We've been home almost two weeks. The RV is cleaned out and back in storage. The laundry is done. The animals are home and settled and I'm finally starting to remember what day it is.
Did we have fun? Was it worth it? Would you do it again?
These are the questions I've been asked the most.
I'd like to be able to answer the questions with an unequivocal and enthusiastic "YES!". I'd like to be able to say that we spent the eight weeks in familial bliss - children happily doing their schoolwork, thoroughly and positively engaged in their surroundings while Mom and Dad gaze lovingly at them, and each other, as everyone soaks up the wondrous vibe that is the G household.
I could say that, I guess, but I'd be lying.
We *did* have some GREAT family moments - don't get me wrong. We also had swearing, yelling and tears. And lots of second (and third and fourth) thoughts. Many nights I wondered--what the heck was I thinking?
So, was it fun? Yes, parts of it were absolutely fantastic --- The Grand Canyon, the Beach, the Statue of Liberty, South Dakota, D.C., meeting up with friends and re-connecting with family. We ate boudin and cracklin' in Louisiana and viewed the Declaration of Independence -all in the same month. We swam in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.
All of that was fun and I don't regret any of it.
*IF* we had actually spent some time in the RV as a family prior to this trip, I would have realized that the whole circumnavigate- the -country- in- two- months was a tad bit ambitious. I would have realized that driving and navigating an RV through unfamiliar roads is really, really stressful. I would have either lengthened the time of the trip or shortened the route.
However, we didn't, so off we went - blissfully naive.
Was it worth it? Absolutely. We made memories. Some positive, some negative, but I bet no one *ever* forgets the two months we spent in the RV.
Would I do it again? I think it's too soon after the trip to answer this one. Once the memories of the 'pain' fade (kind of like childbirth--you forget, so you do it again), I bet the answer will be 'Yes'.
Right now, though, I'm content to let the RV spend the summer in storage. Maybe we'll take it out again----- next year.
10 comments:
Well done. Well written. It's been a riot to follow your journey, and I'm so thankful that you blogged about it.
Thanks for bringing us along for the ride! I'm pretty sure, if we took a trip like that, we'd be two people short by the time we got home. You get a LOT of credit for planning and executing your trip, and not executing anyone along the way. :)
I've enjoyed reading your blog.
Thanks for your honest wrap up. Traveling around the states in an RV is something my DH and I have talked a lot about. I don't see it happening for many years yet. But I think I have a better perspective now, after reading your blog, to know what I'm getting myself into.
Now if only I actually remember all this years from now when I'm thinking it's a great idea. lol
Thanks everyone! Having never 'blogged' before, it was fun. I love that I have all those memories recorded and look forward to having the blog printed into books to give the kids someday. :)
Best post of the series, and the payoff, as well. This is what I've been waiting for!
So glad to get your honest take on the situation.
Isn't every vacation fraught with stress, from time to time? Yes, hindsight IS 20/20, but I enjoyed taking the ride along with you.
Thanks Susan...I've appreciated your feedback and comments. :)
Thea
Great post! Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
This was a really special thing that you and your family did. Good times, bad times, it's all part of the memories, and in retrospect, the bad times often become the things we laugh about.
I really, really hope our family can do something like this someday, too. I will forever admire you for getting it all together and just doing it.
Susan in NC
It sounds like a terrific trip, both the good and the bad.
Having traveled in an RV with kids, I know there are challenges that one just doesn't expect.
I'm sure your family will remember it forever as a highlight, even with any lowlights that happened.
Chloe
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