Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Goodbye 2025

You may have noticed I've not really been around the last couple months. I apologize, but the end of this year has not been great. I'm still trying to get back into a normal routine, but early last month, my mom unexpectedly died, so I had to make a very short, exhausting trip back to Burbank to deal with her cremation details, make sure my uncle was okay and got home from the hospital alright, and try not to have a nervous breakdown. 

Where have I been these last few months? I'm still here, just dealing with some family things.

I spent a lot of time at the hospital, time sorting through my mom's belongings that she took with her, and gave myself a half day off to go to Universal, because if I was going to be sad, I might as well do it on a roller coaster. My mom and I had talked about going to Universal on our previous trip in October, but we never got to go, so I hope she was with me in spirit. 

Once home, I spent much of my free time clearing out her house and also planning for Yule Ball with my nonprofit. 3 of the 5 of us had disastrous year ends. One's grandma got pneumonia and passed away and the other bought a house and got laid off the next day. I'm pretty sure this year has not been great for many of you, so I'm sorry if that's the case. If not, I'm happy for you. Either way, I hope your holidays were relaxing and this new year is a restart and refresh you need.


So, while there were some really good times in 2025, I will not be sad to see it go. I'm going to hang on to those good memories and try to wrap up what I need to as quickly as possible, so I can go fresh into 2026 by the end of January. that means you may not see regularly scheduled posts from me again until February, but I'll do my best now that they holidays are over and I have more time to dedicate to things I need to do outside of travel blogging. Thanks for understanding.

I'll be back with my look ahead of what 2026 might look like. One of those things will be to find a trusted petsitter for when we travel, but we also might be traveling more with our dog when she is able to go. Remember, you can always follow things I'm doing on Instagram, because it takes a lot less effort for me to post a reel or story while I'm out and about. 

Have a great end of year celebration, if you're into that sort of thing, and let me know in the comments what you loved most (or least) about 2025 and what you are looking forward to in 2026. 

Let's go to some fun places this year!

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Buying An RV: What to Look For Before You Hit the Road

Recreational vehicles (RVs) are the ultimate ticket to freedom, providing both comfort and adventure. From touring national parks to waterfront camping trips, investing in an RV requires a lot of research. Not all RVs are the same and finding your ideal match requires understanding your needs, preferences, and features that matter. Let's look at some of the important things to help choosing your RV:


If you're hoping to do a lot of road trips and saving money on both hotels and meals,  you might want to invest in an RV. Here's what to look for.
Photo by Paul Kansonkho on Unsplash

Size Matters: Choose the Right RV Type

RVs come in various classes and sizes, from compact camper vans to sprawling fifth wheels. To find your ideal vehicle, first assess how much space is necessary based on whether or not you will be travelling alone, with family, or hosting other travelers. Class A motorhomes are luxurious and spacious, perfect for travelers who desire all of the amenities of home while traveling. Class B camper vans provide versatile seating arrangements ideal for couples or solo travelers, while Class C motorhomes provide adequate living space without being excessive. Towing options include travel trailers or fifth wheels, depending on your towing capacity and desired living space needs. RV parks, campsites, and boondocking spots are readily available for all kinds of RVs, making planning your trips easy.

Your Budget

An RV is an expensive financial commitment, so choosing one within your budget is very important for stress-free travels. New RVs that have all the latest features but may come at a high price point while pre-owned options might need additional maintenance costs or repairs down the line. Also keep in mind costs like insurance, fuel, maintenance and campsite fees to make an informed decision that fits with your long-term finances.


The Floor Plan Says It All

Your RV’s floor plan can make or break your camping experience. Take time to assess its layout to make sure that it fits with your lifestyle and daily tasks. Is there enough kitchen space for meal prep? Are the sleeping areas comfortable enough? Where will you store gear and groceries? Look for one with a lot of storage, living space, privacy as well as possibly slide out sections for additional space when parked.


Don't Scrimp on Comfort Features

From weekend getaways to months-long road trips, comfort should always come first. When choosing an RV, get one equipped with quality heating and cooling systems as well as insulation walls suitable for various climates. A reliable bathroom (wet bath), kitchen appliances and amenities as well as features like convertible dining tables, comfortable seating arrangements, adequate lighting can significantly enhance your travel experience.

Tech and Safety Features

RVs nowadays have an assortment of tech features designed to make life on the road more convenient, such as smart controls for lighting and temperature, connectivity features like Wi-Fi boosters, backup cameras, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers. Being proactive about safety can save you from serious hassle down the line.


Finding the right RV is less about finding gadgets than it is about meeting your practical needs and travel aspirations. When you plan, pay close attention, and you are patient, you're well on your way to find one that embodies your spirit of adventure.


Traveling Is Supposed To Be Fun, So Make It Fun!

Traveling is supposed to be fun, so if you’re not having fun, what’s the point in going? The short answer is that there isn’t one, and that’s a problem when you’re spending so much money on trips that you’re not enjoying the way that you should be.

Why travel if you aren't having fun? Here are 3 tips on how to plan your trips, so you can maximize your fun once you're on vacation.

Location Credit - CC0 License


The good news is that we’re going to be taking a look at some of the different ways that you can make travel that little bit more fun for you! So, if you would like to find out more about this, feel free to continue reading.


Watch Out For Your Budget 

Let's kick things off by suggesting that you watch out for your budget. Planning your budget is a key part of making sure that your travel adventures are actually fun - why? - because it determines how much you can do. You need to pay for everything including your travel, accommodation, and then extra such as food, souvenirs, activities, and so much more, none of which is going to be possible if you don’t manage to save enough money for this. 


You're probably eager to get out there, but you’re not going to enjoy yourself if you can’t fund the trip properly. As such, your best bet is to wait and save until you have enough money to be able to do what you want, when you want.


Try Something New 

Second, you should consider trying something new. If you’re bored of doing the same old, same old every time, then there are plenty of options available to you. You don’t have to stick with the same things all of the time, you know?


You could think about renting an RV and hitting the open road. Just make sure that you’re looking for RV parks along the route that you can book into so that you have somewhere safe to park up and rest. Or, if you’re not interested in a road trip, you could think about taking an adventure type of holiday where you go mountain climbing, go to theme parks, or whatever you want to do that sounds enjoyable.


Enjoy Fun Activities 

Speaking of enjoyable, we’re going to be looking at activities for you to have fun with while you’re there. You need to look at if there are special events, festivals, or other things that are on during your trip so that you can book tickets to them if needed. Of course, you just need to make sure that you know what to expect, and if there’s anything that you will be required to do for this.


While it might not always be easy to time it right, if there’s a particular thing you want to do, make sure you’re traveling at the right time. Other than this, we’re sure that there is plenty for you to do no matter when you head off.


We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do to make traveling fun, because it’s supposed to be fun!