We Drove 1,000 Miles Through America’s Heartland | VAN LIFE ROADTRIP

[@jennygormanpratt96]

You finally broke through the KZbin stigma of the "Jimmy's and my", YAY!! That's exactly correct so don't take it away from yourself. For YEARS I have listened to people say Jimmy and my's. And it drives me CRAZY!! So thank you for finally addressing it, but don't toss it, PLEASE reiterate it for all the other ignorant youtubers out there! 😂😂😂 I just finished watching your entire collection from start to finished and I'm sad it's over and now I have to wait for you to post the next one. 😅❤

[@scottgirard3483]

Welcome through ks. We live 103.6 miles from the middle of the United States. Another little hot spot of ks.

[@genesiesky3756]

If you cross Kansas again, follow Rt 50. It follows the Pony Express Trail. It's a nice two lane road across lots of farmland and plains.

[@kathleenbohrer3194]

Hint: Get some peppermint oil from Walmart. Combine with water and spray all Vulnerable points in engine and wheel surfaces. Good luck. ❤

[@lorettaterpstra6373]

Peppermint oil is the way to go

[@Lisafallgirl420]

They just took two years to redo the arch grounds. When I was younger inside the museum, it was all native american and the settlers wax museum. They upgraded & now pur 4th of Jult fairs are back at the Arch. I've lived in Missouri my whole life. Traveled more since I've gotten older. In Emminence there are lots of natural springs & wild horses. Just lots of hills. Safe travels to you both. Thanks for sharing.

[@alaskanight940]

Happy New Year Pancakers. This trip rocked. Hope your holidays went well.

[@JimmyandNatalie]

Happy New Year! It was a fun one for sure! 😄

[@AJ_Flanagan]

My late husband was so skeptical when I led him down sandy side roads with a promise to see rock formations. Hahaha! We absolutely loved exploring there.

[@catherinaarnett395]

By the time you are done you can make a editorial about fixing the heater

[@samydamico9843]

Love your adventures through the midwest. Best line, “I usually hate hot stuff except for this girl right here.” Love it!!❤

[@chiaratiara2575]

@Jimmy & Natalie, Please please please treat yourselves to a Cashmere poloneck each and a long-sleeved Tshirt to wear under it. Cashmere is very soft, light and warm. With one or two other sweaters over it, you will be much warmer and safer in cold places. You may have to buy from Scotland (I don't know the north American market) but do not be tempted to compromise by buying cheaper lambswool. It does not do the same job. Cashmere will last for years and if you don't swest directly into it requires airing more often than washing.

[@TravelBound2024]

Another fun road trip with you two. Thanks for bringing us along again. You always take us to places that I would never think to go to but so happy to see it. I’m already looking forward to your next video. Love you guys. ❤️

[@Lisafallgirl420]

Going through my state - Missouri. Glad you were able to get that fuel pump fixed. Lots of washboard roads in Missouri too

[@BobBohner4851]

You both are by far my favorite utubers. Love your honesty, travel blogs and videos; your love for each other and more. You’re the bees knees lol. If the best other utubers were 8 out of 10 you’d be at least 15!

[@christip20]

I think it’s a old Stock Tank from probably a hundred years or so, when that was a huge Farm with Cattle or Sheep. I believe that was one of the States that had fights over Sheep coming in because when they “graze”, they pull up the roots too, destroying pastures for the next season. Then there were fights over “fencing, grazing and water rights”, there’s so much history there. It reminds me of West Texas, (the square part of Texas, with Amarillo & Lubbock) it’s very flat too with not many tree’s that someone didn’t plant.

[@bobmirror7164]

I like your open space van style. Thanks for stopping at all those places. I have failed tourist 101 many times on trans continental road trips.

[@MiguelMartinez-gd1sv]

Out here where I live in the middle of nowhere I used to have the same problem with yard cars that I would use around the property. The rats and mice would love to make a home. When I started using cayenne pepper around the engine compartment and anywhere they like to make a home I didn't see them anymore it worked for me

[@ValidescopeWest]

Is it an oil that you mix with water or are you chopping up cayenne pepper and infusing it in water or something?

