5in29: A Summary
What I learned from a trip of a lifetime
~ Original Plan Map ~
~ Actual Trip Map ~
At the time of first publishing this summary, it had been 20 days since we came back from the trip. But my mind has constantly reminded me of various things about the trip. I think this summary will be a work in progress—I will constantly come back here to update it when I have more thoughts and reflections. This is the great thing about Substack posts: one can always go back to edit it.
The Expenses
First thing first, how much did it cost? Divide up the total cost of $13,175, we each paid $6,587.
Some takeaways:
We should have cooked more and dined out less. But to be fair, some meals, like the New Year’s Eve at Hell’s Kitchen and a few other unique ones, were must-haves. Plus, cooking became a bit of a chore as our main interests were in exploring various places, and at the end of the day, our energy level dropped. Maybe just go with the flow, or with simple put-together meals when necessary.
We might have saved some RV Park fees if the battery was not the trouble. The longest consecutive boondock nights were 3. We might have been able to do more of 3-nights, and even stretch further, especially if weather permitting—the lowest temperature at night was 24. But if it was in the 30s or higher…
Another way of cutting the cost of the van rental: the further in advance the booking, the cheaper the cost, the better the deal.
The Readings
How far did we drive? Was the van drinking gasoline as water as we thought it was? $38 per day was a lot by any measure I can think of!
Well, the table shows so—15 miles per gallon!
Some takeaways:
Definitely too many nights at RV parks.
Not sure we can do much about the van mileage. Such vehicles are not energy efficient. How about an EV? E-campervan! Then the pressure of finding charging stations might take away the pleasure of traveling. Been there done that!
The Packing
We both overpacked our clothes. I estimate that I might have only touched one-third of what I brought. If I were to do this kind of trip again, here would be what I’d bring (assuming I could still do laundry every two or three days):
4-6 days of underwear.
3 inner tops: it is critical to wear layers since the temperature could change 30+ degrees between day and night.
3 upper jackets: a winter coat, a sweater with a front opening, and a light sporty jacket.
3 pairs of pants: a thick, a hiking, and a sporty pair. I was glad two pairs of my pants had secure pockets—very handy for carrying credit cards, the driver’s license, and other small stuff. With constant stop-and-go, a purse was burdensome.
3 pairs of shoes (hiking, sneakers for daily use, and flip-flops or sandals for showering).
3 pairs of socks: I’d have two thick ones and a thin one.
I brought my flannel PJ—it kept me warm at night. Will do that again.
A towel for showers. Or you can buy on-site. We bought some wash clothes from Walmart’s car detailing section and they were very practical.
Sunglasses—a must in the Southwest.
A winter hat (for night and early morning) and a hat for the sun. I had my winter scarf. Used only once. So, it’s optional.
A pair of light mittens for the night or early morning.
Of course, if there are official events, some special clothes should be packed. A nightgown for a fancy night out? I did bring my Syracuse Sweater for the book signing.
There is no need to bring bedding if renting from the van company. But I’d still bring my own sleep bag. I lost the blanket I brought (very warm for sleeping yet light to carry and store) and had to buy a 50-degree light sleeping bag. It was one of the best buys during the trip because it was convenient and comfortable and it did not take much room after being packed.
The National Park Pass
It is a great idea to get the pass, also known as “America the Beautiful Pass,” if you want to visit several national parks or national forests, or…
This is a screenshot from the National Park Service website (nps.gov):
Here are the major types of attractions. The pass covers the entry fees for all except National Museums.
Here is a summary of the above features we visited during this trip. For the record, I added Route 66, too. By now, you’d know this is dear to my heart and on my bucket list!
Some takeaways:
I stomped my feet over and over when I prepared this table! I wish I had done this exercise before the trip so that I’d have made sure to cover all the attraction types! We passed by a few wildlife refuges but didn’t stop. Now, that red one will haunt me for a while. But, there are always future travels.
We learned during the trip that 2026 is the 100th anniversary of Route 66. In 1926, Route 66 was officially designated, connecting Chicago to Las Angeles. This iconic highway played a pivotal role in the development of the United States, serving as a major transportation route for migrants, businesses, and tourists.
2026 marks the Centennial Celebrations. Throughout 2026, communities along the historic Route 66 will be hosting a variety of events (festivals, car shows, exhibits, etc.) and celebrations to commemorate this milestone. The 2026 centennial is a significant opportunity to celebrate the rich history and cultural legacy of Route 66 and to ensure its preservation for future generations.
A plan for a Route 66 trip in 2026? Is anyone else interested, too?
The Travel Partner
One needs a partner for a trip like this. Each can contribute in different ways and complement each other. Roman was and is a great travel companion with a lot of experience and ideas. He is very handy and knows a lot about campervans. That was important to build my trust for this trip. I was analytical, observant, and intuitive, and at times identified subtle clues of troubles or made good suggestions. Oh, I was the cook or chef, though for the simplest meals.
That said, being stuck together in a van for almost one month was challenging. There were moments of tension, especially during the first week when the van was not working right and we both were frustrated.
I haven’t shared this with Roman and don’t know what he feels. But this is what I relearned: when you are on a journey with a partner, you stick with your partner, for good times AND bad. You don’t run away when things get tough. You don’t look back to point fingers (I could have done this better!). You look forward. You hold a strong belief that you two have to finish the journey together and you two should be able to work out the troubles you are facing. With this belief, you can have a positive attitude. With that positive attitude, you two will be able to conquer the world together.
I was lucky to have Roman as my travel partner. He was patient, tolerant, and forward-looking. Oh, he was also my photographer! Thank you, Roman!