Monday, March 23, 2015

How to Survive an RV Trip by Missy

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug


Surviving an RV trip is a lot more complicated than it seems. It is a test of patience and a test on how quickly you can adapt to a new lifestyle. But once you tackle how to survive, traveling can be an enjoyable experience.

When you first start traveling in your RV, it will take some getting used to. But after awhile you start realizing what you do and don't need. The key to packing is the bare essentials. Over packing will make your life miserable. In addition to this, you have to always put everything back the way it should be, or else you will find nothing.

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug


In addition to the end result of family bonding, another great thing about traveling in an RV is homeschooling. You can do your work on the road, and sometimes visit the places you're learning about! Electives include "Persevering Through Traffic Jams" both outside and inside the vehicle. Another good one is the art of bed making, where students learn how to completely disassemble their bed and how to turn it into a table without hurting anyone with the two ton table top.

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug


Next is speed. I'm talking about getting up in the morning and preparation for bed. You have to accomplish everything in the least amount of time possible. That means no spending an hour in the bathroom. One bathroom and seven people sharing it means a high risk of getting walked in on. Getting up early has it's advantages, one being a little peace and quiet. You can brush your teeth in peace, and then not have to do it during rush hour. But if you just so happen to sleep in, good luck. A good time to get ready for bed is when everyone else is watching a movie. The downside to this of course is that you miss the movie.

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug


The next complication of living in an RV with your family is the issue of personal space, and the fact that you get none. There really is no way to avoid this, especially with a family of seven. With no such thing as elbow room or a personal bubble, it can be very challenging at times to get along. But after your family adapts to being in each others' bubbles, they will be closer than ever. So close that you can tell who cut the cheese.

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug


Which leads to lunch time. Be prepared to eat sandwich after sandwich, with the occasional microwaved soup. When you're not eating out for lunch, you're eating a sandwich. To avoid hating sandwiches for the rest of your life, switch it up every day if you can, or put something strong tasting like mustard inside. Dinner is eaten in shifts and is usually a crock pot dish. It is my favorite meal of the day because it is not a sandwich.

Chores are generally a lot easier too, provided everyone is outside when you decide to vacuum the sand of Florida and the mud from Maine. For those who hate vacuuming, if you are given the option of vacuuming and wiping the windshield, take the vacuum. Bugs still haven't grasped the concept of looking both ways before crossing the street. That's a lesson for you, kids.

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug


I've learned so much during my time in the RV, and no matter how bad the trip was, I look back on it as a life changing experience because the bad stuff is what I'll probably remember as the best stuff.

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

12 comments:

  1. Tämä oli hauska ja niin elämänmakuinen, että ihan ääneen nauratti. Hyvä Missy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This was so much fun to read! And my 12 year old daughter said that your adventure sounds so cool and so terrible at the same time. Yes, you are right, "the bad stuff is what [you'll] probably remember as the best stuff." Gorgeous photos, too! (I'm Jennifer from the photo club. Anonymous sounds creepy when writing to a minor. I just don't have a profile.)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mielenkiintoinen ja hauska postaus arjestanne asuntoautossa. Kiitos Missy! :)
    PaulaP

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love this! It's great to have a kid's perspective!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well said Missy!! Just think how borring us regular folks are! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Missy, read your text three times and had to say you made the life on the road so real I can feel how it is. It must actually be a challenge but also a huge gift of life. I mean you have seen, been through so much. I truly think your way of life has given so much in so many ways - much more than what is possible to ever learn from books. Also it might have inplanted the curiosity in you and my guess is that you girl will travel around this whole world in the future and with an easy smile because of your experience of the RV time. Will or would be lovely to read about your thoughts also in the future! You are a mature lovely creative person! " heart "

    ReplyDelete
  7. When I started reading I thought how is it like to travel in a RV. Now after reading that I think I know something about it.
    So well written and so realistic :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you so much for all your lovely comments! They meant so much to Missy and me. Hopefully she'll share more of her amazing writings with us:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kiitos, Missy! Todella hyvä blogikirjoitus, - ja hauska! :-)

    Hyvää pääsiäistä teille kaikille!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a talented writer you are, Missy!! So clever and funny, too!! I loved reading about life on the road from your perspective. =)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bethany, Missy loved hearing your comment! Thank you <3

    ReplyDelete