Could you set aside the life you now have and take a year long road trip?  What would it take for you to “set your house in order,” close everything down and hit the road in your RV for the trip of a lifetime?  Phil and Carol White lived their road trip dream making that year long adventure happen.  Based on a “been there done that” experience, the White’s offer to each reader basic “how to” information in taking the first steps toward experiencing your dream.  This 267 paged, paperback book should be referred to as a resource manual as well as the personal journey of Phil and Carol. 

If you have ever tried to gather up minutiae details on a seven to ten day vacation, just imagine all the combing and sorting through details when the trip is 365 days long.  More than likely you’d discover there is a lack in comprehensive trip and resource materials available for an adventure of this magnitude to keep in your hand.  Online resources such as www.rv.net, www.fulltimerver.com, and www.rvschool.com  are just a few sites which also generate a wealth of information.

Good planning and taking care of the small things go a long way toward a successful year on the road.  Everyone has an idea of what their particular vacation or dream trip will include.  When you pick up this book and read through it, don’t plan your vacation to follow where the White’s went, instead, make your RV travels your own.  This is the first of great planning.  What are you and your significant other interested in?  Will you take several short trips as a try-out before hitting the road long term, or are you the type who is able to step out and without looking back point the RV in the direction planned and keep driving?

Financing your road trip is probably the largest obstacle you’ll find.  You’ll need to be creative to find income sources while traveling or consider savings/investments, paid sabbaticals from your employment, or working your way across the country.  If you are retired, income sources may flow a little freer, however, naturally you’ll want to continue reviewing your financial status to determine how much monthly income will be needed while on the road.  Phil and Carol White determine in their book, “Live Your Road Trip Dream,” to show you how to eliminate your current expenses and funnel your income into your trip.

Deciding what to do with the home and vehicles are also included in part one of the book.  The White’s offer numerous checklists and suggestions in making decisions based on whether to lease or leave empty your family home, and important tips on how to break the news to your family especially when little grandchildren are involved.  One very helpful checklist enclosed within the pages is a detailed budget and expense planning worksheet.  After reading through this section, I came away with a greater understanding of how to put together a year’s advance budget for traveling.  “Live Your Road Trip Dream” really pulls facts together making it a valuable resource.

Since we are discussing a road trip dream of a lifetime, hopefully you already own your RV.  Should you still be in the market trying the various types of recreational vehicles (RV) on for suitability, now is the time to narrow down your selection and make the purchase.  For those first-timers, renting an RV for a one to two week excursion may help you decide whether or not a big rig, cab-over type C vehicle, or the hybrid type B van styles suit your personality and abilities to live in small spaces with other humans!  I recently saw a new 2005 Pleasure Way inside and out.  While there were four of us looking through cabinet drawers, seating arrangements, and pulling out the double doors for the shower/toilet area, I realized this under twenty-one foot RV was something I could maneuver without difficulty.  I just don’t know if I could live for one year on the road with my husband in it.  I’m sure a portion of the budget would have to be a splurge for hotel usage and amenities!

Plastic will be your best friend on the road.  Plastic in the form of zip lock bags, plastic bags with one way valves, and “The Organizer” made with plastic and canvas (a 50 pocket over the door hanging organization unit).  At home we never give thought as to what type of collection containers we sit around, yet, in an RV the constant challenge is space-space-space.  Where do you put all the rubber bands, batteries, stamps, envelopes, paperclips, velcro straps, aspirin, and countless other little things that accompany our life? 

To wrap up the review of this endearing guide book, you’ll also find a wealth of information in each budget worksheet, sample itineraries, RV checklists (multiple), and even letters to guide you in writing to remind your house tenants when to start packing and how to clean up the property prior to your arrival.   Whether dreaming, planning, or actually starting to pack for the road trip of your dreams, I think you’ll find this book extremely helpful especially for the first time RV’ers.  For more information on how to acquire a copy of “Live Your Road Trip Dream,” email Phil and Carol White at info@roadtripdream.com.   I certainly will keep my copy close by for reference when the time draws nearer realizing my dreams of being on the road as a happy RV’er!  Happy Traveling.