How oh HOW did I find yourself on a ten day rv highway journey?! In the event you knew me on a private stage (which, by now, most you do), you then know- I’m NOT notably what one would check with as adventurous…. or outdoorsy… or an RV sort of gal. I like my Netflix, I like my spot on the sofa, I actually like spending 20 minutes an evening on my skincare routine at my vainness, & if we’re gonna go away the home for a visit: I’d actually prefer it if there have been room service whereas have been at it.
However you recognize what they say- THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE!!!!
Zack has been desirous to go on this journey since… earlier than we met. I’ve actually heard about this RV journey for 7 years straight, however when it got here all the way down to getting break day work for a vacay- did we actually need to drive round in a transferring home OR did we need to lay on a tropical seaside someplace unique at a lodge that has room service (spoiler alert: we at all times picked the latter).
The latter will not be at present an choice, so when Zack *as soon as once more* introduced up the coveted RV journey he has at all times dreamed of, I figured- if we’re ever gonna truly do that factor, now could be the time. I agreed, we booked the RV, and subsequent factor I do know… we’re on the highway. FOR 10 FULL DAYS. It was a whirlwind, an entire new world for me, I realized a lot, noticed a lot, and looking out back- I’m so glad we did it. We had a good time & it was an expertise I most undoubtedly don’t remorse.
I acquired a bunch of questions whereas on the highway inquiring how precisely we did this journey/our route/touring with canines (did I discussed we introduced the canines with us?!)/the rv/ and so forth. and so forth. SO- let’s get all these burning RV journey questions, answered!!
The RV
AHH- the nice previous chateau. Let’s speak about this entire RV rental course of…
♡ WHERE WE GOT OUR RV FROM:
we rented our RV from an app/web site known as Outdoorsy. It’s just about an Airbnb for RV’s/camper vans/vans. Once we first acquired on the app, I didn’t put in our dates (we booked about 3 weeks upfront) & we had SO many fly choices. Like actually, these little RV’s have been nicer than our home. I used to be pumped considering I used to be gonna have a white leather-based couch & marble counter tops. AND THEN- I added the date, and the pickings have been SLIM.
RV TRIPS ARE BIG RIGHT NOW. Ebook very, very early & you might get one thing actually cool. Our RV wasn’t horrible within the least, but it surely was only a common previous brown RV known as the “Chateau”. The principle motive we picked this one was that the corporate renting it out had actually HIGH requirements when it got here to covid. This explicit car hadn’t been used for 3 weeks and so they have been featured on the native information for his or her requirements of cleanliness as an organization with reference to covid protocols. This was the MOST necessary factor to each of us. In the event that they don’t have their covid protocols acknowledged on the itemizing, ensure to inquire about this!!
**however I nonetheless bleached your entire RV earlier than we acquired our stuff in there, trigger that’s simply who I’m**
♡ TIPS FOR RENTING AN RV:
+ e-book early, ask about covid sanitization protocols. repeating this one, trigger it’s my high 2 suggestions!!
+ in the event you/your companion are new to driving an RV, don’t go any greater than 24′.
+ ensure to verify the ENTIRE RV earlier than leaving with the particular person you might be renting from & take pictures of any injury. They tried to inform us we scratched the roof, so yea- it’s best to in all probability get on the roof earlier than taking off.
+ negotiate limitless generator hours!!! when you’re at RV web site, you should have hook ups so that you received’t want to make use of the generator- however if you’re driving for six hours & need to cost your laptop computer, it would be best to use the generator. You don’t want it loads, but it surely’s a straightforward factor to ask for.
+ have a look at day by day miles allowed, we didn’t maintain a detailed eye on this & we surpassed the allotted quantity BIG TIME & they cost for miles over what’s allowed.
+ watch a YouTube video on the right way to do the whole lot beforehand, however we’ll get to this in a second.
+ keep in mind, your RV is your ONLY type of transportation. IDK why I didn’t consider that first, however let me inform ya- a Starbucks journey was not fast or simple lol.
♡ REQUIREMENTS FOR RENTING AN RV?:
until you’re driving a category A RV, which is mainly a tour bus/small greyhound, you don’t want any particular necessities. Drivers license & insurance coverage and you might be good to go. Sure- it’s THAT simple. Wild, proper?
♡ HAS ZACK EVER DRIVEN AN RV? HOW DID YOU CONVINCE HIM TO DRIVE?
To start with- I didn’t need to persuade him in any respect as a result of this journey was his thought, however I made certain we chatted beforehand about his boundaries as a result of I knew that quantity of solo driving would get previous. We agreed to take breaks if he wanted to stretch his legs, however I’m fortunate that he’s fairly simple.
& NO- he has by no means pushed an RV! He’s a fairly assured man & a very good driver- so I by no means thought twice about it being a difficulty. He watched lots of YouTube movies previous to leaving as nicely. He seemed up the precise mannequin of our RV & watched movies on driving suggestions in addition to the right way to clear the pipes. I don’t know if that’s the technical identify, however you gotta empty a tank. It’s gross & I needed nothing to do with that a part of the journey. Aside from that- he mentioned it was like driving a UHAUL & I agree cause- YES, I DROVE THAT BEAST.
