In my previous posts I talked about how our family started out our full time RV adventure, from the time I first had the idea and started researching until we purchased our travel trailer in January, 2018. I also talked about our time moving from state park to state park while living campgrounds near Denver along with our 9 months as resident camp hosts at Chatfield State Park in Littleton, CO. As I write, I travel down memory lane, recalling our family’s story from the time we left our “sticks and bricks” home, public schools and stationary full time jobs in Steamboat Springs, CO. As I remembered our first year, all the excitement of purchasing our rig and becoming minimalists, along with all the disappointment of having to stay stationary for what felt like forever- I almost forgot (and certainly left out) all the travel we DID get to do…even while I considered us “stationary.
If you have a family and jobs and a home to hold down-weather it be a rental or a mortgaged home, you understand how difficult it can be to go on vacation. When Jon and I were in Steamboat, we were constantly running our own separate ways, juggling the kids who were all in elementary school as well as our own jobs. Going on a family trip even once a year seemed almost impossible. The logistics of taking time off during school breaks and affording for a big family to travel can be so disheartening! Even when we had only 3 kids, flying anywhere was too expensive of an endeavor and if you drive, you still have pricey lodging to pay.
I have always loved to travel. I love to see new places and meet new people. I want to see it all. For a long time I figured I would have to wait until we were old enough to retire before getting to do a whole of travel. But as a mom, I really wanted to give my kids these experiences too. I wanted them to join us! Besides, you never know how much time you have, so I hate to put things off for a time that may never come. The biggest appeal of moving into a a home on wheels, was absolutely the ability to see the country at a low cost. Instead of having a mortgage/rent and utilities, you have campground fees, and lots of fuel and propane. This way of life you can really spend as little or as much as you want. Arguably, if you can find a way to make a living remotely, you can afford to live on the road for whatever you are paying to stay in one place. When your home is on wheels, lodging is so much more affordable (now that we boondock all the time-it’s almost free). Even if you are paying for campgrounds, you can do that for a similar or lower cost than paying for a house most places. Sometimes we spend ALOT on fuel (On heavy travel months we budget $1,000 for diesel). However, that is totally in your control, you can move often or rarely in order to control those costs.
All this to say, even our first year when I felt like we were patiently waiting in one place to be free to travel. We got to do SO MUCH MORE than the previous years. With the kids now homeschooling and the ability to hitch up all of our stuff and take a trip with the only added costs being fuel and sometimes a campground we were able to take several trips during our first year just with the time Jon was able to take off of work.
As stated previously, we stayed in Steamboat for Jan, Feb & March before moving to Denver in April. In May we took our first Moab trip with the trailer. I have gone to Moab with my family since I was a little girl. We were always tent camping in the same super secret spot way out in the middle of nowhere. My family grew up riding dirt bikes so I didn’t even know camping could be about anything but dirt bikes until later in life! Never had I camped without it being in a tent! So we loaded up the family’s dirt bikes and hauled our trailer to Moab. We did get a bit stuck in the deep sand on the way to our spot but in the end we got to our destination. We didn’t have solar back then so we had to be super conservative about power and when our batteries got too low we would run the generator to power up. But my oh my! camping with a bed and a sink with running water was a wonderful new concept. I have gotten quite used to it and I just can’t see going back to sleeping on the ground in a tent unless it is a backpacking trip at this point. So just a few months in and we had already managed one great family trip!
Also in May, we headed over to Gunnison to make use of the free trip that came with our camper when we purchased it. We were given a 5 night stay at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch. This lovely RV Resort is located right by Blue Mesa Reservoir outside of Gunnison. Gunnison is a lovely and friendly town but you won’t find much need to go there if you find yourself at this RV Resort! They had everything from pools to mini golf and clubhouses. Activities for families all around as well as the lake nearby which we got to take a pontoon out on for a day. The reason they give out such a lavish gift is so that you will sit through their sales pitch before you leave. They claim it is not a timeshare but it the closest thing I have found in the RV world. However I have to say, after sitting through the pitch and spending some time there, my husband and I agreed that buying in would not be a bad way to go if our circumstances were different! Check it out if you have the chance it is a beautiful area.
Then in June I took the trailer on my first trip without my husband! I won’t lie- towing the trailer made me pretty nervous at first! Honestly, I am still not great at backing it up 3 years later. It took some convincing for my husband to let me hitch up and haul the kids to the west coast, but in the end I got my way. It was good for me to experience towing it all that way, navigating gas stations, parking spots etc. I parked in my sister’s driveway in Northern Idaho for a few days then drove on to the Oregon coast to visit my brother for several days. I love the northern Oregon coast and because I have family there, we try to make it there every year. This is one of the few places in the country left where you can still drive for miles right on the beach! One of my favorite stops in the area is the Tillamook Creamery This is absolutely a must see if you go to this part of the country! This huge factory is located in the small town of Tillamook and is such a fun educational experience to visit! They show the whole process of cheese making from the beginning to the packaging. There is tons of information to gain and the whole facility is beautiful and clean. Also, if you like beef jerky don’t miss the Tillamook Country Smoker Factory Outlet right down the road! It is a small little place and easy to miss but they have incredible deals on jerky. I often drive all the way there when I am visiting my brothers just to stock up on road snacks at such a good price! Normally we don’t stay at KOAs, mostly because they are generally a more expensive option. But this particular trip we stayed at the Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside KOA Resort. If you are ever in the area- just do it! This KOA is amazing for a family. There are indoor pools, a hot tub and all kinds of other outdoor activities. They also have a complimentary all you can eat pancake breakfast available every morning! Probably my favorite campground for kids we have stayed at ever. My husband flew in and drove back with us and that trip was my first and so far-last trip without him.
In August that year, we were able to park up near Gold Hill, CO (In the mountains near Boulder) so my kids could attend summer camp at Colorado Mountain Ranch. This wonderful kid’s camp was started by my great grandfather over 70 years ago. My grandparents, parents and siblings and I all grew up spending at least some of our summers at this special place. Another thing that was too difficult to take work off and pay for lodging for my kids to attend until RV life made it possible. It became one of my kid’s favorite places that year and I hope for many more to come. If you ever have the chance to send your kids to this remarkable place, it will be an experience that will last them a lifetime! You can find campgrounds in Boulder or boondocking spots up past Gold Hill. Make sure you stop at the Gold Hill Inn for a special night out as well!
Later in August, we hitched up and headed to Pilgrim Pines in Swanzey, New Hampshire for a 5 day “Family Camp.” It was my first trip up to the Northeast and I fell in love with the rolling hills and super green surroundings. We couldn’t linger long because Jon had to get back to Denver for work but we got a taste of the North East that year and we wanted more!
Soon after we got back to CO it was time to begin our Resident Host position at Chatfield State Park (which you can read about in my previous blog post). So we had to stay put for the remainder of that year. Still, in just that first “almost stationary” year in our RV, we had already gotten to do more than the several years before put together! I was loving it! And so excited for all the possibilities to come!