Day 1, June 27, 2025 – Canton, CT – Westfield, NY
It’s always a big day when the key turns and the engine hums to life for the first day of a new trip—that low, familiar rumble that signals the beginning of another adventure. This time, though, the trip feels different. For starters, Kevin (our trusty Class C RV) is sporting some serious upgrades. And more personally? For the first time ever, I’m hitting the road without either of my kids. This trip to Glacier National Park in Montana, and Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, is two years in the making. Despite the curveball thrown my way this year, I am optimistic and enthusiastic about this adventure. I feel happy, healthy, and strong and I have goals for this trip. Let’s go!
Let’s talk about the new gear, because honestly, we’ve leveled up for this trip.
The biggest change? Starlink is now riding shotgun—mounted on the roof, always locked on. That’s right: in-motion internet. I could stream, Zoom, or even host a webinar while cruising at 65 down I-90 (not that I would, but the point is: I could). And the kids can play X-Box, watch movies or scroll Tik-Tok while on those long 12-hour travel days. Combine that with three 200-watt solar panels, and we’ve got a camper that’s ready to chase horizons without constantly begging for a power plug. Fewer generator hours and more boondocking opportunities – there are so many Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas, State and National Parks where we can stay for longer periods of time. We also added a portable 30-gallon water bladder to our camping equipment. This way, we can refill the freshwater tank without moving the RV when we are without hookups. Thank goodness for our very own Fix-It-Felix, Rob. He dedicated some serious hours to the installation process.
Kevin also gained some new flair since our last trip—a few fresh stickers, proudly documenting the states and memories we’ve collected along the way. Kevin is not just a camper anymore; she’s a rolling scrapbook. We are also looking forward to adding another state sticker to our map – North Dakota, specifically.
Then there’s our “Toad” (a.k.a. the Jeep we’re towing). Outfitted with a new Blue Ox Patriot brake system and a fresh set of tires, she’s ready to trail behind without drama—though the A/C remains a mystery. Will it be refreshing or just blow a lot of hot air? Only time will tell.
Kevin’s dashboard now boasts a herd of tiny purple hippos, because every trip needs a little absurdity. And in the spirit of joy-spreading, we brought along a bag full of rubber ducks to leave as tiny surprises along the way—our version of cross-country pixie dust.
We rolled out around 11 AM—a bit later than planned, but absolutely on brand. (Honestly, Rob told us his goal was to leave at 10 AM, but he knew full-well we would leave at least an hour later. He’s getting really smart.) The goal today was simply to get some miles behind us and settle into the rhythm of the road – sort of like the warm-up lap before a big race. 450 miles, four sandwiches, and one audiobook later, we pulled into Westfield, NY KOA, situated right on the edge of Lake Erie.
There’s something deeply comforting and familiar about a Kampground of America. Full hookups? Yes, please. Dinner tasted extra delicious (it always does after a long drive), and we capped off the night by exploring the campground which was full of trees, streams, and a small vineyard, as well as the park across the street next to the lake. The sun set at 8:58 PM and spilled pink and orange across the sky, and I let it sink in: we’re doing this. A new trip, a long-haul drive, a different kind of quiet. I set aside the emptiness of having neither Amaya nor Kai on this adventure and focused on the excitement of upcoming adventures with Rob, Alyssa, and Marlie in Glacier and Banff. Bittersweet, maybe, but also full of possibility.
Tomorrow’s destination? A surprise twist—an overnight stop at an airplane hangar. (Because why not?) But who knows what roadside oddities lie between here and Poplar Grove, IL?
For now, the good tanks are full and the icky tanks are empty, the fridge is humming, and Kevin is parked under a blanket of stars. Day one is in the books.
Rubber Duck Count: 0
Hippos Secured: 6
States Traveled: CT → NY
Miles: 450
Next Stop: Somewhere with wings
Cue up: “Send Me on My Way” by Rusted Root– because this trip is officially underway.
Wandering, But Not Lost 