There comes a point in life when dreaming is no longer enough.
For years, Vicky and I talked about traveling the country. We’d spread maps across the table, highlight places we wanted to visit, and promise ourselves that one day we’d have the time. Like so many people, life had other plans. Careers, raising a family, responsibilities, and deadlines always seemed to take priority.
Then something changed.
Instead of asking, “When should we go?” we began asking, “What are we waiting for?”
That simple shift in perspective led us to hitch up our fifth-wheel in the spring of 2024 and begin a journey that has become one of the greatest blessings of our lives. Looking back now, I realize we weren’t simply traveling across America—we were finally chasing a dream we had carried for decades.
Dreams Only Come True When You Take the First Step
Many RV owners spend years planning the perfect trip.
They compare campgrounds, watch countless YouTube videos, read blogs, upgrade equipment, and map routes. Planning certainly has its place, but eventually every dream reaches the same crossroads:
Stay comfortable…or start living the adventure.
On May 7, 2024, we chose the adventure.
Leaving Michigan behind, our 2024 Forest River Rogue Armored fifth wheel quickly became more than an RV—it became our home, our office, and our front-row seat to God’s incredible creation.
We didn’t have every answer.
We simply decided the time had come.
Every State Has a Story
One of the greatest surprises wasn’t how many miles we covered.
It was how different every stop felt.
Some places became destinations. Others were simply overnight stops that unexpectedly created lasting memories.
During our first year we spent meaningful time in:
- Michigan
- Ohio
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- Florida
- Texas
- South Dakota
Along the way we also traveled through:
- West Virginia
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Arkansas
- Missouri
- Iowa
- Illinois
Every campground introduced new neighbors.
Every scenic drive offered another reminder that America is filled with beauty waiting just beyond the next highway exit.
Sometimes the memories came from famous attractions.
Sometimes they came from sharing coffee outside the RV while watching another sunrise.
Those quiet moments often became our favorites.
Living in an RV Changed Our Perspective
When people hear we spent nearly an entire year living in our fifth wheel, one question usually follows.
“Wasn’t that difficult?”
Honestly…
Not nearly as much as many imagine.
By Thanksgiving we had spent only about three weeks in a traditional house. Everything else happened from the road.
Home wasn’t defined by an address anymore.
Home was wherever we parked together.
After more than 10,000 miles, we learned something valuable:
You really don’t need as much as you think you do.
Life becomes surprisingly simple when your priorities are experiences instead of possessions.
Yes, You Can Still Work While Traveling
One misconception about full-time RV living is that retirement is the only path.
That simply isn’t true.
Technology has made remote work possible for many careers.
While traveling, I continued teaching real estate pre-license classes online through Zoom. It allowed me to stay connected with students while enjoying the freedom of the open road.
My years serving clients as a Realtor® and mentoring both new and experienced agents also continued remotely. Helping others embrace technology while serving their own clients remained rewarding, regardless of which campground we happened to be parked in.
The office view simply changed.
Some mornings it overlooked pine forests.
Other days it overlooked lakes, mountains, or rolling farmland.
That’s a difficult commute to complain about.
Our Dreams Continue to Grow
One interesting thing happens after you begin traveling.
Your bucket list gets longer.
Places you’ve visited call you back.
New destinations suddenly appear on the map.
As we looked toward future travels, several favorites remained high on our list:
- North Carolina
- Florida
- South Dakota
- Texas
At the same time, we found ourselves eagerly anticipating new adventures through:
- New Mexico
- Arizona
- Utah
- Colorado
The beauty of RV travel is realizing there will always be another road to explore.
Ignore the “Right Way” to RV
Spend enough time online and you’ll quickly discover hundreds of people explaining the “correct” way to live the RV lifestyle.
Buy this.
Never buy that.
Stay here.
Avoid there.
Travel fast.
Travel slow.
Here’s what we’ve learned after decades of camping and now traveling extensively across America:
There isn’t one right way.
Your journey should reflect your priorities—not someone else’s YouTube channel.
Some travelers move every two days.
Others stay an entire season.
Some prefer luxury resorts.
Others seek quiet state parks tucked beneath towering trees.
Neither approach is wrong.
The best RV lifestyle is the one that brings you peace.
Don’t Let “Someday” Stay on Your Calendar
Perhaps the greatest lesson this journey has taught us has very little to do with RVs.
Life doesn’t wait.
There will always be another reason to postpone your dream.
Another bill.
Another obligation.
Another project.
Another excuse.
If you have been talking about traveling with your spouse, your family, or even by yourself, don’t wait until every detail is perfect.
Perfect rarely arrives.
Start where you are.
Take the weekend trip.
Visit the campground you’ve been talking about.
Drive the scenic highway.
Watch the sunrise from somewhere new.
Years from now, you probably won’t remember another weekend spent mowing the lawn.
You’ll remember standing beside someone you love, watching waves roll in, grateful you finally decided to go.
Final Thoughts
When we began this adventure, we thought we were simply checking destinations off a map.
Instead, we found something far more valuable.
We discovered that dreams have a way of changing us long before we ever reach the destination.
The miles, campgrounds, scenic roads, and incredible landscapes have all been unforgettable, but they aren’t what matter most.
What matters are the conversations around the campfire.
The unexpected friendships.
The quiet mornings with coffee outside the RV.
The realization that home has very little to do with four walls and everything to do with who is standing beside you.
If there’s a dream you’ve been carrying for years, don’t spend another season wondering what it might have been like.
Hook up the trailer.
Turn the key.
Take the first mile.
You may discover that the life you’ve been dreaming about has been waiting just down the road.
Happy travels,
The Cooper Shortcut Camping Journey Trio 😊 PlusOne!
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