Apparently, planning my next adventure is turning into an adventure of its own!
I have a problem. Well, actually, I have several problems, and most of them involve four wheels, a dog named Buck, and my inability to make up my mind.
My trusty 2019 Chevy Equinox has approximately 220,000 miles on it. That’s a lot of highways, backroads, unexpected detours, and adventures. She’s been a wonderful, dependable vehicle, but I’m beginning to think it’s time to consider what I’ll be driving next year.
Of course, being retired, I can’t just go out and buy another vehicle without turning it into a full-blown research project. Do I buy another SUV? A Chevy Colorado? A camper van? A small Class C motorhome?
And what does Buck think about all this?
Actually, Buck doesn’t care what I buy as long as there’s room for him, his food, his luggage, and preferably a comfortable bed that he can claim as his own.
A Little Shout-Out to Wight Chevrolet
Before I get too far into my vehicle dilemma, I want to give a little hometown recognition to Wight Chevrolet in Williamsfield, Illinois.
I’ve been buying my vehicles from this wonderful small-town family dealership since around 1999 or 2000. There’s something special about finding people you trust and sticking with them. My Equinox has certainly earned its keep, and when it’s time to replace her, I already know where I’ll start looking.
The bigger question is what I’ll be driving off the lot!
Do I Really Want to Go Tent Camping Again?
I’ve done traditional tent camping before, and I enjoyed being outdoors. But there were a few things I didn’t particularly enjoy. Getting up and down from an air mattress on the ground was one of them. And then there was the rain. If you arrived at the campground during a downpour, you either waited for it to stop or accepted that everything was going to get wet.
Now add Buck to that picture.
A wet dog, muddy paws, damp bedding, and that unmistakable wet-dog smell trapped inside a tent. Doesn’t that sound like a relaxing vacation? Yeah, I’m having second thoughts, too. But while browsing camping equipment, I discovered there are some interesting alternatives to the traditional tent.
An SUV With an Attached Tent?
One option that caught my attention was a tent that attaches to the back of an SUV. The idea is that I could set up a comfortable sleeping area inside the vehicle and use the attached tent for extra living space.
No more crawling up off an air mattress on the ground!
Buck could have his kennel in the tent, although I’m reasonably certain he’d eventually decide my sleeping area looked more inviting. Of course, I’d need an SUV with enough room to stretch out comfortably. That brings the Chevy Traverse into the conversation. But then I start thinking about gas mileage. I love traveling, and I don’t want to spend my entire retirement budget at the gas pump. So now I’m comparing interior space, fuel economy, tent compatibility, and whether Buck’s kennel would fit. All these possibilities have me thinking about my Retirement Travel Bucket List and the adventures Buck and I still have ahead of us!
Who knew buying a vehicle could become this complicated?
Camping gear I’m exploring: Check out this SUV camping tent on Amazon
What About a Chevy Colorado?
Then I started looking at the Chevy Colorado. I’ve always liked those smaller trucks. They’re nice-looking vehicles, and a pickup could open up another camping possibility. Instead of sleeping in a tent, what if I put a camper topper on the truck and installed a comfortable mattress in the bed? A separate tent could provide room for sitting, storing supplies, and spending time outdoors. And my sleeping area could already be set up when I arrived.
No air mattress to inflate. No sleeping on the ground.
Of course, the Colorado has a relatively short bed, so I’d have to check the measurements carefully. Getting in and out comfortably would also be important.
And Buck? Let’s not kid ourselves. If there’s a comfortable mattress in that truck, he’s sleeping with me. Apparently, I’m no longer shopping for a vehicle. I’m designing a miniature vacation home.
Another camping possibility: Explore this truck-bed camping tent on Amazon
Then There’s the RV Dream
Now here’s where things get interesting.
I’ve been considering an RV for quite some time. Not one of those enormous motorhomes that looks like it requires a commercial driver’s license and a second mortgage. I’m thinking about a smaller camper van or perhaps a Class C motorhome around 22–25 feet long. I’d love a permanent bed in the back, a bathroom, a small kitchen, and enough room to move around without constantly rearranging everything. And Buck could have a familiar place to sleep.
The convenience is certainly appealing.
No setting up a tent in the rain. No hunting for a bathroom in the middle of the night. No packing and unpacking every time I move to another location. A motorhome could also make spontaneous travel easier, since I wouldn’t necessarily need a campground every night. Of course, overnight parking rules vary, and not every rest area or truck stop permits RV stays.
But here’s the problem.
I love exploring little backroads, forgotten cemeteries, unusual landmarks, historical sites, and those hidden places that don’t always show up in travel brochures. Am I really going to drive a 25-foot motorhome down a narrow country road just because I spotted something interesting?
Probably not.
And parking one in a crowded town could be an adventure all by itself. A camper van might be easier to maneuver, but some of those modern camper vans cost more than a small Class C motorhome! So the RV dream remains very much alive, but it comes with its own questions.
