LoriBarb

What a journey this has been. We were able to see so many things and were able to meet so many fabulous people along the way. We are both grateful that we were able to do this adventure with each other. It is really hard to find someone with the same dream, time to make the dream come true, and the means to do it. What a gift!

Some of our favourite moments….

• sticker shock at the gas prices in Ontario post Covid in the summer of 2022
• learning to drive our ‘baby beast’ driving north on the 400 series highways and then on the narrow Northern Ontario highways with no shoulders
• co-driving; one behind the steering wheel and the other watching the lines!
• learning what fog and wind really mean in an RV
• amazement at how big Ontario is…and later Texas
• loving the wide open fields and forests across Canada
• feeling safe almost everywhere in Canada
• visiting so many family and friends
• loving the difference in economy, industry, and geography of each of the states we visited
• enjoying the incredible amenities in all the different RV parks
• learning about our RV and all its quirks
• learning to troubleshoot, fix items, and be frustrated with others
• best U.S. cities; Washington, Savannah, Austin, Nashville
• most unique U.S. cities: Ocracoke NC, Hot Springs AR, Bandera TX, Slab City CA, Salton Sea CA, Mammoth Cave, KY
• finding great restaurants; The Catbird Seat and Husk, both in Nashville
• best RV Parks: Creekfire, Savannah; Jamaica Beach, Galveston; Llano Grande, Mercedes; and Rancho Casa Blanca Indio.

So many awesome memories. The adventure we dreamed of turned out to be as amazing as we expected.

We decided to sell the “Baby Beast” after a fabulous tour of North America. It was a hard decision, but we decided it was time to continue to travel, but by plane or car instead. We sold our RV to a lovely woman who had recently separated from her husband and was an avid RVer. She just fell in love with our unit and it didn’t take her long to purchase and take off on her own adventure.

It is now 2026 as we push this blog to print, and we still talk about our RV and our adventures as if it was yesterday. We just loved it, and miss it, and encourage anyone who has ever thought of doing something like this, to JUST DO IT!

Friends are always asking us about the cost to travel by RV. And like all good answers…it depends!

Does one buy or rent? Given we intended on traveling full-time (winters south, some local travel and Lori using the RV as her summer home) it totally made sense to buy. We wanted a specific unit with two independent sleeping areas and while not purchasing brand new, we wanted it to be low in kilometers and well maintained. Another big factor is to tow or not to tow. We chose not to, mainly because we were both new to full time driving an RV and we weren’t ready to learn to tow at the same time. We were also both really comfortable with Uber and found it easy to find this transportation almost everywhere we went (with only a few exceptions; Trail BC and rural Eastern Quebec).

Prior to buying, we learned that many of the exits and on ramps in the US are quite short and thus do not give a lot of room to slow down or accelerate as we are use to in Canada. Also, many of the national, and some of the state parks, limit rig size to 30 feet. So these factors influenced our decisions. That said, it didn’t take us long to find the perfect unit for us.

One of the additional upfront large outlays of cash is sales tax. In Ontario, it’s 13% when you register the RV. However in Alberta, pre-owned vehicles are not taxed. Thus our decision to register it in Alberta, which was only possible because Lori was living in Calgary at the time of purchase. This saved us a whopping $20,000. At the time we thought we had hit the jackpot and we had enough to pay for our gas for the first year. After day 1, with post covid 19 elevated gas prices in Northern Ontario, we began to think maybe just for the first month! LOL! The great news is we also quickly discovered we didn’t travel as many kilometers as we did the first day, nor were we on the road daily. Another gift was watching the gas prices drop as we travelled out west in Canada and then deeper to the south in the US (except in California where gas is expensive).

Okay so what about all the other costs. Well RV accommodations are clearly the biggest percentage of finances at 41% (other than food which we would have been purchasing anyway so we have excluded from these numbers). One of the ways you can save is through memberships like Harvest Host. For a few hundred a year, you can stay at many cool places like farms, golf courses, wineries and even private property. Some have electric hook-up and/or water and many others are intended for boon-docking. These were some of the most interesting overnight places we stayed at often meeting the owners or just enjoying the grounds, food, etc. The expectation is you purchase product, if available, or make a cash donation. We often bought eggs or bacon, jam, wine, etc at the places we stayed. We loved the Harvest Host locations we stayed at and highly recommend.

