And So It Began… Lessons from a Seasoned RVer

Staring at that 36-foot Class C, I’ll say that although I was excited, I did have an “oh no” moment.

Widowed less than a year and having just turned 65, I’ll also say most of my family and friends were definitely worried that I had turned a screw loose. And I said, “screw this.”

It was the year 2012, and I’d always wanted a motorhome. My late husband had never wanted one, so we never did. With his life insurance, I bought my Mary Helen motorhome.

I have never regretted it and never looked back.

Lesson #1 – No Fear

I had been buying new things for almost a year, and after a thorough cleaning, I lovingly set her up as my travelling palace.

Well… me and my cat.

My first trip was to Rondeau Provincial Park in Southern Ontario, and all was wonderful until I was packing up and lost Suzie. After a panicked hour, I finally heard her whimper from her hiding spot up under the sink.

I cried more when I found her than when I thought she was lost.

Lesson #2 – Your RV Is Never Fully Pet-Proof

Regardless of how pet-proof you think your RV is, it never really is.

That little kitty kept me on my toes more than once.

Lesson #3 – Don’t Let the Size Intimidate You

Me and that little kitty spent the next three years enjoying that motorhome. Many Ontario trips, and I even took her to Florida for three weeks.

Mary Helen never let me down. I had driven many big things in my life, so I wasn’t put off by the size.

What if you need to change lanes, you ask?

Easy. Turn your signal on and count to five. Check all your mirrors and turn your head to look as far over your left shoulder as you can, then slowly change lanes. I never got honked at.

It does help to have a passenger who can also check the right side. Funny how a cat, as superior as they think they are, cannot or will not check a lane for clearance. Maybe a dog would?

We were snug as bugs and happy.

Lesson #4 – Learn Before You Go

RVs are huge and cumbersome, and if you’ve never driven anything that big, find a truck driver or bus driver who can go with you for a few miles and help you get comfortable.

It is not like driving a car.

A reputable dealer will also have resources or classes. I urge you to take them.

A Stepping Stone

I never towed anything. I had planned on it, but soon realized that my Mary Helen was only a stepping stone, and I needed a full 38-footer and a bedroom slide.

Nevertheless, I sure enjoyed that motorhome.

Me and my kitty.

More lessons to follow.

About the Author

Kathleen Janes is a semi-retired spiritual medium who, along with her partner Rusty, has embraced full-time RV living for over seven years. Based seasonally in the Crowsnest Pass and travelling wherever the road leads in winter, they combine their work with a shared love of adventure and life on the road.

Connect with Medium Kathleen: mediumkathleen.ca seasonal RV Alberta, choosing an RV, Crowsnest Pass camping, seasonal camping Alberta, travel trailer Alberta, RV living, Southern Alberta camping, four-season RV

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