For Jennifer and Mike Skinnell, life on the road started with a simple two-month trial and turned into a full-time RV life adventure fueled by creativity, resilience, and a shared motto: Don’t Wait.
They’re the duo behind “Beauty and the Beast”, their 2019 Grand Design Solitude and matching Ford F-350 dually, and they’ve been rolling across North America ever since. From writing novels in coffee shops to turning RV cabinets into custom photo displays, Jennifer has found a way to blend everyday life with everyday inspiration.
But their journey isn’t just about miles traveled or states checked off; it’s about making the most of each moment. Whether navigating national parks with family, sharing stories with fellow RVers, or facing a breast cancer diagnosis while living on the road, Jennifer’s story is proof that the road less traveled is often the one most worth taking.
Let’s dive into how it all began…
Table of Contents
How It All Started
Jennifer and her husband Mike didn’t jump into full-time RV life overnight. In early 2019, they packed up their travel trailer and headed to Florida for a two-month test run. The idea was to see if they liked being “snowbirds.” With Mike already working remotely and Jennifer focused on her writing, it felt like a natural experiment, and it worked. They loved it.
That short trip turned into something bigger. The more they traveled, the more they realized how much they enjoyed the lifestyle. They also saw how many people waited for the “right time” to chase their dreams, and how often that time never came. That realization sparked their personal motto: Don’t Wait.
After returning home to northern Virginia, they started downsizing. It quickly became apparent that their 30-foot trailer didn’t offer the space they’d need to live full-time. Jennifer had a strong feeling they shouldn’t wait another year to make the jump.
So they upgraded both their RV and tow vehicle later that same year. Looking back now, they’re grateful they didn’t wait, especially knowing what 2020 had in store for the world.
Meet Beauty and the Beast
Jennifer and Mike travel in a 2019 Grand Design Solitude 385GK, affectionately named “Beauty,” and tow it with a 2019 Ford F-350 dually, which they call “The Beast.” From the moment they stepped inside the floor plan, they knew it would work perfectly for their full-time needs.
Mike set up his office in the bedroom using a portable table, something they brought along during their RV shopping trips to test fit. With the bedroom turned into a quiet workspace, Jennifer had the rest of the RV to herself during the day for writing and daily living.
They prioritized space and comfort: a roomy kitchen with a pantry, a washer and dryer tucked conveniently next to it, and a large living area to relax in after long drives or writing sessions. Over time, they made a few upgrades, like replacing the original furniture with Lambright pieces for better quality and comfort.
Jennifer also got creative with the cabinetry. She removed the frosted glass from the cabinet doors and turned them into frames for home-y and colorful designs.
It’s one of the many little touches that helped make their space feel less like a factory-finished rig and more like a one-of-a-kind home on wheels.
You can see exactly how she transformed those cabinets here:
👉 RV Reno – No More Frosted Glass
Writing on the Road: How Creativity Moves with Them
Living full-time in an RV hasn’t slowed Jennifer’s creative flow; it’s given her even more inspiration. As a travel blogger and novelist, she’s figured out how to turn life on the road into a productive rhythm.
When they settle into a new destination, Jennifer carves out time to catch up on travel blog posts, often batching a few at once to schedule over time. She keeps a steno notepad with her on travel days, jotting down story ideas, snippets of dialogue, and sometimes even full chapters as the scenery rolls by.
She’s found some of her best writing moments in small-town coffee shops or while sitting outside with a beautiful view. During her recovery from surgery, those quiet places became sanctuaries for writing her book Don’t Wait. While Mike was off exploring on a bike ride, she’d be tucked into a cozy corner somewhere, letting the words pour out.
It’s not just about having the time, it’s about making the space, physically and mentally, to keep creating while living a life full of movement.
Favorite RV Memory: Zion with the Whole Family
After six years of RV travel across 40 states, Baja California, and parts of Canada, Jennifer and Mike have made countless memories. But one moment stands out above the rest—meeting up with their children and grandchildren at Zion White Bison RV Resort.
