From pre-newbie to newbie, to semi-advanced newbie, back to almost-newbie….Again.

We were pre-newbie in January of 2021 when we started looking for an Airstream and dreaming of RVing full-time. Then newbie reality hit once we found the Airstream in February of 2021 and had to tow her home. From then on it was a whirlwind of crash courses on RVing, and everything associated with this lifestyle and owning an Airstream.

After a couple of Maiden Voyages, we left our hometown of Anacortes and headed east. Each mile gave us just a pinch more experience and a tad more confidence. Pushing us toward becoming semi-advanced newbies.

We wintered in Florida for two months, then six weeks in South Carolina, being stationary for so long we found it hard to get back into the routine of being on the road when we finally left to head west. By the time we reached Washington state, we were semi-advanced newbies once again, even advancing toward ‘advanced’ newbies

For medical and dental reasons we returned to our hometown where we are moochdocking on a friend's property. When we finally hit the road again in mid-September. We will have been in one place for almost four months. I am starting to feel the anxious butterflies in my stomach as we get closer to leaving, and when I think about hitching up. Just like when we left South Carolina in mid-February, I suspect it will take a few trips to get us back into the routine of travel days - and I am newbie nervous.

It’s been months since I have had to plan a route and I am finding it takes a while to fire up the brain neurons (blame it on older age) that remember how I did it before. I finally picked an afternoon, knowing I needed enough time to focus on the task, I got as far as an outline of where we are heading.

This trip, I am planning (and I use that term loosely) is to try more Boondocking, another learning curve, and another newbie skill to acquire. Our route is Oregon to Yellowstone to the Tetons to Colorado to New Mexico to Texas, settling in Arizona for the winter. We will throw in a few Harvest Hosts and RV parks to mix it up a bit. For me, Boondocking tends to add to the anxiety, I prefer to know where we will be staying and when. And I found I am more of a mid-scale RV park type of RVer so this type of camping will be a change, to say the least.

This route will be more of a wing it route, how else will we acquire this skill and know if we like it or not unless we try? It is also part of this plan to help weed down our budget for nightly stays.

I feel a little more confident approaching Boondocking now with the skills we have acquired and the experience we have under our belts versus when we were brand new newbies. Boondocking will add to our experience of RVing - and to the thousands of photos we have collected since we started this journey.

We are allowing about two months for this route so by the time we get to Arizona we should be semi-advance newbies again (maybe even advanced newbies,) with new skills, new experiences, and new “I Learned That” attitudes.

There are drawbacks to Rving Full-time, but then there are drawbacks to many things in life. The rewards often overshadow the drawbacks, creating memories that last a lifetime, making this life just a little worthwhile.

1. Medical/Dental Emergencies - With today’s busy doctors and dentists, it is hard to get an appointment when needed, and it can often be hard to stay in an RV spot long enough to receive the care you might need. When I broke a tooth in Myrtle Beach, I obtained an appointment with a dentist quickly enough to have it looked at, but it was three weeks before they could get me in to fix it. Since, I was unable to find an RV spot without moving several times, I opted to wait until I returned to our home state. Thankfully, the tooth did not hurt.

2. Making Friends - One of the benefits of RV traveling is meeting new people. It is also a drawback. We have had the good fortune to meet the most amazing people on our journey, some we will stay connected with online, but many we will never meet again but will remember with fond memories. We are usually so busy in a location, zipping around doing tourist stuff, returning to camp late, so there is no time to interact with others. When we do meet someone in the park, it is often the night before we leave or they leave, giving us a few precious moments to enjoy their company. Then it is a quick goodbye before we are off to the next location, the next adventure, the next travelers to meet. Our connections with others may be short, but oh so meaningful.

3. Family and Friends - Thankfully, there is Facebook and other online platforms that help keep us connected to the loved ones we left behind. Phone calls help keep the connection strong and give us a sense of belonging, but there is nothing like a good hug, a face-to-face conversation, a meal with those who know you, or a solid shoulder to cry on.

