Family camping trips have a magical way of encouraging children to swap their gadgets for sticks, engage in old-fashioned games, and share intimate sleeping arrangements under the vast sky. Witnessing their joy, with faces smeared with marshmallows and hands dirtied from exploration, is a delight—especially when it occurs far from our pristine home. However, I grew weary of enduring sleepless nights on hard ground, braving frigid showers that require coins, and wrestling with tents that seem to have a mind of their own.
This summer, we decided to forgo traditional camping in favor of a 25-foot RV for an eight-day journey through the breathtaking Pacific Northwest. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the 15 key lessons we learned from our RV rental adventure:
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The Initial Drive is Daunting
Loading the RV with our belongings and hitting the road for the first time can be intimidating. The clattering of dishes and pots in the cupboards was jarring as we drove. Thankfully, we adapted within hours, despite the constant worry that our kitchenware would indeed come crashing down on us—except for the unfortunate incident with the fridge’s contents during a sharp turn. -
Bathroom Etiquette Takes on a New Dimension
Having a bathroom at our disposal was comforting until we realized the responsibility of emptying the waste tanks. Using the RV toilet felt like using our kitchen, and we quickly decided to utilize public restrooms instead. Our family motto became, “Don’t poop where you eat!” -
Understanding the RV’s Waste Tanks
RV waste management involves several tanks: one for gas, one for fresh water, one for grey water (from sinks), and one for black water (from the toilet). The latter is particularly unpleasant, hence the necessity for gloves during dumping. We felt accomplished after our first successful tank emptying. -
Shower Quality is Relative
Although we had the luxury of a warm shower, the close proximity to the toilet left us feeling less than fresh. Still, it was preferable to the often unsanitary communal showers found in campgrounds. -
Cooking in an RV is an Adventure
The RV’s kitchen was equipped with a stove, microwave, and even a small oven. However, I learned the importance of the hood fan quickly, as neglecting it led to the smoke alarm blaring and drawing unwanted attention from fellow campers. -
TV Malfunctions Are Not Catastrophic
Despite being assured of the TV’s ease of use, we found ourselves unable to access any channels. Our call to roadside assistance revealed that even the staff struggled with the RV’s entertainment system. Ultimately, the kids thrived without screen time, much to our surprise. -
Appreciating Climate Control
In the past, we often froze during Pacific Northwest nights. This time, we relished the ability to warm up the RV, and even enjoyed the A/C on warmer evenings, providing comfort we hadn’t anticipated. -
Medicinal Solutions for Sleepless Nights
When one of our children caught a cold, we resorted to Benadryl to ensure everyone could get some sleep. The quiet nights that followed were blissful. -
The Slow Lane is Your Friend
Navigating the roads in an RV makes you appreciate the slow lane. Speeds of 70 miles per hour felt overly fast when surrounded by our belongings. -
Limited Mobility While Driving
Moving around the RV proved more challenging than expected; we quickly realized that stability took precedence over flexibility during our travels. -
Filling the Gas Tank is a Shock
In Oregon, full-service gas stations are the norm. The first time we filled up, the bill shocked me, prompting immediate calculations about our travel budget. Thankfully, we used less gas than anticipated. -
RV Parking is Essential
Maneuvering the RV is not for the faint of heart, especially when reversing. This makes designated RV parking spots a necessity for safe and easy access. -
U-Turns are Not Your Friend
We found ourselves needing to turn around on narrow roads, leading to a tense and prayerful moment—thankfully, we made it without incident. -
Shelter is a Blessing
During unexpected storms, we were grateful for the safety and comfort of the RV while enjoying warm drinks and books, contrasting with our past tent experiences. -
Eager for Another Adventure
Despite my pre-trip trepidations, everything went surprisingly smoothly. We navigated without major mishaps, apart from a brief moment of forgetting one of our children at a gift shop. The next trip promises new adventures.
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In summary, our RV adventure taught us valuable lessons about logistics, family dynamics, and the joys of exploration—all while providing a comfortable shelter from the unpredictable elements.