Editor’s Note: This post is written by a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

About Us

Yup, we did it. We bought a Unity Murphy Bed, sold our home of 35 years, quit our jobs, and began our RV-travel adventure.

I (Robin) had spent the last twenty years of my career between ministry and the tourism industry, ending up as interim pastor for a church and interim CEO for a convention and visitors bureau – simultaneously! Jim, my husband, had started his career as a firefighter/paramedic before starting and selling a successful pool supply business. By the time the business sale was made and my “interim-ships” were over, we were ready for a break. We figured we would take a year off to recalibrate, but after a year of RV travel, going back to an office held no appeal for either of us. So, Jim retired, and I began writing.

Navarre Beach on the Gulf Island

We have three grown children and seven grandchildren ranging from 18 months to 16 years of age. Family is a great gift, offering a haven of love, laughter, and fun. Vacations are usually spent together as a large group and often include extended family in multiple beach houses.

Jim loves to play golf and is an accomplished guitar player and home chef. I spend most of my time mastering classical music on the ukulele or writing for several blogs and the Small RV Ninja book series. “We have indulged our creative sides in our retirement, exploring our interests from cooking to crafting to music.” I have also participated in the 100 Days Project for the last two years producing 100 fantasy ukulele designs and creating 100 souvenirs from shells collected on our travels. Jim created recipes for a cookbook based on travels but has taken more pride in coaching our grandchildren in their sports activities.

Our Second Half

We took road trips over the years and spent many vacations renting beach houses. But when we decided to take a sabbatical to plan our “second half,” we bought a Unity Murphy Bed – the first RV we had ever owned. We were not RVers nor campers; we considered ourselves city kids, but the whole RV idea intrigued us. We did our research and looked at dozens of RVs before deciding on Leisure Travel Vans. The Unity Murphy Bed was the right size, maneuverable, comfortable, and well-appointed. Still, to this day, we are delighted with our purchase!

This RV is Part of Us

Hotels and air travel have been a big part of my work, and though many lovely hotels and jets are faster, a lot is lacking in that kind of travel when you want to decompress. The RV travel style is whatever you want to make of it. We love resorts and National Parks – there are benefits to staying in both, but the RV gives us those options in a more affordable package, and we always get to sleep in our own bed!

Short Trips and Bucket List Trips

We make a lot of short trips to visit the grandchildren. Those short trips often include attending their ball games and school events. The RV is a great spot for grabbing a sandwich or a nap in between games!

We have also very much enjoyed our bucket list trips. We started our RV adventures visiting The Keys. Then we traversed the East Coast North to South before heading west to Yellowstone, the Badlands, Arches, and other National Parks. We prefer nicer RV parks and resorts, but we do occasionally boondock to take in more natural surroundings. State parks are wonderful, especially when the campground borders a lake.

Pack Up and Go

RVing has opened up a lot of travel opportunities for us. We always have the option to pack up and go wherever we want. The RV is our “way to get there” and our “where to stay.” That takes a lot of concern out of the travel equation–especially in the last few years. I also know that we have grown closer as we share the adventure of a new destination, see natural wonders, and enjoy sunsets all over the country.

Favorite Travel Destinations

Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is other-worldly. There is spectacular mountain scenery and wildlife everywhere. The thermal features are just so unusual and quite beautiful. From the powerful geysers to the “smoking” Fire Hole River to the view of Yellowstone Falls from Artists Point, there is something to see around every corner. We stayed at Henry’s Lake State Park and were inspired by fly fishing, so we took a lesson from a guide in town.

Arches National Park
Those rusty-colored cliffs and wind-swept rock formations offer a desert experience like no other. Walking between the slices of rock and viewing the eroded arches gave us a new appreciation for the power of wind, sand, and water.

Gulf Islands National Seashore
This is our favorite beach. At the Santa Rosa Area near Navarre, Florida, the seashore is a vast expanse of white sand dunes and turquoise water. A beautiful and often secluded beach is an invitation for a reflective stroll.

Editor’s Note: This post is written by a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

It was early, just before sunrise. I could see a line of light at the horizon as the night sky gave up its reign. I dropped my phone into my robe pocket and carefully opened the door so as not to wake Jim, then closed it, oh so softly, behind me. It was cool, and a soft breeze stirred the air as I walked to the water’s edge to catch the sunrise on my phone camera. I knew Jim would be up soon since we leave today, but I wanted to spend a few quiet moments enjoying this priceless view of Penobscot Bay.

View from our campsite on the Penobscot Bay

We were parked at the seawall, which is one of a handful of campsites that looked directly onto the bay. The tide was changing, and the sea grass waved in the current just below the water’s surface. A rock labyrinth laid out on the bay floor would be visible in just a few hours. What a curious surprise it was that first day I saw it at low tide – and somewhat surreal as I walked the spiral of rocks to its center and then back to the beach. I sat down at the picnic table and took in the scene. We had launched our kayaks off the beach just steps from the campsite and paddled down the coastline spotting an otter, then an eagle. It had been a terrific day with sunshine and warm temperatures. It was a big difference from August back in Georgia, where daily temperatures soar into the 90s and the humidity with it.

Searsport Oceanside Campground was a surprise right from the start. When we arrived, we were greeted by a large group of musicians rehearsing for an “Old Time” music concert to be held over the weekend. If you have a uke, fiddle, guitar, banjo, or whatever, you can join in with the other members! The camper on the site next to us played banjo, so we enjoyed hearing him practice in the afternoon. The buildings are eclectically decorated in bright colors, and a decidedly laid-back, hippy vibe surrounds the whole place. In all, a fun and unexpected “second-choice” campground!

Labyrinth on the Bay floor

This was our first trip to Acadia National Park, and we found the campground by default since the campgrounds around Acadia were full. It was an hour’s drive from the Park and offered a different view. A tranquil scene overlooking Penobscot Bay, a pebble beach, offers wonderful kayaking. Facing the Atlantic, Acadia’s coastline is all rocks and crashing surf. It is a spectacular view, and we enjoyed it while hiking. We found so many “Instagram” moments in Maine that I had to upload the photos from my phone camera to make room for more photos.

The rocky shore of Acadia from the Ocean Trail

Belfast, Maine, has a lovely harbor

We had planned to take a one-month east coast tour, just stopping a day or two in towns along the way. But the views we encountered made us throw away the timeline. For years our vacation travel was hurried, the time measured out in two-week intervals. There was little room for side trips and serendipity – we had a schedule to keep. Now retired, time was no longer a task-master, so why not slow down to soak in the scenery?

So many beautiful views. But that is why we travel by RV – to take in the beautiful landscapes, quaint towns, and coastlines. And this is the trip we began to say, “Let’s stay longer” – maybe another day or two. All for a beautiful view. And for us, the views we appreciate most are ones at well-located campgrounds. If you have traveled by RV for long, you know most campgrounds are tucked away. Some are in a lovely wooded setting or convenient to the local towns or attractions, but the ones we keep on our “favorites” list are those with a scenic view or a perfect location near a scenic view.

A brief list of our favorite coastal campsites includes the one described above in Searsport, Maine. But not all of our favorites have such a spectacular view. Dune’s Edge Campground, further south, on the Cape Cod National Seashore, is run by the Trustees who monitor development on the Cape that might infringe on the wildlife or the natural setting. The Campground, set in a coastal forest, is small and rough, but its proximity to the National Seashore and lovely Provincetown cannot be overstated. Take a bike because in this area cars are not an asset. And with that bike, you can access the maritime forest at the campground’s entrance, ride to the National Seashore,  or go into Provincetown to enjoy its art galleries, shops, restaurants, and attractions. It’s the proximity that makes this campground unique. There are others nearby Truro, but Dune’s Edge is at the National Seashore.

The dune walkover at Cape Cod National Seashore

We have also enjoyed a few “corporate” campgrounds, like the KOA in Mystic, Connecticut. This area is busy but still retains its small towns and greenery. The KOA is located on what used to be a farm, and the white fencing still lines the road to the campground. This is a KOA tucked into the countryside with many trees and open spaces rather than the “parking lot” arrangement we found in other areas, and it is a large campground with spacious sites and all the amenities you might expect. Its proximity to downtown Mystic and the Mystic Seaport Village was its initial draw for us. When we visited, the leaves were just starting to turn their autumn colors, and the sunsets were amazing with the high vantage point overlooking a nearby meadow. We spent our days exploring Mystic and returned to camp to enjoy campfires and sunsets!

A delightful trip into the past at this living museum and art gallery.