Maybe I Don’t Need to Camp Every Night
Here’s another possibility I’ve been considering. What if I bought an SUV or truck and alternated between camping and hotels? Two nights camping, one night in a comfortable hotel, then another couple of nights camping. I could enjoy the outdoors without giving up the occasional hot shower, comfortable bed, and a little luxury. And on some trips, I could skip camping entirely. There are pet-friendly hotels, cabins, and vacation rentals worth exploring. Of course, I’d need to check pet fees, restrictions, and whether Buck would actually be welcome.
This is where travel-planning resources could come in handy.
Looking for a place to stay? Explore pet-friendly places to stay on BringFido.
The real question is whether occasional hotel stays would be more affordable than purchasing, insuring, fueling, and maintaining an RV. That’s going to require some serious number crunching.
But What Do I Do With Buck?
Now we come to one of the biggest questions. Buck loves going places with me, and I enjoy having him along. But not every adventure is dog-friendly. Some hiking trails don’t allow dogs. Certain historical attractions have restrictions. And I occasionally want to visit places where bringing a dog simply isn’t practical. Then there’s another part of my retirement plans. Through my work with Bowers Life Coaching, I’d love to continue connecting with communities and organizations, possibly visiting local homeless shelters and sharing information about my Beyond Survival program.
But I can’t exactly walk into every meeting with Buck tagging along.
A motorhome might give him a familiar place to rest, but leaving a dog unattended in any vehicle requires serious consideration. Temperature changes, power failures, and other emergencies can make that unsafe. And leaving him in a parked SUV isn’t a solution, either. So perhaps I need to research reputable doggie daycare facilities, boarding services, or pet sitters along my travel routes.
Buck might even make a few new friends.
Although knowing him, he’ll probably come home with a list of complaints about the accommodations.
Sometimes Mom Needs a Vacation, Too!
Now, before anyone starts feeling sorry for Buck, remember that this dog has his own luggage, a comfortable bed, and a personal chef who opens his food every day. I think he’ll survive a few days without me!
Because sometimes Mom needs a real vacation.
I’ve already experienced train travel, and let’s just say it was an adventure! I’m not entirely convinced I’m ready to repeat that experience anytime soon, but I’m certainly not ruling out other ways to explore the country. Maybe I’ll book a hotel, explore a new city, or arrange a private sightseeing tour.
After all, sometimes the best part of a vacation is letting someone else handle the driving! I’ve been looking into GoWithGuide, which offers private guided tours in destinations around the world. That could be an interesting way to explore somewhere unfamiliar without having to do all the driving myself.
And because I love unusual history and a good ghost story, I certainly haven’t forgotten about ghost tours. There’s something appealing about wandering through a historic town listening to stories about its mysterious past. Especially when someone else knows the way back to the hotel!
Travel experiences I’m considering:
- Want to explore somewhere new?
- Love a little history with your hauntings? Explore ghost tours and haunted adventures with US Ghost Adventures
- Explore pet-friendly hotels and accommodations on PetsWelcome
And Buck?
He can enjoy his own little vacation with a trusted caregiver. I’m sure he’ll be devastated. For approximately five minutes.
What About My Old Equinox?
There’s another possibility I’ve been thinking about.
My grandson will start driving next year, and if I decide to make an RV my primary vehicle, I might give him my Equinox. She’s been a dependable companion through so many adventures, and it would be wonderful to see her begin another chapter with him. Naturally, I’d want to make sure she’s still mechanically sound and safe before handing over the keys. But there’s something rather special about the idea of a vehicle that’s carried me on so many journeys helping my grandson begin his own.
And if I choose an SUV or truck instead?
Well, I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
Decisions, Decisions!
So, have I decided whether I’m buying an SUV, a Chevy Colorado, a camper van, or a small Class C motorhome?
Not even close!
Every time I think I’ve figured it out, another question pops into my head.
Where will Buck sleep? How much gas will I use? Can I comfortably get in and out? Where will I park? What happens when I want to explore somewhere he can’t go? And most importantly, how much adventure can I actually afford?
At this point, I think I need to get busy selling more books. Or maybe I should just write another one!
Oh, would you look at that? I just happen to have a little business called Bowers Life Coaching, where you can learn about my Beyond Survival books and programs.
Funny how that worked out, isn’t it?
Meanwhile, Buck has contributed absolutely nothing toward this decision except to make it more complicated. And somehow, I’m pretty sure he’ll end up with the most comfortable bed.
Now I want to hear from you!
Do you travel in an SUV, truck camper, camper van, or motorhome? Have you tried alternating camping with hotel stays? And if you travel with pets, how do you handle the adventures where they can’t come along?
I’d love to hear what works for you.
Maybe your experiences will help me finally make up my mind!
Until then, happy travels, wherever the road takes you!
Kelly — Roadside Gossip
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase or booking through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions and travel plans are my own.
