Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Kimball

Hi Ryan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Howdy,

I’m Ry and I grew up in Hood River, Oregon which is a tiny town tucked away between two snow capped volcanoes. Hood River prides itself on all things outdoors. I grew up mountain biking, skiing, backpacking, hiking, camping, kite boarding and rock climbing. I believe having a childhood where I spent the majority of my time outside shaped who I am today.

I currently live full time in a truck camper with my two dogs. We travel down to Baja for the winters and come home to the Pacific Northwest for the summers. I moved into the camper so that I can spend my days outside with my dogs. The idea of being in a house felt too claustrophobic. I knew I needed to see the world and I was going to bring my dogs with me. I tried the traditional lifestyle, working a 9-5 while living in apartment and I knew I wasn’t built that way. I needed the freedom and lack of schedule. Plus, I wanted to give my dogs the best life they deserve.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

It has not been a smooth ride to get to where I am. I wanted to move onto the road full time for about 8 years. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, but that is all I was doing, thinking about it. I wasn’t doing anything to actually make that dream come true.

When the pandemic hit, I decided it was time to try out using my degree and become a teacher. I felt that pandemic was telling me that my lifestyle I was living, which was moving to a new ski town every year and working for the resort wasn’t the direction my life was suppose to go. It was time to follow the rules of society and use my degree.

Teaching felt like it was soul sucking. I was miserable. I went to look at houses to buy but every time I went to see a house, I just wished I was going to look at a van to move into. I couldn’t shake the dream of moving onto the road. Since my career wasn’t what I thought it would be I decided to start making the changes to get that dream. Selling everything I owned, looking at trucks and campers non stop.

I eventually found a truck and very quickly realized it wasn’t the ideal truck. It couldn’t handle the camper I wanted. I did end up finding a crappy little camper that would barely fit the rig but it wasn’t great.

I felt that every decision I made wasn’t the right one. I was so inexperienced and lost I kept messing up. Plus, I was flat broke. So whatever choice I made needed to be right one.

I also let society’s invisible rules get to me. I am in my 30’s. I am single, no kids, no career and I wanted to move onto the road. I didn’t have a lot of people to look to. All my friends where settling down with their husbands in their homes while raising families. I felt so lost and confused as to why I wasn’t doing that or truly really wanting that life. I believe that is why it took me 8 years to finally making the push. I wanted to fit in with society and my friends but deep down my gut knew better. That lifestyle wasn’t for me.

Lastly, another struggle is figuring out how to make money living this life. I am still in that process. Trying to live on the road full time while making an income is scary but I know once I figure it out it will be so worth it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I am still figuring out what I want to do for work. All I know is that I want to spend as much time as I can with my dogs. So, I need to find something remote. I am currently working on getting more involved in content creation. I have always loved making content and I would love to make my art become profitable.

So, my income as of right now is to work seasonal jobs. Working in a tourist town during the busy summer months. Saving that cash before I heading down to Baja where life is so much cheaper.

I feel I am known as the girl who lives in her truck with her two dogs. I try to encourage people, especially women to get outside of their comfort zones. To do the things on their bucket list even if you are single and or have no one to go with. Life isn’t going to wait. Send it scared. This is also what I am most proud of. I have created a life for myself where I do push myself. I don’t allow my fears to hold me back. I may be in my 30’s, no kids, living on the road and that life looks a little different to others, I am proud of this life I have created for myself.

What sets me apart from others? I am unsure to be honest. I feel I am very true to myself. I am vulnerable and honest. Which is what I want my audience to allow themselves to be as well. I want them to see my work and know that they too can be honest with who they are.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?

I am hoping and praying that I can make my work allow me to live on the road full time. To know my travels will be paid for. To have ultimate freedom. I want to continue doing as I am now but with more education. Making content creation my full time job.

I would also love to dable more in group trips. Over the last few years I have connected with so many like minded women who are healing or grieving from something. We bonded and realized we needed each other’s support even if it was through a phone. So, I love the idea of creating group trips where these women can get together and have a safe place to open up with what they are going through. While being outdoors and getting out of our comfort zones. I feel being outdoors is the utmost healing. Plus getting out of your comfort zones helps us grow in all sorts of ways.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ry.roams/