4. Travel fatigue - The thrill of the adventure, the anticipation of the next location, and the beauty of the road attracts many to this lifestyle but the constant set-up and tear-down, the go-go-go, and the eternal moving can wear on a person. We discovered very early on that we needed to pace ourselves, to allow for days of downtime. We have been stationary for a few months now, creating a different kind of travel fatigue and we are anxious to hit the road.

5. Privacy - or lack thereof - Being on the road full-time, you are constantly engaged with your travel companions in a small space, day in, day out, allowing little time for privacy. Most of the time, this is not a problem, but once in a while we have to remind the other, “I just need a moment, please.

6. The constant route planning - I thought I would enjoy this since I love to plan, but the hours I can spend route planning and researching and worrying about where is our “next home”, can wear on me. I often wonder if I would love to “just wing it,” but still being a newbie and someone who needs to know “where to,” I think it would be rather stressful. I am getting better at it though.

7. Eating out - Food, Food, Food. Traveling provides the opportunity to taste the world in a new way. It is hard to resist the temptation of trying something new, tasting the cuisine of an area, or enjoying an old fashion diner, but this adds to the bottom line and blows up a well-planned budget. Yet, it is often worth every bite, every morsel of deliciousness, every delectable adventure.

8. - PARKING. Damn, we’re BIG.  - When hitched, we are about 50’ in length, too long to just pull in anywhere. This means we have to be cautious when it comes to gas stations, even worse, parking lots, or heaven forbid narrow roads. Even when not hitched, our truck is too big for some roadways and too big for tight parking lots. In some of the towns we have visited, our truck struggled through narrow lanes and tight downtown roads, and forget about finding parking that fits a large truck. I would often find myself missing the days when I had a small Subaru that could fit just about anywhere.

9. Weather - Weather is a constant concern. An Airstream owners greatest fear is - HAIL. We always try to travel on good weather days.

10. Break downs  and Maintenance - One of the hazards of RVing is breaking down or a blown out tire. The highways (and back roads) in this country are a challenge to say the least, some are downright dangerous and can destroy a rig with every bump. Most RVs are not meant to be lived in full-time, add the constant miles, the less-than-superior quality, the bouncing, and the RV will start to need maintenance sooner, rather than later. This is a costly expense of RVing.

I had envisioned spending the whole summer in one spot. Enjoying a sense of peace and quiet. Savoring our little slice of Island Life nestled amongst the trees, with its peek-a-boo view of the bay. Summering on the southwest side of Fidalgo Island. To being stationary for a while and reclining into a day-to-day routine that did not involve packing and unpacking, sightseeing, and lots of driving. I was looking forward to having the time to start and finish some much needed projects inside and outside of Betty Jo.

We have been back for three weeks now and I am feeling - ANTYSY! This surprised me, how much I needed to be on the road. I had a little inkling of being antsy while we spent a month in one location in Florida, but there was so much to see that it didn’t really take hold. Now, however, in a place familiar to us, it is hitting and hitting hard. I find myself craving to hitch up and just go. I have to often work hard to calm the antsy down. We had planned to do some short trips over the summer, but I was craving more than that…I wanted to hit the road and never turn back. Life doesn’t always cooperate and allow what we want to happen, as much as I want this, now is not the time.

The practical side of me says to be patient. To take this time to take care of business. I tell myself to be grateful. With gas prices soaring, the wild weather of Mother Nature roaring across the country, I tell myself this is where we are meant to be and to ride out the storm. The road will still be there come Fall. But still…the twinges of antsiness pinches me, reminding me — I am not finished, not yet.

For now, I will satisfy myself with short jaunts, looking back, and planning for what is to come.

In the meantime… Here is a look at some of our favorite spots.

I thought there would be more to see on Route 66 in Amarillo, and the surrounding area, so I booked us for a week at the RV Park — I was wrong!

Our first few days, we were pretty much stuck inside. First, high winds, then rain, then snow, then snow with high winds. It was three days before we could resume our Route 66 adventures. Three days of cold, wet, and high winds.

