Finding the Gateway: Montana’s Spirit of Adventure and the Journey Home

There are certain places on this earth—spots where the road seems to split into a dozen possibilities—that don't just invite you to explore; they challenge you to become an adventurer. These are the gateways.

Recently, we saw a look at Lulu Pass in Montana, a place named not just for a tool, but for the spirit of choosing your own path. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel the vast, wonderful scope of the American West, where the sky feels limitless and the next mile is an unknown gift.

The Call to Adventure, On Wheels

For us, the calling to adventure often means packing up the Skoolie, plotting a course through a national park, and heading out into dispersed camping land. Whether we're tackling a multi-day thru-hike in the backcountry or just enjoying a weekend of overlanding in a state park, the destination is less important than the journey itself. It’s in the slow, deliberate rhythm of the road that we find our rhythm.

The concept of a 'gateway' resonates deeply with the Rogue Adventurers spirit. It’s not just about the physical passage—the pass, the trail, the stretch of open road—it’s about the spiritual passage. It's about looking forward to the gathering, the day we all come home, and knowing that every journey, every field trip, every shared moment on the road, is preparation for that ultimate gathering.

More Than a Companion Tool

The conversation around the Lulu Pass and the idea of choosing an adventure with a simple tool really highlighted something crucial for our community: every piece of gear, every memory, and every dollar spent on the road carries meaning. It’s about intentionality. It’s about being present.

When we are out on the trail, whether we are rock climbing at a trailhead or finding a quiet spot for a picnic, we carry reminders of the faith that guides us. We make sure to leave behind a little something—a painted rock, a CrockyGo, at a scenic overlook or a rest stop. It’s a small stone of remembrance, a way to uplift the next traveler, and a silent prayer for the community of believers who will follow.

And even our spending is sacred. When we stop at a local bakery or a small, unique vendor storefront in a town like Cook City, we make sure to spend our decorated Currency Kids bills. Every bill is a small gospel tract, a visible reminder that even the simplest transaction is an opportunity to share the light. This is the field-trip-at-scale mechanic in action: connecting the practical adventure of van life with the deep purpose of our faith.

Gathering at the Edges

The beauty of the Rogue Adventurers life is that it is a convergence point. It's where the world-schooling family planning their first big trip meets the seasoned backpacker, and where the rock climber finds a place to rest and talk about what's to come. We are building a network of Holy Places—gathering points, whether they are actual physical locations or just moments of shared faith on a random BLM dispersed camping site.

These big-sky adventures—these moments of road school, of shared experience, of seeing the vastness of creation—don't just fill our time; they fill us up. They prepare us. They remind us that the journey is purposeful, and the gathering is inevitable.

If a gateway like Lulu Pass calls to your spirit, or if you're planning a trip that requires a little bit of preparation and a lot of faith, we want to connect you. Don't just follow the map; help us build the HolyPlaces map.

Ready to plan your own journey? Find a local meet-up near you, list a field trip for your co-op, claim a creator profile, or source an Adventure Angel to start your journey with us today.