A Year Since Our Greatest Adventure: Our Cross-Country Airstream Dream

A year ago, we hit the road on what was quite literally the trip of our dreams…our three-month, cross-country Airstream adventure! It was more than just a trip; it was a moment a decade in the making. Ten-plus years of dreaming, saving, and planning led to August 2023, when we finally purchased our Airstream and made that dream a reality. We hit the road in February 2024 ofor the trip of a lifetime!! And now, a year later, we’re reminiscing on every jaw-dropping view, cozy campsite, and wild adventure we had along the way. So, grab a coffee (or a road-trip snack), and let’s take a trip down memory lane!

 

The Route: From Heartland to Coastline & Back Again

We kicked things off in Rockport, Indiana, making our way through Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, Oklahoma and back again. Here’s the breakdown of where we went, what we loved, and why we’d do it all over again in a heartbeat!

Arkansas: A Cozy Start

St. Joseph Center (Harvest Host)

• A beautiful, historic community art & coop farm.
• We felt SO safe here, and walking through the farm felt like stepping into a storybook.
• No hookups, but the peaceful atmosphere more than made up for it.

Texas: Lakeside Luxury

The Vineyards Campground – Dallas, TX

• STUNNING lake views that made us feel like we were living in a postcard!
• Super easy in & out, perfect for a stress-free stay.
• The location was beyond convenient for exploring Dallas.
• Full hookups = all the comforts of home on the road!

New Mexico: Caves, Sand, & Wine

Chosa Campground – Carlsbad, NM

• Free BLM land with wide-open desert views…hello, epic sunsets!
• No hookups, but the starry sky views were next level.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

• Absolutely ICONIC. Exploring underground felt like discovering a hidden world.

White Sands National Park

• Quite possibly the most otherworldly place we’ve ever visited.
• We would easily say this was the happiest day ever!!!

DH Lescombes Winery (Harvest Host)

• A gorgeous winery with amazing overnight accommodations.
• We loved sipping wine as the sun set over the vines.

Arizona: Desert Magic & Dreamy Sunsets

Tucson (Private HipCamp Site)

• TOTAL privacy in the heart of the desert…just us and the stars!
• The sunsets? Unreal. We watched them every single night!

Saguaro National Park: A Desert Wonderland

• Delivered all the classic Arizona cactus views! SO COOL!

Phoenix: This City Has Our Hearts

Phoenix (HipCamp)

• Prime location for exploring Phoenix, Mesa & Scottsdale.
• Papago Park at sunset? A MUST!
• Full hookups + washer & dryer access? Felt like winning the RV lottery!

Grand Canyon National Park: Breathtaking Views

Grand Canyon Village

• Snow at the Grand Canyon? Unexpected but magical!
• We stayed inside the park, making it so easy to explore all the trails.
• Full hookups kept us comfy even in the chilly temps.
• That annual park pass was hands-down the best investment of the trip!

Page, Arizona: Unexpected Adventures Galore

Antelope Point Marina – Page, AZ

• Full hookups & immaculately clean campground.
• Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Wahweap Bay…so many incredible bucket list spots in one place!

Zion National Park: Our Favorite National Park

Zion Canyon Campground

• This place STOLE our hearts. Zion National Park = our favorite stop of the trip.
• Perfect location in Springdale, full hookups, and easy park access.

Las Vegas: Short & Sweet Stop

Las Vegas RV Resort

• Clean, safe, and the perfect spot to recharge after Zion.
• The Strip was just a short ride away for all the Vegas fun!

California: Cruising the Coast in Style

Cardella Winery (Harvest Host – Mendota, CA

• STUNNING vineyard views and the best wine tastings.
• Quick and easy overnight stay while on the road!!

Dumbarton Quarry Campground – San Francisco, CA

• Full hookups + amazing hiking right on the bay.
• Explored San Francisco & Cupertino and had the BEST TIME!!!

Morro Dunes RV Park – Morro Bay, CA

• A peaceful beachside retreat that we desperately needed after the craziness of Vegas & San Fran!

Surfout Post – Malibu, CA

• Our favorite stay of the entire trip!
• Full hookups & insane ocean views.
• Explored LA, Santa Monica, Disneyland & more!

Back Through the Desert

Joshua Tree National Park

• Hiked Joshua Tree National Park during the day and stayed out to stargaze at night. PURE MAGIC.

Painted Desert & Petrified Forest National Park

• Quick stop, but so worth it! The colors of the landscape were breathtaking.

On the Way Back Home

Junkyard on 66 Brewery (Harvest Host)

• Super cool brewery with funky Route 66 vibes.
• Such a fun overnight stay!!

Stafford Air & Space Museum (Harvest Host)

• Easy overnight stay and surprisingly fascinating exhibits!

And then…we finished our long drive back home, reflecting on all the incredible moments we had experienced along the way. Every sunrise over desert landscapes, every cozy night spent under starry skies, and every spontaneous adventure added to the richness of our journey. We laughed about the hiccups, laughed at the lessons learned, marveled at the breathtaking places we had visited, and felt a deep gratitude for the time we spent together on the open road. Full hearts, a million memories, and an unshakable wanderlust that will keep us dreaming of the next big adventure.

Reflections: Would We Do It Again?

1000% YES. This trip was a dream, a challenge, and an adventure all rolled into one. Every single stop had something unique and special, and we wouldn’t change a thing (except maybe staying longer in White Sands!).

So, here’s to the road, the dream, and whatever adventure comes next. 🚐✨