Searching for and ultimately purchasing your first home-on-wheels is an incredible milestone that you’ll never forget. Everything about the process is fun and exciting – from binge-watching YouTube videos for RV and travel inspiration to attending RV shows to walking through the RV of your dreams to finally taking the leap, signing the papers, and officially becoming crowned as an RV owner!

The feeling is exhilarating. You’ll be giddy moving in. On your first night of travel, however, we can almost guarantee, you’ll learn and discover something new. It may be good or it may be bad, but if you’re a newbie, we can promise you, you’re in for a ride! So buckle up, because when you do finally take the plunge, it’ll open your eyes to a new way of living!

Having traveled full-time in a motorhome for nearly 4 years, we’ve created memories that will last forever and adapted to a new way of living. While I’m grateful for our ability to live a nomadic lifestyle, it does come with some nuances that every RVer should know or will eventually experience. Whether you plan on traveling part-time or decide to travel full-time in an RV, here are 10 tips that we thought you may find valuable before starting your new and exciting journey on the road.

Tip #1: You Don’t Need What You Think You Need

It’s easy to overpack – this is especially true for full-timers! You’ll think you need full sets of plate ware, silverware, travel cups, multiple pots and pans, your favorite kitchen appliances, and a wardrobe that will satisfy the changing seasons. We found out very quickly that you don’t. 2 plates, 2 sets of silverware, 2 cups, 1 pot, 1 pan, a coffee maker, a toaster, and only your go-to clothing items with a jacket will do. Cutting back on what you think you’ll need will leave room for what you actually need.

Tip #2: The Things That You Need, However, Add Up

Every bit of space matters. With RVs having much less space than an apartment or home, it’s important that you leave enough space for not only your personal essentials but your RV essentials, too. When we bought our first RV, we made the mistake of bringing just enough stuff to fill every cabinet, drawer, and compartment with everything we thought we personally needed. It was fine for a little while, until we actually started to travel across the country and found ourselves purchasing things we did not know we would need, such as a humidifier, dehumidifier, air purifier, cell phone signal booster, miscellaneous gear, etc. These items – even the “mini” or compact versions – take up quite a bit of valuable space. When you only have 150-300 square feet of living space to work with, it can start to get claustrophobic really quickly if you don’t have a specific place for all your gear.

Because we didn’t initially plan so well, we didn’t have enough room to store these items while driving or when seasonal items were no longer needed. All our gear had to be tied down, thrown on our couch or on the floor, all out in the open during our drives. Everything stayed intact, but moving day alway led to a cleaning day. Luckily, RVs are small and can be put back in order fairly quickly. But, you know you have too many non-essentials when you can’t see your floor on moving day!

Photo by Pontus Wellgraf on UnSplash.

Tip #3: Where Are You, WiFi?

In our experience, having stayed at over 50+ different RV parks across the country, ones that offer decent WiFi are slim. We both work on the road, as we own our own businesses. We don’t need anything crazy fast, but rarely will you clock 5MBPS or higher using an RV park’s WiFi. To put that into perspective, Netflix recommends a minimum of 20MBPS for uninterrupted and/or reliable streaming. If you have plans to work on the road or need to stream your favorite shows, plan on traveling with a mobile hotspot from one of the major cell phone carriers. We travel with two hotspots, one from Verizon and the other from AT&T. This way, we have 3 options to gain access to the internet – just in case!

Tip #4: The Wind is No Joke

Do not underestimate the wind. Driving an RV, whether it has an engine or not (such as a trailer) isn’t as easy as driving a car or even large SUV, often due to its boxier shape and height. Despite how much RV manufacturers try to make their RVs aerodynamic, they are not totally there yet.  Driving through any state that has miles and miles of open fields (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico, to name a few!), gusts of high winds can come out of nowhere, especially when semi-trucks pass you. No matter how experienced of a driver you are, do mind the speed limit and wind conditions. You’ll know when it happens – trust us!

Tip #5: Tornadoes Are Terrifying – Track the Weather and Know Where to Shelter

If you’re anything like us, you probably like to chase warm, dry weather. Be aware though, that the journey to get there won’t always be rainbows and sunshine, and sometimes your travel plans don’t always go as planned. Thus, it’s very important that you track the weather and know where to shelter, should life or Mother Nature catch you by surprise.

For example, earlier this year, we wintered in the Southeast and had every intention of moving our way north as we approached the summer months. However, when the pandemic hit, we wanted to avoid the initial hotspots and decided to change direction and move back west. The decision to do so, though, took us straight through the South and the Midwest during the spring tornado season. Right before we started our trek back west, we were presented with a pretty monstrous tornado scare at our RV park. If we hadn’t known where to shelter, it could have been an even scarier experience than it already was! Additionally, if we hadn’t mapped out our trip and timed our travels with the weather in mind, we could have found ourselves dodging more tornadoes than we would have liked. Fortunately, we did not experience any other tornadoes or scary weather during our 50day journey from South Carolina to Arizona, primarily due to the help of our AccuWeather* app and a strategic driving itinerary.

