10 Reasons RV Vacations are Better

On topic for OP - Sunrise and Sunset. I'm so much more likely to be enjoying one or both while in the RV than I am when staying in a hotel. Most often I'm out in nature and closer to what I went on vacation for.

Last weekend we spent more time alone at the viewpoints than time shared with other folks (partly because we were there at dawn/dusk and other folks were in transit somewhere).

As mentioned before, I have Celiac disease plus food allergies.

That stinks. I'm on low sodium/low carb and that's tough enough to handle when eating out. Will say that's the biggest drawback to not having the ability to cook, which is why we try to rent cabins/condos. On the up side many restaurants are now trying to take into consideration as many health issues as possible but when there's multiple problems it gets next to impossible.

We use our hybrid a lot. We start in April for the trout opener, May two weekends of fun and then the holiday. June, bass opener, random weekend, July 4th 5 day/4 night bender, back to back two more weekends. August 3 weekends, and one 3 day hotel jaunt I skeeve. September, whenever, October random hunting trips, and a family Halloween trip. Use it for extra house guests, and support during random severe storms. Who cares how much it costs!

The hybrid is the base camp for hunting, boondocking, family eco trips at state parks, amusement park "cool motel room with tents" and at home beer fridge hahahahaha!

As mentioned before, I have Celiac disease plus food allergies. I can't have wheat, rice, coffee, sesame, eggs and corn. Needless to say, I can't really eat out any more.

The big plus with the RV (despite any cost) is that I have my kitchen, my stuff, my pillows and my bathroom with me at all times.

That is worth the world to me.

I'm lucky because I do not feel any need nor desire, to justify, compare, or challenge my mode of travel, expenses, preferences, activities, etc. I just engage in whatever I enjoy and can afford and hope others do the same.
Bless my little heart.

I like whatever I'm doing when I'm doing.
I enjoy all types of free time as long as it excludes climb into the stratosphere roller coasters (I pay for others and hold their belongings too!),and walking on the edge of cliffs.
Life is simple on my end.

I realize you are addressing another post but somethings are very relevant.

Well, crazy long lines of daily traffic is something we don't have here on the lakeshore. We live in Michigan and have crossed over to Canada well over 50 times with RV's and never had any such issue with weight. Been to Alaska 4 times on a cruise ship, flying, and driving all the way from Michigan and crossed the border so many times doing so. Even rented a 6 place Cessna with the pilot to sight see for 3 hours.

Seen dozens of wales, otters, seals, dolphins and many other sea animals etc and calving glaciers in many areas too but so few from a small plane as but a cruise ship up very close like a hundred yards away. Still, our trips to Alaska were so much better and could stop where and when we wanted rather than look quick as we'll be past whatever it is with flying. Homer spit, Kenai Peninsula, Denali, Top of the World Highway, Valdez, North Pole, Circle, Lake Louise, AK, Chena Hot Springs, Thompson Pass, Skagway, Stewart/Hyder, etc all reachable and enjoyed cheaply by RV but try a commercial flight and be sure to bring the deed to your home and hope it's enough. ( to 9-1/2 weeks of enjoyment rather than a few days or minutes of actual views.

Time is the luxury you should have planned for many years prior along with having the reasonable financial means by thinking ahead. To the best of my knowledge, we only have one life to live and money and time management is so important before they close the casket.

Just my thoughts!

Crowe wrote:
Don't worry about overweight bags, long lines and other delays. You are on your own schedule. Along the way, you get to see the sights. If something interests you, you stop. Try that on any other mode of transportation.

You've never had a traffic delay, never crossed over the Canadian border, and don't worry about an overweight unit? Lucky you! When flying I get to see sights that I can't see if I drive. Time is not a luxury I have. Ever seen a pod of humpback whales from a 6-seater float plane? I have. That's a sight I would have missed if I didn't fly to Alaska. I could go on but I think you get my drift. Point still is RVing is DIFFERENT not necessarily BETTER. What's best is what YOU want to do when YOU want to do it.

Despite many pages of discussion, many topics boil down to this: To each his own.

Don't worry about overweight bags, long lines and other delays. You are on your own schedule. Along the way, you get to see the sights. If something interests you, you stop. Try that on any other mode of transportation.

You've never had a traffic delay, never crossed over the Canadian border, and don't worry about an overweight unit? Lucky you! When flying I get to see sights that I can't see if I drive. Time is not a luxury I have. Ever seen a pod of humpback whales from a 6-seater float plane? I have. That's a sight I would have missed if I didn't fly to Alaska. I could go on but I think you get my drift. Point still is RVing is DIFFERENT not necessarily BETTER. What's best is what YOU want to do when YOU want to do it.

We "invested" in an rv and the stuff that improves and goes in it because we enjoy our family time with it.

After the initial cost (bought used, but not cheap) our weekly accommodations are about $170/ week at PA state parks. About the same as one night in a hotel (maybe two, depending where).

Our annual travel budget is about the same, but instead of dropping $3-$5k on a single week, we can travel throughout the summer, spring, and fall with camper and still take a few short jaunts to plays, rafting trips, fishing trips, scuba, zip lines, and all kinds of other places.

Using our RV a fair amount has made us better at planning and improvising. In the RV, if you didn't bring it, you do without (a few exceptions, as we allow a small emergency budget for missing or urgent items)

I used to fly for work weekly. Now I haven't been on a plane for a few years. In part because of insane airfare to anywhere from Pittsburgh and the several hour commute/park/precheckin/security encampments/boarding/baggage delays/etc.

The other BIG difference is our rediscovery of so many opportunities within driving distance. Most of our RV trips are within 6hrs. We're likely to extend the distance by making stopovers within 6hrs but going on to other destinations instead of returning home.

Cheaper? Yes, but we spend the same. More rewarding? Most definitely.