The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful
There’s something special about the very first trip in a new RV.
It’s exciting. It’s a little intimidating. And if we’re being honest, it’s usually accompanied by a few unexpected surprises.
This trip marked the maiden voyage of our new-to-us Entegra coach as we headed toward Texas to spend time with our kids and granddaughters. Along the way, we’d visit friends, discover a few new places, solve a couple of mechanical mysteries, and make memories that reminded us exactly why we love life on the road.
Ready…Almost
For once, we were actually ready to leave on time.
The coach was packed, everything had its place, and we felt more organized than we ever had before.
Well…almost.
There was just one problem.
Our tandem bicycle.
It had always ridden comfortably on the ladder of our old Fleetwood Bounder, but our new Entegra didn’t have a ladder. We tried every idea we could think of—storing it underneath, laying it inside a storage bay, even trying to fit it into the rear bathroom—but nothing worked.
Reluctantly, we left it behind.
Little did we know that would be the easiest problem we’d solve all week.
The Hardest Part of Leaving
Sometimes the hardest part of a trip isn’t packing the RV.
It’s saying goodbye.
Our daughter was leaving on a three-week trip of her own, and although we were excited for her adventure, it was much harder than either of us expected. Watching your child grow up means celebrating their independence while quietly missing them the moment they pull away.
Eventually we climbed into the coach, took one last look in the mirrors, and headed north.
Our adventure had officially begun.
Learning a New Coach
Like any new RV, our Entegra wanted to introduce itself one surprise at a time.
Traffic leaving Arizona seemed determined to test our patience before we even reached our first stop.
Then there was the satellite system.
It had never worked properly since we purchased the coach, so we stopped at National Indoor RV in Cave Creek, hoping they could solve the mystery. Nicholas generously gave up part of his Saturday trying to get everything working, but after several hours we were still leaving without television.
Disappointing?
Absolutely.
But that’s part of owning an RV.
Sometimes the destination has to take priority over the repairs.
A Quick Stop in Las Vegas
Our first overnight stop was Las Vegas.
Not because we planned to spend days on the Strip, but because good friends were camping there, and any opportunity to catch up around a campfire is one we’ll gladly take.
After a slightly confusing arrival at Oasis RV Resort, we finally found our campsite, met up with Lenny and Laura, and instantly forgot about traffic and satellite problems.
Good food.
Great wine.
A crackling campfire.
And even better conversation.
Those evenings are the reason we travel.
Our Kind of Vegas
The next day we grabbed an Uber and headed to one of our favorite places on the Strip.
Stripburger.
Yes, we know there are celebrity chef restaurants and extravagant buffets all over Las Vegas.
But sometimes all you really want is a great burger, a cold beer, and a front-row seat to the greatest people-watching city in America.
After lunch we wandered through the Wynn, still one of our favorite resorts, trying a few slot machines along the way. Tracey had much better luck than I did—which, if we’re being honest, is usually how it works.
Later we stopped by the Palms before returning to camp for another relaxing evening with friends around the fire.
Sometimes Vegas isn’t about casinos.
Sometimes it’s simply about spending time with people you enjoy.
New Mexico Surprises
The following morning we pointed the coach toward New Mexico.
Our GPS briefly tried convincing us that the last several miles to our campground were on dirt roads, which gave us both a good laugh. Thankfully, the GPS was much more adventurous than reality.
We settled into the Route 66 Casino RV Park just outside Albuquerque and immediately understood why Tracey had wanted to return.
Wide roads.
Spacious pull-through sites.
Easy access.
Exactly what you hope for after a long day behind the wheel.
We spent the next day doing something we don’t do nearly enough.
Nothing.
We walked Ki’Oni around the campground, explored the casino, shared lunch at Johnny Rockets, played a few slot machines, and simply enjoyed slowing down.
Not every day on the road needs to be packed with sightseeing.
Sometimes slowing down is the destination.
When RV Life Throws You a Curveball
Of course, every road trip has its moments.
This one came in the form of flashing blind-spot sensors and a damaged tow-light cord somewhere between New Mexico and Texas.
There may have been a few phone calls.
A little troubleshooting.
A trip to Walmart.
Several auto parts stores.
And perhaps just a tiny bit of frustration.
Eventually we accepted that we’d finish this leg of the journey without lights on the Jeep and figure it out later.
That’s RV life.
Plans change.
Problems happen.
You solve what you can and keep moving forward.
A Delicious Surprise in Lubbock
One unexpected highlight came during our overnight stop in Lubbock.
Hungry after a long day on the road, we stumbled across J&M BBQ.
Sometimes the best restaurants aren’t the ones you’ve researched for weeks.
They’re the ones you discover by accident.
The owner greeted us like old friends, and before we left, we had enjoyed what quickly became one of the best barbecue meals we’d ever had.
It was so good that it eventually earned its own review in our Only Our Opinion (OOO) section.
Finally…Texas
The best part of every trip to Texas isn’t the drive.
It’s who we’re driving to see.
As soon as we pulled into the campground in Fredericksburg, two excited little girls came running toward our coach.
There is no better welcome than granddaughter hugs.
Those hugs made every mile worthwhile.
Making Memories Together
The next several days were exactly what we’d hoped for.
Building LEGO creations on the floor.
Exploring the charming streets of Fredericksburg.
Wine tasting at Fat Ass Winery and Messina Hof.
Window shopping.
Ice cream.
Playgrounds.
Laughter.
Family dinners.
Watching the girls experience everything with wide-eyed excitement reminded us that sometimes slowing down lets you appreciate moments you might otherwise miss.
Those simple moments often become the memories we treasure most.
Everyday Life Is Worth Celebrating
We were also able to watch dance class, soccer practice, and simply enjoy being part of our granddaughters’ everyday lives.
Those aren’t activities you’d normally put on a vacation itinerary.
Yet somehow they became some of our favorite moments of the trip.
When family lives hundreds of miles away, ordinary moments become extraordinary gifts.
Even New Coaches Need a Little TLC
Before heading home, our Entegra made one more stop for warranty work.
Thankfully, the service team had everything ready and quickly repaired the blind-spot system that had been driving us crazy.
Every new RV has a learning curve.
Fortunately, we also learned something else.
Great customer service makes a tremendous difference.
Home Again
Eventually it was time to point the coach back toward Arizona.
Our first big trip in the Entegra wasn’t perfect.
We dealt with traffic.
Mechanical hiccups.
GPS confusion.
Broken parts.
And a few unexpected detours.
But none of those are what we remember most.
We remember campfires with friends.
Burgers on the Las Vegas Strip.
Discovering incredible barbecue in Texas.
Morning walks with Ki’Oni.
Granddaughter hugs.
Laughter around campground picnic tables.
Those are the memories that last.
Looking back now, it’s funny how little we remember about the inconveniences.
What we remember are the people.
And that’s exactly how every great journey should end.