With regards to knowing where to shelter, always communicate with the RV park staff to find out where they recommend you shelter. If you’re unable to speak with someone before a storm, look around the campground for the nearest shelter: office, bathroom, laundry – wherever you can take cover, if a basement or storm shelter does not exist. Do not stay in your RV, as it’s one of the most dangerous places to be, especially if you’re surrounded by trees. We learned this the hard way as we did experience a tornado once without knowing where to go in the middle of the night. We were safe, but it was no doubt one of the most terrifying experiences we’ve had, and one that you can more often than not avoid!

*Note: AccuWeather is an app we highly recommend to download on your phone. We’ve found this to be the most accurate of all the real-time weather apps we’ve tried. Download on Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Tip #6: Ice Cream Can Get a Little Mushy

Don’t overestimate the cooling power of your fridge or freezer. We found this out when we enjoyed a cup of ice cream…

RV units, unless they have the residential-sized units, do not cool/freeze as well as what you are used to. We have frequently found that meats, dairy, and produce items do not last as long before going bad. We also were never able to keep ice cream frozen. We are hooked up to shore power 99% of the time and we know that nothing is wrong with our fridge/freezer. To be fair, we have to admit that we don’t like shopping for groceries, so we tend to fill our unit all the way. But, we’ve learned to strategically place perishable items towards the back, to keep them colder. Whether you plan to stuff your fridge or not, it’s just good to know to be mindful of what you’re trying to cool and keep fresh.

Tip #7: It’s Not the Park, It’s Your Water Filter

There will be times when you will experience low water pressure from your faucets, leading you to believe that the RV park’s water pressure is low or that you just have a weak water pump. This happened to us more than once during our first year of travel, and we wondered why. Over time, we found out that sometimes the culprit is the replaceable water filters installed in the RV. If you are physically hooked up to a faucet outside, oftentimes you have an outdoor water filter hooked up to filter incoming water, which is then complemented by an additional water filter inside the RV, usually located under one of the sinks. Despite the advertised life cycle of these water filters, sometimes they will accumulate sediment much, much sooner, causing water pressure to drop. If you experience lower water pressure while you are parked at an RV park, simply ask your neighbors if they are experiencing the same. If they are not, then chances are good that it is one or both of your water filters causing the water pressure to drop. If you are NOT hooked up to a faucet, then check your water filters first and then your water pump last, since those do fail occasionally depending on how much you use it.

Tip #8: You Don’t Have to Spend as Much on Insurance as You May Think

If you will be storing your RV for an extended period of time, like a month or more, you can request to downgrade your RV insurance and save significant costs. We are usually talking a few hundred dollars savings, assuming you pay bi-annual or annual premiums. We could have saved hundreds the first couple of times we stored had we known to ask!

Tip #9: Bring Back the Cash

Prior to RVing, we rarely carried cash. However, now it’s become a necessity. We’ve found over time that there are some parks across the country that only accept cash for stays. Thus, it’s important to carry enough cash with you to cover 1-2 nights at an RV park. The last thing you want is to be driving really late at night and decide to rest at one of these RV parks, and not be able to pay. Additionally, most RV parks also offer laundry facilities that will likely need quarters. If you don’t have a W/D in your rig, cash definitely becomes handy! Lastly, you never know if you’ll run into toll-booths that will only accept cash. Some tolls will allow you to just drive through, taking a picture of your license plate and sending you an invoice via snail mail. The problem is, they will charge you a fee of $1.95+ PER INVOICE to do this, sometimes costing more than the actual toll fees!

Photo by Mathieu Turle on UnSplash.

TIP #10: Things Will Break, Get Used to It

When things break, you’ll soon realize that it’s just a part of RV living. Remember, your house is now on wheels! No matter how beautiful, how custom-made, or even how expensive your RV may be, it’s going to be subjected to lots of jostling and bumps on the road! Screws will come loose, mechanisms will break, Mother Nature or a rock may catch you by surprise. Things out of  your control and accidents, like being a little too forceful with opening a cabinet, will happen. We joke sometimes that homes were never really supposed to be on the road… but if these were never invented, we all wouldn’t be able to experience the joys that we do today! Although RVs are more fragile than regular homes, the good news is, most breaks are minor and can easily be fixed!

BONUS – Tip #11: If You’re a Frequent Flyer, The Open Road Will Surprise You

There’s something truly special about traveling cross country and soaking in the beauty of the open road. Prior to RV life, we mostly traveled by plane, both domestically and internationally. We didn’t think twice about it. However, once we hit the road, we were blessed with a whole new world of wonder and marvel! We really enjoy our drives, the ever-changing scenery, and finding ourselves wandering to places we never would have planned had we simply flown directly into a major city. If we had known how incredible the experience would be, we would have hit the road sooner! If you have the itch to travel on four wheels, go for it! You’ll be amazed.

As an LTV Explorer, I’ve received numerous private messages from fellow Leisure Travel Vans enthusiasts and travel lovers who were interested in my thoughts on our 2019 Unity FX. The popular demand for an honest review of this LTV layout became the inspiration to share my thoughts on the effects of our Unity FX!