New Jersey is a tough nut to crack when it comes to RV campgrounds. There isn’t much along the coast other than Seashore Campground and RV Resort in Cape May. We took a ferry from Lewes, Delaware, to reach Cape May and found the campground in just a few minutes. The campground is large, with seasonal “park models” as well as RVs. Each site is paved with white gravel, making it look clean and bright among the tall pines. Though we were disappointed it was not on the water, the beach was a short drive away. It faces Lewes, Delaware, and a World War II bunker on the sand – a twin to the one in Lewes. The two towns, Cape May and Lewes, each kept watch over the channel during the war, ready to defend from those bunkers. Now, half-buried in the sand, they are monuments to history.

World War II bunker half-buried in the sand at Cape May beach.

A walk through downtown Cape May is all Victorian charm, with dozens of restored homes turned into bed and breakfasts. Their cheery colors and fancy gingerbread trim make them look like a line of doll houses. On the way back to the campground, we discovered Cape May Winery – complete with a vineyard, tasting room, and restaurant. Their award-winning Chardonnay was added to our cellar! All of this is within easy reach of a terrific campground.

Downtown Cape May is filled with charming Victorian homes.

Camping close to a city can be quite challenging, but we found a little waterfront haven just 30 minutes north of Baltimore, Maryland. Set on the Chesapeake Bay, Bar Harbor RV Resort and Marina in Abingdon, Maryland, offers bay-side campsites. It is situated at the end of a residential neighborhood with campsites well-positioned for great views over the Chesapeake Bay. Because it sits on the northern tip of the Chesapeake that means it provides a direct route to the Eastern Shore – avoiding the city traffic. On the Eastern Shore, we visited St. Michaels, Oxford, and Easton – probably the most picturesque harbor towns in the country. So, in all, Bar Harbor RV Resort is a pretty convenient option to explore the area as well as offer beautiful bay views.

Our campsite on the Chesapeake Bay provided wonderful sunset views.

We discovered the Outer Banks in North Carolina a little further down the east coast. We have stayed with friends at a beach house in Kitty Hawk and even camped in their driveway with the RV on one trip. The beaches in this area are protected by tall sand dunes, but the sea is relentless, and in Kitty Hawk, we watched a massive beach reclamation effort. A barge offshore brings sand pulled from the ocean bottom a few miles away and then pumps it through a pipeline to the beach, where it spewed out like a fountain. Specially-outfitted bulldozers move the new sand into dunes along the shore and then smooth and stretch it down to the water’s edge.

The beach reclamation project at Kitty Hawk

We fell asleep to the sound of heavy surf and bulldozers. It turns out the bulldozers and barge work in tandem 24 hours a day. The next morning, I walked down the beach to watch at close range and talked with one of the homeowners there. They were grateful for the work and didn’t mind the night’s noise and bright lights. That “noise” meant their home was being secured against the tide. The noise and lights didn’t bother us a bit either. It was good to know that this favorite beach spot would live on for a few more seasons.

Gentle surf today at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore

For a more tranquil OBX experience, we drove just a little bit further south to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Although there are a number of campgrounds in the area, we stayed at the Cape Hatteras RV Campground. Our LTV group – The Carolina LTVers, held a Rally there, making it that much more of an enjoyable stay. The campground offers views of the Sound on one side and ocean-side campsites tucked behind the dunes. The Sound side is flat and open, so the views are expansive. We watched, mesmerized by kite surfers whose colorful sails dotted the water and sky throughout our visit. It is close to many attractions, including several lighthouses, the Wright Brothers Monument, and a herd of wild horses on the beach. The National Park also has a wonderful exhibit on the Hatteras Light, which was moved inland from its original location on the beach when the rising sea threatened to claim it. The whole process of how it was moved is documented in the exhibit, and the lighthouse stands proudly at the center of the property. This is a campground with a great view, access to the National Seashore, some very interesting attractions, and it could be a vacation in itself.

Fascinating story about how the lighthouse was moved!

I have only scratched the surface – there are many more great campgrounds along the coast. What makes a campsite a place to linger longer is more than just a beautiful view. It’s a combination of elements – from the view (probably the most important) to the campground itself, its convenience to attractions and restaurants, and access to outdoor activities like kayaking or hiking. That ” package ” draws you in and holds you there.

We have always kept a list of the campgrounds we visit and rate them according to their beauty and their convenience factor. Sometimes convenience wins out over beauty, depending on our agenda for each trip. But we always put a star by the ones we want to re-visit and stay a little longer next time.

Editor’s Note: This post is written by a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Sitting in the RV at the end of the driveway, Jim asked, “Where to?” This has been a dream come true. For so many years, we longed for a way to travel comfortably and at our own pace. An RV was the perfect choice to make that happen, and when we retired, time became an ally instead of an enemy! Over the past six years, we have covered a lot of asphalt between Maine, the Keys, and west to Idaho. We have experienced remarkable landscapes from prairies and mountains to coastal cities, and though there is so much more to see, the seaside always beckons us home.

Raised on the Jersey Shore, Jim and I have great affection for the coast. So, when we purchased our Unity, our plan was to enjoy beach after beach along the Eastern and Gulf coasts. It is a continuing quest in our RV travel. So when Jim asks, “Where to?” I inevitably answer – “The coast.” Now, you may think that is rather mundane or unimaginative, but if you are a beach person, you are already picturing the sea, sand, and the sunny breeze of a summer’s day. While beaches all seem the same to some, we have found that each sandy stretch has something unique to offer. After sampling dozens of beaches, we have a few favorites, so buckle up and join us on a winter trip to explore some of our favorite beaches.

Winter is cold in Atlanta, where we call home these days. Not “northern cold” like in our original home of New Jersey, but cold nonetheless. Natives tell us that our blood has thinned after 35 years in the South, so we feel the cold more intensely than we once did. I don’t know if there is any truth, but a cold rainy day in January is not pleasant, no matter how thick or thin your blood is. We needed some warmer weather, so we planned a trip to the Keys.

The Keys are a pretty fair distance from Atlanta, so we needed to find a few coastal stops along the way. That meant this would be a beach trip! The only “hiccup” is that it is snowbird season in Florida, and every RV campground is packed with folks fleeing the cold. We’ll have to rely on cancellations and good luck in finding campsites. To ensure better luck, we started on the Florida Panhandle. February and March have “iffy” weather on the Gulf. It can be freezing and windy or absolutely balmy. It’s a roll of the dice we were willing to risk, so we pointed the RV southwest to Pensacola.

View of the bay from our campsite at Emerald Beach in Navarre

I scored a campground in Navarre, just about an hour from Pensacola, that served as home base for this western-most part of the trip. Emerald Beach is a small private campground that sits on the bay. It has a small beach, a fishing pier, and wonderful sites overlooking the water – they even have decks! Navarre Beach and the Gulf Islands National Seashore were situated near the bridge to the barrier island. We were just a short drive away from these beautiful white sands, and this was our primary destination for this stop.

The next morning we set out for Navarre Beach. The road along the beach is flanked by hotels, condos, and beach house rentals for several miles, but as you come to the end of Navarre Beach, all the development disappears. The road is narrowed by sand, and a sign announces the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Beyond is nothing but sand dunes spiked with beach grass and beautiful turquoise waters. The sand is fine and white – “sugar sand,” as our host put it, and indeed it has that same texture. The waters are clean and clear turquoise in color when the sun is bright and seem to hold their color even as the clouds move in.

Beautiful white sand beach at Gulf Islands National Seashore at the Santa Rosa Day Use Area 

After a night of storms, mobs of jellyfish are washed up on the beach. They were quite large – about the size of a grapefruit, with multi-colored sails and tentacles. A few young seabirds picked at smaller jellies but stepped gingerly around the larger specimens – as did we! Quite an unusual “litter” problem. At this time of year, the National Seashore is deserted. We found a parking lot next to the beach with views of the water and set out our camp chairs to enjoy the winter sun – alternating between long walks collecting shells and reading in our chairs.

Conveniently, Pensacola Beach is just on the other end of the road that runs through the National Seashore; after deciding we wanted an early dinner, we headed to a popular restaurant there. I made a mental note to ensure we returned before sundown since that marks the National Seashore’s gates closing. Otherwise, we would have to take the longer route over a bridge and through town to reach our RV campground.

After exploring the National Seashore and visiting the Pensacola area for a week or so, we headed east about 130 miles to Cape San Blas. Our camping destination was T.H Stone Memorial State Park, situated at the end of the Cape. The far-reaching tip of the peninsula hosts a nature reserve, and the RV campgrounds are nestled nearby between the Gulf and the Bay. We reserved a site on the beach side near a wooden boardwalk that crosses the dunes to the beach. As you reach the top of the dunes, what greets your eye is a wide expanse of white sand and blue water – and nothing else. It is devoid of development. No buildings, no lifeguard towers, no people. It is a rare gift to find a beach of such beauty where you can walk until you drop and hardly meet another soul!

