3 Years, 28 States, Numerous Reminiscences

Hey there, fellow roadtrippers! I’m Brandyn. Earlier than changing into the RV aficionado you’re about to get to know, I spent 12 years within the hospitality business. 

Yep, that’s proper – I used to be the man ensuring your resort stays have been top-notch. However burnout bought one of the best of me, and I underwent a drastic profession change and have become a full-time author. 

After spending a while working from residence, my spouse and I checked out one another and thought, “Why are we caught right here? Why don’t we present our two younger boys the complete nation as a substitute of only one nook of it?”

So, on January 1st of 2021, we ditched our “sticks and bricks” residence and the concept of being tied down to 1 spot and embraced the liberty of full-time RV life. Quick ahead to at present, and our household’s journey map seems like a toddler’s coloring guide – 28 states coloured in and counting! 

From majestic nationwide parks to these hidden gem state parks, we’ve been there, finished that, and bought the RV sticker to show it. And let me inform you, there’s nothing fairly like watching your youngsters expertise the wonders of nature firsthand, doing issues that many solely dream of.

From Caves To Coastlines

In the event you’ve ever puzzled what it’s wish to crisscross the nation, diving headfirst into nature’s most awe-inspiring choices, you then’re in for a deal with. Our household’s adventures have taken us from the mesmerizing caves of Pinnacle Nationwide Park (a hands-down favourite) to the blockbuster-worthy waterfalls of Yosemite. 

Think about standing in White Sands Nationwide Park, the place the world seems prefer it’s sprinkled with sugar, or gazing up on the towering cacti in Saguaro that may problem even the tallest NBA gamers.

However it’s not simply the nationwide parks which have left an indelible mark on our hearts. The state parks, usually overshadowed by their grander counterparts, have been the unsung heroes of our journey. 

We’ve performed ‘Spot the Manatee’ at Crystal River Protect and kayaked alongside these light giants at Silver Springs State Park. The pristine seashores of Sebastian Inlet made even the seagulls appear like they have been posing for a journey journal. 

After which there was the household enjoyable at Desk Rock State Park, the place peddle boats turned our chariot of alternative (I did a lot of the peddling whereas the household loved the views). The fantasy-world sea stacks at Ecola State Park, the inviting trails of Lake Louisa State Park, and the refreshing (freezing when you ask my spouse) dips at Bottomless Lake have all etched their very own distinctive pages in our journey diary.

And simply while you assume it could’t get any extra surreal, there’s the otherworldly panorama of the Bonneville Salt Flats. It’s like stepping onto a unique planet the place the bottom sparkles and the horizon appears infinite. And driving the truck on the market with no pace restrict made me really feel like Ricky Bobby.

And sure, it tastes like desk salt. Simply ask my youngest son…

With their boundless curiosity, our children have been over the moon (pun supposed) on the Kennedy House Heart in Florida, gawking at rockets and house shuttles. Our quirky cease in Roswell, NM, had them wide-eyed on the sight of ‘aliens,’ and their fascination solely grew as we found dinosaur bones in La Cruces, NM. 

From campfires on Oregon seashores and thrilling drives on Washington shores to the historic coke ovens in Utah and the traditional Escalante Break in Colorado, each cease has been an thrilling web page in our household’s journey guide.

What I’ve Realized: Embracing the Unpredictable

Alright, so that you’re most likely questioning, “Brandyn, what’s the key sauce to dwelling on the highway?” Effectively, my good friend, if there’s one golden nugget of knowledge I can share, it’s this: all the time count on the surprising. And I imply all the time.

Residing on the highway is like being in a relationship with a spontaneous accomplice who loves shock dates. You by no means actually know what’s coming subsequent. Assume you’ve bought all of it discovered? Assume once more! 

In the future, you’re sipping your morning espresso, gazing at a shimmering spring that’s clearer than your future (kidding, your future’s shiny!). You’re soaking within the serenity, considering, “That is the life!” After which, bam! The very subsequent day, you’re waking as much as the glamorous view of… a Walmart parking zone. Yep, that’s highway life for you.

However right here’s the factor: it’s all about perspective. The highway teaches you to embrace change like an outdated good friend. It’s a rollercoaster, and when you can’t all the time management the dips and turns, you possibly can management how a lot you scream (or giggle) throughout the trip. 

So, what’s the finest piece of recommendation I can provide? Hold an open thoughts. Revel within the unpredictability. As a result of each expertise, whether or not it’s a wide ranging dawn or determining one of the best parking spot at Walmart, provides a singular chapter to your epic highway journey story.

Ideas For Aspiring Full-Time Vacationers

Alright, future highway warriors, when you’re considering of diving into the full-time journey life-style, I’ve bought some nuggets of knowledge for you. And these aren’t simply pulled out of skinny air; they’re tried and examined from our personal adventures (and misadventures). 