Why We Chose the Unity FX

When we began searching for our new home-on-wheels back in 2018, we were shopping with the intent to down-size from our 38-foot Class A motorhome to a smaller RV that would still satisfy all of our needs for full-time travel and our taste for more modern décor, and also provide comfort in driving – primarily for me (Larissa), since I never actually built up the courage to drive our Class A over the two years we had it. Oops!

When we discovered Leisure Travel Vans and walked through the Unity FX, we were immediately attracted to what the layout offered. The name says it all! The Unity FX wowed us with a set of “effects” that made its layout truly unique in comparison to the other Leisure Travel Vans floorplans that we saw in person and on YouTube.

Because we own our business and work on our laptops while on the road, we loved the fact that the FX was designed to have two separate living spaces – or even three, if you count the fact that when the Murphy bed is down, it creates the sense of another “room.” The separate spaces would allow us to have our own “offices” while working, but would also allow us to reconfigure to create a different ambiance when retreating to eat, relax, and wind down.

Additionally, we were impressed by how this floorplan’s interior was thoughtfully laid out, and how every bit of space had a purpose and a space-saving or storage function. The Murphy bed, the slim slide-out pantry cabinet, the innovative bathroom door, the separate lounge living space, and all of the furniture configurations that Dean from Leisure Travel Vans demonstrates so well in the video below – all of these features made our decision to go with the 25-foot Unity FX Class B+ so easy.

Full-Time Living in Our LTV Unity FX

2 years and 10,000+ miles later…

We’ve traveled coast-to-coast in our Unity, created memories that will last a lifetime, and experienced what it’s actually like to live in our FX. Over the past couple of years, we’ve found that there are many features that we love about our Unity and a handful of things we don’t care for or wish were different. We also found a number ways to modify and enhance our living space to better suit our needs and to make our RV feel more like home.

The Good

As I mentioned earlier in this blog post, we absolutely LOVE the layout of our FX. We loved it when we first bought it, and we continue to love it now. When you’re living tiny and work in your home-on-wheels, every feature and every bit of space matters! Because it’s always been incredibly important to me to separate our “workspace” from our “play space,” I’ve been really happy with how the FX allows us to reconfigure our living space in so many different ways.

On workdays in the morning, the dinette allows us to enjoy breakfast together. After eating, we separate into our own “offices” – the dinette becomes Jamie’s desk, while I venture to the back of our rig, to my “office with a new view” – a view that I get to see change every 2 weeks to 1 month. On nice days, I often find myself taking my office outside to enjoy the fresh air. As the day goes on and we wrap up our workday, Jamie’s desk becomes a kitchen prep table and ultimately where we dine, and mine becomes a lounge. Whether we choose to relax together or to do our own thing, we have the option to hang out up front on our day bed, which can easily turn into theater seating, or to relax in the back lounge. Both areas have TVs that allow us to watch our favorite shows together or separately, while stretching out on our own couches. Whenever we do want to sit together, we can do that too, as both areas have ottomans and room for two! When we’re finally ready to turn in for the evening, bringing down the Murphy bed is quick and easy, and it creates our third “room” and sets the tone for bedtime. As you can see, there’s a lot we can do in this Class B+. Three living spaces in one 25-foot RV… it’s pretty amazing, if you ask me!

In comparison to the the other floorplans we walked through – we checked out many! – we found that the Unity FX felt much more open than the others. Given that the Murphy bed gets tucked away when it’s not in use and that the lounge area is L-shaped and hugs the walls of the RV, it doesn’t feel claustrophobic inside the van. I believe the interior colors of our RV also help create the sense of a bigger space. Ours has the Sierra Maple wood cabinetry, the white Arctic Glamour Décor Package, and the Fog leather color and light gray cloth lounge. When we were browsing, we were initially more attracted to the darker, richer colors, but after stepping into both, there was a significant difference in how much more open the van felt with lighter tones in comparison to the darker. Because we do spend so much time in the RV when we’re working, I’m so glad we ended up with this color scheme.

In addition to the floorplan and colors, we are happy with all of the nooks and crannies that the FX has to offer. Although this plan has the least amount of storage space, from what I recall, I love that there’s a space for everything. For example, there are cabinets under the day bed that perfectly fit the ottoman cushions for the theater seating. There are storage areas for little knickknacks in the armrests that are great for bedside items (glasses, earplugs, cell phones, etc.), and more storage above the lounge TV for remote controls and other miscellaneous items. Outlets and plug-ins are strategically placed throughout the van, which is nice and convenient. The lounge has an ottoman and a desk that gets tucked away and hidden when it’s not in use. Our floorplan also has an extra desk that can be assembled in the front cab, and we like the fact that it can be stored flat in the closet without taking up a lot of our much-valued closet space.

