It’s the little things that I miss the most every time we travel without our RV.
Our most recent stay in a short-term rental has reminded me why I love traveling in our RV. Sometime between checking the sheets, wishing I had my own coffee maker, and tossing around on an unfamiliar mattress, I realized how much the little things make our RV feel like home.
#1) Pristine Bedding
Fun fact: The first thing I do when arriving at a hotel, or a short-term rental, is pull back the covers to check the sheets. I know that seems a little strange, but I’ve stayed in a few places with questionable sheets. But in my RV, I know I’ll find clean linens every time because I’m the one who washed them. I feel more relaxed when I know exactly where I’m sleeping.
#2) Packed and Peaceful
I always pack for every possible scenario, which leads to an overstuffed vehicle and a frazzled mind by the time we leave. It’s not always clear which items hotels and short-term rentals will have. For example, have you ever tried to make cookies in a frying pan because you had no baking sheets? If so, then you know exactly what I mean! Sometimes hotels or short-term rentals state that they have certain cooking utensils or kitchen essentials, only for those items to be missing when we arrive.
Having my own RV means I can stock it with my own kitchen essentials, ensuring I have everything I need on our trips.
#3) Morning Routine Certainty
The third reason I miss my RV is that I am a coffee snob. Being able to bring my own coffee machine and brand of coffee on trips is an important part of starting the day right. Coffee isn’t just coffee to me; it sets the tone of my day. The coffee machines in hotels often only provide one small packet of commercial-grade coffee, and while short-term rentals often have better options, I’m attached to my coffee pot and my favorite mug.
#4) Quality Sleep
The last time we stayed at a short-term rental, we left with a neck ache from sleeping on an untested mattress and pillows. I love a good location with a nice view, but if I’m not getting a good night’s sleep, I won’t be able to enjoy it for very long. When booking a hotel or short-term rental, the comfort of the bed is unpredictable. Will it be too firm or too soft? Will the pillows be fluffy or flat? Bringing your own pillows is an option, but again, that would mean packing more than necessary.
When not staying in our RV, I miss our perfect mattress. We picked it out, and it is exactly what we need to sleep best: medium-firm with slightly firm pillows. I love traveling with my own bed instead of simply hoping the place I stay has a mattress that I find comfortable.
Final Thoughts
While none of these items make a huge difference on their own, together, they have a significant impact on the trip. RVing allows you to bring pieces of home with you wherever you travel. That is what makes RVing my preferred choice of travel. While I love experiencing new places, traveling with the comforts of home makes the adventure complete. What’s one comfort from home you always miss when you travel?