Walking over the dunes and seeing the Gulf is a breathtaking experience.

But there is wildlife everywhere. The marsh cozies up to the campground, so you’ll see cotton rats scurrying around the edges of the marsh, as well as herons and seagulls. As deserted as the beach was, the campground was full. This is a popular spot for both travelers and locals. Cape San Blas is beautiful; the weather was spectacular with blue skies, sea breezes, and warm sunshine. The whole area is quite laid back – not a lot of development, just lots of beach houses to rent. Situated on a peninsula that curves close to the mainland, the water is lovely, and the surf is quite gentle. You’ll enjoy white sand similar to Gulf Islands National Seashore, but the dunes are bordered by a maritime forest that threads from the mainland to the tip of the peninsula.

St George island is fringed with grasses and small palmettos, protecting the dunes from erosion.

After a lingering stay enjoying this beautiful beach, we headed about 35 miles to St. George Island, just east of Apalachicola. St. George is almost like home to us and has been our favorite family vacation destination for the past twenty years. The barrier island is reached by a four-mile bridge that makes a wide arc as it crosses the bay dotted with oyster boats which is why St. George is unique. As a barrier island, it sits out in the Gulf. The water surrounding it is active with marine life like dolphins, sharks, fish, crabs, and rays. Sea birds such as terns, gulls, sandpipers, pelicans, and herons are evident across the island, and it is common to see squadrons of pelicans skim the Gulf waters while pods of dolphin romp up and down the island’s shoreline. It also is fringed on the bay side with maritime forest while the Gulf side has stunningly beautiful beaches. The old lighthouse, a distinguishing feature of this barrier island, now stands as a visitor center where the bridge meets the island.

Now welcoming visitors, the St. George light once warned ships to avoid this barrier island.

On the island’s east end, you will find RV accommodations at the Dr. Julian G. Bruce State Park, which offers RV campsites in the maritime forest. The state park end of the island is beautiful, wild, and vast, with wide, shell-strewn beaches. Like Cape San Blas, it is quiet, but the east end of St. George beyond the State Park gate feels wilder. It is subject to more wave action and wind as a barrier island. Indeed, the memory of our walks along the beach floods my mind with the sound of wind and surf. We could stay here for a year, but it is time to move on too soon – there are more beaches to visit!

Driving east, we reach the big bend area where beaches are overtaken by salt marsh. There is a long stretch where there is no apparent beach at all but dozens of more remote vacation spots like Alligator Point and Cedar Key. The first inkling you are returning to beach life is almost 300 miles away, just north of St. Petersburg.

The St. Pete Beach area is quite different from the Panhandle. Although this was not on our list of destinations, it is hard to overlook the beach here. It is wide and lovely with beautiful Gulf views, but the area is far more developed. Boardwalks are lined with shops, hotels, and restaurants. The hum of the area is a pure vacation vibe. There are a lot of places to have fun, eat, drink, and be merry. Nearby Tampa hosts several RV parks for accommodations, perfect for an overnight stop or to act as a home base for a busy vacation.

But we don’t stop for long in St. Pete, as our next destination is 130 miles south, where we find ourselves in Fort Meyers. The city wraps around you with tall buildings and the “hurry” of a thriving metropolis. Then you come to a bridge that transports you with a more tranquil view. Boats bobbing in the bay, seagulls soaring on the wind and that beautiful blue water. Our destination (one recommended by friends) was Sanibel Island. Sanibel is a lovely respite from city life with remarkably turquoise waters, soft sand beaches, sun, and still lots to do. Many little village areas populate the main thoroughfare, each with a selection of shops and restaurants. This is a walkable/bikeable island with paved bike paths along every major street and lots of places to rent bikes. The RV park where we had reservations, Periwinkle Park and Campground, was the perfect setting for biking to the beach or into the nearby villages. Leave your car parked, hop on your bike and spend your vacation peddling around the island; there is a lot of peddling to do! The lighthouse is on one end of the island, and the nature preserve is on the other. In between, there are dozens of beach access points to sample the sand, sea, and sky.

Amazing pastel-colored sky on Sanibel Island – every sundown looks like this!

As we walked around the campground on our first evening, we thought we could hear the sounds of macaws and monkeys. Turns out, the campground owner rescues parrots and has expanded his menagerie to include a number of other species. Very interesting walking down a dark, sandy road, palm trees waving in the breeze, stars twinkling brightly in the night sky, and hearing the sounds of the jungle coming from the end of the street! Just one more reason to enjoy Sanibel Island.

Shelling is taken seriously on Sanibel Island, where the shell collectors’ pose is dubbed the “Sanibel Stoop.”

Our final five-hour push for this trip would take us down the coast, across the Everglades, and onto the Overseas Highway to reach Key West. This was one place we had to make campground reservations well in advance of our arrival. Like everyone else, we were looking for a great RV site with a water view and convenient access to downtown Key West. But Key West is not well suited for RV traffic. Narrow streets and minimal parking can create a gauntlet for even our small RV. But the weather, the entertainment value, the history, and the sheer romance of Key West made it an irresistible destination.

All that said, the area does provide accommodation for RV life. There are at least two good-sized campgrounds on Stock Island just before crossing over U.S.1 to Key West, and there are many others scattered throughout the upper and middle keys. Most provide access to water activities, and some offer remarkable water views from your RV campsite. But don’t get the image in your head of RV solitude on a palm-strewn beach.

A tight fit at the campsite near Key West but wonderful views of the bay and harbor

When we arrived at Boyd’s Key West RV Campground, we were shocked at just how close the sites were to one another. Mere feet separated RVs, with little more than a picket fence to delineate one site from the next. That said, Boyd’s is a really great campground with excellent facilities, a pool, a boat ramp, and great water views. We found our campsite next to all the tent sites at the end of a peninsula overlooking the bay and harbor. A hard coral surface made leveling the unit easy. The rear of the site had a picnic table that kept us from backing into the water (we actually had about six feet from the back of the unit to the seawall’s edge.) We set up the camp chairs and table at the back of the unit, grabbed a bottle of wine, some cheese, and crackers, and sat down to watch the sunset and plan our day in downtown Key West.

We discovered a more laid-back experience at Bahia Honda State Park several days into our trip. Located on Big Pine Key, the state park turned out to be a terrific place to kayak and camp. Its name is Spanish for “Deep Bay,” and that depth provides fuel for its swift currents during tidal changes in the channel at the end of the island. Surprisingly, the waters off the state park beach were tranquil and shallow on the Atlantic side. The beaches, though narrow and lined with yellow flowering shrubs, were wide enough to sit and enjoy the sunshine – even if we had to clear a spot of dried seaweed. It was easy to launch the kayak, and the protected lagoon made for an enjoyable paddle. I think the real surprise was the RV campground. Located on the water, larger sites faced the U.S. 1 Bridge, but smaller, less equipped sites on the opposite side faced the peaceful Atlantic. A much less crowded and laid-back way to enjoy the Keys!

Yes, lots of seaweed, but the kayak paddling is wonderful at Bahia Honda.

In all, we truly enjoyed every beach we visited on this trip. From the Gulf Islands National Seashore to the exciting whirlwind of activity in Key West, this adventure of exploring a variety of great beaches felt successful. We found quiet beaches like Cape San Blas, Navarre, and St. George and beaches surrounded by activity on Sanibel Island, St. Pete Beach, and Key West. Sampling so many beaches in one go helped us to see how each one is unique.

A final sunset over the harbor on Stock Island signaled the end of this beach hunt and inspired another journey to find more lovely beaches going north, up the East Coast – But that is a story for another day.

At the end of our trip to Key West, looking over the harbor at sunset.

Editor’s Note: Robin North is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

A new RV is a marvelous thing and we have thoroughly enjoyed our Unity MB. It is our roving hotel, taking us to the beach, mountains, desert, and all points in between. But, RVing is a lot like regular life – things can and do go wrong. The longer you have your unit, the more likely you’ll notice items that need attention which is why regular maintenance is such a key factor in keeping your RV in good condition. We make a point of looking after the RV. Jim’s dad was a mechanic so he is pretty familiar with handling the basic maintenance and doing small repairs. But in an LTV,  maintenance goes beyond the just engine. The appliances also require regular inspection and cleaning as do the locks, hinges, slide mechanism, and automatic steps. In all reality, if it moves or has to do with water or electricity, it needs some sort of regular maintenance!

