8 Months Of Family Caravaning (And We Still Love Each Other)
On Sunday we said goodbye to Paul’s dad and stepmom after more than 8 months caravaning together. Yes, you read that right. 8 months!!!! This is by far the longest caravan we’ve ever done and most definitely the longest time I’ve spent with family, my own or extended, since I was around 17 years old (that’s errmmmm….several years ago in case you were wondering).
From here they’re headed East (to Miami) while we’re headed back to the coast (for June) and then who-knows-where after that. Eventually we’ll meet again in FL over Christmas, but that’s not going to be until the end of the year.
It was a long 8 months that sped by into which we packed an amazing amount of stuff. And the truth is it went GREAT. Really! A fabulous, easy, smooth 8 months that we were honestly deeply sad to see the end of. It was full of adventure, wonderfully relaxed and deepened our family relationship in ways I never expected. Who would’ve thunk?
But I have to admit I wasn’t completely confident it was going to go so well when we first started.
We’d done a few longer caravans in the years before this (with different RV buddies including Alex&Ellen, Technomadia, and the Wandertopia boys), so we had some basics that we knew would help make it work.
We liked each other (that’s key for any caravan, obviously) and we all made the decision up-front that ours was going to be a “loose” caravan. What that meant is from the on-set we agreed to driving to campgrounds at our own pace (using FindMyFriends App to keep track of each other), occasional dinners and happy hours together (but not every night), occasional sightseeing outings together (but not all the time) and the occasional week or two where we (or they) might jump ahead to a different spot. Basically all the tips I detailed in my post “3 Tips To RV Caravaning With Friends (Without Driving Each Other Nuts)“.
But we still weren’t sure if we were going to be happy spending so much time together.
You see, caravaning with family adds extra layers of complexity compared to caravaning with friends. In some ways it can be easier (you all know each other so well that it all goes seamlessly), but in other ways it can be harder (you all know each other so well that you all drive each other nuts!). Being the very independent Danish gal I am, I wondered if I would find it too “confining” to be together with the tightly-bound Cuban side of the family for that long. Cultural differences can be interesting in a mixed relationship, and can surprise you even after 20 or so years together. Apart from holidays, we’d never spent this much time immersed in either of our extended family units, so who knew what that was going to be like?
In the end, it all went soooo much better than I ever could have imagined. We truly enjoyed each others company, and by keeping it deliberately loose we never felt confined or limited by being together. There was never any feeling of obligation, so everything we did together was purely because we really wanted to. Isn’t that the best way to be together? In any relationship?
So what did we do?
We first met-up at Albuquerque, NM for the Balloon Fiesta in the start of October 2015. Paul’s dad and Ana drove from Florida while we met them coming down from South Dakota (right after renewing our licenses). After a fabulous two weeks there we moseyed on West together passing through the Painted Hills, AZ and stopping for a longer stay at the Grand Canyon, AZ. From there we headed down to Prescott, AZ and then slowly over towards San Diego, CA where I flew home and Paul’s mom flew out to join the crew. After Christmas together we parted ways briefly while they explored the desert and we drove to Benson, AZ to get our big “beastly” solar/battery upgrade. We met-up again there, parted again briefly, then caravaned up the entire CA/OR coast together until our final stop in Portland, OR. What a ride!!!
When we finally said goodbye I have to admit it wasn’t without sadness. Spending this quality time together has been once-in-a-lifetime special. It’s the kind of thing that’s hard to appreciate properly until it’s over. As people we try to “live in the moment”, but as human beings we invariably fail to some extent. The art of appreciating joy, of fully immersing yourself whatever is happening right now is an incredibly tricky thing. There’s always something to distract you, and the petty details of mundane life tend to get in the way no matter what you do. I like to think we did a good job of it here, but I know we’ll look back on this time with an extra pinch of nostalgia nonetheless.
See ya down the road guys. We love you & will miss you terribly!
Oh, it sounds like a fun time for all of you! I’ve never thought of Grand Canyon in October but it sounds so nice. We will go next year around May. Thanks for sharing your trips! Have Fun!!
October was actually a WONDERFUL time to be in the Grand Canyon. We had a few chilly nights, but weather (overall) was fabulous and the crowds were not too crazy. We really enjoyed it!
Nina
I’m so happy you guys got this special time together as a family, and as friends. It’s really so wonderful on so many levels – ok, enviable at that!
We definitely loved the opportunity to get to know Paul’s parents during our rendezvouses this past year – awesome folks, and no wonder you guys made this a smooth experience.
Miss you guys, and can’t wait until our paths next cross. Whether for a couple days or 8 months & 1 Day (we have a new record to beat after all. 🙂 ).
It’s really fun that the parental units got to meet some of our good friends too. I think they enjoyed that as much as the travel and sightseeing. See you guys (hopefully) out East somewhere.
Nina
Glad to hear eight months together with family went so well. I’m sure this was an adventure you guys will cherish. Thanks for sharing.
It was definitely a special time, and one that will remain special in the memory and the re-telling.
Nina
Great summary post on your time with Paul’s dad and stepmom:) So glad that all went well and you were still smiling eight months later. Being together yet not together is the way to keep everyone happy.
