All the Reasons We Never Expected to Love Our RV

Last September, Kate and I bought a used travel trailer. It's small, only 20 feet long, and over a dozen years old. It's been well used, and shows it, with plenty of scratches, dings and dents. But all the systems work and it's well-appointed. We paid $4500 and spent another thousand getting it outfitted, which maybe isn't bad for a second home.

We absolutely LOVE it, and for many more reasons than we expected.

The camper came with everything we
needed, except the dog.

I certainly expected to enjoy the new opportunities for travel and vacations. I was also very attracted to the idea of having a second home, and this is like having one at the beach, and the mountains, and the lake, and a cabin down by the creek. And I was completely enchanted by the compact layout, fitting all the comforts of home in such a small space.

But there is so much more, and it truly surprised me.

I love the feeling of hooking up the RV and taking off on an adventure. Our adventure may only take us 45 minutes from home, but we could be setting off for the Sahara as far as I'm concerned.

I love having a private bathroom attached to the car. Very handy. I'm considering attaching the camper to the car on a permanent basis.

I love the intimacy of living in a small space with my sweetie. Spending time in separate rooms is not an option.

One of our favorite parks,
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

I expected that the campground vibe would be relaxed and friendly, but I didn't anticipate how easy it would be to strike up a conversation with strangers who quickly become friends.

I've been a huge fan of North Carolina's State Parks for as long as I can remember. I didn't realize my love for them could grow.

I had no idea what an escape it would be from the stresses of everyday life. Taking a couple days to camp, doing some hiking or kayaking, and even hanging out in the camper fixing meals or watching movies with friends and loved ones, allows me to "leave it all behind" in a way I rarely experience.

But without a doubt, the best part of all is how this little camper has given me so many opportunities to do things I enjoy in the company of the person I love most in the world.