Part 1: Travel Lessons from KYD

You know that moment when the family vacation planning falls squarely on your shoulders, again? It’s more than just picking a destination—it’s ensuring each detail is flawless, and no one’s left disappointed. It can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with a thousand moving pieces. Stressful, right? Now, imagine having some guiding principles to help you with all this chaos…

Enter Keep Your Daydream—a dynamic duo whose travel wisdom offers a beacon of clarity. They don’t just hand you a roadmap; they share their journey—the triumphs, the trials, and everything in between.

In this post, we’re excited to share 5 transformative lessons we've gleaned from KYD that can elevate your travel experience, whether you’re a seasoned wanderer or dreaming of your first grand adventure.

Who is Keep Your Daydream?

Mark and Tricia Leach are the creators of the brand Keep Your Daydream (KYD). What started as a podcast has grown into a big family business that now also includes YouTube content, a blog, a magazine, a huge community of followers, and so much more.

When they began their travels, they were an adventurous family of 5 exploring the U.S. in their RV. As their children grew up, they sprouted wings and began to pursue their own adventures. While the grown kids still make appearances on camera, daily adventures now mainly include Mark and Tricia as empty nesters (with their dog Charlie).

Their blog, podcast, and YouTube channel are more than just travel diaries; they are a treasure trove of practical advice and heartfelt stories. They have traveled all over the U.S. (and beyond) in just about every class and size of RV. Their story, experiences, and tips offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to turn their travel dreams into reality.

From the moment we stumbled upon KYD, we knew they weren’t your average travel “influencers.” Their advice felt more like wisdom from seasoned friends who’ve seen it all—because they have.

Even though our travel dreams shifted from RV life to international adventures, the principles shared by KYD resonate deeply with us and offer valuable guidance that is still relevant for our own journey. We often find ourselves quoting them as we experience certain things on our own adventures.

Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran, Mark and Tricia’s journey will inspire you to keep dreaming big!

What Can You Learn From KYD?

1. Enjoy the Journey, Not Just the Destination

One of KYD’s most compelling messages is the importance of savoring the journey, not just fixating on the destination. Marc and Tricia’s travels are a testament to this philosophy. They show us that while reaching a destination is thrilling, the experiences along the way often hold the greatest value. Whether it’s navigating the challenges of traveling during a pandemic or sharing their mistakes and misadventures, they highlight how every moment contributes to the adventure.

Our Takeaway: Embrace spontaneity in your travels. Engage with locals, explore quirky roadside attractions, and immerse yourself in the present moment. Oftentimes, unexpected interactions or uncommon locations can turn a somewhat mundane travel day into a memorable experience, illustrating the beauty of being present and open to serendipity.

For example, we had a ball talking to an Uber driver who picked us up at our home and delivered us to the RDU airport for our first international flight (to France) as a family. It turns out that he was from Niger, Africa and his native language was French. Before we even got on the plane, our girls were practicing French and getting some pointers. We loved hearing his story and would have completely missed it if we had spent our time stressing over the flight and the journey ahead vs being in the moment with the people who crossed our path. 

See it in Action: SPONTANEITY: The Secret Sauce to Travel!

Question for You: How can you make room for spontaneity and deeper connections with people along your travel route?

1. Plan & Be Prepared, But Stay Flexible

While planning is essential, KYD emphasizes the importance of flexibility. Their travels often require them to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, such as a flat tire, a crashed drone, or mechanical issues with their RV. This flexibility allows them to handle challenges gracefully and keep their adventures enjoyable.

We also learned about the concept of “big rocks” from KYD. The term refers to unmissable dates or things that require more upfront research or planning. These could be anything from a wedding ceremony or scheduled occasion with family and friends to a seasonal event like a 4th of July or Christmas celebration.

Our Takeaway: Start your family travel planning process by incorporating “big rocks” into your itinerary—key events or bookings that need advance consideration and research. Be sure to leave room for flexibility so you can accommodate last-minute opportunities or unexpected changes.