The way the bathroom door is designed is pretty clever too, as it swings in to create more space when it’s not in use, and swings out when it is in use. We’re happy with that, as it assists in keeping the living space open while at the same time ensuring the bathroom doesn’t feel claustrophobic. We like the slim sliding pantry as it stores quite a bit and doesn’t take up any real estate. I’m surprised by how many pots, pans, and dining and kitchenware we’ve been able to stuff in the cabinets! I’ll be honest, our drawers aren’t not as organized as I’d like, but it definitely gets the job done.

Lastly and quite importantly, the drive is easy and great! I was always a little terrified of driving our Class A, but driving the FX is like driving a car. I’m super comfortable in it, and that was really important to us when we were searching for the perfect motorhome.

The Bad

As much as we love our Unity, we’ve noticed some cons too. The good definitely outweighs the bad, but from our experience, here’s what we thought may be important for anyone interested in the Unity FX, especially those who are down-sizing and/or full-timing, to know:

Full-timing in our LTV Class B+ is way different than full-timing in a Class A. Yes, there’s the obvious difference when it comes to the size and the amount of storage. However, there were also the not-so-obvious things that we weren’t aware of prior to purchasing.

Prior to purchasing, we weren’t aware that LTVs aren’t winter ready. Given that we’re not RV experts and we didn’t know to ask (since we never had to worry about this in our Class A), it was pretty difficult to accept as we moved into our RV in the middle of winter. It turns out that traveling in freezing temperatures comes with limitations with needing to winterize. We found that with the heater on, the humidity can climb in the unit. It’s something to be aware of, if you’re planning to full-time and include travel in freezing temperatures. Fortunately for us, we were able to make some cold-weather modifications. We also enjoy chasing the warm weather anyway, so we haven’t experienced too many limitations over the past 2 years.

From a livability standpoint, the FX has everything we need. It’s got all of the essentials – we can cook, we can shower, we can eat, we can sleep, we can work, and we can drive from destination to destination. It has gifted us with incredible memories that will last forever! From a comfort standpoint, however, it could improve. My opinion may be different if we only took weekend or short-term trips, because when you’re vacationing, the goal isn’t really to stay indoors – it’s to go out and explore! Like most vacationers, we do spend a lot of time out exploring, but given that this is our home, we spend quite a bit of time inside, too.

We’ve found that the lounge couch in the back is more comfortable than the theater seating for lying down or getting comfy for long periods of time. Because of that, when we want to relax after a long day for extended periods of time, Jamie and I take turns on who gets to lie on the lounge couch. For short-term use or to simply visit with family or friends, the theater seating is fine – only snuggling and longer-term comfort is harder to achieve up here!

We originally liked the concept of having a roll-out ottoman/desk in the L-shaped couch, due to its space-saving mechanism. We’ve found that it works well as an ottoman when we both want to sit back there to relax. However, we’ve found that it’s not as a great as a desk because space gets really tight back there when it’s out. If someone needs to go to the bathroom, it can be a fiasco trying to maneuver around it! Due to the hassle, we ended up finding a different solution for a desk, which is much more compact and can be put away like a notebook when it’s not in use. So, we did find a work around! The FX concept was nice, but it’s not as functional as we would have liked.

The only other cons that stick out to me are very minor, but worth a mention. First, we never thought that the lack of seatbelts in the living area of the unit would affect us. However, we’ve found that when we meet up with family and friends during our travels, it would be nice if they could ride with us in the back.

Another small complaint is that, due to the Murphy bed and the bathroom being on the right side of the rig, there are no windows on that side unless the bed is down. I love windows and the feeling of openness, and sometimes it can get a little gloomy when we’re indoors, depending on where the sun shines down in any given area we visit.

Lastly – and this is no fault to LTV – as full-time RVers, we have way more stuff than we need, and a little more storage space would sometimes come in handy! We knew that the FX had the smallest amount of storage space, but we loved the layout enough that it trumped this fact. We also knew we’d be able to find ways to make it work. As a full-timer, every bit of space matters, but for anyone planning to purchase an FX for short-term travel, I can say that there’s definitely more than enough space for two!

Our Enhanced Modifications

Despite some of the limitations mentioned above, the pros definitely outweigh the cons, and the cons are manageable – even solvable, if you’re solutions-oriented! To enhance upon the original manufacturer’s specs, we’ve also added quite a bit to personalize our living space, in order to best suit our needs.

Outside the unit, we added a Let’s Go Aero Big Box Slideout Enclosed Carrier for extra storage. We also use it to store and protect our fat tire Pedego electric bikes. This add-on has helped us greatly as full-timers – the extra space has been incredibly beneficial!

We had a winter package professionally installed, so we no longer have to worry about pipes and tanks freezing in the winter. All of the heating elements installed outside are controlled from inside our RV. We also purchased a small dehumidifier that works perfectly to prevent our windows from fogging up when we turn on the heater.

To assist in driving, we upgraded our head unit with a touchscreen that includes a Garmin GPS, Apple Car Play, and satellite radio. This way, we’re able to utilize our preferred GPS and easily listen to our all of our favorite tunes and podcasts while we’re on the road. We also installed blind spot cameras that display the left and right rearview mirrors on our head unit screen, to assist with merging and changing lanes.

