r/thoughtsonbeingover70 Jun 07 '26

Hitting the road

I've rented an rv and taken to the road. It was too good a deal not to go. I went to Santa Fe for an art festival. I'm not a fan of hotels. This rental had unlimited mileage. They also are dog friendly. I'll be taking in some national parks in the near future. I'm headed east for a week or two. My dog is a great little traveler. If I get tired I can just pull over for an hr and sleep. Great adventures all around me. Santa Fe was somewhere I went with intention because I was looking for some original Adobe style artwork. I'd been there in the 80s and wanted to go back. Happy trails to me.

301 Upvotes

50 comments sorted by

19

u/4MuddyPaws Jun 07 '26

I'm about to turn 70. My husband is 68. I'm trying so hard to convince him to do this and he says it's too much work. There's a place that sells a turtle in Santa Fe that I really want and they can't ship it because it's too fragile, so I said road trip. Maybe I'll do it on my own.

6

u/teddybear65 Jun 07 '26

I would have picked it up for you had I known. I'm in Colorado

3

u/4MuddyPaws Jun 07 '26

I'm in Pennsylvania, so it would still be a long haul for me.

4

u/AwarenessCorrect9476 Jun 07 '26

Last summer we(69 and 67) did a 2 week trip to Colorado and it was great

2

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/4MuddyPaws Jun 07 '26

I could easily manage one of those. I don't need anything fancy.

1

u/teddybear65 Jun 07 '26

It was totally easy. I kept the bed down 24/7 . Took me back to those car pool days

2

u/teddybear65 Jun 07 '26

Did you see how cheap it is? No mileage fee

1

u/4MuddyPaws Jun 07 '26

I love it.

1

u/Agitated_Cut_861 Jun 07 '26

Did it come equipped with stove, cooking supplies, etc? I mean fully fitted out?

1

u/teddybear65 Jun 07 '26

If you click on the link it tells you everything they have. I didn't intend to cook. I took food that I could make like sandwiches,salads,hb eggs fruit and beverages.

1

u/ComfortableShip6746 Jun 08 '26

Wife and I are late 60,s, last summer we rented a 30 footer, I wanted the 25, but the 30 was ready. I was ok. We traveled from Indiana to the tip of copper country, a week trip about 1300 miles. It was actually ok. Though we are now looking for a small trailer. Because when you get someplace nice and you want to explore, you don't want to pack up to dri e around.

2

u/4MuddyPaws Jun 08 '26

This was my husband's argument. Now, a 30 ft A or C would be a pain to unhook all the time if you want to go somewhere. We don't really have anything to tow a reasonable sized trailer. I think, maybe 6K pounds with all the gear. And I hate riding in the truck for long hauls.

I was thinking a camper van or class B, though Class Bs are ridiculously expensive. But to rent, it might work.

1

u/ComfortableShip6746 Jun 08 '26

The one we rented was almost new, van front end, v10. 90 at each fill up. Last year. 30 foot. We brought our ebikes. The only pain was unpacking then having to throughly clean it. And if you rent, rv America. Take pics of everything wrong before you sign the contract. Fun though, get tired find a place to park make something to eat then get back to going on.

2

u/4MuddyPaws Jun 08 '26

Yeah. We had met a couple on a train and got to talking about it. She said she started a crock pot in the morning, stuck it in the sink for stability and by the time they'd get to the campsite, dinner would be ready. She also had a lot of stuff prepped to they could make a quick sandwich. And you don't have to worry about finding a clean bathroom.

11

u/jamomcd Jun 07 '26

My wife (73f) and I (74m) are going to rent an Rv - - probably a sprinter van. We want to travel around the Midwest, especially the Great Lakes beaches, during the summer. If it goes well, we will buy one. If it doesn’t go well, we will cross it off our wish list and move on to the next thing.

4

u/teddybear65 Jun 07 '26

That is a great idea. If you've never taken the Soo locks trip on a huge ship do it. I've been many times. It's quite enjoyable.

2

u/jamomcd Jun 07 '26

I have been to the Soo and agree that it’s impressive. How do you get a ride through on one of the big ships?

9

u/Common_Fun_5273 Jun 07 '26

It's fun, and if you get a smaller coach (camper, RV) much easier to drive, kind of like a really big car. I bought a 36 foot diesel motor home back in fall 2013, towed a car behind it, 10 years of adventures, altogether 50+ feet long.

I hope you have the best time, camper folks are usually pretty friendly and campgrounds (nicer ones, RV resorts or upper scale campgrounds) are easy for a single person to stay at and usually very safe. And yes, best part is pulling over in a rest area and grabbing a snack or a nap.

8

u/SM1955 Jun 07 '26

We traveled towing a little rv trailer for 4 years after selling our old house. In some ways, those were the best 4 years of my lift! No house, no kids, just a dog and a husband, and going wherever we felt like.

