As promised, I will tell you of the RV trip home for Thanksgiving.
First off, we picked it up on Wednesday at about 9am. Lots of paper work and the contract clearly read NO PETS. We were already planning on bringing both dogs with us-so we just kept quiet (and cleaned it very well). My partner's youngest son, who is 11 proceeded to open every cabinet and drawer and bounced on every bed and claimed his place above the driver's seat. He was up there when partner made a quick acceleration and he fell to the floor-we all laughed a lot.
We loaded the essentials, linens, toilet paper, hand sanitizer(the RV had been winterized-no water on board), food and water (for humans and pets). We also packed all the groceries for Thanksgiving, and of course two skateboards (which were never used but fit nicely in one of the storage compartments under the RV).
My partner drove all the way to Decorah (five hours). The boys (14, 11 ,6) watched movies and played cards, the dogs panted and slept. We parked the beast in the driveway of Cheesecake Mavens.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened-it was just a very comfortable 5 hour ride and one of the best ways to travel as a family. The boys thought it was a true adventure and I am just glad to have provided them with great memories.
We loaded the RV with more of my belongings on the way home. The entire "bedroom" in the rear of Rv was full to the roof. We saved around $200.00 renting the RV verses:
Uhaul trailer and a new hitch for my Subaru
2 cars plus gas - 3 boys, one in car seat do not fit in Subaru
3 nights hotel
3 nights boarding two dogs
We did have to "flush" the toilet with windshield washer fluid and empty the "crapper" at a Flying J. Very easy-my partner did it-hee hee.
I did drive for a bit on I-80 and as long as you remember to double check the big side mirror and the little inset one-you are fine.
We did get pulled over by the State Trooper. The speed limit for RV's in IL is 55 not the almost 70 we were going. No ticket and the trooper was very sweet.
I recommend RVing to all of you!
