Help Me Launch Rerouted with Rhonda!
Donation protected
Hvar, CroatiaHi. My name is Rhonda Weiche, AKA Rerouted with Rhonda. I’m fundraising to go to TravelCon 2022 and to launch my adventure dream career that is 8 years in the making.
My adventurous spirit and insatiable curiosity about people, places, and cultures have driven me to explore the world. Everywhere I go, I look for the best cheeseburger I have ever eaten and a swing dance to work it off.
I grew up in a small, rural town in Oklahoma. It was a great place to grow my southern roots, but deep in my heart I always wanted to experience more. That’s one of the reasons I have traveled as often as I can and have moved to different cities over the past 13 years. I’ve lived in Tulsa, St. Louis, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and recently Fort Smith. My adventures have taken me throughout 38 US states and 4 Balkan countries, England and Greece.
Before van life became a big thing and way before the pandemic made it cool to live in a bus or a van, I dreamed of the day that I would hit the road and take my first trip in my converted tiny home on wheels. Then, share my experiences as a travel writer.
Mural in Philadelphia
Along the highway in CroatiaOne of my heart’s desires right now is to go to TravelCon 2022, in Memphis, Tennessee. This is an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the best in the industry, pitch my travel blog, Rerouted with Rhonda, to tourism boards, meet with potential sponsors, chat with like-minded people, and make connections that will propel my career in ways I have dreamed of since 2014. That’s 8 years of dreaming!
TravelCon is an important next step to realizing my dreams, and it starts in just two days! (April 29-May 1)
So, first of all, I have a smallish ask ($985.00 for the conference) and secondly, a big ask ($20,000 for a tiny home on wheels). I know I’m asking last minute for help getting to the conference, and some people may not be able to give. I understand, believe me!
Be assured there is no such thing to me as too small a gift.
I will be grateful for any help you can offer, whether you can give now or a bit later.
Here are some more ways to do so:
My Venmo is: @Rhonda-Weiche
My PayPal is: please ask, the system prevents emails for security reasons
Small town on the island, Mjet, Croatia
About me
I am a seasoned traveler, a professional writer and blogger, content strategist, and content marketing manager. I’ve published 400+ articles and blog posts for clients, companies, content marketing agencies, and news sources both online and in print.
I’ve traveled throughout 38 US states and 5 countries: England, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece.
As a professional writer, blogger, and marketer for more than 15 years, I have every reason to believe in myself that I can successfully pivot my career, finally pursue my passion, and earn a living wage as a travel writer and blogger. Your support will help me to do it!
Who is the focus of Rerouted with Rhonda, launching spring/summer this year
Solo female travelers, especially those who are over 40, are the focus. Through storytelling, I will share my unique travel experiences to inspire, entertain, teach, encourage, and help women confidently travel alone, get comfortable outside of their comfort zone, and have their own amazing travel experiences.
I am a seasoned traveler, a professional writer and blogger, content strategist, and content marketing manager. I’ve published 400+ articles and blog posts for clients, companies, content marketing agencies, and news sources both online and in print.
I’ve traveled throughout 38 US states and 5 countries: England, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece.
As a professional writer, blogger, and marketer for more than 15 years, I have every reason to believe in myself that I can successfully pivot my career, finally pursue my passion, and earn a living wage as a travel writer and blogger. Your support will help me to do it!
Who is the focus of Rerouted with Rhonda, launching spring/summer this year
Solo female travelers, especially those who are over 40, are the focus. Through storytelling, I will share my unique travel experiences to inspire, entertain, teach, encourage, and help women confidently travel alone, get comfortable outside of their comfort zone, and have their own amazing travel experiences.
Portland Head Lighthouse, Portland, MaineWhy is going to TravelCon 2022 so important to me?
I want to learn from the best!
I’ve wanted to go to TravelCon for the past three years! The pandemic shut it down in 2020 and again in 2021. Now, in 2022 it’s finally happening. So exciting!
TravelCon, organized by Matt Kepnes (better known as Nomadic Matt), is one of the premier conferences for both newbies and veterans alike. The panel of expert travel professionals and writers/bloggers are some of the best in the industry and are also some of my personal favorites.
How your generous gift will help
TravelCon Ticket: $249 (I paid for this with my credit card to take advantage of $150 savings.)
Hotel Room: $386.00 (Split with a roommate)
Gas fund: $125 (Estimated)
Food fund: $175 ($35/day x 5)
Miscellaneous things: $50 (not sure if there will be anything, just anticipating in case)
Total: $985.40
At the Acropolis, Athens, Greece
And now, the bigger picture, a tiny home on wheels
In the Spring of 2020, I revisited my 2014 dream of travel writing. I had researched vans and buses and was 90% sure I wanted to convert a Ford Transit Van or a small shuttle bus into a tiny home on wheels. To be 100% sure, I booked a converted Ford Transit van on Outdoorsy.com for one week. In September of 2020 I headed to the Catskills mountains all by myself.
Testing van life in the Catskills
That trip to the mountains in the Transit van is in the topmost glorious weeks of my life! I loved living tiny and having just enough and nothing more than I needed. I loved driving and being on the road full-time.
I made friends with some of the nicest people along the way. I hiked on top of the mountain in the rain with two female travelers I met on the trail. One sunny afternoon I played in waterfalls with a sweet Hispanic family. They invited me to dinner afterward! I cooked my meals in the van and enjoyed tiny living to the fullest!
At the end of the week, I knew with certainty I want to live in a converted van or bus, travel full-time and write about my experiences.
Timing is everything!
The Ford Transit I rented for the Catskills trip
What’s involved in building a tiny home on wheels
What’s involved in building a tiny home on wheels
I’ve spent many, many hours on research on vehicles that are considered great to convert into a tiny home on wheels. And I’ve watched countless hours of videos about how to convert them. Some people keep their conversion basic and simple, while others hire professional conversion companies to create a tiny luxury home.
I see myself somewhere in between. DIY all the way!
The inside of the converted van I took to the Catskills 
Hiking in the CatskillsThere is no way for me to know exactly how much cost is involved in this project because conversions vary as do prices of buses and vans and materials cost can fluctuate. So, this is an estimate based on my research for a bus or a van converted into a livable space with average amenities and function.
Van cost: $5000-10,000 pre-owned van plus any needed repairs
Electrical/Off grid solar setup: $1,500-$5,000
Conversion: $2000-4000
Miscellaneous: $1000
Includes materials for:
• Bed
• Cabinets
• Plumbing
• Sink
• Countertop
• Refrigerator
• Vent fan
• Insulation
• Flooring
• Walls
• Ceiling
Thank you for reading my story. Thank you for considering giving to my wish and helping me to go to TravelCon and to buy and build a tiny home on wheels. Thank you for helping me realize my dreams to launch my travel writing career!
With gratitude,
Rhonda
Organizer
Rhonda Weiche
Organizer
Fort Smith, AR