A few weeks ago, we had a family trip up in Hershey Park in our Forest River Cherokee Alpha Wolf RV. I’ve always wanted to try going on a road trip using an RV, and thankfully I was blessed with a partnership with GoRVing. They hooked us up with an awesome RV that allowed me and my family to have a last getaway before the end of summer.
It was such a great experience! Since this is the first time I went RVing, I didn’t know what to expect. So in this article, I wanted to share our experience and some activities that made our trip immensely fun~
What I Loved About Using An RV
It’s compact and complete
I was literally shocked at how complete the amenities were in the RV we were hooked up with. The first thing that blew my mind were the beds. They fit 6-8 people and everyone – my parents, my sister’s family, me and my wife, and the kids were all able to sleep comfortably.
We had huge storage spaces and closets for clothes, camping essentials, and pantry items. We had a shower and two comfort rooms. We also had a spacious indoor and outdoor kitchen which had complete appliances such as stove, microwave, refrigerator, ice maker, sinks, and huge counter space. It was amazing and so nice to cook in!
Not only is it complete with all the things you can literally find in a house, but I was surprised by how much technology has been incorporated into the whole thing. It has built-in charging stations, cameras, tire pressure monitors, heaters, and even solar panels. All of it made us feel safe and comfortable during the trip.
You can learn about the different types of RVs on the GoRVing website, just check them out to see what best fits your family for your next trip!
It’s very flexible
When you’re using an RV, planning the itinerary will not be limited to city tours. You can also explore the countryside. There are literally so many sites to see such as parks, beaches, historical attractions, farms, and wineries. You can mix it up by going to urban destinations one day and stop at a state park the other. Instead of just having a fast-pace full-itinerary travel, you can actually slow down and soak things in. Whether it be with nature or within nearby cities where you will be stationed.
Personally, we wanted to keep it simple and camped at Hershey Park for a few days. We swam, had a barbecue, and took nice long walks. It was a nice time away from the bustling city and work, and we were just able to appreciate our time together as a family.
It’s very convenient
Something that I really liked about using an RV is that everything is already where they’re supposed to be. Either it be the kitchen accessories or bedding, everything was provided to us by the RV company. Essentially, we just packed the basics! This was super important to us since my wife needs to prioritize preparing Carter’s things for the trip.
Tips and Tricks for First-Time RV Campers
Practice
The RV that we rented was a towable meaning it needed to be pulled by a vehicle. IT WAS HEAVY. But, practice will help you get comfortable with it. It helps that I’ve driven delivery trucks for our restaurant. Kakaka~ But do ask for assistance with your dealer if they can recommend open spaces for you to practice before your actual trip.
Do know that since it is heavier to drive, you will go slower, and travel will take longer. Make sure and if possible, have someone who can also switch with you in case you get tired from driving.
Prepare
There are generally three things you need to prepare: Route, Camp Site, and Food.
Route. Since you are traveling in an RV, you need to check out which routes are amenable for them, how many gas stops you’ll have on the way, if there are attractions you can stop by, etc. It’s best you get to your destination before the evening to be safe, so plan accordingly.
Camp Site. There are a lot of campsites now and many of them offer a lot of activities within the vicinity. Choose one that your family will enjoy the most! Furthermore, know the amenities available like electricity, water, and tank hookups in case the RV you chose needs these.
Hershey Park offers grills, picnic tables, and recreational activities like swimming, mini golf, and fishing. You can also set up a bonfire at night! We had so much fun playing around with the kids and had such a meaningful time together!
Food. I know on vacations, you shouldn’t have to cook, but here’s an idea: prepare your food in advance. If you plan to grill, put all the grill items in a bag. If you plan to make a soup, pre-cut the items and throw em in a bag. All these can be made in advance so there will be less work when it’s time to cook. Doing this will save you a lot of money too!
And pro tip: Just use disposable plates and utensils on the trip. We’re not about the wash dishes on vacation! Kakaka~
By doing these preparations, we got to cook up our favorite foods on the grill like pork belly and kimchi. Mom got to show off her garden produce of fresh vegetables and fruits, along with her knife skills. Kakaka! I was also able to cook up all the leftovers and make THE BEST kimchi fried rice. Although my wife and sister won’t admit that it’s the best, they downed like 4-5 bowls each. I love sharing meals with my family!
Enjoy
I know all the planning and preparation can be stressful, but don’t forget to enjoy yourself when you get there. If you’re eating with family, share stories and laugh. If you’re taking a walk- soak in the sun, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the peace and quiet. If you’re playing games, have fun. You’re with family and you’re blessed that you get to go on a real vacation. Take it all in with gratitude!
When you plan, give ample time for every activity because you’ll never know what you’ll enjoy when you get there. I highly recommend going on an RV trip because it’s a different kind of vacationing. My family and I had a great time, and we’ll definitely do this again!
Chis,
I love your methods and styles of cooking. At least by watching your videos I don’t have to go to Korea Town in LA, to make the food you put on FB.
Otherwise the other recipes and videos you post of their food is awesome and so good.
I made the Loco Moco and that was Bomb.
I made some Korean BBQ with Rice and Kimchi and came out perfect.
Especially the BBQ Chicken you made and the Grilled Fish was just so good and your Mac and Cheese was Off the Hook!!
I wanted to thank you for all the videos I look for to more.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy the recipes!!