That trip was more than just a stop along the way. It was a rare chance to share their lifestyle with their entire family in one of the most stunning locations in the country.
Their daughter and her family stayed in a covered wagon, their son and daughter-in-law found a nearby hotel, and everyone came together to explore Zion National Park.
Coming from the East Coast and being familiar with the Smoky Mountains, seeing Zion for the first time, with its towering cliffs and breathtaking landscapes, was an awe-inspiring experience for the whole family.
But more than that, it was a moment of connection. Hiking, laughing, and living the RV life together, if only for a few days, made that trip unforgettable.
The Truth About RV Life (That No One Talks About)
RV living might look dreamy on social media, and sometimes it really is, but Jennifer doesn’t sugarcoat the realities. This lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and it’s essential to go in with your eyes wide open.
First, the finances. If you’re jumping into RV life to save money, you might be disappointed. Between campground fees, fuel, maintenance, and gear, the costs can add up quickly. Being prepared and flexible goes a long way.
Then there’s the constant motion. RVs are essentially rolling earthquakes, which means things break a lot. Jennifer and Mike have tackled many repairs themselves, and when they can’t, they call a mobile RV tech. It’s faster, more efficient, and far less stressful than hauling your rig to a dealer.
But it’s not all challenges. One of the biggest surprises has been the friendships. From strangers-turned-friends met on the road to reconnecting with people from past chapters of life, the RV community has brought unexpected joy and connection.
And if you’ve ever binge-watched RV YouTubers, Jennifer offers a reminder: they’re showing you 15 polished minutes out of days, or weeks, of actual travel. Behind the scenes, it’s messy, unpredictable, and deeply rewarding… if it’s the right fit for you.
A Peek at Their Travel Days
Like most RVers, Jennifer and Mike have their routines, but flexibility is always part of the plan. On travel days, they like to hit the road early, usually by 7 a.m. Bagels in tow, and snacks packed for the drive.
They try to keep travel days to around 300 miles or aim to be parked by 3 p.m. That way, there’s still time to relax and settle in without feeling rushed or exhausted. One rule they always follow? Stopping 30 minutes to an hour before arrival for a bathroom break and food. Showing up at a new campground tired and hungry is a recipe for tension, something seasoned RVers learn to avoid quickly.
Not every day looks like this, of course. When they’re parked for a while, the pace slows down. Mornings might start with coffee and writing, afternoons are for exploring, and evenings are spent relaxing in their cozy space or planning their next adventure.
From Quilting Blog to Published Author
Before full-time RV life, Jennifer was already building something creative—The Rambling Quilter, originally a blog tied to her quilting business. When they hit the road, the name stuck and evolved into a travel blog chronicling their RV adventures. It was the perfect fit for a quilter turned traveler.
But Jennifer isn’t just a blogger. She’s an independent author with multiple book series under her belt. Her first, the Hope Springs Romance series, began in 2016, years before they sold their house and hit the road.
Set in a small Virginia town, the series follows a group of women who quilt for charity and help each other navigate love, loss, and everything in between. The books are wholesome, heartwarming, and sprinkled with a touch of the paranormal as “former residents” occasionally lend a hand from beyond.
Once RV life took center stage, her writing followed. Jennifer launched a new series, Palm Shores RV Resort Cozy Mysteries, set in a fictional 55+ RV resort in Florida.
With book titles like Death by Golf Cart and Death on the Pickleball Court, and a psychic dog named Mitzi helping solve crimes, this series mixes humor, mystery, and RV quirks with a paranormal twist.
She even co-writes with Mike now. Together, they’re working on a new book filled with lessons and stories from life on the road, designed to help others curious about the RV lifestyle.
Healing on the Road: Facing Breast Cancer While Full-Timing
When Jennifer and Mike chose Columbus, Ohio, as their medical home base, they had no idea how important that decision would become. It started with a routine mammogram during their return visit in September 2022. They hit the road again, not expecting anything unusual, but a call soon followed, asking her to come back for additional imaging.
