One Year, 20 States, and the Brinkley That Became Home

I still remember the day we pulled out of our driveway and officially started living full-time in our Brinkley Z3610. There was this mix of excitement, nerves, and the slightly delusional confidence of two adults who thought, “How hard can hauling our entire house across the country really be?”

Spoiler: It’s hard. And beautiful. And chaotic. And hilarious. And somehow the best decision we’ve ever made.

Over the past 12 months, we’ve taken our Brinkley through 20 states, survived tornado warnings, camped through below-freezing temperatures, eaten our way across the country (we’ll talk about that restaurant category later…), and learned more about RV life than we ever expected to know.

We also learned that full-time RV living tips are less about “living tiny” and more about “living differently.” And our Brinkley has been the one constant that has made this entire lifestyle not just doable, but actually comfortable. From road conditions to weather swings to the daily realities of three humans and a mini Aussiedoodle sharing a rolling home, our RV has held up beautifully.

This post is a look back at our first full year on the road:

• What we fixed,
  
• What we upgraded,
  
• Where we went,
  
• What we learned,
  
• And what it actually costs.

If you’ve ever wondered what full-time RV life looks like with a Brinkley, or if you’re dreaming about taking your family on the road one day, I hope our story gives you a little insight, a little inspiration, and maybe even a few laughs.

Because trust me, we have some stories.

Living Full-Time in the Brinkley Z3610, What It’s Really Like

When we chose the Brinkley Z3610 as our full-time home, we hoped it would feel solid, spacious, and comfortable enough to live in without constantly bumping into each other like we were in a Costco sample line. One year later, I can confidently say: this floorplan just works.

The first thing people notice when they walk inside is the space. And when you’re living full-time, working, homeschooling, filming content, cooking, relaxing, space matters more than you realize.

The bunkroom: the MVP for our son (and our sanity)

Chase having his own bunkroom has been one of the biggest blessings of this entire layout.
It’s his room, his space, his world. And for any parent living full-time in an RV, you know how crucial that is. He can play games, build forts, chat with his friends, or just decompress, all without everything spilling into the rest of the RV.

And honestly? It gives us our sanity back. Everyone needs a door they can close sometimes.

The living room + kitchen area: surprisingly spacious

This combo area is the heart of our home.
We cook, work, hang out, watch movies, eat dinner… all without feeling cramped.

The openness makes everyday life feel normal, which is the biggest compliment you can give a full-time RV. We’ve lived in apartments that felt more claustrophobic than this.

The island gives plenty of prep space, there’s a ton of storage, the pantry is shockingly functional (even after the light decided to stop participating), and the living room layout makes downtime actually feel cozy instead of chaotic.

Quiet spaces in an RV? Yes. Really.

Something we didn’t expect,  but now fully appreciate, is how quiet the Brinkleys are from room to room.

If one of us needs to take a call, film, or just decompress after a long travel day, it doesn’t sound like everyone else is standing directly beside us, breathing loudly.

The insulation, interior design, and room separation mean each person can have their own “zone.” In a full-time family setup, that’s priceless.

Handling the elements like a champ

This Brinkley has been through it this year:

• Below-freezing temperatures
  
• Heavy rain
  
• High winds
  
• Southern humidity that felt like living inside someone’s mouth
  
• Mountains, valleys, back roads, gravel roads, and everything in between

And after all that, it’s still holding firm.
No leaks. No structural surprises. No “how is this falling apart already?” moments. It genuinely feels like a home that was built to move.

Minor Fixes Along the Way (Nothing Trip-Ruining)

If there’s one universal truth about RV life, it’s this:
Something is always going to wiggle loose, rattle, shift, squeak, or stop working at the worst possible moment.

That’s just the nature of hauling a house down the highway at 65 MPH. Even residential homes would fall apart if you dragged them across the country every week.

But here’s the honest truth about our Brinkley Z3610 after a full year of full-time travel:
Everything we’ve had to fix has been extremely minor.
Nothing has been trip-ending. Nothing has stranded us. And nothing has made us regret our decision.