Southern charm, white sand, Spanish moss, and a whole lotta fried goodness! These are my fondest memories of St. Marys, Georgia, a quaint little city located in the southern-most part of Coastal Georgia.

One of the things I love most about full-time travel is the wanderlust of it all, and discovering new places that we never would have considered if we simply flew into a major city or limited ourselves to only visiting the most popular travel destinations. When it comes to deciding upon where we want to travel, we’re pretty spontaneous. Our planning looks something like this:

• We refer to our scratch-off map to identify which states we still want to visit – our goal is to eventually visit all 50!
• We determine a general direction, like, “Let’s travel northeast!” or “The coast is on my mind.”
• And then we pack up and go.
• Once we’re on the road, the travel inspiration and research begins!

We typically stay in an area for two weeks to one month at a time, which gives us the time to explore our current location and plan for what’s upcoming. If we really love a specific area and want to tour more, we sometimes even extend our stay. That’s the beauty of living on the road!

It was this type of spontaneity that allowed us to stumble upon St. Marys, and let me tell you, we were pleasantly surprised!

What to Do

While St. Marys itself is small, it has various historical attractions worth visiting within the city and access to many outdoor recreational activities. We found that the city is most well-known for the beautiful Crooked River State Park, gateway to the Cumberland Island National Seashore (Georgia’s “best kept secret”) as well as various museums, sights, and landmarks, such as the St. Marys Submarine Museum and the historic Tabby Ruins. Additionally, St. Marys is only a short drive away from Georgia’s Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Florida’s Amelia Island. We were able to visit all of these attractions, with the exception of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge – but we heard amazing things about it from our RV neighbors! Our favorite adventures during this trip were visiting Cumberland Island National Seashore by ferry, enjoying the trails and gorgeous bodies of water at Crooked River State Park, and our daytrip to Amelia Island.

Cumberland Island National Seashore

17 miles of white sand, pristine land, wildlife, lots of history and trails for days… This is the gift you’ll get to experience if you decide to visit Cumberland Island!

The Cumberland Island National Seashore is only accessible from the mainland via St. Marys Cumberland Island Ferry or a private boat. For the adventurous, you can paddle your way to the Island by kayak! Most take day trips, while others camp overnight for up to a maximum stay of seven nights. In order to preserve and maintain the land, there is a National Park Service entrance fee that’s valid for one week, in addition to the camping permit fee if you decide to camp. However, if you’re an America the Beautiful Pass holder, this waives the park entrance fees and discounts the camping permit. You can explore the Island on your own by foot or bike, or if you’re interested in a ranger-guided group tour, those are available as well. Do keep in mind, though, that there are no food services on the Island, and there aren’t many places to obtain safe drinking water. So when you go, it’s important that you pack your lunch and bring lots of water!

Due to our limited time and erratic weather, we chose to take a day trip on a beautiful day via the Cumberland Island Ferry, which departs from a dock at the St. Marys Visitor Center. This is where we purchased our ferry tickets and redeemed our park passes. We brought our electric bikes with us, given that we knew we wanted to explore as much of Cumberland Island as possible in a short period of time, and we’re so glad we did! The Island is large and there are so many paths and trails that we wouldn’t have been able to experience as much as we did without a bike, . If you don’t have a bike, there are rentals available on the Island. However, the number of bikes available are limited, and it’s first come, first serve. Thus, if you have a bike, I highly recommend you bring it unless you simply want to enjoy the beach, view some of the historical sites that are within walking distance, and/or hike the number of trails found on the Island – which is great way to spend the day too!

The 45-minute ferry ride was pleasant and enjoyable – we love boat rides, so it was a great way to start our morning! When we arrived on Cumberland Island, we were greeted by friendly camp rangers who provided us with a map of the Cumberland Island Seashore and directed us to the first of only a handful of restrooms on the Island. With only a few hours to explore, we were quickly off to the races on our bikes. Our goal was to see as much of the Island as we could, with the following must-see attractions in mind: the Dungeness Ruins, the beach, and Plum Orchard Mansion – oh, and wild horses, too!

As we pedaled on sand-packed roads through the luscious green forests filled with palm trees and Spanish moss to our destinations, we were simply in awe of our earth’s pristine beauty. Cumberland Island’s main road led us to the Dungeness Ruins, built in 1884 as a winter home for Thomas Carnegie and his family. Numerous resources were put into the Carnegie estate, and over 30 years the the mansion grew to about 35,000 square feet by 1916! Unfortunately, in 1959 the mansion caught fire, and today only bricks and walls remain. The ruins are a beauty though and truly picturesque. It’s where we spotted a handful of wild horses, too!

After the Dungeness Ruins, we had planned on going to Sea Camp Beach for lunch, as it was supposed to be nearby. However, when we followed the trail, it didn’t seem very bike-friendly. So, we decided to turn around to go in the direction of Plum Orchard Mansion instead. On our way, we decided to go off the beaten path, which coincidentally led us to Stafford Beach – just the stretch (17 miles) of undeveloped white sand beaches we were looking for! Jamie and I were the only people on that section of the beach, from what we could see at least, and we got to enjoy our lunch date on the beach after all! It was the best – sunshine, the sound of waves crashing on the seashore, and unique sea and horseshoe crab shells. We enjoyed it so much that we probably spent a little too much time relaxing, but it was totally worth it!