After bouncing between providers and getting mixed messages, Jennifer couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. She trusted that instinct. When they returned to Columbus early in 2023, she pushed to get checked again. That second opinion likely saved her life.
In May 2023, Jennifer was diagnosed with Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Her reaction was swift and focused. She told her doctor she didn’t have time for cancer—she had plans, including a trip to the beach and a goal to attend the Tournament of Roses Parade by year’s end.
She underwent a bilateral mastectomy with aesthetic flat closure, chose not to do reconstruction, and began recovery from a long-term stay at a local campground. No chemo. No radiation. Just healing—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
By October, they were back on the road. They took their time crossing the country, spending quiet, restorative weeks in places like Las Cruces and Sedona. And yes, Jennifer made it to the Rose Parade.
Writing became part of her healing. Two weeks after surgery, she woke up at 3 a.m. with the idea for Don’t Wait – Our Full-Time RV Journey Through Breast Cancer.
She wrote the introduction right then and asked her surgeon to write the foreword. That book gave her story a purpose, and now she shares it at RV rallies to help others navigate both medical challenges and the freedom of this lifestyle.
Travel-Inspired Storytelling (and a Psychic Dog Named Mitzi)
For Jennifer, writing isn’t just about plot and structure; it’s about people, places, and emotions. Her travel experiences don’t just shape her daily life; they fuel her creativity and feed directly into her books.
Contemporary romance is where her heart started. She loves happy endings and characters with depth, emotion, and a little bit of magic.
Finishing her Hope Springs Romance series was bittersweet—after five books, the characters felt like old friends. Readers have even told her they cried while reading, which she counts as the highest compliment. (She cried writing them, too.)
Her cozy mystery series brings a different kind of joy: plotting twists, crafting small-town drama, and adding unexpected characters, including the ghostly kind.
The Palm Shores RV Resort Cozy Mysteries feature retired RVers, quirky campground neighbors, and Mitzi, a psychic dog who helps solve murders from beyond. It’s lighthearted, clever, and filled with nods to real people she and Mike have met along the way. And yes, she keeps mental notes of unique personalities at every stop.
Whether it’s romance or mystery, RV life has expanded her imagination. The ever-changing backdrop of parks, small towns, and new connections keeps her stories fresh and her characters authentic.
Don’t Wait: A Motto That Became a Mission
For Jennifer and Mike, “Don’t Wait” isn’t just a motto—it’s a mindset that guides every decision they make. It’s the reason they jumped into full-time RV life before selling their house.
It’s what pushed Jennifer to keep digging when her instincts told her something was off with her diagnosis. And it’s the reminder they live by every time they see an interesting sign on the side of the road and decide to stop instead of passing it by.
That mindset has led to some unforgettable detours, like visiting Dwight D. Eisenhower’s museum in Kansas or stumbling into the Strategic Air Command Museum in Nebraska. It is not exactly on the standard tourist trail, but it is absolutely worth a stop.
It also gave more profound meaning to their upcoming trip to Alaska and western Canada. They booked it just a week before Jennifer’s cancer diagnosis, and now, it feels like a celebration. Forty years of marriage. Two years of healing. A lifetime of stories still waiting to unfold.
People often ask when they’ll “settle down” or find a permanent home. Their answer is simple: there’s still too much left to see.
Whether you’re into heartfelt romance, lighthearted mysteries, or simply love following the adventures of real RVers living life to the fullest, Jennifer’s world is full of stories worth exploring.
You can find her travel updates, personal reflections, and creative projects at:
🌐 theramblingquilter.com — Travel blog
📚 jenniferskinnell.com — Author website
📖 Amazon Author Page — All her books in one place
📱 Facebook: @jenniferskinnellauthor and @theramblingquilter
📸 Instagram: @jenniferskinnellauthor and @theramblingquilter
Jennifer’s story is a beautiful reminder that life isn’t something to schedule later. It’s something to live now.
So, if you’ve been waiting for a sign? This might just be it.