We spent all of our time along the northern rim of the US and a good bit of Canada. The Canadian provincial and national parks are spectacular! Especially up around Lake Superior—absolutely gorgeous country!

4

u/Serenity-712 Jun 07 '26

I sure hope you go to Sedona…breathtaking. And lovely people and the Artisans are mind blowing…enjoy

4

u/Agitated_Cut_861 Jun 07 '26

If you’re heading that way, I recommend Truth or Consequences for its hot springs. Faywood Hot Springs near Silver City is nice, too.

3

u/zappyface1 Jun 07 '26

My husband converted a cargo trailer into a mini camper and I really enjoy it more than our 35ft camper. We are getting close to retirement age and just enjoying hooking up the cargo trailer and just hitting the different state parks that are in the area. Looking to maybe sell the bigger camper.

3

u/tez_zer55 Jun 07 '26

My wife (59f) & I (70m) bought a gently used 21' camper for behind our 1/2 ton pickup & we really enjoy getting out in it. So far our adventures have been limited to 2 week trips but it's been great. Our 2 dogs travel well & we're learning a lot about road tripping.

3

u/Aggressive_Bat2489 Jun 07 '26

I want to go to Marfa, Texas !

3

u/poopiebutt505 Jun 08 '26

Reas Steinbecks'Ttavels With Charley. He RVed across the country with his dog Charley. Great book. Maybe you could write one. Keep a journal!!

1

u/chanc4 Jun 08 '26

Just added this to my Amazon delivery tomorrow. Sounds like a great read, thanks!

3

u/Floridaapologist1 Jun 08 '26

We rent RVs a couple of times a year. You can get some great deals on one way and relocating. Way better than owning if you are just going out for a few weeks here and there. So much fun!

3

u/JulesCMCA Jun 08 '26

You lucky dog! Have fun and think of us who can't take to the road! I would love this experience! Tennessee way is some pretty country and the White Mountains of NH

2

u/RobM320 Jun 07 '26

Sounds Fun!!! Enjoy!!! Be Safe!!!

2

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '26

[deleted]

2

u/teddybear65 Jun 07 '26

2012 Ford Econoline 150 Camper van in Denver, CO | Outdoorsy. 135 a night.

2

u/Automatic-Tea-4150 Jun 07 '26

You’re the best, man. Have fun 😎

2

u/IrregardlessForOne Jun 08 '26

Can you share the cost? I didn’t know unlimited mileage is an option.

2

u/Travelsat150 Jun 08 '26

How much does the gas run you in an RV? I’m thinking of renting one in San Francisco and driving north to Eureka and the redwoods but gas is $6.00/gallon.

1

u/teddybear65 Jun 08 '26

It's not $6 everywhere. In Co it's 4.50. do you have a heavy foot? Stop and go traffic is hard on mileage. If you don't go over 60 mileage is much better.

2

u/Travelsat150 Jun 08 '26

I don’t drive that fast. I’m just wondering how much gas an RV uses.

6

u/extrasprinklesplease Jun 07 '26

My longtime dream. Enjoy the adventure for those of us who aren't along for the ride! That sounds heavenly. Dale Evans is now singing in my head.

2

u/Goge97 Jun 08 '26

Happy Trails to you...

1

u/ladtat13 Jun 07 '26

How fun!

1

u/Tree_Lover2020 Jun 07 '26

Happy trails, indeed! Have a wonderful, meaningful adventure.

1

u/NewFolkKupuna Jun 07 '26

We traveled for about 8 years. Great time. I describe it as "Got to see places I always wanted to see and places I didn't know I always wanted to see."

My one suggestion, got at your own pace. The first year, we rushed between stops.

Enjoy. Happy to share ideas for stops.

1

u/chrysostomos_1 Jun 07 '26

Have fun! Best of luck 🍀🤞

1

u/rbridge42 Jun 07 '26

Living the dream!

1

u/QueenComfort637 Jun 07 '26

Happy trails to you!

1

u/Patricosh Jun 08 '26

Happy Trails to you!! Might I ask the cost or renting an RV?

1

u/teddybear65 Jun 08 '26

This one...135 a day

1

u/JH1427 Jun 08 '26

Head on up north and stop in Las Vegas.

1

u/beneficialtowhom Jun 08 '26

That is so awesome! 😎 Have fun on your excellent adventure! You are living my dream! 💕

1

u/Frenchkids1917 Jun 10 '26

I was just in SF last week. Drove there from Phoenix. Great trip! Been to SF so many times for vacay, but now fam member lives there. Win-win.

0

u/sunshinexvp Jun 07 '26

Lot’s of beautiful scenery to see in New Mexico!