Everything Requires Maintenance

We never considered any type of maintenance on a door lock, but learned with all of the vibrations from driving and the constant slamming of the door, it can come loose. Our unit has a simple, mechanical lock and over the course of a long trip, we noticed it started to become more difficult to close then almost at the same time, the automatic steps stopped retracting.

Thinking we needed to replace the parts for both the lock and the stairs, we bought both. It turns out that there was nothing actually wrong with the lock or the step motor because a simple tightening of the screws on the door lock resolved both issues. Once Jim closed the door to test the lock, the steps came to life! It turns out these two parts are linked by a sensor in the door jam which alerts the steps to retract when the door is closed. With the door latch being loose, the door couldn’t close properly which was causing the sensors to not line up and that’s why the stairs wouldn’t retract. Needless to say, we added checking the door lock screws to our monthly maintenance checklist!

Some things, like the door lock, are easy to fix. But some require the help of a professional. Like on one trip when the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. There was nothing apparently wrong, the vehicle seemed fine, but we couldn’t ignore those warning lights! It took a few phone calls to find a Mercedes dealer who could take a look at it. Turns out it was a bad wheel sensor. They made the replacement (covered under warranty) and we were back on the road within a couple of hours.

Operator Errors and Faulty Installs

Operator error haunted us for several trips as we learned about the RV. From figuring out why our electricity wouldn’t work (a tripped breaker on the inverter), to remembering to uncap the macerator hose when dumping the tanks, the RV learning curve was steep for us. After-market equipment can be the source of problems too. When we replaced our Becker navigation system with an upgraded system, the local installer didn’t properly secure the wires so we ended up with a gear shift that wouldn’t shift because it was bound up in the stereo wire!

After almost seven years on the road, we continue to have our share of mishaps. Some, like the wheel sensor, are caused by a faulty part while other problems are caused by operator error, lack of proper maintenance, or the carelessness of after-market installers and repair technicians. Troubleshooting on the road isn’t much fun, but you’ll experience less downtime if you can figure out if the problem is a simple fix or if you’ll need to call for professional help. I often had to resolve software and computer issues in my work, so I followed an escalating scale of problem-solving starting with the most simplistic fix and then, step-by-step, escalating to more involved tinkering. This kind of process also works with the RV. The first step is to get familiar with your RV, read the owner’s manual, investigate how the systems work, and make a maintenance checklist to stay on top of service. Be sure to do all of this at home and not when you are traveling in the midst of a problem!

Owner’s manuals can be your best troubleshooting resource.

Start By Thinking About The Problem

Sometimes there are noises or operational issues before the warning lights come on. Be sure to take note of those noises or operational issues so you can re-create the situation with your technician. You may also notice problems with adjoining systems or parts at the same time you discover a problem – as we did with the door lock and step. Make sure to give these some thought as to how they may be related. When you are working with the electrical or plumbing system, review the function of each component in the chain of parts sometimes that review can narrow down the problem and help identify a loose, clogged, or broken part. Has an appliance been causing problems? Look up the appliance manufacturer’s website and check the documentation and support line to ask questions about a troubleshooting process. If you are working with the engine, follow a similar component review if your expertise allows. But, if you are not experienced with mechanics; then give your technician all the information you can about what happened and when it happened.

1. What happened just before you noticed the problem?
2. Has any work been done on that part or system?
3. Is there any maintenance due on that part or system?
4. Has the operation been normal up until now or has it been declining?

Is This A Problem You Are Comfortable/Qualified To Repair?

If you are handy with mechanical things you almost expect to be able to fix anything. However, an RV is quite a complex mix of parts and systems that run the gamut including a diesel engine to plumbing. None of us are good at everything so don’t be embarrassed to call for help if the repair is not in your normal “wheelhouse”.

Sometimes you just have to hand over the keys to the professionals. Image source: Pexels.com

Use A Consistent Troubleshooting Process

Take the time to review any documentation you have on the part or system that is malfunctioning. If none is available, check online for documentation and check for user forums to see if others have encountered similar problems and what they discovered in their troubleshooting process.
Use what you find from the manuals, other users’ suggestions, and your own technical experience to outline a troubleshooting process. Begin with the simple fixes:

1. Check maintenance tasks
2. Check basic functions
3. Check the connections
4. Reset breakers (this is the first thing computer technicians tell me to do when working on an ailing computer – hit the restart button!)

You’d be surprised at how some of the most seemingly inconsequential things can lead to the solution. After you go through the troubleshooting steps, you’ll eventually either fix the problem or come to the end of your expertise.

Know When To Call For Help

If you have experience in the area of mechanics, plumbing, and electricity, most problems you run into with an RV can be resolved without outside help. Other RVers in forums can also offer some support by sharing their own repair experiences and may be able to provide additional information. But, if you don’t have any repair experience, then a good RV mechanic can be a valuable partner. Give your mechanic all the information you can about the circumstances around the problem and any related issues you have discovered. This information can help them troubleshoot more effectively, reducing the time the RV has to be in the shop.

The engine and chassis are the most specialized parts of the RV and as long as your unit is under warranty, you can take it to a reputable dealer for repairs. Even when your unit is out of warranty, it makes sense to use the chassis brand manufacturer as your preferred repair shop. Though it may seem more expensive up front, their familiarity with their own product can make them more effective at troubleshooting and repairs. Plus, if there are any recalls or service alerts, they can attend to those issues right away.

For appliances, you may find the manufacturer has a support line or documentation on their website. It is worth checking there before contacting an appliance repair technician.

Here’s hoping your travels are unencumbered by problems but if you encounter them, take heart in that there is always help available. You can find it through your roadside assistance program, the RV’s manuals, user forums online, the RV manufacturer, a good RV mechanic, or just maybe, at the end of your own arm!

Editor’s Note: Robin North is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

This post is for the clotheshorse. The fashionable, active, and indecisive wardrobe wanderers. I love clothes too and when I traveled for work I always packed a slightly downsized version of my closet. Standing at the luggage carousel in the airport required a porter to help me with my bags (a few in Atlanta, knew me by name!)

When we bought our Unity MB, I just assumed it was a very comfortable “travel trunk” and I could bring along most anything I wanted as far as clothes are concerned. While it has very good storage space for a small RV, it holds a lot less than my closet at home. Now don’t get me wrong, I love our Unity – it’s easy to drive, maneuverable, efficient, and fits in almost anywhere. Its size is one of the things that makes it so appealing. But, when it comes time to pack up for a trip its small size can be a challenge for a fashionista.

On our first long trip, I stuffed the closet and drawers full as well as one of the outside compartments with clothing, my husband Jim was relegated to one shelf, a few hangars, and a drawer. You see, I like to be prepared, so I took clothing to fit almost any occasion and of course, shoes to match. I had a couple of nice dresses to go out to dinner, a suit (in case I needed to do something for business), casual clothes for shopping, beachwear, as well as hiking and kayaking outfits, for all those things I thought I might do on the trip.

Luggage waiting to be loaded… where?

Now, fast forward five years and 30,000 miles of RV trips later, packing a travel wardrobe is now a different story. I actually share the closet and drawers with Jim’s clothes! So, what happened you ask? I had an epiphany while unpacking from one of those early trips. There were zipped bags of clothes that had never been opened items that I forgot I had packed, and shoes that remained in their protective sleeves. As I hauled that unused clothing from the RV back to the house, I muttered – “I can’t believe I didn’t use any of this”.

That winter while we were planning the next big trip I discovered a Pinterest post about capsule wardrobes. I read the blog and then bought the book and was horrified! The author suggested I pare down my wardrobe to 30 pieces -WHAT?! She proceeded to explain how every item mixes and matches with every other item allowing you to build multiple outfits. Okay, so I understand coordinates – I have bought wardrobes-worth of clothing like that, but this concept was a bit over the top.

As for a travel wardrobe, she suggested that if you are going on a 4-day trip, pack for 2, launder the items and wear outfits twice. This made me feel faint. Obviously, she didn’t understand that small RVs don’t have laundry equipment and as for wearing the same outfit twice, well, that’s just crazy talk. However, I was not at all into this “30-item” strategy, but I did begin to see that I could be a bit more discerning with my packing list.

Being the methodical person I am, I measured the RV wardrobe closet and drawers. And then figured out how many pieces of clothing I could hang or fold. Looking at the number of items, I knew that I couldn’t fit everything I wanted to take along, so I went back to my packing list. I decided I could probably “do” with fewer hanging items – I rarely wore a dress or suit while camping. Thankfully Jim, in his infinite patience, built an insert for the wardrobe that reduced the hanging space and added two shelves on the condition that he still maintains his hangar allotment and gains at least one of the two new shelves. Done deal.

