Welcome to Amandus On The Loose!
We’re Jim and Lauri, two adventure-seekers with a travel trailer affectionately known as Big Bertha, a dog named Ruby who takes her supervisory duties very seriously, and a passion for exploring America one carefully planned adventure at a time.
Most days you’ll find us towing Big Bertha across America in search of mountain views, national parks, hot springs, local BBQ joints, homemade pie, charming small towns, and—whenever possible—anything near water. Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, oceans, mountain streams… if it sparkles, we’re probably headed there.
Once we get settled, we unhitch Big Bertha, let Ruby conduct her official campsite inspection, and head out to explore. While some travelers fly by the seat of their pants, we’re planners through and through. We usually know exactly where we’re going, where we’re staying, what we’re hoping to see, and often where we’re eating dinner! But we’ve learned that even the best plans leave room for unexpected discoveries along the way.
We love scenic drives, beautiful campgrounds, historic trains, gentle hikes, hot springs, paddleboarding, breathtaking views, local festivals, and finding those special places that don’t always make the guidebooks. And if there’s great BBQ or homemade pie nearby, that’s usually enough to get our attention.
One of our favorite parts of traveling is hearing from family and friends who have already been where we’re headed. If you’ve discovered a hidden gem, a favorite restaurant, a must-see attraction, a scenic overlook, a wonderful campground, or a place by the water that we shouldn’t miss, we’d love to hear about it. Some of our best memories have come from recommendations shared along the way.
So grab a cup of coffee and follow along as Amandus On The Loose travels across the country. We’ll share the sights, the stories, the occasional mishap, plenty of photos, and the adventures of life on the road with Big Bertha and Ruby.
— Jim, Lauri & Ruby 🐾
Amandus on the Loose! 