Roots, Road & Reason
Roots
We’re Vernon and Rhea, and The Wandering Rocks Family officially came to life in 2024 when we sold our Wisconsin home for the full-time RV life.
Vernon spent the last two decades in Wisconsin, though his roots trace back to Kentucky. Rhea is a true Wisconsin original—raised on Green Bay Packers, bartending shifts, and an impressive tolerance for snow shovels. He’s a little bourbon, she’s a little beer, but somehow it works. We met in 2015, married in 2016, and have been figuring life out together ever since.
We’re building a brand built on family history. The “Wandering” portion should be obvious - we are a family on the move, and Vernon’s great-grandfather was known as “Rock.” So, after many late-night discussions, “The Wandering Rocks Family” was born—a name that reflects where we come from and how we live.
2024
5,899
Miles (and counting)
OCTOBER
37
Campgounds (so far...)
Our story begins with a dream.
Like many young-ish newlyweds, we longed for a family. We planned. We waited. We planned some more (apparently that’s what you do when you’re trying to control the uncontrollable). Our journey through infertility and pregnancy loss shaped us in ways we never expected. While we chose not to let it define us, it undeniably changed us—deeply and forever.
Eventually, we brought our daughter home. Within her first year, we welcomed her baby brother and lived through a worldwide pandemic. No big deal, right? Everything shifted again. Our perspective changed. And like many people stuck at home, we spent an impressive amount of time on YouTube… which is where we stumbled into the world of full-time RV living. One video turned into ten, and suddenly we were hooked.
From there, we began dreaming about what life could look like if we sold everything, lived with less, and traveled together as a family. Choosing this life felt right—freeing, even. Once we let go of what we thought life was “supposed” to look like, we started building something that finally felt like ours. After our last baby was born, we didn’t waste time—the For Sale sign was in the yard within weeks of his arrival. (Sleep deprivation does wonders for bold decision-making.)
We launched The Wandering Rocks Family to share real life on the road: full-time RV living, homeschooling young kids, building a family-first business, and chasing dreams—messy, beautiful, and imperfect. We hope that our story gives you permission to imagine your own path, whatever that looks like.
If you’re curious about full-time life or homeschooling on the road, reach out. We’re always happy to share what we’ve learned (and what we’re still figuring out), and we love building community with other families who are wandering their way too.
Road & Reason
FAQs
When did you leave?
We hit the road full-time in October 2024, leaving behind our sticks and bricks home.
Who’s in your crew?
Our family includes four adventurous kids and our faithful dog, all joining this RV journey.
How do you manage school on the road?
We blend homeschooling, online lessons, and on-the-go learning as we explore new places together.
What’s your favorite stop so far?
Every place has its charm, but sunsets at the beach truly stole our hearts.
Is it hard traveling with kids?
It’s an adventure full of surprises, but seeing their smiles makes it all worthwhile.
Are you a military family?
No, but this is the most frequently asked question we get.
Our truck has a military look, which is an aesthetic we like. We support and appreciate our military veterans and active-duty service members. Thank you!
It's a 2004 Peterbilt 385, formerly a grain-hauling workhorse from Nebraska, that we converted into a toterhome. It has a Caterpillar C12 diesel engine backed by an Eaton Fuller 13-speed manual transmission.