How has RV living enhanced your life?

I started RVing the last three years my husband (affectionately known to any Fennwood Country Club members as Big Ron) was alive. We had a bigger rig then, which he drove. After he passed I got a smaller, more manageable size RV for me to drive. I love the freedom. I’ve visited so many places, and after I was widowed, I made friends with other ladies on the road. I’ve worked at some compounds and the guests will share meals and music with me. Once there was a woman traveling alone and saw me outside using my one pot to cook jambalaya and a roll. I invited her over for a meal and a talk. Things like that. 

So you feel like RVing helped you through your grief?

Oh yes. When Ron was alive we visited places he wanted to see, mostly historical places like Mt Rushmore but also Niagara Falls. We visited family. It was three really good years. My favorite was when we went back to where we met during our time in the Navy in Pensacola. There’s nothing more beautiful than a sunset in Pensacola. After he passed, I decided to go to some new places to keep my mind occupied and give me something to do. 

What are some things that you did to make your RV feel like home?

I was limited in what I could do because it’s a high-end RV and I didn’t want to put any holes in the wall since that makes it harder to sell down the line. I found a light up Blessed sign though and I put up 4 panels of curtains between the driving and living areas. The curtains help it stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  It was looking a little dull so I went and found some scrap fabric and made some tassels to liven it up.  

What was your biggest solo trip?

I went to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. That was an experience. I didn’t have a car with me for most of my travels so I had to get an Uber there and then walk a bit to my stadium seats. Afterwards I had to take a light rail to a train station and then a train about an hour back to the town my camp ground was in and then another Uber home. It was a 15 hour day, but it was just something that I always wanted to do, to see the floats and everything.

What are some lessons you learned on the road?

Don’t leave your door open when you’re boondocking unless you’re trying to invite company! I had to move sites after that one. But also, there are many pages for solo women travelers on Facebook that give good advice about how to travel and how to protect yourself. I only ever drive 3-4 hours on any given day. Some safety tips I learned are to keep a pair of men’s shoes outside your camper and set out two chairs. Things like that. I also learned that Wasp spray is better than pepper spray…and legal in Canada!

From April 2019-June 15, 2023 Roberta traveled 23,000 miles.  Here are some of her most notable adventures:

The scariest events:

• Tree limbs in the road leading up the mountains to a campground in Yosemite National Park

• Dry docking in the desert Quartzite, AZ

• Airplane ride Charlevoix, MI to Beaver Island, Michigan landing on grass

• Driving in thunderstorms

• Driving I10 through the Guadalupe Mountain range in New Mexico and Texas with 20 mph gusts of wind.

• Richmond-San Rafael Bridge CA  5.5 miles It is one of the world’s longest bridges.

Most Memorable:

• Being up close to the enormous Redwood trees in Northern California

• The Tournament of Roses Parade bleacher seats and after parade viewing of floats

• The Silos at Waco Texas Joanna and Chip Gaines property with granddaughter

• Visiting my niece and family in Glendale, AZ after 30 years.

• Marching in the Veterans Day Parade in San Francisco with other members of the American Legion Post

• Green Giant museum Blue Earth, MN

• Spam museum Austin, MN

• Space shuttle launches from Cape Canaveral FL

• Kayaking on Lake Jackson at NPS Grand Teton NP, WY 

• Sea lions and whale watching in Newport, Oregon

• Camp Pendleton USMC Oceanside, CA campground on the Pacific Ocean

• The Porter Sculpture Park Montrose, SD

• Lake Guntersville State Park AL. My family met me for a belated Christmas gathering. Family horseback riding trip.

• Charlevoix and Beaver Island Michigan search for family cemeteries

Meeting strangers:

• A woman traveling in her car. She stopped to ask a question about the springs that were therapeutic in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I invited her to eat a meal with me and she did.

• A middle aged woman from Alexandria who camped in a tent. We went shopping together and rode bikes. Diane and I still keep in contact.

• Thanksgiving Day 2022 Potluck Dinner at FloraBama with 2000 strangers

Workcamper:

• Weidman KOA Weidman, Michigan: April 2020-October 2020, 6 months during the pandemic, Registration, housekeeping, reservations, camp store cashier

• Riverview RV Park Vidalia, LA: April-June 30, 2021, Registration, housekeeping, reservations

• Marianna, FL:  April -November 1, 2022, Bookkeeper for campground and convenience store
• Mount Locust Natchez Trace, MS:  June 1-June 14, 2023, Visitor center volunteer

Volunteer positions:

• Air Force museum at Travis Air Force base in Fairfield, CA

• Health Fair Travis AFB 

• Air show San Francisco

• Thanksgiving Dinner DAV Hall in Fairfield, CA

Rallys:

• National Winnebago Rally Forest City, Iowa

• Winnebago FUSE Owner’s  Harrison, MO