How to Look at RVing, Objectively

My husband and I met late in life and jumped right into fulltime RV cruising after the wedding, inspired by the idea of a never-ending honeymoon. We made the RV our home and lived all over North America for five years, visiting forty-nine American states, nine Canadian provinces and territories, and six Mexican states. I even wrote a book about it, Carolina: Cruising to an American Dream. Now I recall the debate that raged in my head before we plunged into our great adventure.

at a campground in North Carolina

There are pros and cons to the fulltime RV cruising lifestyle. I wrote about them in this post. Today, I update that previous post with a better perspective, with the experience of all the RVing we have done, in hindsight. It is an objective look at this particular kind of travel to help those of you who are unsure of taking the plunge.

The following benefits are undeniable:

at the Arctic Circle in the Yukon

Experiencing new things-to-do

Seeing new places and sights

Meeting lots of new people

Being close to nature and the outdoors

Growing with a larger, refreshing view of life

Reducing negative stress

Because of the first three, boredom never had the chance to set in. The ability to boondock brought us closer to the mountains, the streams, the lakes, and the ocean. We had to adapt more easily to the nuances in daily living, becoming more aware of universal themes and larger concerns in the process.

at a Washington campground

Our lifestyles were quite driven before we married and fully retired. My husband was keeping a small business alive in a flagging economy after years of navigating the corporate jungle. In turn; I was juggling teaching at three institutions of higher learning while babysitting my grandson after years of pioneering in information technology in the Philippines.

Our RV cruising lifestyle was renewing, exhilarating and reinvigorating.

going into the Alaska Highway

And, though there was some stress looking for campgrounds, hooking-up and unhooking, planning itineraries, and choosing activities to do, it was the positive kind of stress; it wasn’t the kind where you earnestly pray that your situation will change or even wish you were somewhere else.  It was the kind that allowed you to sleep soundly at night with this: "That was an awesome day well spent!"

But we can also not deny the following disadvantages:

at a Monroe, Washington campground

Many unfamiliar situations

Loss of stability

Distance from family and friends

No involvement with worthwhile causes

Loss of income

Uncertainties in healthcare

The very benefit of having something new all the time also brought the disadvantage of instability. It was a preponderance of unfamiliar situations, especially in the beginning with our smaller 24-foot RV. The sad part was the increased distance with family and friends and the inability to work for causes we used to love.  Technology has definitely helped but the thing called “propinquity” was actually lost.

at a campground in Alaska

Since we moved to a new parish every other week, we could not participate in a regular ministry. What younger people would find most disturbing, however, is the loss of income, unless you can find portable jobs or work at campgrounds or even Amazon distribution centers. What finally made us settle down is to have better healthcare. 

at a campground in Mexico

But now we realize that all these disadvantages came about because we chose the full-time RV cruising lifestyle. We traveled in an unrelenting pace and covered the North American continent in less than five years. If you look at the benefits, they are the same whether you do it full-time or piecemeal. When you find a free week or two, escape to an RV adventure. There are ways to do this. You can buy a small camper, rent an RV or borrow a friend’s unit. At least try it and see for yourself.

parked at the side of a highway in Alaska

After ten years, we have modified our conclusion to the debate. We still believe RVing is something everyone should experience. Yes, we fully recommend you succumb to the lure of the open road. No other kind of travel will give you that absolute sense of freedom. But you don’t have to do it full-time like we did. Get the benefits. Skip the disadvantages. Escape the ordinariness of life. Go somewhere in an RV!

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