Summer Ginther

Home for the next month or so. 💗 We’re back in Illinois and are currently staying on my parent’s land. They’re building soon and this spot already has power, is wooded, and super quiet. We’re thankful for such a great setup! We’re finalizing a couple things we’ve been working on soon but for now we continue to wait. Waiting isn’t fun or glamorous. It’s nowhere near as showy or exciting but I know it’s part of the process and I’m trying to enjoy the downtime just as much as I do the adventures. 💖

A few photos from this week. 💗 Ryan works remotely for a company called RVshare, a peer-to-peer RV rental company. This past week we’ve been in Ohio and Ryan was able to meet some of his coworkers for the first time ever in person. We also went on some cute little hikes, played some arcade games, and worked on leash training Diane. 💫

Can I really cook in my RV kitchen? This is a question I’m asked often and the answer is yes, definitely! Although my kitchen is small, it has everything I need to cook just about anything I’d want to. The only real difference? The mess! A lot of the time my kitchen ends up looking like pictures 2 & 3 by the end of a meal. 😬 I’m still grateful for my tiny kitchen and all the delicious meals that have been made here!

SEE YOU SOON HARRY!! 😍 Harry Styles Love on Tour tonight! ❤️🍒

Meet the newest member of our little travel family! 💗🐱 Diane started off as one of two new farm cats at Ryan’s parents’ house but quickly started finding her way into our RV. Today we left to hit the road and Diane came with! This was her first time riding in the RV and she’s already a pro. Mitzi, on the other hand, isn’t so sure she wants to give up her only child status. 😂

Are we still full time RVing?! 🤔 I’ve gotten this question several times now and I figured it’s time for an official update! Short answer: Yes! 🚎 Longer answer: After almost 2 and a half years of full time RV living, Ryan and I have started to feel the need for a home-base. Somewhere we can travel back to in between trips that allows us to get off the road and take those little breaks we all need. We came back home to Illinois to take some time to plan our next step. Whether that will be buying land or building a home, we haven’t quite figured out yet. I know I’m usually very transparent about everything we do but we’ve kept a lot of this process to ourselves for one simple reason, we’re still working it all out. Where we want this home-base to be, what we want it to look like, budget, etc. Once we make our first move, you’ll be the first to know. For now, we’re thankful to be back near family and have a little stability to plan our next chapter. 💖

2 truths and a lie! 🌟 I thought I’d do a little get to know me post since it’s been awhile but change it up with a game! Two of the following things are true and one is a lie. 🤔 •My first time ever on an airplane was when I was 22 years old. •I have been to 45 US states. •I was an active FFA member in high school. Which one do you think is the lie?💫

Coming back home after a year on the road was a bigger adjustment than I expected. Sometimes it feels like I don’t really belong anywhere anymore. I’m popping in and out of people’s lives without any real permanence. I’ve said it before but this lifestyle can feel really lonely sometimes. This past month I’ve been less active on here as I try to process these and other emotions. Just a little reminder to take care of yourself when you need to. ❤️

NASHVILLE RECOMMENDATIONS! ✨✨✨ (make sure to save this post for your next weekend trip!) 🍽 To Eat: White Limozeen- this all pink Dolly Parton inspired restaurant is just as stunning in person! The vegan options are limited but the ratatouille I had was delicious! Five Daughter’s Bakery- Loooove this donut place! 🍩 They usually always have vegan options unless they’re sold out! The Wild Cow- Great vegan place with a ton of options! (Other vegan favorites not pictured- Graze, Sunflower Cafe) 💫To Do: The Dive Motel- This retro motel and pool club was so much fun! Super laidback environment and check out their Instagram to see all the fun themed rooms. We only visited the pool this time but I definitely want to come back to stay! 💖

is hot girl summer over? sorry I didn’t get the memo

A good weekend with some of my favorite people. 💗 I feel really lucky to have so many incredible lifelong friendships. I’m even more grateful that my lifestyle allows me to travel to see them all often. 💫

We’ve been back in the Midwest for 3 weeks now and probably will be awhile longer. We’re making some pretty big decisions right now and there probably will be some big changes to come. I want to share more soon but for now we need a little space to sort some things out. 💗 In the meantime, here’s a little Midwest photo dump. 💫

For the past 4 years, I have spent my early mornings (sometimes 2am early) with the most wonderful students who happened to live across the world. This past week, I unexpectedly found out that would all be coming to an end. With new regulations in China, foreign teachers will no longer be allowed to do after school tutoring. Which means companies like VIPKID, will at the very least, look totally different in a few months. And there’s a good chance I’ll lose my job altogether. I’m grateful that Ryan started a new job a few months ago and I’ve started to work more in social media. But I’m also so sad that I’ll no longer get to see my students, some of whom I’ve known for close to 4 years. I’m grateful for every opportunity VIPKID has given me. Especially the opportunity to hit the road full time and live life the way we want to. There’s been a lot of changes here lately but I’m holding on to the hope that the universe has got me. 💫

Change, even for the better, can be difficult to accept. It’s been over a year since I’ve really been back home. Like many of us, I did a lot of growing during this past year. And now surrounded with people who knew me before, I can feel the whispers of “She’s changed. She’s different.” It hurt me at first. I want to celebrate my growth! Can’t they see how much happier I am now? How much more at peace I am living as my authentic self? But sometimes with change there comes mourning. Mourning the old way, old life, the person people thought you were. Those who love you, the real you, will celebrate with you in time. And for those who don’t, this was never for them. It never was. Be you anyways. 💗

Costa Rica is such a beautiful and special place. 💖 We spent our week exploring the rainforest, laying in hammocks, and dancing in the rain. I slowed down, connected to nature, to others, and to myself. We couldn’t have chose a more perfect place to reset. This beautiful permaculture farm was once a cattle ranch with only one tree. 14 years later it’s full of life. I’m coming back inspired by the love for nature and for all living beings. ❤️ (P.S. meet Tuki 🦜)