The last destination on our itinerary was Plum Orchard Mansion, another Carnegie historical site. The mansion was a wedding gift for George Lauder Carnegie and Margaret Thaw. Built in 1898, it became their winter residence every year until George passed in 1921. Sadly, we never made it to the mansion, primarily because we relaxed on our lunch date a little too long and then got lost along the way. We biked as fast as we could in the direction of the mansion, spotted a number of armadillos and a private jet, and we may have even passed the mansion without knowing it! I laugh as I type this, because I remember the excitement and the anxiety we felt at the same time, because we knew we were cutting our timing close given that there was only one ferry boat ride back to the mainland. It felt like the longest yet most thrilling bike ride I’ve ever taken!

Although we didn’t make it to the second mansion, we still had an incredible experience, got great exercise, saw more wildlife, and simply enjoyed our surroundings. Our day trip to Cumberland Island was a memorable one, and I wouldn’t change a thing! If we’re ever in the area again, I’d love to go back. However, in the future, I’d definitely make it a camping trip, to ensure we’re not rushed and can get the most out of what the Island has to offer!

Crooked River State Park

Crooked River State Park made it to my favorites list because it was a park we ventured to daily. It was conveniently located about half a mile down the road from our RV campground, so it was the perfect place to take a break from work and get in our daily walks, bike ride, picnic, and simply appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. The four miles of trails took us through the forests and to the salt marsh, and the sight of the Crooked River was simply stunning. The park had a boat ramp and a dock for fishing – which we frequented regularly – and we saw many travelers enjoying themselves in their kayaks, too. This is actually where those who choose to paddle to Cumberland Island typically begin their journey! Having Crooked River State Park so close by definitely added to our St. Marys experience.

Amelia Island

If you’re looking for a lovely getaway, a change in scenery, and the opportunity to visit Florida, Amelia Island is a charming little seaport village worth exploring. It’s known for the enchanting Fernandina Beach Historic Downtown, and for pristine beaches. So, we made it a point to explore both and brought our pup, Chloe, with us too!

We loved strolling through the Historic Downtown for its unique 19th century charm. The streets were lined with local restaurants, eclectic shops, and some pretty talented street musicians. It seemed like a popular spot for both locals and tourists, due to the large number of places to wine, dine, enjoy a cup of coffee, or shop, and due to its proximity to the Fernandina Harbor Marina and walking trail that line the ocean. We loved the fresh seafood at Timoti’s Seafood Shack, the desserts at Nana Teresa’s Bakeshop, and wandering the town with a cup of coffee in hand from Amelia Island Coffee.

After exploring their downtown, we chose to enjoy the rest of our day at Main Beach, a dog-friendly beach on the Island. Since we don’t take Chloe to the beach often, it’s always a fun experience to watch how she reacts to the sand and water. She’s a tiny dog that acts like a cat, so getting her close to the ocean and watching her run frantically away from the waves is always a humorous sight to see! The beach was great for hunting for seashells and simply relaxing by the shore.

If you love a unique ambiance, great eats, treats, local music, artistic photo ops, and the sight of the ocean like we do, Amelia Island is the perfect place to spend an afternoon! If you have more time and love history and/or the outdoors, Amelia Island offers quite a bit for that, too. We simply went out there to enjoy a sunny afternoon in Florida! If we were to go back, however, we’d definitely love to explore or even camp at Fort Clinch State Park and take advantage of all the water activities available during the warmer months!

Where to Eat

I’ll keep this section short and sweet.

If you love Southern comfort food (and, I mean, who doesn’t?! Especially when in the South…), go to Steffens Restaurant, period.

This classic, old-school diner is the epitome of Southern hospitality and homestyle cooking. Everything on their menu is homemade, fresh, and finger-licking good, and they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This place is POPULAR, and after trying it, we know why. We found ourselves dining there more than once (three times, to be exact), and we were happy with everything we tried. I have to admit, though, it’s not exactly diet-friendly… but it is a whole lotta fried goodness!

Their menu ranged from classic Southern brunch specialties like chicken and waffles and biscuits and gravy, served all-day, to fried, whole catfish, alligator, and shrimp with grits. Their sides were amazing, consisting of sweet potato mash, squash casserole, collard greens, cream of corn, and more. And their desserts were delectable too!

Should you decide to go, keep the following in mind:

• The restaurant is located in Kingsland, Georgia, which is about 15 minutes away from St. Marys.
• Seating is first come, first serve, and you seat yourself. Thus, get there early, go during less popular times, or simply prepare yourself for a well-worth-it wait!
• If you’re health conscious or on a diet, save this outing for a cheat meal or after a long day of activity – it’s how we justified it!
• Even if you’re not into fried foods, everything fried is also available grilled or blackened. But let’s be real… when in the South, why not do it right?!

