A millennial couple has traded in traveling full-time for a more simple life.
Summer Ginther and her husband Ryan loved living life together as nomads who traveled the US (and sometimes, Canada) in a Shasta Compact camper. To fulfill their desire to travel, the couple enjoyed the thrills of sightseeing on a full-time basis in 2019. For three years, Summer and Ryan trekked all over the country and beyond in their beloved camper.
Navigating the Unknown Terrain of the Pandemic
While most of the world was under lockdown during the pandemic, the pair still roamed around the globe in their home-on-wheels.
Of all the places they’ve passed through, La Push Beach on the Washington coast was Summer’s most memorable spot. Once traveling became a bit tiresome, Summer and Ryan longed to start a life in the Pacific Northwest. After looking at houses for sale, they realized that nothing was within their price range.
The Couple Sets Out to Buy a Home
Trying to figure out their next travel destination had become stressful for Summer, who wanted to be part of a community that offered “stability and a safe place to return to.”
At the time, the Pacific Northwest had been subjected to extreme weather conditions where temperatures reached up to 115 ºF. Traveling was no longer something that suited them, so Summer and Ryan were determined to finally buy a home.
Scoring a Vintage Home for $83,000
The couple returned home to Illinois where they purchased an adorable 1970s A-frame cabin for $83,000.
The house was originally listed for $89,000 but they got a deal after another buyer fell through. Summer and Ryan stayed in an A-frame home on their honeymoon, so securing one as their forever home felt like destiny in a way. “We fell in love with it,” she said.
The Pair Still Finds Time to Travel
After a year of renovating their humble abode using a $40,000 construction loan, the couple’s house looked incredible. For the exterior remodel, the twosome opted for a new door, fresh paint, and a metal roof.
The interior has an open floor plan that is both warm and inviting. One of the most eye-catching additions to the couple’s home is a charming pink refrigerator. Even though Summer and Ryan now have a home of their own, they still enjoy traveling often in their converted van.