Shelf and rod insert Jim built to accommodate more clothing.

It was back to the packing list. I went through the itinerary for our upcoming trip to see what activities we planned. A hike or two and maybe some kayaking along with the regular activities of sightseeing, shopping, and museum visits. In terms of shoes, I would need hiking and water shoes. Other than that, the outdoor clothing would just be jeans and tee shirts with a hoodie. As for sightseeing, shopping, and museum visits, I added just a few coordinates and (I confess) extra shirts, scarves, and jewelry to at least give me a few more options. Reviewing the downsized packing list I was skeptical, so I added another shirt for my peace of mind.

When it was time for our trip, I dutifully packed through the pared-down clothing list and then stuffed in a few more shirts – just in case. Still, I stuck to my “assigned” spaces (things were pretty snug) and Jim packed with his usual ease. I planned a stop every two weeks for laundry and brought along detergent, a few plastic hangars, and clothespins to do “sink laundry” if necessary. I was sure I would run out of clean clothes.

The trip was great, I actually wore most of the clothing and the two-week laundry stops worked fine. I never had to do “sink laundry” which was good since we were on the move every day. Some items that I had packed, I just didn’t need and realized I would have liked other items in their place or just a little more space in the closet to prevent wrinkling (and yes, I always take along an iron).

That is how each trip has gone ever since. I plan out a wardrobe with a number of pieces that will easily fit into the wardrobe and drawers, then adjust the items according to what we plan to do on the trip. You might wonder about heavy clothing for cold weather. We typically camp in moderate weather but for winter trips, we use space-saving, vacuum-sealed bags. They will still take up a good amount of room, so we put them in an outside compartment.

I think in terms of projects and processes, my RV travel wardrobe has been a very successful and enlightening project. I’ve learned to live with less and it is rather liberating! Maybe you’ll enjoy it too. Here’s my Small RV Capsule Wardrobe decision process:

First, think about the types of activities you’ll be doing on THIS trip. Write these down and list the types of clothing you need for each of those activities. Outdoor activities like biking, swimming, or kayaking may require special clothing (hiking boots, water shoes, swimsuit, flip flops, etc.) Regular travel activities like sightseeing, restaurant outings, and tours all probably use similar types of clothing so it is a matter of how few outfits you can live with.

Next, make a storage space inventory of your RV. How much and what type of storage do you have? This includes hanging space, drawer space, cupboard space, outdoor compartments, or under-bed storage. Consider using space-saving bags to reduce bulk, use hooks on the back of a door for belts or scarves, and identify a spot for shoes. Activity clothing might go in an exterior cabinet (in a space bag of course).

Oh, so handy ‘Space Bags’ zip-up and compress the air from bulky clothing.

Once you identify what space you have for clothing storage, then you can begin the process of building a small-RV travel wardrobe. The number of pieces is directly related to the amount of space you have. The choice of pieces is influenced by the activities you plan for your trip.

Time To Build The Packing List

1. Put all the clothing you think you’ll need on the bed – only items that fit, look good on you, and are in good repair.
2. Create three stacks of clothing: special activity clothing, regular outfits, and staples like PJs, underwear, and socks.
3. Since it’s usually the “regular clothing” that seems to grow beyond space limitations, you’ll probably spend most of your downsizing in this stack. Look at the “regular clothing” stack and consider how the pieces coordinate with each other. Try to coordinate 1-2 weeks’ worth of outfits with the smallest number of pieces possible. This is easier if you choose neutrals for your main pieces (like pants, shorts, sweaters, and jackets) and make your “color pops” with shirts or scarves.
4. Now, determine if the downsized stacks of clothing will fit in the storage space of your RV.
5. If you still have too many items, go back to your “regular clothing” stack and try to reduce the number of items. This is when you consider wearing outfits twice and doing laundry more frequently (sorry, this is real life).

You can get creative with scarves, jewelry, or hats to make your outfits more unique. A simple pair of jeans can change just by the item you add. Try a tee, hoodie, cap, and sneakers for casual outdoor fun, a tailored shirt and flats, or a tank top, scarf belt, and sandals. Shoes are always an issue, but for RV travel you have to reign in your collection to just a few pairs: maybe sneakers, sandals or boots, and flats.

Scarves and jewelry can create unique looks from basic clothing coordinates.

It’s not rocket science and it’s probably not something you gave much thought to when you purchased your RV however, clothing storage and wardrobe habits need to adapt to smaller spaces. Each LTV unit has its own storage configuration and LTV has conveniently put those measurements on the website giving you the ability to do a bit of research before you start packing.

Take it from this “reformed” fashionista, the real key is not the amount of storage space that matters, it’s our idea of how much we really need to be comfortable on the road. If travel is a way of freeing our minds of clutter and freeing our spirits of worldly demands, it makes sense that it can also free up our need to take along everything we own when we travel!

A trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina is always special, but to go all the way to Cape Hatteras makes it even more so. Set beside the Cape Hatteras National Seashore are a series of small beach towns, each with its own character and all low-key. One of those small towns is Rodanthe, just 25 miles south of the entrance to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and home to Camp Hatteras RV Resort. The long, two-lane road provides a view of the dunes on the Atlantic side and expansive sound views on the other. A couple of sweeping bridges arch out into the sound in a few places along the way, giving a bird’s eye view of the coastline.

The campground is set on both sides of Highway 12. One side offers campsites near the Atlantic Ocean with beach access while the other offers sites with spectacular views of Pamlico Sound. All campsites are equipped with full hookups, concrete pads, and picnic tables. The position of the campground straddles the whole landmass from the Atlantic to the Sound with little obstruction of trees or buildings and this translates to abundant sea breezes and gusty winds. We had wind gusts of up to 25 mph while encamped but, the temperatures were warm as were the smiles and fellowship of the group.

The campground features a conference center with a kitchen and restrooms, providing the perfect gathering place for the group regardless of the weather. On our arrival evening, the group gathered at the conference center for a meet and greet of almost 100 participants – there was a lot of meeting and greeting with so many new members! We had participants from both North and South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. The group has grown by leaps and bounds with our numbers substantially higher than just six months ago at our Fall Rally. The evening was spent reviewing the Rally agenda, visiting with old friends, and meeting lots of new ones.

Day two of the Rally was a lovely Outer Banks morning with a stiff breeze out of the southwest. While walking from our rig to the conference center we watched as kite surfers got ready to launch from a small beach at the campground. As the group gathered for a continental breakfast, we discussed the activity options for the day: a two-mile bike ride to Chicamacomico Life Saving Station, a self-guided trip to Portsmouth Island, a trip to Bodie Lighthouse, and/or sightseeing the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The afternoon was reserved for a rig hop which would allow individuals to share their RV modifications. LTVers got to see modifications of all kinds, from protective drill covers to different kinds of cab drapes.

The small, sandy beach at the edge of the park was the perfect viewpoint to watch kite surfers gliding across the Sound and, sometimes becoming airborne in the gusty winds. The colorful kites punctuated those Carolina blue skies.

North Carolina-based Howard RV sent Tom McNiff and a 2022 Unity Murphy Bed rig for us to tour and drool over. Some very nice upgrades and changes all became topics of conversation at dinner that evening. For dinner, we enjoyed a seafood feast provided by Nixon’s Catering and sponsored by Howard RV. The group was lively and lots of laughter, story-telling, and meeting new friends filled the evening air. We wrapped our evening discussing the incoming weather system and how it could affect the morning kayak trip.

Day three was a bit overcast but that didn’t dampen our spirits. The planned two-hour kayak trip was postponed due to weather concerns but local sightseeing and a wealth of activities like pickleball, mini-golf, tennis, and shuffleboard provided by the campground easily filled our time. That afternoon, Gary and Laura Cooper offered their insights about planning an RV trip to Alaska from their book, “Alaska RV Trip, Quick-Reference Guide” and fielded many questions from interested group members. Their thorough and thoughtful presentation ignited much discussion at dinner that evening.

The Wright Brothers Monument atop Kill Devil Hill

Dinner that night was again provided by Nixon’s Catering and our evening included a presentation by local historian Danny Couch, who took us on a whirlwind tour of the Outer Banks’ history from the earliest days to the present. He told us about pirates, how the town Nags Head got its name, the Wright Brothers, the amazing number of lighthouses and their role in preventing shipwrecks, local politics, and the natural beauty of the area.

Our evening gathering also included an update from Josiah Wiebe who is the LTV Marketing and Digital Team Lead. Josiah talked to us about the LTV website, and the factory, as well as tempting us with a few teasers about upcoming features for their future RVs. He also fielded questions from the group and visited with members throughout the evening.

