Our recent 82-day journey from southern Oregon to the easternmost point in North America (and back) was exhilarating—and exhausting. The highlight, besides joining our other children at our son Chris’ wedding in West Virginia with our new daughter-in-law Gail, was eastern Canada, especially Newfoundland. We also prioritized two days to visit our neighbors from Mariposa, California, who now live in Maine.
So many memories. We traveled 12,660 miles in our Ford F-150, pulling a 26-foot Rockwood Mini Lite travel trailer. No motels. That’s right, not even one night. Almost no meals in restaurants. The scenery (just see Sue’s photos on our blog) and trails were our entertainment. Mostly, the weather was ideal, in the 60s and 70s and dry. One day in Massachusetts hit 100 and we were shaken by a torrential hail-and-lightning storm in Wyoming. One night in Nova Scotia, we thought mud from the hill behind us would push us off a cliff as the heavy rain wouldn’t quit. Several near-freezing nights, but our heater kept us toasty.
What did it all cost? A little more than $100 a day, including gas, camping fees, three oil changes, four ferry journeys with the trailer in tow, a fjord cruise, and nearly $400 to cover three tries to fix and replace a trailer tire. Food? We don’t count that, since it closely mirrors what we would spend at home. Camping fees averaged $39 and included two free days, one at Walmart in New Brunswick. Most campsites were in state parks in the USA as well as national and provincial parks in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. The most expensive night was a private RV park campsite on the water near Acadia National Park, Maine, $108. Our favorite camp? That’s tough, but probably Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park in southern Nova Scotia, one of the most beautiful and private campsites ever. Three nights for $79, including electricity and water.
We figure a motel-and-eating-out trip would cost, conservatively, $250 a day, which would have cost us at least $11,000 more than we spent. Sure, we had to buy the trailer, but we still have it for many more adventures.
It isn’t even close when we talk about which is our preferred form of travel, RVing or motels? Despite the work of setting up and getting going on travel days, we choose to sleep in our own bed, shower in our own bathroom, and cook in our kitchen, all on wheels. Not for everybody, but it works for us.
We love RV life, but it is not our only favorite way to travel. Our feet are likely to return to the long-distance trail in 2025. Where? Good question!
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