We Have BIG NEWS: Something Exciting Is Happening!

[@scottwaitley6790]

It’s no surprise your viewership has exploded this year because you guys are so fun and lovable and the content is top notch. I’m going to subscribe

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much for being here each week. After 2 failed attempts at YT we still pinch ourselves when people take time to watch and comment. We don't take any of ya'll for granted! -J

[@wishyouwerehere2]

There's something very satisfying about hitting the Like button early, soon after the video comes out, when the counter is still in the hundreds, and seeing it tick up one digit. Tune in early and hit the Like to feel the rush!

[@OpenRoading]

So so kind to hit that thumbs up! Thank you! 😁 And yes. There are a couple huge channels I watch and it's always funny to start watching it and it has something like 1,000 views and when I'm done and look and it's like at 25,000 views I'm proud to be in cool club who saw it first. 😂 -J

[@jerrybandy3827]

I felt it.

[@RachelAmbler]

100’s ? I got for the first 10!

[@PlanetEarth3141]

😊

[@jessejones640]

Great news. It is good to see how much your channel has grown. We need more exposure to this type of content. Just two people enjoying life and trying to add that joy to the lives of others.

[@OpenRoading]

We hope to bring a smile every Friday! That's one of our primary goals with out videos! -J

[@garrycollie2135]

@@jessejones640 yes. For reals! Good clean content!

[@hahaadventures4838]

You guys have become our favorite YT Channel. Fresh content and different things each week is great. 👍

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much! That is so so encouraging! We love putting out the Friday videos and we'll continue to strive to make them awesome! -J

[@rmlrl1971]

Well I can't afford to be a member but I will continue to subscribe.

[@OpenRoading]

No problem at all! Not a thing will change - still get the same Friday content every single week. Thank you so much for being here. I mean that 1000%! -J

[@lig8817]

Yeah me too (Im out of the USA) hope this channel doesnt lose too many viewers.

[@OpenRoading]

@@lig8817 So far we have a net gain of 16 subscribers from this video so I'm not worried. People who unsubscribe even though nothing is changing for the content they were already getting for free just means they didn't really like the content that much in the first place. Which is totally OK! We're not everyone's cup of tea. -J

[@lig8817]

@@OpenRoading true

[@jSchacht]

We look forward to watching your videos. You are such a sweet couple - so happy, upbeat, and clean. Thank you!

[@OpenRoading]

Thank you! And we're so glad you look forward to our videos each week. You have no idea how much that means to us both! -J

[@_wardavewoodworks]

You two are wonderful and authentic, love your vids. G

[@OpenRoading]

Thank you so much. 😊 So kind of you to watch each week! -J

[@davidcline9547]

I am glad you two have made it this time. Love that you saved your pup, and I got to see it! Enjoy your travels! I Will continue to watch your Friday vids.❤ hope you guys get all the members you need to make a living.

[@OpenRoading]

This comment tells me that you're one of my favorite people. 🙂 I appreciate so much that you are rooting for our success even though the memberships aren't your jam. THAT means as much to us as those who are able to / want to jump into a membership. See you each and every Friday! -J

[@missourifox9511]

you guys adopting Trinity and making her apart of your lives. got me to Sub :)

[@OpenRoading]

Trinity has her own Tribe on here! I think they outnumber the people that follow us for us. 😁 -J

[@anthonypaulmannion7354]

Well they didn't really adopt Trinity. Trinity clearly adopted them! :)

[@OpenRoading]

@@anthonypaulmannion7354 It's true...

[@missourifox9511]

Yep the dog distribution system 😆

[@wildrvlife]

Gah! you've just made me realize it's been a whole year since we were hanging out at Mackinaw Mill Creek campground, can't believe it. time flies when you're having fun! 😄 Congrats on launching the membership friends!!

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much! And yes... time 100% flies!! We owe you a dinner sometime because without your encouragement and openness last fall I don't think we would have given KZbin another shot. -J

[@Adventureswithbecky]

Excited for you guys. Have been watching the last year and it is exciting to watch you grow and keep getting more comfortable on camera.

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much! Greatly appreciate that. -J

[@laurataylor999]

I don’t join very many memberships and none on KZbin UNTIL NOW! Joined and so excited to be part of your community. You guys one of the high lites of my week. ❤

[@OpenRoading]

🤗🤗🤗 So happy to be your first youtube membership. And trust us, we understand anyone who doesn't join up and it's totally OK! Between Kalyn and I, I think we have 3 or 4 total paid subscriptions/memberships (none on YT yet) of other content creators we love. It's one of those things where unless you're independently wealthy, you have to be super picky. It's why we didn't even consider putting out Friday content behind a paywall! We're honored to be on your list! -J

[@laurataylor999]

@@OpenRoading I appreciate you guys and I’m super happy to support you when I can. You both are so kind to each other and your content is interesting and fun to watch. Thank you for all of the time and thought you put into your channel. I’m a lot older than you are but you both inspire me!

[@OpenRoading]

@@laurataylor999 🤗

[@traci635]

Congratulations on growing your channel 👏 I started watching when Trinity came into your lives back in Texas and now you guys are a weekly "can't miss watch" for me. Looking forward to Friday

[@OpenRoading]

Looking forward to seeing you every Friday! I so appreciate people like you who have been cheering us on since early on! 🤗 -J

[@sliphur]

Happy to join and to support your adventures! Congratulations on the growth of your channel, it’s very well deserved!

[@OpenRoading]

Thank you so much and that's so kind of you! We soo appreciate you tuning in each week!