Here’s everything that popped up, and why none of it worried us.

Loose Cabinet Screws

This one wins the “most predictable RV repair award.”
After tens of thousands of miles, a few screws in a couple of cabinets loosened up.
A simple tightening, and they were good as new.

In RV terms, this is basically brushing your teeth.

A Broken Screen Door Handle

This was the one moment we realized just how enthusiastically our kid opens doors.

But again,  a cheap, quick, 5-minute fix.
And honestly? If this is the worst problem you have had in a year, you’re winning.

A Loose Pipe Connection Behind the Showerhead

We noticed a tiny drip coming from behind the showerhead, nothing dramatic, no flooding, no “grab the towels!” panic moment.
Just a minor fitting that needed tightening.

In an RV? That’s a blessing.

Recliner Seat Heaters Decided to Take a Vacation

One day they worked.
The next day… not so much.
We don’t use the seat heaters often, but it’s still nice to know they’re there (especially during those below-freezing nights).

This was more of a “we’ll get around to it” fix than a priority one.

The Bathroom Drain

Again, nothing wild, just needed attention so water could flow correctly.
A super common RV adjustment.

The Pantry Light

Out of all the lights in the entire RV, this is the one that tapped out.
We laughed because, of course, it would be the pantry, the place we visit the most.

And that’s the complete list. Seriously.

No leaks.
No mold.
No electrical nightmares.
No slides failing.
No appliances dying.
No “call a mobile tech ASAP” emergencies.

After living in other RVs (and hearing many horror stories from fellow full-timers), we know how rare it is to get through a year with nothing major breaking.

These minor things?
Normal. Expected. Easy. And nothing took away from enjoying our travels.

The Big Upgrades That Transformed Our Setup

While our Brinkley Z3610 didn’t need a ton of upgrades, we did make a few changes this year that genuinely improved the towing experience, comfort, and overall safety of our setup. These weren’t “Pinterest upgrades.” These were practical, real-life improvements that made our travels smoother and our rig firmer.

Let’s break them down, and more importantly, explain what we actually noticed after installing each one.

The GEN-Y Gooseneck Hitch: The Ride Upgrade We Didn’t Know We Needed

We initially thought a standard hitch setup would be fine.
Then we towed a few thousand miles… and realized, “Okay, we get the hype.”

Switching to the GEN-Y gooseneck hitch brought an immediately noticeable difference in stability and ride quality.

What changed:

• Less bouncing
  
• Less tugging from uneven roads
  
• A more stable feel through bumps and dips
  
• A smoother experience for both the truck and the Brinkley

It’s one of those “you don’t know how much better it can be until you experience it” upgrades.

We tow thousands of miles a year, so comfort and safety matter. This was a yes, yes, and absolutely yes.

The CURT TCS Suspension + Hydraulic Disc Brakes: A Game-Changer for Safety

This might be our favorite upgrade of the entire year.

The CURT Touring Coil Suspension (TCS) and hydraulic disc brakes completely changed how our Brinkley feels on the road.

Immediately noticeable improvements:

• Braking power. No more “squishy” brake feel. Stopping feels strong, controlled, and confident.
  
• Less chucking. The truck and RV no longer “argue” with each other over every expansion joint on the highway.
  
• Better handling on rough roads and bridges. The ride feels more cushioned and evenly balanced.
  
• Smoother turns. Everything just feels tighter and more predictable.

When you’re hauling a home, smoother rides equal fewer repairs, fewer rattles, and a much less stressful travel day.

This upgrade alone made long-distance towing feel dramatically better.

The Vision Works Rear Camera (Integrated Into the F-450 Dash)

This upgrade made backing into sites, especially tight or wooded campgrounds, about 100 times easier.

The Vision Works rear camera integrates directly into the stock F-450 dash display, which means:

• No extra screens mounted to the dash
  
• No lag
  
• No grainy “potato-quality” video feed
  
• Seamless visibility every time you tow

Why we love it:

You can actually see what’s behind you.
And not in a “maybe that’s a tree? Maybe that’s a small child?” way, it’s clear, smooth, real-time footage.