Where to Stay

If it wasn’t for A Big Wheel RV Park‘s kind staff and willingness to accommodate us during their busiest season of the year, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to enjoy St. Marys and the surrounding area. Like many snowbirds, we were chasing warm weather this past winter. But unlike seasoned snowbirds, we weren’t prepared for the majority of campgrounds to be fully booked, given that we’ve always been able to reserve last-minute stays in other parts of the country without any trouble. However, we learned very quickly that Alabama, Florida, and Southern Georgia campgrounds fill up fast during the winter months – reservations are often booked six to eight months in advance! So, we definitely lucked out finding availability at A Big Wheel RV Park due to a last-minute cancellation.

This small campground was charming, affordable, and within walking distance to Crooked River State Park. The staff was friendly and very helpful in finding ways to accommodate our month’s stay at their campground. The landscaping of the park was lovely, decorated with trees with Spanish moss, florals, and a peaceful pond. I even discovered a small trail within the RV park that I frequented regularly for quiet walks with Chloe.

Additionally, the majority of the campers during this time of year (late February) were full-timers and snowbirds who made St. Marys their winter home-away-from-home. Given that management encouraged community by hosting Sunday potlucks every week, it was an added bonus to get to know our neighbors and the campground owner, and to share travel stories with one another.

We truly enjoyed our stay and would recommend it! If you decide to visit in the winter, book early. You may not be as lucky as we were to secure a spot!

Overall, our experience in St. Marys and the surrounding area was a memorable one! We took our time, given that full-time travel is more of a lifestyle for us versus a vacation, and had a great time exploring. If you are looking for your next vacation spot or maybe even a place to park long-term, consider adding St. Marys to your list of travel destinations!

Amidst a crisis or not, appreciating the little things in life is a practice that I adopted early on that has always helped me see the good and experience joy every single day – whether we travel or whether we shelter-in-place.

My husband and I have been traveling full-time in our Leisure Travel Van Unity FX for the past year and a half, and we have been living the nomadic lifestyle for the last three. We chose this life because we absolutely love exploring new places, trying new cuisines (we are major foodies!) and creating memories that will last forever as we go on what we like to call our “Road Trip of a Lifetime!”

At the beginning of this year (2020), we were incredibly gung-ho to tour the East Coast, given that up until this point, we have spent most of our time on the road exploring the West Coast and Midwest in the United States. We were eager to chase the warm weather in the winter, enjoy the charm and hospitality of the South, and relish in the cool, brisk breeze from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean as we moved a little further northeast. We had planned on wandering the Blue Ridge Mountains, soaking in nature’s beauty, and then paint the town in the metropolitan East Coast. Once late summer/early fall rolled around, we were looking forward to indulging in fresh seafood at Maine’s Lobster Fest, and then experience the beauty of the East Coast’s fall foliage – we have heard it is remarkable!

As you can see, I had practically every season mapped out in my mind, with at least a general idea of what we wanted to do! I’ll be honest, we are usually pretty spontaneous when it comes to travel, but the East Coast had been on my mind for quite some time. There was just so much to look forward to!

3 months in, we made it to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina! But then…

COVID-19 hit.

As I write this blog article today, and depending on when you read it, we are living amidst a global pandemic due to the novel coronavirus. Major attractions, state parks, and restaurants are closed. Social distancing is in place, and government-issued stay-at-home orders have been put into effect.

We are currently sheltering in place in Arizona due to countless tornado scares in the South and too many unfortunate hotspots in the Northeast.

As I am sure you can imagine or are experiencing if you are a full-time traveler yourself, traveling today is not quite like the “travel” we are used to, and it is not exactly the adventure we had envisioned for ourselves this year.

Am I bummed out about it? Sure.

But… the reality is, this is our current new norm!

Oftentimes, when things do not go our way, it is easy to sulk about everything that is going wrong. However, what I have realized time and time again is that we do not have to feel that way for long. A shift in perspective can go a long way in brightening the circumstances of today!

For me, my perspective shifted from,

“None of our plans are going to happen – how disappointing! We’re basically just living in a van now until… who knows when?! ”

To,

“This period of time is simply another chapter in our story – it’s all part of our adventure! COVID19 is real; staying safe and staying healthy is real; but all of this will eventually pass. There’s so much to look forward to in the future!”

Our memories during this time can either be tainted by negativity or painted with joy. We have chosen joy!

Why? Because there is so much to appreciate and to be grateful for today!

In this article, I am going to share with you 4 things that I do daily that help me stay positive, lively, and grateful during unprecedented times like these. The beauty of these 4 activities is, if practiced regularly, joy will follow naturally, regardless of the season we are in!

Tip 1: Practice Gratitude

Getting into the habit of reflecting on what we are thankful for has endless benefits. It allows us to cherish and focus on the good things we have now, rather than focus on what is lacking. When we make it a point to recognize what we are grateful for, we are exposing ourselves to a mindset of abundance verses a mindset of scarcity. It can also shine light on how good we actually have it! Studies have shown that individuals who practice gratitude daily experience more positive emotions and feel more vibrant, happy, and alive than those who do not.