[@dango3]

Very cool news, love to see the channel grow. I had stumbled upon you guys looking for a video of the Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground to show family where we had tent camped when visiting Machinac Island in both the summer of 22' and 23' and after finding a few tour videos KZbin suggested your "We're Broke" episode. Didn't see how that fit into what I was looking for but my interest was piqued, started watching and came to find out you were working there when we had been there. I knew Joe looked familiar for some reason, made a lot of trips to that camp store that week. Then you made the Alaska fund announcement and I was hooked, been watching every week since. Best of luck and can't wait to see where you guys go next.

[@OpenRoading]

Oh that's so cool! That summer was such an awesome reset for Kalyn and I in figuring out how we wanted to move forward with RV life. And the people at that campground were just awesome. Thanks for giving us a shot and sticking around for so long! I can't help but laugh at the idea of searching Mackinaw Mill Creek and getting THAT thumbnail. 😂 -J

[@Jiggyjiggy123]

There is a prairie dog preserve in Montana. On the south side of I-90, just west of Big Timber. My husband and I used to perch on the rocks and picnic while we watched them. So sweet.

[@OpenRoading]

They are soooo much fun to watch. Especially their little "wheeee whooooo"s lol! -J

[@TheNext7BChapter]

Too many KZbin channels try to hook you with a negative lead. You are different using positive lead ins so please keep that up. Much more appealing

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much. Not everything is always sunny and positive all the time but our aim is to bring a smile every Friday! -J

[@miscstuff7824]

My Fridays aren't complete until (or movie theatre food) + Open Roading episode. Never thought I'd get the same joy after a night out at my age as running home from grade school to watch a new cartoon episode, but here I am

[@OpenRoading]

Oh man! We beat out the Tuesday night cartoons!!! High praise! Thanks so much for being here each week, popcorn and all! -J

[@penneemw]

I started watching when you were working to raise money for Alaska. Love your content. You and your friends Craig and Victoria have put the Alaska bug in my husband and I.

[@OpenRoading]

Awesome! Thank you so much for watching! It has been our goal to never be in a position to have to release another "We're broke" video. That would be complete failure for us. And people like you who have been cheering us on while we work to build our future have been so so encouraging to us. Thank you! -J

[@debbiejohnson1441]

I can't wait for my notification every week for your new video. You'll are such a bright spot in this otherwise stressful world. Keep up the great videos and everyone join.

[@OpenRoading]

So kind Deb! Thank you for the encouragement. It is a crazy world out there and we will always do our best to bring a smile - even when stuff goes awry! -J

[@Jeeper-o2y]

Your channel has grown cause you are now doing what OG channels have but now pivoted. Congrats on launching memberships. Hope your memberships grow so you both do not have to work camp to support another adventure.

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much. That's interesting about what you said with OG channels and how some of them have seemed to lose steam (at least I feel like that's what you were inferring). Kalyn and I were just discussing this topic tonight. I think a lot of creators get stuck in thinking topically. They see themselves as "An RV channel" so they make all their content RV (or whatever it is they do) focused and if their life begins to change in any way they hide it because, well, their channel is an RV channel! We see our channel as more of a "Reality show" (only more genuine I sure hope! lol) where yes, we RV, but the channel is not about our RV, it's about "our story." Sure we'll have topics in there to mix things up - but it's about life - it's ups and downs, and it's side to sides. I have a couple channels in mind that I think do this well, where even though some may say they pivoted you'll see that their audience stayed with them...because they brought their audience along on the pivot every step of the way rather than suddenly saying "Hey...things are changing." We hope to continue to take people along on that journey wherever it leads. Anyway - probably a longer reply than you expected. LOL this is what happens when I reply to comments late at night. 😂 -J

[@lindalowry150]

Love your videos, and so happy for you for your channel growth! Congratulations!💕

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much! Fridays staying the same! We're getting close to being able to say this is a legit job for us...and not just one we waste hours on each week. 😂 I don't think you know how much we appreciate people cheering us on as we work hard at this. -J

[@Brian-nb6fb]

I was thinking beets were next too, but family time is important! Bound to get negative feedback on the new membership plan, but if it works for you that's all that's important. For me, there's so many people looking for monetary assistance, I feel overwhelmed so I ll have to stick to the Friday videos level. Good luck!

[@OpenRoading]

No problem at all Brian and I 100% understand! We honestly don't expect a single soul to subscribe. Between Kalyn and I we are only subscribed monetarily to a grand total of 3 creators. Even though you wish you could support them all there's just no way. That's why it was so important to both of us that nothing changes on Friday. That's our main thing and we want to keep bringing those smiles for free because smiles should be free. 🙂 Thank you so much for being here each week! -J

[@JudyMartin-i9q]

You guys are the sweetest! So proud of how hard you worked to safe money for this adventure, you will always succeed

[@OpenRoading]

Thank you so much! It's been a year full of hustle, but so enjoyable too! - K

[@carletterice2167]

Yay!!! I’m so happy you setup a way to be supported. I love watching your videos and overjoyed to be supporting your channel. 😃

[@OpenRoading]

So so glad to have you here! Thank you so much! -J

[@OpenRoading]

@@GFY_m8 ?

[@stevebelzner447]

Just joined as a member. Blessings from Calgary AB. You two are amazing and so down to earth which I truly appreciate

[@OpenRoading]

Thank you so much! So appreciate you valuing our content in this way! -J

[@MyBackyardScience]

Bonus video! This brightened our Tuesday night! Omg those Trinity and Cody emojis are adorable! You guys have really become a part of our lives this year, and we have really enjoyed the videos and watching your channel grow! Thank you! 🐕 🐇 😀

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much for being here every week! We so so so so appreciate it -J

[@pupcamper58]

Love your videos, thanks for sharing your journey. Congratulations on the channel membership launch.❤️

[@OpenRoading]

Thank you! And thanks so much for being so encouraging every week! We so appreciate seeing you in the comment section! -J

[@maryannscanlon8655]

I belong to a few other channels and I’ve always enjoyed the perks they provide. It’s time for your channel to do this! Good luck guys.