As always, the end of the Rally came too soon. No one seemed to be ready to call it a night and we spent the evening visiting and (still) meeting new members! The discussion inevitably turned to the upcoming Fall Rally at Carolina Pines and making plans to meet up again soon.

Departure morning found many rigs packed up and ready for the road while quite a few others decided to take a few more days in this idyllic spot. It promised to be a lovely day on the Outer Banks and whether traveling or staying, we would all enjoy the warm Carolina sunshine.

Editor’s Note: Robin North is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

February may not be the most popular time of year to visit a beach destination on the Mid Atlantic coast. Typical winter temperatures and the breezy nature of a coastal city can bring tears to your eyes as you stroll the beach. But, our first day in Virginia Beach was an anomaly. We had temperatures nearing 70 degrees, bright sunshine, and just a light breeze that made the day a spectacular respite from the winter cold.

The wide boardwalk along the beachfront is actually concrete rather than wooden boards but it retains the charm of a seaside promenade. There is also a separate path for bikes running parallel to the boardwalk which is divided by a low hedge. No dodging bikes here!
The beach is spacious – a long stretch of sand with plenty of room for umbrellas, volleyball games, and sandcastles. We sat down on one of the many boardwalk benches to view the sea and noticed a section of beach with what looked like a rather large jungle-gym set. Reminiscent of a scene from Venice Beach in California, people came to work out on the rings, balance beams, parallel bars, and ropes. It was amazing to see such a display of strength and coordination from everyday people!

Looking down the length of the boardwalk, I saw a very large statue. It was a depiction of King Neptune, trident in one hand and the other resting on the back of a sea turtle. The base of the statue was covered in sculpted sea life – a huge lobster, an octopus clinging to the side of the statue, two dolphins, and a school of fish swimming around the middle. I stood next to it and was dwarfed by its 34-foot height. This statue was designed by Paul DiPasquale, sculpted by Zhang Cong, and was created in 2003 for the annual Neptune Festival. It is beautifully detailed and impressive in its composition. I think I would have visited just to see the Neptune guarding the beach and ocean beyond!

The boardwalk is lined with hotels and restaurants all with views of the ocean. Just a block over shops and local businesses offer just about anything a vacationer might need. Guesthouses, B&Bs, as well as beach homes for rent all provide accommodation for those without an RV. Of course, there are several campgrounds in Virginia Beach in nearby Chesapeake and a few closer to Norfolk.

The day was just spectacular and we finished with a stop at The Beach Pub – a family-owned restaurant featured on the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives television show in 2011. Not a fancy place, but quite comfortable and the staff is super friendly. The fish and chips were terrific and we wrapped up the day with a walk on the beach at sunset.

The next morning there was more than a slight nip in the air. The temperatures had plummeted from 70 degrees to 30! The wind whistled between the tall hotels making a walk on the beach a bone-chilling experience. This would be an “inside day” but what is there to do at a beach resort in the winter? The kind folks at the Virginia Beach Visitors Bureau came to our rescue with an array of options. We began with breakfast at the historic Cavalier Hotel. This lovely Jeffersonian-styled building is impressive as you approach and gets more so as you are welcomed inside by a uniformed doorman.

When it opened in 1927, it had every imaginable amenity for guests from a salt-water indoor pool to luxurious guest rooms and an oceanside beach club. That beach club became an attraction in itself as the most popular venue for big band entertainers from Cab Calloway to Glen Miller, to Benny Goodman.

In 1942, the hotel was conscripted by the U. S. Navy as a site for a radar training school during World War II. The posh hotel furnishings were removed, the pool emptied, and every space was transformed into either training classrooms or living quarters. After World War II, The Cavalier fell into disrepair as vacation tastes changed from luxury “resorting” to more casual getaways.

Over the years, multiple ownership changes and insufficient renovations left it in desperate condition. When it was sold in 2012, most of the bidders planned to demolish it, except for one. The Cavalier Associates planned a meticulous restoration and renovation which would bring the grand old resort back to its former glory.

Reopened in 2018, the restored hotel is lovely. Stately brick front with tall pillars at the entry, the circular lobby is a nod to its time featuring a domed ceiling with a crystal chandelier. In the main lobby space, plush couches and chairs create comfortable and quiet nooks for conversation surrounded by art and views of the indoor pool on one side and the gardens on the other. There is a self-guided tour of the property that lets you relive the golden era of this grand hotel.

Our next stop was the Association for Research and Enlightenment, founded by psychic Edgar Cayce. In 1903, Cayce gave his first psychic reading for his own medical condition affecting his voice. Once healed, he began giving readings to others. He is one of the most documented psychics in the country with a full archive of his medical readings and life readings housed in the ARE Library.

Portrait of Edgar Cayce

Cayce came to Virginia Beach to open a hospital in 1925 choosing the location based on a recommendation from one of his readings. The hospital building remains today, renovated for use as a spa and treatment center. Outside, the front porch offers a lovely view of the ocean and an expansive stone labyrinth for walking contemplation. Today, preserving the legacy and readings of Cayce, the ARE offers classes and programs both at their headquarters and online as well as internationally. They also offer guided tours at the Association every day at 2:00 pm to help visitors get acquainted with the archives and library.

After a good lunch at a little sandwich shop called TASTE, (really amazing sandwiches!) we chose one more stop for the day;  The Military Aviation Museum. It houses one of the largest, private collections of World War I and World War II-era aircraft. What began as one pilot’s dream of owning and flying a vintage aircraft grew into the collection in the museum today. Each plane has been restored, often using original parts, many even remain air-worthy, and are used for flight demonstrations, air shows, and rides to visitors during their “flight season” in April through to October (by reservation, of course).

I was taken with a Wright Brothers aircraft that sported a chair between the biplane wings with the engine sitting next to it – what a way to fly! But there is so much to see – the museum has five hangars filled with amazing one-of-a-kind aircraft. The aircraft were found by the museum in many countries, often in very poor condition. The restorations are done in a variety of places internationally but the routine maintenance is performed at the museum’s “Fighter Factory” in Virginia Beach.

We were so close to the water, but the cold weather keeping us indoors didn’t mean we had to miss the ocean. The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is worth an afternoon to tour the collection of sea and land creatures. From sea turtles and sharks to stingrays, jellyfish, Komodo dragons, snakes, and more, the aquarium is, well, a “submersive” experience (sorry, I couldn’t help myself!). The exhibits are lovely but the walk-through aquarium tunnel is the main attraction. The all-glass tunnel lets you walk along the bottom of the “ocean” and see the fish around and above you. It is a delightful experience. The knowledgeable staff was stationed throughout the displays to answer questions and point out characteristics of the sea life. I was watching a couple of stingrays swimming in a shallow, open tank and one of the staff encouraged me to put my hand in the water. As I did, one of the rays swam around to me and slipped under my hand and, as it swept past, I touched its back – The skin felt like wet bologna!

The next morning it was very cold and breezy. Even so, we walked for a while on the beach to watch the sunrise and then soon retreated indoors! It was our final day in Virginia Beach and we wondered what it would be like to visit in warmer weather. Our friends at the Visitors Center gave us a list of things to do in spring and summer. There are events and festivals – one of which is a world-class surfing event.

The East Coast Surfing Championships have been held in Virginia Beach for 60 years. It is the longest continuously-running surf contest in the world and at least a couple of the winners have been from Virginia Beach. However, the event is not just for surfers, there are a variety of activities for the whole family surrounding the Championships. Might be fun to come back in August to see what it is all about!

Virginia Beach in winter was surprisingly fun – even without the beach. There is a lot to discover from the beautiful beaches, plentiful restaurants, and fascinating attractions. If you’re looking for fun on the water, try a whale-watching excursion (especially in winter and spring) where you are almost guaranteed to find Humpback whales plying these waters. Nearby, you can explore Norfolk and tour its amazing murals or the rolling farmlands of Chesapeake, situated in the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail which is considered one of the best “birding” spots in the country with over 213 species of birds.

We often camp in winter and it is a pretty good time to visit many places as there are no crowds, no lines at restaurants, attractions, or on the beach. The people are friendly and seem glad to have visitors during this slow season. That gives them time to talk to us, tell us why they love the area, and find out where the locals’ favorite spots are. Campgrounds are also less crowded and off-season rates are more affordable. We found a KOA and a lovely resort named North Landing located just south of the boardwalk area and situated on the water.

On our last evening in town, we indulged in our seafood cravings at Waterman’s. Their crab cakes and seared tuna are exceptional and I “hear tell” they make a terrific “Orange Crush” cocktail! Our table overlooked the beach. With a full moon rising, it was a stunning sight and the perfect conclusion to our winter visit to Virginia Beach.