[@MiguelMartinez-gd1sv]

@ValidescopeWest I just use it in the powder form and sprinkle it on were they want a nest or walk around I guess it irritates them where they don't want no part of it but I guess you can Infuse it with water or some type of oil to make it stick but I just sprinkle it on everywhere they walk nest and over the wiring harness

[@sandrap3047]

I went up the arch in my twenties. I'm glad I did it then because now I'm claustrophobic from getting stuck in an elevator. I remember thinking how small that thing was then. I wouldn't be able to last 4 minutes in it now. I've been to 26 states. Hoping to buy a camper van soon and visit the rest of them. Alaska being my number one state to visit! I love hot and spicy food but haven't tried Nashville Hot yet. It looked good, but I wasn't eating it! lol

[@ourvanlives4736]

We live in Illinois,the center part. When you come back to Illinois spend some time around Springfield area. President Lincoln's house, Presidential library and museum, New Salem log cabin village where he lived in the 1830's near Petersburg, about a half hour NW of Springfield. Plus route 66 things to see. So lots of things to enjoy in central Illinois.😊

[@whatranch]

We have elder relatives in neighboring Missouri (locals pronounced it, "MisSOUR rah"). The Arch ride felt like being in a washing machine. 😂 It's awesome, though. ❤

[@gblakev]

The Arch isn't much fun if you are claustrophobic or afraid of heights, but the view is great.

[@lisaf-d1616]

After catching and releasing rodents on two occasions in our van, we use a multi-faceted approach One approach won’t work on all areas because critters adapt and/or are repelled by different things. 1. Make sure your rig is clean- no crumbs, no pet food left out 2. Store all food in hard containers with good lids 3. Place motion sensor lights under the rig and in the engine compartment (we use solar rechargeable ones that we leave on the dash to recharge) 4. In desert areas, especially, prop open your hood so pack rats don’t have a warm, dark area to nest 5. We cut strips of cheap dog flea collars and zip tie them in strategic areas like the engine area and other potential entry points and change them out every 6 months. This was recommended by an RV tech when we picked up our rig. We do this in our cars as well. Unlike other neighbors who’ve had thousands of dollars in damage, we’ve had none even after letting them sit for months when we travel. 6. Be sure to block all entry points. Be careful with steel wool because it rusts and can cause issues with your rig. We haven’t tried any of the commercial repellants because they require frequent replacement but they could be worth it. We do have peppermint extract and have sprayed that on occasion but it doesn’t last.

[@tamibrink8569]

Grand advice 😊

[@BossLady263]

Great advice

[@zaaraabissig]

I would love to see a video of the chore day! How you guys do your grocery shopping and everything with limited space

[@ES-qt6yo]

Time to get a backup electric blanket. Just a twin size would keep your bed toasty and use only about 120w an hour..They are pretty small and definitely worth the space to store it...

[@rvingtheusa]

Love all your off beaten path adventures. I got my first mice in Colo after 5 yrs on the road. I normally place solar lights under the RV and didn't this yr, twice. 😂 my first mouse was in a campground, that had an overflowing dumpster weekly. The grass growing way to tall in my first spot was another invention. I requested to be moved but to late, I had my first mouse. He did no harm and got him out quickly. He did stay a few days under my passenger seat, leaving a few days worth of calling cards, before his presents was identified by my cat. My second mouse, I was not so lucky. That one cost me 600 dollars in wire damage. Chewing the distributor cap wires, collecting the insulation around another wire that protects it from the motors heat. Mice like wire that's wrapped in cheap soy based materials. With shortages these past few yrs only Chinese knockoffs were available, and was forced to use as replacements. All in all it ended up well as I got a full motor tune up while fixing the mouse escapades. Glad I did as had to make an unexpected trip back east this winter, and it was worry free.

[@user-jb7vr2uj4n]

Hey guys, you make me feel like I'm right there with you both exploring these fun places! Enjoy the path you are on, your there for a reason.

[@tamibrink8569]

Great video, thank you both so much 😊. Adventure on ❤

[@warrengage9536]

Hi. Rats got into my Dad's brand new Toyota SUV. We sprayed all the plastics, rubber hoses and wiring with cheap white spirit vinegar. Works a treat. Just got to re apply every couple of weeks. In our case they were after the water in the windscreen washer lines.

[@poges]

Happy new year kids! Loving your travel.