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much! We've been super gunshy for the past year about doing something like this and we were crazy nervous today that it wouldn't go over well. Ya'll have been amazing. -J

[@maryannscanlon8655]

@@OpenRoading I watch a lot of people doing similar stuff. But yours is unique in a special kind of way. And I appreciate that and you’re honesty about your life and your challenges (and how you solve them)❤️

[@OpenRoading]

@@maryannscanlon8655 Thank you. That means a lot! -J

[@ernestinebyrne9912]

Yes!!! I support two other YT channels. Both are crafts based. You guys are my favorite travel channel. Stopped before video was over so I could join! And yes, i wanna be an insider. Love it!!! And how exciting for me to find you guys today!!!

[@OpenRoading]

Hi Ernestine! If youtube would let me give away memberships I would have given you one for free. 😁 You have been such a tremendous encouragement to us over the past year! Thanks so much for being you. -J

[@ernestinebyrne9912]

@@OpenRoading you know I love you guys. And thrilled to be a true blue subscriber. You guys do not know how good you are. My favorite channel for sure. Yes even over K&N. 🙏💙

[@OpenRoading]

@@ernestinebyrne9912 Now I want to meet K&N just so I can say that. But I have a feeling they would celebrate that fact with me. Then with a wink tell me that they have a few million that don't even know who we are. 😂 -J

[@ernestinebyrne9912]

@@OpenRoading they started out small too and never knew where they would end up. They were one of the first. You guys have a lot of competition to deal with. But once we see your channel there is no comparison. I follow only them and you. I have discriminating tastes. 😘

[@jeremyj612]

That’s awesome guys! (The membership stuff, not the carpet…lol). I’ve never been tempted to join any channels before, but you guys definitely earn it over and over again. Looking forward to the rest of the Alaska trip. Thanks!

[@OpenRoading]

We are honored! Thank you so much! - K

[@walkerhound4055]

Very cool. I found you/channel because of your collaboration with Wild RV Life. I want to hang around a while now. 😊 Hope this new program is a big success for you guys.

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much for the vote of confidence! Appreciate it! -J

[@TonyVRailfanning]

I totally get what your doing with the memberships. Ive been trying to grow my channel as making/editing videos is time consuming and going to locations to film also takes time and of course the cost of gas.

[@OpenRoading]

I appreciate that! We love creating our free main content! But still trying hard to get to that "full time income" so this was a logical step without doing anything to our main content. For us it's not just the cost of gas...it's the cost of life. I spend over 40 hours a week on this channel and Kalyn probably spends half that (because she divides her time between this and her other work) so it's legit our job. The people who are mad amuse me because they are still receiving the same content for free that they always have but I suppose I'm not allowed to create anything that's not free. Good thing we didn't do shirts! 😂 -J

[@GaryRupp-fe6ly]

Thanks for the bonus video, seems like I was just talking to you yesterday 😂 I won’t miss an episode 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️

[@OpenRoading]

I always love seeing the same names over and over in the comments section. It's like hanging out with old friends each week! -J

[@GaryRupp-fe6ly]

@@OpenRoading dido my friends 👍🇺🇸❤️

[@CathyRaines-c6v]

I love to sit and watch prairie dogs! I love your channel!!

[@OpenRoading]

We just moved to the badlands on Sunday....going to go see some more Prairie dogs this week. 😂 -J

[@brucegustafson6943]

Thanks for our bonus video! Love your energy and enthusiasm!

[@OpenRoading]

Thank you so much! -J

[@Adventureswithbecky]

Hopefully you guys had some more hysterical border crossing footage with Joseph answering questions again 😊

[@OpenRoading]

Haha - that video is up now! Just posted this weekend. (Big RV - Tiny Ferry thumbnail) But unfortunately...no real border Hijinks ensued other than getting asked if we had $10K in cash. Sadly....we do not. lol -J

[@Adventureswithbecky]

@@OpenRoading lol

[@LesCarPas]

Hello Neighbors! Very nice announcement! We were also expecting a baby or a new puppy!!!

[@OpenRoading]

Haha! It was so nice to sit and chat with you both! -J

[@mattcrain7057]

I feel like there needed to be a spoiler alert before seeing you back in the lower 48 🤣 I know Kody and Trinity are seeing increases in treats and air time!

[@OpenRoading]

Haha! We're you worried that we weren't going to make it back safely?!? 👀👀 lol Thanks so much for watching each week. It means the world to us! -J

[@MISCIFMAKER]

On your way to lifestyle of the rich n famous youtubers, pull this one off nxt big adventure , Maui, Hawaii n beyond.

[@OpenRoading]

Haha! We’ve got a loooooong way to go to even get close to rich. But we’re so grateful to be able to even consider this being our full time job. Still lots and lots of work ahead. -J

[@lindamiller5489]

Yes, I can't wait to sign up

[@tonyt9473]

Hi guys. Like your content, been watching since TX. And, btw, I was the one on the bike this morning. I am over by the radio towers.

[@OpenRoading]

Oh wow! Thanks so much for watching! How long you hanging around here? And do you have the semi? -J

[@tonyt9473]

I got here Friday. I am in the smaller toy hauler (I converted to a porch hauler) white w grey and blue. And the Ford Excursion. Staying til I am sick of the view, or 14 days, whichever comes first. Lol

[@OpenRoading]

@@tonyt9473 Oh man! I'm going to try to make time to stop by sometime if you don't mind! (we're here till Sunday I think). I saw that converted toy hauler and thought it looked pretty awesome! Got a lot of editing to do...but I'm sure I'll find time to take a break. If I see you around I'll give you a hollar. -J

[@tonyt9473]

Sounds good. I am here till Monday I am thinking.

