Our Story

 

Hello!

We are Karen and Joe Stermitz, and we love exploring the world. So much so, that when Karen retired in 2012 we started laying plans for our next big adventure: driving around the world.  

In 2017, after several years of intense preparation, we sold our home, disposed of our belongings, and "hit the road" for good.

Our first overland rig was a custom Jeep "JK" towing a Moby1 XTR trailer. 

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Jeep and trailer
Custom Jeep...and a trailer - good idea or bad?

After spending a month traveling through Mexico, we realized we needed to simplify. We returned to the US and swapped out the Jeep and trailer for a Ram Powerwagon and Four Wheel Popup Camper.  

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Beach camp, Cabo de la Vela, Guajira, Colombia
A curious "local" checks out our new home

October 2018 we launched once more on our around-the-world overland journey. After a year exploring Mexico and Central America we shipped the rig to Colombia.

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Stuffing the truck in a shipping container
A tight squeeze, but we made it!

Then, in March 2020, just after we entered Ecuador, the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Suddenly our plans were put on hold. After some deliberation, we decided to return to the US to ride out the "storm."  

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Waiting on the world to change, Haro Strait
Waiting on the world to change, Haro Strait

We soon relocated to Bozeman, Montana and rented a townhouse for a year. Now, two years later, we are looking forward to the day when we can return once more to full-time travel. In the meantime, being surrounded by so much natural beauty isn't such a bad thing, right?

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Madison River near Ennis, MT
Madison River near Ennis, Montana

We hope you enjoy our image galleries and trip reports from our adventures.

Welcome along for the ride!

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Exploring Cayambe, Ecuador
Exploring near Cayambe, Ecuador
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Karen with a furry friend, Chateau Leognan
Karen with a furry friend, Chateau Leognan
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Joe on the veranda, San Miguel de Allende
Joe on the veranda, San Miguel de Allende