RV’ing around the Pacific Northwest: Schultz Family Summer Vacation 2020
In August, we took a Covid-inspired vacation. We rented a Four Winds 2019 27R RV from Ryan’s RV. This allowed us to travel self-contained, with our own bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms, no unpacking, etc. We ended up traveling over 2000 miles, making a grand loop back to Seattle!
A few things we did: brought the instapot for easier meals with less mess in a small kitchen, brought the kids’ bikes on a bike rack, and rented a smaller “regular” car from Avis while in Yellowstone (easier to maneuver/park, and we could access roads RVs couldn’t travel on).
Common questions? Yes, you can drive an RV. No, it’s not “fun” but you get used to it, and no, you don’t need a special drivers license for a Class C or Class B RV (the Class A RVs that are basically buses are different). We got ~10 miles to the gallon, the RV was on a Ford E450 base. We had a generator on board, and a big water tank, so could hang out wherever for a while . . . and finally, emptying the sewer tanks: not fun, but not too bad.
Here’s a rough idea of our itinerary:
August 4, pick up RV at Ryan’s RV in Everett. Definitely drives like a truck, and took some getting used to, particularly with the bike rack on back. We stopped for some groceries before heading to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. We camped at Camp Coeur D’Alene.
August 5, we had a day on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Rented a Chapparal and enjoyed tubing and exploring the lake before exploring the downtown and back to Camp.
August 6 we drove to Anaconda, Montana where we stayed at the Fairmont Hot Springs RV park. A crazy thunder and lighting storm kept us out of the springs that night but we visited the next morning!
August 7 we drove down to West Yellowstone where we picked up an Avis rental and then into Yellowstone! Asher used his FREE 4th grade national parks pass, and we drove towards our camp spot at Bridge Bay. Along the way, we saw some of the mud pots, geysers, and other volcanic fun!
August 8 (Yellowstone): we toured and hiked the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
August 9 (Yellowstone): we drove out towards the north entrance, did a great hike up Bunsen Peak, saw Mammoth Hot Springs, and had pizza in the town of Gardiner. On the way out of the park, we saw a whole bunch of mountain goats.
August 10: we explored the Geysers including Old Faithful and many others.
August 11: we left Yellowstone towards Grand Tetons. On the way out, we did a great hike to Riddle Lake. Camped at Headwaters right outside the park, first we explored around Jackson Lake.
Yellowstone Photos
August 12: we explored Grand Tetons including a great hike to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and around Jenny Lake. To get there we had to take a ferry across the lake! Then we went to Jackson where we stayed at the Virginian Inn RV Park. That night, we ate dinner out on a beautiful view deck at The Bird.
August 13: Woke up and did a horseback tour (Asher and Max’s first time on horses) with A-OK Corral, and then an afternoon whitewater trip on the Snake River with Barker-Ewing. The kids were upset they didn’t get more Class IV rapids, but Asher and Max both were excited to “ride the bull” by sitting on the front of the raft as we went straight into rapids. That night, Brian and Kara went out to the eat while the kids read in the RV (in touch via walkie-talkie) at Pica’s Mexican.
August 14: Drove from Jackson to Craters of the Moon. Relatively empty park, and lots of interesting things to see. We found an amazing first-come, first-served campsite right in the park!
August 15: Long day of driving, drove from Craters of the Moon to Bend, Oregon.
August 16: We explored Sunriver and Bend, including crazy mountain biking down Mt Bachelor.
August 17: We drove back to Seattle!, stopping for a final hike on the PCT on Mt Hood!