[@OpenRoading]

@@tonyt9473 Just gotta survive tomorrow. 🔥🥵☀-J

[@DebDeBoop]

I would love to join I simply can’t afford it. I don’t like the pyramid that these memberships feel like. I have one channel that I did join and all levels are equal, with the option of a higher payment every month,rather than Patreon.

[@OpenRoading]

Oh that's interesting! I don't know if youtube allows that (they might!) We just did the 2 levels because we figured there were probably some people who just wanted to do the "cup of coffee" type support and didn't really care so much about extra videos than they did just helping out a creator they enjoy. We wanted to value the extra video content a little higher because it is extra production time and since our primary 20-30 minute, highly produced content is completely free, we felt it was a good level for 4 extra behind the scenes videos each month. And it is 100% OK that you're not signing up!! You've gotten our Friday videos for almost a year now and that's not changing one bit! Currently editing this Fridays video between responding to comments. 🙂 In case you are worried the bonus content isn't tied to the Friday videos so you won't be missing out on the stories that happen each week! They are just our way of saying thank you to those who are helping us reach our goal of making youtube a viable income for the amount of work we put in. We're not there yet but we're getting really close so we're super excited that it might be possible. I look forward to "seeing you" each week on Fridays! -J

[@crystalcollins5802]

Oooh this is absolutely wonderful to see! I have enjoyed your guys videos and interaction so much. Hitting that join button ASAP. Heck, if you guys do make it up back up to AK would love to see you in person-do an outing/adventure together. Love your channel so much. Thank you for sharing your life with us and I hope the rest of your trip back home is smoother than it has been thus far. 🥰

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much! Such an encouraging comment. And yes, we do have to come to Alaska again because we have 3 more NPs to hit still. 😂 -J

[@pianogal853]

I love to watch you guys - and pray that you get supported adequately!

[@OpenRoading]

So kind! Thank you! We are so happy at how far the channel has come over the past year!! I don't think you understand how much it means to us to get comments like this from people who understand the work that goes into the channel! Appreciate your encouragement! -J

[@paulab984]

We just went to Teddy Rosevelt NP about a month ago and loved it, especially the North Unit. We had great buffalo interactions (not WITH them, but great videos)

[@OpenRoading]

lol WITH them can get dicey. LOL -J

[@TravelingonAdventures]

Theodore Roosevelt is still our favorite National Park. We are here in ND right now to work the Sugar Beet Harvest for the first time right now.😊

[@OpenRoading]

Awesome! I'm missing it this year and I'm actually a little sad about it! I love the beet harvest! -J

[@carmancloud]

Congratulations on your channel growth! 🙌 I can’t join right now but I’ll be cheering you on from here!

[@OpenRoading]

Thank you so much! I love seeing you in the comments every Friday! And we wanted to keep our channel as unaffected as possible! All the main Friday stuff will be exactly the same. My favorite comments this week are those who have expressed that even though the memberships aren't for them for whatever reason that they are there rooting for us to succeed. It shows how much you genuinely care about the people behind the channel. -J

[@carmancloud]

True and very gracious of you to see it that way! 🙌

[@OpenRoading]

@@carmancloud It's true though. You can't support every creator, artist, etc out there. Impossible. But you can encourage them, cheer them on, and be excited to see them succeed. It shows your true character. -J

[@carmancloud]

@@OpenRoadingAnd definitely the same can be said of you!

[@cherylmiller-day5932]

Love your enthusiasm. You 2 are so real. But im struggling with the $$ join. Maybe next time. Thank you for your time and hard work putting this content together 👍🎉. I'm a rescue supporter too. ❤love Trinity and how you have made her part of your lives❤

[@OpenRoading]

Absolutely no problem Cheryl! We appreciate you being here every Friday! We were telling zero lies when we say that Friday is our primary content and primary focus. The bonus things are just a small way to say thank you to those who have been asking for ways to financially support the channel. You still get EVERYTHING we would have put out had we not even done the memberships. 🤗 -J

[@aslobos]

Just joined. I am a SUPER SUPPORTER! 💐🥰🥇I just love your beautiful, positive, and fun videos. I lost my sister to cancer last February💔. Your wonderful videos got me through some tough times. I especially adore Cody and Trin. 💙💖 Was wondering if you guys could share how you met, and who was smitten first if it is not too personal. Thank you from California.

[@OpenRoading]

♥️ I'm at a loss for words. I don't know of a more powerful compliment to give someone than to tell them that somehow, someway, they helped you through something so devastating. I'm so sorry you went through that loss this year. I made a note of your request, it's not to personal so we'll be sure to cover it at some point. (But Kalyn was totally smitten first....can you blame her?? 😁) Extra hugs given to Cody and Trin on your behalf. -J

[@karenmajor2138]

Hi Open Roading I love your videos. Such beautiful scenery to explore and enjoy

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much for being part of the channel! -J

[@KAW5]

So excited! Trinity emoji! Yeah!!

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much for joining!!! So excited to see ya'll here! -J

[@Minnesota_Girl-m6z]

Love your channel! 😊

[@OpenRoading]

Thank you so much! Whether or not people subscribe we so so so so appreciate everyone who comes and watches and encourages us in the comments each week! -J

[@kellymcdonald6309]

Wow Congratulations on the channel growth!