One evening he was actually drained, like considering it wasn’t secure to drive, and we have been 20 minutes to our lodge, so not solely did I drive us there but it surely was AT NIGHT. It was somewhat scary at first, however honestly- driving felt safer than being behind the RV.
Planning & Packing
♡ TIPS FOR PLANNING WITH DOGS:
DON’T DO IT! Is that evil? Sorry sorry, we liked having them there, but it surely did make life about 10000x tougher & if we ever do it once more, they’re staying at dwelling. It’s loads for… some canines. Howard completely LOVED highway canine life, & Ruby was a sizzling mess. She was so anxious that we virtually needed to name the vet to get an emergency doggy xanax. We ended up managing on CBD, however nonetheless… tough with canines. The mattress is small for all of us (sure, they sleep with us), we’ve to cease each 2 hours for a poo/pee break, they slide all around the RV if we are able to’t get them to put down, plenty of panting nerves, and so forth. and so forth.
Additionally we realized, NOT ALL CITIES ARE DOG FRIENDLY. Santa Fe, New Mexico set some new mandates not too long ago due to covid that no canines can go just about anyplace. We discovered one restaurant that allow us sit on the patio & then one cafe that allow us sit exterior. I had a listing of locations to eat (see all my recs for every city we visited under!), however we couldn’t even order to-go & eat within the park as a result of no canines allowed within the park both.
♡ MUST HAVES FOR THE RV:
+ A CANDLE! Ha- I actually suppose this was the perfect factor I introduced. I introduced my fave yummy candle to make the place really feel extra homey at evening & assist with any bizarre smells (it occurs, I don’t need to go into element right here plz).
+ TV is a non negotiable for me, so fortunately our RV had two. Additionally, most RV parks have wi-fi so convey a Firestick or a Apple TV!!! This was nice, we cuddled up and watched the entire Haunting on Bly Manor on Netflix.
+ Blankets, pillows, towels, sheets, and so forth. I mainly turned our RV mattress into our mattress at dwelling & our RV sofa into our sofa at dwelling.
+ Your kitchen necessities. Pots, pans, mugs, cups, seasonings, Tupperware, silverware, spatula, meat thermometer, no matter you employ to cook dinner with. I acquired us two dinnerware units that as a result of I didn’t need to convey our personal plates & additionally acquired us two journey utensil kits. That was the gist of my planning, lol.
+ First assist package is an effective factor to convey too- we introduced all of our first assist stuff, simply in case, in addition to a thermometer and pulse oximeter simply to verify we have been wholesome all alongside the way in which.
It’s somewhat completely different than packing for a lodge vacay, since you really need EVERYTHING however don’t stress as a result of stopping at WalMart is NBD. We needed to cease for a lip liner, tampons, extra blankets, movie, meals, water, paper towels, bathroom paper, tin foil, and so forth.
♡ FOOD TIPS/THE FOOD SITUATION:
Effectively, in case you have the identical arrange as we did- you’ve a fridge & freezer that work so long as your driving or your plugged in at a campsite. In the event you keep at a lodge, the fridge received’t work, so you must eliminate your meals (lesson realized).
So far as what we brought- sandwich stuff (ensure to pack for PB&J too, it looks like a should for me), frozen meals that have been fast/simple, recent fruit, uncooked veggies, taco provides, frozen waffles, snacks galore, plenty of water, glowing water, lemonade, and…otter pops. LOL. We ate at some eating places on the journey, but additionally had a taco evening & just a few frozen meals & LOTS OF sandwiches.
♡ WHAT WE WISHED WE WOULD HAVE PACKED:
Extra blankets, velcro for the cupboards/drawers within the RV that saved slamming open whereas driving, & tenting chairs (we ended up shopping for them at Wal Mart).
We actually introduced nearly the whole lot we want after which some. Higher query could be, what do you would like YOU DID NOT BRING? Effectively- the bike that we thought we’d use for some motive and simply was an enormous ache within the ass, the canines crates that we additionally thought we’d want however by no means used trigger they took up method an excessive amount of area, & a cooler (pointless, we had a fridge).
One other word for packing- verify in case your RV has a closet as a result of I put my garments straight within the closet which was a sport changer for me. I didn’t need to stay out of a suitcase & additionally a suitcase would take up a lot area. Aside from that, we traveled with crates to retailer our stuff.
The Route
Zack very strategically set this route up for us upfront which *TIP* is an absolute MUST. Like I mentioned, e-book the RV early, nicely you additionally must e-book your RV websites early. We booked 3 weeks in superior and that wasn’t sufficient, we couldn’t get spots at our no 1 choice of RV websites & our quantity 2 choice saved saying “omg you might be so fortunate you bought the final spot”.
**word: our route modified barely from the above graphic.**
+ SAN DIEGO TO ZION: our first vacation spot when leaving dwelling was straight to Zion. It was a few 7 hour drive & we stayed for 2 nights in Zion on the Willow Wind RV Park.