It’s one of those upgrades that quietly becomes something you can’t imagine traveling without.

B&W Gooseneck Ball & Chain Kit: Overbuilt in the Best Way

We originally bought another brand’s kit, and to be honest, it wasn’t great.

The B&W gooseneck ball-and-chain kit feels sturdier, better-built, and just… safer.
Sometimes you can tell when something was made thoughtfully and with high-quality materials. This was one of those times.

The peace of mind alone was worth the upgrade.

The Dehumidifier Lesson Every RVer Should Learn Sooner Than We Did

At first, we thought any dehumidifier would work. So we ordered one from Amazon and thought we were good to go.

Wrong.

Living on the road, especially in places like Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina, reminded us real fast how crucial moisture control is in an RV.

The mistake:

A small, compact Amazon dehumidifier.

The fix:

A more residential-style dehumidifier from Home Depot.

The difference:

Night and day.

The Home Depot unit pulled significantly more moisture out of the air, kept condensation under control, protected the RV, and made the inside feel much more comfortable.

If you’re a full-time RVer, a real dehumidifier is not optional; it’s essential.

Our Route Through 20 States, Stories, Favorites, and a Few Surprises

Over the past year, we traveled through 20 states, each offering a new landscape, new memories, and at least one moment when we said, “Ok… so this is really our life now.”
Some stops were quick, some turned into extended stays, and some challenged us more than we ever expected.

Here’s the full route we took, and the stories that made each place unforgettable.

Utah → Arizona → New Mexico: The Warm-Up Leg

We kicked off our journey out West, where the scenery looks like it was designed by a very enthusiastic video game graphics team. Red rock, wide-open desert, mountain silhouettes, every drive felt unreal.

These first states were where we got used to:

• travel days
  
• backing into sites without yelling
  
• living smaller
  
• and learning that grocery stores in small towns close at 6pm (ask us how we know)

This stretch of the trip warmed us up for the long haul ahead.

Texas: Big Skies, Big Distances

Texas taught us that:

• 5 hours of driving doesn’t mean you’ve crossed the state
  
• BBQ counts as a food group
  
• Wind can be aggressive and personal

But it was our first taste of longer-term stays, and it gave us time to settle into our Brinkley and realize “Okay… yeah. We really love this.”

Alabama: Tornado Season, RV Edition

Alabama will forever be remembered for one thing:
Tornado alerts.
Plural.

Multiple nights of:

• Phones going off
  
• Weather apps open
  
• deciding which interior walls were “the most solid.”
  
• and making peace with the fact that Mother Nature has a sense of humor

This was also where we truly appreciated the Brinkleys’ insulation and structure.
Nothing like potential flying cows outside to make you grateful for sound engineering.

Florida: Sunshine, Salt Air, and the Best Campgrounds

Florida was a highlight, and honestly, a place we could spend months.

Some of our favorites:

• Sun Outdoors Sugarloaf Key – tropical perfection
  
• Camp Margaritaville Auburndale – one of our favorite family resorts
  
• Yacht Haven – unique, waterfront experience
  
• Every sunrise and sunset – magical

Florida also reminded us why a good dehumidifier is basically an RV essential. The humidity doesn’t play fair.

South Carolina → Tennessee → Virginia: The Easy-Go Travel Stretch

These states were more relaxed travel periods for us, lots of natural beauty, smooth roads, and quiet campgrounds.

Tennessee especially gave us a few “we could live here” moments.
Mountain views will do that to you.

Pennsylvania → New York: Lake Days, Mountain Days, Best-of-Both Worlds

New York surprised us in the best way.

Lake George

This was one of our favorite stops of the entire year. Clear water, mountain views, fantastic food, and the kind of summer atmosphere that makes you forget about everything stressful in life.

This was one of those “10/10 would come back” destinations.

Vermont: A Place That Feels Like a Storybook

Vermont was cozy, peaceful, and everything we hoped for.

