Wandering the U.S. in a Mobile Home

During a six-month solo journey across America from the East Coast to the West Coast, the RV adventure stands out as the most memorable escapade of the entire expedition. The experiences on the 'summer wander' are truly priceless for any travel enthusiast.

Discovering the Land of the Stars and Stripes on a Mobile Home

Road trip – A Dust-tinged Journey

While still in the state of Texas, two companions messaged me, inviting me to join them on a summer road trip. The term 'road trip' unfolded visions of endless roads, majestic mountains, and lush green forests before my eyes.

Excited, I spent an entire afternoon juggling bus tickets and itineraries to travel around Texas. Eventually, I embraced a total of two days, eleven hours on the bus journey from Austin, Texas, to Los Angeles, California. After that, I embarked on the second leg of the trip to Portland, kicking off the adventure.

Two adventurous companions truly went all out, innovating their pickup truck into an RV (Recreational Vehicle), embarking on a journey of leaving home behind every few years to explore the great outdoors and escape the routine by immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the United States.

Enthusiastic wanderers like my friends, more financially affluent, opt for a full-fledged RV. Those with a more modest budget may rent a vehicle or pack up their tents, bikes, and set off in their own cars. The road beckons, and off they go.

Occasionally, as we leisurely pass through a stretch of deserted wilderness, the rearview mirror of the RV reveals a group of large-displacement motorcycles cruising gracefully on the road. I glance at these free-spirited souls and think, perhaps, one day I could experience the liberty to roam wherever I please, just like them.

We move, cook, bathe, and rest, all within the confines of this RV, more aptly referred to as a 'mobile home.' Every evening, the crucial task is to find an available spot within the campground of a national park.

In the summer, the peak season for road trips in the U.S., securing a campsite becomes a veritable 'battle,' especially when everyone and their families are heading from the mountains to the seas.

After settling the RV in a plot of land, we prepare dinner, set the table, and, if fortunate enough to have water, wash dishes or take a refreshing shower. Embarking on a road trip to a national park demands a mindset of distancing oneself from the comfort of what Americans commonly refer to as 'home,' those boxy, amenity-filled structures.

In those rare places decked out with all the amenities – bathrooms, washing machines, outdoor movie screens, hotels, or wooden cabins for rent... But most campgrounds have just one or two makeshift bathrooms, and diligent individuals must locate water pumps strategically placed for minimal essential living.

No cozy blankets or soft mattresses, no air conditioning humming throughout the house, no spotlessly clean and fragrant baths, no WiFi, no phone signal... only mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes. After all, that's what truly qualifies as 'getting back to nature,' isn't it?

Another World Inside the U.S.

At Canyonlands, as the first rays of sunlight touched the Mesa rock formation, we stood in awe, witnessing the otherworldly glow amidst the enchanting mist of a dreamy morning. I forgot my primary mission of trekking here at dawn, just to capture this special moment on camera. Ignoring the continuous click of cameras by fellow Americans nearby, I stood there, mesmerized and immersed in the scene beyond the window in the sky.

The night before, my older travel companion advised me to sleep early to await this moment. Anyone at Canyonlands National Park rushes at dawn, eager to catch the first sunrise on this famous rock formation.

Yet, I went to bed late, enchanted by the countless glittering bands of stars embracing the pitch-black ground below. In the silence of the night, I could distinctly hear my own gentle breath. No car horns, no sounds except for the wind, the wilderness serene with only me and the silver-laden sky adorned with millions of tiny starry dots.

It's not until you leave the dazzling city lights behind, hop on an RV for a road trip that you truly witness a mesmerizingly different side of the United States. On the meandering summer roads, we sometimes wonder if we're truly amidst the vastness of America or have stumbled into an entirely different world.

In this 'world,' instead of towering skyscrapers, we encounter cascading waterfalls with frothy white spray. Instead of the bustling subway system, there are ancient mountain passages millions of years old. Replacing crowded streets are stretches of asphalt devoid of any soul in sight, leading us to the edge of the horizon.

This morning, our trek in Grand Staircase-Escalante came to a halt due to a sand slide. The quest for a mountain passage proved futile, yet we effortlessly meandered between earth and sky, amidst colorful rock formations throughout the journey.

In Yellowstone, I held my breath watching serene bison grazing in the lush Hayden Valley. Amidst the summer, the golden fields at Cedar Breaks made me feel like I had wandered into a land of perpetual spring.

The ever-shifting hues of the maze-like canyons in Bryce Canyon never cease to enchant me, whether it's at dawn, noon, or sunset. And if you find yourself at Lake Tahoe, don't question whether the vivid blue waters extending to the distant sky are real.

As I wander along the open road, I often let my arm be caressed by the wind whistling through the window, feeling as free as a bird. To truly experience America like an American, embark on a road trip.

The desolate roads that seem to lead nowhere eventually unveil a different world within the heart of America. On such stretches, I sometimes forget the concrete jungles of New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago... and only recognize endless pine forests casting shadows on the lake's surface with a misty veil at Yosemite in the early morning as the RV departs.

Established in 1872, Yellowstone became America's first national park. In the late 19th century, a series of national parks in the U.S. were planned, and to this day, they remain renowned tourist destinations, including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Mesa Verde, and more.

Managed by the National Park Service (NPS) since its establishment in 1916, U.S. national parks attract hundreds of millions of visitors annually, according to the NPS.

When embarking on a road trip to national parks, minimize credit card usage. Instead, prepare cash for entrance fees and campsite rentals. Each national park has its own website for essential information, trip scheduling, and online campsite reservations available six months to a year in advance.

According to Doanh Nhân Sài Gòn

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Explore: Travel Guide from Mytour