Off the beaten path but not lost | Family RV Life, Jeepin’, and Travel

By Tony and Kristen FaiolaSociety & Culture Sports Kids & Family Places & Travel Wilderness

Off the beaten path but not lost | Family RV Life, Jeepin’, and Travel episodes

June 02 169. Gunnison, Colorado: Why We Keep Coming Back
We've been based in Gunnison, Colorado, for two summers in a row — and in this episode we're telling you exactly why.
Gunnison sits at 7,700 feet, right in the center of some of the best outdoor access in Colorado, with a price tag that won't make you cry. In this episode, we cover why we keep coming back, where we stay, and every adventure you can reach from this one valley.
If you're planning a Colorado summer and want a base camp that actually works, this episode is for you.
Full show notes and links: thefaiolas.com/169
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33 min
April 14 168. Lava Fields and Ancient Ruins: A Day at Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monument
We spent one day at two of the most underrated national monuments in Arizona, and it completely blew us away.
Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monument sit along a 35-mile scenic loop road just north of Flagstaff. One entrance fee covers both parks. The landscapes could not be more different. And together they tell one of the most fascinating connected stories we have come across in our years of full-time RV travel.
In this episode, we walk you through both parks from the ground up. We cover the history of the Sunset Crater eruption and the Ancestral Puebloan communities who lived through it, the two types of lava you will find on the trails, and every hiking trail at Sunset Crater Volcano. Then we drive the loop to Wupatki and take you through the 104-room Wupatki Pueblo, the blowhole, the ancient ball court, Wukoki Pueblo, the Citadel, and Lomaki. We also share our experience boondocking at Cinders OHV area right next door.
This is a great one for families planning a stop near Flagstaff.

Full show notes and links: thefaiolas.com/168
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Email: [email protected]

36 min
April 02167. Seasonal RV Travel: Where to Go (and Avoid) Year-Round
After seven years on the road, we've been in the right place at the right time and the wrong places at the worst possible times. Right now we're sitting in Flagstaff at 57 degrees, two days after leaving Yuma, where it was over 100 degrees. Same state. Same month. Completely different world.
In this episode, we break down seasonal RV travel, sharing real stories behind what works and what doesn't, no matter what time of year you're hitting the road.
In this episode:
How to keep your RV cool when the heat wins
The best places to be in spring and why the window closes fast
Where we've spent our summers
Why fall is our favorite season on the road, and where to go
Where we winter and tips for keeping warm
Full show notes and links: thefaiolas.com/167
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Email: [email protected]
31 min
March 18166. Yuma Air Show 2026: The Blue Angels Came Back After 40 Years
The Blue Angels hadn't performed in Yuma in nearly 40 years, and we were there for their comeback. We spent a hot March Saturday at the 60th Annual Yuma Air Show at MCAS Yuma, and it delivered in every way.
In this episode, we talk about the historic Blue Angels return, jaw-dropping facts about how they fly, and all the other performers that made this one of the best free family events we have ever attended. Tora Tora Tora with pyro, the USMC F-35B demo, Ace Maker Airshows, a jet-powered '57 Chevy, skydivers, warbirds, and so much more.
We also give you our honest family review: what worked, what didn't, and exactly what to bring if you plan to go in future years.
In this episode:
Why the Yuma Air Show was historically significant this year
Blue Angels facts that will blow your mind
Performers worth knowing about before you go
Our honest family review and tips for attending
Where you can catch the Blue Angels on their 2026 tour
Full show notes and links: thefaiolas.com/166
Connect with us
Leave us a voice message: thefaiolas.com/message
Email: [email protected]
38 min
March 10165. Sugar Beet Harvest Jobs: Pay, Duties, Schedule, and How to Get Hired
We're back with a full debrief on the 2025 sugar beet harvest season in Grafton, North Dakota.

In this episode, we break down everything from the day-to-day grind of 12-hour shifts to the wild weather that kept everyone on their toes (warm start, buckets of rain, hard freezes). We share the numbers from four seasons of harvest work and a walk-through of what different job roles actually look like on the ground.