+ ZION TO MONUMENT VALLEY: we left Zion to make our strategy to Monument Valley, however stopped on the east rim of the Grand Canyon on our method there to see Horseshoe Bend (it was terrifying, however cool). We needed to see Antelope Canyon as nicely, however they have been closed as a consequence of covid.
It was a few 4 hour drive & we stayed one evening at Gouldings RV & Campground in Monument Valley. TBH- I want we nixed this cease & stayed an additional evening in Zion. Monument Valley was cool, however Zion was cooler. LESSON LEARNED.
+ MONUMENT VALLEY TO SANTA FE: this was an extended drive of seven hours to get from Monument Valley to Santa Fe, New Mexico. We began early today & ended up staying 3 nights in Santa Fe as a substitute of going to Albuquerque as we had initially deliberate. We knew we would have liked a great three nights in a lodge & the second we acquired to Santa Fe, we have been vibing (minus the entire canine unfriendliness factor).
+ SANTA FE TO SEDONA: after Santa Fe, we drove about 6 hours to our last vacation spot of Sedona the place we stayed 2 nights on the Lifeless Horse campground (which was the best campground we stayed on the entire journey!)
Issues to Do/See/Eat!!
♡ ZION:
Zion was nice, but additionally one of many cities that’s tougher to handle with canines. There are such a lot of cool hikes to do, that we couldn’t do. We did drive our little RV by way of your entire nationwide park, went by way of all of the tunnels, and stopped alongside the way in which to discover Zion. I listed all of the recs I acquired under!
+ EAT: Really feel Love Espresso (OBSESSED with this spot- get the lemon white mocha!), Bit & Spur, Kings Touchdown Tavern, Noticed Canine. Apparently the eating places have lengthy traces for dinner, so be ready. Lots of people get takeout!
+ DO: hike The Narrows (we’d have LOVED to do that!!!), hike Watchman’s Path at sundown, & hike to the emerald swimming pools, they give the impression of being superb.
♡ SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO:
We completely liked Santa Fe, New Mexico. They are saying it’s the Paris of the US, and I felt that. The little city is valuable, the Fall vibes have been on level, & we stayed in a lodge!!! My buddy really helpful we keep at El Rey Court docket & it was SO FREAKING CUTE (& a a lot wanted break from highway life- that bathe was the whole lot!!!).
Once more, Santa Fe is newly not canine pleasant + A LOT WAS CLOSED. They’re very very strict about covid in Santa Fe, however though we didn’t get to do the whole lot on our list- we left feeling like we acquired the total Santa Fe expertise & liked each second of it.
+ EAT: Cafe Des Artistes (go for espresso & gelato- additionally, canine pleasant exterior!), Rancho De Chi Mayo (the one canine pleasant patio at a restaurant we present in the entire city & the enchiladas + margs have been beautiful), The Shed, La Choza, The Teahouse, Jambo Cafe, & we ordered Postmates to our lodge from the Apothecary Restaurant which is vegan and SO good.
+ DO: stroll across the ADORABLE previous city space, head over to the Palace of the Governors (that is the place the Santa Fe natives promote their crafts, however sadly was closed explanation for covid), go to the artwork galleries on Canyon Street, go to Meow Wolf (sadly additionally closed explanation for covid, I used to be v bummed).
+ SHOP: Double Take, interval & finish of story. That is the BEST thrift retailer I’ve ever seen. The wall of cowboy boots alone will make your jaw drop!!! It’s large and has all completely different sections to it- common thrifting, excessive finish thrifting, cowboy boots & extra “cowboy” type garments, after which an entire upstairs filled with dwelling items. I might’ve been there for HOURS & ended up snagging an iconic pair of cowboy boots.
♡ SEDONA:
Sedona was GREAT. I completely liked it & wished we had one other evening there to discover much more. We’re already planning a visit again to Sedona the place we simply go there solely, sans RV, so we are able to have just a few days to essentially see everything- however we did get to eat at much more locations + do extra as a result of in contrast to Santa Fe, Sedona is all about canines.
+ EAT: Native Juicery, Mariposa, ChocolaTree, Secret Backyard Cafe (finest service!!!), Hideaway Home, The Chai Spot
+ DO: discover the principle avenue in Sedona, go to the Tlaquepaque arts & purchasing village (obsessed, felt like we have been someplace in Italy), drive as much as the Sedona airport mesa for sundown (convey a blanket to sit down on, it’s beautiful!!), hike Satan’s Bridge and/or Cathedral Rock Path, & the Pink Jeep excursions seemed so enjoyable (however… ya know, the canines).
THERE YA HAVE IT- our total journey, in a nutshell. Would we do it once more? Completely. Subsequent time we wanna see how we do in a camper van trigger perhaps, simply perhaps, it’d be a enjoyable venture for us to renovate our very personal camper van so we are able to take extra highway journeys.
WHO AM I?!
click on right here for the Fashionlush Street Journey playlist on Spotify!