[@OpenRoading]

Thank you so much! -K

[@cbob1]

Just be sure to save time for yourselves and all the "fun stuff"

[@OpenRoading]

You have no idea how much I appreciate this comment. It comes from a place of understanding both how much work it takes to do this sort of work and of care for the individuals you are watching take on that work. 💜 One of the reasons we've held off on bonus content is for this reason exactly. After a year we are beginning to be able to get into a rhythm and are ready to do a little bit more. And with our goal of being able to earn income and save for our future it was the right time to add something extra. -J

[@jasonwitters7860]

My wife and I love Teddy. Spend ALOT of time there and at the North unit.. thanks for sharing . Safe travels.

[@OpenRoading]

We want to explore the North unit some more! We did a spectacular hike there a couple years ago! -J

[@geminispamperedgreyhounds1599]

I was thinking you had a baby on the way, but I guess I was wrong. I really think you would make great parents, just the way you are with your firkids. I'm really excited about the new adventure and wish I could take part in it, but with my ongoing health issues and my strict finances, I can't add anything, but it sounds like alot of fun.

[@OpenRoading]

Haha - thanks so much for the kind words. We're approaching the age where kids would be a huge surprise. 👀 (But not unheard of) I don't think a baby is in the cards for us but that's ok! And do not worry AT ALL about not jumping into a membership! We appreciate everyone who's here for our Friday videos! That's the main stuff right there! -J

[@michelle_nolan]

I want post cards from everywhere! I actually collect them, so I loved getting 2 from you!

[@OpenRoading]

haha! I've found some uh.... interesting ones.... in our travels! -J

[@RVDumpStation]

I’m glad your channel is doing well. Do you have, or will you have a merch store anytime?

[@OpenRoading]

It's in our long term plan....but we are trying hard not to overextend ourselves. We've got lots of ideas though so stay tuned! Maybe 2025? We'll see! And I so appreciate those who are genuinely happy to see the channel doing well and caring about the people behind the cameras. Ya'll are the true fans. -J

[@CarolPerry-hc3mb]

Can't afford to join but will still look forward to your videos weekly. I do have problems finding you guys. ( Hanks and the guys you went to Alaska with also). All of you are great! Hope to see you guys on the road. Been full time since 2010 ( some stationary) . Starting again in January in part time. Good luck. Bet you turn off the water pump first thing! I knew exactly what you had done.😢 However this one just popped up.

[@OpenRoading]

Don't worry about not joining! That's exactly why we didn't want to change anything about the Friday videos. We wanted to keep bringing smiles every week while just doing something a little extra for people who've been so generous. I'm sorry you have trouble finding us! If you're subscribed there should be a "Subscribed" bar on the left side of the app that has a bunch of channels you subscribe to in it. Otherwise - just search for us every friday night and we'll be there! -J

[@maryrowe-z2i]

There used to be a prairie dog park outside of Big Timber,MT

[@margiemachado4951]

Have enjoyed your Alaska trip. Will never see it so seeing it through your eyes is nice..

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much for coming along! More to come! -J

[@rozo3385]

Hi, Great news to hear Love the emojis, Seriously just keep being yourself Keeping it real Aussie fan here 💜

[@OpenRoading]

Thank you so so much! We are so grateful to everyone who continues to watch each week! -J

[@patriciadance781]

Congratulations!

[@OpenRoading]

Hey! I know that name! 😁 Thanks so much for cheering us on! -J

[@RandyHarter]

Awesome sauce. Keep up the great work.

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much Randy! So appreciate you! -J

[@johnnycash2801]

Hello, Joe and Kalyn! Just joined the Channel Insider membership level. My wife and I enjoy watching you two and your fur babies each week. If you ever come to Pell City, Al, you can stay on our property free. We have full hookups for you. God bless 😊

[@OpenRoading]

So Kind of you! I just started a private map to help me remember when someone offers a place for us to park so I'll add Pell City to it! Do you mind sending me a quick email so I can attach an email address to the location so that if we are ever in your neck of the woods I can reach out? [e-mail] -J

[@cynthialahti-wong1800]

Love your videos!! But I have to admit I watched you a few times kind thinking , yeah ok! But then I found out you and Our wild RV Life so continued and fell in love with your videos!!

[@OpenRoading]

haha! Craig and Victoria for the win at helping us keep subscribers! I'll be sure to thank them! 😁 -J

[@marcyschultz498]

Im from Grand Forks. I am hoping to see you if you're doing harvest again. Safe travels!

[@OpenRoading]

Unfortunately we aren't doing the harvest this year because it's been nearly 2 years since we've spent time with Kalyn's family. So we are heading straight there so that we can spend a good bit of time with them before the cold chases us south. I may do it next year though...we're still figuring that out! I'm 100% already missing the people I would have been working with! -J

[@robertfalcon6083]

When I was stationed at Minot ND, we called them “Dak Rats”…they were a pain to deal with so I didn’t think they were all that cute 😂

[@OpenRoading]

for sure! If you have to deal with the land they are on - not fun at all!! But Kalyn melts when they chirp. 🙂 If we ever buy land in the midwest I think she'd import a prarie dog town into the backyard. 😂 -J

[@sherryarcher4832]

I love watching you kids on your travels. I would love to join your community. But I live on a fixed income and just can't. A piece of advice, any extra money you make off this new "job" set it aside for retirement. I had a really good retirement setup. But in 2010, the Feds (I work for the Feds)decided I was disabled. Now, 15 years later, I barely scrape by.

