As full-time RV enthusiasts, we’ve learned that the freedom of the open road often comes with its fair share of unexpected challenges. In our latest travel adventure, we traversed over 2,300 miles from the desert landscapes of Joshua Tree to the vibrant streets of New Orleans – all in pursuit of cherished family moments during the holiday season.

Boondocking in the Joshua Tree Foothills: Adventure and Uncertainty

We began our holiday journey by boondocking in the foothills near the southern entrance of Joshua Tree National Park. The Cottonwood Springs Campground inside the park provided a convenient water fill and dump station. However, the remote location came with some concerning challenges. While the desert landscapes were beautiful, we encountered sketchy campers and security issues that left us feeling uneasy. The nearby Box Canyon Road offered more scenic views, just cross over Hwy 10 and take Box Canyon Rd. Overall, this stop was a reminder of the unpredictability that can come with full-time RV living.

Santa Barbara Sanctuary: Embracing Connection Over Convenience

Despite New Orleans being our final holiday destination, the pull of Thanksgiving with dear friends, led us 500 miles off course to Santa Barbara:

• We explored the historic Santa Barbara Courthouse and its Spanish Colonial architecture.
• We caught Jason’s musical performance six nights a week at the local Red Piano.
• We stayed at the Elks Club in nearby Goleta, providing a convenient home base.
• We took in the beautiful waterfront and pier views along the coast.

These moments of meaningful connection proved why sometimes the heart’s priorities need to take precedence over the map.

Hard Lessons Learned: The Challenges of Accelerated RV Travel

As we raced across the Southwest to reach New Orleans by Christmas, we quickly discovered the pitfalls of our breakneck pace:

• Arriving at campsites after dark was extremely stressful, especially with our large rig.
• Navigating tight back-in spots in the dark pushed us to our limits.
• Adjusting to time zone changes added an extra layer of complexity.

We ultimately learned three key lessons:

1. Avoid long driving days – we capped future travel at 4 hours max per day
2. Never arrive at a campsite after dark (allow extra time for the mishaps that slow you down)
3. Don’t try to cover too much ground in a short timeframe

These “hard lessons” eventually led us to take an extended break from the road.

A New Orleans Christmas: Family, Festivities, and Fond Memories

When the kids requested spending the holidays in New Orleans, we eagerly embraced the adventure:

• We stayed at the KOA in New Orleans, getting a cabin for the kids to have more space and comfort.
• We toured the powerful exhibits at the National WWII Museum. A MUST if you go to NOLA.
• We immersed ourselves in unique Cajun traditions at the Celebration in the Oaks, a dazzling holiday light display in City Park.
• Don’t miss Frenchmen Street for some of the best music in NOLA
• On Christmas Eve, we witnessed the centuries-old bonfires along the Mississippi River (St James Parish), a tradition to guide Papa Noel to the children.
• We explored the French Quarter via the hop-on, hop-off bus, avoiding the hassle of navigating our large truck through the area streets by parking at the Welcome Center.

Despite the travel fatigue, the joy of being together as a family created cherished memories.

The highs and lows of our holiday RV journey serve as a poignant reminder that the full-time RV lifestyle is not without its challenges. But for us, the reward of making lifelong memories with loved ones will always outweigh the difficult lessons learned along the way. As we look ahead to our next adventures, we’re reminded to savor the freedom of the open road while balancing it with the importance of self-care and intentional connection.

Ready to Start Your Own RV Journey?

After two years on the road, we can honestly say that despite the challenges, this lifestyle has been worth every moment. Yes, there are trade-offs, but the freedom to explore, connect, and live life on our own terms far outweighs the occasional stress of travel days or RV repairs.

That’s exactly why we created “Your Path to Full-Time Freedom.”

Think back to when we started – we spent countless hours researching, watching videos, and making expensive mistakes along the way. We built this comprehensive course to be everything we wish we had when we began our journey. From handling your mail and choosing a domicile to managing your finances and maintaining your rig, we cover every aspect of transitioning to full-time RV life.

But it’s more than just a course. You’ll also join our private Facebook community where you’re surrounded by others who are either planning their transition or already living the life. No judgment, no silly questions – just real support from people who understand exactly what you’re going through. We’re there too, actively answering questions and sharing insights from our ongoing journey.

Whether you’re planning to hit the road this year or five years from now, this course will help you avoid costly mistakes and build a solid foundation for your full-time RV life. We’ve packaged everything we’ve learned – both the victories and the hard lessons – into a resource that will save you time, money, and stress.

🔥 Special Offer:

We’re currently offering a discount plus 2 months free access to our Private Facebook Group for the next 5 people who join! Learn more about Your Path to Full-Time Freedom