We stayed at Smugglers Notch RV Village, and not only is the area beautiful, but the entire experience was memorable. Maple everything.
Rolling hills.
Small-town charm.
And some of the best scenery we’ve ever driven through.

Maine: Our Coastal Favorites

Maine delivered precisely what we hoped for:
Coastal charm, seafood, gorgeous beaches, and pine trees everywhere.

We stayed near Old Orchard Beach, and it quickly became one of the most beautiful family beach destinations we’ve experienced on the road. (Paradise Park is a great choice here if you want to link to that.)This area just feels like summer.

New Hampshire: A Top 3 Favorite of the Entire Year

If we had to pick a single place that blew us away this year, it would be White Mountain National Forest.

The White Mountains don’t just look beautiful, they feel magical.

Highlights:

• Crisp mountain air
  
• Nonstop scenic drives
  
• The outdoors is becoming one big adventure playground.

And of course…

The Mt. Washington Cog Railway

This was one of our favorite experiences of the entire year.
Riding up the mountain as clouds drifted by felt surreal, like you were floating.

New Hampshire captured our hearts.

Massachusetts → Ohio → Kentucky → Mississippi → Arkansas → Oklahoma

This stretch brought us back through classic Americana, rolling hills, winding rivers, farmland, and big skies.

Each state had its own charm:

• Ohio’s peaceful rural stops
  
• Kentucky’s rolling green landscape
  
• Mississippi’s warm, quiet mornings
  
• Arkansas’ mix of lakes and forests
  
• Oklahoma’s wide-open, laid-back feel

It was slower, calmer, and a perfect way to finish our east-to-midwest loop.

And That Wrapped up Year One

20 states.
Thousands of miles.
Countless memories.
And one Brinkley Z3610 that handled every mile we threw at it.

The $70,000 Breakdown: What Full-Time RVing Actually Costs Us

Anytime someone hears we live full-time in our RV, the first question that usually follows is:
“Okay… but how much does that actually cost?”

So here it is, full transparency.
Over our first 12 months on the road, we spent right around $70,000.

This includes everything we needed to travel comfortably as a full-time RV family… but it does NOT include any RV or truck payments, because we don’t have those.
If someone is financing their rig or tow vehicle, their total will naturally be higher.

Now let’s break this down category by category so you can see exactly where the money goes, and how it all adds up.

Travel: $23,215.27 (22.61%)

Fuel, campgrounds, tolls, and everything that gets us from Point A to Point B.

Travel is one of those categories that fluctuates wildly depending on:

• How fast do you move
  
• How long do you stay in one place
  
• and how big your rig + truck combo is

A Brinkley + F-450 isn’t exactly Prius-level efficient, but the experiences we get from moving around are worth every penny.

Restaurants: $20,353.77 (19.83%)

No judgment. We like food.

Traveling means trying local favorites, grabbing easy meals on long driving days, treating ourselves during stressful weather stretches, and occasionally realizing the pantry is empty, and the nearest grocery store is an hour away.

For a family traveling full-time?
This category is standard, and honestly, one of the most fun parts of RV life.

Merchandise & Supplies: $13,684.52 (13.33%)

This includes everything from:

• RV supplies
  
• Amazon runs
  
• Home items
  
• Clothing
  
• Camp gear
  
• Household restocks
  
• Random things Chase sees and “absolutely needs.”

Think of this as the everyday-living stuff that sneaks up on you.

Transportation: $10,234.17 (9.97%)

This covers everything vehicle-related outside of fuel, including:

• maintenance
  
• oil changes
  
• tires
  
• repairs
  
• fluids
  
• and all the “truck things” that keep us rolling safely

We tow a lot of miles, so this is a predictable (and necessary) category.

Entertainment: $6,130.97 (5.98%)

Museum tickets, tours, experiences, boat rides, parks, rentals, and the occasional “let’s go do something fun today.”

Some of the best moments of our entire year came from this category.
Worth it. Every. Single. Dollar.