[@OpenRoading]

Hi Sherry! Thank you. And please don't worry about not being able to join! Hopping onto one of our memberships is a far cry from a necessary expense. I also greatly appreciate your advice. Part of the reason we added the memberships is we are continuing to try to build this income to a place where it first - meets all our needs, and second, we can start investing in our future. As entrepreneurs we've lived the risky life of betting our lives outside of the "safe" 9-5 and doing our own thing and we are working our butts off believing that this is where our work will pay off. We look forward to "seeing" you each Friday and I hope we're able to bring a smile even on the rough weeks! -J

[@skipinktbug]

Love you guys! So glad I can support you two now! Keep up the good work. Blessings

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so so much for valuing our work! -J

[@puceater2311]

Glad you’re back to the lower 48 ! Ivan

[@OpenRoading]

Made it safe and sound! Video of the journey starts on Friday! -J

[@Ewolk89]

How long will it be before KZbin takes its cut, forcing you to raise your rates, and eventually leading to the end of free KZbin entirely? Many KZbinrs claim that KZbin's significant cut is already making it difficult for them to make ends meet.

[@OpenRoading]

KZbin takes a cut already. They receive about 50% of the ad revenue, they take a percentage of the super thanks donations, and they take a portion of the membership fees. But I think they should be able to benefit from hosting our channel. I don't think they should simply provide this platform free of charge for me to try to making a living off. It would be like your local hairdresser not paying rent for her chair space at the salon. We could have gone with another platform like Patreon, or a circle community etc. Some of them have lower fees. However, by doing so we then have another platform to build and maintain. I've been part of a few Patreon accounts and what I generally see is many times the people who pay to subscribe aren't as active over on the second platform simply because the platform they have gotten to know the creator on is KZbin. Then patreon simply becomes a support mechanism and most of the patrons aren't taking full advantage of the perks they receive. Along with that, youtube memberships gives us the opportunity to recognize the people who support the channel...ON the actual channel. With the badges, custom emojis etc. people on here get to be recognized as "super fans," if you will, of the channel and get to use their perks without leaving the platform. If you want to follow me behind the curtain just a little further (Because we are generally an open book) here's one other big reason we went with youtube memberships even though their fees are a bit higher: KZbin's ultimate goal is to keep people on KZbin...so...if we are directing people away from youtube we are working against our own Algorithm. Not only that, but if KZbin sees our channel as profitable to us AND them, I believe the alogrithm has even more incentive to continue to push our videos past our own existing audience. KZbin takes a lot of cuts. It's true! But they aren't "Taking." They are providing a service that we are paying for. It's one of the expenses of having a content creation business. I haven't built this massive infrastructure where I can upload and share my videos. And even if I did and paid for the hosting my reach would be super small because people would have to find my website - come to it specifically etc. But youtube has created that. I don't find advertisers (minus sponsored videos) in order to get ad revenue on my videos. KZbin does all that for me. I haven't created a path for donations or a payment processing center - but KZbin has. I don't have a way of providing custom emojis for comments or badges within the platform. But they have! I haven't built a system to have specific videos to be available only to members while also having content that is open and available for all - but youtube has. So while their "take" may be higher than some other options out there - I'm OK with it because I feel like it's a valuable business expense. Hope that helps! I also don't see them raising their rates. It's possible that they can but it's percentage based and if they go too far it will open the door for further competition with other video sharing platforms. As far as making ends meet - that is the responsibility of the creator. We aren't to full time income from the channel yet, but it is our responsibility to make engaging content that people connect with. No one is obligated to watch our videos so I believe our income is our responsibility - not KZbins. That includes things like building an email list, diversifying into things like memberships, merch (maybe in the future?), products, etc. -J

[@mrsbigtruckbigtravels726]

​@OpenRoading this is probably one of the most well written responses/explanations I've seen out there. Good job!

[@OpenRoading]

@@mrsbigtruckbigtravels726 Thanks. Kalyn's entrepreneurial instincts and knowledge has been rubbing off on me over the past 17 years. 😁 -J

[@badgerpa9]

Here I thought it would be Trin was with puppies, darn. Been watching since before Trin but I admit she got me to subscribe and I share your vids to twitter and fakebook. Sorry I can't join, but if you are ever in the area you can park on the farm. Stay safe and healthy. Prairie dogs carry Plague and Hantavirus, please keep Trin away from their areas and clean your shoes well if you walk through a prairie dog area. They may be cute but they can cause illness and death.

[@OpenRoading]

Good to be alert! And no worries about not becoming a member! We're so happy to be here every friday! -J

[@walterrafolski5662]

Is it possible to get a one year membership and pay it all at once. Love your channel and the post cards were too cool. Don’t forget the caulk matching yours right!

[@OpenRoading]

I do wish that was possible! Unfortunatly we are tied to KZbins rules on this one. We don't even have a way of giving a free membership. If so I'd have you send us something through paypal and I'd give you a "free" membership. Memberships are still a little new on youtube so it's possible this will change in the future! Shoot me an email again ([e-mail]) and I'll get you an address for that caulk! -J

[@TheYankmchain]

Great news you guys! Kevin here from Indiana. You should do a live stream sometime.

[@OpenRoading]

We probably will sometime! We just didn't want to promise it on a monthly basis or anything. We don't want to over promise and under deliver. 😁 -J

[@dunderland241]

Big news! You can send us money monthly in this horrible economy.

[@OpenRoading]

Big news! All the Friday content that we spend full time job hours producing each week continues to be completely free for you to enjoy without sending a penny our way! Happy to see you on Fridays if the subscription isn’t for you. We never expected everyone to sign up! Just those who want the bonus content and want to help keep this channel going. -J

[@hollyputnat]

I 💜 ND and Teddy Roosevelt park!!! I would take a postcard from anywhere. I am so mad at myself that I forgot to do it in time for AK.

[@OpenRoading]

😁 I think we'll do the post card club again at some point! We'll see! -J

[@carlwest859]

Just don't get so big that you go out and buy a sailboat. Love ya's for the perky, quirky happy souls that you are. Take care.

