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A Change in Our RV Travel Style
Since we’ve had our LD (2015), we made 6 longer trips to include a three month trip.  All these trips were on our wish list and all of them were great memory makers.   One of our list trips was to Door County Wisconsin and back to Duluth next year.  For several days, I worked on the logistics to include various routes.  

The trip would be 3,000 miles and probably take 2-3 months.   3,000 miles!   Somewhat of a surprise to me, I lost my enthusiasm for the trip.   It felt overwhelmingly tiring.  Nevertheless, I shared all this information with Margee who then said “that might be too much for us.”  We had the same feelings. 

After commiserating for a bit, we realized that our longer, high mileage trips have come to an end.   We didn’t see this coming. 

This last year has been physically challenging for both of us and more so than ever before.   So now our trip list is limited to something like 1,500 miles round trip.   Again, we didn’t see this coming so soon. 

At any rate, my advice is if you can, do it, but don’t wait. 
Re: A Change in Our RV Travel Style
Reply #1 –
"This last year has been physically challenging for both of us..."

A man [or woman] has got to know his/her limitations...

There comes a time in everyone's life when we realize it's time to throttle back and take a softer track! Been there, done that!  ::)   8)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: A Change in Our RV Travel Style
Reply #2 –
On the other hand, sometimes the thought of a long trip can seem overwhelming, but my experience is once you get going it can be the trip of a lifetime.  I understand what physical challenges can do to limit you, but if you can manage it, I'll bet you will be glad you did.  Those challenges will only get more limiting.
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD
Re: A Change in Our RV Travel Style
Reply #3 –
Longer RV trips in terms of time and distance creates for us a difficult to explain fatigue.   And we travel slowly and stay for longer periods of time.   My best guess after thinking about this for quite awhile is our stamina reserve isn’t as much as in recent years.   In other words, we become weary fairly easily.  It’s difficult to explain as I said.  So now we will go shorter distances and stay much longer between stops.   And that’s just the way it is!  😇
Re: A Change in Our RV Travel Style
Reply #4 –
I know what you mean!

I’m 3000 miles into my trip this summer, with at least 1500 more miles to go, enjoying it, but days longer than four hours of driving take a lot out of me.

Has me pondering can I do the longer trips in the next two years (Alaska & Newfoundland) both 8000+, even at a relatively young 62/63.     My health is good, goal is to do both trips before I can’t.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: A Change in Our RV Travel Style - Newfoundland
Reply #5 –
Dave,
If you do plan a trip to Newfoundland I might be able to give you some suggestions to make it a memorable trip. I first traveled there in 1984 and have returned many times since, 23 trips so far. We even had a summer home in Portugal Cove from 2005 to 2011. We have many friends all across the island, some are like second family to Elizabeth & I. If you go, it is an investment in in time and funds so you want to spend both wisely. Mainly give yourself plenty of time on the island ("The Rock") to make the trip worth it. At least a month but longer is better. Just the Trans Canada Hwy (TCH) is almost 600 miles long across the island, not to mention the many other side roads through all the mountains to the shore line outport villages. The European history goes back to 1000AD when the vikings lived there for a short time. The capital, St. Johns, was founded in 1497, earlier that St. Augustine, Florida.
At one time I had made a collection of our NL photos that I had shared with some friends. One friend made a slide show and posted it on YouTube titled "Coachman's Newfoundland." I was unaware of this until someone else found it which is still okay with us. There were some photos I would not have included if I had posted it. But, so be it!
The best time to go is July, August, and Early September. The icebergs are usually along the north shore until late July when they melt away. You can contact me for more travel tips if you want.
Below are some photos from the past.
Mike C 
2010 RB "Monty"  & currently: 2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23'
1982 Dolphin/Toyota 22'
Re: A Change in Our RV Travel Style
Reply #6 –
Mike, sent you a message, definitely all ears from a regular to the area.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: A Change in Our RV Travel Style
Reply #7 –
Hi, Dave,
I still like to make road trips, but after many 20+ hour driving days years ago, now I agree that three or four hours of driving is long enough.  Not just because it's tiring, but rather it's more enjoyable not to be in a hurry.  And after nearly 70 years of living in Alaska, and making what must have been four dozen trips going to the States and returning at all times of year, I also believe that's true when driving through Canada.  However since I'm in Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula, and this is July, it means we are swarming with motor homes, tourists, and salmon-crazy fishermen, so the traffic is awful.  Even restaurants are packed and there are no campsites available.  Every visitor to Alaska wants to be here in July but spring and fall are both nicer.  I would avoid the Alcan Highway like the plague, and recommend the beautiful Cassiar instead, at least one way.  Just don't be in a hurry. 
Message me if you want.  Kristin
1997 MB
Re: A Change in Our RV Travel Style
Reply #8 –
Thanks Kristin!

Holding off planning next year until I get home around Labor Day.

Haven’t decided between Cassiar and Alcan yet.

Alcan has the history and less frost heaves
Cassiar is more scenic, leaning towards that.

Goal is to arrive in Anchorage by mid/end of May, daughter wants to see the PNW on the way up, which conflicts with my desire to drop by Banff/Jasper again.

Assuming I can get a spot and can stomach the cost, will likely take the Alaska Marine Highway back.
Dave

2017 TK
 
Re: A Change in Our RV Travel Style
Reply #9 –
Some years ago, we pulled our fifth wheel to Alaska and back.  We were amazed how full the camps were in July, especially along the Alcan.  The organized caravans could fill a park before we arrived, and then they all left together.  My children still remember that month as one of our best vacations.  The fishing and wildlife viewing was world class.  We returned on the Cassiar Highway.  It took three days because I kept stopping to take photos.  The bear and eagle viewing in Hyder was lots of fun.

We will do it again, but we will go in spring, not summer.

I received some good advice on that trip that I still adhere to today, when possible.  3-3-3.  Three hundred miles, arrive in camp by three pm, and if possible, stay for three days.  Otherwise it is 2-2-2.  This is supposed to be fun, not work.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life