Communications: $2,415.78 (2.36%)

WiFi, phone plans, hotspots, and all the tech we need to:

• work remotely
  
• upload videos
  
• run our businesses
  
• and stay connected

If you plan to work on the road, don’t skimp here. Reliable internet is sanity.

Other: $2,312.44 (2.26%)

This is the catch-all for miscellaneous things that don’t fit neatly anywhere else.

Every budget has one of these categories, especially RV budgets.

Plus: Monthly Insurance

One crucial cost we want to be clear about:

We spend $346/month on RV + truck insurance.

We didn’t include this in the $70,000 total, but it’s a real and necessary ongoing expense.

So… is $70,000 a lot?

It depends.

For us, this is:

• our home
  
• our travel lifestyle
  
• our work environment
  
• our family time
  
• and our freedom, all wrapped into one

Some full-timers spend less.
Some spend significantly more.
It all depends on pace, preferences, and priorities.

For our family, the experiences we gained this year were priceless and worth every dollar.

Lessons We Learned as First-Time Full-Time RVers

Going into full-time RV life, we thought we had a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Spoiler: we didn’t.

RV living will humble you, teach you, stretch you, and reward you, sometimes all in the same week. After a full year on the road, here are the biggest lessons we learned (many of them the hard way).

1. The weather will absolutely dictate your plans

We learned very quickly that Mother Nature is the real boss of RV life.
Tornado watches, freezing temps, humidity, heat waves, your calendar becomes more flexible than your favorite yoga instructor.

We now check weather apps like some people check Instagram.

2. A solid tow vehicle is non-negotiable

We tow a big rig.
And our F-450 has been a total powerhouse.

When you’re hauling your home, your kids, and everything you own, comfort is nice,  but safety is everything.

3. Move slower than you think you need to

When we first started, we had that “see everything!” energy.
But after a few months, we realized slow travel is where the real magic happens.

Slower travel means:

• less burnout
  
• fewer fuel stops
  
• lower campground costs
  
• more time to explore

and way fewer “Why did we book these back-to-back travel days?” regrets

4. Small repairs are just part of the lifestyle

Loose screws, small leaks, parts needing adjustment, it isn’t a sign of a bad RV.
It’s a sign that you’re driving your house across the country at highway speeds.

If you can fix small things as they pop up, full-time life becomes much easier.

5. Humidity is sneaky: get ahead of it

We’ll say it again:
A real dehumidifier is worth its weight in gold.

Especially if you ever travel to Florida or the Southeast, where the air feels like soup.

6. Space matters more than you think

When you live in an RV full-time, you can’t hide from a bad floor plan.
That’s why our Brinkley’s layout has been such a win.

The bunkroom, the open living room, the spacious kitchen, the quiet bedrooms,  all of it makes daily life feel normal and comfortable.

And when you’re sharing a small space with your family, “comfortable” becomes the ultimate goal.

7. Community is one of the best parts of RV life

You meet people from all over the country who share tips, help you back into a site, offer tools when you need them, and give campground recommendations that end up becoming your favorite places.

RV people are good people.

8. The memories are worth every challenge

Yes, there were long tow days.
Yes, we had weather scares.
Yes, we spent more at restaurants than we expected (food is our love language).

But the memories,  Lake George sunsets, White Mountain hikes, Florida beach days, Vermont fall colors, and all the little moments in between, made it all worth it.

This lifestyle gives you more time together, more adventure, and more stories you’ll tell forever.

Why We Still Love the Brinkley Z3610 After a Year

After a full year of towing, living, cooking, working, homeschooling, cleaning, relaxing, and navigating life inside our Brinkley Z3610, we can confidently say something that not every RVer gets to say:

We still love our RV just as much as the day we moved into it,  maybe even more.

There’s a difference between liking how an RV looks and appreciating how it actually lives. And this rig? It lives really, really well.

The Layout Was Made for Families

The Z3610 has one of the most functional, livable layouts we’ve ever seen.

• The bunkroom gives our son his own space, and gives us space too.
  
• The living room never feels cramped, even when all three of us and the dog are in it.
  