[@OpenRoading]

I hope our work pays off enough that we get "big" enough to be able to save for the future and things like buying a new truck or rig don't scare us to death financially...but trust me...I don't handle storms well in an RV so there ain't NO way I'm doing catamaran life. 😂 -J

[@tomd.3082]

​@@OpenRoadingI'm a full-time liveaboard on a 37' sailboat (monohull) and tomorrow, Tropical Storm Helene is going to make an appearance in South Carolina. At this well protected marina, Tropical storms and Hurricanes mean party time...lol.

[@OpenRoading]

@@tomd.3082 Oh man... I'd be a wreck. 👀 -J

[@eandjmum]

Woohoo 🥳 (sorry Cody, definitely a Trinity emoji). ✅ joined the first tier

[@OpenRoading]

Thanks so much for joining! Means a lot to have people wanting to help us toward our goal of keeping the channel running strong and growing! You should be able to use the emojis! The smily face below the chat box is where they will show up. -J

[@SnowflakeHenri1]

Thank you for my post cards .

[@OpenRoading]

You're welcome! So glad you enjoyed them! -J

[@lindamiller5489]

I'm now an insider 🎉❤

[@OpenRoading]

🤗 Thank you Linda!!! So happy you signed up! -J

[@randyplumlee5860]

Just like Saturday morning cereal.... It's Open Roading time!... But this one's during the week 😂I😂

[@OpenRoading]

😁 -J

[@ItsJonBaca]

A bonus video! Good times!

[@OpenRoading]

Nice unexpected Tuesday drop! -J

[@RachelAmbler]

Joined! Annoyingly the iPad app doesn’t support Joining, but Safari did!

[@OpenRoading]

Yeah, apple devices are a little weird with youtube memberships for some reason. -J

[@alwaysamber1]

I really like to whatch van life channels and there are a lot of them, but not all are engaging like yours, apart from you, I subscribe to Roaming Reckless, Ryan Twomey, Fna van life, The Expawers to name a few.

[@OpenRoading]

So appreciate the kind words. 🤗 -J

[@patleonard2884]

Loved getting your postcards! Felt like a very close friend. 😉

[@OpenRoading]

So so glad! And as one of the OG Kalyn Brooke subscribers we feel like we've known you for a long time! Even though we've never met! -J

[@patleonard2884]

You guys are always a breath of fresh air on this platform. Thank you for staying true to yourselves!

[@emilycummings7540]

1 question, please. For people who may not be able to afford the Join memberships, will the bonus videos eventually be available?

[@OpenRoading]

First of all, excellent last name - we may have a distant relative somewhere down the line. 😁 Please do not worry about not being able to afford the membership or access the bonus videos. They are 100% not going to affect the normal weekly content. Our Friday videos are our primary concern and we want to keep telling good stories every week! The bonus videos are like quick "facetime calls" (not live) just showing a little behind the scenes stuff for those who have wanted to support the channel. I don't feel comfortable releasing them generally because that lessens the value for those who have gone the extra mile to support the channel. I will say this though....If you ever want to just binge, you could wait a year and then subscribe for a single month and see every single old bonus video. Then cancel your membership just like that without having to have a recurring subscription. (🤫... don't tell anyone I said that!) -J

[@emilycummings7540]

@OpenRoading It's my married name. His family is from Pennsylvania. There is no relation to the motor. 🙃

[@OpenRoading]

@@emilycummings7540 Haha! I feel like I need to own a dodge just so I can have the "Cummins" motor. 😂 My name comes from Scotland way way back but I don't believe I have any family ties in PA. -J

[@TK-76054]

Got my second post card... thank you.

[@OpenRoading]

Yay!!!’ Wow that was delayed!! -J

[@cindyj9014]

Love your channel!

[@mariahorsfield76]

I’ll see u on Friday ❤❤ love ur channel ❤❤😊

[@OpenRoading]

Thank you so much! We look forward to each and every Friday! -J

[@softdruid3712]

I’m sad that I won’t see all of your videos anymore . I’ve enjoyed them and have watched most of them. I’ve happily supported you with likes and comments and subscribing and watching to the end of each video. But money’s tight, and now…well…I’m feeling left out. Teasing us at the beginning of this video with the implication that you’d be showing how your flood happened and then switching to, “Nope, you gotta pay to see it.” Ooof! That was disappointing. I think people will be less likely to watch your Friday videos, if they suspect you’re saving some or all of the best stuff for Tuesdays, and I predict it’ll backfire on you. I wish you the best, though, and I hope I’m wrong. :-) You asked how we feel. I wish I could be more positive. Hugs and good luck on the journey. I’m not sure I’ll be tagging along with you anymore. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@OpenRoading]

You will still be getting everything for free that we have been doing for the past year! A new video every single Friday! Our main content will always be free! You will be getting the same content you would have received if we had not done this membership. We are in no way changing that. The bonus content for members is behind the scenes things that is specifically a thank you for supporting the channel. I watch a few channels that have subscription levels that I am not part of and I don’t feel slighted in the least! I know how much work goes into creating for KZbin so I am happy that they have fans that love them enough to support them and get some extra perks. I would understand people being upset if we changed or put our Friday content behind a paywall - but we stayed very clearly that is not the case. Just take one moment to understand that we spend full time job hours to provide feee content for you to enjoy. We aren’t requiring a subscription and we have said that won’t change…but yet you are less likely to watch because we also offer some other videos that we have behind a paywall to help us earn income from people who have been asking for ways to support the channel? I don’t get that. -J

[@OpenRoading]

Oh! And you will 100% see the how the flood happened!! Like we said off the top of this bonus video - that is coming down the pipeline (no pun intended 😁) I think about 4 weeks from now when youtube catches up to us in North Dakota! Nothing is changing on Fridays! Still getting everything you would have gotten if we had no membership options. 🤗 -J

[@garrycollie2135]

We were JUST there! Like 3 days ago! First time there! Loved it!

