Entering my tenth year as an aspiring adventure travel writer and photographer I am returning to my roots. When I first traveled in the RV, I had no day-to-day plan. I would wake up each day and figure out what to do and where to go.
Aspiring means I don’t get paid. The blog is not written to make money. Taking photos and writing about the photos and experiences is my passion.
Ten years ago I retired after a 34-year career as an electrical engineer. For three years I traveled around the country in a small Winnebago View Class C RV with my two cats Paso Robles and Mountain Lioness. The only reason I bought the RV was so I could travel with my cats and not have to leave them behind.
Six years ago I upgraded to a Tiffin Phaeton 40 IH Class A Motorhome. Escaping the sweltering Florida summers is the main reason I upgraded to the larger coach. The smaller RV was great for several weeks. After a month the View became very small.
This year I am again heading north to southwest Virginia. My friends Erica and Chris bought a farm there and I will stay with them for a while.
From there I have no firm plans. I might head north to Michigan or head out to southeast Colorado and stay in Pagosa Springs, Creede, Salida, and Breckenridge. Or I might stay in the higher elevations of the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia or North Carolina.
Traveling without a plan is wonderful. This is true freedom. On my first long trip back in 2017 I traveled without a plan. I just knew I was going west, I didn’t know even what states I was going to travel through. I would look at the weather website and find out where the weather was going to be good. Then I would look at Google Maps and see how far 200 miles would take me. Then I would try to make a campground reservation. If I liked the place I found, I would stay there for a few more days. If I didn’t like the place very much, I would move on the next day.
This year will mark a decade of traveling by RV. Paso Robles and Mountain Lioness have been to 45 states and traveled 40,000 miles, They slept 550 nights in RVs. Tragically Robles passed away two years ago after we returned from our 2021 trip. She was only nine years old. We spent six of those nine years traveling together in the motorcoach. I used to tell people that the coach belonged to Robles and Mountain Lioness and I was only their driver. We spent so much time together and bonded so closely.
In the last two years I traveled once again with Mountain Lioness, but this time my new dog Rascal came with us. Rascal has already been to 10 states over 180 days.
So Rascal, Mountain Lioness, and I are now travel veterans. Mountain Lioness and I have traveled over 730 nights and 47,000 miles. This year we will continue to slow things down a bit, finding nice peaceful places to stay for weeks at a time. When we find our secret spot, wherever that may be, we will know we found our summer home when we get there.
Spee,
I have taken time from all the other stuff of my life to get on your blog and read some of your biking travels and enjoy the grand photography. The picture you take are amazing and each one could be a post card. This is my business email. Talk with you later.
Thanks for taking the time read through the blog Fred, I really do appreciate, more than you know. I have put a lot of work into this website, just getting the mechanics of the site to work. Soon, when I go to Colorado, I will now be able to concentrate on the content, the photos and writings, and not worry about how the site is working. There are a few parts of the site I have not been able to get how I wanted, but they are minor, will continue to improve the site over the coming years, but I think for the most part, its ready to deploy.
You are doing a great job. Keep up the good work.
— Rollins
Thank you Rollins.
Well, your doing what you love and enjoy. Not many people get to do that even in a lifetime. Seems like yesterday we were walking the halls together.
Ann also keeps me informed of you escapades, oh sorry travels. Keep well.
Your friend,
Ted
Thanks Ted. Yes, the years go by quickly.
Rob,
I spent several hours this evening looking at all the wonderful pictures and reading about all the places that you traveled to and spent time with your kitties and your friends.
I really enjoyed your story about your day at Niagra Falls. I’d been there many years ago as a kid and you described the beauty and the magnificence of the Falls as I remembered.
Bar Harbor has always been a favorite spot of mine. (Particularly eating Maine Lobster on the docks every day of our family vacation.)
By the looks of your travel map you drove along the Coastline of New England. My home state is Connecticut. Did you get to see the Naval Submarine Base in Groton? It’s really quite interesting.
I will look forward to reading more of your adventures with your Rascal and Mountain Lioness, where ever you go.
Safe Travels My Friend!
Sharon
Sharon, thanks for taking the time to read the blogs and view the photos, that means a lot to me. I put a lot of effort into writing the articles and selecting photos, so its always nice when someone enjoys them. Yes we came through Connecticut. We were only there one night, I don’t remember Groton. This is the second time I have come home through CT, in 2018 I came through Harford and Bristol.
There will me new post coming this summer from where ever we end up.
Thank you,
Rob
Hi, It’s Jenny and James! Hopefully, you made it safely to your destination to your friends new place in Virginia! It was very nice meeting you and I’ve enjoyed reading your blog of all of your great adventures today!! Although I’ve kept a journal over the last 7 years, I’ve yet to publish and share! You have motivated me to do so! Please take care of your lovely soul and May peace, love and happiness greet you at each destination! Don’t forget to read Green Lights! It’s quite the handbook on life! ❤️
Thank you for the very kind words, and taking the time to read through the blog. And thank you very much for the well wishes for the future, those words were very thoughtful and well written. I just checked out Green Lights and plan to read it soon, thanks for the suggestion. I wish you and James wonderful travels too, it was a pleasure to meet you both.
I’m really happy for you, Rob. I have enjoyed following your photography and writings. Your adventurous spirit is inspiring. Long time, no see, so thank you for including yourself in the photography.
Mike Dello
Thank you for the kind words Mike. It has been a long time, hope you are doing well. The RV trip this year is delayed for now, but I am still hopeful of getting back on the road this summer.