Editor’s Note: Robin North is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Congratulations, you finally did it! You ordered your new RV and now you’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of this addition to your family. The anticipation can have you in a tizzy, but what can you do? Actually, just like anticipating a new baby, there are quite a few things to do for your new arrival, and the time between now and its delivery date is the perfect opportunity to do them.

We had to wait 11 months for our LTV Unity Murphy Bed, and we had fun spending that time getting ready for our new lifestyle to begin. From learning about the RV’s specifications to trip planning, we spent many happy weekends sifting through websites for products, reading blogs about RV travel, and dreaming of long trips.

Even if you’ve owned an RV before, this one will be new to you. Different chassis, different options, different floor plans, and different storage. All those differences offer you the chance to learn – and to do a little daydreaming!

So here are our top tips for what to do while you’re waiting for your new RV to arrive.

1. Get comfortable with RV maintenance

Just like your family car, every RV needs regular maintenance. So, set up a maintenance notebook to make sure your new RV gets the best care. Include sections for the chassis, the engine, the appliances, and any part of the coach that moves (think, slide rooms, retracting steps, and awning).

When your RV arrives, LTV provides a wonderful binder filled with all the appliance owner’s manuals as well as a chassis owner’s manual. These will be where you find service interval recommendations as well as the manufacturer’s information. For now, since you don’t yet have your manuals, you can set up your notebooks with maintenance items most vehicles need and fill in the dates for service once you read through your manuals. You can check your models’ specification section on the LTV website to consider what might need regular maintenance.

2. Research RV Products

When Jim and I were waiting for our RV to be delivered we read lots of websites and blogs about RV life. Almost every one of them recommended a long list of products we “had to buy” for our new RV. And, since we didn’t know any better, we started shopping for a lot of those items, only to find that we didn’t need them after all or they didn’t fit our space!

When it came to the inside of the RV, I assumed we would need some household items made with camping in mind. Collapsible bowls, plastic ‘glassware’, unbreakable dishes, and linens designed for RV beds. Over the course of that “waiting period”, there’s no telling how much we spent! Which brings me to the question of, how much do you need to buy for your new RV? Probably not as much as you might think.

The RV itself is pretty self-contained, but there are attachments and products you’ll need in order to use all of the self-contained systems. For instance, to dump the holding tanks you’ll need a dump hose unless you ordered a macerator dump system. Most manufacturers include a dump hose with the unit, but that item shows up on a lot of those blog lists. You’ll also need a freshwater hose (that too is included by the manufacturer or the dealer as well as the power cord).

Our advice is to check with the manufacturer for what is included at delivery, then have a chat with your dealer to see what else they provide that is included in the price of the RV. In other words, wait until you take delivery of your RV before you begin buying products. Since you don’t have dimensions for storage cabinets, you don’t know how wide dishes can be, or how tall the glasses can be, the right size for that new BBQ grill and so on. However, you can do your research!

Note: LTV has created their own helpful Tips & Tools section on their blog here, and all new and potential owners can access a detailed  breakdown of interior storage dimensions here.

There are so many products available for the RV, and many bloggers outline the benefits of using one brand or another. If an item seems like a good fit for the way you want to travel, do your research on the products available and read the reviews. Basics like surge protectors, water pressure regulators, and leveling blocks or jack pads all seem reasonable to purchase. Yet, there are so many different brands to choose from, and most items have different options. It is time well spent reading reviews, asking friends who have RVs, and engaging on LTV owners group forums to find out why one model or brand is better than another.

Be honest with yourself about which items are ‘must have’ and just ‘nice to have’. Think about how you want to travel and camp. Which items will be used all the time? Those are your essentials. The other category has all those creature comforts and upgrades that make RV travel just a little more enjoyable. A small RV has some storage area but it is limited. When it comes time to pack up for a trip, make sure you pack the essentials first!

Here are a few examples from our own experience (your choices will probably vary):

• Must-haves for setting up camp: a couple of camp chairs, a small folding end table, and a doormat; Nice extras are a campsite carpet, and maybe a screen room if you are camping in “buggy” zones.
• Must-haves for the RV bedroom: sheets, blankets, and pillows. A nice extra is the fitted RV sheet/comforter combinations.
• Must-haves for the RV kitchen: pots and pans, flatware, dishes, drinkware, and some basic cooking utensils. Nice extras might be a cooler to help with cold drinks, a coffee maker, slow cooker, or other kitchen appliances.
• Must-haves for the RV bathroom: towels, toiletries, dissolving toilet paper. A nice extra could be a small bath rug outside the shower and an over-the-door organizer.
• Must-haves equipment for dumping the tanks: dump hose, latex gloves, hand sanitizer, and paper towels. Almost a ‘must-have’ are holding tank deodorizing tablets.
• Must-haves equipment for water hook-up: a freshwater supply hose and water pressure regulator (yes, you really need this). A nice extra is an in-line water filter.
• Must-have equipment for electrical hook-up: RV electrical cord. Nice extras to have are an outlet adapter to allow you to convert 30-amp or 50-amp service and an external surge protector.
• Must-have equipment for Manual Leveling: leveling bricks and a carpenter’s level. A nice extra is a phone app for leveling RVs.
• Must-have equipment for Automatic Leveling: Jack pads to prevent the leveling legs from sinking into soft ground. A nice extra might be an extension pole with a hook to retrieve jack pads from under the RV.

3. Get familiar with online planning tools

Getting on the road is really what RVing is all about, so spend this “waiting time” planning your first trips. Online trip planners like RV Trip Wizard, Good Sam, AAA Trip Tix are all good tools to help you plan a trip. They can help you evaluate and choose routes for your trips. I have used all three different apps and each has its strengths and weaknesses.

If you are hesitant about planning online, consider how much you can do on your computer! Some online tools offer more than route planning. They can also show you potential fuel stops, restaurants, attractions, and campgrounds along a route. They can even “build-in” rest stops and overnight stops to your route. Some online tools give you multiple options for a trip route. This is helpful when you start planning things to do along the way or to find an alternate route in case of traffic jams.

Note: LTV has curated lists of Top Campgrounds, Scenic Drives and many others helpful for trip-planning in the Leisure List section on their blog here.

With all that electronic fire-power at your disposal, paper maps might seem to be obsolete. But, when a cell signal is weak (or non-existent) it’s nice to have an analog backup. So I keep a road atlas in the RV and often print out the trip route in case I lose my mobile signal. Google Maps will allow you to download a route just for this purpose.

4. Make a list of destinations

Oh, the places you’ll go! But where do you start? I have a go-to list of websites that help me find interesting destinations and special attractions along a route.

• • State Departments of Tourism – Every state and Canadian Province has a department of tourism, and they all have really helpful websites. You can expect to find general information on the area as well as self-guided itineraries on food, wine, museums, outdoor activities, and all manner of attractions.
  • City CVBs and Chambers of Commerce – Tourism is the biggest income generator for so many communities. You can count on the local Chambers of Commerce to have some information for visitors. If the city also has a CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) you have a true visitor-friendly community. Inside the CVB you can expect to find brochures, maps, information specialists to help plan a trip, and suggested tours and attractions. Some even offer discount attraction tickets or restaurant coupons and hotel discounts. Just search for the city or town and add “visitor information”, “Chamber of Commerce”, or “CVB”.
  • Trip Advisor – If you want to know what other travelers really think about a destination, Trip Advisor is a good place to start. Along with Google Maps and their very active “local guides”, Trip Advisor solicits reviews from visitors to attractions, restaurants, hotels, and destinations.
  • Books and magazines – I am a beach-lover, so Coastal Living is always on my coffee table. Inside most lifestyle magazines you’ll find a travel section to help add destinations to your list. Travel guides and travel blogs can also give you an inside track on what to do in any destination.
  • Create a travel notebook – I call this my “dream book”! This is where I jot down notes about particular destinations on museums, festivals, seasonal attractions, and foodie spots.
  • Adapt your notebook – Once you start traveling with your RV, your notebook might also include information about the trips you have taken, gas mileage, any issues that came up, receipts for service or purchases, and your packing list for that trip.

5. Join an LTV owners club in your area

Let me start this with a clarification: Jim and I are not “joiners”. We bought an RV to escape from work and enjoy a bit of solitude on the weekends. If we traveled with anyone, we figured it would be family or close friends. So, when we bought an RV the farthest thing from my mind was joining an RV club.