You'll hear details about what makes beet harvest both grueling and worth it from the overtime pay structure, the completion bonus, the free RV site, and the friendships that keep us coming back year after year. Plus, we already have our 5th season locked in.

In this episode:
What sugar beet harvest jobs actually involve
The pay structure: base rate, OT, double time, and completion bonuses
Real earnings from 2022–2025
Weather, curveballs, and aurora borealis sightings
What we would tell a first-timer considering harvest work

Full show notes and links: thefaiolas.com/165
Connect with us
Leave us a voice message: thefaiolas.com/message
Email: [email protected]
52 min
January 19 164. 2025: The Year We Didn’t Plan (And What It Taught Us)
2025 was supposed to be predictable. It wasn't.
This year threw us curveballs we never saw coming—a Jeep accident, wildfires that rerouted our plans, a job loss, and more pivots than we can count. But through all the chaos, 2025 became one of our most grounding years on the road.
In this episode, we're sharing our honest 2025 year-in-review—the setbacks, the lessons, and one habit that changed everything.
Full show notes and links: thefaiolas.com/164
Connect with us:
Leave us a voice message: thefaiolas.com/message
Email: [email protected]

44 min
October 24, 2025 163. Crested Butte Valley – Gothic Road, Paradise Divide & Slate River
Tucked deep in the Elk Mountains, Crested Butte is a colorful mountain town with serious backcountry charm — and in this episode, we’re taking you just beyond the pavement to explore its best alpine loops.

💬 Send us your favorite idea: thefaiolas.com/sayhi

Show notes: thefaiolas.com/163
Website: https://thefaiolas.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefaiolas/
Send us a message: https://thefaiolas.com/message
24 min
October 19, 2025 Road Notes: That One Time We Almost Left the Slide Out
In this Road Note, we’re sharing one of those classic RV oops moments—the time we almost drove off with the slide still out. 😅
Whether you’re a newbie or a full-time pro, we hope this gives you a chuckle and a little peace of mind that you’re not alone in those facepalm moments.

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Website: https://thefaiolas.com/
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5 min
October 09, 2025 162. Driving San Juan County Road 2 in Colorado for Ghost Towns, Gulches and Big Views
San Juan County Road 2 winds through ghost towns, waterfalls, and mining ruins, and it also links Cinnamon and Engineer Pass. You will see some of the best views in the San Juans. In this episode, we share our favorite stops along the way — from Maggie Gulch to Animas Forks — plus other spur trails that make this route unforgettable.

Whether you’re planning your own Alpine Loop adventure or just love Colorado mountain history, San Juan County Road 2 is the perfect blend of beauty, accessibility, and backcountry charm.

💬 Send us your favorite idea: thefaiolas.com/sayhi

Show notes: thefaiolas.com/162
Website: https://thefaiolas.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefaiolas/
Send us a message: https://thefaiolas.com/message
36 min
September 25, 2025 161. Engineer Pass in Colorado: Shelf Roads, History & Big Mountain Views
Engineer Pass in Colorado is one of the highest and most dramatic sections of the Alpine Loop—and it definitely tested our nerves. In this episode, we share what it was really like to drive Engineer Pass after warming up on Cinnamon.

We discuss the differences between the two trails, the ghost towns and historic stops along the way, and why this Jeep Badge of Honor trail is worth the challenge. From Capitol City to Rose’s Cabin, the history here is just as breathtaking as the views.

💬 Send us your favorite idea: thefaiolas.com/sayhi

Show notes: thefaiolas.com/161
Website: https://thefaiolas.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefaiolas/
Send us a message: https://thefaiolas.com/message
34 min

About Off the beaten path but not lost | Family RV Life, Jeepin’, and Travel

From the publisher's feed

We’re Tony, Kristen, Kylie, & Lexie. Traveling the United States in a Class A RV. Email us at [email protected]. Find us on a dirt road, Jeepin’. RV Life | Jeepin’ | Travel | Podcast