• The kitchen has enough counter space to make real meals, not just “RV meals.”
  
• And the entire layout flows in a way that makes everyday life easy.

This is one of the few RVs where different zones actually feel like separate rooms.

It Still Feels Solid: Even After 20 States and Every Road Condition Imaginable

We’ve taken this Brinkley through:

• mountains
  
• deserts
  
• humidity
  
• freezing temps
  
• tornado-prone areas
  
• backroads
  
• gravel roads
  
• borderline pothole obstacle courses

And it has held up impressively well.

Nothing feels loose, flimsy, or “tired.”
The walls still feel solid.
The cabinets still feel sturdy.
The furniture hasn’t fallen apart.
And the entire interior still looks and feels almost new.

For a full-time rig, that’s huge.

The Quietness of Each Space Has Been a Game Changer

Most RVs don’t really offer “quiet areas”… unless you count sitting in your truck outside to take a phone call.

But in the Brinkley:

• The bedroom is quiet
  
• The bunkroom is quiet
  
• The living room is quiet
  
• You can actually get space from one another without hearing everything

When you live full-time with family, this matters more than you think.

Storage for Days

One of the biggest perks of the Brinkley design is the amount of usable storage you get without feeling cluttered.

Every cabinet, drawer, and compartment has a purpose, and the pantry (minus our little light issue) has been one of our favorite functional pieces in the entire rig.

Everything has a place, and that makes tiny living feel much bigger.

It Feels Like a Home: Not a Temporary Space

This is something we’ve heard other full-timers talk about, but didn’t fully understand until we lived it:

Some RVs feel like a camper.
The Brinkley feel like a home.

The finishes, the lighting, the layout, the decor, the residential touches, everything creates a warm, inviting environment that’s easy to settle into.

We’ve lived in apartments that didn’t feel this comfortable.

Nothing Major Broke: and That Alone Says a Lot

In the RV world, going a full year full-time with:

• no major leaks
  
• no slide issues
  
• no electrical problems
  
• no structural failures
  
• no catastrophic surprises

…is practically a badge of honor.

We had minor fixes here and there (which is completely normal), but nothing that made us say, “Oh no… this is going to be expensive.”

That kind of reliability matters, especially when your home moves as much as ours does.

All in all, the Brinkley Z3610 has been everything we hoped it would be:
solid, comfortable, beautifully designed, road-ready, and full-time friendly.

We’d choose it again in a heartbeat.

Would We Choose Brinkley Again After a Year?

In one word: Yes.

After a full year of real, full-time use, not weekend trips, not seasonal camping, but actual everyday living, we’d choose the Brinkley Z3610 all over again without hesitation.

Not because it’s perfect (no RV is), but because it has proven itself where it matters most:

• Long-term durability
  
• Full-time comfort
  
• Family-friendly design
  
• Smart storage
  
• Quiet, livable rooms
  
• Solid construction that held up through 20 states
  
• Very few repairs and zero major failures
  
• A floor plan that genuinely works for daily life

When you live on the road, your RV isn’t just a camper; it’s your house, your safe space, your routine, your school room, your office, and the backdrop for a year’s worth of memories.

This Brinkley has handled everything we’ve thrown at it, and we trust it to carry us into Year Two and beyond.

If anything, the past year just confirmed that we made the right choice.

What’s Next for Year Two: Heading West!

If Year One was about learning the lifestyle, finding our rhythm, and experiencing the East Coast and Southeast…
Year Two is all about heading WEST.

This is the part of the journey we’ve been looking forward to since the day we bought our Brinkley.

The wide-open spaces.
The mountains.
The national parks.
The kind of landscapes that make you feel small in the best way possible.

Here’s what our upcoming year is shaping up to look like:

Arizona: Round Two

We barely scratched the surface the first time we visited, so we’re excited to explore more:

• Sedona
  
• Northern Arizona
  
• Deeper into desert country
  
• More red rock that never gets old

There’s something about Arizona that makes RVing feel like the adventure it’s meant to be.

