For spring break I spent over a week in an RV travelling to the Grand Canyon with my family of four teens, my husband and his mother. Here is some practical advice if you're considering a similar trip.
1. NO SHIT, SHERLOCK
No one poops in the RV. I think it goes without saying that 7 people should never share one bathroom. Ever. But, put that toilet on wheels and contain the other 6 people with the noxious fumes of one and now we're just talking the preservation of humanity here.
Unless of course, you boondock at a free State Campground and the toilets are all closed.
2. DON'T CUT THE CHILL WITH CHILI
While it might be tempting to make a batch of down home chili for the road, DON'T DO IT! Everyone knows, no one eats chili without farting. Little known fact: Eating chili is the leading cause of homicide on RV trips.
Turns out, that black bean pasta with a queso-salsa sauce wasn't a good choice either. Neither was hummus...
3. SOCK IT TO THEM
Remember to check that your kids packed a change of socks and underwear before you leave on the trip. Don't wait until it becomes revoltingly apparent your kid who's old enough to know better didn't actually know better and only packed 1 pair of fresh socks.
Also, the same kid will probably be down one pair of underwear after he drops a pair on the ground on the way back from the shower. Only to be discovered the next morning after a night of freezing rain.
4. WET WIPES SAVE LIVES
On days you can't shower because you're boondocking or you have to walk a mile through the cold to pay $2 for an 8 minute shower in a national park, that's when you take a baby wipe shower. Including all the crevices and feet before putting on fresh underwear and socks. (Please refer back to #3)
I know you're thinking, but you have a shower in an RV. But, the shower is used as a wet bar for beer and the storage of other beverages. Duh.
5. ALCOHOL: DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT
After a whole day of listening to your teens fight over who gets to charge their phone in the one working outlet in the RV, you'll need some alcohol. And yes, you can get alcohol while you're on the road. But...
...you don't want to be in the bad part of town in Albuquerque buying your Colt 45 when the cashier is behind bulletproof glass and you're not. Safety first.
Sure, I could give you lots of other little tips. But, I've got this bottomless pile of laundry to tackle and an empty fridge here at home to fill. I'm sure you'll figure the rest out when you're on the road. Safe travels!
2 comments:
LOL Marie, you've done it again. Great post and nothin' but the truth! (I just wrote about our family road trips of the 1970s - not so much different then either:-)
Favorite part: "Little known fact: Eating chili is the leading cause of homicide on RV trips." LOL!!
I think the part that would have driven me most insane, if I were in your shoes, would be the fact that I didn't have a separate room to retreat to. In any family vacation I've been to where my husband's side of the family was with us (we're talking minimum 15ppl in a cabin or whatever), I've found that on day 3, if I'm not able to retreat to some quiet/alone room, I get super cranky and feel like I'd explode. You are amazing for lasting that long!
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