RVing With Southern Charm

When you’re in it for the long haul...RV life means beautiful bridges and happy memories, even if the world is upside down. RV life means home is where you drive it… So we bought an RV!

It’s probably the pandemic craze that even had us considering buying an RV. But, ever since our first RV trip I’ve felt there is no better way to teach your children that at the end of day, all you need is your family.

Although summer was winding down, with schools unsure of opening dates and if they’d be virtual or not, we decided to plan one last drive up the coast. What started out as a quick weekend trip focused around Devil’s Den turned into a 3 week unforgettable adventure.

About 30 minutes outside of the University of Florida lies Devil’s Den, a prehistoric sinkhole where you can scuba dive or snorkel into crystal clear, shark and gator-free, blue waters. It is definitely one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. Right now, due to social distancing policies, Devil’s Den is limiting the number of people they allow in at one time, so you get to enjoy it without overcrowding.

We then spent the weekend in Jacksonville right on the beach and we loved it. Had we not been traveling in an RV, this is another place we never would have thought to come to. The super long flat white sandy beaches were beautiful.

15 years ago on a road trip from D.C. to Miami, my husband and I accidentally stumbled upon Savannah, Georgia. When I say “stumbled,” I mean the Mapquest directions took us to the wrong exit, and we didn’t notice until an hour later (problems from the olden days), so we ended up in Savannah. We were blown away by its architecture, greenery, and overall charm. We always reminisced about the beautiful weekend we spent there. 5 kids and 15 years later, we were lucky to come back and share this city with our girls. Congregation Mickve Israel is one of the oldest synagogues in the United States and is another architectural gem that’s worth seeing even if only from the outside.

Play James Taylor’s “Carolina in My Mind” for this next section: We had only heard about Hilton Head and this next stop did not disappoint. In fact, it's rated one of the best islands to visit in the continental U.S. and I can clearly understand why. There were endless activities and everything on the island was 15 minutes away. This is the only place I’ve ever been where the tide determines what sort of activities you can partake in and what you’ll get to observe. Think kayaking, fishing, so many seashells, crabs, fish and so so many dolphins! If you can manage to get a VERY early start, a walk along the beach here is truly spectacular. Rarely, when I visit a place do I truly feel like I’d like to visit it over & over again but that’s just the feeling Hilton Head left me with.

We thought we would start our return home after Hilton Head but we were told our girls would be starting school virtually and this left us with options. Do we head home or continue on this crazy journey and have them do school on the road?

We decided to maximize this new “virtual model,” and the girls have been learning in cabins and on the road with incredible views and even better “after school activities.” Lake Lanier and the Blue Ridge mountains were the perfect backdrop. We celebrated 2 of my daughters’ birthdays on this trip and even got to stop off at the world renowned Georgia Aquarium. My 4 year old actually said this was her most special and best birthday ever!

The hills, the mountains, the greenery makes me want to burst out in song to “The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music!” There are endless amounts of trails and waterfalls to explore, with countless horses, cows, donkeys, and even some wild deer to spot out the windows. And the stars!!! We NEVER see skies just filled with stars like this at home.

If you find yourself getting the travel bug reading this, then feel free to reach out! I’m happy to help you get the ball rolling or even plan the whole thing for you.

Travel. Go beyond your comfort zone!

The second you are about 45 minutes away from home, it’s like breathing new air! And if all you need is a few fun things to keep the kids occupied in the car, don’t forget to order your personalized Car Activities Kit before you hit the road.

After 6 campgrounds, 3 states, one lighthouse in each state, 2 birthdays, and countless unforgettable moments, sleeping in my own bed and a good long shower are all that stand between me and our next RV adventure!