There’s something magical about family camping trips that encourage kids to swap their video games for sticks, their gadgets for good old-fashioned tag, and their individual rooms for a cozy shared air mattress beneath the stars. Watching those joyful little faces smeared with marshmallow goo and dirt, especially when far away from my tidy home, is priceless.
But I’ve had it up to here with sleepless nights listening to neighboring campfire chats and waking up feeling like I’ve been run over by a truck. I’m done freezing in my sleeping bag just to pay for a warm shower or wrestling with that so-called “one-minute pop-up tent” that always seems to take an eternity to set up.
This summer, we made the leap: no more tents; we rented a 25-foot house on wheels (an RV) for an eight-day journey through the breathtaking Pacific Northwest. Here’s a recap of the top 15 insights we gained from our RV adventure:
- Starting the RV for the first time with all your gear onboard? Terrifying!
The moment we hit the gas, our pots, pans, and dishes danced around in the cupboards, creating a cacophony that made me question my sanity. Thankfully, we adjusted to the noise in a few hours. Although there was that one hairpin turn where the fridge decided to go rogue, spilling its contents everywhere—thankfully, the wine survived. - Fear can be a good motivator… especially when it comes to bathroom breaks.
We were thrilled to have a bathroom that followed us everywhere—until we realized the downside of emptying the waste tanks. Using the RV toilet felt a bit too close to cooking in the kitchen for comfort. So, we made a pact to find public restrooms instead and yelled at the kids to “Hurry! Go now!” It turns out we prefer our privacy when it comes to business time. - “Dumping” takes on a whole new meaning in an RV.
With tanks for gas, fresh water, gray water, and black water, we quickly learned the ins and outs of RV maintenance. The black water tank, filled with toilet waste, is the most intimidating. Those “Dumping Stations” aren’t what they sound like—they’re where you empty your tanks and refill your fresh water. We felt like pros emptying our tanks for the first time! - You never quite feel clean after showering.
While the RV shower was warm, the close proximity to the toilet left me feeling less than fresh. Still, it beat the public showers that are usually breeding grounds for all sorts of ickiness. - Cooking can lead to unexpected chaos.
Equipped with a full kitchen, we thought we’d whip up gourmet meals. However, I quickly learned to always turn on the hood fan. If not, the smoke detector goes off, making you the star of a not-so-glamorous show at the RV park. With limited counter space, I managed to incinerate a few kitchen towels and an oven mitt in the process. - A malfunctioning TV isn’t a disaster.
After being told how foolproof the RV’s TV and DVD player were, we discovered we couldn’t get any channels. We called roadside assistance, only to find out the operator also struggled with her RV TV. In the end, the kids survived the week without screens—who knew that was possible? - Thank goodness for heat and A/C.
We typically shiver through Pacific Northwest nights, but this time we could regulate the temperature. The boys even enjoyed the A/C on those warm nights! - Benadryl became our best friend.
My son caught a cold on day two, resulting in sleepless nights for the whole family. A little Benadryl became our solution, and let’s just say it was a nightly ritual after that! - The slow lane is your friend.
Driving an RV makes 70 mph feel like a rocket launch, especially with all the clattering inside. The last thing you want to do is merge into other lanes of chaotic traffic. - Moving around in the RV while driving? Not as easy as it sounds.
We envisioned leisurely meals and dancing to music, but every movement felt like being on a roller coaster. Instead, we mostly stayed put, hanging on for dear life. - Filling the gas tank can cause heart palpitations.
In Oregon, fuel is full service, and when the attendant told us our total was $170, I nearly fainted. Thankfully, we managed to use less gas than anticipated, leaving us some room in the budget for community college! - RV parking spots exist for a reason.
With limited visibility from the rearview mirrors, backing up an RV is a nightmare. It’s far better to avoid situations that require reversing altogether. - U-turns are a risky venture in an RV.
We found ourselves lost on narrow roads and had to make a quick U-turn. Let’s just say I offered a few prayers while hoping we wouldn’t end up in a ditch! - Having a shelter is a blessing.
When a sudden thunderstorm hit Crater Lake National Park, we were cozy inside the RV, sipping tea and reading. It’s nice not to rely solely on a tent in unpredictable weather. - We’re already eager for our next RV adventure!
Despite my worries, nothing catastrophically went wrong. We didn’t forget to disconnect anything or leave anyone behind in a gift shop—well, maybe just for a little while. I can’t wait to see what our next trip holds!
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In summary, renting an RV was a blend of challenges and joys, offering the perfect backdrop for family bonding and unforgettable memories.