Gleaning Wisdom from Experience
Before embarking on RV life, we embarked on a cross-country road trip. Evenings leading up to our journey were spent with maps, travel literature, and a journal to map out our route. This was back in 2018, a time when online resources were scarce. Relying on what we knew and what we observed from our parents’ trip planning during our childhood, we outlined daily paths and pinpointed camping spots along with potential attractions. We had a concrete plan in writing.
It was within the initial week of our journey that we realized the need to decelerate. We had packed our schedule too tightly, leaving insufficient time to fulfill all our plans. We also discovered that our meticulously drafted plan often deviated from reality. It was during that initial trip that we learned to plan less and immerse ourselves more in the experience.
Revelations from the Journey
Primarily favoring National Parks during our road trip, we encountered a young couple during a hike in Olympic National Park who were traveling full-time in their RV. Enthused by their nomadic lifestyle, we decided to embark on a similar adventure. We started strategizing our next steps: saving money, selling all our possessions, and finding the ideal RV. Amidst the logistical minutiae, we compiled a bucket list encompassing activities like rafting on the Colorado River, visiting Disney, and glimpsing the saguaros in the desert. Subscribing to RoadTrippers and AllTrails, we believed we had crafted the flawless plan for our inaugural year of RV living.
However, the seemingly perfect RV plan turned out to be far from flawless. The initial six months of our full-time travels were largely spent stationary at RV repair facilities scattered across rural Maine. All the meticulously researched must-see locations, campground reservations, and hiking trails were either canceled or deferred before the onset of winter.
It was a challenging introduction to RV life, leaving us disheartened. Our aspirations of an adventurous life were juxtaposed with a reality brimming with obstacles during those months. Despite the difficulties, we now reflect with gratitude on the lessons learned during that period, mainly centered around managing expectations and finding joy in the simple moments of daily life.
Enhancing our Planning Approach
It took us the entirety of the first year of RV living to find our rhythm. We transitioned from nightly campground fees to acquiring a Thousand Trails membership. Opting to stay for weeks or even months at campgrounds in between our Thousand Trails stays not only reduced costs but also allowed us to immerse ourselves fully in an area before moving on.
As we altered our travel pace, we also adjusted the extent and type of planning done for each location. Rather than crafting detailed itineraries, we identified top priorities. If there were ten things on our list for a particular area, we selected the top three. During this period, we maintained flexible schedules to accommodate work, weather conditions, and unforeseen circumstances.
These adaptations enabled us to embrace more of the lifestyle we had chosen. When transitioning to RV living, our goal was to adopt a simpler, more leisurely pace. Little did we realize that we were the architects of this lifestyle, irrespective of our physical abode and surroundings.
Personalizing the Journey
Each member of our circle of family and friends harbors distinct travel preferences. While Allie’s mother relishes group excursions with pre-planned schedules, my childhood confidant opts for cruise vacations where planning is virtually nonexistent. We acknowledge that the essence of travel is intrinsic to many individuals’ lives, albeit manifesting diversely.
Driven by a zest for adventure, our pre-trip planning involves leveraging our trusted resources, while remaining receptive to novel information sources, cognizant that deviations from our original plans are inevitable.
Allie initiates the process with Google Maps, scrutinizing the terrain and assessing distance and transportation options in unfamiliar locales. Subsequently, she delves into social media for insights into others’ experiences.
I, on the other hand, gravitate towards perusing my collection of travel books. Moon Guides serve as invaluable companions when venturing into uncharted territory, authored by locals with insights ranging from prime dining establishments to curated playlists. Following this, I collate brochures and periodicals distributed by local tourism boards. Given our frequent travels in the Pacific Northwest, I recall a few months ago visiting the information center at the PDX airport and filling an entire duffle bag with books, magazines, and pamphlets.
Post-absorbing the plethora of materials at my disposal, I often draft a loose itinerary on a Google Doc, outlining prospective attractions, hiking trails, and dining establishments. Our notion of an ideal trip encompasses a cherished local activity, ample time outdoors, and a delectable meal.
For our recent excursion to Coos Bay, we structured our days around the tide schedule. Identifying low tide as the opportune moment for scouring the beaches for starfish adorned rocks, we proceeded to weave in visits to state parks for hikes and relished local culinary delights to enrich our days.
Embracing Tranquility
One incontrovertible truth we have come to terms with is the multitude of variables beyond our control in the realm of travel. Throughout our journeys, myriad unexpected circumstances have emerged, necessitating us to maintain composure and devise solutions on the fly. This has honed our communication skills, adeptness in seeking solutions, and cultivated a positive outlook towards overcoming challenges. While our current lifestyle no longer encompasses full-time RV travels, we continue to apply these skills in our daily routines and whenever we embark on adventures together.
Explore more from Allie & Danella:
Managing a business while on the move
Economical travel strategies
Insider’s guide to traversing Oregon
