It was approximately last summer when my husband casually mentioned that he wanted to rent a RV and take a 2 week hiatus from the real world.
I typically like his ideas {sometimes}, but when he brought up taking our entire family around the United States in a house on wheels I almost puked a little in my mouth.
A couple reasons really:
1. I don’t like to go camping. Even if it’s in an RV.
2. I don’t like to go camping.
Yep, that pretty much sums it up.
Soooooo…. I said no.
As my dad would tell you… My idea of camping is a hotel with room service.
Apparently my husband thought I was kidding because he has his little heart set on this RV adventure. And he has assured me that we WILL be taking it come this June.
If you know my husband at all… he doesn’t insist on much. He’s pretty compromising. Not this time.
I get it. They’re boys and they like outdoorsy kinds of things like camping and fishing and building campfires.
But TWO WEEKS???
That’s like me asking THEM to go get manicures everyday for 14 days straight.
I can handle adventures. Really, I can.
We’ve taking the kids to the city.
To the beach.
We’ve even built sandcastles.
But camping in an RV for 2 consecutive weeks makes me wanna give y’all this face…
I’m not so happy about it. To the point that it’s been an ongoing argument between Jeff and I for the last 6 months.
But even my puppy dog face is not working. #dangit
He’s not budging.
This camping escapade is either gonna make me realize I need to be more open to “manly” adventures or I’m gonna end up divorced.
In the meantime, we he is planning the route and I’m determined that if I’m going on this gig… I’m gonna see some of my awesome friends.
So…. where should we stop? His only requirement is that we make it to the Grand Canyon.
I am SO laughing at you right now, in a nice way. It took me years to convince The Cowboy to start bringing a TENT when we went camping…as for where you need to stop? Wyoming of course! Yellowstone and the Tetons are a must see, if you are planning on going across America!
I think this is AWESOME! I’d love to do this someday! 🙂 And, I hate camping! But, I would love to see more of the U.S.! Can you get a NICE RV? They do have some that are pretty decked out!!
Haha love this. I was just talking to him about this on Twitter the other day. This is something that Wes and I really want to do. I’m hoping that we can do it someday!
I would be protesting too…I would. But I’m sure YOU will have the BEST time!
I’m jealous!! My husband is the one who doesn’t like camping and road tripping while I love it! It’s not that bad, I think you’ll enjoy it 🙂
I’ll be honest is saying I’ve been to Grand Canyon approximately four times and all four times we all looked down and said
“Is this it?” and left within 20 minutes. To really SEE the Grand Canyon apparently you need to hike down into it, which is at least a day hike. I’m not sure if that’s an option but I’d definitely look into it. Sedona is fairly close and considered a world tourist location. It’s beautiful!
Aww, you’re boys are going to LOVE it, and that’ll make it all worth it. RVs really aren’t that bad either!!!!
A hotel room is definitely my version of camping too. However, my husband has assured me that we WILL be taking our boys camping (and fishing, and all sorts of outdoorsy “boy” things”), and that I just need to get used to the idea. I guess those are things that just go along with being a boy mom!
If you end up “passing through” Mississippi (If I’m being honest, I know you won’t be “stopping” in Mississippi for anything exciting haha), I would LOVE to meet you. Maybe that’s weird? Oh well, that’s what we bloggers do I guess… embark on uncomfortable situations and meet-ups! If you pass through, I’d love to meet y’all for lunch or coffee! 🙂 Happy Planning! I wouldn’t say that this trip is my “ideal” trip, but I can’t say I wouldn’t mind a fun road trip either!
After the GC, you MUST come to Vegas. Take them to the ‘Adventure Dome’ or Container Park. it’s great at night with lights and music and GREAT good.
Mindy
youngwifelife.com
Mandy, RVing isn’t horrible. My family has done it (growing up), and if you are going to be stuck in a car all day, it is nice to be able to move around a little. I’m not sure how “RV friendly” yosemite is, but it is amazing and worth the trip.
I’ve always wanted to RV across the country too. But I don’t want to be the one driving. I want to be the one hanging out in the back watching tv, playing cards or sleeping on the bed. I assume Jeff would be the driver right?
I am so with you. I’m not a camping person, but then again I’ve never been before. I’m sure it’ll be a fun trip in the end.
