ROVA is a print and digital magazine about traveling the roads of North America: the insightful stories, the spectacular images, and the people who make up this vibrant, growing community.
FROM THE EDITOR
ROVA
ROVA IN YOUR WORDS
ROVA RECOMMENDS
GEAR UP!
WHY THE ROAD? • ROVA catches up with road travelers to get the scoop on why they choose to live the nomadic life.
WALKING: MORE THAN JUST A STROLL • Walking’s been around forever, so we know all about its benefits. Right?
ODE TO THE STICK SHIFT • Those of us who still drive manual are clinging to the stick shift with white knuckles and grins on our faces.
THE SCOOP ON ROOFTOP TENTS • Everything you need to know about camping on top of your vehicle.
LATE NIGHT GAS STATIONS, EXPLAINED • No road trip is ever truly complete without answering the call of a deserted gas station in the middle of the night.
(DON’T BE) WITHOUT A PADDLE Watercraft essentials and places to use them • Of all the paths you take this summer, make sure a few are on water‚ and make sure you’re prepared.
INTIMATE STRANGERS Lifelines During a Pandemic-era Solo American Road Trip • Life can be lonely—both in general, and on the road. But there is comfort to be found even in the most unfamiliar places.
HOME IS NOT A HOUSE • A cross-country road trip and a visit to an old friend raises the question: is home a structure, or a state of mind?
FROG LEGS • If there’s anything that life teaches you, it’s that the things that go wrong are very rarely what you might have predicted.
GONE ON A WHIM A Photo Essay
ONE SWEET BEE-GARDEN Beauty and Solitude at the San Joaquin River Gorge • Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks get all the headlines—but there is a lesser-known California park that offers challenging trails, beautiful views, and a chance for peace and solitude. Explore the wonderful trails of the San Joaquin River Gorge.
THE BIG SMOKY VALLEY Nevada’s Most Underrated Destination • When you look past the glitzy casinos and giant blue lakes of Nevada renown, you’ll find a treasure trove of experiences to rival any state.
AN AFTERNOON IN GRUENE • Often overlooked as a destination, the charming town of Gruene is a magnet for road-trippers wanting to experience a special piece of Texas.
ODDITIES AND NATURAL PHENOMENA in Wisconsin’s driftless area • From the depths of the pristine Cave of the Mounds to the peak of the raucous House on the Rock, southwestern Wisconsin’s Driftless Area is a destination unlike any other. This unique region is home to a UNESCO site, breathtaking national parks, unusual geology, and the ultimate roadside attraction, making it an unmissable stop during any Midwestern travels.
KEYS TO SURVIVAL • Finding compassion on a soul-searching trip through the Florida Keys.
REDISCOVERING THE CIVIL WAR IN THE AGE OF COVID • Within a 90-mile orbit of our nation’s capital, outdoor Civil War–era destinations offer safe, fun ways to cure late-stage pandemic blues.
PICTURE THIS...