Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Road Trip...!

The other day at work we were chatting about the perfect vacation we would have, if we could choose any vacation. One person said he would like to trek through the Himalayan Mountains, someone else said she would spend the summer in Rome, a third person said she would find the nearest tropical beach and park herself there for the summer. I was almost embarrassed to admit, the perfect vacation -- in my opinion -- would be a road trip in an RV. What better way to travel and see the sights than in your very own home?

These things are nicer than many hotel rooms, and they're certainly more spacious than my treehouse. I think anyone would be comfortable in this room after a long day of hiking, swimming, fishing, sightseeing, or just lazing around in some remote little corner of the country. You could go where you pleased, when you pleased, without having to stand in some crowded lineup in an airport. Of course, the fact that I am not a huge fan of flying may have something to do with my preference for keeping at least one of my feet on the ground at all times.

But still...

Ever since I read "Travels With Charley" by John Steinbeck, I have wanted to take exactly the same trip that he did. Steinbeck traveled throughout the United States in a specially-made camper which he named "Rocinante" after the horse of Don Quixote. He started his travels in Long Island, New York roughly following the outer border of the United States, from Maine to the Pacific Northwest, down into his native Salinas Valley in California, across to Texas, up through the Deep South, and then back to New York, a trip encompassing nearly 10,000 miles. ... Wikipedia. John Steinbeck is one of my heroes, and I have read every one of his books, including "Travels with Charley" several times. You will find copies of all his books in my bookcases. John Steinbeck reminded me a bit of my father -- they even resembled each other -- and my father owned a camper van just like "Rocinante". We used to travel all over Vancouver Island when I was a girl, camping in Qualicum, Long Beach, Tofino -- everywhere. My father would pick oysters fresh off the beach and my mother would make a batter out of breadcrumbs, butter and lemon, and then grill the oysters on the barbeque. Mom and Dad would open a bottle of white wine, and they would listen to Beethoven, Mozart, or my Dad's favorite -- Haydn -- while they ate the fresh oysters and drink wine, with the waves breaking on the shore. To me, that was the perfect vacation.

The other day I watched a re-run of "The Long, Long Trailer" with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez, and despite all the tight spots they got into, they looked as if they were having a wonderful time. I think it would just be so much fun to pile into an RV and go wherever the road takes me.

25 comments:

Deedee said...

I've often thought that tooling around the countryside in an RV would be a great way to retire-no taxes, no lawn to mow. Tired of the view? Mosey on down the road!
P.S. - I really related to your office bully post- That's one thing I don't miss during my unemployment. I've worked with a few beyoots!

Donnetta said...

JOSIE OH MY!! I just wrote a mindless post about BK and me shopping for a travel trailer today. Then I popped over here and found your post about "Road Trip!" There must be something in the universe that had us on the same wavelink. I can't believe it. Well, your post is terrific as usual. Mine was a "brain dead" thought. BK has just about worn me out today. D

Samantha R said...

I've gone on a couple of summer RV trips with my family. The best one was driving up from California to Alaska (we even stopped in Vancouver and I loved it!).
I would definitely say that between wanting to kill my family (lol) and seeing the sights it was one of the most awesome experiences of my life! :)
We got to go off the beaten path (though not technically in the RV) which would have never happened with my family if we decided to fly to a destination spot.

ZB said...

wow, i too would like a travel like that, but across my country INDIA.

And that bus is awesome. Its better looking than an average 5 star hotel.

Wish you a great vacation. :)

HAPPY IN NEVADA said...

Of course this post caught my eye since I started out in my motor-home (alone) in 1996 when I was 54 years old (almost 55).

I also read the same book; loved John Steinbeck, and it was one of the books I read over the years, that gave me the courage to make that 'journey'.

I lived in my motor-home for over 4 years; visited Canada - Mexico - all 48 of the lower states in the USA, and parked on every darned beach you can imagine.

There's nothing like seeing the sun rise in Melbourne, FLA and weeks later, you're spending a month at Dana Point, CA watching the sun set over the Pacific.

Yes, you can pick up and go; you clean the whole place in a matter of a couple hours, and the only thing you have to do is make sure you can find a place to launder clothes; a place to have your unit maintained and kept road-safe, as well as filling the propane tank so your refrigerator stays cold.

You eat fresh foods; you minimize cooking - you dry your socks on a little line you string while you're driving, or you hang out a wash-cloth that you've zipped up into the side-window; you play your music on the CD player and sing your heart out.

I had a portable key-board, so I entertained people at the beach.

We had big bon fires and sang around the fires; you meet every kind of person; you talk - never watch television and dig old newspapers from the trash to see if you've missed anything.

I had 3 post office boxes so I could get my billings for my annual motor-home insurance; you use your cellular phone to talk to family and friends - you carry prestamped post cards and drop them on the way.

If my husband would agree, I'd be back on the road but right now we only use the motor-home for 2 or 3 month adventures and I feel so 'locked up' those weeks we're just 'at home'.

My license plate read:

RVFUNVR

.....and we are, and will be leaving in a couple weeks to go to the Grand Canyon; then to Utah - down through Sedona, AZ, and into California for a venture that winds up at my son's home in Palm Springs, California.

Some people ask 'got milk' - I ask, 'got wheels?'

Diane

Leslie: said...

Gosh, I've dreamt of doing that, too! I never laugh at the "old" people driving their Winnibegos slowly up steep hills crossing all the mountains in BC. Instead, I envy them their freedom and wish I could meander across the country jsut like them! :D

Unknown said...

Just keep a good camera handy so you won't miss taking pictures of things you'll pass by during your road trip.

TheChicGeek said...

