The Best Decision We Ever Made
The “Aloha”
In 2021 my wife, Amy and I planned our very first van life adventure. We weren’t quite sure about the idea of us taking a two and a half month road trip, Making Our Way Out West, just yet. We decided to drive our 2021 Thor Scope 18M, an 18-foot RV Camper Van to the beautiful state of Maine. We had wanted to include parts of Canada as well but because of the everlasting effects from Covid-19 we decided to leave Canada for a future endeavor of its own.
We drove from our home state of Florida to Maine. A long road trip taking us through many states to the northeast border of the United States. We drove through mountains, cities, towns, all the while just learning firsthand about the pros and cons of our van and van life itself. We were able to explore the beautiful state of Maine and Acadia National Park. Both had been on our bucket list for quite some time. We made basecamp in Bar Harbor, ME and had the time of our lives.
When we returned to Florida we felt more comfortable with the van. How it operated, how we as a married couple operated in a small compact sized van for a long period of time on the road. We had gained a lot of experience about traveling and camping on the road. We had gotten to know our van inside and out, the “Aloha.” That is what we named her. We learned the pros and the cons of van life. We still weren’t ready to go out West. We needed to make some adjustments and preparations. We decided to drive the Aloha to the Florida Keys. The Keys are about six hours south of where we live in Florida. We camped at Curry Hammock and explored not only The Keys but also visited the Everglades National Park for the very first time.
2022. A great year for us! Amy and I left home once again on our own traveling across the country in our van. We were finally making out way out West. We would be gone for two and a half months living out of the van, traveling to 21 different states, visiting 14 National Parks, numerous State Parks, and many other destinations along the way. The trip was very successful and we came home with so many new memories together and stories to share. But there was one state we didn’t enter and that was Colorado. We had researched Colorado for a long time. We wanted to visit badly! Our out West itinerary was packed full and we feared that we wouldn’t be doing Colorado or ourselves any justice by visiting during that trip. There were so many cool places, things to see, so many National Parks just in Colorado alone! We would need more time to dedicate to Colorado.
Check out the pictures of our van, the “Aloha” below and then continue reading this story. Story continues below the carousel.
Amy spent weeks using our ROADTRIPPERS website account planning and plotting out our Colorado trip. Amy loves using this platform / service because she finds it simple, easy, a very effective tool to use. She booked campgrounds, found places to eat, stay, and visit in each area of Colorado we were going to explore. She figured out the cost of gasoline and camping expenditures in advance. She showed me her plan that she had created I was thrilled, overjoyed! Also glad that she loves to do the planning so I don’t have too, lol, I have television shows to keep up with in my retirement, c’mon guys! I do participate in the pre-planning stages!
First, we had to drive to Colorado. Florida to Alabama to Texas to New Mexico, to Colorado. Another long road trip. It was a long drive ahead of us. Learning so much from our previous road trips in the van set us at ease, we were more confident. Even if Plan A went to well you know, then we would be fine. Plan B was ready and waiting. Sometimes Plan C as well, lol.
One thing we did was break up the amount of drive time. We decided to make more short overnight pit-stops along our route. This way we got the proper rest we needed and enjoyed less stress, better health! We also decided to devote more time to each location we were visiting so we didn’t feel as rushed. This would also allow for more time relaxation and less wear and tear on our bones / muscles!
We made our way to Colorado. In the journals to come we will share everything we learned. We will provide you with our itinerary and show you what is possible. For US, all this was made possible by the “Aloha.” We would have never been able to afford to travel to these wonderful destinations like we did in Maine, Florida, Out West, and Colorado if it wasn’t for her. The best decision we have made was buying her.
By no means are we claiming to be van life experts. We do have over two years of experiences now with our van and traveling in her. We learn new things everyday and face new challenges. We have discovered the pros and cons of life out on the road, how to live simple, fast, how to adapt to obstacles in our paths. I’d say Amy and I make a pretty good team when it comes to researching, planning, and taking road trips! I can’t wait for what the future holds in store for us. I thank GOD everyday that he allows us to see just how much beauty remains here on our planet.
Maybe these journals are just a way for you all to get away, and live vicariously. Dunno. Maybe they will provide you all with useful information that you can apply to your own future adventures. Hope so. Maybe you leave here after visiting our website and watching our YouTube channel with new fresh ideas, or just some inspiration to get out there and travel, see this world. Anyways, we just wanted to share all this with you before you begin the journals that follow. Thanks for visiting, come back anytime. We will be adding more and more everyday. Thanks for visiting and being a part of our travel community.
TATES ARE OUT. Well, until the next journal begins!
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