The second largest cost is gas at 22%. Of course this is so dependent on whether you do what we did which is travel across Canada and then 2 years across the US. Or, one could choose to travel direct to a great resort in the south and stay parked all winter thus reducing the gas cost significantly. And in some ways that would reduce the RV accommodation costs as well as most parks give discounts for monthly and seasonal stays versus weekly or overnight stays. The overnight stays are the most expensive and we did our share of these as we moved from one location to another.

So the other categories that require budgeting are RV maintenance as well as RV outfitting. Obviously the maintenance is non negotiable and oil changes to service appointments are all more expensive than our cars. Fortunately some of our repairs were on warranty however a handful were not including the frozen pipes in Fort Stockton! While we think we were quite fortunate that we didn’t have many issues a good 15% of your funds should be set aside for these knowns and unknowns. When it comes to RV outfitting all this is personal choice. We purchased bikes and thus needed the appropriate bike rack. Items like BBQ, folding table, camp chairs, patio mat and a few indoor items like cushions, dining chair covers and lightweight kitchen items were also purchased at 8% of costs.

Above we spoke about not towing and using uber instead. Uber costs were only 7% which easily offset purchasing a vehicle to tow, along with a tow package and the gas and maintenance of that vehicle. So we are thrilled with our decision not to tow. Entertainment was also only 7% which is really inexpensive given all the museums we visited and tours we did. Totally worth it!

Off season RV storage is another cost we didn’t need to factor in, as we were fortunate to have free storage at Jim’s property. In total we spent about $45,000 Cdn. over the 2 years from April 2022 to the end of our travels in April 2024. This accounted for 30,000 kilometers of travel and camping time over 57 weeks. When you break it down over two calendar years and the two of us it’s $11,600 per person/year. Given this covers about 6-7 months of travel it’s really quite inexpensive. Of course, you do know that Lori and I are masters of Montreal math!

Leaving Nashville was sad as we knew this was our last time RVing here with this motorhome as we had made the decision to sell it.

Nashville isn’t all that far from Ontario. Maybe about 10 hours of driving. We do hope to return someday.

Our first night we stayed at the Benton Family Farms in Walton Kentucky – a Harvest Host location. It was quite a large goat and cow farm and we were able to do lots of walking. They had a small self-serve store where we could purchase eggs, honey, and natural soaps. As always, we made a purchase to help fund our overnight stay.

After a great quiet night’s sleep we were off to Canada for our last night’s stay at another Harvest Host location called Historic Amherstburg, as far south in Ontario as we could stay. We had stayed in this family’s driveway on the way south this year and it was fabulous as they had 50 amp. hook-up. That meant we could run our heaters and as many appliances as we needed to in order to make a great dinner. It was cold and dark early so we didn’t venture too far and stayed in for a movie and another good night’s sleep.

Amhertsburg to Burlington Ontario is only about a 3.5 hour drive. We arrived in good time to unload Barb’s personal items at her home and then went to Elaine’s to unload Lori’s things. Afterwards the RV was taken to Jim’s farm to be winterized and stored until we could get it serviced and then posted to sell.

We are at the end of our journey for this season. We are leaving tomorrow and heading home. Tracking weather has been a bit of a challenge, but Barb is doing a great job keeping us on track.

Temperature, wind, rain, ice, snow, all play a factor in when we leave and when we stop as we move north.

These past months have been fabulous, by being able to stay in one spot for longer periods of time. While we didn’t hit as many states this time around, we did enjoy everything we did. Sunny/warm weather, tons of exercise, and lots of friends.

To end this part of our journey we decided have a night on the town. We started with the Virgin Hotel, then the Patterson House, then to a fabulous restaurant called The Catbird Seat. The Virgin Hotel was our first stop to have a glass of Prosecco. We met a fascinating woman in the bar and had a great conversation while we waited to move onto the Patterson House. The hotel lobby and bar was artfully decorated and it was a great first stop to the evening.