The winds eventually died down then the warmer weather came hitting 80 a few days later. It was hard to tell who was moodier at this point - Mother Nature or Me

On our first day on the Route, we did lunch at the Midpoint Cafe. It was…Nostalgic. The food wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. Of course, like any other Route 66 traveler, we had to take our photo at the Mid Point Sign.

My favorite sites along Route 66 are old gas stations. Some of my best childhood memories were the summers I spent with my grandpa. He owned a Chevron in Sterling, Colorado, where I spent many a summer with him at the gas station. My main job, (probably to keep me out of trouble) was to keep the gas pumps clean. I had my rag and a bottle of Windex, and I took my job seriously. When customers would pull in, grandpa would greet them, fill their tanks, wash their windows, and send them on their merry way with a smile. Sometimes, I was allowed to help. I would clean the side view mirrors. I had access to all of the bubble gum I wanted and my little chair, where I often sat and just watched my grandpa work on cars. I treasure those times with him, and Route 66 is flooding me with memories of a time when life was so simple.

After lunch, we resumed our Route 66 drive and did the old and new of Route 66 through Amarillo. Sorry, but I was a bit disappointed. What remnants that remain are more than run-down the luster long forgotten. So many other states and towns are renovating their route 66, embracing their history, welcoming visitors, and inviting them to times past and times present, but Amarillo seems tired and forgotten. You can locate parts where they are trying.  But, the draw, the magic — it just wasn’t there. At least not for me.

Oasis RV Resort was a nice RV park with big sites and clean. Over the week, I watched as RVers came in for the night, leaving early the next day for their next location. Amarillo was just a stopover, a place to rest the heads of weary travelers traversing the long miles across Texas. Another sign that Amarillo didn’t seem to have much to offer travelers.

We ventured off the Route and drove to Palo Duro Canyon for an afternoon. The Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States. The canyon is about 120 miles long and 20 miles wide and is up to 800 feet deep. We ventured down the canyon, stopped at the Trading Post for lunch, then met a fellow Airstreamer (Two Peas and the Pod) in one of the campgrounds. It was the most beautiful part of our week and worth the drive.

We waited until the snow melted before stopping at Cadillac Ranch. You hear about these places and you think, “I must go there, too,” this was one of those places. I expected more to it. I guess I expected them to make more of a big deal of this iconic place. But it’s just ten old Cadillacs buried in the ground. No monument, no fanfare, no parking lot. You park on the shoulder and walk in through a gate. There was a truck selling spray cans, a must for anyone planning on the full experience. Children were having a blast. What more could they want - mud to splash in, spraying cans of paint, and the freedom to deface property with full zeal.

We spent a week in Amarillo, a long week.  Maybe it was the weather? Maybe it was my mood? Maybe it was the dreariness? Whatever the reason... Route 66 in Amarillo was just not as magical.

Now, time to move to New Mexico. May Route 66 in New Mexico be filled with Enchantment.

We started our RV life with good intentions and a budget in mind. Then newbie excitement took hold and a late start in making plans and put a bit of a dent in our budget, but it was so worth it. Quite frankly, we didn't do too bad, considering.

Upgrades to Jack (the Ford F-250) and Betty Jo (the Airstream)
1. New tires for both.
Our truck is a 2018, when we bought it in December of 2020, it had less than 30,000 miles on it. Trucks were starting to get hard to find, especially trucks with tow packages, so when we found Jack we snatched him up. Someone put new (but really cheap) tires on it before selling it. We suspect the previous owner or the dealer traded the took the really good tires that was on it. The cheap tires did not handle the rain in Washington at all, this made them a danger when it came time to tow, so we replaced them right away.  Cost $1600.00

They say don't judge a tire by miles on the RV, judge by age and a few other things. Betty Jo (the Airstream) had the standard Goodyear tires and 15" wheels. The Airstream is a 2018 Flying Cloud FBQ and the previous owners didn't really use her much, but over time the tires still looked a bit worn. We decided to upgrade to Michelin tires and while at it, upgrade to 16" wheels, give her a bit of a lift.  A great decision, even better decision since we took her to Vinnie's Northbay Airstream Repair in California.  Cost #2400.00

2 Upgraded the batteries.
The Airstream came with lead-acid batteries and they no longer held a charge well. We upgraded to Lifeline AGM batteries with a Victron Energy Smart Battery Monitor. We have 180 watts of solar on the roof and needed batteries that would hold a charge and last longer. Lithium batteries were a bit over our budget.  Cost $1000.00

I read somewhere when you first start this RV life to budget close to $5,000 for all of the accessories and whatnots you will need (and want.) That need/want doesn't stop. They were pretty darn close in their estimates. It seems like everything you need (or want) comes with a price tag of $150 to $300 range. You can find a list of most of what we purchased on our website.