Right here’s a fast teaser earlier than we dive deep into our upcoming “10 bits of recommendation” weblog:

1. Be Open-Minded: The highway is filled with surprises. Some days, you’ll discover a attractive hidden waterfall that’s not on any map, and different days, you may find yourself at a “world-famous” pancake home that’s… effectively, only a common pancake home. Embrace all of it! The great thing about touring is that it broadens your horizons and challenges your expectations. So, let go of any preconceived notions and benefit from the trip.
2. Anticipate Plans to Change: Do not forget that one time we deliberate to remain at that cute campground on the Washington Coast after which didn’t have a spot after we bought there? Yeah, the universe has its personal itinerary, and generally, it’s not shared with us. Flexibility is the secret. When plans go awry, take a deep breath, adapt, and keep in mind: it’s all a part of the journey.
3. All the time Put together for the Surprising: Talking of surprises, let’s speak concerning the time our camper’s tire determined to go by itself journey and indifferent itself from the camper going 60 mph down the highway. All the time have a backup plan (and possibly a spare tire or two). As a result of, as we’ve discovered, the surprising moments usually make one of the best tales in a while.
4. Reminiscence Overload Alert: Think about cramming a lifetime of recollections right into a summer season trip. That’s full-time touring for you. Out of your child’s first encounter with a bison to that unforgettable sundown over the Pacific Ocean, your coronary heart (and your digicam roll) can be full. Cherish these moments, jot them down, and possibly even begin a journey journal (or weblog). They’re the treasures you’ll carry with you perpetually.
5. Plan Your Stops Effectively in Advance: Whereas spontaneity is the spice of highway journeys, just a little planning goes a great distance. Belief me, you don’t wish to discover out that the one RV park on the town is totally booked after an extended day of driving. A little bit of analysis can prevent from an evening of parking zone tenting (although to be honest, that’s an expertise in itself!).

And that’s simply the tip of the iceberg! Keep tuned for our deep dive into the following pointers and extra in our upcoming recommendation weblog. However for now, hold these in thoughts, and also you’ll be off to a terrific begin by yourself epic journey.

Some Of The Challenges Full-Time RV Life Has Thrown At Us

Alright, people, buckle up! Whereas our RV adventures have been nothing in need of epic, we’ve additionally hit a number of pace bumps alongside the way in which. Right here’s a deeper dive into a few of our most memorable challenges:

1. You’re Not Welcome Right here: Image this: We roll as much as a Cabela’s parking zone, able to settle in for the evening after many hours on the highway. However shock! We discover a number of “No In a single day Parking” indicators, so we go inside to talk to the supervisor. We ultimately found that this retailer had modified its coverage on in a single day parking, so we needed to drive into the wee hours, trying to find a protected haven. It was an evening full of espresso, highway tunes, and a lesson in adaptability. Observe to self: all the time name shops forward of time, and generally, the highway has different plans!
2. The Campsite Chase: These first-come-first-serve campsites? They’re like golden tickets. And identical to in Willy Wonka’s world, not everybody will get one. We’ve had our share of arriving early at a dreamy campsite solely to seek out it packed to the brim. All the time, and I imply all the time, have a plan B. And possibly even a plan C as a result of nature’s recognition is not any joke!
3. The Double Whammy: In a accident that even M. Evening Shyamalan couldn’t have scripted, we totaled our first camper and truck in a single month. The aftermath? Homelessness and a week-long stint in a resort, and never the enjoyable, “we’re on trip” stint. Extra of the “the place will we keep if we are able to’t get a brand new camper” stint. It was a take a look at of our resilience, persistence, and the children’ capability to show a resort room right into a playground. Silver linings, proper?
4. The Pricey Fantasy: Assume full-time touring is all the time a budget-friendly alternative? Assume once more! Generally, the open highway is usually a bit pricier than you’d count on. From surprising repairs to these vacationer traps (admit it, all of us fall for them), the prices can add up QUICKLY. However with each expense got here a lesson in budgeting and the artwork of discovering cost-effective alternate options.

Keep tuned as we dive deeper into these challenges (and extra!) in our upcoming “largest challenges” weblog.

Pit Stops and Pushing On: The Realities and Rewards of RV Residing

Alright, highway warriors, let’s arrange camp right here for a minute and recap. I’m Brandyn, your go-to man for all issues RV. From serving up hospitality delights for 12 years to penning down tales from the highway, I’ve swapped resort lobbies for campfires and wouldn’t have it every other method. 

Over the previous few years, my household and I’ve made three coast-to-coast journeys, crisscrossed by 28 states, parked our RV in probably the most scenic spots (and parking heaps), and picked up recollections that’ll final a lifetime.

Now, I received’t sugarcoat it – full-time RV touring is a bit like that blended bag of path combine. You get the candy chocolate chips (these breathtaking sunsets and household campfires) but additionally the occasional raisin (hiya, parking woes and surprising detours). 

However right here’s the factor: each raisin makes you admire the chocolate much more. This life-style, with all its ups and downs, is extremely rewarding. It teaches resilience, adaptability, and the artwork of discovering pleasure within the little issues.

So, when you’re sitting on the fence about hitting the highway full-time, keep in mind this: each journey, each problem, and each mile provides to the story. And belief me, it’s a narrative value telling.

Rev up these engines, and till subsequent time, hold chasing these horizons!