“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
– Mark Twain
Once upon a time, two Jackson Hole residents decided it was time to go adventuring. Everyday they dreamed of traveling far away, exploring new places and meeting new friends. They needed the perfect vehicle for this new life and in 2007 they found it.
Here is their story.
Born in 2003, a silver Ford E350 Van was taken to Sportsmobile to be outfitted with a full Quigley 4X4 conversion, a pop top and full interior overhaul. The van then was bought by a young couple who drove him for a year around the highways of America. They sold their van after their year on the road to a couple in Oregon who wanted to have a great vehicle for camping with their grandchildren. In 2007, they listed their van on Sportsmobile.com to see who might be interested.
We saw the van that Spring and it was exactly what we were looking for. We contacted SMB and they said the listing had been withdrawn. The couple had decided not to sell. Months went by and we brainstormed our perfect 4 wheeled home. It always came out the same. The silver Sportsmobile had stolen our hearts.
Then on October 25th, the van appeared again online. We didn’t hesitate. Tim called, booked a plane ticket and flew to Oregon on October 31st. 10 hours later he was driving back to Jackson in Frank the Tank.
Frank comes to Jackson Hole
Over the next 2 years we had took Frank on month long trips, preparing ourselves and our coworkers for a greater adventure ahead. From snowbound on the White Rim Trail to camping on the deserted Portsmouth Island, we worked on creating the systems for a permanent vacation – life on the road.
Camp out among the grass and gentians of glacier meadows, in craggy garden nooks full of Nature’s darlings. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
– John Muir, Yosemite Valley, 1898
Frank drives the White Rim Trail
An awesome view. But snow on the White Rim meant we weren’t going anywhere for 3 days.
Mineral Bottom – Scary Slick, Scary Steep
Frank takes it in stride
Before we’d bought Frank, he’d been in 4 wheel drive once before. We changed all that.
Through the Canyons
Frank has a million dollar view
Outside Magazine Agrees – Frank gets some press
Frank loves the snow as well. With his thick canvas topper, we stayed warm in the Grand Targhee parking lot waiting for first tracks.
Frank the Skimobile
Frank racing on the Plya
Such a Poser
By 2009, it was time to hit the road. Driving to Acadia, Frank drove us around the coast of the United States.
Rainy Maine
Frank brings us to spectacular Coast Line
Frank likes a party
The Biggest Parrothead at the Buffett Show
Frank in the Garden of Good and Evil
We knew Frank loved the desert, but little did we know how much he loved the beach.
Office Space
GPS pegs us driving the beach at Cape Cod
And now we are off to our new adventure. We love Frank dearly and know you will too!
Rocinante – our new home