you next Sunday!

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

Sunday Summary #130

Step 8 Insulation 🚫🥵🥶

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 130th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in northeast Florida.

Last Week.

Last week, we mentioned taking a day to get out of the van building and explore one of our favorite local destinations, St. Augustine. We had a great morning, enjoying our coffee and tea on our roof deck while watching the sunrise and trying local restaurants downtown. It was a great day without the van build, and it allowed us to work on the blog! Keep an eye out for some St. Augustine blog posts coming soon 🤞.

When researching insulation for our van build, there are a few products that builders frequently use. One of these products is Thinsulate by 3M, a synthetic insulation used in automotive, clothing, and homes. We opted for the precut Thinsulate, which matches the voids in our Sprinter van (Campervan HQ also sells precut thinsulate for Ford Transits and Ram ProMasters).

The application process was super easy as it required us to use a spray adhesive cement, which we had used before for our boat headliners! It’s so nice when we’ve done something before… it makes the learning pains just a little bit less 😅

The inside of our van is no longer white and now has great insulation to keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Yesterday, we took our van to our family’s house and noticed it was significantly quieter, thanks to the insulation. We are thrilled to have partnered with Campervan HQ on this part of our build!

This Week.

Next up is framing! This is probably the most anticipated step I (Jen) have been concerned about since starting the van build. We’ve been doing a lot of research and have a few ideas, but we will be spending the rest of today and tomorrow cementing our plan, gathering materials, and starting this task. Wish us luck 🍀

Videos.

We just released our video installing the final two windows in our DIY campervan! We experimented with this video and shared why we decided to build a campervan and do van life. During the video, we get caught in the rain after cutting the largest holes in our van. We hope you enjoy it!

From the Eyes of Ollie.

I’ve been working pretty hard supervising my parents' work on our new home. For a nine-year-old dog, they’ve been keeping me really busy. It's a good thing I love them so much!

Gratitudes

Last week, we started by waking up in the pitch black to drive to the coast and watch the sunrise on our new roof rack. We were feeling a bit burnt out (and have been for quite some time, if we’re being honest), but taking time to sit back and enjoy the simplicity of the sunrise was perfect. There were pelicans flying inches from the water, a colorful sunrise, and a stillness that is hard to find when the day starts to get busy. That quiet and peaceful start to our day helped ground us and help us remember the joy found in little things in life.

See you next Sunday!

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot

Sunday Summary #129

Cutting BIG Holes and Rain

Hi {{ First Name | there }},

Welcome to Scho & Jo’s 129th Sunday Summary. This edition of the Sunday Summary was written in northeast Florida.

Last Week.

We embarked on the last big cuts into our van with our final two windows. We installed a window behind the driver’s seat and another on the sliding door… and let me tell you, they look great! We really splurged on these windows. Typical windows that don’t open are significantly less expensive than operable windows. Both of these side windows are operable with bug screens, which will help tremendously with airflow and keep us comfortable in the van.

Elliot was cutting holes into the van inside a plastic bubble to protect metal shavings from going everywhere.

Like most things, installing our windows didn’t go according to plan. We had about three steps remaining before calling the project done when it started to pour on us. About 10 minutes before the downpour, we quickly taped a plastic tarp to the gaping holes in our van. Immediately when it started to rain, Elliot went into the van to check on our plastic tape job and saw we had water in the van. I quickly ran inside to get towels, and Elliot came to the conclusion that it was just the initial downpour and sideways rain that caused it to leak a little bit. It continued to rain on and off throughout the night.

Elliot de-burring the edges of the cut

Jen is preparing for the window by laying the tape.

The following morning, we woke up, took Ollie for a dog walk, ate breakfast (because nothing good happens when we’re hangry), and finished the remaining three steps. The van's windows look incredible, and we’re so excited to test open them and feel the cross breeze as we proceed on inside van tasks next week. The outside of the van looks dramatically different than a few months ago, and we’re so happy with how it’s coming out!

This Week.

We’re going to take a day to explore St. Augustine, a local destination. After a few weeks of nonstop van building, we’re in need of a little exploration and fun. Later this week, we’ll be installing our insulation and beginning framing! We can’t wait to start this step because it’s the beginning of interior transformation.

Videos.

We just released our video installing floors in our DIY campervan! It feels like we keep saying each project makes a huge difference, but it’s true. The installation of our van floors really makes the van's interior come to life in a way that brings a massive smile to our faces. We hope you enjoy our latest video!

Blog.

This week, we released blog posts on installing solar panels, how we decided on the walkable solar over rigid or flexible panels, and a blog post on our simple approach to flooring! Like our Great Loop Expenses, we’re compiling the total cost of our van build and sharing project-by-project expense breakdowns in these blog posts! When we finish our van build, you’ll be the first to know when we publish our final van build expenses post.

Beginners Guide to Powering Your Camper with Solar | Scho & Jo

RV solar power can be daunting. Here's everything you need to know as a beginner for RV or camper van solar power systems.

schoandjo.com/beginners-guide-to-powering-your-van-with-solar

Our SIMPLE, INSULATED, and BEAUTIFUL Camper Van Floor | Scho & Jo

We stalled a three-part camper van floor in our Sprinter Van. Here is the perfect combination of simple, sturdy, insulated, and beautiful!

schoandjo.com/camper-van-floor

From the Eyes of Ollie.

I can’t wait for my parents and I to go on a fun adventure. We used to go on so many fun walks that always had different sniffs, but now the sniffs are mostly the same. I know the dogs at the park and the locals in our neighborhood. Hopefully, we can go on some adventures for new sniffs soon.

Gratitudes

Doing this van build has been challenging. Watching YouTube videos or seeing Instagram reels or Facebook posts can make it all look easy. Still, it’s been a lot of juggling learning all of the necessary skills and knowledge for constructing the van, creating content (shooting horizontal for YouTube, vertical for Instagram reels, and taking photos for our blog), and trying to balance healthy habits (working out, dog walks, reading, eating well). We’re grateful for our friends who have reached out, listened, and supported us. Friends are such a gift in life and something we never intentionally want to take for granted. We hope you have a few key friends who simply make your life better by being in it. Our friends certainly make our lives better by being in them, and for that, we are grateful 🤍

See you next Sunday!

Peace and love,

Jen + Elliot