When you decide to leave behind the familiar for a life of adventure, every choice becomes intentional—especially what you pack. For me, this journey across North America with my Subaru Outback, Garuda, isn’t just about exploring breathtaking landscapes or chasing sunrises. It’s about crafting a life on the road that feels purposeful, balanced, and, most importantly, like home.
Packing for a year-long adventure is a process of mindfully curating a collection of tools, comforts, and necessities that support not only your day-to-day life but your ability to thrive in the unknown. It's about minimalism, practicality, and living intentionally.
Less Is More
Because Garuda had limited space, I had to prioritize only the things that I really needed. So I adopted a simple mantra:
If it doesn’t serve a purpose or spark joy, it doesn’t belong.
But this philosophy wasn’t something I embraced overnight. One of the most difficult decisions I had to make was what to do with my furniture. My apartment had been filled with pieces I’d collected over the years—some practical, others sentimental, but most of them simply there.
The question became very clear: Did these items still serve a purpose, or was I clinging to attachments that no longer aligned with my new life?
I couldn't justify storing the furniture. Paying for a storage unit meant holding onto things I wasn’t using and wouldn’t need in the foreseeable future. And the cost was both financial and emotional—a reminder of a life I was leaving behind. I ultimately made the decision to sell or donate nearly every piece of furniture I owned. It wasn’t easy at first, but as I let go, I felt a weight lift.
Furniture, more than anything, became the prime example of how we cling to what’s familiar, even when it no longer serves us.
It didn’t bring me joy, and it didn’t have a place in the life I was building on the road. Letting go of it became an act of liberation, and a nod toward embracing simplicity and freedom.
The Essentials for a Year on the Road
Next, I made a list of what I really needed for this journey. Here’s what made the cut:
Even here, I made conscious choices. Did I need 7 pairs of jeans? I pared down my wardrobe as much as possible, and embraced layering. This was the answer to how to pack for an adventure spanning the scorching deserts of Death Valley to the frigid mornings of Glacier National Park.
2. Camping Gear
The beauty of traveling with Garuda is having the freedom to stop wherever inspiration strikes. To make the most of those moments, I packed a small but reliable set of camping essentials:
Sleeping Setup: A compact tent, sleeping bag, and inflatable sleeping pad for comfort on nights spent in the wild.
Cooking Gear: A portable camping stove, lightweight cookware, and reusable utensils for meals on the go.
Extras: A hammock for lazy afternoons and a collapsible camp chair for stargazing.
3. Photography Equipment: Capturing the Journey
If there’s one area where I refused to compromise while packing, it was my photography gear. Photography is more than just a hobby for me—it’s also how I express myself, how I connect with the world, and how I preserve the beauty of this adventure. It defines me, and because of that, nearly all of my equipment made the cut.
Cameras: My mirrorless Canon R5 is my primary creative tool, which I use for everything from landscapes to astrophotography. But I also brought along my trusty backup workhorse, the Canon 5D Mark IV DSLR.
Lenses: No compromises here—I brought my entire collection of lenses. Each has a role to play, whether it’s capturing sweeping wide-angle vistas, the Milky Way arch, or distant wildlife.
Drone: My DJI Air 2S is an essential part of my kit, allowing me to capture unique aerial perspectives. Whether it’s soaring over the rugged cliffs of the Pacific Northwest or the desert canyons of Utah, the drone adds an entirely new dimension to my storytelling.
I splurged here because, for me, photography is the heart of this journey. Every piece of gear I packed was chosen with intention and purpose.
4. Work Essentials: Staying Connected from Anywhere
Balancing a full-time job with life on the road adds an extra layer of complexity. To stay productive while exploring, I rely on a streamlined mobile office:
Laptop and Second Monitor: A lightweight second screen makes editing photos and managing work tasks more efficient.
Portable Internet: Starlink ensures I can stay connected, even in remote locations.
Power Solutions: A Jackery power bank for charging or powering devices on the go.
Organization: A tech bag keeps all my cables, chargers, and adapters neatly stored.
This setup allows me to transition easily between work and adventure, proving that you don’t have to choose between the two.
5. Personal Touches: The Things That Spark Joy
Even on the road, it’s important to bring along items that make you feel grounded. These small comforts remind me that home isn’t a place—it’s a feeling.
Journal: For reflecting on the journey and jotting down thoughts as they come.
Books: A Kindle loaded with inspiring reads for quiet evenings by the fire.
Music: A portable speaker to set the mood, whether I’m cooking dinner or watching the sunset.
These personal touches are what make life on the road feel like my own unique adventure.
Packing Tips for Life on the Road
Here are a few lessons I’ve learned while packing for this journey:
1. Test Your Setup: Before hitting the road, I did a trial run of my packing system. This helped me refine my setup and eliminate unnecessary items.
2. Stay Organized: Packing cubes and labeled bins keep everything easy to find, especially in the tight space of my Subaru.
3. Embrace Multi-Use Gear: The more functions an item has, the better. Think convertible clothes, collapsible cookware, and compact tech.
4. Leave Room for Growth: I intentionally left extra space in Garuda for souvenirs or gear I might need later.
Embracing the Journey Ahead
Packing is one part what you bring, and one part what you leave behind. Letting go of my furniture, my clutter, and even some sentimental items was practical and transformative. Each decision to release an attachment made room for something bigger: freedom, clarity, and the space to fully embrace this adventure.
As I look over the carefully packed items in Garuda, I’m struck by how much lighter I feel—not just physically, but emotionally. Shedding the weight of things I no longer need has opened space for the freedom I’ve always craved.
This journey isn’t just about where I’ll go. It’s about who I’ll become along the way. And isn’t that the ultimate adventure?
Now, with only the essentials by my side, I’m ready to meet the open road with an open heart. With Garuda as my companion, I’m discovering that home isn’t defined by four walls or a storage unit—it’s wherever I choose to be.
Join Me on the Road
This is just the beginning of a year-long adventure across North America. From the deserts of the Southwest to the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, I’ll be sharing stories, photos, and lessons from the road.
Follow along as I explore, photograph, and discover what it means to live intentionally—one packed bag at a time. Subscribe to the blog for updates, and let me know: What’s your must-have item for life on the road?