Quarter Way Through Our Trip

As we were beginning our drive towards Connecticut, Darryl mentioned he read some comments on the internet from truck drivers who were not very happy about RVer’s parking overnight at truck stops which got me thinking about the issue. The concern was RVer’s were taking up spots which eliminated truck driver’s ability to stop, park and get their required amount of rest during their trips. The consensus was RVer’s could easily stop at other locations and reduce the chance of truck drivers having to find other available locations. In theory, this made complete sense so I altered our boondocking plans of staying at a Connecticut "Pilot" and Rhode Island "TA" and instead elected to stay overnight in a Cracker Barrel parking lot.

During our stop in RI, we were able to visit the Silver Sands, State Park. Even with the low 30's chilly temperatures, the sun was able to shine through and provide adequate warmth for our 3 mile walk. One of my main interests while on this trip is to allow our 14-year old Chihuahua, Reese, the chance of getting sufficient exercise and being able to allocate times for taking her on nature walks and hikes. This park was a perfect place for all of us to get some fresh air, see the beautiful RI coastline and enjoy lunch by the sea.

The following day, Darryl was especially excited to get to Massachusetts and check into a hotel for three days. As he has explained, it is sometimes stressful driving through unknown, unchartered areas in a 30 ft RV with a towed vehicle. Even though we are using a Garmin RV660 which provides specific routes with consideration of the height of the RV and roadway conditions, squeezing through turnpike booths and being pushed by wind gusts from passing commercial semis can create a pucker factor when at the wheel. He says it’s like being in a hypervigilant state for a constant 3 hours. Unfortunately for Darryl, I have not been able to provide any driving assistance due to the RV’s drivers side seat not being able to be pulled close enough to the steering wheel, the gas/brake pedals located deep under the console where my feet cannot reach which renders me unable to drive. Seriously, it’s not because I am only 5’2”, these damn RV manufacturers need to think about “petite” drivers. Anyway, staying in a hotel and only having to drive or ride around in a small passenger vehicle for a few days was welcome news to Darryl.

Once settled at the Massachusetts hotel, we had to ensure we consistently checked the outside weather conditions so the RV pipes did not burst from the expected low (20 degrees) weather that was headed our way.

During our travels,

Darryl purchased a wireless thermometer which he stores in the RV and can observe the monitor. This allows him the ability to remotely see if the temperature is dropping below freezing and adjust the heating thermostat. So far this strategy has worked, and no issue has arisen. While the RV has maintained adequate heat, I can’t say that our bodies have experienced the same. A dilemma we have previously faced on this trip…chose at least ONE day that we would bear the cold and explore the area. We knew we had a short amount of time, so we elected to visit some recommended areas in Boston. Darryl wanted to walk the grounds of Harvard, walk the Freedom Trail and see the Madonna shrine.

Since I have visited Boston before, I simply wanted to go to an authentic Boston pub and get a cold draft beer. We were able to accomplish all in a matter of six hours and as a bonus saw the location which inspired the television show, “Cheers.”

On our last day in Massachusetts we considered diving the 2 hours to Cape Cod, however, decided that having clean clothes and a defrosted refrigerator was a priority. As I prepared for the next four days of traveling and boondocking in ME, NH, VT and NY, I thought about a small wooden frame I have hanging in the RV with the phrase, “Enjoy the little things in life, for someday you will realize they were the big things.” It made me ponder how quickly my lifestyle has changed and consider what trivial things are now big in my life. A hot shower, drawn bath, time to read a book without interruption, preparing healthy meals, going to the gym, being more engaging with my family, waking up whenever I choose, freedom of not wearing a bra or makeup, and seeing and experiencing unfamiliar places are all things that have an enormous positive impact in my daily life.

You might think the bra thing is a stretch, yet it rates right at the top of my list. While I certainly have done many of these things prior to taking this trip, they all equated to random activities with no real sense of satisfaction. It was more like checking off a to-do list while

pushing through to the next day’s list or simply an unappreciated luxury. I hope sharing the stories of this trip provide lessons, laughter, travel ideas and inspiration for our families and friends so they too can have the freedom to and freedom from doing the things they most want in their life.