After selling their home in Atlanta, Tiffany and Gil set out to see where the road would take them. A Noovo Lite, a new perspective on life, and an unexpected opportunity in northern Arizona turned into a journey neither could have imagined.
Sometimes, the life you want can only begin by letting go of the safety and familiarity of the one you know.
For Tiffany and Gil, that meant selling their home in Atlanta, parting with most of their belongings, and setting out on the road full-time. Their children were approaching college age, Gil’s career in technology was changing, and the place they had called home for years was becoming more crowded and expensive. It felt like the right time to do something different.
“We were really trying to get out of what this box was,” Tiffany says. “I knew there was more, there was something different, and that it could be exciting, even if there were a lot of unknowns.”
They began researching camper vans, watching videos and comparing what felt like an endless amount of van options. Then Tiffany came across an early video of a Noovo van.
The design stood out immediately. She was drawn to its thoughtful layout and European-inspired aesthetic, but she also immediately felt the authenticity of the brand.
“I found our van,” she told Gil.
During an initial conversation with Noovo co-founder Paul, Tiffany asked about sustainable materials and the use of adhesives, along with warranty coverage. She also came away with a strong impression of the company’s commitment to its product, owners, and the Noovo community as a whole.
Those conversations helped make the decision. Soon, they were picking up their Noovo Lite in Las Vegas and beginning a new chapter.
The first trip was less of a leisurely road adventure and more of a crash course in full-time van life. They drove from Las Vegas to Savannah over four days, putting in 10- to 11-hour days and learning quickly the strategy of living in a small space.
They reorganized their belongings several times, figuring out what they really needed and what could stay behind. The Lite’s storage garage proved especially useful, making room for Gil’s fly-fishing gear and bicycles, an inflatable paddleboard, their winter clothes, extra food, and Tiffany’s arts and crafts supplies.
They also had to find a rhythm on the road.
Tiffany had moved more than 25 times throughout her life, spending a significant amount of her upbringing in Germany, and was comfortable with travel and uncertainty. Gil, by contrast, had spent most of his life in just two towns. He was a bit wary about not knowing where they would sleep each night and all the other unknowns that come with vanlife, but quickly adapted.
“Once I kind of had the mindset that everything was going to be a little topsy-turvy and, you know, kind of every day was a new adventure, I really had a pretty good attitude about it.”
Eventually, they found a simple solution: aim to reach their destination by four or five in the afternoon, while there was still daylight to find a spot and get settled.
It was a small adjustment, but it reflects something they learned over time. Full-time travel doesn't have to always be spontaneous or involve guesswork. It is about figuring out what works for you and your level of comfort, making room for the unexpected, and finding a balance that lets you enjoy the journey.
Their dog, Josey, needed some convincing, too. At first, she wasn't thrilled about leaving the familiarity of home. But as the van became her new home base and every stop brought something new to explore, she gradually came around. (Although she often protests leaving when they visit friends with lots of treats…)
Once the concerns about where they would park each night or how they organized their belongings subsided, they finally gave themselves permission to slow down and reconnect. They dove into the Noovo community, becoming quick friends with Noovo Ambassadors Marcy and Amy, and making other friends at van expos and events.
Before setting out, the two had rarely taken a vacation together that was truly their own. Between work, raising kids, and the responsibilities of everyday life, time away often came with other obligations attached or the weight of tasks piling up back home. Van life gave them something different: time together, time outside, and space to reconnect with each other and a like-minded community.
Tiffany describes the experience as deeply healing. For the first time in years, she wasn't working full-time, and she could let herself decompress and process things she hadn't had the space to work through before. Being in nature, exploring new places, and simply having fun together strengthened their relationship too.
Their days began to revolve around the things they genuinely enjoyed.
Gil loves flyfishing, often catching trout on flies Tiffany ties herself. For him, fishing is meditative, a way to quiet his mind when life feels overwhelming, a way to step into nature and be present. He also rides both road and mountain bikes, always looking for a good trail along the way, and Tiffany enjoys all kinds of arts and crafts.
Their travels have offered plenty of memorable moments. At Lake Tahoe, when traffic kept them from reaching their planned destination, they turned back, disappointed. But then, as it goes when you trust the road, they stumbled upon a quiet, hidden spot overlooking the lake. They parked the van, went out for a paddleboard and swim, and spent the afternoon in the sun. They ended up staying there for days, and it became one of Gil’s most memorable camp spots. They even went to stay in a hotel at the end of the trip for a little pampering, but as they sat in their hotel room, they both acknowledged that being at the lake spot and in the van felt better.
That's one of the things they have come to appreciate about life on the road: sometimes the most memorable experiences happen when plans change and when you let the road show you where to go and who to meet.
Even as they embraced a nomadic lifestyle, Tiffany and Gil had another idea in mind. After experiencing the support and inspiration of the Noovo community, they started brainstorming how they could build upon that. They decided they wanted to find a property where they could create a campground with a different feel from a traditional RV park—somewhere people could enjoy the outdoors and connect with other travelers, a place that offered more than just a place to park.
They searched across the country, considering properties in several states. An offer on a place in Oregon fell through, and the search continued.
Then, through a chance conversation at a birthday party, they heard about a campground for sale in northern Arizona. The owner had moved back to Canada and was looking for someone who would preserve the spirit of the place rather than clear it for development.
Tiffany and Gil were a natural fit. Two and a half months later, they owned it.
Today, they operate Camp Land Beyond Zion, less than an hour from Zion National Park and only two and half hours from the Noovo HQ. The property offers a mix of cabins, glamping tents, and sites for vans and tents, with access to hot showers and other amenities. It's a new kind of work for the couple, combining campground operations with their shared interest in creating a place people can relax into the beauty and quiet of the desert.
Their experience on the road also inspired a partnership with Noovo. Customers picking up their vans in Las Vegas can spend their first night at Camp Land Beyond Zion, giving them a chance to settle in after pickup, get comfortable with their new van, and ask questions that might come up once they're out on the road.
“Instantly being able to meet somebody from the Noovo community… people love that. It’s been great,” says Gil.
For Tiffany and Gil, it's a natural extension of what they value about the Noovo community: owners helping owners, sharing knowledge, and making the experience of travel a little easier.
Tiffany and Gil still have plenty of places they want to explore. Montana is high on the list, especially for its fly-fishing opportunities. They also hope to spend more time around the Great Lakes, in Idaho, and in Canada.
For now, they're balancing life at the campground with plans for remote work and future travels. Their days look different from the ones they left behind in Atlanta, but that was the point.
Looking back, Tiffany says she would recommend Noovo without hesitation. For her, the difference isn't simply the van's design or its features. It's the support that continues after purchase, the care that goes into helping owners, and the feeling of being part of a community that goes far beyond simply owning a van.
Selling their home wasn't a guarantee that everything would work out. They had to adjust, learn, and navigate plenty of uncertainty along the way. But by making room for a different kind of life, they found time to reconnect with each other, pursue the things they love, and build a new business shaped by their passion for travel, community, and time outdoors.
Their story is a reminder that you don't always need a detailed plan for everything that comes next. Sometimes, you just need to give yourself the space to find out.
Want to read more?
Discover similar content with these recommended articles.
Stories
VanLife
VanLife
VanLife
VanLife
Reviews