[@Ed-R]

Happy 2025. Thank you for bringing us along for this Fun Filled Road Trip. Stay safe, hopefully no more Rats, and on to the next Adventure. 👋🏻🇨🇦

[@itsnotme07]

Siri has a new trick....Siri, don't sass me, and she turns off the flashlight. LOL

[@tammycruz8189]

Great Video Guys ❤❤❤❤

[@tynitahaines4012]

Four states....in one day...God Bless you botg.

[@Barbara-nc9iq]

I just found your channel. I love it. Van life is not all sunshine. Sorry about the heat problems. Keep up the cool videos!

[@AllenCheck]

Hey jimmie and natalie good to see youall, sure glad you got your heater fixed to cold to be without it,, safe travells ,hi from nm

[@davidalexander4043]

i watch you too i feel like a dad some times

[@estelleadamski308]

I've been to the Monument Rocks. I was born in KS, but, raised in CA. so I don't remember a lot about the state as I was 3 when we left, but, I remember the wide open spaces and windmills.

[@maggiebrattoli383]

I hope you have a couple hot water bottles. They sell them at pharmacies and it can really warm you up for a good 3 hours at a time. Love your videos.

[@jeanneprice6736]

I think I remember a guy installing lights under his RV and it discouraged pack rats and mice.

[@teresadofredo9908]

Well this was super fun for me. I grew up in Co. In fact, we often drove my sister to College in Durango. Mesa Verde is pretty close to Durango but we never went there. My husband and I took my kids there from Wa. Funny thing is my Dad loved road trips. Fast forward to this video when I hear Monument rocks I had to look it up because my Uncle lives in Monument KS. Sure enough not too far away is Monument Rocks. My husband laughed out loud as I said "come on Dad"lol. We never went there either. He often told me about a place that had rocks and rattle snakes. My grandparents lived in Oakley at the train depot. They were allowed to move their house there and paid $1 a year as long as a family member occupied the house. Sadly the house is now gone. Fri and Sat nights were cruising nights and the turn around was the depot parking lot. Thanks for the fun memories.

[@bonniehoehn6020]

Fixing your heater for the second time at least it's not in the snow that you had to work up fixing it

[@williamhuntington1397]

When you were in St. Louis, you REALLY should have gone to the City Museum of St. Louis!!! INCREDIBLE!

[@tjdime]

These "how to" vids are great. Smiles for Miles

[@AIC5150]

Every time I see a van life video: “whoa that’s cool” immediately followed by “whoa that’s wholly impractical and looks like it’s not worth it.”

[@jeffweaver8927]

Yep, rats love wiring. The peppermint oil sounds like something to try

[@L8BLUUMR]

I took the same route from Pueblo CO to Atlanta. Then on the way back I took the Southern route and saw 13 states total!!!

[@JohnBaker3000]

Awesome adventure!

[@catherinejowers1318]

I am told there is such a thing as a kit you can obtain that is capsaicin oil that you paint onto your electrical wiring in your vehicle. I assume very carefully masked and gloved up. Other than that, when we are around critters, we leave our hood up ... Another trick is to leave a coil of solar LED flashing lights under that upright hood...😊

[@marcellafolkmann7913]

Love love love you both...

[@shannonbenjamin1155]

Now I'm a little sad I didn't go up when I was there at the Arch a few years ago. We had to park on the bricks next to the river, I was legit worried my car would roll into the river. 😂

[@Bonstergirl]

Wow! Those monument rocks are really cool! I plan to drive across the country to visit my brother, and that will definitely be a stop on my trip. Thanks for sharing them!

[@no_worries_van]

Welcome back! Happy New Year!

[@magicalfruitstudios4162]

I've been to Mushroom rock, and while I live in Kansas, I still have never been to the other two places you went.

[@Lonnwriting]

Your happiness made tears try to bust out of my tear ducts. I Love the channel's producers. Yip

[@lynnpryor5667]

Yaaay!!! So happy to see you both!! You make me smile. ❤ Question; where do you guys go to the bathroom ? Lol maybe you covered it in another video and I missed it. Just curious.

[@archieletsyouknow5508]

💯👍🏼 you should pack a couple of MREs for emergencies🤔

[@ddcornell1019]

Happy New Year. What a way to kick off the new year.