I think there would be nothing greater than traveling in an RV across the country! I have taken trips in RV's before and have always had a wonderful time :)
I love the I Love Lucy clip too...you've brought back some good memories :D
Have a Happy Day, Jo!

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

I would LOVE to do an overland trip accross the USA. I just think in that way you get to see not just the main attractions, but also the unknown sights which the main stream tourists never get to see.

nomore said...

I would love to stay in Bangkok during this vacation....If you know the fact that the meaning of the word - 'Bang'= 'Room ' (its pronunciation with in Korean was...) ??
Also the word, Kok= Deeply...LOL...

the walking man said...

2004 Coachman MiradaQ 36,000 miles, 34 foot, V10 Ford chassis, no slide outs, new awning, new microwave, generator, shower, refrigerator, no TV but have 19" flat screen that will go with it, after market installed air bag suspension in rear and added a leaf to the rear when I had the springs re-arced, new hitch. Tow bar and external lights and brake for tow vehicle included. $35,000 (US) I'll deliver it for the cost of fuel(anywhere on the continent that has roads) and teach you how easy it is to drive.

C S said...

Oh dear, Jo! You write so beautifully but I may be the only one of your fans who shudders at the very idea of one of those mobile homes, no matter how luxurious they may be.

We have friends in Indiana who have a top of the line motor home. It is HUGE, with flat screen TV's inside and out (so they can watch movies and sports when sitting outside!) etc.

But, oh gosh, for me it's just that much more to take care of, a physically and mentally enormous weight vs. feeling free - and the thought of living and sleeping in one makes me claustrophobic (despite their size). Some are such massive vehicles to keep clean, drive everywhere so you can't always go into small parking lots or scenic narrow lanes ... though many seem to tow cars behind their RV's, and 4WD's at that. I can't imagine being so tied down by a humongous vehicle - a land boat! My best friend in Sydney looooves camping and adores RV's and we have fun teasing each other about our respective travel preferences.

Many people come to Australia and NZ and rent RV's for their trips. Now if only we could get you on a plane, you could have a fabulous RV/camper vacation Down Under!

Cheers and happy travels,
Carolyn

Owen said...

Dear Jo, your memories of camping trips with your parents are beautiful ! Sounds like heaven, oysters on the beach. Am heading out to Brittany soon where oysters are plentiful. (although many oyster producing places in France have been hit by a mystery disease that is killing off huge numbers of young oysters, in a couple of years there is going to be a big supply problem.)

I haven't read "Travels With Charley", will have to track it down... why aren't books like that required reading in high school?

Although I love the idea of road trips, I'm not sure I'd want to do it in somethig so big. A VW camper maybe? I'm fine camping in a tent and sleeping bag. When travelling I want to be able to take off at will or whim up little dusty side roads or dirt tracks, go way up them, then walk for miles... thats where one starts finding interesting abandoned houses, cars, and other oddities and natural beauty that make travelling a joy... for me anyway...

Ever read any Edward Abbey ???

In any case, if such is your desire, GO FOR IT, and I'll wish you happy travelling in advance...

Alissa Grosso said...

I love road trips to. My family vacations growing up were always precisely scheduled affairs on account of my father's wackiness, so I now I dream of lazy sorts of vacations where I follow my whims. I drive a fairly large vehicle, but still those RVs seems like they would be a little too big for me to handle.

Anonymous said...

I certainly couldn't do it by myself. But this is something I also long to do. Would love to see all the states in the U.S. that I have never been to. And would have to get a passport, because I want to see more of Canada!

I love "Travels With Charley"...and I adore that old movie: "The Long, Long Trailer."

Deb said...

for one full year, we lived in a 31 foot RV with our three cats...it was so fun...we saw so much of our country. we miss it terribly and plan to hit the road again in the future. due to being blessed with a beautiful grandson, we wanted to be a part of his life so we hung up the keys for a while.
I'm with you Jo...I loved it!

lovelyprism said...

I LOVE The Long Long Trailer! Nobody I know has ever seen it! My in-laws have something similar to this. I can't say I've ever wanted to hop in and go along, but maybe it's because I would be with THEM. If you ever go, pick me up when you get to Georgia ;-)

amourissima said...

I have a secret little dream of selling everything and buying a wonderful ol' Airstream and becoming a Nuevo gypsy for a while. Traveling along the coast line and enjoying every moment of it. Road trip of a life time...

Marguerite said...

Sounds fabulous, Jo! Just be sure to pick me up! What a blast that would be!! Love "The Long, Long Trailer".

Patty said...

Can you imagine how much it would cost for the gasoline?

To me a perfect vacation is right at home, doing nothing, but playing on the computer, when I wanted to and for as long as I wanted to, running out and picking up food to bring home for the meals, no cooking or dishes. Taking a nap in the backyard in the shade. Not worrying about how bad the clothes might look that I have on, since no one would be dropping by, no phone to answer, unless I wanted to, no talking to anyone, unless I wanted to. I'm easy to please and cheap. LOL Happy week-end.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Will you be my PR person?? We do encounter lots of folks who live in their RV's and I have seen some fabulous ones. We sold ours to upgrade our park.....but when the time comes to retire I want to live in one and travel. I bet I will make a better guest now that I have been the host!

Mary Ellen said...

I wouldn't mind touring the country with an RV,but with the price of gas and the amount needed for a vehicle that size, I don't think so. I wouldn't mind biking and backpacking my way around, though.

DUTA said...

I like Patty's comment.

Kimberly said...

I'd like to just pile into anything and go anywhere --- I am not picky.

Pat said...

Jo - you've described my life! We've been "full-timing" (living full-time in our RV) for 4 years now. We've seen so many great things and places in the United States. But I'm a home body and would love a place to go home to, and travel maybe half the year.