Next we walked towards the restaurant. We were early but we knew that there was a bar that we could go to before our allotted dinner reservation. The Patterson House is in an old home, which also houses the Catbird Seat. The cocktail lounge was the first in Nashville and the ambiance was elegant and dark. I continued with Prosecco and Barb tried a Best Foot Forward which consisted of Libra spirits, 1643 Alpine Gin, Byrrh Grand Quinquina, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, and mint.

Now onto the Catbird Seat. This is a small intimate restaurant which seats 18 people around a chef’s horseshoe table. No upfront menu but a 15 course dinner which was excellent. What a great experience and a fabulous night out!

It was great to watch the team prep the food as each course was being made for us. It was truly a culinary experience from start to finish.

Nashville we love and we know we will be coming back at some point again. If you ever get a chance to visit, don’t hesitate, just GO!

On average it is 3 days of travel to get through Texas. Lots of highway driving with the speed limit of 75-80 miles an hour. WAY too fast for us. We average 60mph (100km) at best, depending on wind/rain.

We see a lot of interesting things on the road. Have you ever seen arms of a wind turbine traveling down the highway? Well we have, and they are HUGE! We also, unfortunately, see accidents which is not surprising given the speed at which people travel. And lineups?? When it comes to the inspection stations, manned by the border patrol, the lineups of trucks can be overwhelming.

The craziest drive this time was Dallas/Fort Worth. The highway system is immense and traffic can be heavy. The one great thing though is the highway numbers painted on the road lanes. Very easy to follow. It sure was great, however, to see the Tennessee border sign and the Bass Pro Shop pyramid. A little trivia for you: there are approx. 36 Base Pro Drive/Lanes (streets) across the U.S. and only 3 in Canada.

You never know what you are going to get when you enter a small town. We were pleasantly surprised at our surroundings when we went for a walk. For the little town of Pecos, which has under 13,000 people living in it, there was an incredible community centre with outdoor facilities which included a football/soccer field, batting cages, and a baseball diamond. Indoors there was an amazing gym, a huge pool, and a squash court.

There was also a little plaza with a plane and dedication to those who lost their lives in the wars the U.S. participated in.

Pecos is well known for delicious cantaloupes and its connection to the renowned character Pecos Bill. It is also widely recognized as the home of the world’s first rodeo which was July 4th, 1883.

We returned to the KOA Easy Lazy Days in Tuscon, where we had stayed earlier this year when we were driving west. This is the campground with all the amazing fruit that you can pick. There’s something nice about returning somewhere familiar. You set up and you’re done. No need to ask questions, wonder where stuff is, etc. Relaxation kicks in right away. We stayed for a few days to enjoy the warmer weather and swim for maybe the last time.

We left Tuscon and headed north and stayed in Pecos Texas in a campground that was basically a lot with hook-up. We were able to walk around and found Pecos to be a nice little community with a huge investment into a community centre with gymnasiums, work-out areas, a swimming pool etc. It was most impressive for such a small town. We found out Pecos is known for its legendary cowboy Pecos Bill, its famous cantaloupes, and as the home of the “World’s First Rodeo”. Unfortunately cantaloupes were not in season or we would have surely consumed some.

We love KOAs in the U.S. The one we stayed in Las Cruces was small and on a bit of a hill so we had a view of the surrounding mountains. While there wasn’t much to do in the KOA itself; we had the opportunity to go into the town of Mesilla (or Old Las Cruces as it once was known). Here are a couple of pics of the KOA.

The town of Mesilla is one of the oldest and most visited communities in southern New Mexico. It has been named one of the top 10 small towns in the U.S. to visit. We liked the fact that there were numerous stores, boutiques, galleries, and award-winning restaurants and cafes all within walking distance from one another.

The plaza, which is the heart of the downtown core, has been witness to many historical events. The signing of the Gadsden Purchase which transferred the town of Mesilla from Mexico to the U.S. in 1854 was one of them. The other was that in 1881 Billy the Kid was tried in the old courthouse on the southeast corner of the plaza, which is now a store. Billy the Kid was sentenced to hang for the murder of Sheriff Brady.

