who we are

Hi, we're Sara and Dave. We are dreamers, music lovers, adventurers, foodies, parents, outdoor enthusiasts, and travelers. 

For most of our career our "regular" jobs focused on public service through land conservation and global health, via various federal, state, and non-profit sectors.  

We've always dreamed of having a few familiar Basecamps we could return to again and again to help fuel our adventures and recharge our minds, bodies and spirits.  When the landscape of our work recently shifted we took a deep breath and decided to launch V.I.B.E. (Venture Inspired Basecamps for Explorers) as a way to try and help make ends meet with something that is still in line with our values. 

We love spending quality time outside and with our family and friends and we also love the community, culture, and making new friends that so often comes with travel and outdoor adventure.  As not only the owners but also guests of the Basecamps, we've found that V.I.B.E. brings all these things together and we're excited to share them with you!

Tenney Mountain escape

Tenney is our first (and currently only) Basecamp.  Centrally located to 6 ski resorts, 3 of the largest and cleanest lakes in NH, world class rock climbing and more, it checks a whole lot of boxes.  With a leap of faith, a lot of hard work, and a great community of skiers and riders, (not to mention a solid winter) our first season has been a success.  Our plan is to continue to invest in the Tenney Basecamp and hopefully in the next year we'll break ground on our 2nd Basecamp, the Squam Lake Woodlands!

"Rover", the taxa Mantis

Rover is the name of our 16' (19' if you include the hitch) off road capable 4 season pop up trailer made by Taxa Outdoors.  The "Mantis" is their largest trailer and comes equipped with heat (fueled by 2 propane tanks), hot and cold water, outdoor shower, cook stove, kitchen sink, dining area that converts to a double bed, a couch that converts to bunk beds (and the lower bunk converts to a double bed), an insulated roof top tent for 2 adults, an enclosed vestibule for the tent and an enclosed room that attaches to the shade awning.  It's also fully rigged with solar, 2 lithium batteries (or AGM in winter), a spare portable battery, 1a 2V refrigerator/freezer, a portable composting toilet (just throw the bag away), Firepit, and more! Weighing in under 3,000lbs this baby tows well and is compatible with many vehicles (ours is a Subaru Ascent).

The last couple of seasons we've been outfiitng it, testing it out, and making modifications.  We are currently exploring how to add this mobile monster to the Basecamp lineup.  Made in the USA by a former NASA engineer, the Taxa Mantis is all its hyped up to be - it "brings the outside in" while giving you "everything you need and nothing you don't." 

Squam Lake Woodlands

With help from family passing it forward we were lucky to acquire a 20 acre woodland property a stone's throw from Squam lake. It abuts NH Audubon's 47 acre Proctor Sanctuary and is across the street from Center Harbor Woods, a 224-acre scenic, natural, and recreational area that sits between Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam.

Center Harbor Woods contains a network of trails available for four-season use that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It connects to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust Pine Hill Conservation Area (121 acres) and the NH Audubon Proctor Sanctuary (47 acres). Together these properties provide almost 400 acres of conservation land.

With the help of grant funding from UNH Cooperative Extension's Women in the Woods Program as well as the USDA NRCS, we recently completed a forest management plan to help lay the groundwork for balancing the environmental health of the woodlands with our recreational goals. We're currently in the planning stages, looking at various options for the type of Basecamp (Yurt, A-frame, Quanset, etc.).