Yup, I think that’s the secret sauce…being together, yet not together. If you can strike that balance you’ve got it made.
Nina
Caravanning together with you, Paul, Polly and the cats was a wonderful experience , one we will always remember.We have learned and seen so much , Balloon Fest ,Boon-docking at Quartzite , Desert Bar , Desert Hot springs ,Snow at Prescott , Painted Dessert , Benson Escapees , the California and Oregon coast , and lets not forget the Breweries !! We hope to remain healthy and return to the west coast in the near future
We will miss you ! See you in Florida in December
The Tradition will miss you also.
So glad you both enjoyed our time together as much as we did. Safe travels East to you!
Nina
What a great way to spend time with family! Thanks for the post and tips on how to do it right.
We met Armando & Ana in Carabelle Beach FL. We can’t imagine there could be any better traveling partners! So happy you enjoyed your time together.
Right on! Love it when our RV community is so close!
Nina
Sounds like you have a really great time and did well on many fronts. I love the idea of being able to spend time with family for such a long time with all the freedom you had to do things on your own. Wonderful memories of a lifetime.
Thanks for the very uplifting and encouraging post!
A great post to your blog! It’s hard to beat family especially on the road! I love getting together with my brother and his wife. Fond memories for sure!
There’s something about family travel which is even closer than friends, assuming you all get along of course. I’m hoping to get my family out here (from Europe) for some co-travel now.
Nina
Up until a few years ago, my folks met up with us for caravanning adventures — (the Balloon Fiesta was one of our trips, too. :-)) I’m so grateful we did it while they were able — those are memories that I’ll cherish forever. But eight months together — wow!! I’m impressed! Your “keeping it loose” approach is obviously a good one!
It seemed like a very long time when this whole idea started, but it just sped by in the end. I’m so happy it all worked out.
Nina
That’s a long time to share such a solitary lifestyle, and your success speaks volumes to the upfront preparation and the choice of companions! Wonderful that you had so many grand adventures together – memories that will always bring a smile to your faces. Also nice to know who your neighbors are going to be at most stops 🙂
Very true. It’s nice when you know your neighbor, when you can just pop by for a beer. Definitely a comfort in that, and we most definitely got used to it. We’re going to miss them.
Nina
It’s such a small world. We spent yesterday afternoon admiring the American Tradition and talking to Armando. That is one pretty RV!
Wow! That’s so cool! So glad you guys met.
Nina
Thanks for such a great post. I learned a lot.
Pictures of Paul with his dad really hit me. Paul looks so content sipping a beer with his dad at the Giant game. My dad passed away from Cancer at a time when my life was just a blur – raising a young family, high pressure job, etc. Never took the opportunity for some quality time with him before he passed. Regret it to this day.
I’m so very sorry Lew. I totally understand your feelings, and have thought about this a lot since my moms sudden passing last year. There is so much I didn’t get to say or do with her, and that was part of the reason I really wanted this caravan with Paul’s dad to work. I knew how special and precious this time would be. In a perfect life we’d get to do something like this with all our loved ones, but alas life is never perfect. My heart goes out to you.
Nina
BEST post ever…
That’s great that you all got along so well. I love the idea of ‘being together, but not being together’.
I have fond memories of family trips (with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins) when I was in my teens. Alas, no one in our family has an RV so when we get ours we’ll just park at a nearby spot and visit them in their S & B. Maybe then they’ll see the joy in owning one and get one for themselves 🙂
The older I get the more I cherish time with family but eight months would make me wonder as well. “Keeping it loose” seems to be the best approach.
A heartwarming post! Paul’s family is lovely and so are the two of you so it doesn’t surprise me. But thinking about eight months together with family would have been scary for me too by the way. An incredible opportunity to strengthen bonds, though, and few get to have that kind of quality time with family. Happy for you – and thanks for the credit – you are so sweet.
You had me at “And we still love each other.” 🙂
Just missed you at Cape Disappointment. We were there until the 1st of June, then headed north to Pacific Beach. The mosquitoes were relentless at CD.. Even my hubby who never get attacked was covered.
I did ask a question about the RV Campground in Portland, what is the name of the people who do coach detailing, and also the great Thai restaurant that delivers. We will be here for 6 days the end of September.
Mosquitoes have been bad here too, on the days when there has been no ocean breeze. Thankfully it’s breezy most of the time!
For Portland I have the contact info for both the Thai place and the detailer in my written RV Park Review (look at the notes right below the video): https://www.wheelingit.us/2011/09/08/rv-park-review-columbia-river-rv-park-portland-or/
Nina
Hi Nina,
I’ve really enjoyed sleuthing through your many posts, not only from what you’re sharing but from reading the responses and catching a glimpse of what others are doing. I respect the fact that you respond to almost every comment – it’s truly unique.
When you guys were caravanning, did you ever park the motorhomes in opposite directions, so as to share a common outdoor area, or where you limited to hookup locations and pull-thru directions?
Thanks again for all the rich information!
We did both! When we were boondocking in the desert we parked with our doors facing each other so we could share the central space, but at the campgrounds we mostly had hookups (Paul’s dad and Ana prefer hookups) so we just parked regularly side-by-side.
Nina