In 1881 the railroad also wanted to go through Mesilla, but Mesilla didn’t want the Iron Horse to go through their town. So the railroad went through Las Cruces which exploded its growth while Mesilla remained a small village.

We had our favourite two stores, one was a kitchen store and the other a jewelry store. The kitchen store was extremely high end and carried larger serving accessories vs gadgets. Charcuterie boards, wine racks, serving bowls/plates etc. all made of wood and metal. Lucky us, they were having a major sale. More Christmas gifts for family!

Here are some pics of the plaza as well as the restaurant we ate at. The restaurant was unusual with birds and piranha fish. It also housed a high end jewelry store which we perused while waiting for our table. Clever really, and there were some beautiful pieces on display. We each bought some earrings and Barb purchased a necklace and ring set made of blue topaz.

The Meridian RV Park office staff were able to recommend a driver to take me to the Phoenix airport. I was also able to book him to come and pick me up as well. He is a retired gentleman who does this for cash on the side. It was nice to know that this was a reputable individual whom many park folks use on a regular basis.

Once home it was a busy week. Final party plans, housecleaning, grocery shopping, ordering Jane’s birthday cake, and heading off to Staples to print Jane’s birthday collage and get it framed. There was also finalizing plans with my neighbour Bobbi for the paint and sip event Saturday, as well as the restaurant Mill Street & 5 American House for Saturday night dinner. All was well in hand when Jane, Gary, Nick, and Thomas pulled into the driveway Saturday morning.

The paint and sip was a great surprise and tons of fun. The picture we painted was of the Chambly basin and Jane recognized it right away and was very pleased. Afterwards, back at my house, we gave Jane her picture collage gift frame. This too went over well. Then all of us headed off to Waterdown for dinner..

The following day we all headed out to Vanessa’s for Lilah’s birthday party. The house was full of family and friends and Lilah was a little shy yet very happy and comfortable. She had a great time opening gifts and eating her cake. After all, isn’t that what it is all about!

We decided to take a little tour into Mesa for the day, in an area called Agritopia. In 1927 Agritopia was a homestead which 90 years later morphed into a thriving village centred around an urban farm. Imagine a world where you know your neighbours and they know you. Imagine a barrier-free lifestyle, where low fences encourage small talk, porches welcome lounging, parks promote playtime, and shady sidewalks connect your home to schools, gardens, restaurants, and shops. A slower pace. A shared life. A connected existence. This was the dream of the Johnson family who bought the original homestead in 1960 to raise their family, and has now spearheaded the growth and development of this little area of Agritopia.

We toured the shops and restaurants around the farm area. We were happy to purchase a few items and happened to stumble upon a place called Undertow. We thought it was a cool store……..we were wrong. It was a VERY cool bar. You had to book your seat and you only had 90 minutes to visit. Well, a bar with a timeline?! We had to go!

First off you walk down a short hallway which is all ship-themed. As you walk along and turn the corner, it is getting darker. Once we had walked through the small passage to the bar, we couldn’t see a thing! Our eyes adjusted but yikes, it took a bit. We sat at a small table by a porthole window that showed we were on the rolling seas. The bar is small, but with a very cool interior. The drink menu is extensive (and not a cheap date) and there are NO SUBSTITUTIONS to any of their cocktails. The service is fast, and the ambiance is effective. On the hour a thunderstorm rolls in and you can see the rolling seas pick up through the portholes, and the rain stream down on the walls and wooden barrels that adorn the back of the bar. The thunder is loud and scared the crap out of us when it first started (we were NOT expecting a show) as we were not prepared for what was going to happen.

Here are some photos of the place. Glad we went!

After this little experience we decided to go for dinner next door to a fusion restaurant called Belly Kitchen and Bar. We ordered crispy pork spring rolls, which were so good we ordered them again. We then ordered orange chicken and rice, which was okay.

What was so good about the spring rolls? They came with lettuce wraps. A little thing to add to a very popular dish, and one that made it stand out more than any other crispy spring roll we have ever had.

Well that is going to be about it for Arizona as we will be heading out towards Texas soon. Sad faces as we start moving our way East to then head North back into Canada by the end of the month. Another winter season in the south. Marvelous!