From ‘Riches’ to ‘Rags’

The Road Rat origin story

Hi. My name is Drew.

I used to work in finance. Think suits, spreadsheets, the corporate grind (you get the picture). I did everything I thought I was "supposed" to do to be happy, until one day I realized I spent most of my 20s building someone else’s dream while starving my own.

So I quit my job, sold everything, and started traveling with my co-pilot Balto, a husky mix with more miles on his paws than most people have on their tires. He keeps me grounded, and the passenger seat warm.

Now, I live out of my SUV (not a sprinter van or RV). Most days, I chase dirt roads, quiet mornings, and a slower way of life. Road Rat was born out of that shift— from clean and calculated to gritty and grounded.

This isn’t about running away. It’s about choosing a different route. Swapping cruise control for cracked pavement. Turning off the main highway and trusting the path before me.

Sometimes the road less traveled isn’t easy—but it’s the one that actually leads you home.

I don’t think I’m alone in my desire to shift to a different way of living. That’s where Road Rat comes in. It’s about building something bigger than myself—a community for the scrappy, the resourceful, and the creatively broke.
Weekend warriors, sabbatical seekers, full-time dirtbags, and “someday” dreamers—if you’ve got the will, I want to help you find the way.

This is freedom to the frugal.
This is Adventure for all.

And this is just the beginning. My hope is that Road Rat grows into a gathering place—part inspiration board, part toolkit, part campfire circle. Whether you’re just getting curious, fully packed, or a seasoned road warrior, there’s a spot here for you.