DADISMS

How It All Started

Linda and I always loved to travel. For years, many of our trips revolved around races on my bucket list, paired with whatever local attractions we could explore along the way. RV travel, however, was never part of the plan—even though both sets of my grandparents owned RVs and traveled extensively. Funny how some ideas skip a generation.

That changed with an unexpected conversation.

I ran into a retired work colleague, Dave, who mentioned he was working a contract position while traveling full-time with his wife in their RV. They weren’t just vacationing—they were living the lifestyle. That conversation planted a seed neither Linda nor I expected to grow.

From Curiosity to Confidence

Once that seed was planted, Linda did what she does best—research. Before long, we were deep into YouTube RV channels, learning everything from towing basics to campground etiquette. The more we learned, the more confident we became that RV travel was something we wanted to try.

Our first step was practical: purchasing a Ford F-250 Super Duty diesel. We decided to delay buying a camper until we fully understood what would best fit our needs—a decision that proved wise, especially as COVID-19 sent demand (and prices) for trucks and RVs soaring.

Then came our first stroke of luck: a dealership with five trucks on the lot—950 miles round-trip, but worth every mile.

First Trips, Big Lessons

Three months later, truck in hand, we packed for a two-week adventure with a rented camper and our Welsh Corgi, Rosie. That first trip took us to the mountain towns of Colorado—and included meeting our newborn grandson. It was equal parts learning curve and magic.

The following year brought another rented-camper trip, this time to Atlanta, where I ran the AJC Peachtree Road Race, followed by time in the Great Smoky Mountains. By then, we knew: this wasn’t a phase.

Finding “The One”

COVID continued to complicate any plans to purchase a camper, even after we’d settled on what we wanted. Then came the second stroke of luck—an opportunity to buy a gently used Grand Design Reflection fifth wheel.

There was just one catch: I’d need to drive 2,300 miles round-trip to pick her up.

Somehow, that felt perfectly fitting.

The Road Opens Up

With a camper of our own—and retirement officially underway—the road truly opened up. Freed from work calendars, we began traveling deeper and farther, discovering just how flexible and rewarding RV life could be.

Our travels took us to unforgettable experiences like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and the Rose Parade, as well as extended trips through the Southwest, Northwest, and Northeast. We explored Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and checked off destinations that had lived on our “someday” list for years.

Retirement also opened the door to snowbird life—first spending a winter in Florida, followed by two more in Arizona. RV travel has allowed us to enjoy retirement on our terms: visiting national parks, reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and giving me the freedom to pursue my goal of running a half marathon in all 50 states.

Roles on the Road

Linda gladly takes the lead in trip planning, putting her organizational skills to work while also serving as my trusted co-pilot—helping navigate daily travel and campground arrivals. And while I never expected it, growing up on a farm and hauling a 25-foot gooseneck trailer loaded with polo ponies turned out to be perfect preparation for towing our fifth wheel.

Life has a funny way of connecting the dots.

See You Down the Road

RV travel has shown us places and moments we’d never experience any other way. It’s taught us patience, flexibility, and that the best stories often happen between destinations—not just at them. Along the way, we’ve come to believe something simple but true: every mile has a story.

While we enjoy having a home base near St. Louis—close to family and community—we also love the connections made on the road. If our paths cross at a race, in a campground, or around a campfire, we’d enjoy swapping stories, sharing a laugh, and getting to know you.

After all, the road is better when it’s shared.