We are Kentucky natives. Steve originally from Owensboro in the west. Jill from Hindman in the hills of the east. We met in the middle, Lexington, at the now extinct Climb Time gym to be exact.
Both of us attended the University of Kentucky. Steve graduated with a degree in Telecommunications in 1997 and put in 11 years as a news photographer at WTVQ-TV, the ABC affiliate in Lexington. During his tenure he received numerous NPPA, Kentucky Associated Press, KNPA, regional Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards.
Jill graduated in 1998 with a Bachelors in Agricultural Communications and then again in 2004 with a Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy. After earning her masters Jill began work at Bluegrass IMPACT, a program that provides intensive therapy to children with emotional and behavioral problems. She worked steadily toward full licensure in the field which she obtained in the fall of 2007.
After years of hanging out we finally tied the knot. For awhile we were happy to nest in Lexington but the passion for adventure and travel never diminished.
Photo: Matt Barton
The life we led in Lexington was great. It provided a cute house and enough cash for a decent vacation every year. Gradually though we grew frustrated with that kind of limited time. What can you really experience on a standard vacation? We didn’t want a bigger house, new cars or children. We wanted time to play.
We talked about moving; not wanting to spend our entire adult lives living in KY. We could never commit to moving to any one place. How would we know if we would like it there? Life was sweet in KY what with world class rock climbing and miles of trails just an hour away.
Finally after years of indecision and some major life events we decided to throw away the compass and just go. Steve built the van, AKA Norman Clyde. With nothing but time and a rolling home we traveled the continent, climbing, hiking and asking ourselves “where next?”
A few months before we left Lexington our friends Eric & Laura moved themselves and two kids to Gisborne, New Zealand. We stayed in touch and were soon lured into following them to Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud, Maori name for New Zealand. Here we are, soaking up the New Zealand sunshine, and wondering are we any closer to home.
Enjoy our blog. It is a bit travelogue, a bit lifestyle and for us a scrapbook of the past couple years.
We love comments but if that isn’t your thing and you have a question contact us here: jillandstevekmann@gmail.com
From Kentucky 
Hey homies! im thinking about cross-country skiing this satruday in the Cranberry, and kayaking the Middle Gauley on sunday. i don thave your email…give me a holla!
Brandon
Right on guys, we are so happy to have found likeminded spirits. Too bad we just crossed paths. Looking forward to following your blog. Meanwhile, come visit NuRVers.com, where all the cool, kooky, freespirited fulltime RVer kids hang out! See you there 😉
Jill, how awesome it is to see what you and your beloved have been up to! I know that you are probably shocked to hear from me as it has been quite a while since we have seen each other…Earlier this evening, I walked with your mom at the “Relay for Life” venue. We had a very nice time and it was so great to catch up with her and hear about all that has been happening with you and Steve. I, in total curiosity (to be honest…), came home and looked up your blog 1st thing. TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!! That is all I can say!…After reading every post and looking at every picture, I am ready to buy a van, put Jay to work fixing it :-), and set out on the open road. I would just have to add homeschooling into the mix of things…lol Not sure how that would go as Andy and I see differently on various subjects from time-to-time…Although I would imagine the lessons learned and experiences gathered from traveling would result in a very savvy 9 year old (not that he needs much help!).
Anyway, I wish you safe travels and please let me know when you are coming home…I would so love to see you! Also, I would love for you to meet Andy–he’s an awesome kid!!!
Sincerely,
Robetta
Robetta, Great to hear from you! Wow! Will be in KY this fall, maybe we can catch up in person then.
Hey K-mann,
Long time no see. I envy you. Jeff shared the CNN video with me. What a fantastic adventure. With such a short life we all have, you my friend are living some glorious moments. Take care. New Zealand, WOW!!
Jason Boone
Jill,
I am pea green with envy! When you get back from New Zealand you’ll have to write a how-to book or give seminars. I feel like I’m serving a life sentence in a cubicle cell and have been itching to carve out a different life for myself. It seems you are the pioneer!
Have a great time.
-Amber
hi…. i was surfing around online today looking for blogs about people living and traveling around in RV’s. I came across yours.
I am working at putting a resource site up for RVing and would love to repost some of your blog there if that’s ok with you. I’d also like to add a link to your blog from it.
The site is http://www.rvingcentral.com. I’m trying to build up stories, resources all with the aim to provide people inspiration so they take the plunge and live the dream!
If you feel you’d like to participate, you can email me at info@rvingcentral.com, or just reply to the comment and i should get that.
Thanks!
Hey, I just ran across your blog on Hitchhike web site. I too am from central KY, Versailles to be exact. i know Climb time well as I was the Coke rep (referred to as Coke lady for many years) and they were my acct. My hubs is nearing retirement and we are hoping to sell our home (maybe) and take to the road. I’m certain our paths crossed in lex as I helped sponsor many running events in the area for Coke. We live in Memphis now and miss KY. maybe as you grow older you’ll miss KY too. BTW, I notice most couples that hit the road are childless. that will be a big deal with us as we have four kids and two grand kids. But, its my, I mean our dream! Keep running!
Do it. If the kids are on their own that will certainly make things easier. You can crash as their house when you are tired of traveling, a nice way to turn the tables on the usual parent-child dynamic. We do miss KY. And it is a very hard place to leave, that is why we stayed there for the first 30+ years of our lives. Memphis? You all moved out of the bluegrass but didn’t lose the heat & humidity! Oh well good food at least. Happy travels!
Hi, Fellow Kentuckian here also. Was really happy to see somebody else on the road from Ky. Henderson was my home base. In Glasgow now but have also lived in West Liberty for three years. Was close to the Red River gorge area. Happy trails…..HoboJoe
Hi I am just about to start my van conversion. I was wondering what did you use to dress the seams of the interior ply wood? I am loving your sight and all the info. -SAM
So Where are you two now ? did you come back to KY or out and about traveling still > 3 yrs later..