Personally, the practice of gratitude has taken me a long way, and I always feel good when I take the time to journal about what I appreciate in life and in our travels. I make a point of journaling every single day and identify at least one thing – big or small – that brought me joy that day.

These days, I am most thankful for:

• My husband
• Our health and safety, along with our families’
• Private and public essential workers
• Our business and its ability to thrive even during a crisis
• Our home-on-wheels, and a safe place to stay while we wait for the effects of COVID-19 to pass
• Our pup, Chloe
• Lasting friendships
• Truck drivers who are friendly enough to assist us when merging into their lane during busy traffic on travel days
• Walmart and Cracker Barrel for free overnight stays after a long drive between destinations
• Podcasts and music to enjoy during road trips
• The smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning
• The warmth of the sun
• Stunning pink and orange sunsets, purple mountains, lakes, and fascinating desert plants
• The ability to live and work from anywhere and still enjoy the novelty of new locations wherever we end up parking – even if the way we explore today is different than how we did it before

Oftentimes, it is the little, everyday things that we take for granted. But when we take the time to shine light on those things, it can be surprising, revealing treasures we already possess and how fortunate we are, despite the prior limitations we may have felt!

Tip 2: Go Outdoors and Be Extra Observant

Pandemic or not, going outside and getting fresh air is an absolute must! The outdoors has been my escape these last couple of months with the stay-at-home orders in effect. Although outdoor walks have always been part of my daily routine, I have noticed that now, more than ever, I have developed a greater sense of appreciation for nature’s beauty and the simple things I never really noticed before. Whether I am taking a bike ride through the park or simply walking around our RV campground, I like to make it a point to find joy in my surroundings by being extra observant and creating novelty in a place that may no longer be novel.

For example, in a resort where we recently stayed, many of our neighbors had unique little trinkets displayed on their lots that added so much character to each site. These simple displays illustrated so much about our neighbors, and it was fascinating to get a glimpse into each of their lives and personalities without even formally meeting most of them!

During my walks, I have also found myself finding beauty in what I may have considered ugly before. Having stayed in the South during the earlier months of this year, for example, we were surrounded by lots of swamps – what seemed to be filthy waters. But when I looked past the murky ponds, I found elegance in the colorful flowers that lined the waters; I created excitement around searching for gators; I enjoyed hearing the sound of frogs singing; I admired the sight of white egrets and other creatures.

Another thing I like to do is simply observe people. I love hearing the sound of laughter – it’s contagious! I also enjoy watching adults and children having a good time, despite everything going on during these times. Whenever I see runners and bikers trailing through the heat or people doing exercise routines outside, it motivates me to stay on track with my health regime and create new routines for myself. And lastly, whenever I pass another person, I always make it a point to smile, say hello, and converse with those who are open to it – even if it is from a distance! Which leads me to my next tip…

Tip 3: Get Social, Even if it Has to be Virtual

While getting to know your RV neighbor, attending campground socials, or meeting fellow campers may not be possible during this time in order to respect social distancing, it does not mean you can no longer be social!

As an extrovert, it has been a little difficult for me not to want to go up to a friendly face and spark up a conversation or say hello to all the dogs and dog lovers like myself. However, I realize that now, more than ever, not everyone is up for that, nor is it the most responsible thing to do. So, aside from making it a point to smile and greet everyone I see at our campground…

I have made it a point to take advantage of this time to catch up with close friends and rekindle connections with people I have met over the years who light me up and have a made a difference in my life in some way or another, both on video calls or over the phone. I have weekly Zoom dinners with my parents and brother, which is always entertaining. I also participate in social sharing of recipes, books, exercise routines hosted live, fun and games, and more!

The need for social connection is a basic human drive. Everyone craves it – some more than others. If social distancing or a self-quarantine has been negatively affecting you, remember that it is only temporary and there are creative ways to connect to fill your social hunger!

Tip 4: Reminisce and Create Excitement for the Future

The last thing that I love to do is simply reminisce, because it inspires and encourages me to look forward to what is yet to come! Whenever I reflect on our previous trips, it always lights me up. Viewing our pictures and reading my travel journal entries allows me to step back into my memories and relive the moments in my mind, which creates happiness and appreciation for all that we have been blessed to do.

While we wait for restrictions to lift and for things to start to normalize, it is the perfect time to dream and plan! During times of uncertainty, out-of-sight should never mean out-of-mind, especially when it comes to doing the things you love. For us, touring the East Coast may not be happening this year, but I have no doubt that we will get there!

Now, I do realize that many of these tips may seem simple or even sound like common sense. The truth is though, what is common sense is not always common practice, and it is the little things in life that can make a BIG difference in how we experience today and every day going forward!

Today, we choose joy. What about you?

Note: Full-time RVing (in any type or make of RV) may have implications on policies including, but not limited to, warranty and insurance policies. Please do your own research before making the decision to live in an RV on a full-time basis.