Charting New Horizons: Our Sweeping Southwestern Expedition.

I typically do not focus extensively on specific metrics. I know that Judy and I have been living the RV lifestyle since June of 2023, which equates to approximately 2 ½ years. That’s an easy number to recite. Recently, however, I have become more cognizant of additional data points. Notably, this marks my 61^st blog post, and the site has received close to 10,000 views to date.  That’s pretty good, given I have no other social media presence. The primary factor contributing to the aforementioned figures is our extensive travel undertaken to achieve these metrics. To date, we have visited 25 of the 50 contiguous United States and 4 of Canada’s 10 provinces. We have stayed at more than 60 campsites, and Neil the Northpoint has covered nearly 19,000 miles. Over the past two and a half years, we have spent over 423 days on the road, representing approximately 50% of that time period. Along the way, we’ve gathered countless memories and stories that have made every mile worthwhile. From scenic mountain passes to bustling city campgrounds, each destination has added a unique chapter to our journey. Our travels have introduced us to a diverse array of fellow adventurers, friendly locals, and unforgettable experiences that have enriched our lives far beyond what the metrics alone could ever convey. As we look ahead, the anticipation of new places to explore and more tales to share continues to fuel our excitement for the road ahead, proving that the true impact of this lifestyle lies not just in the numbers, but in the adventures and connections we make along the way.

And in just a few weeks we will set course for a new adventure, our grandest and longest to date. As the season changes to fall, and the leaves change color and clutter the ground in New England, we will be packing up Neil the Northpoint and heading on a mammoth 9,000-mile, 28-stop, 185-day sweeping tour of the southwestern United States, which will include extensive forays into Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Upon completion of this trip, we will be able to add 6 additional states to the already extensive list detailed above.

165 day, 9,000-mile, 28-stop Southwestern US Trip 

There is just so much to tell you about this trip that has been in the planning stages for almost a year now. We leave before Halloween, and will spend the first month getting the RV to the warmer climate of Memphis, TN. The route south includes a stop near Bethlehem, PA, followed by two stops on the West Virginia side of the Shenandoah Valley. The first destination is Harpers Ferry, WV, known for the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Having previously visited towns on the Virginia side of the Shenandoah Valley, this trip will focus exclusively on the West Virginia region. Our second stop is in a town called Princeton, WV. This town has a history closely linked to the West Virginia coal industry, as it was a major hub for rail shipments of coal either north to Ohio or east to Maryland. The itinerary progresses into Tennessee, with a brief stop in Monterey, before completing our pre-Thanksgiving travel just outside of Memphis, across the Mississippi River in Arkansas. We will then fly back to Boston to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family.

The first week in December we return to “Neil the Northpoint” in Memphis, and soon thereafter pack up and head out on the bulk of our trip to the southwestern United States. It would be much too cumbersome to outline each stop of our 3 ¹/₂-month pilgrimage, so here is a quick list just so you know what you will be reading about in future blog posts.

• First off to Brandon, Mississippi, just outside the capital of Jackson.

• Then on to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, just outside the Lafayette, in the heart of Cajun culture.

• We follow the Gulf of Mexico (Yes, I said it) with our first stop in Galveston, Texas.

• Then we head northwest to Austin, Texas.

• Back to the gulf coast to our southernmost stop in Corpus Christi, Texas.

• Heading northwest we stop in Del Rio, Texas, on the Mexico border.

• We’re headed to Big Bend National Park in the westernmost part of Texas, a town called Terlingua, TX.

•  After five stops in Texas, we leave the state and arrive in Carlsbad, New Mexico

• Las Cruces, New Mexico is our next stop, a town that blends Spanish, Native American, and Mexican influences.

• On we go to our third southwestern state, Arizona, with our first stop being in Tucson.

• Our second stop in Arizona is the state capital of Phoenix.

• Our third stop is in northern Arizona, near Sedona and Flagstaff.

• We’re heading east again as we re-enter New Mexico for a much-anticipated stop in Santa Fe.

• As we continue our journey east, we have a 6^th stop in Texas, the city of Amarillo.

• Oklahoma City, OK, is next on our agenda as we continue to follow Interstate 40 east.

• We officially leave the southwestern states when we enter Missouri on our way to Springfield.

After finishing most of the 3 1/2-month expedition, we pause near St. Louis, MO, park “Neil the Northpoint” for approximately three weeks, and travel to Boston for two weeks of spring skiing in Lincoln, New Hampshire.

We have consistently sought to explore extensive regions of the United States during each of our journeys. Each successive trip has become longer and includes more destinations, which is understandable given our location in the northeastern corner of the country. This position necessitates extended travel to reach areas that often seem quite distant. Additionally, every journey requires passage through states and locations we have previously visited, making it increasingly challenging to find new destinations, particularly when traveling through the Midwest.  The final month of our journey involves returning east through previously traveled regions, while including stops in new locations. For instance, although we have passed through Kentucky before, this will be our first time camping in the state, beginning with a visit to Louisville. Similarly, despite frequent trips to Ohio, this will mark our initial visit to the state capital, Columbus. The route continues through Curwensville, Pennsylvania, followed by Newburgh, New York, before concluding in Massachusetts in late April.

 I have spent hundreds of hours reviewing our travel itinerary, “googling” cities, towns, states and regions to maximize our exposure to these places, and now, as the journey draws near, the anticipation is building each day. Each new stop promises its own blend of discoveries—distinct cuisine, natural beauty, and local traditions—making every mile traveled feel worthwhile. With our preparations nearly complete, we’re ready to embrace whatever the road brings, knowing that every moment will add to the tapestry of memories we’re weaving across the country as we tell… the Rest of the Story.