[@OpenRoading]

You JUST missed us. We left on Sunday! 👀 -J

[@garrycollie2135]

@@OpenRoading we were there Friday night and Saturday night, left Sunday! Darn! That would have been SO fun to meet you! We stayed at Trappers Inn, RV park in Belfield. Went to the north unit Friday the 20th, the south unit on Saturday the 21st, left Sunday for Makoshika State Park in Montana. Also very cool. Makoshika has dog friendly trails, whereas not so much in TR NP. Both awesome tho!

[@OpenRoading]

@@garrycollie2135 1 day.... just 1 day. 😂 We filmed this (I had to go check) on the 20th in the South unit. Currently we're near the Badlands for a few more days. -J

[@garrycollie2135]

@@OpenRoadingSooooo close.... Shucks. Lol.... Well, enjoy! We love the badlands a lot! Stay safe and keep making videos. You guys are our very favorites! You're both just so sweet and kind humans. Love your channel! God bless! From Garry and Marilyn C.

[@OpenRoading]

@@garrycollie2135 Thank you so much. So kind of you! See you every Friday! -J

[@aliceinoregonland3942]

What a nice surprise! 🎉🎉🎉

[@OpenRoading]

🙂

[@anthonymartinez749]

Bonus video 🎉🎉🎉

[@OpenRoading]

🙂 I may have let someone else know when this was dropping so they had a chance for first comment. 😂 -J

[@dwighttrampel5773]

Have you visited Isle Royale? It's my favorite place on Earth!

[@OpenRoading]

We wanted to last year...but it was too late to go after beet harvest. We wanted to this year....but it was too late by the time we left Alaska. 😂 The goal is all 63 national parks! We've got something like 4 or 5 "easy" ones left including Isle Royale. After those ones...we've got the ones that are a lot harder to get to left. -J

[@jasonjohnides5230]

Hoping the bonus video star trinity and cody more.

[@OpenRoading]

They are contractually required to make appearances here and there! 🙂 But labor laws keep them from being worked toooooo hard in the entertainment industry. 😂 -J

[@nvcatlover57]

Hi ya’ll! We saw your video tonight about joining you on KZbin but there’s no join button😳I have an IPad and an iPhone and neither shows it. I’m super bummed as we want do the $7.99 per month tier. Any suggestions as to what to do? By the way we love your channel and have binge watched every video from the beginning! We love our 5th wheel and go camping as much as possible except winter..we live about 20 minutes from Lake Tahoe and it gets pretty cold with snow. Both of us are retired and love being in nature. Definitely not city people. Also love Trinity and Cody!!! God Bless you both and I really hope we can join and follow along on KZbin♥️🙌🏼 I also sent this message thru Messenger

[@OpenRoading]

Apple mobile devices don't seem to play nice with youtube - so if you log into youtube on a computer it should be there. I think someone else said that they were able to do it on an ipad if they used the safari app instead of the youtube app. I don't know exactly why this is the case but it is what it is! Thanks so much for being here each week and following our travels! -J

[@nvcatlover57]

@@OpenRoading I was able to join by going through Safari!! Yay!!

[@911jason]

​@@OpenRoadingit's Google's choice to exclude the join option on iOS because they don't want to share 30% with Apple, as would be required.

[@OpenRoading]

@@911jason It's actually not a shared 30% for things...it's an additional 30%. I actually understand youtube taking a significant cut - They provide nearly everything for the creator when it comes to platform etc. IOS doesn't provide enough to be charging a creator 30% simply because the end user is happens to be watching on an IOS device when they decide to sign up. In my opinion Apple is the greedy one in this dispute (and I'm not anti-apple. I'm typing this on a macbook pro and we both use iphones.)

[@911jason]

@@OpenRoading we agree, actually. I was just saying that Google could have the join button on iOS if they wanted to, but they aren't willing to give up 30%. I don't blame them at all.

[@jamesclark5310]

My question is on your solar set up. On the AC side. Where did you splice into?. What type wire did you use? Really enjoyed your Alaska trip!

[@OpenRoading]

Oh man. I'm not an expert on this. We have a Victron Inverter Charger that does all the heavy lifting. Batteries go "into" that and the 110 comes out. 😂 If by AC you mean air conditioning.... we don't run that on our batteries. So we chase elevation and temperature, find hookups, or live a little on the warm side. -J

[@jamesclark5310]

@@OpenRoading no, did not mean air conditioner. I mean the 120v plugs throughout the camper to run off of the solar and batteries. the simple is the 12v but It's intimidating because of ruining the system and fire possibilities if I do it wrong. What I've got i believe is the same system as you that I'm installing in a older Big Horn 3400RS.

[@jamesclark5310]

@@OpenRoading what type wire did you use for the 110 coming out of your inverter/charger ? And where did you splice it into your camper ? Where the fuses are for your ac side not your dc side.I thought you did it yourself . That's the only thing i have left to do to complete this solar project !!!!

[@OpenRoading]

@@jamesclark5310 I did do it myself...which is risky to take any advice from me. 👀 So there was a box where the power comes in from the 50amp plug before it goes to the fuses. That's where I spliced in. The fuse box is under the fridge so this box was in my pass through storage area. I did consult an electrician on whether or not that was an OK spot to splice in and he said it was - I took his word for it. 🙂 I'm hoping to team up with someone this next year and completely re-do my wiring in the pass through because I just know an electrician would look at it and shake their head... But it has worked for 5 years so I'm happy. -J

[@tracimoney-honey8545]

awesome! if K loves the prarie dogs Lubbock Texas is a must

[@OpenRoading]

Anywhere there's prairie dogs...she's stopping. 😂 -J