Lunch in Grand Tetons National Park. Go slow. That’s the first maxim of RV life. Never be in a hurry to get anywhere. Partly because you can’t be. I pushed our 24’ Coachmen Class C to 80 a few times going down hills but by and large going 55-60 was as fast as I wanted to go. This helps of course with gas mileage. But going fast, being in a hurry to get somewhere, is contrary to the spirit of RVing.
The primary purpose of an RV is not to get from Point A to Point B. The primary purpose of an RV is to ENJOY getting from Point A to Point B. The best way to do that is to go slow and be open to making discoveries along the way. We did this. With consistent resolve. Personally, I want to stop at every scenic overlook and historical marker. This can become an irritant if you’re not enamored of views, afraid of heights, wanting to get on with it.
The Tao of RVing comes down to balancing whatever’s most needed or wanted in each and every moment with what presents itself as an opportunity. Choices become less agenda driven and more circumstantially based.
“Oh, there’s a nice looking wifi café. Let’s stop and do some work.”
“This is a beautiful rest stop/state park/scenic overlook. Let’s stop for a hike and a meal.”
“I’m tired. There’s Walmart. Let’s go to bed.”
“OMG, what a cool outdoor swimming pool! I’m going in!”
Sure, many decisions are still driven by needs. But much less often. The other times they’re driven simply by wants referencing what appears. We didn’t stop at every Sonic we saw. But we certainly visited a few.
I find this immensely freeing. What sets me free on the road is not a matter of escaping the routines of home and work, it’s escaping a life driven by agenda. “I must do this. I must do this. Now I must do this…” Ad infinitum. Freedom’s not another word for nothing left to lose. It’s another word for nothing left to gain. It’s entering a new expanse of mind. When I start to hold loosely if not outright abandon the agendas I hold, I receive a breadth of ease that is otherwise unattainable. “If I don’t call this guy back by 6 pm tonight our deal is off.” Maybe. Or maybe that’s just what you tell yourself. Calling him back in a day or two might not be so bad, in fact it might give you more time to reflect on what needs to be done. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a walk by this beautiful lake…
Now my only challenge is to continue the Tao of RVing while back home sitting at my desk, researching all the good documentaries I want to make next.
Check out Warrior Films documentaries and new movies in production.