Yet, being new RV owners, we had a lot of questions. Searching the internet for answers is okay, but we agreed it would be nice to talk with others who had the same type of unit. Then I remembered the welcome email from LTV. They mentioned their RV owners clubs and, after browsing their website owners section, it didn’t take long to find a few in our area. Since there weren’t any in our home state of Georgia, I sent inquiries to a couple of groups in nearby states. The Carolina LTVers were most welcoming and we signed up for their first rally to be hosted in Ashville, North Carolina.

We had a great time meeting others with the same brand RV. We traded travel stories, shared troubleshooting tips, learned about clever modifications, and even toured the different models. I think one of the best benefits of the club is meeting people who share a love for RV travel. Even though I had a long career in tourism, there weren’t many colleagues who were RVers! We attended a second rally the following fall and it simply confirmed that our decision to join an RV owners club was a good one! We always return home full of great ideas, good information, and, since the group continues to grow, we also come home with a handful of new friends.

Waiting for your new RV delivery may seem like a drag, but there is so much to do to get ready to enjoy your RV that the time goes by pretty quickly. The time you spend now planning will make your RV journey that much more enjoyable!

Editor’s Note: Robin North is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

A bright blue October sky, a sunny breeze, and a chill in the air signal autumn in Georgia. I really wanted to see autumn color, so I thought I would make a trip to the Georgia foothills; maybe Blue Ridge or Helen. But my sister suggested I try another destination closer to home – Gibbs Gardens. She has been a patron for several years, and was anxious for me to experience this local treasure.

We met in the gravel parking area in the midst of what looked like a forest. Beyond the parking lot, I could see the blaze of sugar maples and a golden canopy of oaks. A neat group of birches flanked one end of the walkway, while planters spilling over with flowers and trailing vines led visitors to the entrance. On the walls of the ticket office hung paintings of the garden done by local artists – each highlighting a scene of a magnificent seasonal landscape. It was a taste of what we would see beyond the gate.

We started down the main pathway enjoying the shady canopy above. Even in October, the sun can be quite warm in Georgia. A path lined with Crepe Myrtle set an unusual scene with its slender trunks and leafy tops. In late summer these would be crowned with white flowers, but by now the blooms had faded, leaving just the greenery. Nonetheless, a perfect place to photograph my daughter and niece!

The girls are lovely as are the Crepe Myrtle trunks!

Cameras at the ready, we meandered along the path stopping to photograph the maples and admire the border plantings. There in the distance, I caught sight of a sun-dappled pond; a graceful Willow draped over one edge while water lilies broke the otherwise mirrored surface. Ferns — and what might be flag iris — hemmed in the edges while a curved wooden bridge painted green joined the banks. Where have I seen that before? A book? A painting? As we walked nearer, the full scene revealed itself and I knew; It’s Monet’s garden bridge over the lily pond. I’ve seen the painting dozens of times and love the soft colors, the peaceful setting, and the gentle impressionist touch.

The Monet bridge, complete with lily pond and wisteria-covered pergola

Far from the south of France, the setting is another example of Jim Gibb’s Landscape Artistry. He is a retired president of one of Atlanta’s premier landscape companies and a founding member of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. And though his landscape designs have Jim Gibbs Awards — including two presented at the White House — I think his greatest gift to Georgia are these beautiful gardens surrounding his home about an hour north of Atlanta in Ballground, Georgia. The gardens span over 300 acres of rolling terrain in the Georgia foothills. Included is the manor house, a stunning old-world aesthetic modeled after an English manor with architectural elements imported from France. It is connected to a Summer House overlooking the gardens 150 feet below, with a view of the Georgia mountains in the distance. The scale of the property makes it one of the largest residential estate gardens in the country.

The manor house with its Palladian-style windows and French doors.

Although there is a trolley to take visitors up the steep driveway to the manor house, we chose to follow a circuitous path that winds up the hill to take in the view of the house from a different perspective. The house is not open to the public, but visitors are welcome to wander the private gardens all around it. A beautiful array of annuals and perennials surround the swimming pool, sitting areas, and koi pond. The view of the greater gardens below from that elevation is stunning; the woods and meadow fall away from the house giving an extended view of the mountains beyond. Jim Gibbs explored many gardens around the country when he decided to build the world-class Gibbs Garden. His search for the right property with just the right combination of trees, topography, and a source of water lasted six years. The current property has naturally rolling terrain with mature trees and a series of streams that run through the valley. Native dogwood and mountain laurel blanket the property, with native ferns spilling over the stream banks.

Stream in the valley of Gibbs Gardens tumbles over the rocks.

There are three feature gardens: the Manor Gardens, the Waterlily Gardens, and the Japanese Gardens with 16 gardens in all that include 32 bridges, 24 ponds, and 19 waterfalls. All are a delight to stroll through, each one lovelier than the last. One of my favorites is the Monet garden with its arched bridge over a lily pond flanked by weeping willows and a host of water plants. But there is so much more to see, offering an “Instagram” moment at every turn.

Dazzling maples around a pond.

Walking beyond the Monet pond we found the 40-acre Japanese garden with twisted junipers, bonsai-like trees, stone lanterns, and a huge wooden Torii gate. Along the path, we discovered a pagoda and a zig-zag bridge (in Japanese folklore, it is thought that evil spirits can only travel in straight lines, so traveling a zig-zag path ensures good luck). An old stump on the edge of the path had been artfully carved into a chair that seemed to grow out of the landscape, and a happy Buddha-like statue covered with visitor’s coins peeks out from the ferns. I suppose the visitors left coins there hoping for good luck with their own gardens!

We wandered through a wooded glade and around a fast-flowing stream to reach several raised areas with wooden benches perfect for viewing the tranquil setting. Wooden boardwalks and bridges took us back and forth over the stream and ponds, while natural pathways invited exploration to the far edges of the property. It will surely take more than one visit to enjoy all the gardens have to offer.

The zig-zag boardwalk will stop the ‘evil spirits’ from following you.

An unusual seat, carved from a fallen tree stump.

Each season brings something new to see, along with special events to highlight the theme of the season. In Spring it’s cascades of daffodils, tulips, cherry blossoms, and dogwoods. There are over 20 million daffodils planted in 200 varieties that carpet the hillside (the splendor of millions of Daffodils tumbling down the hillside in the meadow sounds breathtaking!). Not to be ignored, Azaleas are synonymous with Georgia, and the gardens celebrate this spring favorite with great mounds of these colorful shrubs. In Summer the roses take center stage along with the summer border plantings. If you time it right, you might catch the Rose, Hydrangea, or Rhododendron Colorfests – each a beautiful way to spend a summer’s day wandering around the garden admiring each of the flowers in its peak season. Late summer brings color to the Crepe Myrtle gardens. These shrubs seem almost like trees with their tall blossom-filled branches reaching into the summer sky. While they all have a lovely smooth bark, one variety in particular sports a more interesting peeling, rust-colored bark that just invites you to touch it! Even in late summer, the garden offers a shady haven to evade the Georgia heat – and a lovely patio cafe to enjoy your lunch outdoors surrounded by the gardens. In autumn it is the trees, wildflowers, and water lilies that carry the starring role. From September through November there are events highlighting each group of plants in bloom. You can meander the mowed paths of the 30-acre wildflower meadow right through November, or, you may want to schedule your visit to see the Monet Waterlily Colorfest that is slated from mid-September through mid-October. Covering five natural spring-fed ponds, you can take in 140 different varieties of water lilies. The bridge over the pond is modeled after the one in Monet’s garden in Giverny, France. Its color and arched shape with wisteria vine-covered pergola harken back to his famous paintings. Truly, the painting comes to life!

Trees dressed in autumn color line the pond.

If you arrive in late October, you’ll catch the Japanese Maples Colorfest where you can marvel over the spectacular sight of 3,000 trees in a variety of colors – and you can still walk over Monet’s bridge and see the remaining water lilies in bloom. The only season without a display is winter. The gardens close to the public in December as the gardeners prepare the borders and hillsides for the new year. If you are in the North Georgia area, Gibbs Gardens is a lovely day trip, situated between Atlanta and Blue Ridge. The nearest State Park campground is Amicalola Falls State Park – a destination in itself with a towering waterfall and an entry point to the Appalachian Trail (it is about 17 miles from the gardens). Or, you might want to stay a bit further away on either Lake Altoona or Carter’s Lake – both with Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds with campsites fronting the lakeshore (they are about an hour’s drive from the gardens). An hour’s drive to the west is Don Carter State Park on Lake Lanier with access to this largest lake in Georgia. Staying on the east side of the Gardens give you easier access to Blue Ridge, to the north, or Atlanta to the south making it is easy to plan an itinerary that will include both historic and scenic attractions.