 There are three major expenses when hitting the road...
1. Gas
2. RV Parks/Campgrounds
3. FOOD

Gas (more specifically Diesel) - On average, gas prices fluctuated between $3.00 to $3.50 per gallon, California being the exception, they were on average between $4.00 to $5.00.   For our first year, we spent $5,814, this includes when not towing, an average of $484.50 per month.  Our highest month in gas cost was August, our first month on the road across country and we covered close to 1200 miles.

RV Parks/Campgrounds. There are a variety of ways to save money in this category. I learned pretty early on that the longer you stay at an RV park the more you might save. I would pick a location and plan for at least a week stay, sometimes 10 days. This offered two advantages  - 1. nightly reductions. 2. A chance to kick back.

There are multitude of excuses/reasons why this category was a bit up for us in our first year.
1. Planning late. Sometimes I just had to go with what park I could find, and often it seemed to be the higher priced RV parks.
2. Locations - Popular locations usually cost more during their peak season. Summer is higher in Oregon, the Fall Colors in the Smoky Mountains, and wintering in Florida. In our article - We racked up the miles - I point out that we visited 21 states and stayed in 46 RV parks/campgrounds and 1 Hipcamp.  Nightly fees were anywhere from $10 per night to close to $130 per night. State parks were recommended when we first started but I found them to be almost as costly as an RV park and offered a lot less, they also often had smaller sites or tight turns.  Our least expensive night was $10 per night at the COE (Corp of Engineers) campground  - Clark's Ferry in Iowa. Our most expensive was Fort Wilderness at Disney World, Florida. 
3. HEAT (weather). Our first year on the road, most of the country was experiencing a heatwave, even our beloved PNW. We were in 90 degree weather pretty much from June to October, this meant running our air conditioners (often times both of them) so we opted to stay where we could get power. It was not our time to try boondocking more often, not yet.
4. Water and Waste Management. This is a skill we still need to get better at before boondocking more.
5. Demand. With over a million RVers on the road and needing a place to park, the demand increase allowed RV parks to raise their rates, some of them substantially. The assumption being, if you want to park here it will cost you, and they are right.

Total spent for the year - $15,294.00, an average of $41.90 per night, which was actually close to where I budgeted.

Food
This is where our budget blew up. The cost of food has risen, though I found some places, like the St Louis area, where food prices were reasonable and less than others. But it wasn't just groceries, it was eating out - A LOT!!! How can you not visit some of these amazing places and not explore the food? You can't. But eating out has become an expensive endeavor. We would try to minimize but it just was not always possible. One month, (I hate to admit this) but we spent close to $200.00 at Starbucks or other coffee locations. I don't drink coffee, someone who shall remain a husband, does. But it wasn't just coffee, we would often get snacks with his coffee, or I would get some sort of cold drink. After that month I cut us off, and luckily the further east we got, the less Starbucks and coffee shops with specialty coffees.

Other expenses
1. Monthly 
cell phones $60.00
Mobile hotspot - $60.00
Streaming (TV) - $45.00
Laundry - $60.00

2. Insurance
Trailer - $1350 per year
Truck - $1350 per year

3. Entertainment
We did pretty good here, most of our entertainment is free, we just take our cameras and go for a walk.
Airboat Ride - $300
River Rafter down the Truckee River - $120
Mackinac Island (one day), includes boat ride, food - $250
Museums and Tours - $200

Overall our budget was a bit higher than planned, but it was our first year and we had so much to do. :-) Our second year, should be a little better.