For instance, we had a commitment to an extended pet sit and a scheduled family reunion in our calendar for this summer. We built the rest of our summer plans around these 2 items. We tried to be flexible with the rest of our plans so we could adjust to allow time to work, school, play, and experience the area around us. Building flexibility into our family travel plans has allowed us to extend our stays or adjust our routes based on new discoveries or changing circumstances.

See it in Action: KYD: New Season. Back on the Road ➡️ RVing to Nova Scotia

Question for You: How can you design your family travel plans to allow for flexibility, enabling you to handle unexpected changes smoothly?

1. Build a Supportive Community

KYD’s vibrant community is a testament to the power of connection. By engaging with fellow travelers, you gain invaluable insights and support that make the nomadic lifestyle more manageable and enjoyable. Full-time travel, while thrilling, can also be demanding. Having a network of like-minded individuals can alleviate decision fatigue and provide practical advice and encouragement.

Our Takeaway: Seek out and engage with travel communities, whether online forums, social media groups, or local meetups. Share your experiences, ask for advice, and offer support to others.

For example, joining a travel community can help you navigate practical aspects like finding reliable medical insurance or accessing Wi-Fi while on the road. Building a supportive network can transform the challenges of full-time travel into opportunities for growth and connection.

See it in Action:  GETTING RV SCHOOLED & MAKING RV LIFE FRIENDS!

Question for You: What steps can you take to build or join a supportive travel community that aligns with your interests and needs?

1. Prioritize Experiences Over Possessions

Marc and Tricia’s choice to downsize and live (at least part-time) in an RV exemplifies their belief in valuing experiences over material possessions. Their journey highlights how reducing clutter and focusing on meaningful experiences can lead to a more fulfilling life. This shift in mindset encourages travelers to appreciate the moment and immerse themselves fully in their adventures.

Our Takeaway: Simplify your belongings and focus on experiences that bring you joy and fulfillment. Travel light and prioritize activities that create lasting memories. (Don’t forget to capture those amazing moments in photos and videos so you can look back on your adventures.)

For instance, instead of spending on souvenirs, invest in experiences like local tours, cooking classes, or cultural events that enrich your journey. Embracing this mindset can transform your travels from a series of checkmarks to a collection of cherished memories.

See it in Action: Is Clutter Costing You Your Dream?

Question for You: How can you shift your focus from accumulating material possessions to creating and savoring experiences during your travels?

1. Learn from Others & Share Your Knowledge

KYD’s willingness to share their travel experiences, including both successes and mistakes, is invaluable. By documenting and discussing their adventures, they help others avoid common pitfalls and enhance their own journeys. Sharing your insights and learning from others creates a supportive network of informed and prepared travelers.

Our Takeaway: Document your travel experiences and share your knowledge with others. Whether through a blog, social media, or in-person conversations, your stories and tips can provide valuable guidance and inspiration.

Engaging with other travelers, asking for advice, and offering your own insights can foster a community of mutual support and continuous learning. Remember, there is always someone you can learn from and someone else that you can assist on their journey.

See it in Action: In addition to KYD, here are some of our other favorite content creators who continue to teach and inspire us as we travel the world.

• The Bucket List Family

• Less Junk, More Journey

• Growing Up Without Borders

Question for You: How can you contribute to the travel community by sharing your own insights and learning from the experiences of others?

How Will You Apply These Lessons?

We are so thankful to KYD for sharing their experiences with their viewers. The information provided here is just the tip of the iceberg of what we have learned from them. As a matter of fact, 2 of our favorite learnings and quotes weren’t even covered in this post. Stay tuned for some great advice we’ve taken to heart on how to get started and how to keep things running smoothly.

At Uncommon Family Adventures, we've seen firsthand how powerful these travel lessons can be in shaping unforgettable journeys. By embracing the journey, staying flexible, connecting with supportive communities, focusing on experiences, and sharing your knowledge, you can enrich your own adventures and create lasting memories.

So, as you plan your next family adventure, why not start with a small step? Pick one of these lessons and apply it to your trip this week or to an upcoming vacation. Share your experience with us in the comments—we can’t wait to hear your stories!

Let’s continue to inspire each other and make every journey extraordinary. Your next adventure is just around the corner—make it amazing!