A little longer trip to get used to full time RV Living — Las Vegas bound!
When Laura had a tax seminar to attend in Las Vegas, we thought it’d be a perfect opportunity to see how we can conduct a bit longer trip. So, we planned out a trip to Las Vegas and back. We mixed stopping at campgrounds, doing some boondocking, ( free camping on public lands ) and some Moochdocking… (staying at Tony’s son’s house, utilizing his electricity and water.
We spent hours figuring out how long to travel, where to stay and how long to stay at each interval of the trip, hoping this process will eventually get easier and faster!
We decided to take 4 days to drive to Las Vegas and 4 days back, and seeing different places along the way, and not driving more than 4 hours, an idea we picked up from watching other YouTube RV Channels.
Our first stop was at a campground Tony picked near Grand Junction. When we arrived, we realized it was inside of Colorado National Monument. We had never heard of this park before and were amazed by its rock formations and incredible beauty. We set up camp, and immediately went on several hikes, and explored the whole area with undeniable excitement! Somethings are better when totally unexpected. This area was amazing, and we were in total awe!
The campsite we were assigned was horrible, though. The one-way road only allowed this pull through site and our rig to be aligned with the road. Our picnic table and fire grate were on the back side of the trailer and we had to pull in our stairs at night so that the cars driving by would not hit it. We left the outside lights on all night as we so so close to the road, we worried we’d get hit. There were other sites that would have worked for our size trailer, but they were already occupied.
After another brief hike in the morning and then on the road again. This time to a Utah State park called Fish Lake. We pulled into the campground and loved our site, it was very long and secluded from other campers, and the scenery was amazing. We went on a hike and discovered these tall stone structures that we explored. It was fun to explore this area! We felt like a couple kids as we discovered the structures.
In the morning we headed for Las Vegas. We make it to Tony’s son’s house, hooked up and had a great evening visiting the kids and grandkids. That evening, Laura met up with her employees who were joining her at a tax seminar and had a super fun evening at a Vegas show. While Laura was at the seminars over the next couple of days, Tony helped his son do his business as a Handyman. He specializes in high end clients, so going to million dollar homes to hang a picture or change light bulbs was kinda fun.
National Tax Practitioners Seminars
We only spent 4 days in Las Vegas, as we needed to come back home to go to work. We are definitely ready to do this full time thing so that we can stay and enjoy places longer.
A friend recommended this place called Valley of Fire … and looking at the location and pictures were shocked that we had never known about this area over the many years that we have visited Las Vegas. We stopped into the park, and did our typical thing and first go to the visitor center and ask about the best hikes in the park. We got our directions and found our trail and off we go. It was incredible scenery and a great hike. We walked through a slot canyon and by many various sized rocks and canyons. We got lucky that day as it was cooler than it had been in several weeks, and they said it gets incredibly hot in this area. It was amazing to see this park, We will definitely go back in the future and find more hikes in the area.
On the road again, and this time to St George Utah, where there is a state park called Snow Mountain State Park. Laura went to a retreat near there many years ago and was anxious to show Tony the incredible scenery of this park. We pulled into our site, set up, and then immediately took off for Laura’s favorite hike, Pinon Trail. There was some kind of super energy there that Laura felt and wanted to go back and see it she could still feel it. It was just a feeling of utter joy, and yes, it was still there. Tony thinks I was kinda crazy, but supports her anyway! The next day we hiked several more trails until Laura was just so incredibly exhausted! Tony is older, but has much stronger stamina, which helps keep Laura going!
We stayed there just night, but two full days. The next day we went through the middle of Utah on our way home , but before we found got to our designated boondocking site for the night, we stopped had a nice picnic lunch spot in Capital Reef National Park and found a trail called Hickman Bridge, which had a mountain arch at the top. We both wanted to hike to this incredible view, and we did it, but it was a struggle for Laura.
Years of sitting behind a desk, not getting enough exercise had taken it’s toll, and Laura just wasn’t yet at the fitness level to hike all these trails every day, but shear determination got her through, and she is very grateful that she DID make it to the top. It was so worth it … it was tough, but she made it.
Now it was time to rest in the truck as Tony drives to our designated boondocking site. As we drove into this area … oh no! .. there was someone already there where we wanted to park for the evening. But, due to our exhaustion, and the fact it was nearing 7 pm and we hadn’t eaten yet, we approached this couple, and asked if they mind if we say on the other side of the area. Of course they said yes no problem, they were very nice people and I could tell they wanted to socialize, but we had to set up, and get something to eat before “Hangry” set in.
In the morning we changed our plans and decided to just go ahead and head all the way home – an 8 hour drive, through the mountains. We were tired, and family needed us on the following day, so we did it. It wasn’t so bad, but I wouldn’t want to do it every week!
LESSONS LEARNED FROM THIS TRIP:
- Figure out ways that it won’t take so long to plan. Time and Experience will get this process improved.
- Often, the unexpected trips are the most rewarding.
- Keep on the hiking, even though exhausted, the scenery is beautiful, soak it all in and enjoy. Over time, your body will appreciate the exercise
- As we transition to full time, we realize that slowing down the trip will be more enjoyable
- It’s ok to change plans along the way, after all, it’s our life, our choices, and our freedom to enjoy,
Full Time RV Travel Adventure 