We travelled cross country but did hotels. Do Macinak Island, Michigan (I know that’s spelled wrong). It was one of our favourite places ever. Old orchard beach , Maine is cool too. Niagra Falls is also a must see. Canadian side is even cooler if you can cross.
Mackinac Island – you were close!! 🙂 I’m from Michigan and YES awesome place to visit!!
This is something that I have wanted to do for years but college/graduate school has gotten in the way! I am from Arizona so if you are doing the grand canyon, definitely head east to monument valley and 4 Corners (where Utah, AZ, New Mexico and Colorado meet). You could then head up through Utah and see Arches and Canyonlands Natl Parks then up to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. I can’t wait to see your pictures!
Also, if you have the time, I would go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon instead of the South Rim. It’s a much better view and has less visitors (which during that time of year is very nice!) The Grand Canyon South Rim in June will be jam packed and exploding with tourists.
El Salvador!!! ha! ha! I wouldn’t recommend it in an RV, but you can visit “)
I think you should find a really nice spa somewhere on the route and insist that they drop you off for a day somewhere in the middle of the trip.
You can def have a great time in a camper!! I wouldn’t say I’m the most outdoorsy person, but we love taking our kids places in ours! A few musts your camper must have (if possible) air-conditioning, heat, microwave, oven, TV, fridge full of wine…. And make sure your campgrounds have sewer and cable! I’m probably one of the few moms that camp that pack my curling iron and make up but whatever, we’re all happy! Enjoy!
Boston! It’s great here! Lots of cool things to do in June for the boys! And great restaurants and shopping for you!
Mandy, you’ll have a great time and make lost of memories!! My family did a lot of camping when I was growing up, and I can’t wait to head out west with my kids one day. I have been begging my husband to get an RV… HE is the one that prefers a hotel and the mall 🙂 My favorite stops as a kid were all the crazy tourist traps – Wall Drug and the Corn Palace in South Dakota. We loved seeing “real live” cowboy shootouts in the streets of Jackson Hole Wyoming, exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, seeing buffalo walk right past our car…. I will always remember eating at Casa Bonita in Denver. So many fun things to see!! Oh and the boys will love all the cowboy stuff! The only draw back to an RV is having to drive that big thing around the mountains, unless you take a car or rent one as well… Can’t wait to hear of your adventures! 🙂
Ohhhh, I feel for you. We “camped” in an RV when I was younger but really, there was a stove, running water and a toilet that flushed…it was far from roughing it. However I was 8 so I didn’t know differently. Today I don’t know if I could deal. But hey, you will get some amazing pics, great blogging material and memories to last a lifetime (this was you won’t ever have to go again!!!)
I agree with Kristin and Sarah…Mackinaw is FANTASTIC! some other goodies in MI : Traverse City (wine tasting!) Frankenmuth (Must visit Bronner’s) St.Joseph (Silver Beach on Lake Mi) Happy Travels!!!
Thank god my husband and I agree on this! We have never camped nor do we plan to. I completely enjoy the outdoors, but I want a clean bed and fresh sheets after I go exploring, definitely don’t want to have to dump out my own sewage.
I am happy for your adventure with your boys! I think you will really end up loving it. At least you will have a shower in the RV 🙂 Come say hello to me in Arizona when you swing by the Grand Canyon 🙂
Mandy @ The Hankful House
I’ve just come across your blog by chance. A lot of people don’t like to camp. Fortunately, my wife and I both do. We’ve had both the bad and the great experiences camping.
My first suggestion is to not try to cram too much into a two week RV vacation. Too many times, we see people who stop at a place, get out of their vehicle, snap a picture, get back in their vehicle and hurry off to the next place. I know it’s tempting for some to try to see everything you possibly can, but go, go, go, for the entire two weeks will just result in more road time than fun time. We did it in 1991 for a four week vacation. Our kids refer it now as “the trip from hell.”
The Grand Canyon is grand but it’s not on our list of things that we’d plan to see again unless it’s on the way to somewhere else — too much travel time to get there and not all that much to do on the top other than look at the view. If we go back, I definitely prefer the north rim.
Two weeks in an RV! I think it’s crazy and adventurous at the same time. My kids definitely hate camping such a long week. But I would love to try in my next trip. Thanks for sharing. Good luck