Celebrating Nine Years of Wandering

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Nine years ago this summer we purchased our fifth wheel and set out on the first of our many RV journeys across the United States and Canada.

During these nine years we have traveled to the west coast and back, crossed the Rocky Mountains and Continental divide several times, wandered around Florida,  enjoyed campgrounds in our beautiful home state of Georgia, and made the ultimate RV journey to Alaska. We’ve visited National Parks, National Monuments, State Parks, tourist traps, historic sites and museums. We’ve seen the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, most of the Great Lakes, many rivers, creeks, streams and lakes. We’ve enjoyed birdwatching, wildlife viewing, wildflowers blooming in every season, sunsets and sunrises. We’ve attended RV rallies, met many friendly and interesting people, and made new friends.

In all, we’ve camped in 41 of our beautiful United States including Alaska. We discovered that there is something interesting to see and do no matter where you are.  Here are a few of our most memorable experiences.

We learned not to head north in early April because you never know when it might snow!

We had the park to ourselves at Blue Mounds State Park in Luverne, Minnesota
We had the park to ourselves at Blue Mounds State Park in Luverne, Minnesota

One very hot day in August we made the hike to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah.

We hiked to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah
We hiked to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah

We enjoyed many magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean as we traveled south on the Pacific Coast Highway from Washington to California.

Oregon Coast
Oregon Coast

We felt small beside the Redwoods in California.

Redwoods National Park, California
Redwoods National Park, California

In Yosemite National Park, we took a drive on Glacier Point Road to the Washburn Overlook.

We took a drive on Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park, California
We took a drive on Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park, California

On the American side of Niagara Falls we took the Cave of the Winds tour and stood on the Hurricane Deck underneath Bridal Veil Falls.

On the Hurricane Deck at Niagara Falls in New York
On the Hurricane Deck at Niagara Falls in New York

We visited the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park, Minnesota twice and walked across it once.

Headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park, Minnesota
Headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park, Minnesota

We enjoyed walking around the bases at the Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville, Iowa.

Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville, Iowa
Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville, Iowa

The highest point of the Blue Ridge Parkway was one of the highlights of our several visits to the parkway.

Highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Being snowbirds in Florida is a great way to spend the winter.

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Florida
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Florida

You can’t beat the views from some of our campsites.

Watchman Campground, Zion National Park, Utah
Watching for whales in Haines, Alaska
Sagebrush Campground Palo Duro Canyon State Park

It’s been a wonderful nine years and we have so many great memories! Although our future trips will probably be closer to home we are looking forward to many more adventures.

24 thoughts on “Celebrating Nine Years of Wandering”

  2. So glad you decided to post because I keep wondering how things are going. 🙂 You had some kind of adventure with probably too many memories to count. I hope you continue to post even if you are wandering in your yard, neighborhood, town, or state. 🙂

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    1. Judy, thank you for thinking about me! I’m having wonderful summer at home spending time with our grandkids, porch sitting, and even doing a little gardening. It’s really kind of a lazy summer and I’m loving it! All is good!

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  4. What a wonderful overview of nine years of wandering!! I loved your recap. What a wonderful decade you guys have had RVing! And, I totally agree with your post. We are right behind you, having purchased our fifth wheel on October 20, almost nine years ago. It’s an awesome travel adventure with limitless possibilities.

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  7. Fantastic recap on your fun adventures. You’ve been to some wonderful places. Wishing you many more happy excursions 🙂

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    1. Ingrid, Thank you! We’ve been to so many amazing places I didn’t even know where to start. It was so much fun looking back through my pictures and journals to put this post together.

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  8. I love seeing people who have been on the road longer than us and are still enjoying. We just started year six and have no plans to stop. Congratulations on nine wonderful years:)

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    1. Thanks! Yes, we are still enjoying our travels and will continue to travel as long as we can. We are “part timers” who return to our home in Georgia after our adventures.

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  9. I always wanted to wander the roads of the world , but my choices have killed that dream…now I just want my little spot I stop and that may be out of reach too…but I love reading about the adventures of other travelers…be safe and have fun

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  11. Nine years! and you had been around. Would you be able to answer if I asked you if you can pick one of the many fabulous places you’ve been as a favorite ? 🙂
    Congratulations and heres more to more adventures!

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    1. Thank you! My favorite place is our home in coastal Georgia near Savannah. In fact, we are enjoying a wonderful summer at home right now. Trying to find an answer to your question of a favorite place we visited during our RV travels is hard. Our most memorable trip was to Alaska and my favorite place there was Haines. My favorite place close to home is Stephen C. Foster State Park in Fargo, Georgia.

      You’ve just given me an idea for another post!

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  12. What a fantastic post — so many beautiful photos and great places! How long was your longest journey? When you set out, do you decide something like, “This time we’ll visit X….”? Or do you just start to drive?!? Keep the great posts coming!!

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    1. Thank you! Our Alaska trip was the longest – about four months. Second longest was three months to the Pacific coast. And several trips of around two months.

      We usually have a main destination when we travel (visit family, attend a wedding, particular National Parks or other attractions). I end up with a list of places we would like to see and then figure out a route that will take us to them and our main destination. We always come back a different way.

      On long trips we rarely have reservations (except for must stay places). Our route is not set in stone and we often change our mind along the way. We rarely travel over 300 miles a day and like to stay at least two nights at each campground.

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