[@nesbitttom]

you two have done a lot of growing and learning and becomming more confident in your abilities and problem solving you two were kids when i started watching your channel good job have fun invest and plan for the future

[@Searchingwithmatt]

She’s so cute. Y’all are so lucky to experience things together. Good video. I added some stuff that I want to see now

[@jamesbowers8898]

I just found your channel a week or so ago and have been binging you. Your multiple skills levels are impressive. Beautiful van build!

[@zgrooms1010]

Aw cool you guys were over by where I was. Was traveling in TN late December.

[@sandradummer4726]

Hi Guys, A late Merry Christmas, and belated New Years. May the new year be great for you two now that you’re newly married. Be safe out there. Have fun in Nashville, Tennessee. My home state. Southern lady here. Sorry about that big rat. Yuck..

[@SuperPirate100]

Happy New Year to my favourite vanlife people. Another great video and so funny seeing, and hearing, Natalie losing it over a furry critter .

[@youradminbff]

Hi guys! I love the rock formations area in Kansas. Very cool! I’m in Nebraska so I’ve enjoyed your travels in the Midwest. Cool to see all the places to visit that are so close. And I have such a fear of heights that my stomach turned when you looked out over St. Louis at the top of the Arch. 😂

[@davidcolinstillman5585]

HI JIMMY & NATALIE 👋 THIS TRIP WAS REALLY COOL 😎 WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT SIGHTS & THE ONE LITTLE CRITTER ENDED UP WAS NEEDING A SHOCK TO GET WARM , SORRY TO SAY ! GLAD JIMMY COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT & HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM 🙏 HAVING TOOLS 🔧 TO FIX THE PROBLEMS ALSO . ❤ LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF FUN INTRESTING PLACES TO VISIT & WORTH GOING A LITTLE OUT OF YOUR WAY . BE SAFE ☺️ 🙏 HAVE FUN ☺️ 🙏ENJOYED ☺️ 🙏 GOD BLESS YOU BOTH ALWAYS ON YOUR ADVENTURES ☺️ 🙏 ARE THE FUEL PRICES AROUND THE SAME GOING FROM ONE STATE TO THE OTHER ? ☺️ 🙏 LIKED THAT YOU COULD GO INTO THE ARCH & LOOK AT YOUR SURROUNDINGS FROM IT TOO ! ☺️ 🙏 THANK YOU ☺️ 🙏

[@blairinhemet]

I got engaged on Coronado Heights where that castle is

[@bobknull7502]

This was a fun one. You found that echo that you were looking for in the castle. I have to relate to you my experiences with the arch.I lived in southern Illinois thru middle school, high school and a couple of years after that. While in middle school, we drove to St. Louis and watched them put the last section of the arch in place, completing the construction. Flash forward about 8 years and I stopped one day to visit a friend. He and his dad lived near the airport. They owned and operated a charter air service. My friend was a Viet Nam war vet who joined to learn to fly helicopters. So he was an experienced combat pilot. He told me that he was getting ready to go for a Sunday afternoon fly in one of their fixed wing aircraft. Asked if I wanted to go along. Of course I said yes. The first hint of how much fun it was going to be was when he got some electrical tape out of a toolbox and started to change the tail number on the plane in the hanger. We rolled it out, warmed it up and took off for the trip. Less than an hour later we were circling over St. Louis. Then I realized why he changed those numbers as we flew THROUGH the arch. The 50 miles back home were flown at tree top level. A skill set that he had learned in combat. After we landed I saw the leaves stuck to the landing gear. Fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

[@ItsJonBaca]

Nothing like a good Jimmy and Natalie vid!

[@andrewkedian7244]

Hi guys happy new year love all the video s both do have a lovely time 😊😊😊😊

[@hapnewsom9217]

Whew! Glad to see a post from you guys! Was beginning to worry that something (something bigger than a packrat) had happened to sidetrack you! Looking forward to seeing you cross the mountains to SC...a trip I have driven many times!

[@WendyFilice-p9i]

That is hilarious that the highest point in Kansas looks so flat🤣 I was not expecting that. I am loving your Photos. The one of the tree by the lake where you meditated and the bridge in Missouri with the fog on the water ❤

[@sanddollar-ray9125]

thank you God Bless

[@Twofortheroad621]

We didn’t know much about Kansas until now. Looks like you bypassed the World’s Largest Easel 😆

[@chhook949]

I’ll be back with a comment after I watch later today! Just Happy to see you posted Hope All’s Well!

