What if the trip you've been dreaming about doesn't have to wait until retirement—or cost a fortune?
Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with road-trippers Miranda and Jason, who just wrapped a 26-day adventure from Idaho to Oregon. Hot springs. Star-filled skies. A night in a giant flowerpo…What if the trip you've been dreaming about doesn't have to wait until retirement—or cost a fortune?
Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with road-trippers Miranda and Jason, who just wrapped a 26-day adventure from Idaho to Oregon. Hot springs. Star-filled skies. A night in a giant flowerpot Airbnb (yes, really). And the best part? They didn't come home broke.
Miranda and Jason break down exactly how they made it work: credit card points, camping hacks, and the art of saying "yes" to spontaneity without blowing the budget. Because here's the thing—adventure doesn't require endless cash. It requires courage, creativity, and knowing where to splurge and where to save.
This episode isn't just a highlight reel of epic stops (though Crater Lake and Boise's Pride Festival definitely make appearances). It's about what happens when you prioritize experiences over perfection, unplug from the noise, and rediscover why you wanted to explore in the first place. Whether you're planning your own cross-country trip or just daydreaming about one, you'll walk away with the roadmap—and the permission slip—to finally go.
What You'll Take With You:
• The exact strategy Miranda and Jason used to fund 26 days on the road (points, perks, and smart camping)
• How to balance spontaneity with a budget that won't give you anxiety at the gas pump
• Hidden gems and unforgettable stops from Craters of the Moon to the Oregon coast
• Why unplugging (even for a few days) might be the best investment you make this year
• Proof that you don't need fancy hotels or a perfect plan to have the trip of a lifetime Before You Hit Play, Ask Yourself:
What trip have you been putting off because you think you can't afford it—or don't have the time? What if the real problem isn't money or schedules... it's just giving yourself permission to go?
Got a road trip story or a dream destination? Drop it in the comments—we want to hear where you're headed next.
For our gear of the day pic head to StackingAdventures.com/GOTD
Tell us your story! Head to StackingAdventures.com/MyStory with YOUR road trip adventure!more
Russ Lyman grew up in northwest Washington State. He received a B.S. degree in Visual Communications from Western Washington University and then spent a couple of years in Ketchum, Idaho. In 1989 he began his river guiding career in Haines, Alaska, and started guiding on the Tatshenshini and Alsek R…Russ Lyman grew up in northwest Washington State. He received a B.S. degree in Visual Communications from Western Washington University and then spent a couple of years in Ketchum, Idaho. In 1989 he began his river guiding career in Haines, Alaska, and started guiding on the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers in 1990. He has also worked as a river rafting guide in the Arctic, Chile, Indonesia, Nepal and Ethiopia. He lives in Haines, Alaska with his wife Cynthia, where he runs his publishing business, Cloudburst Productions.
Russ draws maps and gathers inspiration from the majestic Saint Elias and Coast Range Mountains which surround him. He began his river guiding career in Haines in 1989 and has made over 40 trips down the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers since then, as well as guided on rivers in other parts of the world.
Russ has been a volunteer DJ at KHNS since 1990, covering a variety of different shows over the years. Russ is one of the coauthors of The Complete Guide to the Tatshenshini River: Including the Upper Alsek River.
You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.
Follow the adventures and interviews in real time at TrailLessTraveled.net and be sure to check out our visual series on YouTube!!!
The radio version of the show premieres Sunday nights at 6 MST, streaming live online at Trail1033.com & locally (Missoula) on the Trail 103.3 FM
This episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps. We want to extend boatloads of gratitude to Xplorer Maps for their generous support of this podcast and international outreach programs paired with conservation projects.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.more