Southern Utah: The Land of Jaw-Dropping Everything

Utah might be one of the most RV-friendly states in the country, and we can’t wait to go back for more:

• Zion
  
• Bryce Canyon
  
• Grand Staircase
  
• Slot canyons
  
• Scenic drives that look like a painting

If there’s a place designed for road trips… It’s Southern Utah.

California: The Sequoias, the Coast, and Everything in Between

We’ll be avoiding the big-city chaos and focusing on the good stuff:

• Sequoia National Forest
  
• Towering giants that make your RV feel like a Matchbox toy
  
• Mountain roads
  
• Quiet forest campsites
  
• And maybe a little coastal time if we’re feeling brave

This will be a highlight, no doubt.

The Oregon Coast: A Bucket-List Stretch of Highway

This is one of the prettiest drives in the entire country.
We already know we’ll be stopping every five minutes, saying, “Okay, pull over… look at this.”

Rocky cliffs, huge waves, misty mornings, beach towns, pure magic.

Washington: Mountains, Waterfalls, and Evergreen Everything

We’ll be working our way north into Washington for:

• Coastal views
  
• Forest camping
  
• Massive waterfalls
  
• A taste of PNW mountain life

It’s completely different from the East Coast mountains we’ve spent the past year in, and we’re ready for it.

Wyoming: The Tetons

One word: wow.

The Tetons have been on our list for a long time, and we can’t wait to:

• explore the park
  
• hike
  
• photograph the mountains
  
• and experience that classic Wyoming stillness

This will definitely be one of our most memorable stops.

Montana: Big Sky Country

We want more nature. More space. More mountains.

Montana is calling us with:

• Glacier National Park
  
• endless landscapes
  
• lakes
  
• wildlife
  
• and those “you can breathe deeper here” moments

We already know it’s going to be a favorite.

Wrapping Up the Year in Michigan and Indiana

As we start looping back east toward family and cooler temps, we plan to spend time in:

• Michigan, exploring the lakes and summer destinations
  
• Indiana, visiting friends, family, and catching our breath before Year Three begins

This route gives us a beautiful mix of adventure, nature, calm, and new experiences.

Year Two Feels Like a Whole New Chapter

If Year One was about figuring out the lifestyle…
Year Two is about leaning fully into the adventure.

We’re heading into some of the most beautiful places in the United States, and we can’t wait to experience them with our Brinkley as our home.

Final Reflections: A Year of Memories We Wouldn’t Trade for Anything

Looking back at the past twelve months, it’s hard to believe how much life we’ve lived in one year.
We took a leap into full-time RVing with equal parts excitement and uncertainty, and somewhere between Utah’s red rocks and Maine’s coastline, it officially became home.

We learned that living on the road isn’t always picture-perfect.
There were long drive days, repair days, weather alerts, moments of exhaustion, and the occasional “Why did we park this way?” argument.

But there were also days we’ll talk about forever;
White Mountain sunsets, Lake George beaches, long bike rides in Florida, Vermont fall mornings, and quiet nights listening to rain hit the roof of our Brinkley.

There were moments where we felt unbelievably small standing in front of mountains… and moments where we felt unbelievably connected sitting around a campground fire.

Our Brinkley Z3610 carried us through every mile, every season, and every chapter of Year One. It gave us the space to work, rest, homeschool, cook, laugh, decompress, and grow together. It wasn’t just a camper, it was our foundation, our sanctuary, our starting point for 20 different adventures.

And now, as we get ready to head west for Year Two, we can’t help but feel grateful.
Grateful that we chose this lifestyle.
Grateful for the memories we’ve made.
Grateful for the community of RVers we’ve met.
And grateful we get to keep exploring with our home on wheels.

If there’s one thing this year has taught us, it’s this:

Life doesn’t slow down, but you can choose a life where you get to experience more of it.

We’re excited for the next chapter, the next states, the next campgrounds, the next handful of small repairs, the next mountain views, the next campfires, and the next stories we’ll get to tell.

Here’s to Year Two, and every adventure still waiting for us on the road.