[@earlwoolery1424]

You two are so fun to watch!! I've travelled thru the areas your trip was on so know what you mean in the off the path sites. You made a very fun video to watch! I'm not found of pack rats as one night in a rented mountain cabin in Colo, one took off with one of my hearing aids, still had one for other ear but heard things in mono-lol

[@brantfitzpatrick910]

hens and chicks succulents might survive. i know they withstand freezing and snow cover in the ground not sure about a pot though

[@MO-wv5qh]

Always enjoy your videos but even more excited to see you near us. We are in Illinois only 20-30 minutes from St. Louis. I’m thinking we might have to road trip to try Hot Chicken!!🐔

[@kelleysoutdooradventures9939]

I liked the highest point in Kansas. We might have to do that. Debbie and I love your channel.

[@robertsaunders2902]

there is so much of MO u must see in the ozarks u will be amazed trust me it is cool, Rocket from MO

[@AnnettesVanTease]

What a trip!! Loved the first overnight spot. 🥰 I also have a mouse. Glad yours ran away. It was huge!

[@shaunmoller2997]

What an epic episode love the energy

[@OverlandingArmyVeteran]

Nashville, that's where I live! Let me know how you are liking it.

[@jdubble15]

You guys are such a great couple.

[@CaptainPope1701]

Hi Jimmy & Natalie, Welcome to 2025, I hope y’all had an amazing Christmas and New Year’s, I sure miss seeing y’all, glad your doing great, this vlog was amazing and fun, love y’all 😊😊😊❤❤❤

[@ricky_thoughts]

Also, my deal is buy some other kind of heaters to keep it. You got solar panel so little electric heater will work propane heaters back up in my opinion so you never too cold. Yes, you gotta roll the window down for a protein heater not that much, but a little bit have vent coming in and out air coming in now But little portable propane heater is good to have an electric heater since you got some kind of electric going on in there in my opinion keep having fun keep enjoying it. I like watching your videos thank you very much. It might as one it reminds me when I was living in my vans and my station wagons my mini trucks my Arby’s my trailers. I tell everybody’s just like living in the house things gotta get fixed. You just fix more when you’re in the vehicle cause you bounce around moving around a portable but like I said, I like your video keep making them have fun.

[@daviddicarlo4260]

Hey......Welcome to the MIDWEST... That was a FIELD RAT..... You need to buy some spray for around your van when you guys park in fields to keep mice and Rats away. Glad to see you two are doing well.

[@gloriajoseph7031]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Easternoregon1]

Natalie is all ways cute and her curiosity is awesome. You two are my favorite you tubers. I feel like we got cheated on your Oregon adventurers. If you guys were in Oregon.

[@rosemarycameron3594]

Laughing so hard at your reaction to rat! 😂 But love your positivity! You’re an inspiration 💖🙏

[@davesteen-jm3io]

Well done video! Perhaps tracing your path for my road trip will be as fun! Thank you

[@scott02127]

Awesome 😎

[@HeKatesCrossing]

Milk or Yoghurt can help when trying spicy foods if possible...

[@stephennowicki7158]

Nice video. Lots if driving! 😊

[@blessedbeyondmeasure-sisdeb]

Happy New Year! fun watching you travel

[@NoOverhead]

Just gonna drop shredded cheese all over. Also, WHY DO WE HAVE RATS?!? 🤣🤣 Just kidding, guys. Awesome video, as always. Safe travels, friends!

[@cdnbaconeh7321]

I always call it time delay hot. The best kind. lol

[@Bonjurro]

That wasn’t a rat it was dinner and you just let him run away 😂

[@markhuston9250]

Correction please - you drove thru central the Ununited State. America stretches from the Artic to almost Antarctica. It has dozens of countries.

[@Boaterdude6329]

Fun video!

[@Team-1-Solo]

I think its Our Jimmies mine also my first day.

[@johnclancy7607]

Welcome back 😀

[@rvhome5599]

By the way, Jimmy is sure handy fixing stuff , good man ya got